Chapter 21.2 – They Handled the Situation Flawlessly

Viscount Rukbat—and the townsfolk—instinctively backed away.

“You’re not backing out of our little promise, are you? You will still tell Tistria-sama I ‘provided the finest support,’ yes?”

He was clearly about to do something the very opposite of “finest.”

No one could answer—or even nod.

They watched in uneasy silence.

“W-what… what are you planning?”

“In some places they use poison for executions.”

“Y-you’re going to poison us?”

“But those poisons are usually merciful—quick, painless, almost humane.”

Gaikaku let Sajitta’s question hang. Even poison was far too gentle for what he had in mind.

“In certain regions the executions are public. The more grotesque the death, the stronger the ruler’s image, the sweeter the victims’ revenge, and—let’s be honest—the better the entertainment for bored villagers.”

He wasn’t clowning now, yet he felt more ominous than ever.

“Among those methods is a poison so cruel it was outlawed for being too pitiful.”

From his sleeve Gaikaku produced a gloved hand.

He plunged it into an ornate pouch and drew out a broad leaf dusted with fine hairs.

“That… that’s a Ginbi Silver-Tail leaf?!”

“My, Viscount Rukbat—so you do know it.”

“I-I’ve only read about it!”

The viscount blanched and hurriedly retreated, the farmers following suit.

“This Ginbi is a toxic weed. It won’t kill you, but the pain is excruciating. Even with prompt treatment, it can leave lasting flare-ups.”

Gaikaku brushed the leaf against a centaur bandit other than Sajitta.

The centaur’s skin darkened—and the unconscious brute awoke shrieking.

AAAAAAAH!

“As I said: grotesquely painful. They say the spot that touches the leaf feels every pain in the world at once…”

AAAAAAAH!

Sajitta, the townsfolk—even Viscount Rukbat—shrank back.

Far too pitiful, indeed.

“Well, it isn’t fatal, mind you.”

Unmoved by the screams, Gaikaku kept lecturing and strolled toward Sajitta, leaf in hand.

“W-wait… stop!”

“In ages past they’d prick a man with this leaf, hand him a suicide draught, and watch until he chose death himself.”

“Stop! Please stop!”

“It was reserved for traitors and political dissidents—until everyone agreed it was… a bit much.”

Gaikaku flaunted the leaf; Sajitta writhed in terror.

“Which is why its use in executions is now… illegal.”

“——!”

And then Gaikaku—

took the venomous leaf—

—and stuffed it under his own hood.

“Huh?”

He jammed the poison right into his mouth—

and started chewing.

Not a hint of pain.

Everyone, not just Sajitta, gaped.

They’d seen the leaf work; why was he fine? What on earth—

PFFFT!

Gaikaku spat the chewed mess—thick with saliva—straight into Sajitta’s face.

“G-GYAAAAAAH!”

Sajitta’s howl was hellfire incarnate.

He writhed, screaming until his throat tore; the agony begged for death.

“Whew… vile stuff.”

Gaikaku casually uncapped a canteen, swished water, swallowed, and exhaled.

“Apologies for the mess.”

Everything—from his calm manner to the flecks of leaf on Sajitta—proved he’d really chewed that poison.

Why?!

Lord and peasants alike could only stare.

“Now then, Sajitta.”

“A-aaah!”

“Listen up—your ears still work.”

Ignoring the screams, Gaikaku continued.

“If you want to die, apologize to them. Sincerely, from the heart: I was wrong. Go on.”

“!!!!!!”

Tears streaming, Sajitta smashed his head against the dirt.

“I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please kill me! I beg you!”

Was it sincere? Hard to say—but his regret came through loud and clear.

“Well?”

“…His sincerity reached us,” Viscount Rukbat managed, shuddering.

No wonder the law banned that leaf.

“C-c-kill hiim!”

“Ah, wait. I still need words from the others.”

He addressed the remaining poisoned and speechless centaurs.

“Apologize… yes?”

“I’M SOOORRYY!”

“It was my fault!”

“I’ll die to atone!”

“P-please, kill me!”

The survivors flung their lives aside.

They’d known Sajitta’s ferocity; seeing him reduced to this crushed all hope.

“Now, you all see, yes? Hurting people isn’t fun—it’s filthy work. So leave it to filth like me.”

With the condemned begging for death behind him, Gaikaku chuckled.

“Gehi-hi-hi-hi-hi!”

Farmers and lord alike thanked their stars.

Better to have this man as ally than enemy.

The executions that followed were swift—and officially humane.

Gaikaku thus wrapped up his second mission without a hitch.

Later, Viscount Rukbat sent his report to Tistria.

Of course, the heading read, “He provided the finest support.”

※ Ginbi, a viciously poisonous plant, evolved its toxin to ward off leaf-eating pests.

Yet many insects and animals adapted to eat Ginbi; their bodies produce antibodies that nullify the poison.

Because Gaikaku handles deadly toxins, he develops antidotes and serums—

testing them on elves… and on himself.

He has altered his own body so his poisons no longer work on him.

Thus, chewing a Ginbi leaf leaves Gaikaku utterly unharmed—

a simple trick, yet impossible to see through.