Volume 1 Chapter 21: I Don’t Need Dud Bombs That Could Shake My Position

He died.

Shijiruku understood that in an instant.

He did not understand what had happened.

But the fact remained: he was dead.

He realized it instinctively.

Seared into his mind were Balor’s glowing eyes.

They were not human eyes.

In a word, simply put…

“…monster”

Those eyes swallowed him.

It might be an utterly unsuitable expression.

If a frog becomes immobilized when glared at by a snake, then it’s understandable.

That is due to a biological instinct, where hierarchy is determined from birth.

Yet, even though both are human, merely being looked at was enough to foretell absolute death.

No, it wasn’t just that he was glared at.

Those eyes were unmistakably not like any human’s…

“To look at someone’s face and call them a monster is too harsh (look at my handsome face and call me a monster? Your eyeballs must be rotten)”

“Huh!?”

He regained consciousness.

Before him stood Balor, wearing a wry smile.

Ashvin was pressed against his body, as if determined never to be left behind.

The foreigner—who should have been oppressed—was clinging to him and glaring at them.

It was a shocking sight that could call into question even the existence of Silkeia, but for Shijiruku, it was the least of his concerns.

“W–why…? I was supposed to be dead…?”

“What are you saying? You’re all alive, aren’t you?”

“…? ………?”

Shijiruku was confused.

However, Balor, too, appeared perplexed, tilting his head.

What on earth was that overwhelming fear of death?

And those terrifying eyes.

Now, Balor no longer had those eyes.

They were the usual, ordinary human eyes.

What on earth had he seen?

“Well, fine. You may be confused, but I can’t wait for you”

It was Balor’s voice that brought Shijiruku back to his senses.

It goes without saying what fate awaits those who conspired to assassinate the lord.

“…Execution?”

“(Of course, right? It’s a death sentence)”

Our protagonist clearly will never forgive anyone who targeted his life.

“Execution doesn’t require any formal procedure. Trash disposal is a maid’s job.”

“That’s dangerous. I won’t do that, nor will I let it happen (Huh? Why are you deciding this? I don’t move according to someone else’s wishes)”

Balor instantly became displeased with Ashvin’s suggestion.

Even though she said it for his sake, it felt as if his actions were being dictated, and his pathetic pride was deeply wounded.

He flashed a broad smile, full of murderous intent, but then switched his approach.

“You’ll be punished, but I won’t execute you. Of course, that’s on the condition that you never point a sword at me again”

“Why is that? We were trying to kill you… and besides, you’re a foreigner!?”

Shijiruku was stunned.

They had attempted to assassinate the lord—even if the attempt failed.

Undoubtedly, it warranted a death sentence.

Not only the perpetrators, but even their families would likely be executed.

(I’ll never forget that you targeted my life, no matter how many years pass—but whether you’re a foreigner or not is insignificant to me)

“Of course, I’m not going to give you any special treatment,” Balor added.

Incidentally, he would never open his heart to Shijiruku and the others.

Shijiruku crumpled, falling to his knees.

His capacity as a human was on a different level.

They were in a different league.

He felt deep shame from the bottom of his heart that they had once raised their swords against such a great lord.

“Were we wrong…”

“Mistakes can be atoned for”

Balor smiled softly at the tearful Shijiruku.

“Now then, shall we have Marcel guide us? We still don’t know where he is”

It seems they will not let the source of all evil escape.

◆

“Long time no see, Marcel.”

I head toward Marcel’s hideout—the one those foreign assassins tipped me off about.

Normally, I would never venture into such a dangerous frontline.

In fact, Ashvin held me back.

Nanashi proceeded, bubbling with excitement.

Even I would never step into the frontlines without a good reason—but this time is different.

After all, I get to witness the final moments of that insufferable, damn little brother—a literal thorn on my side.

Of course, I have to see it with my own eyes.

“B-Balor!? Why are you here…!?”

“To kill you.”

Marcel was in the hideout, just as the intel said.

The shocked look on his face as he stared at me was a masterpiece. If Ashvin hadn’t been there, I would have burst out laughing.

Well, without Ashvin, I might have been killed.

“Did they fail? Damn it! After all, they’re just foreigners—useless bastards…!”

Even if I think that, I know I shouldn’t say it aloud. That’s why you’re so unpopular.

I have to keep it as an inner grumble, just like I do.

“I think it’s wrong for you—the one who gave them orders—to say things like that.”

“If anything’s mistaken here, it’s that you are the lord! You don’t even have the blood of a rightful lord…! A usurper!”

No matter what he says, my resolve remains unshaken. Still, he isn’t entirely off-base. That very bloodline is the spark that necessitates taking care of Marcel right here.

“If you let me finish…! Ever since Lord Balor became the lord, the Apophis Domain has been reborn! It’s something only Lord Balor could achieve. Every single subject supports Lord Balor!”

Had I kept silent, Ashvin would have stormed over to Marcel with a furious glare, forcing others to do as she pleased.

(Honestly, this is test material.)

“Hmph. In the first place, that man has no right to be a lord. Just as a saint without a claim to the throne cannot become king, so too must a lord have the proper lineage. No matter how many good deeds he does, lacking the proper qualifications means he can never hold his head high.”

He was practically puffing himself up. There’s no way I, a man of my caliber, would ever feel inferior.

My very existence is magnificent, and the world should be grateful for it.

“Anyway, Ashvin! You’ve come back under my command, haven’t you? I knew you would!”

“Even now, at this stage, you’re still saying that?”

“Ah, exactly! If you stayed under that man, you wouldn’t be able to live a normal life, would you? I’ll make sure you have a proper livelihood. Of course, you’ll have to wallow in your misery and entertain me a bit, though.”

Marcel continued speaking gleefully, paying no mind to the dejected Ashvin.

That’s just like him—he truly believes nothing goes unless it goes his way.

How ridiculous…

…I’m different, though.

Because I’m a man who should be loved by the world, it’s only natural that everything goes my way.

“The reason I have come here is… for Lord Balor. And…”

Ashvin, who had been downcast, lifted her head…

“…Huh?”

In the next moment, Marcel suddenly began spurting blood from his body. Ashvin struck a pose reminiscent of someone just after wielding a spear.

Nice.

“It’s for my little brother.”

“A–AAAAAAAAA!? What the hell are you doing, you damn woman!?”

Marcel writhed on the ground, rolling around. It didn’t seem to be a fatal injury. Though he was bleeding profusely, it appeared his internal organs were unharmed. Left unattended, however, the massive blood loss would eventually kill him.

“It—it hurts, hurts, hurts! I—this very me, who is destined to be lord…! Don’t mess with me, you foreigners! Do you really think you can get away with this for nothing!?”

“Ever since the day I massacred my little brother, I resolved to take revenge on you. Getting away scot-free? That means nothing to me. All I now have is my service to Lord Balor, and a memorial offering for my little brother.”

Ashvin spun her spear with a swift rotation, the tip pointed directly at us.

…Huh. What the—? That’s cool, though.

I want to do that too.

“Hii!? B–Balor! I am a man of rightful lordly blood! I’m your little brother! So, help me!!”

Realizing that Ashvin wouldn’t hesitate to finish her off, Marcel now turned to me, begging for help—albeit in a rather unseemly manner.

Marcel’s and Ashvin’s eyes fixed on me. Undoubtedly, I was the one in control here. Everything would be decided by my word.

…I hate dealing with this sort of responsibility, but here we are.

“Listen, Marcel?”

I looked down at Marcel and said, “Take responsibility for what you’ve done (I sure don’t need dud bombs that might jeopardize my position, huh).”

“U–uaaahhh!!”

No one but us heard Marcel’s scream.