「Then, I will hear from you again in a ter time. Make sure you have already aplished everything I asked you to do then.」 ［Duke］

  "As Yraands." ［Shuren］

  「Don't disappoint me, Vist.」 ［Duke］

  Voices faded away and so was the blurry image in the orb. Silence reigned ihe small room once more yet the Vist's body remaiiff. It was only after a few seds that he rexed, heaving a lengthy sigh.

  His heart was still beating fast from their little meeting and he barely got away after pinning the bme on others. He may not be the brightest, but he knows a couple of tricks to survive. After all, it was a world where the strong prey on the weak.

  Unfortunately for him, such tricks won't always work. There will e a time when the Duke will find out of his lies and mistakes. However, there was still more than enough time to stitch up his mistakes and regain the Duke's trust once more.

  "Haah... How unlucky... Could this day get any worse..." ［Shuren］

  Now that the Duke is no longer before him, the Vist has reverted to his previous unsightly appearance, a face filled with hatred and irritation after all that he's been through yesterday and today, making his appearance look even more hideous.

  He clicked his tongue and smmed the walls, clearly pissed off his current situation. Grumbles and mumbles were adrift in the air, cursing those whainst him under his breath, the glint of insanity shimmering in his eyes.

  "Agh～! It's been quite some time, hasn't it? I should go relieve some stress. Kukuku! I wonder whose scream will I hear ?" ［Shuren］

  And like a crazy maniac, from stress and irritation, his expressions ged to that of excitement and anticipation, looking forward to t the people he had captured and the screams of pain and agony they would let out.

  "Ahh... Should I kill someooday?" ［Shuren］

  He was an insane bastard through and through, not only participating in torture, but murder as well. Now that his mood has gone sour, he wants to relieve some stress by taking a couple lives, a repulsive smile pstered on his face.

  With his newfouermination, the maniacal pig bustard of a Vist headed out of the small room, his steps eg resonantly. He soon flocked the lever to open the secret passageway, natural light seeping ihe hidden pce.

  "Looks like you're still in good health, Vist." ［Grey］

  But along that shining light was the greetings of some familiar faces. Faces which just by seeing them was enough to recall the bitter and painful memories of yesterday, his body fling by instinct as he backed away.

  "Y-You! How did you get in here!" ［Shuren］

  The Vist asked but not a single answer came ringing inside his ears. All there was were the sharp and cold eyes of Grey peering towards him as if he was gazing into his soul, ready to extinguish his life at any moment.

  From stress to excitement, and now, fear and terror. The Vist experienced a roller-coaster of emotions, his heart now rag quickly for airely different reason from before. His face ale as the white sheets of snow.

  "K-Knights! What are you doing?! Do your jobs properly and e here immediately! There are intruders!" ［Shuren］

  Stri by panic, the Vist screamed oop of his lungs and quickly rushed towards the doors as if trying to escape the room. However, it was all futile. No matter how much strength he puts in the hahe doors wouldn't budge an inch.

  "Wh-What's happening?! Who closed the doors?!" ［Shuren］

  He asked himself, tinuing to tug on the door. However, nothing happened. He was still locked ihe room without anything to help him. He was locked in a den of tigers, drawing a thin liween life ah.

  "Hey!! Why isn't anyone answering my calls?! Knights, whereー" ［Shuren］

  "Are you really that stupid or are you just pretending to be so? It's useless, Vist. No matter what you do or how hard you try, no one will hear you." ［Grey］

  "Y... You...! What did you do to my room?!" ［Shuren］

  "Simple, I just isoted this room from the outside with a barrier. Even if a rge explosioo occur, not even the slightest sound would be heard... You know what that means, right... Vist?" ［Grey］

  "Struggling is futile"... Such was the message Grey wao vey. With how high the level of the barrier he deployed was, not even High-Rankers would be able to tell that something was off, much less a normal person like the Vist.

  It was only then that the Vist realized just what kind of situation he was in. The moment he provokes the two would be the moment his life would fsh before his eyes. No matter what he does, he shouldn't step oigers' tails.

  He looked calm oside, but deep inside, Grey was like a volo about to erupt into madness. Beside him was his beloved, making sure she stays silent and simply observes the situation and makes sure Grey remains calm and sane.

  'Kugh...! Why now... Why now of all days...' ［Shuren］

  Silence remained in the air and the Vist's heart raced from terror, ay, and dread. He still remembers the fear the two etched into his whole beierday, his body trembling ever so slightly from the mere sight of them.

  'No, wait! This is perfect! I might be able to use this ce!' ［Shuren］

  However, at the same time, it was also the perfect opportunity to fulfill one of the tasks the Duke entrusted to him. It may be a bit sudden, but he could coax them into ing to their side and turn them into allies.

  Such foolish thoughts ran all throughout the Vist's mind, his thoughts painted clearly on his ugly face. Just the thought of being rewarded by the Duke and gaining his favor was enough to make him salivate. He couldn't miss the opportunity.

  "Y-Yhnesses, we might have been to a bad start, but Iー" ［Shuren］

  "Quit yapping, you bastard. No matter what you say, you'll never vince us to join your side. Do you think we're that foolish?" ［Grey］

  "I-I don't uand what you mean, Yhness. Th-This is justー" ［Shuren］

  "We're not here to iate, Vist. You better shut that filthy mouth of yours if you want to keep your toact." ［Grey］

  It was harsh, but it was needed. With such terrible characters as the one before them, there was o be siderate and polite. For beings worse than trash, a sharp tongue and a domineering presence erfect.

  With just those words from Grey, the Vist was immediately shut quiet, c his mouth with his hands in a hurry i fear of Grey slig off his tohout a sed thought. Right now, he wasn't a hero, but a tyrant.

  "I don't want to waste any more time and I don't want any useless words. Wouldn't you agree as well, Vist or... Was I mistaken?" ［Grey］

  "N-No! You're absolutely correct, Yhness!" ［Shuren］

  "Good. It seems that we've reached an agreement. Now then... I'll be asking you a few questions, and all you have to do is answer. Simple, right?" ［Grey］

  "Wh-What kind of questions areー" ［Shuren］

  FWOOSSSHHH CUT CRACK

  The Vist tried to ask a question, but he was immediately cut off. A tiny but hasty bde of wind passed by him, leaving a light cut on his cheeks, then rushing towards the wall and leaving a deep, gashing cut.

  It was so fast, the Vist didn't even have time to react, blood soon trig down his fat cheeks and a pale expression painted on his face. It was only then that he truly realized just what kind of grave he dug and how vicious the young man before him is.

  "I thought I already said I don't want to hear useless words? I don't remember giving you the permission to speak, Vist." ［Grey］

  Grey's words sounded calm, but hidden behind it was a deadly murderous i. He has now bee a man of his words and his heart has turned cruel. There was only ess in his eyes, not a speck of kindness left behind.

  "Now... The first question... Who is the man behind you?" ［Grey］

  "Th-That! I have no idea, Yhness! I'm only followiー Argh!" ［Shuren］

  He answered Grey as soon as he could, yet another bde of wind came rushing towards him. Now, it wasn't just his cheeks, but his arm was left with a rge and deep cut, a pained cry ringing out throughout the room.

  The reason was simple. It was because he lied. He may think that he was ing, but in front of Grey's eyes, no kind of lie nor tricks would work no matter how good one is. It was all futile for he who possesses the eyes of a God.

  "Argh...! My arm...! It hurts...! Arghh...!" ［Shuren］

  "Didn't I say to ahe questions truthfully? I'm not joking here, you bastard. One more time and your neck will be the ... Am I uood?" ［Grey］

  "Y... Yes, Yhness..." ［Shuren］

  It was useless. With such a moanding before him and his cold eyes looking as if it was ready to snatch his soul at any misstep, all the Vist could do was ehe pain and answer Grey's questions truthfully.

  He was w with the Duke for rewards and bes, but no matter how much they may be, they were all worthless pared to his life. He was a selfish bastard who'll prioritize himself over others no matter what the cost was.

  "So, who is it?" ［Grey］

  "I... It's Duke Schemer, Yhness." ［Shuren］

  Just like that, the Vist became obedient and answered all questions Grey prepared for him. From who was behind the is, to what their goal was, and all sorts of crimes they have itted. It was even more repulsive than Grey had thought.

  It wasn't just for a year, but for several years already. They have been gathering all sorts of people from different ages and races of in, them all sorts of jobs and opportuo bait them to e to their side.

  And once all they got their trust enough, they bring them to a certain location and take them away without aig. It doesn't matter how young, old, weak, or capable they were, they were all taken away to be imprisoned in underground prisons where they are treated worse than animals.

  It wasn't just dozens, but in his territory alone, several hundreds, maybe even over a thousand of unsuspeg people had already bee victims and disappeared without a trace, some tortured, some sold, some killed, and some...

  "I heard you are using them as sacrifices. What are y to achieve?" ［Grey］

  "I don't know... All I heard is that it was freat cause." ［Shuren］

  "Vist... Do you really want your head to go flying? Don't try a my patience. Just say the word if you're so eager to die." ［Grey］

  "I-I'm telling the truth, Yhness! I really don't know! I may be a noble, but even I am not included in their inner circle! I swear this on my name!" ［Shuren］

  ... are being and going to be used as sacrifices for reasons even the Vist ot ahough whatever it may be, one wouldn't o guess that it would be for something terrible. It was for something inhuman.

  The questioning tinued, and the Vist answered all of Grey's questions to the best of his abilities. Moving on from their crimes, he then asked of the locations of their hideouts and underground prisons where they kept their prisoners.

  Of course, Grey and Yuna didn't just ask him thoughtlessly. They also recorded a video with the camera, utilizing the st strips of their video films to record the whole versation and fession of the Vist.

  The mrey and Yuna heard, the more repulsed they were of the Vist and all their heinous crimes. Even Yuna who resent just in case Grey goes mad was now shaken by the things she heard, rage also boiling in her heart.

  Yuna, calm dowill need him for something. ［Grey］

  ... Sorry... I know... ［Yuna］

  She wao sh out then and there, but luckily, Grey mao calm down her boiling murderous i and make him e back to her senses. Otherwise, the whole mansion would have already been turned into a frozen hell.

  A few more minutes passed and the questioning was soon rey and Yuna got a lot of information, and though they hate to admit it, the disgusting animal before them was actually useful for o was more than enough.

  "Th-There! I already answered your questions, Yhness. That should be more than enough, right?! Don't worry! I'll make sure to not tell anybody a word about this! I should be allowed at least this much, right?" ［Shuren］

  "Huh? That's strange... When did I ever mention I will spare your pathetic life? I remember saying no such thing." ［Grey］

  "B-But I already answered all your questions! Yhness, you're being too much! This is an abuse of your power and authority!" ［Shuren］

  "I'm abusing my power...? Pfft... Haha... Hahaha... Hahahaha!" ［Grey］

  The eerie and deafening tension was quickly broken by Grey's maniacal ughter, rog the halls and making the deliers ring and sway. He was ughing out loud, yet there was not a trausement in his eyes.

  Rather, his rage and hatred only intensified, the tension bearing down on the room even heavier and even more overbearing. Silence soouro the room and Grey's eyes glowed with an even sharper and clint.

  "Vist, you're the st person I want to hear that from." ［Grey］

  His calm words weighed down with the weight of mountains, the Vist suddenly having difficulties ihing and moving, his chest feeling an intense, sharp, and burning pain, his head feeling like it was slowly being split apart.

  Not even Yuna was safe from Grey's sudden outburst e, feeling burdened by the intense pressure and tension of his aura as if the world was about to end. Still, it was bearable, only a little unfortable.

  "In the first pce, I never had the iion to let you live. Say your prayers a in hell, you useless bastard." ［Grey］

  "P... Pl... Please... Y... Your... High... Ness... Spare... Myー" ［Shuren］

  ??Devil's Calling?? ［Grey］

  The Vist begged, but it was futile. Grey's eyes gleamed with not a hint of warmth ions as he reached his hands out and casted a heavy curse on the Vist, his body trembling in fear and slowly losing strength.

  It ell of the curse-attribute which slowly sucks life force away, leaving nothing behind but ay shell, slowly dev the soul until it is no more. The higher one's rank is, the better they resist against such a spell.

  However, unfortunately for the Vist, he was nothing more than a normal person. In just a couple seds, all vitality and strength in his body was sucked away, only a cold and lifeless corpse left behind, his eyes faded white.

  ??High Heal?? ［Grey］

  Of course, to make it seem that he suddenly died of unknown reasons, Grey healed up the dead body and also repaired the room. It will be found out with the passage of time, but ter was still better than sooner.

  He looked as if he had just fainted, but there was not a pulse running in his veins any longer nor a breath esg his mouth. The Vist's life was now over, not even a trace of remorse to be seen in Grey's cold and apathetic eyes.

  ??Recall?? ［Grey］

  Of course, the iigation wasn't over with just that. Using his "Eyes of Destiny", Grey recalled the Vist's memories to learn of all the hiddeails and little secrets he couldn't get out of the now dead man.

  After all, the interrogation was only done for formality's sake and for the rec of evidence. And surely enough, the moment he read through his memories, his face quickly torted with rage and body trembled in rage.

  The pieemories he saw were even more repulsive thahe Vist answered him. All the torture, deaths, abuse, and unspeakable crimes he itted. It yed out like a movie, the young man not in another outburst e,

  "Ahh..." ［Grey］

  Or at least, he was, when suddenly, a warm embrace came from behind and made him snap back to his senses. It was her than his beloved, embrag him ever so tightly, her delicate looking arms ed around his waist.

  Thanks trey was able to calm himself, his heart slowly calming down and the tension on his shoulders slowly getting released. He soon heaved a lengthy sigh, his hands holding onto Yuna's and clearing his mind.

  "Thanks, Yuna... I almost lost myself there." ［Grey］

  "Un... You were a bit scary there..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Is that so? Are you scared of me now?" ［Grey］

  Grey asked, but there were no direswers. Yuna simply hugged him tighter and buried her fa his back, all the while shaking her head. Such as were more than enough to calm himself down and refle his rashness.

  "Sorry Yuna, looks like we won't be able to go on dates for a while. " ［Grey］

  Grey never sidered himself as someone perfect hteous, and though they've been called heroes by many, he doesn't have the extreme sense of justice that many of those who bear the mantle of heroes do. He was just a powerful person.

  However, even he has things he ever five. Such atrocities are too much to be overlooked and no matter who it was, they must be punished no matter what it takes. He already swore it upon himself to do so.

  "I promise, ohis is all over, I'll take you to a good pce. We'll spend the whole dayー no, we'll spend as long as you like together." ［Grey］

  Said the young man, a wry and forced smile afloat on his face. He already promised himself to prioritize Yuna's happiness, yet here he is, breaking his promise for the sake of others. He felt tradicted, like a hypocrite.

  "No... The dates don't matter right now. I'll go with you through this." ［Yuna］

  "E-Eh?! You really don't have to, you know?! Th-This is something I brought upon myself, so you're not really obliged to do this withー Agh!" ［Grey］

  "No! I'll do it with you, and that's final! I'm your fiancée, you know?! What's your problem is my problem! Don't be so selfish!" ［Yuna］

  "Agh!! I get it! I get it already, so loosen your embrace a little, My Love! You'll really break my bo this rate!" ［Grey］

  "A-Ahh! Sorry! I-I didn't mean it!" ［Yuna］

  Though, as it seems, it looks like Grey won't be burdening such a heavy task alone. Yuna wouldn't let him go. After all, she wasn't just his fiancée, she was also his trusty partner who had gohrough life ah with him.

  And... Yuna also couldn't five such heinous acts, especially when it s the lives of i people. She has a stronger sense of justice than Grey and wouldn't let such acts tinue, even if it meant she has to dirty their hands.

  They really are a pair made of one another.

  "Haah... This may sound a little ht now, but... Would you like to go on a little ing up, Midy?" ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! No matter how you say it, it doesn't sound romantic, you know?" ［Yuna］

  "Is that a no then?" ［Grey］

  "Hehe! I'll be in your care, Sir Grey!" ［Yuna］

  There was o say any more words. Though they are plunging themselves towards danger and troublesome situations, they were still able to make themselves wear smiles and prepared their hearts for the heavy ses before them.

  Just like that, the two departed the same way they came, opening a gate to their destination and warming themselves up for a lengthy ing up session. Blood will soon be spilled and hundreds of lives will be taken. It was a day of massacre.

  But that's a story for another day.

  ...

  The sun was high in the sky and behind the t castle was a blue sea sparkling ever shtly as sunlight reflected over its surface. It eaceful day, the city bustling like busy bees, noises adrift all over the pce.

  Of course, the Royal Castle was no different, knights and servants walking around and doing their tasks and duties as they should. Even the higher ups were buried in mountains of paperwork, some not even having a.

  The King was no different, now sitting on his throne aertaining the nobles and merts which had e to see him. He was dignified and honorable, carrying his words with majesty as he spoke to his subjects.

  "Then, I will be taking my leave, Your Majesty. Have a good day."

  "Yes. Be careful on the way back." ［King］

  Another o and another oered, the doors opening and closing time and time again. He spent the whole day talking and listening to his subjects, hiding his exhaustion and remaining strong and calm before them.

  "His Grace, Duke Schemer is entering!"

  However, the vassal was not so easy. As soon as the doors opened for him, he walked ihe throne room as if he owhe pce, his head shining ever shtly as the seeping sunlight reflected on his baldness.

  He looked friendly oside, smiling ever shtly and cheerfully. However, deep ihere was nothing but hatred, arrogance, and dismay, snickering at the King as if he was higher than him. It was the proud and arrogant Duke of Schemer.

  "It's been a while, Your Majesty." ［Duke］

  CHAPTER 417 END