Chapter 20: One word can incur a debt of a thousand gold coins. (2)

1:00 AM, October 22nd.

The lord’s castle has a dungeon.

There is a separate facility within the domain for housing criminals, but it is used when the lord wants to personally administer punishment.

It is there to keep the criminal nearby and observe their repentance and the process of punishment.

Since the Rossel domain is a “great estate,” it is customary to build a lord’s castle. However, he did not build one.

Instead of erecting a tall castle with high towers and spires in the northern part of the domain, he built a simple mansion.

When Gelion first came here, he had asked Rossel about this.

“Why don’t you live in a castle, instead of a mansion?”

Since every power-hungry person dreams of a life in a castle, Gelion couldn’t help but wonder.

Up until then, all the nobles he had served had lived in castles. Even the baron of a small domain, Pellord, lived in a grand castle.

But the answer Rossel gave him was surprisingly shocking.

“A tall castle will always make people look up, giving them neck pains. I simply didn’t want to cause that for the people of my domain.”

It was a response mixed with a joke, but from that moment on, Gelion realized something.

The Duke Rossel was different from the usual nobles.

Anyway, Rossel insisted on living in a mansion, but even so, the mansion was equipped with everything that one would find in a castle.

Among these was the “dungeon.”

For two years, dust had piled up in that dungeon, but now, for some reason, a guest had come.

At the sound of the approach, the long-time residents of the dungeon—the pests—scurried away, dispersing in all directions.

“Mm…”

And there, tied to a chair, Sregon, who had been unconscious, began to stir and slowly opened his eyes.

“Are you awake?”

“Uhh…?”

As Sregon regained consciousness, Rossel approached him.

A single torch cast a lonely light on his vision. In the reflected flame, Rossel’s eyes showed no mercy.

Clink.

The metal armrests of the chair were fixed to the floor, and Sregon, with his limbs bound, lifted his head.

He then shouted at Rossel, who was coldly looking down at him.

“What… what is this?! Duke Rossel, have you gone mad?!”

“…The cost of light is greater than I thought, so I am offering you the chance to repay it.”

“What? Repay? Stop joking and release me now!!”

Rossel knelt down and leaned forward, bringing his face closer to Sregon’s disgusting one.

He widened his eyes and spoke in a low, resonant voice that echoed through the narrow dungeon.

“…Do you think I’m joking?”

“What? Why are you suddenly doing this?! I’m Sregon!”

“I’m Rossel. I don’t think we need introductions, do we?”

Rossel smiled slyly, then patted Sregon’s shoulder before dusting off his palms.

Sregon, terrified, screamed desperately.

“Do you even realize what it means to lay your hands on me?!”

“I do. You’re saying you want to cut off one of Brikal’s fingers. Specifically, his thumb.”

“…What?”

At Rossel’s calm, composed voice, Sregon’s nostrils flared in shock.

“Are you scared? This chair is the exact same one that was in the dungeon of my castle. It should be quite comfortable.”

“What… what…?”

Sregon, his violet pupils trembling, quickly scanned the chair.

And then, he realized that Rossel’s words were not a lie.

The color, the shape, the height—all matched exactly with the chair in the dungeon.

“How… how did you…?”

“There’s no need for you to be impressed. So, how do you like the chair?”

“…W-what is this?! This is treason, treason! Do you think King Brikal will just sit idly by?!”

Sregon shouted, spit flying from his mouth as his veins stood out on his neck, his repulsive voice making Rossel want to cover his ears.

But Rossel maintained his calm.

“It’s not treason, it’s a revolution.”

“What? Are you out of your mind?! Release me! If you do, I’ll cover up what happened!!”

“I told you, didn’t I? I’m giving you a chance to have your debts forgiven.”

“Forgiven? What are you talking about?! Rossel!!”

In the end, Sregon, overwhelmed with fear and anger, screamed.

At the high-pitched sound of his voice, Rossel momentarily frowned, then exhaled a shallow breath.

“…The way to have your debt forgiven is simple. You just need to truly repent. That’s all.”

“What? Repent for what?!”

“Repent for the atrocities you committed in the dungeon. From now on, it’s entirely up to you. I hope you’ll be able to show mercy.”

With his arms crossed, Rossel’s gaze sharpened as he issued a warning.

It was exactly as it seemed.

From now on, Sregon’s fate was entirely in his hands.

And Rossel sincerely hoped that he would be able to show mercy.

However, unexpectedly, Sregon’s cross-eyed gaze shifted to a pitiful state, like a pup that had encountered a tiger.

The magical pressure Rossel exuded was overwhelming to the point of nearly knocking Sregon unconscious.

The dark magic Rossel wielded was unlike anything Sregon had ever felt, its power alien and overwhelming.

Sregon knew better than anyone that no matter how stubborn he was, there was no escaping it.

He knew the fate of all who had been tortured in the dungeon.

Whether they were strong, weak, or persistent, their end was always the same, and Sregon understood that better than anyone else.

The torturer, Sregon, knew all too well that in the face of that chair, all convictions and oaths were nothing but futile stubbornness.

“Come on, isn’t this something you’ve done? But how am I supposed to repent? Even if I beg, will you truly accept it?”

“…Show me your sincerity. I’ll help you.”

With those murmurs, Rossel opened the dungeon door.

Then, through the shadowy gloom, Esil stepped inside first… and for some reason, Sregon felt a deep sense of fear.

It was the reversal of their master-servant relationship.

“Es… Emilia…?”

12:30 AM, October 22nd.

Esil, who had spent some quiet time with Silvia, was now alone in his room.

No longer on the cold floor, but sitting in a chair at the round table.

He was nibbling on the bread Silvia had left him, staring blankly at the moonlight.

Then, a knock echoed.

At the sound of his master, Rossel, Esil smiled faintly and immediately opened the door.

“Master.”

“Have you cleaned yourself up?”

“Yes… Yes…”

“Oh, you were eating. Sorry for disturbing you.”

Rossel’s gaze briefly skimmed the cold bread on the table. Esil shook his head.

“It’s fine. I’m so grateful that you came. Roden… He’s okay, right?”

“…Did you see him?”

“Yes… His hand… Is he alright?”

Rossel lifted his bandaged hand.

The wounds were quite deep, and they throbbed slightly, but he didn’t particularly care. He had no time to worry about such minor injuries.

However, seeing Esil worry about him caused a small chuckle to escape his lips.

“…Are you worried about me, when you’re the one who got hurt today?”

Although the catastrophe had been avoided thanks to Roden, Esil was the only one in the group who had swallowed the sadness.

He must have been hurting inside, yet he was concerned only with this minor injury. Rossel couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

“Ah… Your hand seems badly injured…”

“It’s nothing compared to your injury. Don’t worry.”

“Master…”

Esil hadn’t been truly injured. It was just a bit difficult.

But…

At his master’s warm words, “It’s nothing compared to your injury,” Esil realized that it was indeed his own wounds that had made things hard for him.

His heart had grown numb to pain, and it had hidden his true suffering.

Esil’s eyes, now damp, filled with emotion.

“Esil.”

“Yes…?”

Rossel opened his arms.

It had been a tough day for him as well.

He wanted to embrace Esil and share both his tired heart and hers.

“You’ve endured well today. May I hold you for a moment?”

“…Of course.”

Esil willingly approached and was embraced by Rossel. Then Rossel took a deep breath, inhaling fully before exhaling slowly.

Whenever he held Esil like this, it felt as though the exhaustion would just melt away, as if he were holding Silvia.

It felt like he was being comforted after a hard day.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect you properly.”

“No, it’s okay. You and Lord Roden protected me. I can endure this much. Thank you.”

“…You’re admirable.”

Releasing the embrace, Rossel looked at Esil.

“But… is something wrong?”

Seeing the heavy, tense atmosphere around Rossel, Esil asked with a worried expression. Rossel gently stroked her arm and spoke.

“…I have something to tell you.”

Esil had to swallow nervously at the strange expression on Rossel’s face, a mixture of joy and sorrow.

Soon after, Esil couldn’t help but feel shock.

It was a story she had never imagined, not even in her wildest dreams.

“I’ve locked him in the dungeon of the mansion. He’s completely immobilized.”

“…What? What do you mean?”

Esil questioned her ears, unsure of what she had just heard.

Knowing full well that Sregon was the torturer favored by Brikal, Esil was shocked. His words felt like some kind of fantasy.

But Rossel’s expression was unchanged, as calm and unreadable as always.

“It’s just the beginning of what’s to come.”

“…But, is it because of me…?”

Esil felt fear rise within her.

She didn’t need to hear more to understand. Rossel had locked Sregon away because of her.

Rossel smiled reassuringly, as if to ease her worries.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’ll save you.”

“But… if you touch him…”

Esil’s fear wasn’t for herself.

It was for her master, Rossel.

Imprisoning Sregon was tantamount to challenging Brikal, and she feared for Rossel and Silvia’s safety.

Of course, Rossel, having anticipated this, didn’t lose his smile as he looked at Esil.

“Don’t worry. I’m not that weak.”

“But… if King Brikal finds out…”

“…?”

“The salvation of the kingdom?”

“It’s just the beginning. Your salvation will soon become the kingdom’s salvation. How could I just stand by?”

Sregon’s presence felt overwhelming.

“As you know, the current king has been consumed by arrogance, indulgence, vanity, and luxury.”

Esil nodded, almost mesmerized by Rossel’s words.

“The fact that he exiled the nobility with strong military power to the kingdom’s outskirts ironically kept foreign invaders at bay. But the direction of the arrows can always shift.”

Esil’s pupils dilated as she absorbed his words.

The implication in Rossel’s speech seemed similar to her own crime, a realization that sent a chill down her spine.

But unlike herself, whose size had shrunk in guilt, Rossel’s presence only seemed to grow larger.

“So… are you planning to…”

“Not yet. Brikal’s military strength is still the strongest in the kingdom. But starting with Sregon, I plan to spread my wings.”

“I’ve kept my wings folded for a long time. So, don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will be with you.”

Esil’s mouth fell open.

She knew very well that her lord’s grand ambitions were not just empty boasts.

He achieves what he desires, and executes what he aims to do.

That is her master, Duke Rossel.

Therefore, Esil’s fear didn’t last long.

If he said it, then it was a belief that even death could be faced, and it wasn’t a lie.

Her trembling pupils regained their calm, and Esil was able to smile once more.

If it had only been about her salvation, she would have been afraid.

But if this could lead to the salvation of the kingdom as well, there was enough reason to put aside her fear.

“I understand, my lord. What should I do…?”

Perhaps…

She might truly be destined to save the kingdom.

Although she had been stranded by hardships and trials, meeting someone like Rossel proved that.

Had Saint Yuria foreseen this fate?

Rossel smiled at her, following suit.

“Let’s start by overcoming your trauma.”

It was a smile full of conviction and kindness, more certain than ever.

“As a hero, I will make sure to complete your destiny.”

The revolution that had been waiting for so long for her was now beginning.

October 22, 1:00 AM.

“E-Emilia…?”

Sregon’s startled eyes quickly searched for Rossel.

“Are you telling me to ask forgiveness from that s*ave?”

“You don’t want to have your debt forgiven?”

“No, no. But this can’t be right! That woman is a traitor, and I punished her justly!”

Rossel’s pupils again filled with hostility.

When the light in his eyes faded, Sregon hesitated slightly.

There was something overwhelming in Rossel that differed from King Brikal’s furious gaze.

Rossel was different.

“Do you truly think she’s a traitor? I won’t ask you twice.”

“…What?”

Sregon made a bewildered expression.

The king had declared her a traitor, and that was why he had extracted a confession through torture.

That was the truth, the history.

But Sregon could not easily respond.

Then, suddenly, he tensed his whole body, trying to break the chains that bound him to the chair, but, naturally, it didn’t budge.

“Don’t bother. The chains were made from the same material as the ones used in your kind’s restraints, to handle a half-orc like you.”

“How dare you!! You think you’ll get away with this?!”

Sregon’s face twisted in madness, but Esil had not yet entered the cell.

When faced with him directly, she felt afraid.

His grotesque form was still horrifying.

She didn’t want to witness such an ugly sight up close.

“This is your last warning, so listen well. Do you really think Esil is a traitor and that you tortured her?”

Sregon fell silent.

Rossel’s gaze seemed to pierce right through him, as if seeing all his secrets.

It was as if he were facing an omnipotent deity, and Sregon felt overwhelmed.

“…No, no. I’m sorry… I had no choice.”

In the end, Sregon arrived at the answer Rossel sought. This steel chair always made people say what was wanted.

And it was also the truth.

Even knowing Brikal’s manipulation, Sregon had carried out the torture.

For the thrill and pleasure of corrupting the glorious title of a hero.

Was he satisfied with that answer?

Rossel, who had been leaning against the wall, suddenly walked over and released the chains binding Sregon’s arms to the armrest.

With a soft clink, the chains that bound the prisoner’s arms fell helplessly to the floor.

“…Are you forgiving me?”

“The one who should be asking for forgiveness is not me.”

However, Rossel did not release the chains on Sregon’s legs.

When Sregon looked at him in confusion, Rossel glanced at Esil, who was still standing outside the cell.

“Kneel and beg Esil for forgiveness.”

“What…?”

At Rossel’s command, telling him to bow before the s*ave he had tamed, Sregon felt utter despair.

“You will beg her, as if paying back a thousand-gold debt.”