115.
Leo sighed as he watched Elshi shrug nonchalantly with an “Ahem!” and felt his expression go blank.
He almost doubted if this spirit standing before him was truly Elshi, the Shadow Spirit who had once contracted with him.
‘She’s completely different.’
“So, where is Lissinas?”
Elshi, with her hands clasped together and her eyes gleaming, asked Leo.
“He’s coming to Leisar right now.”
“Ah! Then I don’t need to go find him?”
“That’s right.”
“Thank goodness! I was considering visiting him today or tomorrow! It’s good we’re not crossing paths!”
After hearing this, Elshi started fixing her clothes and brushing her hair, as if preparing for an important job interview.
Seeing this, Leo asked her,
“Why do you want to contract with Lissinas? There are plenty of famous guys around, you know?”
“I heard she was chosen by the Luminescent Spirit.”
“Just because of that?”
“That’s not all. I’ve heard from the Wind Spirits that you guys defeated the Legion Commander Yowenguard! Is that true?”
“That’s right.”
“You see!!”
With a twirl, Elshi put her hand on her hip and said,
“In this day and age, someone who defeats Legion Commanders and announces plans to defeat Erebus—doesn’t that make them a perfect match for me?”
‘She’s too different to process.’
“Why do you want to save the world?”
“I am a spirit born in the Era of Catastrophe. So, I really want to see the stars in the night sky! I’ve heard they’re stunningly beautiful, to the point of dazzling!”
Her eyes sparkled as Elshi got lost in her imagination.
During the nights of the Era of Catastrophe, where a frightening red moon rose, the starlight would hide.
‘I didn’t know this about her.’
Though they had formed a contract, Leo barely knew anything about Elshi because she never responded whenever he tried to converse with her.
‘But thinking about it, she seemed interested whenever we talked about the night sky.’
Elshi, who was always silent, had shown interest only when the topic turned to starlight from before the Era of Catastrophe.
“So? When will Lissinas arrive?”
“It’s going to take quite some time.”
“How disappointing!”
Seeing Elshi’s extremely disappointed expression, Leo earnestly asked,
“There’s one last thing I’m curious about. How long have you been in this area?”
“I’ve been here for the past ten years. This is a secret from Agon though.”
“I’m the darkness-eating sword, Shaten.”
With a smile, Elshi revealed her identity and winked.
“Agon refused my words, did he?”
“That’s correct.”
As he bowed his head to Lord Rodean of Leisar, Reabathen watched the old dwarf’s hand trembling.
“Agon! Why do you refuse the plea of your fellow warrior!”
Though a dwarf with a stout build despite his small stature, Rodean’s anger was laughable.
While Beastmen are valiant warriors who utilize the power of ferocity, Dwarves are seasoned warriors who use their excellent craft and weapons.
But there was nothing resembling such warrior traits in Rodean’s gaunt and disheveled appearance.
He had once been a celebrated hero who distinguished himself on the battlefield.
Because of those achievements, the people of Leisar appointed him as their lord.
In times of chaos, it was only natural for heroes to ascend to power.
But Rodean changed after gaining power.
Precisely after his first expedition as a lord, he lost all fighting spirit.
It had been ten years since Rodean assumed his title, when the unprecedented Hero Alliance was formed.
Back then, people believed this Hero Alliance would defeat Erebus and restore peace to the world.
‘The outcome was a crushing defeat.’
The strength of Erebus was horrifying, and countless heroes were killed.
Even those who survived had their spirits broken.
Rodean was among such heroes.
Terrified, Rodean retreated deep within the castle, becoming a man who cared only for his own safety.
“I see he’s still concerned about the orphans from the cursed land!”
“How foolish! To follow such meaningless ideals instead of safeguarding them is laughable!”
“Indeed, a hopelessly foolish man trapped in illusions.”
Reabathen bowed deeply.
“Moreover, there’s a report that a plague has broken out in that cursed land.”
“Plague?”
Rodean’s face turned pale.
If a plague were to break out in Leisar, where countless refugees gathered, the whole city would be thrown into chaos.
This would jeopardize the city’s defensive lines.
“How, how should we proceed, Reabathen?”
“The best course of action is to cut off the root of the plague before it spreads.”
Realizing Reabathen’s serious expression, Rodean inhaled sharply.
“If the plague spreads, the entire city will be in danger. Preventing it beforehand will make the citizens happy. Of course, killing the orphans who have nowhere to go is painful, but…”
Reabathen clenched his teeth tightly, feigning anguish.
“For the greater good, there’s nothing we can do. The citizens will understand our decision.”
“Humph, but Agon won’t just sit idly, will he?”
“Agon is Lord Rodean’s old acquaintance. If you say it’s for Leisar’s future and ask for a little advice, he’ll definitely come to the stronghold.”
“What if Agon turns against me when we eliminate the orphans?”
Even though his prime had passed and he was now older, Agon was still regarded as one of the strongest heroes of the era.
If he became angry and directed his spear toward Leisar…
It was evident the entire city would suffer immense damage.
“I’ve already said this, but the greater good lies with the lord.”
Reabathen spoke without hesitation.
“The rumor of the plague has already spread throughout the city. Containing it is something the general populace desires. Even if Agon were foolish, he wouldn’t risk endangering the city full of people.”
With a smirk, Reabathen lifted his lips.
“After all, he’s still a ‘hero,’ isn’t he?”
“It’s true… definitely.”
“And if anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility.”
Seeing Reabathen’s decisive statement, Rodean regained his composure.
“As always, I’ll leave it up to your judgment!”
“An intelligent decision, my lord. And… if things go well, Shaten shall…”
“You may have it. Who but you can wield that mighty sword with such loyalty to me?”
“I’ll do my best to repay your kindness.”
With a look of deep gratitude, Reabathen bowed again and left the lord’s chamber.
‘Even a former warrior hailed as a hero is now nothing but an old, corrupt failure.’
A sneer appeared on Reabathen’s face.
Reabathen.
He was the real power behind the throne, manipulating Lord Rodean from the shadows.
The people of Leisar celebrated him as a hero.
Although Reabathen had never once set foot on a battlefield, the people still thought of him as a young hero who had saved the city multiple times.
The reason was simple.
Reabathen was greedy for glory, something completely unbecoming of a hero.
The accomplishments credited to him were often inflated or fabricated, taking advantage of the chaos of the time.
‘Fools. They celebrate at the mere sight of hope waved before their eyes.’
The rumor of the plague was not any different.
‘I’ve been calling it the cursed land for quite some time now.’
The southernmost end of Leisar wasn’t cursed.
Its transformation was inexplicable, but it certainly hadn’t caused any real problems.
It was a tactic to completely isolate Agon, who lived there.
People forget easily. Even if the person was a hero who once risked their life to protect them.
‘The rumor of the plague has already created panic. With this, I have the justification and moral grounds to wipe out that filthy place. Hahahaha…’
Whether the plague was real or fake didn’t matter.
‘If it can alleviate the people’s anxiety, they won’t care. They’ll applaud me instead. Of course! Reabathen!’
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
A hero who saves the world?
‘That impossible dream holds no interest for me. All I want is to maintain Leisar in safety and comfort while I enjoy the rest of my life. Even during the Era of Catastrophe, power can ensure everything!’
Reabathen chuckled to himself.
‘The day this land falls into my hands is not far off!’
After discussing with Elshi, Leo quickly left the southern region of Leisar to gather information.
Weaving through streets and taverns, he confirmed rumors about the orphanage area.
“A cursed place? This is insane! There’s a plague?!”
“What is the lord doing? If the plague reaches here, what are we supposed to do? Measures must be taken now!”
‘The city is already rife with rumors of the spreading plague.’
Back at the orphanage, Leo frowned deeply, sunk in thought.
‘Elshi is the spirit residing within Shaten, and after the sword broke ten years ago, she settled here.’
She had been waiting here for the hero who would save the world.
Then, today, she said she was planning to leave for Guardstron to meet Lissinas.
In the open space where Leo returned, he saw Elshi attending to the other orphans.
She looked similar in appearance to the elf girl Lina, so among the orphans, her role was like that of an older sister or caretaker.
Elshi was cheerfully caring for the children.
Witnessing this scene, Leo recalled how Elshi would be when they met a year later.
‘She was disillusioned with the world, and Agon as well.’
The first time they met, Agon was deeply disheartened.
Lissinas mentioned he harbored hatred.
Realizing this, Leo’s face stiffened.
‘These kids didn’t d*e from the plague.’
His fists clenched.
‘Reabathen, that b*stard, he’s the one who killed them!’
Leo knew Reabathen well enough to feel nauseated by him, and he surmised the reasoning behind this plan.
It was for possession of Shaten.
Even if Reabathen was armed with numerous weapons, his skills failed to match, making him a worthless pile of garbage.
He sought accolades solely to stand above the masses.
When his life was in danger, he would abandon his comrades without hesitation.
He mocked and insulted those who declared their intentions to save the world.
‘He was eventually exposed for his collaboration with Tartarus and executed by the masses.’
A fake hero.
A traitor.
Even in his dying moments, Reabathen pleaded for his life, loudly insisting he was wronged.
‘In my previous life, I never understood how this guy became lord…’
Leo looked at the orphans.
To Aron, these children were like younger siblings.
He thought of Aron, who despised herself for not protecting the kids due to her cowardice.
When Leo’s gaze sharpened with intent,
“Black Rabbit, you’re here? Can you help prepare for dinner?”
“Before that, where’s Mr. Agon?”
“Mr. Agon? Earlier, the person who called himself a lord summoned him to the castle.”
“Wha?”
The sun had already set, casting the town into dusk.
Clang- Clang- Clang-
At that moment, metallic grinding sounds began echoing.
Ar, with her sensitive hearing, perked her ears up, her eyes turning fierce.
Shortly after, the same group of knights from earlier appeared into the open space.
The children started trembling, sensing the menacing aura radiating from the knights.
Elf girl Lina hastily stepped forward,
“Sirs, Mr. Agon went to the castle not too long ago.”
“Stinking woman struck with plague, what are you trying to get close to!”
One of the knights snarled and swung his sword at Lina.
Just as Lina squeezed her eyes shut,
“Are you insane?”
Ar spoke coldly.
With her icy demeanor, the knight who swung the sword paled.
As Leo moved to steady Lina, who almost tripped over herself retreating, he helped her regain her balance and said,
“Don’t worry.”
“Eh?”
“We’ll protect you.”
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
