Book 19 Chapter 43

Chapter 175

The Slayers had encountered quite a few enemies during their years of activity in the demon realm, and each one of them was an impressively strong individual.

Among them, the pinnacle was Arthur Brius, a Diamond-grade mercenary, who seemed unbeatable even if all Platinum-grade individuals attacked him.

Perhaps he liked my power; whenever he was bored, he would propose that I join his mercenary group and laugh.

"- Hey, won't you join our mercenary group? I'll make you my right-hand man right away. It's your chance to become an Elf Slayer and hunt down all those pointy-eared bastards who turned you into a half-demon, isn't it?"

Arthur used a giant spear, but the way he wielded it was closer to swordsmanship than spearmanship. Though I had never directly fought him, he was, at any rate, a formidable foe against whom victory was not assured.

At that time, their numbers were approximately 300.

However, those 300 individuals were said to wield power comparable to 30,000, to the extent that they were called the 'Legion of Three Hundred'.

The core of that power was, naturally, Arthur Brius, a warrior of unprecedented talent.

"- I will convene the Sasadan. When are the Papal State's Fae-Courier troops expected to arrive?"

"- We must move faster than those fakes! To add the merit of their subjugation to the great achievements of our firstborn descendant."

"- The Slayers are a group of monsters hardened in that demon realm. Even Uruk fears them and avoids them, to the point that his nickname is 'Uruk Slayer'. They are certainly not foes to be taken lightly. If only we could be given even enough time to join forces with Lady Elsara's Sasadan…"

"- I see. You would prioritize your affiliation with those corrupted beings, is that it?"

During the branch council meeting, the elders were adamant, and began to whisper mockingly, "Indeed, lowly blood never changes." Then Besinia shouted.

"- Yes, I'll go right now. What's the specified location? They're no match for Vikhisa, so we alone are sufficient."

I'm grateful she got angry for me, but she didn't have to. No, I really wish she hadn't.

"- It's alright, Vikhisa! They said that for those who believe in and serve the love of Creation, the Light of Creation will keep them safe from all calamity and destruction."

"- ……!"

"- So don't worry. We will win. Because Vikhisa is a paladin who purifies the impure!"

The Slayers, who claimed to be an elite few, had a force of about 300, similar in number to the Sasadan.

In terms of fighting power, the numbers were similar.

And since we had the blessing of Creation, we would surely win.

I believed Besinia's words.

I believed them, hoping that my everyday life with Besinia would continue.

"- It was fucking fun, Vikhisa."

But…

In that battle, in that war…

The Light's presence could not be seen anywhere…

"- It was a fight that made my blood boil after a long time. Ha, if I'd known it would be like this, maybe I should have betrayed them sooner?"

The Sasadan was annihilated.

Bessinia was beheaded by one of the executives, a Mage Slayer, right before my eyes.

"- Only this one was strong; the Sasadan side was feeble and dull, wasn't it?"

"- That's true. Or perhaps Elsara? If that big name had come, it would have been more fun. The Red True Dragon would have come with her too."

"- No, no! You idiots! Then this Vikhisa wouldn't have come. This was the best outcome."

I couldn't understand.

I couldn't accept it.

This reality, where Light bestowed greater and more magnificent blessings upon those who defied God's commands and betrayed the teachings of Light more than anyone else, was incomprehensible.

"- But Captain, aren't we going to kill this pointy-eared bastard?"

"- Hey, this guy is still the top priority recruit for the Slayers, I tell you! He's more coveted than any of you."

"- Ah, fuck, I don't want to be in the same group as a pointy-eared bastard!"

I couldn't inflict even a single fatal wound on that Arthur Brius.

I was utterly overwhelmed.

It was a one-on-one fight, and if I had quickly defeated him and dealt with the rest, the course of the battle might have been different.

"- Hey you punk, don't you remember? That guy didn't originally have pointy ears."

"- Oh, you're right?"

"- So we just need to cut them again. I'll artistically restore them to how they were."

"- Woah! What an ingenious idea! The Captain truly is a genius!"

"- As expected of the Captain! I had faith in you!"

"- Hahahahahaha! You bastards, stop it, you're going to chafe your asses."

Amidst that laughter, in my gradually darkening, blurring, and fading consciousness, I stretched out my hand towards her, who had smiled at me even in death, but…

That hand…

reached nothing…

and would never again hold the warmth of the hand that had said, "I appoint you as my paladin," nor ever again caress her shyly flushed cheeks…

"- Vikhisa, I'm honestly sorry about killing your lover, but what can I do when she keeps pestering me with miracles? If you ever change your mind and want to run wild with us, contact me."

That's how I…

And so my life…

"- From what I've seen in life, the world is full of pretty women. If you just join us, I'll find you a woman several times more charming and beautiful than that pointy-eared bitch. So if you ever think of a woman and feel a bit lonely, don't hesitate to contact me. If you're even a little late, I might already be the king of a nation, so if you want to be a founding contributor, you'll have to come quickly, alright?"

"- Hahahahahahahahaha!"

"- Captain, if you're going to take over, you should become an Emperor. Does it make sense to be satisfied with just being a king? You said you'd conquer the Empire and give the Ludwig family to me."

Since I was born…

…it had been cast over my entire life, meaning 'impurity'…

…into a darkness deeper than darkness itself… and falling…