Chapter 89: Does Having Nothing Mean Being Unable to Do Anything?

Lies. Deception. Incitement.

Whatever it was, only one thing mattered.

Did it work, or not?

Which of the words spoken were truth and which were lies… such things were entirely unimportant.

-As long as the result is satisfying and the conclusion is one everyone can accept, isn’t that enough?

“…….”

Without even having time to watch the crowd disperse, Kariel returned inside the chapel.

The moment the eyes of others vanished, he sank into a nearby chair and breathed heavily, struggling for air.

“U-Um… are you, are you okay? Um… Master?”

“…….”

Lacking the energy to respond, he merely moved his head with difficulty.

“You’re quite good at lying without even blinking. Your talent for incitement is as sharp as ever, isn’t it?”

“…….”

Ases flashed a friendly smile toward Kariel.

Luirin asked with a hint of wariness.

“You speak as if you know him very well.”

“Well, we’re old acquaintances, after all.”

The ‘me’ from the past she spoke of seemed to have been exceptionally skilled in this area.

If that were the case, then the reputation? The fame formed in the past?

It felt as though things were starting to make a bit more sense.

“More importantly, incitement? What lies were there in what he just said?”

Leo and his party, who had entered the chapel late, overheard the conversation.

When Leo questioned the confident Ases, she replied nonchalantly.

“He didn’t say a single word about why the creatures outside the village aren’t turning this place into a wasteland, did he?”

“That’s….”

“He simply emphasized the problems that would arise if the villagers themselves harmed Kariel. But for them, that was the biggest issue. They can’t do anything about the Demon Race scraps outside, but even if Kariel were killed and the demons quietly withdrew, would the Metran Kingdom or the local lords actually protect them? Especially when the descendant of the Great Empire’s Great Hero has been killed? Rather than avoiding responsibility, it would be cheaper for them to find a scapegoat to take the fall. Though I doubt that would soothe their anger.”

If they had been simpler-minded, they would have attacked the moment the crowd formed without wasting time.

However, this was not a simple village sustained solely by farming.

Furthermore, if they had been completely ignorant, brainless fools.

The chapel would have already endured a furious assault resembling a siege long before Kariel ever had the chance to appear.

In that sense, this was actually a lucky case.

However.

“Kariel used shock therapy from the start to stimulate their anxiety and immediately limited their room to think.”

What he showcased next was overwhelming force.

“…I didn’t expect him to show that much. I wondered how he managed it with a body that looked like a corpse.”

Luirin cast an uneasy glance.

“H-He woke up, so isn’t he feeling a bit better?”

“A corpse barely opening its eyes—that’s exactly his current state.”

That was exactly how Kariel felt as well.

“After overwhelming them with power, all he said was to trust him. The phrasing was different, but in the end, that was all.”

“…It didn’t sound like that to me.”

“That’s what it meant?”

“You’re already on his side, so it might not have hit you as hard.”

But for those driven to the edge of a cliff.

For those in a position where it was easier to perceive him as an enemy than an ally.

It would have felt completely different.

“A simple, believable narrative hits much deeper than a complex explanation. If he had explained in tedious detail, they would have been more confused and wouldn’t have listened. Their patience would have run out in an instant.”

“Is… is that really possible?”

The angry crowd had become unsettled shortly after, and eventually, they dispersed of their own accord.

…In a way, it was a sight that was utterly incomprehensible.

Usually, when that many people gathered, they wouldn’t be satisfied until someone was hung from a pole, beheaded, or their corpse mutilated in a public execution.

Luirin had experienced countless times that such situations only subsided once blood flowed and flames roared.

So, for things to go as smoothly as they did now….

“That is why, since ancient times, incitement and eloquence have been called the talent of a ruler and the most precious skill a king must possess.”

“…….”

“He did it to that extent because he knew they would listen. If they hadn’t, he probably would have adopted a different method. Right? Dragging out the leader of the group and threatening them by the collar… or if necessary, beheading a few as an example or mutilating them to instill fear and break their spirit. Ah, but each method works differently, so you have to choose carefully or you might cause an even bigger disaster.”

Then, Ases looked at Kariel with a smile, as if seeking acknowledgment, asking, I understand this correctly, right?

“…….”

Yet, for some reason, it felt as if a storm of inner chaos was raging in her eyes.

What on earth was that emotional state?

Anger was mixed in, far exceeding mere happiness.

And yet, no hostility was felt.

This was, therefore….

-Rather than anger toward you, it is a lament and anger toward your current plight.

The Demon King added a supplementary explanation.

Normally, she wouldn’t point out such trivial things.

In the first place, the gamble from a moment ago was only possible because the Demon King had forced him to push through.

What on earth was she trusting in when she told him to face that angry crowd unprotected?

But why….

Why did they fall for those illogical, contradictory words and disperse so easily?

It was a result Kariel could not comprehend, yet surprisingly, Ases was providing an explanation that even Kariel found convincing.

-They lost their faith. Therefore, you must awaken that faith and plant an idol for them to believe in. That is enough.

Trivial interests always become like flickering candles before an absolute, unwavering belief.

…However, that belief does not always need to be the truth, the law, life, or the right path.

-You force the belief they want to believe. They pretend to accept it out of necessity, but in reality, that is the very belief they desired most. Humans, and ignorant crowds in general, possess a desire to be ruled and led. It’s different from an individual. Very different.

The villagers wanted to escape this unstable situation where their lives were at risk.

And he forced them to shift all the responsibility onto Kariel himself.

He coerced them. He even threatened them.

That they would be safe. That they would be secure.

…There was no guarantee, but what more did they need?

He said so.

He told them to trust him.

Then it will be solved.

In a situation where they were helpless, he gave them a way.

If they rejected it? What was left? Was there a better plan?

-This is why being ‘convenient’ is so good. When you open your mouth and honey is poured right down your throat, only a moron wouldn’t take it. That is the trap.

“…….”

Well, that wasn’t all.

Kariel himself seemed unaware of it due to his low self-esteem.

But he was already, by his very existence, a magnificent mass of incongruity.

When an ominous feeling exceeds a certain limit, it becomes a mystery and then a faith.

The descendant of the Nine Heroes, whose fame is the strongest on the continent—classified here as the Great Hero—and specifically, the child of Lueld and Ermina, the Chief of Nine Heroes.

For example, the highest echelon of the Great Empire, the strongest power on the continent.

Beyond that, the news of Kariel’s existence and the information spread about him were a jumbled mess in many ways.

And ignorance makes the concept of ‘mystery’ even more vague.

What comes next?

Depending on how it is presented, it can be reborn as faith or an idol at any time.

Or it can become a concept completely opposite to that.

And.

Though not perfect, Ases continued her explanation in a context similar to what the Demon King had told Kariel.

As everyone stared at her as if she were a monster.

Despite her wide smile, Ases displayed an attitude of being deeply wronged.

“Look at that. Here we go again. You’re the one who calculated and executed this, so why am I the one being treated like a monster for explaining it?”

“…….”

Kariel barely let out a breath and spoke.

“Using that for the purpose of showing off… was your choice.”

“Is that so?”

“…Because that was more enjoyable for you. Wasn’t that reaction a source of pleasure for you too?”

At that, as if he had hit the mark, Ases smiled like a flower in full bloom.

Despite her neat and pretty appearance, that smile was completely out of place for the atmosphere and situation.

“You know me too well. Even though your memories are incomplete and you’re far removed from who I was, you understand my essence so quickly. Now you’re finally acting like yourself. Though I’m still not used to you being so gloomy.”

“…….”

“Um, what do you mean, ‘memories are incomplete’?”

“Ah, was that not something to say in front of others?”

Crazy bitch.

Venus’s muttered voice echoed briefly as he leaned against the wall.

“Still, don’t worry. Even if he’s thorough in this regard, in the end, it will be the path for everyone’s benefit. He’s always had a kind heart. If he used those abilities to scam people, he could have become a king, but in the end, he always ended up doing things that put him at a loss.”

“…….”

Despite his exhaustion, Kariel couldn’t stop a hollow laugh from escaping.

Was I such a pushover, a ‘good person,’ even back then?

This is a welcoming sign in a different sense.

…Though it was absurd.

“This play was likely intended to minimize the damage to the village. If the villagers went on a rampage and got caught up in it, it would only be their loss. In fact, hearing from Venus, the kids who tried to attack him and got caught up in the crossfire died exactly for that reason.”

“Since you mentioned it, let me ask. You. You said that was the Holy Sword, right? Earlier.”

At that moment, Venus intervened.

Considering his personality, it was nearly a miracle that he had held back until now.

“Why was Lord Grandeus wielding something like a Holy Sword?”

“…….”

Why was he asking me?

Kariel lacked the energy to answer and could only let out a faint breath.

“Hey. I said answer me.”

Unable to watch any longer, Leo stepped in.

“Excuse me. Lord Riel’s condition looks precarious right now, so pushing him like an interrogation is a bit….”

“He’s not a corpse, is he? Then it’s fine.”

“What kind of bastard is this?”

Luciri, who had been observing from a distance to avoid interfering, finally joined the fray.

“What did you just mutter, girl?”

“Girl? What’s with your attitude?!”

“Now, friends. It seems like your heads are overheating, so please calm down….”

Even Deike, who had maintained neutrality and avoided intervening, was forced to step in.

“Master.”

“…See. That’s why I told you not to associate with them. You just end up getting cursed at.”

Kariel muttered with a faint, bitter smile.

Luirin caught even that small voice and frowned, looking slightly sorrowful.

“You could just say thank you; please stop being so stubborn just because you’re embarrassed.”

“…….”

Thank you.

Thinking about it, the reason why I came here, to the chapel.

That part had not yet been resolved.

And he heard an answer from Luirin that seemed to address that.

“It’s a good thing Brother Leo suggested we come; if we were just a little later, it would have been a disaster.”

“That’s true. Unlike the Empire, there didn’t seem to be any personnel here capable of proper treatment. The privileges of the Church of Irenis are outstanding in that regard.”

The problem was that the one who would grant those privileges was absent.

Luirin then glared at the chuckling Ases.

“Tell those two to stop fighting and come over here.”

At Kariel’s word, Luirin quickly relayed the message.

“Before we discuss the Holy Sword… Venus. I heard from that person that it was originally meant for you to hold.”

“What?”

“I’ll tell you exactly as I heard it. It said that it should have been in your hands. However, because you changed, the sword refused to be used by you of its own will. That is the reason you still cannot draw that sword.”

Perhaps that was a shock.

Venus remained silent for a long time.

“……A mere sword has its own subjective opinion and is refusing to be used by me? How insolent.”

Ases burst into laughter, as if that were exactly right.

“Hahaha! No! But it’s true, isn’t it? If that’s a Holy Sword, it doesn’t make sense for it to be held by someone like you!”

“What?”

“If it were to be held by a lunatic battle-maniac like you, it wouldn’t be a Holy Sword. Maybe a Demonic Sword, but not a Holy Sword.”

“This crazy bitch, I’ve had enough!”

Yet, seeing as he didn’t deny it, it seemed he agreed to some extent.

That was somewhat unexpected.

“To think I’m in a position where I have to flatter a sword just to hold it. Ridiculous.”

“Is that so? Then just give up.”

“…….”

Despite Ases’s arrogant sarcasm, Venus showed no particular reaction.

“There must be a condition. Or a restriction. Do you know what it is?”

How should one interpret this sudden serious approach?

Kariel recalled the words he had heard then.

[Justice.]

[Protection of the Good. Immediate execution of the Evil. Execution of Balance.]

[As the Holy Sword, I am the protector of the Good.]

[If you wish to hold me, you must promise. That you will follow the Good. That you will judge the Evil. Can you do so?]

When he relayed those words exactly to everyone, including Venus.

Ases even snapped her fingers, criticizing Venus even more aggressively.

“No wonder you couldn’t pull it out even after clinging to it for over a decade! That condition is basically telling you to deny your entire life. Do you think you can actually do that?”

“……There’s nothing that can’t be adjusted. I adhere to my own definition of justice and good.”

“But you despise the weak, don’t you? That’s not something you can just change by saying so.”

“…Did I do that?”

“Did you think you didn’t?”

“I hate fools who choose to be weak; I do not despise the weak.”

“There are those whose fate makes them inevitably weak. You hate those who don’t even resist their fate, don’t you? It’s not like they live that way because they want to. What sin did those you despise commit? It’s not as if they’re being struck by lightning from a clear sky.”

Kariel had a rough idea of why Venus’s attitude toward the weak was the way it was.

Because his own circumstances had been miserable, he believed he had overcome them through his own effort.

Therefore, seeing others who did not do the same, even though it was possible through effort, must have been deeply displeasing to him.

And such emotions must have accumulated over time, eventually becoming a blind hatred.

-That kind of understanding is good. However, it’s important to distinguish whether that is the truth or a delusion, so don’t jump to conclusions. It’s problematic to believe that the delusion created by your thoughts and emotions is the truth. Until it’s verified, what is it? Nothing is a fact.

…He hadn’t spoken a single word, and she wasn’t reading his mind, yet she kept spouting such things as if they were advice.

Damn that Demon King.

“I only hate the immoral who possess power, and those who use and covet what they have dishonestly. Power should come with corresponding responsibility, yet there are too many people in this world who wield it without any.”

“That’s exactly what’s wrong. Why is responsibility needed to possess power? Do you live your life responsibly? You’re a lawless outlaw yourself!”

“…This is why I can’t get through to you.”

“No. You’re the one who speaks strangely. Why is responsibility needed? Who decided that? In human society, those with power are a minority, and since they exercise violence, the majority and the weak plead for them to stop. In an attempt to bind them with all sorts of regulations and rules, they push the nonsense that ‘responsibility follows rights’ as if it were the truth. But there’s no way that’s the truth, is there?”

The desire for those who have more to eat tastier food, wear better clothes, and live in better houses.

That is a purely instinctive thing.

Even the fact that it evokes envy.

And the fact that, eventually, they grow bored of that and attempt more daring things for greater stimulation.

“It’s all instinctive. Telling people to be wary of that is just something they prattle on about in religious texts. Why? Because that’s how groups are managed. A being whose desires run wild and cannot be managed is literally chaos to a society or organization. That’s why they define it as evil. I’m a prime example, aren’t I?”

But to be managed and controlled.

It means to be plain, ordinary, and unremarkable.

…Would I throw my life away for such a boring and miserable existence? It’s laughable.

“If you have power, you aren’t ignored by others; you’re respected, you live a bit more comfortably, you eat delicious food, and you suffer less. Plus, you can avoid being swayed by things like morality, ethics, or the law, right? Whether it’s wealth, land, or social status—it’s all the same. That is the essence of living in this world.”

If someone tried to kill you.

If you were weak, you would have simply died, but if you were strong, you could have counterattacked and retaliated.

And yet, the law says that’s a crime? They even demand you pay for that crime with your life?

Am I supposed to just accept that in silence?

Just to uphold some trivial national or social organizational norm?

Why should I?

For whose benefit?

“If that’s the case, I’m the type to set the state and society ablaze. A world that suppresses my freedom and will—let it all be burned to ashes. Drowning it in water would be fine too.”

“…That’s why you’re a crazy bitch.”

“You do things pretty similar to me, so why are you only like this toward me? Oh, could this be what they call ‘self-loathing’ among the same kind?”

“…Crazy bitch.”

Since she’s spilling her tendencies, ideologies, and values one after another, it’s easy to analyze her.

Even while remaining silent, Kariel carved each detail into his mind.

How to handle them, how to use them.

To do that.

“You aren’t the only ones here, are you?”

“Hmm?”

“The Order of Relief Knights.”

Kariel spoke softly.

“You didn’t show yourself before me just to babble about some prophecy. There must be a reason why you revealed your presence.”

“Was that it? I just got here, so I didn’t know. Venus? Was that the plan?”

“…Why are you asking me?”

“Ah, right. You’re only good at fighting; you weren’t capable of planning something like this, were you?”

“This crazy bitch keeps….”

“If someone is manipulating you, it’s either Usurf or… as expected, Rupert? Our First Sword probably wouldn’t be interested in this. Ah, even if he did come, it’s uncertain if he could handle the guy outside.”

This is information.

Ases had provided this information, just in case.

…Or maybe not.

“Why? So you want to see those bastards’ faces?”

“No.”

“What?”

Until a moment ago, she was poking and prodding as if that were her intention, and now suddenly?

“At this point, if they offer cooperation or help, their ulterior motive is obvious.”

Rather than playing in someone’s palm without knowing anything.

…Decisively.

I shall die while scattering a malice the likes of which the world has never seen.

Naturally.

Because of that death, I will make the land you tread upon so barren that not a single blade of grass can grow.

“Just deliver my message.”

“No, this bastard thinks he can use me as a messenger….”

“I told you a secret about the sword that you would have never known in your entire life. Was that not a favor to you?”

“This… this really….”

“The choice is yours.”

“Our Venus really is narrow-minded. His inner thoughts are as twisted and stubborn as a child’s….”

Grind!

A vein popped on Venus’s forehead.

However, he didn’t dare argue to her face.

True to a man with his own brand of pride, it was utterly pathetic how he insisted on his dignity in such a strange place.

—Humans are naturally prone to twisting things to suit their own liking.

The Demon King, watching the scene impassively, muttered as if this were only natural.

Of course, Kariel as well.

…Having encountered such absurdities for too long, he didn’t bring it up now.

With that sort of person, if you force them from the outside, the Reciprocal Benefit only grows.

You must simply throw out the bait and let them bite on their own.

“I was a bit disappointed, wondering if you’d just earned a reprieve before your death. Still, it’s good to see you energetically seeking the next move. You haven’t changed at all from back then.”

“…….”

Ridiculous.

However, regardless of how I felt, it was certain that she had granted me a favor.

“I said I’d come back when the sun is at the center of the sky. You’d better be prepared. Well, since it’s you, I’m sure you’ll overcome the crisis somehow, right?”

“…….”

I.

Other than letting out a powerless scoff.

There was nothing I could do.

For now.