Chapter 95

A long time ago, a short time before Nazlahil died, she apparently left her harem and entrusted herself to one of the kingdoms. There, she died after giving birth to “the one who murdered the Goddess.” Only a few knew why she left the harem and went to this particular kingdom.

A king once ruled this empire; he was the only king in the continent who was immune to the drug. This king sympathized with Nazlahil and hid her in his kingdom, but he wasn’t powerful enough to stop the other kings from invading his country to get the Goddess.

This was how the civil war began.

Hakim Karid suddenly appeared and ordered his younger brother, “Camille. Move aside.”

Prince Camille, however, stood his ground for me. He pleaded with the warrior, “My brother, please let Juya live. Please let him go now. Free him. This has gone far enough.”

“How dare you talk to me like this?”

“When you first decided to invade Hwen, I agreed because I thought there were many innocent people who were being abused there. But… the truth is that whatever is happening there is the same case here.”

When the warrior walked closer, the boy prince held his metal rod tighter. Hakim Karid laughed at him and asked, “Are you going to shoot me? ME?”

“…”

The big muscular man, our leader, seemed determined to finish me off himself. However, the warrior didn’t look at me. He only stared at the prince and asked again, “I asked if you are going to shoot me.”

“… You know Juya didn’t do anything wrong.”

“And that is why I won’t punish you for killing one of my Innocent Ones just now.”

“But that… I didn’t kill him, my brother. It was the will of the Goddess.”

“If that is the case, then you won’t harm me because I am the will of the Goddess.”

This was ridiculous. When I turned towards Prince Camille, I saw that his hands were trembling as he hung onto his strange weapon. Slowly, his highness pointed at it to his brother hesitantly. I didn’t think he would be able to go ahead with it.

The warrior ordered his men, “Take that away from Prince Camille!”

It seemed that this racket was over. The warrior’s soldiers quickly ran towards us. They believed in Hakim Karid. They were loyal to him, and so I knew they would do what he asked.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed.

“Kkk… Argg… S-stop! Please!”

I heard a metallic sound as another dark shadow appeared above me. I wasn’t sure if it was my tears or if it was the rain that covered my face. The boy prince, who was now a few steps away from me, yelled, “Juya! Eriez!”

“Your highness, please… Don’t get involved. Arrgg!”

It seemed that the large man pushed the warrior, who was coming after me, away from himself. This big man, my friend, kneeled between myself and Hakim Karid and bowed deeply as he yelled, “Please, My Warrior! Please… This is all my fault! Please forgive Juya and his highness… and the rest of the Innocent Ones! Please!”

He loved to take responsibility for things that weren’t even his fault. How long would he keep this up? How long did he think he could last?

Eriez sounded hoarse and determined as he continued to plead, “My beloved brother Iztal Ramish misunderstood my feelings for Juya. He thinks I have an inappropriate and forbidden love for Juya, and that is why I help him still. He… He thinks I am going against the will of the Goddess, but this isn’t true.”

“…”

“But I cannot blame or fault Ramish, who was only trying to help me think more clearly! No one can fault Prince Camille either, who was only trying to help as well. This has to all be the will of the Goddess. Juya… Please… Please let my brother Juya live…”

“Iztal Eriez.”

The warrior did not draw his sword again.

“Yes, my warrior.”

“Are you saying that you did not help this traitor because you had inappropriate feelings for him? Are you sure? Have you told this to that corpse over there too? That thing you call your friend?”

“…”

“You confessed to me once that you had lustful relations with another man. Who was that?”

A wrong answer could mean certain death to Eriez. Was this all worth it? Was I really worth it?

Eriez answered, “… This is true. I did have relations with Juya many times, and I admit that there were times when I felt truly happy about it. But there has never been a moment when I did not love him as my brother! I realize that you may not trust me after all that happened, but I beg you… You are wise and understanding, so please forgive us!”

I found it so painful to watch what was happening in front of me, so I closed my eyes. Everyone remained quiet, waiting for the warrior to make his decision.

After several minutes, the warrior finally announced, “Unbind that traitor and throw him out of this castle. This man has shamed us, and therefore, he does not belong here anymore.”

“M-my warrior…”

“Also, Arim Sevan Camille and Iztal Eriez, you better make sure to stay close to me so I can keep an eye on the both of you. I will watch you to see how well you are doing your duty as the Innocent One.”

I knew that being abandoned outside the castle meant I would be beaten up by the patrols. Well, I was glad that I could be of use until the very end. I hoped that they would kill me as quickly as possible.

I was thrown down a hill, and I rolled down helplessly. My skin tore even more, and I just hoped that I wouldn’t end up hitting some random passerby.

Then suddenly, I felt the strong hands supporting my arms to lift me up.

“…?”

It was a very strong person, and I didn’t know who it was. I wished I could open my eyes to see, but they refused to do my bidding. I just felt very sleepy like it was the end of the world. When I could not stand even with the person’s help, I felt my body being dragged.

“Gosh… Argg… Can’t you walk at all? Please… you need to wake up! Open your eyes!”

When I didn’t reply, the person grumbles loudly, “Dammit! This sucks! My life sucks! Dammit! Dammit! Damn the Goddess! The priestess and the warrior too! They can all go to hell! What the hell! Why do I have to do this? I am in so much pain!”

It was the voice of a girl. I have never heard such a young girl swearing so roughly before. Well, perhaps it was because I have never heard that many girls’ voices before.

I could guess who this voice belonged to, but my brain wasn’t working, so I couldn’t remember her name.

“Dammit…! Why did you have to leave that place, Juya! Why! Why! Why did you run out back into Minurd? Gosh!”

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but we finally stopped, and I was placed on flat ground. It felt hard but warm and soft too. I used the last bit of strength I had to whisper to her, “W-why didn’t… you just leave me… back there…?”