33 – True Madness, Gathering of Victims
He desired the strongest in the world.
From the age of four, he unilaterally beat the one who was called the swordmaster instructor, and by the age of ten, there was no opponent anywhere.
Therefore, whenever there was a small clash with demonic spirits, he inevitably rushed in. However, there was not a single opponent worthy of fulfilling his expectations.
On some days, he abandoned everything and wandered the continent in search of dragons. During that time, he faced countless people and weapons, winning them all. The dragon he encountered after such a journey was undoubtedly powerful.
Until just before personally beheading its neck.
The situation of the Duke’s mansion, which was in chaos during his sudden disappearance, is still vivid in memory. Bringing the dragon’s corpse caused a commotion in a different sense as soon as he returned, but…
Has he now become the strongest in the world?
He has not yet investigated the demonic spirits. However, if it’s a gathering of individuals with power similar to what was shown during clashes, it doesn’t seem very interesting.
Thus, he spent his carefree days at the age of twenty.
A new emperor ascended the throne.
The grand ceremony that captured the attention of the imperial citizens was splendid. The only peculiar thing was that a pure boy seemed to directly crown the new emperor.
I later learned that he was the Pope.
Also, instinctively, I realized that my final goal in life had been determined.
This person.
He is truly the embodiment of the concept of the strongest.
Just for a moment, but in the instant our eyes met, I was sure. Those eyes, observing the world like a transcendental being, were undoubtedly not of this world.
The rainbow-colored iris that had changed in an instant was etched in my mind.
The decision was swift.
It was a time when he was too immature to control his youthful vigor. Thus, on the night after the coronation ceremony, he infiltrated the temple in the capital and reached the Pope’s residence.
He was overlooking a vast lake. Even as the intruder unleashed fierce energy, the Pope remained calm.
Rather than hostility, he chose to greet.
“The night air is cool, isn’t it?”
His casual tone seemed as if he had just met an old friend. Moreover, the gaze drawing lines in the air seemed to have no trace of fear.
He unsheathed his sword.
Whether he was a duke or whatever, it didn’t matter.
The thrill that comes only when facing the crisis of life and death, clashing swords. That alone had been the reason for living.
Even though he had prepared for battle with a fierce posture, he awkwardly smiled.
“Uh… can I put this back in?”
No, he firmly denied.
“Hmm~ I see. I’ll be on my way, then. How about we make a little promise?”
A promise, though unexpected, was no issue as long as he could freely swing his sword.
“If I win~ Don’t cross paths with me until I’m satisfied, okay?”
The challenge was for one encounter.
Indeed, there was no problem.
If you lose, you die; if you win, it ends there. There will be no future encounters.
Lowering the lower body, raising the blade.
Always prepared to become an arrow, capable of tearing through the air at any moment.
The iridescent droplets reflected the radiance from above, dispelling the darkness of the moonlit night.
…
……
It was the first defeat.
“From now on, we won’t meet again~. Let’s talk again when you gain the confidence not to challenge me even if we do.”
The Pope, still fluttering in pristine white untouched by a speck of dust, entered his abode. He seemed as if he had just taken a leisurely walk on a light evening.
From that moment, the goal of life changed.
I want it.
That light.
Miracles.
Power.
The truth of the world.
The unknown realm beyond human reach… I want it…!
If it’s impossible for me, then I want to possess the one who owns it.
The utilitarian value doesn’t matter.
As long as I get another chance to pursue that light, there will be no regrets.
Ha ha.
Ahahahahaha!
As the insane one reveled in the aftermath of defeat, a clear voice pierced the air.
“Hey, you crazy son of a b*tch, keep it down while people are trying to sleep!”
It was the female priestess assigned to beautify the area.
Despite her lovely voice, she was anything but refined.
Who would have known?
The person who first introduced me to vulgar language would become my lifelong companion.
A peculiar fate. What it would later be called, I only realized much later.
From Noble mtl dot com
… It was my first love.
“Hmm~ Have you not forgotten our promise, Your Grace?”
“I’ve spent close to 30 years avoiding fights and keeping my distance. It’s not that significant.”
Cardi smirked. Then he looked at Tina and Glen, who stood ten paces away.
“Since I’ve taken everything worth taking. There’s no lingering attachment now.”
“Maybe you should reconsider using Harte Kye. The owner of the baptismal name shouldn’t use divinity for the family’s prosperity.”
Cardi chuckled, as if finding the Pope’s words incomprehensible.
“Use? My son-in-law? Why should I do that?”
“Hmm… Isn’t it so?”
“Nonsense. I simply wanted to possess divinity. If I couldn’t have it, possessing the one who did was the only goal.”
With Cardi’s confession, the usually composed Pope furrowed his brow for the first time.
“Well, um, so… Is it for collection? Just that?”
“If I were to put it into words, the meaning is connected.”
“You sent the Duchess away for such a reason? It’s not like she’s marrying the Duke of Harte…”
“Just for that? Don’t insult the lifelong goal that has spanned decades.”
The Pope remained silent, as if it were only natural for him to be seen strangely by those eyes.
From the moment he infiltrated the temple, I knew he was quite mad, but I never expected that madness to remain unaltered for decades.
Perhaps he should truly devote himself to the temple and find peace of mind.
Undoubtedly, it was Cardinal Luminal who made the Pope seriously ponder like this.
“Oh… Did the Director feel this way when he spoke with me? It feels like I’ve undergone a thorough mirror treatment today.”
“Just like Your Majesty, always spouting ambiguous words. You truly are an odd person.”
Bam!
A blood vessel popped on the forehead of the Pope, who was known for his gentle and kind demeanor.
“Ahahahaha, I just lost my temper for the first time in my life. Congratulations, Duke, for winning after 30 years. Well done, Your Grace.”
“Has he finally gone mad?”
The one who put an end to the seemingly endless conversation was none other than the Emperor.
“No matter how you look at it, it’s clear that you’re the one who’s gone mad, Duke.”
“Hmm… Your Majesty, it seems that your judgment has been clouded due to your age.”
“Just now, it was the second time I lost my temper since becoming Emperor. Congratulations, Duke.”
In the face of Cardinal’s madness, the Pope could only sigh.
“Duke… You really found a good Duchess, didn’t you?”
If it weren’t for that person, no one would have been able to control Kardi.
The moment when the opinions of the Emperor and the Pope aligned arrived.
◇
The Imperial Palace martial arts gathering came to an end.
On the streets, the lingering atmosphere of the National Foundation Day felt like people’s stories and songs would remain in every nook and cranny if one closed their eyes.
Especially whenever I saw the cheap hairpin adorned in Elphesia’s hair, the events of that day kept coming back to me. The fireworks I extravagantly presented as a gift for the first time left an impression like a lingering scar.
Perhaps it was because I stared too intently.
When Elphesia suddenly turned her gaze towards me, I instinctively averted my eyes.
Elphesia, who had been narrowing her eyes for a moment, suddenly began with words of apology.
“I’m sorry.”
“Suddenly? Why?”
“Just thinking if I might have disturbed your peace.”
“You worry about everything.”
Even though I casually laughed it off, Elphesia remained somber.
“Do I not know your personality? At least, I wouldn’t want to be tied down in the capital. The opening time of the orphanage is uncertain, and…”
“Being tied to the capital was the plan since I received the Urien, wasn’t it?”
“… Whether I like it or not, I have to fit into the noble society.”
“So what? You managed to endure the martial arts gathering somehow.”
“Glen… somehow became Father’s disciple.”
“You have talent. Maybe I should have been the one to ask for a favor?”
It feels like Glen’s first day at the orphanage was just yesterday. He played tag with the dragon-like Tina for 30 minutes.
Even though he hadn’t eaten properly and was stumbling around, he managed to do it well. Glen’s talent started to show from that moment.
“Tina…”
“Yeah, Tina…”
When it was time to talk about Tina, our opinions aligned.
“You adapted so well.”
“The Bloody Dragon couldn’t have used any brainwashing magic on you…”
“It’s a bit strange to say this, but your complexion looks better than when you were at the orphanage.”
“Your cheeks have become plump. In just a few weeks…”
Tina really loves peacocks. The peacock also often came to find Tina.
Since Glen is also a disciple, we will probably see him often, but he can’t compare to Tina.
Even now, Tina is playing with the peacock, so it’s a relaxed time for Elphicia and me.
“Hey, Elphicia.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Elphicia, you’ve been worried about me… but I also want to ask the opposite. Is it okay for me to be tied to the capital?”
“You’re funny. Why would I be uncomfortable staying where I was born and raised?”
She replied cynically. But I wasn’t foolish enough to take Elphicia’s words at face value.
“It’s because this place where I was born and raised is uncomfortable.”
“…”
“I used to worry that Elphicia would be uncomfortable at the orphanage… but now I see that’s not the case. You know why? Because there are fewer changes in your expression while staying in the capital than when you were at the orphanage.”
“What does it matter?”
Now I know. The seemingly blunt expression is Elphicia’s own mask.
And as I face the mask, I realize that I should express my thoughts honestly and transparently…
“In truth, if a woman who usually shows a variety of emotions suddenly stiffens her face, it’s natural to be worried.”
… I know it all now. The time we’ve spent together seems longer than it actually is.
“Do we really need to do that?”
“Yeah, because we’re a couple. We’re family.”
“Sigh…”
Elphicia let out a sigh with a voice tinged with sorrow.
“Sometimes, talking to you makes me feel miserable.”
“That’s something I need to work on. Point it out to me without holding back.”
“… That’s exactly it.”
In the next moment, she casually threw out words thick with pity.
“I like you, Harte.”
“… What?”
For a moment, my sensory nerves seemed paralyzed. Time slowed as if it had stopped, and a tingling sensation around my heart crawled up my throat.
While I was speechless, she made a remark.
“… That aspect of yours.”
“Th-that’s, um… I mean, it’s not necessarily a good thing that I need to work on… I don’t know what I’m saying.”
I feel like slapping myself.
Elysia smirked at me, who was like this.
“Well, the foolish parts with no answers are compensatory points for passing.”
I thought I was starting to get to know Elysia little by little…
But as much as I got to know her, Elysia became more and more mysterious.
It seemed that I still didn’t know Elysia well.