Chapter 43

Chapter 43. I Am Not the Culprit (1)

‘As expected, he came here knowing everything.’

The shaman was certain.

Evan, that he had orchestrated this entire situation.

The remnants of the heretics, Bishop Dexter.

She knew it the moment she saw him.

That their fate had been ‘decided’ for destruction.

At the end of that destruction stood Arthur.

A pitiful knight who dedicated his sword to the moon solely for revenge and his younger sibling.

However, he wasn’t entirely intact.

The red thread of fate pointing towards him was tangled.

As if some impurity had interfered.

It must be Evan.

Ossera likely used a similar method to bring them here.

Her presence alone confirmed that she had found their location.

Killing two birds with one stone by eliminating the remnants as well.

‘Perhaps I was even anticipated to be misunderstood.’

If they utilized the power of the family, it makes sense.

The Alkarte Ducal Family.

The power brokers ruling the underworld.

Could they not uncover any information from a nation inferior in every aspect except military strength compared to the empire?

Though I have no idea what they’re planning.

Still, there’s one thing I think I understand.

One of the things Evan seeks.

‘That monster.’

The shaman’s eyes focused on the creature writhing at Evan’s feet.

Two heads, an appearance bizarre enough at first glance.

It didn’t resemble a Chimera.

Because two fates had intertwined completely, merging two beings into one.

A wolf that strides through the skies, chasing the sun and the moon.

Born solely to kill God, a destiny defying heaven.

Yet, this defiance will not come to fruition.

Not while stars beyond the skies watch over.

Still, it is a defiance of heaven.

An ordinary person would twist in soul-crushing pain upon contact.

It was divine punishment after all.

Especially so for the virtuous, watched periodically by the stars.

Only those who reject their fate or are born under a doomed star could approach it.

“Hmm.”

Swish-

Without a flicker of expression, Evan picked up the puppy.

Pain?

He felt none.

There were no signs of burning either.

Does that make Evan evil?

No, it doesn’t.

Even evildoers aren’t immune to the effects of such defiance.

Instinctively, they feel repulsion and an odd sensation.

An impulse to ruin this destiny.

To stomp it to death instead of cradling it tenderly.

But there was none of that in Evan.

“Hmm.”

Wobble.

The slightly unsteady Evan asked Lapis for help.

“…Lapis, can you assist me?”

“Yes! Evan, your arms aren’t trembling too much, are they? You need exercise!”

“…Exercising might cause me to spit blood and die.”

“Ack! That can’t happen! I’ll take care of the heavy lifting!”

“Thank you.”

With Lapis’ assistance, Evan adjusted his hold skillfully.

‘This was definitely intentional. To find this dog.’

Perhaps—

‘Evan might also be someone who defies heaven.’

His frail body might be the price of such defiance.

Evan coughed up blood amidst the sandstorm.

It made no sense unless he was sick or nearing the end of his lifespan.

In other words,

‘Absence of life.’

He was already on borrowed time.

‘Most likely due to the cost of defying heaven…’

The moment all the pieces fell into place, a rush of dopamine overwhelmed the brain.

The emotions rising in her eyes.

‘Ossera, you handed me that letter knowing this.’

It was ecstasy.

What Evan intended to do was undoubtedly clear!

BOOM!

Suddenly, the ground shook violently.

Looking down, her eyes sparkled like a starry night sky filled with countless stars.

Observing the destinies of this area happened in an instant.

Before the shaman, visions of the future unfolded.

Moments directly connected to her own death, shown by the constellations of the future.

Below, various sacrifices offered their scales quietly until now stirred awake.

And then, dragons surged forth, destroying everything.

Before the shaman foresaw the future.

‘Heavier than expected.’

With difficulty, Evan looked down at the puppy he held with Lapis’ support.

‘Now, what should I do with this puppy?’

Its vitality and mana were faint.

It would surely die like this.

Maybe it’ll last a day at most?

Even that only thanks to the regenerative abilities unique to monsters.

‘Treating it won’t kill it, right?’

Living Armor twitched slightly, as if to reassure him.

It would intervene if necessary.

Yes.

I trust you, even if I don’t fully trust what you’ve created!

‘Open subspace.’

Swish-

Taking out a high-grade healing potion from subspace, he poured it into the puppy’s mouth.

Huff, gulp, swallow. The puppy drank the potion.

Its breathing gradually stabilized.

Its mana was still faint.

This weak… maybe around low-level?

‘…This shouldn’t be too dangerous. Should be okay to touch, right?’

Trusting Living Armor, Evan gently patted the puppy’s head.

Unfamiliar, the puppy squirmed.

Panicking, Evan quickly calmed it, fearing it might convulse and break his arm.

“Shhh… good boy.”

Whimper…

After twisting its body awkwardly for a moment, the puppy found a comfortable position and relaxed.

Surprisingly peaceful.

Still, it was sad that one leg remained limp.

Meanwhile, Lapis returned after restraining Dexter and looked up at Evan.

“…Evan, can you pamper me like that too?”

“?”

Excuse me?

Evan looked down at Lapis.

Still a child, Lapis seemed like a younger sister to him, about the age of a cousin.

Are you suggesting I say “shh, good girl”?

That picture seems a bit off, doesn’t it?

“…No, you’re different. These are animals.”

“Animals? Them?”

“One.”

“Oops.”

Was she confused because it has two heads?

Admittedly, it is quite peculiar.

Dragons that breathe fire exist; why not a creature with an extra head?

“In any case, this puppy is an animal.”

“Hmm… the category of animals is broad…”

When Evan spoke firmly, Lapis nodded.

Phew. Saved.

Almost socially dead.

“What are we going to do with this one now?”

“…I was thinking of releasing it with those monsters.”

“It’ll die if you do that. Why not raise it? Wasn’t that why you treated it?”

That’s not exactly true…

Wouldn’t it be better to get a Bicon instead?

‘This one isn’t very cool.’

Bicon’s broken horn can be fixed, and it looks cooler anyway… but Golem might rebel slightly.

“By the way, Evan.”

“?”

“It’s not a puppy. It’s a wolf.”

“Oh.”

A wolf?

‘Then when it grows up…’

Won’t it become majestic?

Saw plenty of videos on YouTube before reincarnating.

Guardian wolves protecting their masters!

Huskies are mostly like that too, aren’t they?

If it stays loyal to Evan…

‘Cripes, I hope it doesn’t end up as emergency rations.’

Eh, probably not.

We could ask the duke about taming monsters.

His black horse is a monster too.

‘Besides, it’s kind of cute.’

Macho characteristic: crazy for cuteness.

Alright.

Decided.

Let’s take this one home.

Parents… let’s look for them first and take them along if found.

“Evan, what name should we give it?”

“A name…”

“Names carry great significance!”

Evan hesitated momentarily.

Do names really carry such profound meanings?

‘When I named Lapis, did I imbue it with great meaning?’

I just named her randomly.

‘Pretty name and also a gemstone.’

Should be fine.

Please, let it be fine.

“Hmm.”

Is it better to name each head separately?

Thinking about it, two names immediately came to mind when considering wolves.

Mythological names should suffice.

“Hati. Skoll.”

Skoll comes from scorpion, common in deserts, and Hati just popped into my mind.

This should work fine.

‘Hati’ and ‘Skoll’ growled contentedly.

They seem pleased with the names.

“Now the problem is the leg…”

“This might even be beyond alchemy.”

“I’m currently in contact with the Holy Maiden. I’ll ask her later.”

“…The Holy Maiden of the Sun? That psycho?”

“Yes?”

“No, never mind.”

Isis hastily brushed it off.

Seems like they don’t get along well.

Evan pretended not to hear.

‘For now, a temporary solution.’

Swish-

Using [Refinement], he [Disassembled] and [Reconstituted] nearby materials.

An iron leg.

For now, this would suffice for support, but eventually, he could create full prosthetics.

Gurgle…?

Feeling the new leg, the puppy noticed.

Both Hati and Skoll looked at Evan, their eyes sparkling as they stuck out their tongues.

Huff, huff. Swallow.

“Wow…”

Is this healing?

The fatigue accumulated over time vanished instantly.

Evan adjusted his hold on the puppy.

Calling them separately would be bothersome.

“From now on, the crimson head is Skoll, the dark blue head is Hati. Abbreviated as SkoHa. Does that work?”

Growl.

“…Doesn’t it? Should I call them separately?”

Woof! Woof!

Hati and Skoll, combined as SkoHa, rubbed their heads against him affectionately.

Alright… both will be called separately.

Just then,

Rumble rumble rumble!

A sudden vibration.

His body swayed violently, and a hand emerged from the shadows to steady him with Lapis’ support.

Isis waved her hands frantically.

“It’s not me!”

“…Evan.”

The shaman looking down spoke.

“This Colosseum is destined to collapse.”

“Huh?”

Collapse?

Isn’t that supposed to happen much later?

“…When will it collapse?”

“50…”

“50 days?”

“49…”

Rumble rumble rumble!

The vibration sounded again.

No, no!

Is it collapsing now?

“An ancient monster buried underground has awakened.”

Ah, damn.

Really?

Evan had a rough idea of what it was.

An ancient monster sleeping underground.

Don Quixote sacrificed offerings to put it to sleep and harvested its scales.

Either the offering period passed, or it noticed its food source disappeared and woke up.

Right now, of all times!

“Let’s escape immediately!”

“Wait.”

Evan spoke to Isis, who was about to use Refinement.

“We need to secure our compensation.”

“Oh.”

Isis hastily modified her Refinement.

The countdown continued to decrease.

“39…”

Everything worth taking had been roughly gathered.

All that remains are the people left in this Colosseum.

“Unit 5.”

At the mention of Unit 5, Evan felt the connection with the golem.

Unit 5 waiting for orders!

Evan pointed upwards with his finger.

“Destroy.”

Inside the heated Colosseum.

– WAAAAAAAH!

“Cough!”

Felix rolled on the ground.

Sand from the arena clung all over his body.

The leather armor he wore upon entering had been torn apart long ago.

Felix lifted his creaking neck.

His eyes were wide with shock.

-WOOOOOOOO!

What… kind of monster have you created?

It’s overwhelming.

Starting with strength, physique, and skills.

A golem designed purely for combat.

To think something like this could be created by human hands.

Talent, sure.

That part I can understand.

But it’s a creation.

Isn’t there supposed to be a self-awareness behind those massive arms raised to cheer?

‘Am I…’

The path I should walk feels not clearer but darker.

What is pilgrimage?

Am I walking the right path?

‘…First, declare surrender-’

At that moment.

-Unit 5.

A faint voice heard from Unit 5.

It was Evan’s voice.

“!”

-destroy.

Upon hearing the voice, the sand started to wriggle and formed some facial features.

Smiling face.

Surely, am I being ordered to die??

“!!!”

Instinctively, Felix threw himself away.

Part of the sand forming his body gathered into one arm and elongated.

Then, CRASH!

-GYAAAAAAAHHH!

-WHAT IS THIS SUDDENLY?!

WHOAAAAAAAA!

-DEAD BEAR HAS SUDDENLY RAGED OUT!

The Colosseum began to crumble.

As if the power used until now was merely a fraction, the buildings shattered indiscriminately.

Everyone watching screamed and ran away.

Felix’s head spun.

What is this?

Why is it suddenly raging?

Did an error occur?

Should I stop it?

Then.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!

An earth-shaking vibration.

A tremendous presence pierced his knightly senses.

This…

‘A monster!’

Huge!

Bigger than a Sandworm!

His whole body trembled.

Danger instinct!

Felix quickly turned around.

Charging forward would be reckless.

To survive, I must run first!

“…”

The running Felix slowly slowed down.

Suddenly recalling his father’s words.

Those words held him back.

-Knights do not flee from danger.

-Though I became a wandering knight… son, I never avoided danger.

-Son, you once said you wanted to be a hero. Being a knight is the same. One must not flee from danger.

…One must not flee.

Have I not fled until now?

Making all sorts of excuses?

I saw countless walls and chose to avoid them rather than fight.

That’s why I wandered aimlessly many times.

Because I strayed from the path I should have walked.

Then, to walk the pilgrimage path, I must-

‘Not flee.’

Felix slowly turned his head.

‘Was this what he showed me by descending into the underground personally?’

Now, I finally understand what I must do.

It feels like standing at the crossroads of pilgrimage.

Felix straightened his sword and turned around.

Fight.

This time, I won’t retreat!

No matter how strong the enemy may be-

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!

Like a dragon surging forth, a giant scorpion with crimson scales burst out, breaking the arena floor.

Its size was larger than any monster seen until now.

Is this… a dragon?

Felix involuntarily hesitated.

…Isn’t that a bit too big?