Chapter 15 - I Suppose I'll Be the Villain in This Play

“Heh.”

Marquis Fred covered his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter.

“Hahahaha!”

In the end, though, he couldn't contain it.

“Do you even realize what you're saying? You're telling the lord of this territory that you intend to become the leader of its pleasure district! What an absurd farce!”

He roared with laughter, slapping the armrest of his sofa.

What happened to his noble dignity?

“There's a reason that filthy name has survived four generations. Karma is an idol and a beacon to the people of the Sixth District. Someone they truly acknowledge. It's not simply a matter of the strongest male becoming Karma, like some animal—”

“An absurd farce indeed.”

“Hmm?”

“As you said, what I intend to put on is a play.”

I clapped lightly to draw the marquis's attention.

“This is an excellent time for you to strike at the pleasure district. If you mobilize all your troops, Karma's guild, Houndry, will have virtually no chance of winning.”

“Hmm...”

“Once they're cornered, I'll step in on Houndry's side and bring things to an end. Yes, a play that follows a prepared script.”

That's right. A play.

In this life, I'd decided to take a major role.

“... You intend to become a false savior and inherit the name of Karma?”

“Exactly.”

SNAP!

I snapped my fingers and added,

“I doubt you want to exterminate them all either, Marquis. Let's say we kill the hopeless addicts and the violent criminals beyond reform. But leave the able-bodied ones alive, and they'll have their uses.”

“And you... intend to manage them.”

“If possible, yes. Even if I become Karma, I have no intention of earning money through dirty business. It doesn't particularly interest me, and I'm the sort who finds satisfaction in peace rather than pleasure. Well... I might leave a tavern or two for when I feel like getting drunk.”

As I finished, I slowly leaned back against the sofa.

“Well? If I become the fifth Karma, you can clean up the Sixth District and gain an administrator you can actually reason with.”

“Ahem...”

The marquis nodded. He didn't seem averse to the idea.

“Very well. You manage the shadows of my territory... and what do you gain?”

He folded his arms and asked casually,

“There's nothing in it for you, is there? Why go out of your way to join hands with me in this uncomfortable coexistence?”

“Actually, there was an incident at the Subjugation Festival. Karma targeted my family. From what I discovered, it seems a follower of the necromancer hired Houndry.”

The marquis looked startled the moment I brought it up.

“I intend to trace their connection to Houndry back to its source. That information would be inaccessible to anyone but Karma.”

“Revenge... You don't look like someone suited to that word.”

“It's not simply about revenge.”

“I could understand if you were after money or power. But... a necromancer?”

The marquis folded his arms even more tightly.

“The Death God's cult may be an enemy of the Goddess's faith, but bringing up people who vanished a hundred years ago... It's utterly implausible. How do you expect me to believe that?”

“You're mistaken.”

“What?”

I slowly raised my head and surveyed his room.

Above the door, a statue of the Goddess stood with her arms spread, and a custom-made altar occupied a sunny spot.

Marquis Fred was no ordinary believer.

“This isn't a question of who believes whom.”

“What are you—”

HUMMM

Before the marquis could finish speaking, a halo appeared behind my head, slowly completing its circle.

“After all, don't we already believe in the same person?”

015

After concluding my conversation with Marquis Fred, I went straight to find Laward.

At the academy training grounds.

Even during vacation, he practically lived there, diligently honing his skills. I told him about my conversation with the marquis and what we had decided.

“I've settled matters with the marquis. While I operate on Houndry's side, you'll attack Houndry alongside his soldiers.”

Laward looked at me, his eyes wavering.

“I-I see. But, esteemed mentor, I can't... do something like that.”

He had never once gone against my wishes before, but this time he was adamant.

“I'm sorry.”

I could understand his refusal.

What Laward would be doing now was beyond the scope of the academy. He would have to take lives and trample others beneath his feet.

Protagonist or not, he was still a student. Perhaps it was only natural for him to hesitate.

“E-even if it's only a play, how could I ever oppose you, esteemed mentor? I... couldn't do that. Facing you as an enemy... No. I'm truly sorry.”

... That was his fucking reason?

My mistake for thinking, even for a moment, that I understood him.

“If I go into it halfheartedly, it'll obviously show. But fighting you with all my strength would feel like committing an unforgivable sin in itself...”

“You'll only face me briefly. Your job is to deal with Houndry's small fry.”

I sighed and continued.

“So let's make this clear now. Laward, does this task feel beyond you?”

“No... it doesn't. I promised you I would surpass the academy's standards. Honestly... I'm happy to have a chance to prove myself.”

“That's the right attitude. Steel yourself. Even without Karma, Houndry won't be an easy opponent.”

“I'm not afraid.”

“You have no qualms about killing? Once you do it, there's no turning back.”

“No, esteemed mentor. It isn't killing.”

Laward thought for a moment, then, about two seconds later, said with a face as bright as sunshine,

“... We should call it purification.”

He even added, “Because we'll be making the world the Goddess created a cleaner place.”

This bastard...

He was becoming a more dangerous fanatic by the day...

“I feel nothing but joy at being granted the honor of purging evil!”

“... I see.”

Laward smiled, oblivious to my conflicted feelings.

“You have a major role in this. We're borrowing the marquis's troops for now, but I need to show that I have strength on my side too. You're the one who has to demonstrate that.”

“Trust me. I'll do it.”

He seemed so resolved that he could have repeated those words any number of times.

“But may I ask one question?”

“Of course. Oh, do you have another question about the opera—”

“Is Esther going too?”

“Huh?”

“Will Esther be coming with us?”

“... No.”

“I see!”

The corners of his mouth shot upward.

“So Esther will be all alone and lonely in a corner of the dormitory!”

“No, I wouldn't say—”

“I'll certainly be more useful. Whether it's a play or anything else, I'll do a better job.”

“No. Esther offered to help too, but I refused. For a simple reason. This time, there's no one to save.”

Only people to kill.

“Excellent!”

Laward clenched his fist to show his determination.

Being an academy student sent on an operation to wipe out a criminal organization during vacation didn't bother him in the slightest. But whether Esther participated mattered more than anything.

“Laward, you have to be the protagonist.”

This was where everything began.

Tomorrow.

Starting tomorrow, Laward would show the world that he was its protagonist.

“I suppose I'll be the villain in this play. Standing opposite me, you must unquestionably be its protagonist.”

“N-not at all. On any stage, you're the only one who could be the protagonist, esteemed mentor.”

“Don't let the marquis's soldiers overshadow you. You're going to distinguish yourself on the front line.”

At the force in my voice, Laward reluctantly nodded.

“... I'll keep that in mind.”

If this went well, Laward would gain fame and a reputation. Not only the paladin order, but people all across the kingdom would take an interest in him.

And naturally, that would bring attention to me as his sponsor.

“So, Laward, give it everything you have.”

Laward would become the light. I would remain in the shadows.

While he built a legacy of great deeds, I would inherit a name steeped in evil.

The light and the dark.

I would extend my influence everywhere, preparing to respond no matter what times or people came my way.

That was the script, up to that point.

The day of the operation to eradicate Houndry.

At eight in the morning, while the pleasure district lay deep in sleep, the marquis and his soldiers entered the Sixth District in formation.

'I deliberately chose the morning, but...'

At the center of the formation, Marquis Fred surveyed the pleasure district from atop a sturdy horse.

'I'd rather avoid bloodshed if possible. Wasting soldiers on a battle whose outcome is already decided... would be a shame.'

He had brought most of his troops to intimidate them.

The shops hadn't opened, and the homes were bolted shut, their curtains carefully drawn. With his house's troops filling the empty streets, the marquis considered the battle already won.

'Karma is dead, and the disparity in our forces is clear. Any rational person would surrender early.'

Then he heard signs of movement.

He turned, and Houndry members burst out from all directions, shouting at the tops of their lungs to wake the others.

'Yes, if there's one thing that concerns me...'

These people had always lived as though there were no tomorrow.

Contrary to his house's wishes, the members hurried out with weapons in hand. Whether they couldn't reach a consensus without their leader or simply had no fear, they showed no intention of quietly backing down.

'So it comes to this after all.'

The marquis looked around at his soldiers. They too stood with their weapons firmly gripped, their expressions anticipating a clash.

One man among them caught his eye.

Daywin had sent him along, saying he would be useful.

'... I'd expected someone from a knight order.'

Marquis Fred's gaze settled on Laward. His short black hair and tanned skin gave him an inexplicable air of sharpness, but—

'He's just... a child.'

After examining Laward's youthful face, the marquis shook his head.

'Does Daywin Hasgard think Houndry is a joke? What on earth is he thinking...?'

His head throbbed, and he was about to put those thoughts aside.

“I wondered why you'd all come swarming in while everyone's asleep. Well, damn. Planning a massacre?”

A man stepped forward, fastening a sword at his waist. Houndry members had already filled the alleys.

“Think this is your chance now that Lord Karma's gone?”

His face was familiar. Searching his memory, the marquis recalled that he was probably the second-in-command who had always been at Karma's side.

“Stupid bastards. Think anything will change if we're gone? Get rid of Houndry, and another Houndry will take over these streets. There are already a few candidates, aren't there?”

He jerked his chin at the marquis as he asked. Surely the marquis knew Houndry's rival organizations?

“The Sixth District's been a resource for the marquisate for ages. All those young masters with money to burn come here.”

He gave a derisive chuckle and continued.

“I thought your house recognized that too, but I guess I was mistaken. You kept turning a blind eye, so that's what I figured. I mean, you happily gobbled up the money we gave you all this time... It's a little strange to suddenly act like we're an eyesore.”

The man shrugged and met the marquis's gaze.

“Is this because of the academy and the Church? It's too late to pretend this place is clean. The Sixth District is filth that you created yourself. No one else.”

“Shut up.”

With that curt reply, the marquis signaled his soldiers. They advanced as one, closing the distance to Houndry.

“Go ahead. But if you're going to kill us, you'd better kill every last one. Leave even one alive, and tomorrow morning you'll find your wives and children without their heads.”

The soldiers flinched. Their expressions stiffened at the madness in his eyes.

'I'd hoped they'd back down... but there's no choice. We have to attack before the soldiers lose heart. There's no turning back now.'

Just as the marquis thought that—

“Thus spoke the Goddess.”

Laward clasped his hands and walked forward. Alone between the marquis's soldiers and Houndry's guild members, he murmured,

“Seek not mercy. The scales of judgment have already tipped. Burn the profane flesh, and let ashes alone bear witness to its sins.”

He had already reached the center. Foe and ally alike looked about in bewilderment.

“What's that?”

“Where'd this little shit come from...?”

Laward paid them no mind and kept walking.

“Cut away the rotten branches and uproot the diseased roots. She has commanded that the unrighteous be granted no peace. What I hold in my hand is not forgiveness, but the iron rod of punishment.”

SHING!

He drew his sword in a flash, cleaving the enemy at the head of the group in a single stroke.

“What dwells in my eyes shall not be compassion, but the flames of purification.”

A drop of blood fell from the blood-soaked blade.

At the same time, blinking on and off, a faint halo above his head flashed like a warning light.