Chapter 14: The Healing Magician Forgives
After finishing the strategic meeting, I returned to my room. I carefully read the documents provided by Carol and turned them into concrete strategic actions. I could suppress any rebel, but being such a large number I have to do it precisely.
“Tsk, traitors aren’t just outsiders, there are insiders as well…they’ll make Eve cry again.”
Most of the rebels leading the village were from the previous Demon King’s army. They were taking this opportunity to regain power. It wasn’t that surprising. It was natural for the demons to oppose the progress of the peace, there was no doubt that they would take advantage of such a clear opportunity. The problem was that the people who cooperate with them are inside this castle. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to monitor us so precisely and be so successful with their various revolts. Not only that, they also source our resources and funds.
…How sad.
The ten races persecuted by the previous Demon King who banded together to gain their freedom. At that time they certainly fought together as war partners. However, they have now completely parted ways.
“And that I had thoroughly taken care of the previous cleaning.”
I cruelly executed various members of the ten demon races, starting with the biggest criminal of all, the chief of the snow leopard tribe, as an example to others, and banished all the other tribes. Everyone was behaving meekly as a result, but now it has happened again. This time it will not be so difficult to punish the traitors. After all, I know who the traitors are.
But, I also think that even if I purge the traitors, will more of them appear again in the future? This will never end. And eventually, everyone will be killed.
Eve has the same emotional anxiety that I do, and Carol has predicted just that because he has an extraordinary brain.
I have to do something.
“Would you like to take a break?…Em, for a visit.”
I heard knocking on the door. If they were my women, I would know who it is by the sound of the blows, but this was an unknown sound. Well, it doesn’t matter. Whoever it is, no one can kill me.
“Enter.”
I was surprised to see who entered the room, it was the new chief of the iron boar tribe. Previously, the first race that trusted me and Eve and lent us his strength was precisely the Iron Boar Tribe. And my guest was the son of the boss, who fought in the battle against the Demon King and was killed by Bullet. It was because of this that Eve appointed him to an important position and trusted him. The reason I’m so gloomy is that of all possible people, he ended up betraying us.
Carol didn’t tell Eve. He was afraid of hurting her deeply.
“Sorry to interrupt you so late.”
“Okay, make yourself comfortable. This is the first time the two of us have spoken alone. Now that I see you well, you look a lot like him, Falbo.”
Falbo had the features of my friend. I feel nostalgic, and my heart aches to think that I will have to execute it.
“They tell me often.”
“So what do you need? It must be something important for you to come see me directly.”
“I’ll get straight to the point…… Demon King’s direct knight, Kearu-sama, please help us.”
Falbo prostrated himself on the spot. So I said, watching it from above.
“Eh, are you begging for your life? You brazenly beg after cruelly betraying me.”
“As expected of Kearu-sama. You realized? Certainly, we betrayed Demon King Eve-sama… However, there was a reason.”
Saying that, he handed me a sheaf of papers. I gave them a quick look. All the incidents related to the rebel riots and the Iron Boar tribe were written there. That’s right, everything. Including the mastermind. If this was made public, the Iron Boar Tribe would suffer the same fate as the Snow Leopard Tribe. They were consistent with the information Carol collected, and they were genuine.
“Since you came to confess on your own, I will listen to your reasons.”
“Yes, the truth is that the Iron Boar Tribe people were taken hostage by the demons who planned the rebellion, and we were forced to do this.”
“Eh, the mighty Iron Boar Tribe’s village was taken? I cant believe it.”
“It is an incredibly strong army. It belongs to the red dragon tribe, known as the most powerful race in the army of the previous Demon King, they are very strong demons, and being accompanied by dragons, we had no choice but to crawl on the ground.”
Oh, the red dragon tribe? I thought they were hiding in the clouds, so there they were? Actually, I never got to see them, not even in the previous world. Because they were among the tribes that Eve exterminated. The Demon King’s current army has dragon soldiers, but they are only horsemen. They are lower by one or two levels compared to the red dragon tribe, who are dragons in human form.
“Then why did you silently obey them until now? Why are you telling me right now?”
“Because even if I did speak it would be useless. They said that if we used the army they would kill immediately to everyone in the village, we could not trust the army. And in any case, we would have needed an overwhelmingly strong individual and good at infiltration work. There are strong people in the Demon King’s castle, but we didn’t know of any who could win against the elite of the red dragon tribe…so, we decided to obey them, to save our race.”
“I see. So now that I’m back, will you ask me? You seem to think that I could save them, but don’t you think you’re being very selfish? You want me to save traitors, but whatever the circumstances, a crime is a crime.”
That’s right, they can’t erase what they’ve done. In fact, Eve got hurt. What I must do is not save the Iron Boar tribe, but punish them. The extermination of the red dragon tribe comes after that. If they are the strongest in the rebel army, I must definitely exterminate them.
“Certainly, it is a selfish request… Normally it would not be forgiven. But I thought that you would please regard it as atonement for him, Kearu-sama.”
“Atonement? Did you come to talk with that intention?”
I can imagine what he’s talking about, but I want to hear it from him.
“My father, the previous tribe leader, followed you and perished in the battle at the Demon King’s castle. Perhaps, if you had given the proper instructions, it would all have ended without the death of my father? Would you forgive the crimes of the Iron Boar Tribe and save our village to make up for my father’s death under your orders, that he devotedly followed you and staked his life on it?”
He died because of my instructions. That’s right. If he had noticed Bullet’s presence, he wouldn’t have ended up dead.
“Yes, it makes sense. But wouldn’t that damage the prestige of those who perished in battle? A warrior is someone who bets his own life on it. It is an insult to send that responsibility to others.”
“What matters most to me is protecting citizens.”
Oh well said.
Let us test the veracity of those words.
“It’s okay. I can ignore their crimes and save the village from the iron boar tribe. This is my chance to return the favor to your father. Besides, it was Eve’s mistake that your village was taken in the first place.”
Although the ten races were called to come to the Demon King’s castle town, most of them are still living in their respective countries. Not protecting them knowing that it would become a weakness is just evidence of the Demon King’s short range of control. In a sense, the iron boar tribe is a victim.
“Really!?”
“On two conditions. First, make sure you tell Eve about this. If you had told her about this, she would have done something somehow, and if she couldn’t she would have asked me for help faster… She thinks that the ten races are her family. Eve will always risk her life for her family. Even though they arbitrarily betrayed her.”
Even during the previous execution Eve she was very hurt and cried when she was alone. She’s probably the only one in the Demon King’s castle now who believes that the ten races are still united. It’s sad that Eve’s heart is being trampled on.
“Yes I promise.”
“And the other. I will forgive the crime of the Iron Boar tribe. However, someone must take responsibility. You will be executed. These are the two conditions to save them. What you will do?”
Well, Falbo, how will you answer?
Depending on your answer, I could turn into an ogre or a demon.
“I will accept both. It doesn’t matter what happens to me. Please save my people!”
I laughed weakly. He approved. He trampled on Eve’s heart for his people. Because his town is the most important thing. But, if he had said that his own life was more important than his people, she would never have forgiven him. Eve’s heart cannot be trampled on for such a trifling reason.
“I have changed my mind. I will cancel your execution. But I still promise to save the Iron Boar tribe. You are still needed by the tribe. But don’t get me wrong, this time I’ll forgive you to redeem me for your father, but there will be no second time.”
“Thank you very much!”
“If you want to thank someone, give it to your father who I owed a favor to, and to the sweet Demon King who keeps saying that you guys are her family. If it wasn’t for Eve…I would have killed you.”
“Y-Yes, I’m really sorry.”
I accidentally let out my bloodlust. It’s unexpected, but I seem to have a bad temper.
“I will leave tomorrow. Tonight gather as much information as you can about your people and the red dragon tribe.”
…Well, the first target to repel the rebellion has been decided. The village of the Iron Boar tribe, which is being controlled by the Red Dragon tribe. Since Eve thinks they’re her family, they’re family to me too. They will be the legitimate targets of exhaustive revenge, for putting our family through such suffering.
Also, the red dragon tribe is supposed to be a beautiful race. Strong and beautiful. It would be unfortunate to destroy them altogether. Also, the ability to use
dragons is very useful and should be used effectively.
Yes, the men don’t matter, but I can recycle the women. Like my new toys.
Recently I have had no one to control against their will. Since I’m a gentleman, I don’t go around controlling people against their will if it’s not for reasons of revenge.
Sweet lovemaking and sex are nice, but forced sex is best.
It sounds fun to do it with enthusiasm after so long.