Translator: AkazaTL
Pr/Ed: Sol IX
***
Chapter 100 : Nightmare from the Past
In the past, before eting Gillian, Alexar believed he could root out the evil rampant in this world with his own power alone.
Strong and confident, Alexar traveled across the continent and cut out evildoers,
And around the ti his journey entered its third year.
"……Even if God forgives you, the fact that I will tear you apart and kill you will not change."
Alexar encountered a cult worshiping an evil god in the 'Arias' region located in the southwest of the continent.
A place that committed the evil deed of kidnapping and abusing young children under the pretext of leading the advent of a god to purify the world and creating a vessel to fully contain the god's soul in this world.
"Gurgle…… God will forgive y- cough!"
At that mont, Alexar, who had blown away the head of the last believer blocking the path to the temple, opened the temple door with bloodstained hands.
"Did God…… co……?"
What Alexar witnessed were 12 young children lying dead with all the blood drained from their bodies.
And a small boy sitting all alone in a pool filled with the blood that flowed from the children's bodies.
"My na is Zephyros. Does God…… also have a na?"
Standing in front of the boy looking at him with empty eyes, Alexar knelt down and embraced the child.
Since that day, a small companion took a place in Alexar's journey, which had always been solitary.
"Hyung! Can I beco a mage too?"
"You ask why I want to beco a mage? That's obvious! I want to be like Hyung too!"
"Yeah, yeah. Teach . I will also beco a cool mage like Hyung and punish all the bad guys!"
Before eting Zephyros, Alexar had only looked ahead and lived without even knowing what the emotion of loneliness was.
To such a man, Zephyros, who taught him warmth like family, instantly beca a precious existence.
"Alright. I'll teach you. But since it can be dangerous, you must listen well to what Hyung says and concentrate. Got it?"
So Alexar decided to give everything he knew to his small friend.
Alexar believed that the bond he shared with Zephyros had cut out all the seeds of darkness embedded deep in his heart.
However…….
"Sa…… Save !"
"Aaaack, please, please just spare my child!"
"Hyung, you're here! Look at this! Do you know what I found?"
People lined up trapped in test tubes like pigs hung in a slaughterhouse.
Flesh scattered in shapes that could no longer be called human.
Realizing that it was a delusion, Alexar blew away the head of his one and only younger brother with his own hands.
That night he struck Zephyros's head.
Crushed by the weight of sin that could never be cut out, Alexar had to wail and cry all night long.
***
"I will guide you, so will you follow ?"
Thanks to sending a ssage to the research institute in advance before leaving the quarters, I was able to receive guidance as soon as I arrived at the research institute.
Vwooom-
A panel that levitated into the air and guided the passenger to the upper level as soon as feet were placed on it.
Even without looking deep into the research institute, this was a part where one could guess the level of the research institute overseen by the 4th Prince Suleiman.
'The level is at least 20-30 years ahead of magic engineering in the northern part of the continent, including Zodiac.'
As I rode the panel and ascended to the upper floor, the panoramic view of the research institute ca into view at a glance through the floor-to-ceiling glass window.
Flashing lights and researchers moving busily in tune with them.
It was a truly lively yet sophisticated appearance.
Suleiman's research institute was creating such an ideal scene that even I would have been fooled if I didn't have mories of my past life.
'I wonder what kind of devil's den he has created this ti.'
But for that, I knew too well what kind of nature was hidden behind the benevolent face of the Empire's 4th Prince 'Suleiman Tercios'.
My expression looking out the window sank deeply.
Beeep-
A mont later.
The arrival signal rang, and,
"Your Excellency! I intended to visit you! I am just grateful that you made such precious steps here. My na is Zephyros Madkit, holding the title of Chief Head."
The appearance of a petite boy running hurriedly from across the hallway ca into view.
Navy blue hair slightly covering his shoulders and large eyes resembling those of a small herbivore.
'……!'
Checking Zephyros, who was exactly as I rembered him, my eyelashes trembled minutely.
"I am Hein Reichart of Zodiac. Nice to et you."
But I imdiately regained my composure and held out my hand.
"Your Excellency! Please speak comfortably. I am just a re researcher, so I don't know what to do with you using honorifics."
"I cannot treat the person overseeing this research institute lightly."
"I only obtained an undeserved reputation thanks to His Highness's grace. Compared to the fa of Grand Duke Reichart, whose 'great na is renowned within the Imperial Palace', my talent is like a firefly."
This research institute was like Suleiman's direct territory, and Zephyros, who was delegated the authority to manage the research institute, held a status equivalent to an imperial count.
Even though he was young and not of noble birth, I could not treat him lightly.
Zephyros and I exchanged greetings with polite attitudes toward each other.
"Please co inside."
Zephyros guided to a pre-prepared seat.
After a few words were exchanged, he imdiately got to the main point.
"Actually, the reason I visited the Grand Duke's quarters yesterday was because there was one thing I wanted to ask."
"Please speak."
"Your Excellency…… I offer my apologies in advance. Actually, what I want to ask is about the disturbance caused by a group of rebels in your country a few months ago."
'Disturbance' coming from Zephyros's mouth.
The mont I heard those words, the corners of my mouth lifted in an arc.
Actually, to be precise, the side fitting the word rebels was Reichart, not the royal family.
"I heard that those rebels mobilized an army originating from dragon bones, is that true?"
"That is correct. It certainly existed."
"I know it is a great rudeness, but since it is a very important issue for us, I ask this question, so I hope the Grand Duke will forgive with broad generosity."
"It is a past matter, so you may speak comfortably."
Since prying into matters regarding another country's civil war could be rude, Zephyros's expression had to be cautious.
But I nodded with an expression that it was no big deal.
"……Are you saying that the sealing tool of the sorcerer controlling the Dragon Tooth Soldiers broke and they lost their power?"
"That is so."
Ending with the question about the ti when the ring with which Rishu controlled the Dragon Tooth Soldiers broke, Zephyros shut his mouth for a mont.
"……I think I should offer words of apology first. I am truly sorry. We have committed an indelible sin against your country and Your Excellency. Please forgive us……."
Breaking the silence, the first thing Zephyros ntioned was an apology to Zodiac and .
"That army that disturbed Zodiac seems to have been created in this research institute."
"Are you saying the origin of the Dragon Tooth Soldiers is here?"
In that instant, the question that had plagued throughout just after the civil war ended ca to mind.
At that ti, while tracking the route through which the Dragon Tooth Soldiers ca into Rishu's hands, I definitely thought of the existence of 'Zephyros'.
However,
'Back then, I thought I was being overly sensitive. Because I believed there was no way you were alive.'
I clenched my fist tightly and waited for Zephyros's next words.
"Actually, hearing rumors, both the Prince and I were thinking that might be the case. Ah, explaining the circumstances of the matter should co first. The year before last, there was an unsavory incident in our research institute……."
Two years ago from now, among the researchers working at the institute, a few who rebelled against Suleiman's will stole the research and escaped the Empire.
The researchers, who stole the results for money in the first place, road around various places on the continent to find soone who would buy the stolen research.
In that process, they t Rishu and sold the stolen research results, that is, the Dragon Tooth Soldiers.
"Because we failed to manage internal personnel properly, we ended up causing great trouble."
Zephyros, repeatedly apologizing with a somber expression, promised compensation for damages due to managent negligence and imdiate notification to the Zodiac side if the whereabouts of the escaping researchers being tracked were discovered.
"I know it is a belated apology. But if we don't do at least this, neither the Prince nor I feel at ease, so we are doing this. Will you please accept the apology?"
Needless to say, the difference in national power between the Empire and Zodiac is truly overwhelming.
Furthermore, if Zephyros hadn't deliberately ntioned it, the source of the Dragon Tooth Soldiers would never have been revealed.
Considering these points, it is clearly an exceptional event for the 4th Prince to deliberately have his henchman apologize.
If the person receiving the apology wasn't but soone else…….
'They would have been fooled and admired the 4th Prince's thoughtfulness and honesty.'
I suddenly wanted to see Suleiman.
Him with his natural face, taking off the mask.
"I am grateful for the 4th Prince's words, but I will decline. Regardless of where the origin of the Dragon Tooth Soldiers lies, in the end, it is an event that occurred in our country. It would be right for us to handle the processing with our own hands. If the whereabouts of the researchers who hid their appearances are revealed, just telling us that will be sufficient thanks."
I didn't have high expectations for the whereabouts of the fleeing researchers either.
Because the true full story of this incident is probably that those two tested the power of the newly developed weapon using Zodiac's civil war.
Those researchers who allegedly stole the institute's data and sold it to Rishu and the royal family will soon-
'Be found as corpses. Since sothing like this would be an easy task for these guys.'
What I was really curious about was not the whereabouts of the researchers or anything like that, but why Zephyros insisted on eting .
'What are you thinking?'
But unfortunately, Zephyros didn't seem to have any intention of telling that in this eting.
"It seems impolite to take up too much of a busy person's ti, so I will take my leave now."
"Ah, will you do so? Thank you very much for making ti. If I convey today's conversation, the Prince will be able to lift the burden from his heart much more."
I decided to stand up from my seat at this point.
Not only did I not co out with high expectations anyway, but facing Zephyros itself was imnse pain.
"Is it okay if I ask one personal question?"
"Please ask as much as you like."
"Are you perhaps from the Empire?"
"Yes, that is correct. I was lucky enough to receive the Empire's grace from birth."
Before leaving the seat, I asked Zephyros a short question.
He nodded without hesitation.
"Then, I'll be going……."
"Take care. Your Excellency, I look forward to seeing you again next ti!"
Even after I opened the door and left, Zephyros stared at the seat where I had been sitting for a long ti.
"Phew…… He's soone very burdenso to deal with?"
Crunch.
Zephyros shook his head once, took a candy from the basket, and bit into it.
The conversation ti was not long.
But I felt like I could understand why that madman 1st Prince was showing interest in that person.
The Princess too…….
"Kick, what to do with our poor Prince?"
Zephyros covered his mouth and burst into laughter, giggling for a while.
'Since I roughly gathered all the data on the Grand Duke's personal details and even t him in person, I should submit a report soon. If I delay any longer, that immature guy will pester .'
Zephyros opened the closet and took out the prepared materials.
And after activating the crystal ball connected to Suleiman's quarters, he said.
"Convey to the Prince that I request an audience."
***
Returning to the quarters, I closed my eyes and fell into thought.
The Alexar of the past was about ten years older than the current Hein.
It was 8 years ago that Alexar of the past saved Zephyros.
The point when I regressed was 2 years ago.
The cult in Arias was subjugated 6 years ago.
From imdiately after regressing until now, I carefully checked the information regarding the cult subjugated 6 years ago.
Clearly, at the point when the subjugation operation was completed, all the cult believers and the children sacrificed there lost their lives.
Because the cornered cult bastards resisted by setting fire to the temple where the children were, saying they couldn't pollute the vessels to be offered to God.
Of course, since the entire temple was reduced to ashes, the appearance of the children could not be confird.
But matching the number of children's corpses confird in the debris with the records they left, the numbers matched.
I had concluded that there were no survivors of that disaster. But…….
'Even though the man of the past life didn't go to the Arias region, he was alive. Was Zephyros fated to be rescued by soone before the subjugation began?'
Or…….
'As I regressed and the existence called Alexar disappeared, perhaps there was a fluctuation in the flow of events as an aftermath.'
I couldn't know through what path Zephyros escaped from the cult's hands and ca to follow Suleiman.
But what was certain was that the current situation was extrely bad.
'The compatibility between Zephyros and Suleiman is bad. Of all people…….'
Last night.
The mont I confird the na 'Zephyros Madkit' and the na of the institution he belonged to in the letter.
I received the biggest shock since regressing.
'The mad magic scientist hiding his claws' and 'the mage who sold his soul under the pretext of exploring knowledge'.
For , who knew clearly what kind of things Zephyros, who eventually couldn't wash away the darkness in his heart, committed, my heart couldn't help but beco urgent.
'If I followed my heart, I would want to break into the research institute right now and catch Zephyros. However…….'
Of course, if soone asked who was a more tricky enemy between Gillian and Zephyros, I would choose Gillian without hesitation.
Because although Zephyros used very extre thods, Alexar sohow managed to control him, whereas Gillian was never an object of control even once.
But compared to Gillian, whose existence I knew from the start, the appearance of Zephyros, a variable I hadn't even thought of.
I couldn't help but receive a shock several tis larger.
'……There probably is no possibility.'
What if the person Zephyros entrusted himself to wasn't Suleiman?
If so, perhaps I could have held onto a faint hope.
But I knew too well what kind of person Suleiman was, and what it ant for a young boy not yet twenty to oversee that research institute.
In the end, Zephyros stepped into a dangerous place in this life as well.
If so, there is only one option given to .
'I cannot make the sa mistake twice.'
At the reunion with the younger brother who was precious to , I had to feel pain like my heart being cut out.
But even that pain cannot exceed the weight of the seed of sin that is too obvious.
In the end, this ti too, the 'cold brain' that says I must reap the seed of sin I sowed took precedence over the 'warm heart' missing the younger brother.
I, having solidified my resolve, opened my closed eyes.
After being reborn in a new body, the first vow I made was revenge against Gillian.
And today.
I made a second vow to myself.
'Zephyros, this ti too, I will finish you with my own hands.'
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