149th Episode
“The ones who desire Diana’s continued existence more than anyone else… are the heroes.”
Jickrang’s demeanor was completely different from before.
Unconsciously, my reply carried more weight.
“What do you mean?”
“The hunting hounds that chase rabbits may actually wish for the rabbit to never get caught.”
“… Ah.”
Though I loathe cryptic riddles and metaphors, I immediately understood this one.
It reminded me of Berkel’s stubborn stance during the state banquet in my previous life. I nodded involuntarily.
Jickrang tapped his chicken soup bowl aimlessly, his eyes narrowing sharply. A quiet, refined anger simmered within him.
“As long as the rabbit isn’t caught, the hound’s usefulness is maintained. The hunter provides ample meals and shelter. The well-fed hound, instead of repaying this loyalty with effort, might think like this…”
In his calm, burning gaze, anger sparked with an eerie light.
“My ability to enjoy such luxury lasts only as long as the rabbit is being hunted. I know it. When this hunt ends, I will become nothing more than a parasite consuming the hunter’s resources. And I, who trusted the hunter so deeply, will have my skin flayed alive and end up on his dinner table.”
“…”
“So, let the rabbit run free. Let this moment, my glory, endure as long as possible…”
Crack. The chicken on Jickrang’s fork was crushed violently, the fork itself breaking.
I broke out in a cold sweat at the metaphor laced with firm hatred.
“Are you saying the heroes are deliberately ignoring the Demon King’s rampage right now?”
“At least most of the high-ranking heroes wielding absolute power in various regions are doing so. You know, the Aesir don’t treat their heroes very strictly, do they?”
“Well… that’s true.”
Jickrang stared quietly at the empty space with his gleaming silver eyes.
Following his gaze, I saw the massive floating fortress Leviathan, which proudly hovered outside the window.
“Do you know about the flying capital Unterland?”
“What about it?”
“An epidemic that turns people into monsters is spreading in the Valley of the Dead in Unterland. Every year, both summoned heroes and locals die defending the quarantine line against infection. Yet, the Demon King Zadkiel, the source of the plague, has survived over twenty-five years. It’s the longest survival record aside from the Undying Demon King.”
“…”
“This is the result of some high-ranking heroes interfering in politics. That great weapon up there, which could easily defeat Zadkiel, has become a giant parasite sucking the lifeblood out of the citizens remaining on the ground.”
The collateral damage during eradication would be catastrophic.
Right now, they’re managing with minimal losses, so there’s no need to stir things up.
That’s their logic, and the reasoning is roughly correct, making it hard to incite them.
Doesn’t this sound like something familiar?
I scratched my temple, and Jickrang cleared up my doubts.
“You probably know already. Before you eradicated Eldritch, Johann’s Halsenberg territory was neglected for similar reasons.”
That’s why it felt so familiar.
I recalled the Count of Halsenberg sitting on a broken throne, waiting to die, and nodded seriously.
“… Yes. I understand completely.”
“Johann, that moron, always berated himself, but the real problem lies in the Seven Nobles being too engrossed in their magical research. They firmly believe this will make the world better, so naive they fall prey to the politicians’ schemes.”
“You… don’t seem to like those Seven Nobles much, do you?”
“I dislike them. They neglect the duties of those who wield power. They’re utterly loathsome.”
Jickrang clicked his tongue and glanced northward.
It was a chilling gaze that couldn’t scrub away his resentment. When his hand holding the utensils turned white, a cold voice followed.
“They’re all overlooking a fact. If the forest catches fire, the hunter, hunting dog, and rabbit will all perish. Yet they’re blinded by the wealth right in front of their eyes.”
“…”
“It must be corrected. The hunt must end by biting the rabbit to death, and the hunter must be expelled from the forest. The flourishing era of hunting dogs must conclude, though it should have ended long ago, even if my skin is flayed alive in the process.”
The hunting dog refers to the heroes.
The rabbit refers to the Demon King and the demons. Extending further, the witch Diana.
The forest is this world, the Paradiso Continent.
Then… who does Jickrang mean by hunter?
“The Aesir.”
Deities like Minerva or the Three Fates, the ones who summoned us here.
Judging by what Jickrang is saying now, the ultimate purpose of the witch hunters isn’t merely hunting witches… but to drive out the Aesir through it.
“… How?”
And why?
Why does killing the witch Diana mean the Aesir will retreat? And why do we need to drive them out?
Countless questions looped around. Eventually, I deeply engraved the fundamental questions in my mind.
“Exactly, what is a witch? What is a Demon King? What are the heroes? Why have we been summoned here? And why so many of us?”
“…”
“What exactly else do you know, Jickrang?”
But Jickrang didn’t answer me.
Wearing a significant smile, he kept silent, then tidied up his utensils and slowly stood up.
Jickrang peacefully strolled out of the dining room, and I did the same with a few pieces of bread, following him.
“If you become a witch hunter, I’ll gladly tell you. Not now, though.”
“Pfft. I’ve already revealed everything I know. What are we supposed to do when the crucial part is missing?”
“You’re still hiding something from me too, aren’t you? It’s mutual.”
Good grief. He even saw through that. I can’t handle it.
I chuckled and shrugged, signaling my defeat. Jickrang smiled subtly and raised a fist.
“You’ll ultimately join forces with me. Soon.”
“… Can witch hunters tell fortunes.”
“It’s just a gut feeling.”
Jickrang grinned broadly and opened the dining room door.
Just as his foot stepped out, he muttered.
“However, my intuition is reliable. In this world, a hero’s Hero Sense doesn’t lie.”
I slowly nodded and mimed a fist bump towards Jickrang.
It’s now or never. Right as Jickrang was about to close the door, I finally blurted out all my pent-up words.
“Tonight, the organization that infiltrated the God Festival will attack here.”
“!!”
Jickrang froze instantly. His bulging eyes stared directly at me.
For an ordinary person, this would be a negative gesture, but for Han from Jickrang, this means “continue.”
Good start. Gathering momentum, I rambled on.
“I have no intention of disrespecting you, Mr. Jickrang. The numbers are in the dozens, and there’s one insanely strong individual mixed in. No matter how powerful you are… surviving will be tough.”
“… Hm.”
Not tough. You’ll be wiped out. Totally annihilated. I know, I’ve seen it.
I collected a few chicken bone fragments towards the plate while speaking. Jickrang’s gaze followed the bones I gathered.
“Gather all the witch hunters here before they’re wiped out. You must do so in absolute secrecy to catch them off guard.”
Jickrang stared at me silently. Normally, I’d avoid his sharp eyes out of fear, but now I focused on expressing the truth.
His expression must have been funny or something, because Jickrang let out a sighing laugh.
“The moment you speak, you immediately doubt my Hero Sense. It’s the first time since hearing about Johann’s decision to stay alone in Hasenberg.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“I judged that you’re not lying. But now, even if it’s a lie, I’ll pretend to believe you.”
Great. Success! The invasion countermeasures should be perfect with this!
Even if Zenon, who’s gone dark, flies and crawls around. With Elfride, Jickrang, Paek Eun’s silver and gold, Geom Rim, and Portia—six top-tier generals capable of world-level martial prowess here!
Right as I restrained the urge to do a cartwheel, Jickrang stroked his chin and suddenly exclaimed.
“But something’s odd.”
I perked up immediately and asked.
“What? What’s odd? Am I that suspicious? Let’s break down distrust and build a just society, Mr. Jickrang!”
You just said you’d believe even if it’s a lie. Why pull the rug out now? As I anxiously sweated and showed obvious nervousness, Jickrang waved his hand.
“It’s not doubt. Just… if they’re planning a night raid to decapitate the witch hunters… it doesn’t make sense.”
“What doesn’t?”
“If their ultimate goal was to ambush and kill via a night raid, why bother infiltrating the God Festival and risk exposing their identities? Wouldn’t that be counterproductive?”
For a moment, I could barely breathe, as I hadn’t considered that at all.
Realizing my gaping face, Jickrang waved his hand, as if expecting this reaction.
“You seem to have some ideas.”
“Ah, ah… yes.”
“Can you tell me?”
“While I’m not completely certain… when I think about it…”
I recalled visiting the black market in my past life.
Gray from Crossfade said this at the time:
“The Extermination Blade might be related to the number one prize in this tournament, the Dragon Exterminating Blade.”
Indeed. Thinking this way explains why they organized a group to infiltrate the God Festival and clarifies why Zenon, controlled by Hector, possessed the Extermination Blade.
When I explained my theory to Jickrang, he nodded and said,
“If there’s going to be a night raid, it means the infiltration of the God Festival serves a separate purpose. Therefore, as you said, there’s a possibility they’re after the tournament prize, the Dragon Exterminating Blade.”
“Ah!”
I straightened my spine and reacted dramatically.
At this, Jickrang laughed heartily while muttering contemplatively.
“Why specifically the Dragon Exterminating Blade? It’s undoubtedly a fine weapon, but I’ve never heard of any hidden powers associated with it…”
Once he focused, his eyes gleamed impressively.
He really is… though he was an insufferably irritating adversary, he’s a reassuring ally. It feels like I had a hearty helping of suyuk gukbap for breakfast.
“In any case, now that we’re in the same boat, let’s break through this together, Jung Yong.”
With Jickrang’s final words, the door slammed shut. Silence fell.
Lucy, who had been crouched under the table, slowly crawled closer to me. Unpleasantly, she glared at the dining room door Jickrang had left through.
“Ugh. That guy gives me the creeps. I don’t like that hero.”
“Honestly, I agree with half of that.”
I tossed the bread I’d prepared to Lucy. She caught it in her mouth and chewed it noisily.
For the first time in a while, I felt a connection with Lucy.
