Vol. 2 - Ch. 6.9 - Hill of Bliss (9)
Suzuki is cute even in a savage worldThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Notes
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Takashi remembered the smiling women and children on the hill of bliss. He realized that they were being manipulated by Zhaviest's Heavenly Power.
"In two days. The Heavenly Power, or rather, the name of this Zhaviest will be known all over the world!"
Takashi glared at Zhaviest, who was smiling happily.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
"Don't look so scared, you know! It takes money to buy things. To defeat the Demon lord's army, it takes lives. That's a fair price to pay, isn't it?"
"That is so wrong!"
"It's not wrong. Do you think there is such a thing as a war in which no one dies? War involves sacrifice. Victory comes at the expense of our allies' sacrifices. The life force of those in Cove Town and Leaven is like an advance payment. We must do whatever is necessary to save the world, you know."
"There is a difference in meaning between dying in battle and being slaughtered before battle!"
"Ah— good grief! Shut the fuck up!"
Zhaviest said with disgust and took hold of Takashi's left arm with both hands.
"Wha–!? Wa–Wait a minute—"
Without saying a word, he bent Takashi's index finger backward as far as it would go. There was a crisp, dull sound. At the same time, intense pain. Takashi's yelling, however, was replaced by a muffled roar as Zhaviest's left hand was placed over his mouth.
"You are in the way! Brats like you always are! Get the hell back to Leirune and go jerk yourself."
Zhaviest finally removed his hand from Takashi's mouth. Takashi breathed heavily with a "Haa–, Haa–."
"Don't blab to anyone about this finger, capiche. If you say anything, I'll kill you. Understood?"
Seeing Zhaviest's eyes from up close, Takashi was immediately horrified, even forgetting his pain.
They were just like Marguerite's. No, Zhaviest's eyes were darker, colder, and more menacing.
Right now, Zhaviest threatened to kill him. And yet Zhaviest was smiling as if he was chit-chatting with him. His tone of voice was not threatening but more like an everyday conversation tone. This practiced demeanor made Takashi feel even more fearful.
(T-This guy will seriously kill me! He can kill without hesitating!)
"Hey. Do YOU understand?"
"Y-Yes…"
Controlled by pain and fear, Takashi obediently nodded his head.
"Good boy. Now… Show me, your broken finger."
Takashi does as he is told and holds out his hand. Zhaviest held Takashi's trembling hand once more. Takashi's faint hope that the Heavenly Power of healing would cure him was instantly crushed. Zhaviest bent Takashi's middle finger in the opposite direction in the same fashion. Another dull sound echoed, and Takashi cried out in pain again.
"I— mean it. If you snitch on me or get in my way, I'll kill you for real, all right?"
Takashi held his two broken fingers while tears streamed down his face.
"Then, I won't blab! I'll go back to Leirune! That's why, that's why, please spare me!"
The roots of his teeth clicked "kachikachi" as he apologized. Zhaviest said, "A promise from one man to another," while he stood up with a smile and put on his priestly robes.
"Ah, thaaaat's right. There are some bandages in the wardrobe cabinet. Use them, will you?"
Saying that with a carefree voice, Zhaviest left the hut.
After Zhaviest's departure, Takashi remained on his bed, intimidated and trembling in pain and fear.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Excella bowed her head to Zhaviest in front of the wagon-style carriage that he had prepared for them.
"Not only did you accommodate us with a place to stay, but you even provided us with a carriage! We sincerely appreciate it, Lord Zhaviest!"
"No, Nou—. I only did what was expected from me."
(I can't believe he is such a magnificent person!)
Excella was deeply moved by the gentle smile of Zhaviest. Aina also earnestly bowed her head down.
However, after Excella and Aina expressed their thanks to Zhaviest, The hero said in a quiet mosquito-like voice.
"Let's go home quickly…"
"Lord Hero?"
It was somewhat gloomy. Very gloomy. It was as if a black cloud was enveloping the area around the hero.
(I knew it. He seems to be in shock after having been defeated by Lord Zhaviest?)
She heard that the next day, Zhaviest was going to invade the Miremia Plains to reclaim the imperial capital. Excella wanted to talk more with Zhaviest about this, but considering the hero's feelings, she nodded her head in agreement.
"Yes, that's right. Well then. For now, let's go back to the imperial capital."
Seeing Aina sitting on the coachman section, Excella sat on the back of the carriage, together with the hero, facing him. Opening the window of the back of the carriage, she could see Zhaviest smiling.
"We send our prayers for world peace and the safety of Lord Hero."
"Lord Zhaviest. Again, thank you so very much. And also, please stay safe…"
"Ka–kaka. Leave it to me"
Bowing to the wide-smiling Zhaviest, Excella and the rest left the Hill of Bliss.