Chapter 167

Episode 167: Making an excuse (7)

─Then we will hunt Biryu Lake...

─But if the residents are agitated...

─If you can’t console even one of the residents, then you are qualified to become the lord of the castle....

There are also losses to take in the process of catching them. Since there is no damage after catching it, it is said that if you catch Biryu Lake, the dryness of the land every year disappears.

How many people would step down in such a situation?

The meeting eventually turned towards capturing Biryuho.

It’s just that, taking into account the backlash from residents, whether to spread the facts and catch them later or catch them later became a new topic, and the argument started again.

─I don’t think we can come to a conclusion like this. How about everyone cool off a bit and talk about it?

─I admit it. There were still issues of debate, such as relief measures in case of an emergency.

─I also agree. Actually, I was in a hurry to go to the bathroom earlier...

I guess that’s why. The expression of the Lord of Ednium Castle, who had said he was prepared to make any sacrifice, became somewhat blank.

Of course, he didn’t miss out on what he had to do.

“...Then let’s restart the meeting in 30 minutes. How are you all?”

─Good.

─I think I’m fine too.

─Then let’s meet again in thirty minutes.

He quickly gathered people’s opinions and created a break time. Then, some of them cut off the magical connection as if they had decided to do so.

No, actually, most of them were like that. When you see a wizard talking about wasting magic power, it seems like it’s because he feels like magic power is a waste.

─I hope you come to our city someday.

Even the narrow-eyed Seongju narrowed one eye at me and disappeared.

I wanted to catch him right away and ask for a conversation, but at the same time, I felt like I didn’t want to do that. It was the height of contradiction.

─Lord Seong.

In the meantime, the only people left in the room were the people in the hall and the owner of Camburgh.

Silent longing and joy burned between the eyes of the two people.

“...When I first heard the story from Leon, I thought, ‘This is unstoppable.’ “Even if you can’t save that child, that’s not an option you should choose as the lord of the castle.”

Seongju held his leg, unable to walk without the help of others. The bony legs that were covered with a blanket were tightly held in two dry hands.

“But you say you don’t have to do that.”

However, instead of looking at his legs for a long time, Seongju suddenly looked up at me. Thanks to the small distance, the head of the castle did not break his neck.

“You don’t have to abandon my son like this.”

At the same time, I also came out of my complicated thoughts.

He was prepared to sacrifice his son, but he could not dare to think about anything else in front of his parents who barely managed to save him.

─ Lord of the castle...

Fortunately, the Lord of the castle did not look at me for a long time.

He slightly turned his gaze in the middle and looked at Camburgh Little Lord. The aged face became blurred.

“But I don’t know if even my residents think that way.”

The warmth disappeared.

“I feel sorry for that child and the small lord of Camburgh... Our city is now full of people who don’t want to incur Biryuho’s wrath.”

─There are rumors like that going around in our city too.

“It’s not at that level.”

Seongju glanced out the window. For security reasons, all the windows in the banquet hall were covered with thick cloth so that no one could see outside.

“Ever since the forest was covered with huge vines immediately after the defeat of the Great Evil, our city’s religious faith has skyrocketed.”

Even so, the sound seems to be faintly audible. I still remember seeing the people whispering as I came to the castle.

“Of course, if I take the time, I might be able to convince them someday. But... when will that be? And will Leon be safe by then?”

After saying that, Seongju closed his eyes. “It would be ridiculous to say something like this to a subject who forced a sacrifice.” The face that seemed resolute may actually have been his own way of mourning.

“What’s wrong? “Isn’t it good for people when the land dries out?”

“I’m sure there are people who don’t want to accept it.”

“so?”

“You’re worried that there might be a backlash, right...”

“Then wouldn’t it be enough to press it with force?”

“That’s a tyrant.”

“That Berserk. “Even if it is right in the end, if the means are wrong, the result also loses its shine.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“You don’t want to hold a grudge?”

“What do you mean?”

“The person who killed the lord of the castle... that person.”

“of course. Do not.”

I don’t know what kind of expression it looks like.

“We have no right to blame him.”

I don’t think it’s bad.

“But many people died because of that person... I think he must have done it out of personal feelings...”

“It doesn’t matter what kind of feelings the person who came forward had. “Whether it was survival or revenge, the fundamental reason why he couldn’t bear it and took up the sword himself was because no one stopped Seongju.”

If the assassination, which was truly the signal for the massacre, was Dev’s, it would be difficult to fill the black hole in his heart with this....

“Anyway, if we had prevented Seongju’s rampage from the beginning, would he have taken up the sword? Would such an incident have occurred if citizens with rights had colluded to stop Seongju? By overlooking evil deeds, you say, ‘That’s okay. Still, we were the ones who gave the signal, ‘We will remain silent.’ Like the mistake I almost made this time. So, that blade is ultimately conceived by our original sin, and the massacre that resulted from it is ultimately our karma. So we can’t blame him.”

One shovel. I think it must have been filled by at least one shovelful.

“Some ignorant people may defend the deceased former lord of the castle, and those who are very hurt by the loss at that time may harbor resentment even though they know it is not right, but at least many who came forward at that time will think so. “We do not blame anyone who exposes our original sin.”

That is certainly not meaningless.

* * *

Mia, the small castle lord of Camburgh, stared at the spot where the illusion had disappeared. The place where Lord Edniam, who hosted the meeting of the warrior and his companions, and his butler were present.

“Wow, the position of Seongju is no joke. “You have to sacrifice your son.”

“Because it’s the most comfortable.”

Johanna is not there. Because it was not the place to bring along So Seong-ju’s aide.

Instead, there was a wizard who could communicate quite well. Mia leaned her head against the chair, feeling somewhat relaxed.

“Isn’t that so? “If I shed blood for others, it’s only a matter of my courage, but if someone else sheds blood for me, then I think about paying the price equivalent to the weight they shed.”

“Well, that’s true. It’s a world where you have to pay money to buy things, but you can’t buy other people’s blood and lives for free. But they have a lot of money, right?”

“But he is a powerful man. And in these cases, power is actually poison. “If you make even the slightest mistake, you could be accused of abusing power.”

“You could probably ignore it.”

“Normally, that would be the case. However, Ednium has a history of having its lord changed by citizens in the past. Of course, in the case of that castle lord, he wouldn’t have been so afraid of that, but... Anyway, that’s the case.”

“You are a kind person. If it were me, I wouldn’t do that. “It’s hard to live like that.”

Mia blinked at the wizard’s words. Is it difficult? It’s definitely difficult, but pushing your own moral standards without anyone to guide you. It was definitely difficult to endlessly examine and reflect on myself.

“But if the people out there are paying for that hard work, isn’t it worth it?”

Still, she doesn’t regret it. I can’t regret it.

“If only I and the Lord of the castle had not lived like that. “They and the Lord of Seong’s butler would not have come forward and shouted first.”

How can she regret it when the reward for her hard work is endlessly heard out there?

“Sallot.”

“Did you call me?”

Mia rang the servant bell and lowered her eyelids briefly.

『At some moments, there is an answer faster than words. It is the sword in your hand.』

My mother, who was a full-time knight from the Munmund Knight School, gestured from a fragment of memory beyond the darkness.

Mia’s eyes opened.

“Bring your mother’s sword.”

“...yes!”

“No one knows where Biryuho lives. So it will definitely take several days to find it. “I will join you before that in the capacity of representing this city.”

Although she does not have the qualifications to become an official knight, she still has some strengths.

This is true even if you cannot participate in the subjugation itself.

“Everyone is taking my side, so it’s okay to be this greedy. “Isn’t that right, a wizard?”

“...If you ask me, I don’t know because I’m not from this city, right? But, well, it seems like everyone is excited and following along, rather than trying to stop them.”

She would gladly go there if only to see her master and the beast that tried to take him away.

.

.

.

“found.”

[You bastard...!]

“I won’t miss it this time.”

I will gladly watch the downfall of that hero.