Chapter 20: Awakening Memories

Chjijijik.

[Coordinates confirmed, Drasen territory……. Target confirmed. Baron Ryan Drasen?]

“Connect me to His Excellency. Quickly. It’s an urgent matter.”

At Ryan’s words, the official guarding the communication sphere nodded with a surprised face.

But the face that appeared in front of the crystal sphere a short while later was a different person than he had expected.

[Father is away due to the report you submitted earlier. But what’s this urgent news again, Ryan?]

A blonde middle-aged man who looked to be in his early 40s, with a mustache and sideburns that extended from under his ears to his chin.

It was a familiar face to Ryan.

“Grand Prince Kane…….”

[Ah, did I get straight to the point without even greeting you? It’s been a while, Ryan.]

The father of the Grand Princess Roanna, who had attended the party, and the one who was still only called the next Count or Grand Prince because of the hale and hearty Count Enoch Trian.

And.

[Surely you’re not offended that I, who doesn’t even have a title yet, called you by your name?]

The one who had always made him uncomfortable since he was young.

“……Of course not.”

[What’s with that frown, it was just a joke? Your problem is that you take everything too seriously.]

The one who always tested people as if throwing a joke, and kept their reactions in his heart.

Whenever he saw Kane, his lord’s words came to mind.

- It’s because his vessel is small. He always has to confirm the other person’s reaction to not feel anxious. And yet, he’s greedy…….

- So how can I step down? I can only hope that time will shave off his greed and widen his vessel.

- If only he was half as much like you at the same age. Hehe…….

But the Kane he saw was not much different from when he was young.

No, rather, it seemed that as he aged, a slightly irritable side was added.

Just like now.

[There, there. You’re looking at me with those eyes again. You know how unpleasant that makes one feel…….]

Thus, a conversation led by Kane was only draining.

Ryan got straight to the point.

“The acting Viscount Connel was a magician.”

[……What!?]

“We succeeded in subduing and killing him last night, and we obtained confessions from the two knights who were escorting him.”

[Surely you, just because you don’t get along with Moeno Connel, didn’t make this up to frame him…….]

“Sir Karina, the Knight of the Gale, and Sir Gremon of Esnam witnessed it directly.

The magical tool left by the magician has also been kept as evidence.”

[Hmm…….]

He couldn't tell what the frowning Kane was thinking.

[Is there any connection to the knight who attacked your son before?]

Seeing that he was no longer finding fault, it seemed he had at least properly grasped the seriousness of the situation.

“Nothing has been confirmed yet. But I believe there is a strong possibility.”

[……Right. I suppose so. My, then did Father go to the wrong place.]

“Pardon?”

[He headed to the Toisen Viscounty. There was a suspicion that a magician was there…….]

“Pardon!?”

It was news that couldn't help but be surprising.

“Viscount Tinel Toisen is His Excellency’s closest aide…….”

[Yes. Father’s right-hand man, whom he cherishes more than you. So he went to confirm it himself. But to think it was Connel……. It seems the magician bastards are up to some trick again. Of all places, in our Trian, those rotten bastards…….]

A mix of displeasure and bewilderment coexisted on Kane’s face as he muttered.

Even just this was enough shocking news exchanged, but.

Ryan added one more shock to it.

“That’s not all. The dead magician was a member of that evil cult from 10 years ago.”

[What!!?]

At that moment, Kane shot up from his seat, causing his face to go out of the crystal sphere’s frame.

It was understandable.

The subjugation 10 years ago was both the pride and the wound of the Trian County.

A clattering sound was heard from beyond the communication sphere for a moment, and then a flushed-faced Kane reappeared.

[What are you talking about!? They were already annihilated! Father even slew a 6th Circle magician at the time!]

“Yes, I know. I was also at the scene.”

[……Was the magician you killed yesterday one of the ones you saw 10 years ago?]

“……I wasn't the one who saw him.”

[Not you? Then?]

“My eldest son confirmed it.”

[Eldest son? That adopted son? How would a son who just had his coming-of-age ceremony know about the incident from 10 years ago!!]

“It is quite possible for him to know. Because he was the child who was there.”

[What!? Are you saying right now……!]

Even while watching Kane’s face contort in bewilderment, Ryan continued calmly.

“It is a matter that His Excellency is also aware of.”

[Hah…….]

Kane made a complicated expression and fell into thought for a moment with heavy eyes.

Then, he said something completely unexpected.

[Don’t tell anyone else what you just said.]

“Pardon?”

[That the magician who died yesterday is related to the incident from 10 years ago. That story must never enter anyone else’s ears.]

“What are you…….”

It was an order Ryan could not accept.

But Kane’s attitude was firm.

[We received a royal reward for subjugating the evil cult at the time. And you too were bestowed the ‘Slayer’ that way! And now you want to admit that the mission was actually a failure!?]

The name of his beloved sword, which he had been using for 10 years, was mentioned, and his brow naturally furrowed.

“It’s not that it was a complete failure, but that remnants may remain…….”

[Isn’t that the same thing!! Do you think we can undo all of that now!? What about Father’s political standing, who is about to enter the capital soon!?]

“……”

At those last words, even Ryan had to shut his mouth.

The thought of blocking his lord’s path was an unbearable burden for him, who considered himself a knight before a noble.

[Absolutely! Absolutely do not let those words leak out! Understand!?]

……I understand.

The moment he was about to answer that, the face of his eldest son flashed through his mind.

The image of his poor son, who still broke out in a cold sweat when he tried to recall the memories of that time.

Then, he gritted his teeth without realizing it.

“……I cannot do that.”

[What?! What did you just……!]

“I said I cannot do that!”

[You, a mere Baron, are now……!]

“You wouldn't know, Grand Prince Kane! Since you didn’t even participate in the subjugation!”

[Ha!? Th, this madman……!?]

The fact that he had not participated in the subjugation 10 years ago, merely on the pretext of it being dangerous, was a sore spot for Kane.

And apart from Count Enoch Trian, who had slain the leader of the evil cult, the knight who had made the greatest contribution in that subjugation was Ryan, known as the Knight of Gluttony.

“Do you know how insane those bastards are!?

You would have only seen the documents! It would be good if it were just a few remnants who survived, but if the incident from 10 years ago was truly a failure, things could get bigger than we think!

We must pull out the roots before another disaster occurs!”

[Ryan Drasen…….]

The sound of him gritting his teeth could be heard even beyond the crystal sphere.

Only then did he realize his mistake, but he didn't regret it.

Although he had impulsively talked back out of concern for his son, his words were also the unvarnished truth.

Ryan stared straight into the eyes of his lord’s son beyond the crystal sphere, the one who always spoke with a narrow mind.

Did it get through? Kane, who had been staring back for a long time, finally let out a ‘hmph’ and continued.

[……I will report this matter to Father myself. Including your rude attitude.]

“Do as you please.

But please also clearly convey that an investigation into the Connel Viscounty and that evil cult must be initiated.”

[Everything is for Father to decide, Ryan.

Let me be the one to warn you.

You would do well to remember my words.

Do not even think of connecting the incident from 10 years ago to this case without Father’s permission! Absolutely!]

As Ryan came on strong, Kane did not back down an inch either.

And only after the two’s hot and cold gazes had crossed for some time did the light in the communication sphere go out.

* * *

Muno had a dream again.

In that old memory, the young him gritted his teeth.

- You bastards, I will definitely…….

Even though he had escaped reality by splitting his consciousness in two, the pain did not end.

One day, as his mind was being filled with hatred while experiencing a terrible hell.

A sudden change occurred.

- Margrave Enoch……!

- How on earth did he find out……?

- Stop them!!

- The spies and the lookouts……?

- Aaaaaaaaargh!

The devil-like, hateful enemies fell one by one, powerless.

In the midst of it all, one of the enemies with a frantic expression grabbed his hand.

- Damn it, it’s a bit early, but it can’t be helped.

- By offering you…… I will cause it to rampage. Then the Margrave’s forces will be nothing…….

- ……I’ll have something to report to the Archbishop.

Even in that chaotic situation, the man dragged him to a gloomy, blood-smelling place.

A room with a strange symbol drawn on the floor. Only fragments of his memory remained from the moment he was thrown into its center.

- It’s done. Kahahahaha.

The sight of the man who had dragged him there cheering and disappearing somewhere.

The feeling of a creepy energy penetrating his body.

And the voice that echoed in his head.

- I am the demon of chains, ‘&%@#’. The one who binds and oppresses.

- A splendid sacrifice.

- You are now mine.

A strange energy that was taking over his entire body with a terrible feeling.

At that time, he had resisted as if having a seizure.

- Who says so!!

He had no choice.

Binding, and oppression.

Those were the worst words that simultaneously touched upon the trauma of Han Munho’s past life, who had lived dreaming of freedom in a difficult world and died in vain, and his present life, where he had lost his parents as soon as he was reincarnated and was restrained.

In an instant, his mind cleared, and he gritted his teeth.

But what could he do against something that had already penetrated his body, with only the ability to manipulate metal.

Just as he could only lament.

Chwareureureureuk.

Kwaaaaaaaang.

Suddenly, the shackles and chains on his body stretched out and began to dig into the stone walls on all sides.

- So many sacrifices. So many. All of them are mine!]

The demon of ‘chains’.

The moment that word came to mind, he began to try to interfere with the movement of the chains with his ability.

Of course, it was not enough to resist the immense energy he felt, so all he attempted was to twist its flow ever so slightly.

With a small force that was not even one ten-thousandth of the energy he felt.

But it was effective.

Then, the chains, which had been pulsating with immense power, suddenly began to tremble.

- No……!?

The voice that had felt so terrible seemed to be flustered.

- No!!

Flash.

Then, with the demon’s scream that filled the room, his vision turned white hot.

And when he came to his senses.

On a pile of rubble in a ruin, he met his father.

- My boy. The people who were tormenting you have all died…… ahem, ahem.

They’ve been chased away.

Are you alright?”

What did I answer back then?

Alright…….

“Alright……!?”

The moment his eyes shot open, Muno realized that his entire body was drenched.

“……Heok!?”

For a moment, the senses of the past and present mixed, and his mind went blank, and then he recalled yesterday’s memories.

‘Amos!’

He had poured out quite a lot of power to catch the man, and had even collapsed into sleep upon his return.

Was it because he had dealt with one of the culprits who had given him the trauma that the old memories, which had made his head ache just by recalling them, had revived so vividly?

All sorts of complex emotions filled his chest, but there was no time to be immersed in them.

What was most important now was not his own confused emotions.

“Definitely, definitely…….”

- ……I’ll have something to report to the Archbishop.

“Yes, that was it.”

The leader of that place who had dragged him to that blood-soaked altar.

If what that man said was true.

‘He has a superior! One I have never seen. For sure!’

That evil cult was not completely subjugated.

If so, a new goal that must be prioritized arises.

‘I can shatter those old nightmares with my own hands.’

Muno, with a body dripping in a cold sweat, gave a chilling smile and sprang up from his bed.

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