Chapter 101

When Carmondorf fired the gun.

– Bang—!!

Laura saw the scene in front of her like a fleeting shadow.

Was she afraid of being hit by Carmondorf’s bullet? No. Conversely, Laura was very much aware of the handgun in Cesar’s hand.

The muzzle of Carmondorf’s gun was clearly aimed at Laura. In other words, it was aimed at Cesar.

But what if Cesar, while being shot, reflexively pulled the trigger?

“…Hik.”

It was a horrifying future just to imagine. She had never seen anyone shot, but she was well aware that it wouldn’t be a pleasant sight.

“Ugh, ugh…”

Thus, while looking at Cesar, who had ultimately not pulled the trigger despite bleeding from one ear, Laura let out a sigh of relief.

However, what actions Cesar would take after being shot was a separate issue.

Just a moment ago, Laura had narrowly escaped the brink of death, and she was not thinking about the aftermath.

“You…! How on earth are you still alive?”

Carmondorf’s words, spoken with intense eyes still fixed on Cesar even while being beaten up by Professor Antorelli.

Little did anyone know that those words would become another trigger no one had anticipated.

Truly, it was something she never even dreamed of.

* * * *

Cesar Li blinked, desperately racking his brain to interpret Carmondorf’s words.

How on earth was he still alive? What did that even mean?

He didn’t know. Cesar wasn’t even personally acquainted with him, and the question could be interpreted in numerous ways.

It was confusing. The handgun in Cesar’s hand began to tremble slightly. He pushed aside his instincts urging caution and thought as reason desired. He began to retrace Carmondorf’s actions to decipher the meaning behind his words.

When he had first seen Carmondorf’s face, there hadn’t been any particular reaction. However, when Cesar vented his anger over the arson incident, Carmondorf had suddenly changed his attitude. No, it wasn’t just a change—he had become a completely different person.

In an instant, he had drawn a pistol from his coat and shot straight at Cesar. There hadn’t been a moment of hesitation in that action, making it all the more dubious.

And then, the most lethal statement. Despite being brutally beaten by Professor Antorelli, Carmondorf still insisted on asking Cesar that question.

“…How are you still alive?”

“Sir! We need to kill that author immediately! Please believe me!”

Even in response to Cesar’s inquiry, Carmondorf began to rage like a person who had already lost his reason. He was infuriated that he had lost his gun, desperately talking to the master standing next to him.

“You… are you really crazy? I told you to stay down! Right this moment!”

“B-but, sir…!”

As Cesar keenly observed this scene, a conclusion that he desperately wished wasn’t true gradually emerged in his mind.

Carmondorf. Aide to Maximilian von Adelheit, now occupying a position close to that of a secretary.

In other words, a man whom the Duke of Adelheit had trusted for a long time, and who had been subtly flattering that trust.

This led him to conclude that Carmondorf might be someone who had links to the arson incident. It seemed possible that Carmondorf had acted alone without the Duke of Adelheit’s knowledge.

Holding back his trembling voice, Cesar called out the name of the Duke of Adelheit.

“Hey, Duke of Adelheit.”

Hearing Cesar’s call, the Duke stopped about to shout something at Carmondorf and looked at Cesar.

To him, Cesar said.

“…I just want to ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Three years ago, the arson incident… the fire set in the war veterans’ office…”

Cesar understood. He knew that if he spoke any further, he would inevitably face an irreversible outcome that would brutally tear him apart.

It seemed that this was also the case for Carmondorf, who looked at him with despair and blame in his eyes. Those eyes were filled with a selfish desire that pierced the sky as Cesar resolved to open his mouth.

“Did you… commit that?”

“…….”

While the Duke of Adelheit fumbled over his words, Cesar earnestly prayed. He hoped that he wouldn’t have to submit to the desires that had finally set.

He wanted simply to dismiss it all as delusion.

However, when the Duke of Adelheit finally spoke, his next words were.

“…I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He pulled Cesar’s delusion into harsh reality.

It was closer to annihilating his very persona. Staring at the Duke of Adelheit, Cesar opened his mouth in disbelief.

In fact, he didn’t have to believe everything the Duke of Adelheit said. He never intended to do so, but still….

‘Then, why…’

If that were the case, it would not explain Carmondorf’s actions. Cesar strained with all his strength to deny reality. While being swept away by the wave of truth that constantly pressed in on him, facing the wave that extinguished the fire of revenge that had been burning within him…

In that manner, Cesar struggled within the tide that blurred the boundary between truth and illusion. He knew that the realization of his delusions would be delayed.

“Duke of Adelheit… don’t lie. Answer me straight.”

He couldn’t take a single step forward. He was unable to accept the truth.

Cesar’s eyes began to soften little by little. Only the Duke of Adelheit, Carmondorf, and Professor Antorelli noticed that fact.

“The arson incident three years ago… was it you who did it?”

“Three years ago… are you perhaps referring to the massive fire that broke out in the heart of the city? Near the central square…?”

“Yes! That’s it!”

Cesar could not hide the blooming excitement in his expression. The Duke of Adelheit’s countenance had changed, showing that he knew something…

“I remember that incident, but I didn’t commit the arson. I was mobilizing the city’s defense force to assist in clearing the debris and maintaining public order.”

“…….”

Cesar Li was—

“…That’s a lie.”

Ultimately, he realized as he faced the blade returning to himself.

“Lies…”

That there was indeed a choice given to himself—.

“…Ha.”

Cesar lowered his head. The handgun in his hand was trembling mercilessly.

“Hahaha…”

As a result, whether Laura was making a worried expression, the Duke of Adelheit was eagerly looking at Cesar, or Carmondorf was glaring at him as if he would kill him…

And then, with Professor Antorelli.

“…Ah.”

While looking at Cesar, Cesar Li.

“Ah, ugh… ah…”

The hand holding the gun did not lower.

Unlike Cesar’s gun, which trembled incessantly, Professor Antorelli’s steady muzzle glimmered.

Cesar had no idea what had led him to this situation. It was maddening.

And the answer quickly surfaced.

Cesar had a choice. There had been many opportunities not to break and, in the end, he could have walked the same path as Professor Antorelli, who was slowly recovering. And he realized.

Cesar Li and Lucio Antorelli. The two had ultimately arrived at a crossroads of the past.

What had been absent in Cesar was present in Antorelli. He lacked the strength to keep standing and the courage to choose one path at the unknown crossroads.

Though he had the right to choose, Cesar had not used it wisely. He did not choose the thorny reality laid out before him for the fleeting delusion at the crossroads.

Ultimately, they had diverged. Professor Antorelli, choosing to walk the painful yet tangible path of reality, and Cesar, opting for a comfortable but clearly defined path of delusion.

Cesar’s limit was clear. It simply had become this moment.

Thus, therefore…. Cesar.

– Click.

Cesar steadied the trembling handgun. The solidly grasped gun filled his hand.

“…Hey, over there. Carmondorf.”

“…….”

Carmondorf did not respond to Cesar’s call. It didn’t matter. Cesar didn’t care.

“Why… why did you do it?”

What he was about to say now was close to a lament.

“Why did you commit such acts? Why….”

“…….”

“Why—!!”

The meaning of revenge had not faded, but the inner flames of hatred he had carved were lost, wandering aimlessly. Cesar fought to grasp the uncontrollable embers of hatred.

And naturally, it was directed towards Carmondorf. It was unavoidable.

Carmondorf, who had not answered Cesar’s inquiry, released a deep sigh. It was closer to a groan.

“What you plotted was to block the Duke’s path.”

“…What?”

Carmondorf’s response, after a long silence, was one that Cesar couldn’t comprehend. He looked at Carmondorf with a dumbfounded expression.

“Organizing protests against the Duke… that was detrimental to both the Duke and, moreover, the Empire. So…”

“So you committed such acts?”

“…Yes.”

Well then, was that all? Another cruel question slowly rose within Cesar.

“Is that really all?”

“What….”

“I asked if that was really the only reason you tried to kill us.”

“…….”

“Answer me…. If you don’t answer, I don’t know what I might do.”

Carmondorf’s gaze turned to Laura. Laura had a vacant expression, unable to follow the situation, but at least there was no longer trust in her eyes as she looked at Carmondorf as before.

Carmondorf turned to the Duke of Adelheit. The Duke of Adelheit felt the same way; his eyes turned to Carmondorf with the intent of killing him.

‘…It’s over.’

In such a desperate situation, Carmondorf ultimately laid everything down.

“Ha….”

Carmondorf sighed. As that strongly trembling sigh escaped, everyone held their breath.

“If something comes to obstruct the Duke’s future, I judged it would affect my advancement as well.”

“…Heh heh.”

Cesar burst into laughter, incredulous. Was it absurd? Was that truly all? A selfish thought for his own gain led him to commit such acts?

And it was not just Cesar who found it ridiculous. The Duke of Adelheit turned to Chief Curbin.

“…Chief Curbin.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Arrest this man. Immediately.”

“…Understood.”

While handcuffs were placed on Carmondorf’s wrist, he offered no resistance. He only glared at Cesar, the creator of this ending.

And then, Cesar…

“Hey, Duke of Adelheit.”

The Duke turned to Cesar. Cesar, with slightly relaxed eyes, looked at the Duke of Adelheit and asked.

“What will happen to that guy now?”

“I’ll turn him over to the public safety office as soon as the Intelligence Division finishes their investigation.”

“…Is that so?”

That was where the conversation between the two ended. Not because the Duke of Adelheit turned away.

– Click.

The muzzle that had been aimed at Laura’s temple finally shifted direction. Everyone watched as the rooftop fell into silence.

“…Carmondorf.”

Where Cesar’s gun was pointed, there was….

“This is revenge for my comrades…. For all of us.”

– Creak.

Cesar’s finger, without hesitation, unleashed the hatred he had been harboring for three years. His finger pulled the trigger.

– Bang—!!

The muzzle flared. Cesar gazed with a smirk at the collapsing Carmondorf.

This ultimately declared that Cesar had forsaken his right to choose…

– Click.

It was a death rattle.

“And….”

Cesar’s gun changed direction. The muzzle that had just spewed flames now settled under Cesar’s chin.

“This is my revenge.”

He said this, looking at the Duke of Adelheit, who was gazing at him in shock.

Professor Antorelli, standing next to the Duke of Adelheit, made an astonished face. Cesar looked quietly at the dazed Professor Antorelli and murmured.

“…I’m sorry, Lucio.”

“Ah, no…!”

– Bang—!!

…

It felt peaceful.

It felt satisfying.

He thought.

He had completed his revenge.

…

With the youth of his young years— sacrificing this one body—.

Returning to his home, filled with the glory of victory— where the scent of acacia blooms—.

Remembering the beautiful maiden waiting for him—.

“Grrgh…. Ack….”

Oh, my comrades beside me— please send my regards to that flower-scented maiden—.

“…….”

I fought bravely today—.