Vol 3 Chapter 75: “Atonement”

Several days had passed since Sukui had been imprisoned.

Now, Sukui knelt before the lord, having been brought out of his cell for the first time in days.

There was no defense to be made. Sukui himself admitted as much, leaving Duke Maienne no choice but to pronounce the predetermined punishment.

Unlike the previous occasion, a larger number of knights surrounded Sukui. Among them stood François.

“Sukui Kensei, your crimes are grave enough to warrant death. However, your accomplishments and remarkable abilities hold undeniable value.”

Thus, your punishment shall be exile. Exile to Poliviti, the frontline against the Demon King.

Poliviti.
The name sparked no reaction from Sukui, who had never heard of it.

“A de facto death sentence,” François muttered under his breath.

The geography of this world comprised a single continent, seen as the entirety of existence.

At the very top of the map was Venti, a horizontally sprawling territory. Below it lay two nations: Bainte on the left and Van on the right.

Of course, the map wasn’t neatly drawn, and gaps existed between the nations. In these areas, villages and towns unaffiliated with any nation could be found, marking the approximate positions of the three countries.

Far below these, however, lay uncharted land. And beyond that…

The Demon King’s Castle.
As the name suggested, it was the residence of the Demon King.

Before the Demon King’s Castle, from the perspective of the three nations, stood a fortress the size of a small city.

This was Poliviti.

“Reaching that place alone is nearly impossible. Not only is the journey long, but the closer you get to the Demon King’s Castle, the stronger the monsters become.”

This was why no villages existed below the kingdom of Van. The empty space on the map signified a region so infested with strong, dangerous monsters that humanity never considered settling there.

And Poliviti—a so-called frontline against the monsters—was nothing but a lawless wasteland.

“Strong criminals are thrown there, forced to fight the monsters spawned by the Demon King’s Castle in order to survive. This reduces the number of monsters that reach the three nations.”

It was a barbaric punishment established in ancient times. And it had been proposed by none other than François.

During Sukui’s imprisonment, a significant event had taken place—Bainte had undergone a revolution led by the hero.

The hero had exposed the king’s tyranny and atrocities, protecting the citizens while ascending as the new king of Bainte.

Moreover, the number of holy magic users, originally three at the time of the uprising, had now increased to four.

The conditions to confront the Demon King were now sufficient.

Poliviti was an unimaginably dangerous place. A city inhabited solely by death-row criminals, filled with exceptionally skilled and ruthless individuals.

And surrounded by monstrous creatures born from the Demon King’s Castle.

Yet, if anyone could possibly survive there, it might be Sukui. The chances were slim, but not zero.

Should the hero seek Sukui’s assistance in defeating the Demon King…

An amnesty could be issued. It was widely known that Sukui and the hero were acquaintances. If Sukui were to emerge as a hero of the Demon King’s defeat, his name could be celebrated rather than condemned.

François saw this as the best possible outcome.

“Depending on your contributions, amnesty could be considered. Devote yourself to labor in exile with that hope in mind.”

However, there had never been a precedent for such a case. After all, Poliviti was a land cut off from the rest of the world.

While the occasional merchant with a death wish ventured there, even François knew little about the actual state of Poliviti. Supposedly, token support from the three nations, led by Bainte, was sent there, but even that was dubious.

Nonetheless, Duke Maienne attempted to encourage Sukui, holding onto the faint belief that Sukui might succeed.

“I humbly accept.”

With those words, Sukui was made to stand.

There would be no delay. He was to be banished from the city immediately and sent to the land of exile.

François watched this unfold, grinding his teeth as he recalled his promise to Sukui.

As Sukui approached the gates, he found a commotion unfolding nearby. Several individuals were arguing with the knights who barred their way.

“Let us through! This is absurd!”

“That’s right! The guy’s crazy, sure, but he’s not some vile criminal!”

Looking closer, Sukui saw Kama, Flip, and even Flame among them.

“Hey, Sukui!”

Upon seeing Sukui, the three pushed past the knights and ran toward him.

“The word is out! They’re saying you killed innocent members of the cult and sacrificed villagers in some weird ritual!”

So that’s how the story’s twisted now, Sukui thought with a small, bitter smile. Perhaps due to his faith in death, or because the nobles and cult backing the Love Order refused to admit to their wrongdoings, the rumors were clearly not in his favor.

“But of course, we don’t believe it. Sukui-san, you’re the one who saved me and my sister. You’re no saint, but you’re not someone who would harm innocent people.”

Flip seemed genuinely convinced of Sukui’s innocence. Sukui hadn’t expected anyone, especially someone familiar with the underworld, to believe in his integrity despite his disappearance and the rumors surrounding him.

“That’s right! What’s this nonsense about you hurting villagers? I’ve been through enough, being worked to the bone by my brother—”

The village…

As Flame tried to continue, his voice broke, and he felt tears welling up.

“They’re saying my brother used the people in that village for his schemes! It’s the damn nobles and those cult bastards trying to cover it up!”

But that’s not all.

Within those accusations…

“They’re saying my brother killed Mei-chan and my dad! That he stayed at the inn just to do it! I—I can’t…”

“It’s fine, Flame-san.”

Sukui interrupted Flame, who was on the verge of breaking down.

“Hey, Sukui. You’re not the kind of guy to just sit back and take this, are you? We’re not strangers. Let us help you.”

Sukui thought Kama was as dependable as ever.

“Exactly! Let’s hide you for a while and fight this! The punishment itself might be inevitable, but this treatment is too much. If we can overturn the rumors, you could get your sentence reduced—or even be proven innocent!”

Sukui couldn’t help but think Flip was still as kindhearted as ever.

“Even Regista-chan is worried about you. Don’t worry. Flip, Flame, and I have already come up with a plan. For now, you can just—”

“Kama-san, enough.”

Before Sukui could finish saying it’s fine, Kama grabbed him by the collar.

“Don’t give me that crap!”

Kama’s kindness, expressed through his anger, was something Sukui couldn’t fully grasp.

“I know you cared about the village! I know you cherished Mei-chan, that you tried to bring happiness to that family! And when it was all destroyed, you retaliated! Of course, you did. Those knights couldn’t stop it—none of us could! So why the hell are you acting like this now?!”

“Even under these circumstances, Müller and even Celen are worried about you. Regista and Müller are in love with you. Don’t let them suffer through such a parting. Are you really going to make me watch my benefactor walk to his death?”

“Thank you. But still…”

It’s fine.

“I no longer have a place to return to here.”

Sukui muttered these words to the two who were desperately trying to stop him.

The true meaning of those words, the despair behind them—no one present could fully grasp.

“Besides, I have a promise to keep.”

He had promised not to flee or hide, in exchange for keeping Horo uninvolved. If Sukui didn’t accept his punishment, the deal with the lord would be void.

That would mean Horo would no longer be protected from blame.

As for the rumors circulating in town, Horo’s name hadn’t surfaced. Considering how the nobles and the cult had collectively used Sukui as a scapegoat, it was unlikely Horo’s name wouldn’t have been dragged into the fray.

The lord must have protected Horo in that regard. While it would have been unreasonable to expect the lord to stop the rumors about Sukui, the fact that Horo’s name hadn’t been mentioned showed he had done enough.

Moreover…

“I appreciate your concern, but I’ve seen my share of battlefields. In fact, a place like Poliviti, a haven for wrongdoers and those seeking salvation through death, seems more fitting for someone like me.”

And if even the Demon King must be saved…

“This isn’t a farewell forever. I’ll be back to visit.”

Sukui said this with the casual air of someone talking about a trip, wearing a lighthearted smile. In the face of such a demeanor, no one could say anything more.

There was no point. The three of them knew Sukui well enough to recognize the futility of arguing against the resolve behind his smile.

Ignoring the fallen knights and everyone else, Sukui quietly made his way toward the city gates.

He still had something left to do.

On his way, he headed for the herb shop. Outside the shop stood an old woman, and as soon as he saw her, Sukui dropped to his knees, pressing his hands and forehead to the ground.

“Don’t do that,” the old woman said, as if she had been expecting him. She looked at Sukui knowingly and spoke calmly.

“I couldn’t save her.”

“What a strange thing to say. To you, isn’t death a form of salvation?”

“Even so…”

The weight of those words, coming from Sukui, carried a gravity that the old woman understood all too well.

She had understood, which was why she had believed Sukui could save Mei. She had thought both Sukui and Mei would grow into such people.

She had planted those seeds herself.

“And yet, I couldn’t save her.”

It’s always the same.
I can never save anyone.

“I know. Now lift your head.”

The old woman handed Sukui a small pouch.

“I don’t believe for a second that none of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t come. If anything, you made her smile more than she ever did before.”

“That’s not true,” Sukui tried to deny, but the old woman urged him to take the pouch.

“It’s her favorite tea leaves. She used to happily talk about how you shared the same taste in tea.”

“Ever since you arrived, she was always so excited, constantly talking about you.”

She’d say things like:
“We’re getting more guests at the inn! Maybe our inn will come back to life.”
“My husband is such an amazing adventurer. He’s traveled so much, defeating monsters!”
“He accomplished this incredible quest, and the guild threw a celebration for him! Everyone kept praising him!”
“My husband can’t cook! He’s so skilled with his hands, but he’s terrible at seasoning. Dad got mad at him for it! Isn’t that unexpected?”
“He was recognized by the lord! They even gave him some land! He’s not going to leave for that, right?”
“I visited his village! Everyone there is so kind. I’m thinking of doing some farming with him! Grandma, you have to come visit too!”

“I was jealous, you know. It felt like my adorable granddaughter had been stolen away. But…”

Thank you.

The old woman didn’t curse Sukui; instead, she slowly expressed her gratitude.

Sukui silently accepted the pouch, but he turned his back to her, unable to accept her words.

“There are still people left to save.”

People who struggle to cry—those whose patience becomes their strength, like the resilience of plants.

That’s what the old woman thought as she watched Sukui walk away.

◆　◇　◆

Vol 3 Chapter 76: “Walking Side by Side”

When they reached the exit of the town, Horo was waiting.

She had undoubtedly been waiting for a long time. Her weariness was evident, but as soon as she spotted Sukui, she ran toward him.

“Master.”

It seemed Horo already knew about the exile. Unlike Sukui, who had been confined in a cell, Horo must have been in a position to gather some information.

That was why she had waited here, knowing Sukui would eventually leave.

“May I come with you?”

Though Horo asked Sukui, her determined gaze left little room for argument—her mind was already made up.

It wasn’t a reasonable request. Their destination was a place of exile, a land considered punishment in itself. Taking Horo to such a place was unthinkable.

However, Sukui understood one thing: he had failed to prepare for this.

Even if he left her behind, Horo would surely follow. Even if someone tried to stop her, she would break free. She had the resolve to make it happen.

It wasn’t physical strength—it was her unyielding willpower.

If that was the case, then perhaps staying by Sukui’s side was the safest place for her.

Sukui had already resigned himself to this conclusion.

“Yes, they say the place we’re going to is filled with evildoers. Let us bring salvation to as many as we can.”

“Understood!”

Horo had likely researched their destination and knew how dangerous it was. Yet, despite that, she responded with a radiant smile, clasping Sukui’s hand as they began to walk.

Sukui was fully aware of how dangerous Horo’s way of thinking was.

For Horo, there was no one else but Sukui.

Even if she gained the knowledge and strength to survive on her own, this truth wouldn’t change. Her harsh upbringing and the immense gratitude she felt toward Sukui had shaped her into who she was.

Moreover, she was still a small child. By all rights, she should still be allowed to live under the care and affection of her parents.

In that sense, Sukui’s act of squeezing her hand in return couldn’t be called a mistake.

Even if the day would come when he would have to let go of that hand.

Even so.

Sukui and Horo walked side by side.

【End of Chapter 3】