Chapter 35: Sanctuary of Hibras (2)

Chapter 35: Sanctuary of Hibras (2)

Following Sirien, we arrived at a slightly elevated hill.

From here, we could overlook the surrounding coniferous forest and the paths we had fought along.

In particular, I could see the cave where we had fought the mother spider from a distance.

In the last battle, I had definitely unleashed my sword aura.

Though I am a half-baked swordmaster, my skills had improved nonetheless.

As soon as my body recovered, I wanted to test my sword again.

Out of habit, I scanned the surroundings for any beasts or monsters, but at least in this area, there seemed to be no need for such worries.

Was it because the believers were here and the place was thoroughly guarded?

Thanks to that, I could climb the hill as comfortably as if I were walking up a neighborhood back hill.

“We’re almost there. Are you managing okay?”

“Did you really think I’d hear you ask if I was managing okay?”

“What’s so surprising? Besides, Razen, you’re a patient.”

“I’m not so weak that I can’t walk. On the contrary, moving a bit makes me feel refreshed.”

It was true. I guess I am the kind of person who needs to move my body daily to feel satisfied.

Just walking a little made me feel much better than lying in bed.

My body was already itching, and I almost wanted to exercise a bit before going to bed.

If I did that, I’d probably get nagged quite a bit. Could I do it secretly from Sirien?

I’d have to look for an opportunity later.

“We’ve arrived. This is the place I had in mind. It looks different up close than from below.”

Sirien spread her hands proudly. This was the end of the hill, where it abruptly ended in a high cliff.

Below the cliff, a dense forest spread out in a single view.

Old trees painted the land green like a horizon, merging with the white snow and plains behind them.

There might be a village where people lived far away, but it wasn’t high enough to see that far.

The blue sky blended with white clouds above, and a breeze made the wild grass smile.

“I actually thought about it a lot. I imagined building a splendid palace one day and holding a grand ceremony in front of everyone. Something magnificent.”

“I think I like this place better.”

“Yeah, me too. I prefer keeping precious things to myself. And no one else needs to be involved in our contract.”

“Two spectators would be enough. They might sit there without us knowing.”

“That would be nice.”

Our lives changed the moment we entered this forest. We lost Terion and Hena and fought desperately in this place.

We resented the events that happened in this coniferous forest to the point of death, but we didn’t hate the forest itself.

If Sirien and I were to conduct a knightly ordination or some significant ceremony, it was only right to do it here.

I didn’t need a luxurious palace either. This place, where Terion and Hena’s spirits rested, was far more meaningful than any palace celebrated by the masses.

Sirien sat on a rock at the edge of the cliff. In her small hand, she held a ceremonial sword adorned with intricate designs.

Despite its weight, she had carried it all the way up here herself.

“Shall we begin?”

I knelt on one knee in front of Sirien.

Sirien drove the silver blade straight into the ground.

Hoo.

The sound of a shallow breath. Her long silver hair fluttered elegantly as she exhaled, releasing her tension.

Her blood-red eyes settled into an icy gaze. The priestly robe, a bit too large for her, billowed like a cloak in the wind. Her hands rested on the pommel of the sword. Behind the sharp longsword, the girl had suddenly become a dignified ruler.

Thud.

“You’re awake? Perfect timing.”

I opened the cell door and stepped inside. The creaking sound caused the man to lift his head, and our eyes met. I spoke softly as I did my work.

“Listen, today something very good happened to me.”

“...”

“Really. It’s so good that having to come see someone like you is dreadful. So, I don’t want to look at you for long. I hope this ends quickly.”

The man was tied to a shabby wooden chair.

His tendons were already severed, and there were many signs of torture I didn’t want to look at.

The smell of blood hung around him. I didn’t get too close, worried that the scent might cling to me.

I didn’t want Razen to catch even a whiff of such a stench from me.

I pushed aside all the clean blades that seemed prepared just for me.

“Let me tell you upfront, you’re going to die anyway. It’s necessary for the ceremony. They say the god who presides over rest and death requires death in the ceremony. Apparently, the person must be someone tied to fate, and luckily for me, there’s you.”

What I picked up was a branding iron. I placed it on the hot brazier. After a few minutes, the iron turned a glowing red.

They say you should always give a preview of the pain that awaits.

I heard that you must start by branding them at least once.

Without asking any questions, I pressed the iron against the man’s thigh. The sickening smell of cooking flesh rose.

“Be grateful. If it weren’t for you, I’d be in quite a bind. So, I’m giving you this chance to save us both some time. I’ll remove the gag now.”

“Kuh. They said you were like a delicate flower in a greenhouse, but it seems none of the information was accurate.”

“It wasn’t exactly a lie. People change depending on their environment. I’ve just changed a little.”

The betrayal of Count Roxen taught me never to trust anyone. Losing my brother and Hena taught me that my enemies always target my loved ones. I was always a quick learner.

Having decided not to trust anyone, almost everyone became either meaningless or an enemy to me.

I must show no mercy to my enemies. Therefore, I no longer hesitate to harm others.

As expected, Razen was the only exception. I had lost the only other two people who could have been exceptions.

This man was the leader of the pursuing party that had been chasing me.

Under normal circumstances, he would have succeeded in catching me by now, but reality had turned out this way.

The green-haired man, the guardian of this sanctuary, was quite capable.

He had killed all the other pursuers but had captured this man alive.

The reason he was kept alive was because he was needed for the ceremony.

However, I had my own reasons for dealing with him.

Starting tomorrow, I planned to travel around with Razen, so today was my only chance.

“I promise you this: if you answer my questions well, I won’t harm you.”

I meant it. I had no interest in torturing people for pleasure. In fact, such scenes made me feel nauseous.

Even now, it was painful to see the man’s injuries.

But I would do what needed to be done.

“The questions aren’t that difficult. You’re going to die anyway, so there’s no harm in answering. Here’s the first question. What happened to my parents, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Eilencia?”

“They’re dead.”

“I figured as much. Do you know when and how they died?”

“I heard they died in a battle against Eligor. I don’t know if that’s true. That’s all I know.”

“Alright. I believe you. Now for the second question. There’s no direct bloodline left in the Grand Duchy, so how is Count Roxen maintaining his power? He’s not of the main bloodline, just a distant relative.”

“That’s...”

His answer made me frown.

“That’s disgusting. That man definitely needs to be killed.”

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