I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 32

Chapter 32: Time for Punishment

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“Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha-What-?! What is this?! Chloe?!”

“Hi-Hiiiii…!!”

Seeing Brien and Alwyn entering after Kaltz, I couldn’t stop myself from sighing. 

Just how did things come to this? Well, this was all my fault though. Everything turned astray the moment I intervened in the story and killed Gebels!

“….Chloe.”

“No-No! Kaltz! It’s not like what yo-“

“I knew it…  You really are a traitor!”

….A traitor?

It was an unexpected accusation, one that widened not only Chloe’s eyes but mine as well. The person who said it scanned the room before he stared at Chloe with a gaze full of disgust. 

“The monsters running rampant in the slum… This disgusting facility… All of this is your doing, isn’t it?!”

“Wait-! How did you end up with that conclusion?! Listen to my side of the story first at least!”

“Shut up! Shit… I can’t believe someone who made a place like this is in the same party as me… Were you planning to wipe us all out someday too?!”

“….!”

Indeed. Given the current situation, I could understand why Kaltz would suspect Chloe. While the slum was being attacked by monsters, Chloe was nowhere to be found and then, Kaltz found Chloe in this underground laboratory. Plus, the test tubes had shattered during her fight with Gebels. The contents of the test tubes were spilling everywhere. Hideous corpses and culture fluid were scattered about and.. In the center of everything, there was Gebels. Dead with a monstrous body.

“I really didn’t do it!! Everything was that guy’s fault! That monster, Gebels!”

“What… Everything was Gebels-san doing…?”

“That’s right! That man was the root of all evil, you know? The things that used to happen in Schwitz Detention Camp too.. That place was his doing too!”

“SHUT UP!!!”

But you know… At least… Just a little bit…

“There’s no way that’s true! You said Gebels-san was the one that made this disgusting facility?! Gebels-san is the Crown Prince’s right-hand man! The Crown Prince… The empire… They would never allow such evil things to go unnoticed!”

Can’t he at least pretend to believe her? Even just for a little bit?

The bond between Kaltz and Chloe wasn’t shallow at all. They had fought life-and-death battles dozens of times. Chloe had saved Kaltz’s life more than once. Why would he push her this far? Why wouldn’t he be willing to listen to her words at least?

Feeling irritated, I couldn’t stop myself from speaking in a deep voice.

“Oi”

“…Huh? You’re…”

“That’s enough, Kaltz.”

I didn’t have any intention to make Kaltz my enemy. After all, he was the character I had played for four years. I had put more than ten thousand hours into playing him. I wanted to have an amicable relationship with him if I could help it. However… I couldn’t just stand by and let him do Chloe dirty like this.

“Wha-What… You’re… The boy that I saved that time!”

“Kaltz, I will tell you the truth. Whether to believe it or not, that’s up to you.”

“What are you talking about?! Ah… I see. Chloe must’ve resorted to black magic! You even manipulated the mind of the child you saved to use him as a test subject-“

“Chloe is telling the truth.”

“….Huh?”

Kaltz looked dumbfounded when I cut him off. His eyes were wide open, looking clearly confused. I glanced at Chloe, who was standing beside me. She had an apologetic expression on her face. I then returned my gaze back to Kaltz. 

“This underground laboratory was created by Gebels with the Crown Prince’s permission. Well, as you can see, this facility is created to conduct various human experiments for researching black magic. All the corpses trapped in these test tubes were the victims of Gebels’ experiments.”

“…..”

“Think about it. Gebels is the most skilled person in this empire in mental manipulation. He’s a genius in black magic. Now, where do you think his black magic ‘talent’ comes from? You do know the essence of black magic is human’s life force right? Black magic is born from pure malice. The reason why Gebels is so powerful is because he-“

“What are you talking about?! You…!”

And at that moment…. I realized. Kaltz was genuinely stupid. With his eyebrows furrowed, he exclaimed. His voice was full of disbelief and disdain toward Chloe and me. 

“You expect me to believe that?! The Crown Prince allowed this facility to be built?! Human experiments?! Haha… AHAHAHAHA!!”

“………”

“You better stop spewing bullshit. Don’t ever do that again. I will let you live just htis once because you’re just a young boy. But.. If you dare to spew such bullshit again… I will consider you to be on the same pedestal as Chloe. An evil doer.”

………..Ah. This guy… He’s hopeless. There’s no helping him. 

“Chloe… Evil doer…?”

“That’s right. Just think about it! Look at the current situation! While the slum was being attacked by monsters, Chloe was lurking in this sinister hellhole! Look at the wounds on her body! She must’ve been fighting someone!”

“And.. It doesn’t occur to you that the opponent she fought was that monstrous Gebels over there?”

“Ha! You’ve got it backwards! She was conducting black magic experiments on Gebels when he transformed into a monster and attacked her! Otherwise… It wouldn’t make any sense. It doesn’t add up otherwise!”

“…And you truly believe that from the bottom of your heart?”

“Of course! The Crown Prince and Gebels-san have put so much trust in me! I’m the Hero! The one chosen by the Holy Sword! The church also hailed me as a hero!”

“……….”

At this point. I wasn’t even angry anymore. I was exasperated. Just how did he end up with that conclusion? Why could he only see what he wanted to see? Why didn’t he question anything? What was he fighting for…. What was he striving towards… Why didn’t he have any intention to question anything? Why did he never take a step back to think things through? This guy….

“I’m sorry, Chloe. But… You will have to die here.”

“……”

“Wa-Wait! Kaltz!! Are you really planning on killing Chloe?! You should’ve at least listened to her side of the story first!”

“Tha-That’s right Kaltz-sama! Chloe-san is an important comrade of ours! She has saved us so many times!!”

“You two can still say something like that after seeing all of these?! You both knew Chloe often went away to investigate something on her own!”

“That’s true but… I don’t think Chloe would do something like this!”

“Yes! Chloe-san… There’s no way Chloe-san is the one behind this!!”

Kaltz took the Holy Sword out. The blade that was meant to strike down the enemies of justice… To strike down evil… Was now pointed at Chloe. 

“She’s an assassin. Someone like her doesn’t know the meaning of dignity and sacrificing yourself for the greater good.”

“……Kaltz.”

“Surrender quietly, Chloe. If you do, I will spare your life. I know I should’ve just kill you but… This is my mercy for you. Surrender, Chloe.”

Chloe didn’t even look surprised at Kaltz’s action. She just stared at her blankly. Her eyes were devoid of any spirit. They had been together for so long. Fighting together, helping each other… Sharing countless meals and conversations… Sure, they sometimes argued, but despite that… Despite all the time they had spent together… The trust they had built was shattered in an instant. To be regarded as evil without a shred of doubt by her comrade…

“…….Haa..”

I felt sick. I truly felt like throwing up right now. Kaltz’s righteousness… His version of righteousness that didn’t consider anything… His extreme ideology… It was almost like… A cult. Blind, destructive, unyielding faith. There was no hint of doubt in his heart. 

“….Nia.”

“Yes, Kai.”

I called out to Nia’s name in a deep voice. Nia then immediately stood up on top of the table, like she had been waiting for this moment. In an instant, the air changed. The bloody and damp air turned into darkness. Black particles danced in the air, gathering around Nia. 

“Chloe is Kai’s cheating partner…”

Nia opened her previously bandaged eyes, staring at Kaltz who looked flustered. Her eyes were red, a symbol of a demon.

“But Chloe is a good person.”

Clad in pitch-black aura, Nia stared at Kaltz. Sensing the anomaly, Kaltz looked up at Nia. He looked flustered. However, it was already too late. 

“You are a bad person.”

It’s time for his long-overdue punishment.

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