Chapter 165

Chapter 165

*****

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

*****

Chapter 165: Sins and Punishment (4)

The sky was a deep crimson. Flocks of crows circled overhead, their wings flapping in a continuous dance. A tall, elevated structure with a gruesome spectacle.

Dolores stood there, her mouth partially agape, taking in the horrifying scene before her.

‘Where on earth is this?’ she wondered.

She couldn’t fathom any battlefield or conflict zone in this world being as harsh and desolate as this. Moreover, the hanging figure on the structure...

“Who is that?”

Dolores squinted her eyes and tried to focus. Perhaps this figure had a close connection to the “Night Hound.”

Examining the face of the person whose throat had been slit, might provide some insight into the identity of Night Hound. Dolores thought it might aid in her quest to uncover his true identity.

But...

Caw-caw!

A lone crow landed and began pecking at the severed throat. Caw-caw! Caw-caw! Caw-caw!

Following this, numerous crows descended, picking at the throat. Dolores suppressed her disgust at the gruesome sight between the black feathers.

The state of the throat was so deteriorated that there was no way to discern the person’s facial features. It had already rotted extensively, and with the crows feasting on it, only the skeletal remains were left.

“Is this Night Hound’s shameful memory?”

Dolores turned her head slightly to look at the Night Hound standing beside her.

“...”

He remained motionless, his expression hidden behind his mask. It was impossible to tell whether he was experiencing embarrassment or some other emotion. However...

“It brings back old memories,” he mumbled.

The brief comment he made was still as dry as ever, containing only a residue of deep regret.

Name: ...kir... ... ...kerville

Crime: ............

The mostly ripped piece of wood was an unsightly shambles. Dolores was ultimately unable to elicit any information about the Night Hound’s true identity from his memories. She was even more intrigued by the path he had taken in life and all the burdens he had carried.

“...What kind of life had this person lived? How heavy is the burden he’s been carrying all this time?”

Just like when she used to treat plague patients together with him, the Night Hound’s apathy stirred up a sense of tenderness and affection in Dolores, akin to maternal love, beyond mere sympathy for a troubled neighbor and the usual benevolence of a saintess.

On the other hand, Vikir saw the old scene after a long time.

His hometown.

“It won’t be much longer.”

Vikir pledged to himself, promising to someday devour Hugo in reality.

Dolores, who had watched the illusion shatter, asked Vikir cautiously, “Excuse me... if it’s not too impolite, may I inquire who that elderly man was from earlier?”

“My father.”

“Ah...”

Dolores fell silent.

She also saw her father during the Sack of terror’s illusion. And perhaps the Night Hound had seen himself in her, just as she had seen herself in him.

Did the Night Hound see himself in her too? Dolores silently hoped so. If she could provide him with even a small measure of comfort, just as he had comforted her, it would be enough.

Meanwhile, Dantalian shouted with a voice mixed with fear and rage, [Gahhh! How... How can you so easily overcome shame and fear like this? You seem so inhuman!]

[But even if you are a heartless creature, this time won’t be so simple!]

Hooo-hooo-hooo!

The final sack began to stir.

‘Love.’ The most primal element that moves humans. An emotion essential for human interaction and existence. It was now time for the sack to reveal ‘the thing Vikir loves the most.’

Dolores felt a sense of tension, somewhat inexplicable, creeping over her. Engaging in combat against a demon of archdemon level while experiencing such emotions seemed utterly foolish and pitiful. However...

“...I’m curious!”

Dolores couldn’t help herself, and even as she chided herself for being distracted, she remained alert. Regardless of what would come out, she intended to observe it closely.

She didn’t know if her curiosity was due to a need to prepare for the battle with the demon or if it was driven by her fascination with Night Hound’s past. But she remained prepared for whatever was to come.

Eventually...

Tsss-tsss-tsss-tsss-tsss...

The last sack left behind by Dantalian opened wide.

[Hoho! Creatures like you are surprisingly vulnerable in the face of love, even though you may appear as unyielding as stone. No matter how unfeeling you are, when faced with the one you love, you can’t help but lose your composure! It’s not for nothing that romance sells well in any era! Love transcends all things... What!?]

However, Dantalian’s boisterous voice was cut short.

“...!”

Even Dolores was experiencing a similar feeling right now. She was on the same wavelength as Dantalian, if only for this moment.

Flutter...

In front of her eyes, the sack of love revealed the face that Night Hound loved.

[TL/N: Sorry for the slow updates, I had a few tests so I wasn’t able to focus on translation, from tomorrow we’ll be back to 3-4 chaps per day releases!]

*****

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

*****