Chapter 93

“So where was I? Ah, right, the Crow told me that Ronos had died. And when I called them ‘those bastards,’ you told me to cancel that and call them ‘those people.'”

“Pointless, Kairon, pointless. It would be better to beg for forgiveness and pray for mercy from them now.”

“The demons we’re fighting are their underlings, aren’t they? Even though you know why our comrades and the people of this world are fighting to the death, you still say that?”

Talking to Nigelung was making my head spin to the point of dizziness.

“To think I’ve been risking my life fighting alongside someone like you in the same organization, it’s beyond ridiculous. Well, good timing. There’s one thing I’m most curious about.”

As a faint lightning magic coursed through my body, I grabbed Nigelung by the collar, who was trembling, and asked.

“Back then, it seemed like the guards fought alongside us, but at some point, they stopped fighting and just stuck close to Commander Balthazar, watching. Why did that happen? What’s the reason?”

“…Do I really need to answer that?”

“Didn’t I tell you, Nigelung? If you don’t answer my questions willingly, I can end your life right now. Remember, I’ve already tried to kill you twice, but you opened your mouth, so I spared you out of mercy.”

“No, that’s not it. You already know the answer. Commander Balthazar even told me about the plans he shared with you.”

“My dad has plans?”

“Oh…”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t told Riana exactly what kind of schemes Commander Balthazar was up to.

Commander Balthazar, the demons he’s colluding with, and his inner circle probably know.

But even Abelin and I, who thought we were at the center of the Vanguard, didn’t know about those schemes, and I only found out in this lifetime.

On the day I was invited to dinner, I heard about how Balthazar gained such powerful strength.

He said the gods answered because he desperately wished for this world to be destroyed, hating it so much.

He created the Vanguard not to protect this world but to watch humans grow lazy and struggle, enjoying the spectacle.

But even if the Vanguard were to stop, the demons, though still weak, are strong enough to wreak havoc and destruction across the world.

I know we can’t stop, but seeing Commander Balthazar and these guys makes it impossible not to feel disillusioned.

What would happen if Riana, Balthazar’s daughter, were to learn the cold, harsh truth beyond this?

Riana already knows her father didn’t send her to the Magic Tower for purely good reasons, but if she found out he sees this world as a plaything and ultimately summoned demons to destroy it…

“I want to hear it too.”

Riana looked straight into my eyes and said.

“Riana, but you’ve been through too much lately. It’s okay to rest now.”

“I’m fine. And I’m not a child anymore. I’ve escaped from the demon who pretended to be my teacher, and now all that’s left is to shake off the past and grow stronger. So tell me. Besides, it’s about my dad, right? If he’s planning to do something wrong…”

Riana clenched her teeth.

“It’s also a child’s duty to scold and persuade him.”

“If you say so. Don’t miss a single word this guy says from now on. Now, back to the original question, Nigelung. You said I already know why the guards don’t fight. But I don’t feel like doing the homework you gave me. So don’t beat around the bush and answer straight. Why don’t the guards fight?”

“I already told you, Kairon. You already know the answer… Gah…!”

I didn’t say it twice.

I just tapped the magic cuffs Nigelung was wearing three times.

And when I saw Nigelung trembling so much that he was foaming at the mouth, I tapped the cuffs three more times.

“Guh, guh…”

“Last warning, Nigelung. If you’re trying to rekindle the bond we once had as brothers, you should stop. That good relationship ended completely with the lies you just told. So don’t beat around the bush and answer straight. If you dodge the question one more time…”

As I touched the cuffs, Nigelung groaned and trembled violently.

He flinched with each tap.

And just as I was about to tap the third time, I stopped my finger above the cuff.

“I’ll make you wish you were strangled to death.”

“The guards, the guards weren’t made to fight, Kairon. That’s why they don’t fight.”

“I know they bring in the sons and successors of the rich and famous to give them a decent resume. But there must be a reason they don’t participate in battles at all?”

“Please, don’t ask me when you already know! Everything is part of Commander Balthazar’s grand plan! I just assist him and do what he tells me silently!”

Nigelung screamed as if in despair.

His voice was desperate and heart-wrenching, but I had no intention of showing mercy to the sincerity I felt in it.

Instead, I wanted to know more and torment him further.

“Nigelung. Why are you helping Commander Balthazar?”

“…Because he’s my benefactor.”

“Benefactor? Come to think of it, I never heard why you joined the Vanguard. Maybe hearing that story would explain how you ended up as a lackey who sold your soul to a demon.”

“Watch your mouth, Kairon. You don’t understand. You don’t know the hearts of me or the Commander, who wish this world would just be destroyed!”

“What? Dad wishes this world would be destroyed? That can’t be. Otherwise, there’d be no reason to create the Vanguard to protect this world, right?”

“No, our dear little Riana. The Vanguard, which you became a powerful mage to protect, and the demon legions that come in overwhelming numbers with each wave! All of it was created by your father, Commander Balthazar. This world is doomed to perish, but he wants to watch it struggle desperately and despair before it falls.”

“Gasp. No, Dad wouldn’t do that. When he sent me to the Magic Tower, he told me to become a strong mage and help the Vanguard.”

“That’s also a delusion. But you still don’t know your biggest delusion, Riana. Does your father really love you?”

Riana would have to learn the truth eventually.

But this was way too fast.

“Shut up, Nigelung. Just answer the questions.”

“Of course, Kairon! I’m just answering our dear Riana’s questions. Riana, the children Commander Balthazar truly loved are already dead. They were killed by selfish and evil humans!”

“I know Dad went through hard times. But because of that, I also know he cherishes our family even more!”

“I told you clearly, that’s just your delusion. You, your brothers, and your mother are all just a show of love for Commander Balthazar! Kuh, kuhaha…!! Gasp!”

I kicked Nigelung’s head hard, knocking him out.

There was a lot to ask, but I couldn’t let Nigelung rampage any further.

Riana’s pupils were shaking violently.

And I knew exactly how harsh the words Riana was hearing were.

I had been to several dinners hosted by Commander Balthazar, and each time I saw the family getting along as harmoniously as one could expect.

“Then, Dad is…”

A trembling voice, tearful eyes.

“Our Dad is…!”

Just before Riana burst into tears, I hugged her tightly.

“Brother, Kairon! Is all that true? Then our Dad is…”

“Don’t think about it, Riana. There’s no answer that comes from thinking. And everything will be fine. I promise. I’ll make sure of it…”

Right now, interrogating a desperate demon’s lackey wasn’t important.

Comforting a girl whose expectations had been brutally crushed and betrayed came first.

“This is confusing. What on earth is all this about?”

And there was one more person who was confused.

The Gatekeeper of Rostia Magic Tower.

“Is everything I just heard true?”

“Unfortunately, yes, Gatekeeper. This is the filthy reality of the world we live in.”

“…Then this is no time to be standing around!”

The Gatekeeper seemed to make a decision and went inside to fetch something.

It was a necklace with a shining Sun Emblem.

“Wait, Gatekeeper. That emblem, could it be…?”

“This is a magical equipment that only I can use once. I never thought I’d have to use it before I died.”

The Gatekeeper dropped the brooch to the ground and stomped on it with all his might, shattering it.

Then, a small magic portal opened where the brooch had been.

“Could this portal lead to that place?”

“Yes, it does. Please stay here.”

The Gatekeeper stepped into the magic portal without hesitation, nodding at me with a resolute expression.

“This old man will be back. May this last bastion I leave behind become a ray of hope for this world.”