Chapter 172

When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar ceiling.

“Ah, it’s the hospital. Don’t worry.”

Damn, am I screwed? As soon as I woke up, I checked my lower half, but thankfully, my manhood was intact. What kind of bastard would mess with my junk like this…

“I had to forcefully stitch up the torn parts, and it took a while to detoxify the poison in one go. It’s been a while since I’ve had to use my skills like this, so I’m a bit tired… Oh, would you like an apple?”

Bedivior, who was peeling an apple with a scalpel, skewered another apple with a scalpel and offered it to me.

“What the hell is going on…?”

“Well, it’s a common story. I, the doctor, carried you here after you collapsed and treated you… And everyone else who collapsed is fine too… That kind of story.”

“But you’re from the Black Round Table. How…?”

“It’s tough working under those bastards. But the rewards are tempting, so I kept at it…”

He peeled off the bandage on his cheek, revealing the scar I had left. The strange magic I used yesterday to leave a wound on his cheek wasn’t an illusion after all.

“Now there’s someone who can give me that reward.”

“So… you want me to kill you now?”

I wondered how much pain someone must be in to see death itself as salvation. It felt almost cruel to keep him alive and ask for his cooperation.

“No.”

“Why did the conversation suddenly take such a dark turn?”

“For me, death is salvation. And I’m a sinner. For a sinner to so easily wish for salvation… It’s laughable.”

Bedivior picked up a slice of apple with his scalpel and ate it.

“So I’ll gladly cooperate with you. Until the end of this hellish world, until I’ve atoned for all my sins.”

I grabbed Bedivior’s outstretched hand. You should’ve done this sooner, you bastard. Still, it’s good to have a sane person from the Black Round Table on our side. Feeling guilty about murder is more normal than someone like me…

“But how did you manage to do all that and not get caught?”

“Well, it’s a common story. I messed with their brains and erased all their memories from last night…”

I guess I need to revise my earlier assessment. This guy’s just as crazy as the rest.

“By the way, today’s the Black Round Table’s gathering day. The topic was definitely…”

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A grand hall adorned with gold and jewels.

Strong individuals, each exuding an extraordinary aura, began to gather. Some, due to their physical nature, couldn’t sit, and there were even beasts among them, but they all took their designated seats and began to listen.

The host of the gathering and the architect of their plan, Lancelot, entered wearing an eyepatch.

“Long time no see, you trash of the world, scattered everywhere and spreading filth.”

No one objected to his words. Whether they thought it was true or simply didn’t want to antagonize Lancelot of the Black Round Table, their reasons varied.

“Tristan is dead, and Bedivior has betrayed us.”

This seemed to be within their expected range, as there was no major uproar. It was as if they had anticipated this outcome.

“With this, the troublesome moderates who always opposed us are gone. Tristan, Felinoir, and Bedivior, who called themselves moderates, were a nuisance. Now we can act without hesitation.”

Lancelot suddenly unfolded a map and pointed to a forest not far from the capital.

“We will destroy the Spirit King of Wood. I’ve already killed the Spirit King of Light and the Spirit King of Wind. The Spirit King of Darkness was killed by Gallahad and Agravain, and the Spirit King of Earth was killed by Tristan.”

Four Spirit Kings had already been slain by them. They had been lurking all over the world, working towards their plan.

“Now, by killing the Spirit Kings and using their power to tear through space, we will reach the realm of the gods and kill the source of our misery… That is our goal.”

Their purpose had always been one: to kill the god who gave them this wretched fate and change the world. It didn’t matter how the world changed. They were only interested in punishing the god who brought them misery and changing the world.

“However, the biggest obstacle to this plan is the Apostles of God. I killed one long ago… but the others are still troublesome. That’s why you exist. With our power, we can destroy the Apostles of God. The most troublesome is the Apostle of Dreams… but our King will handle that. And then, it will be my task to pierce the heart of the god sitting on his divine throne.”

Lancelot showed everyone his sword. The purple shard embedded in it was proof that he had killed an Apostle of God and that he was hated by the Apostle of Dreams.

“I’ve already leaked information to Bedivior. Werner and Bedivior will foolishly fall into the trap. Now… members of the Black Round Table, go and kill the Spirit King of Wood, said to be the strongest. Capture Werner Altan and use him to create a weapon to kill the god.”

Most of them stood up with satisfied expressions, but Gallahad, Lancelot’s daughter and Camelian Peony’s younger sister, left the hall with a dissatisfied look. She headed to a remote tower with iron bars. Inside, a man wrapped in special bandages and chained up was waiting.

“Let’s go, Agravain.”

“Grrr….”

“Our father is insane. So we need to go and kill Werner before he can execute his plan. It’s okay. With you and me together, we’re the strongest.”

Gallahad silently stroked Agravain’s head. The beast-like Agravain began to calm down a bit.

“Everyone’s either dying or betraying us… But it’s okay. I’m ready to be hated by my sister, and I’m willing to die for this world. You’ll stay with me, right, Agravain?”

“Grrrr….”

“If there was even a sliver of hope… I wouldn’t have resorted to this. But if there was, maybe even our father wouldn’t have done this… Maybe I’d resent the god a little for that.”

They leaned on each other’s warmth in the cold, dark tower, enduring the chilly night. Even if it was a sad habit of weak beasts who had no one else to rely on for over ten years.

A pair who might have killed Werner in some future fell asleep leaning on each other once again.

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In a dark temple, a staircase led to a room with a suspicious magic circle.

A young girl, still looking childish, grabbed her brother’s sleeve and spoke with a trembling voice.

“Brother… are you sure this will take us back to the past where Mom and Dad are?”

“….. If you don’t believe me, stay behind. I can do this alone.”

“But going back to the past and eliminating the cause of Mom and Dad’s death sounds suspicious…”

“Grandmother approved this. So I’ll say it again. I can do this alone. You three stay out of it.”

The eldest brother spoke, and his younger sisters rebelled.

“No, we’re going with you to see Mom and Dad.”

“Brother, it’s obvious that you’re strong, but… it’s dangerous to go alone.”

“You always act so tough, did you think we’d be scared? You’re so predictable, brother.”

The eldest brother’s face twisted with irritation at his sisters’ rebellion.

“Honestly, it’s ridiculous that we’re even called siblings, given our father’s philandering. Thanks to that, I’ve had to take care of you brats. I wish you’d consider my position a bit.”

With that, the eldest brother held the Magic Book Enok in his hand.

“If Grandmother hadn’t told me to take care of you, I would’ve abandoned you all and lived alone.”

His voice was filled with irritation, but his sisters, already used to it, didn’t pay it any mind.

“Brother, my legs hurt.”

“Useless brats…”

The eldest brother had no choice but to carry his youngest sister on his back and head towards the magic circle. All to change a despairing future.