27. The Road Back from the Beastman Army
We rode in silence for a while on the carriage ride back. Once we were a reasonable distance from the Beastman Army encampment, I let out a long sigh.
“—Well, I never. To think I’d almost be killed so directly by our own allies. The Beastman Army is quite… passionate.”
“Indeed… I didn’t expect it to be such a blatant trap. I’m glad Lathus-sama was reasonable.”
“If a supreme commander had been clearly involved in the attempted assassination of another supreme commander… it would have been civil war, no doubt.”
“Exactly. It’s too dangerous. This can’t go down in history…”
“Was there anything about the Virus King, Lord of Disease’s work that could go down in history?”
“There are records at the royal castle, to a certain extent. Though I doubt any historian would want to see them.”
“I hope there are some.”
I truly did.
I hoped these people would be the ones to write history.
“…Now, Master, I have a lot to say.”
Her tone was unusually serious. Undeniably the tone she used for lectures. I straightened my back involuntarily.
“First, I’m glad the persuasion was successful! But don’t you think you’re replaceable?!”
“Am I not?”
“You are not!” Liz shouted, then lowered her gaze.
“…Even I, an assassin. Even I, who’s trained to kill without emotion, find it terrifying.”
She continued in a low voice, “Not one or two. Not ten or twenty. Not even a hundred or a thousand…”
A hint of fear flickered in her words.
“To be ordered to kill… that many… non-combatants… as efficiently and effectively as possible… it’s… chilling.”
“Liz.”
But when she looked up, meeting my gaze, there was no revulsion in her eyes.
“—And yet. We believe in you. In you, who revealed your true face, declared yourself human, and still vowed to exterminate humanity for the sake of this nation.”
The fear had vanished from her voice.
“We believe in you, who considers the well-being of your subordinates, prioritizes their safety, and shows ruthlessness only towards the enemy.”
Liz’s words brought a smile to my face. If she truly felt that way, then my choice of this title had meaning.
“It’s not just the assassination squad. The disinformation unit feels the same. …Doppelgangers aren’t a high-status race in this nation. They’re a rare, exceptional race that doesn’t inherit the traits of their parents. They’re magically weaker, physically weaker. Some even call them an inferior race behind their backs. And the wraiths and skeletons who make up the core of the assassination squad are undead, often denied basic rights…”
“Let those fools talk. I have complete faith in my doppelganger subordinates. We can’t win this war without the disinformation unit, composed of doppelgangers, and the assassination squad, primarily made up of undead.”
Those were the two forces I’d requested from His Majesty.
A disinformation unit of doppelgangers.
An assassination squad centered around undead.
Only accurate information could alleviate fear.
Only the certainty of safety could guarantee rational thought.
When my two forces worked in tandem, fear became boundless, and safety became a mere fantasy.
“…There is no other commander in this nation who would speak with such conviction and offer such kind words… no one who could replace you.”
“…His Majesty. Someone will inherit my will.”
“No one can truly inherit the work of the Virus King. …Besides, no one wants this job.”
“Well, it is a grim job.”
I nodded in agreement. I wouldn’t want it either. Most people would probably say the same.
“But I believe. We will win. Even if I die, someone will inherit the name of the Virus King.”
“…Why do you believe that?”
“Because of you.”
I reached out and gently stroked Liz’s hair.
“My cute subordinates. You, who understand and execute my work better than I do, are the Virus King.”
This name was just an illusion.
A symbol of the fear instilled in humanity, a name to conceal the simple fact that I had subordinates, and they were the true threat.
“I’m counting on you, Liz.” I slid my hand down from her hair and gently cupped her cheek.
“…Don’t count on me.” Liz grabbed my wrist and pulled my hand away.
“Just try to live a long life!”
“…Right.” I nodded.
“Samarkand, I’m sorry you had to worry, too.”
I addressed Samarkand, who was on the driver’s platform.
“…Yes. I was concerned.”
“By the way, what happens with the blood contract? If I die, do you… die too…?”
“Not at all. The master simply has absolute command over the servant. Additionally, the servant is obligated to ensure the master’s safety. …Therefore, this incident caused me… considerable distress.”
“Ah… sorry about that.”
“No. If we had fought, thirty of those beastmen would have died. …And the three of us would have undoubtedly been among them. But now, we are all alive. You did the right thing, my master.”
“I’m glad you think so, Samarkand.”
It had felt like walking a tightrope, but I was glad we’d made it across.
“But why did you form a blood contract in the first place? It sounds like a curse.”
“Yes, it is a type of curse.”
“Huh?”
“As long as blood flows through my veins, I cannot escape its control. There are some benefits, such as enhanced physical abilities, due to the price paid… but it is undoubtedly a curse.”
“Then why…?”
“A mere whim.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. I wished for you to be my master. And I wished to entrust my everything to you, in a way that was visible to all. …A mere whim, my esteemed master.”
“…I see.”
I didn’t know what to say.
Happy, embarrassed, very embarrassed…
“I would gladly die for my master. For I have learned of something heavier than death.”
“Don’t think you’ll find happiness in death.”
“What do you mean?”
“Life is more enjoyable.”
This black goat was a greater demon. Different from a human. But he had been born into this world, and that was undeniable. It had to be.
“It would be better if you served me for a long time, right?”
So, I felt like indulging in a slightly embarrassing line.
“Such kind words…” He trailed off. Please don’t tell me he’s crying again.
“Besides, I’ve decided to live as interesting a life as possible in this world. As my subordinate, you should follow your superior’s example.”
“Master, this is the first time I’m hearing of this policy.” Liz, who had been silent, spoke up.
“Is that so? —Then remember this. That is the guiding principle of the Virus King.”
“Do you think you can fool me with a serious tone?”
“Actually, yes.”
“I will agree with anything my master says.”
The fact that Samarkand was completely serious was a little problematic. I was tempted to give him a ridiculous order, just to see what he would do.
Well, I’d save that for another time.
“Not to be morbid, but if anything happens to me, I’m counting on you to take care of Liz and the others.”
“…Yes. But please, take care of yourself.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Could you try a little harder?” Liz gave me a pointed look.
“But see? I worked hard today, just with my words.”
“That’s not how you phrase it… You should say you dedicated yourself wholeheartedly to your duties.”
I leaned back against the seat and rested my chin on the back of my hand, gazing at the forest outside the window.
“I can’t help but feel that’s also a poor choice of words…”
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