Chapter 339 : Chloe’s Disappointment

A few minutes earlier.

Charles and Chloe were seen running along the path they were currently traversing.

"Where do you think this path leads, brother?" Chloe asked.

"I have no idea where this path takes us. Since the academy grounds have turned into a labyrinth, it’s hard to tell where any given path might lead. The layout is unpredictable; a straight path can suddenly twist and turn. That’s why it’s difficult to know for sure where we’re headed. For now, it’s best to keep following the paths in this maze. Who knows? We might run into someone we recognize along the way," Charles said.

"Yeah, you're right," Chloe replied.

Charles and Chloe continued along the path. A short while later, they heard the sounds of impact and weapons clashing.

"Did you hear that, Chloe? It sounds like a fight is going on," Charles said.

"Yes, I heard it too. It seems to be coming from the end of this path," Chloe said.

"Let's pick up the pace. The people fighting might be students or other knights battling the demons attacking the academy," Charles said.

"Okay," Chloe agreed.

Charles and Chloe quickened their pace. Before long, they reached the location at the end of the path. Upon arriving, they saw Rid just as he knocked the sword from King Albert's grasp. Immediately after disarming him, Rid slashed at King Albert's neck, instantly severing his head from his body. Charles and Chloe were visibly shocked by the sight. The two of them were left speechless.

Then, King Albert's severed head and his headless body fell and landed on the ground. Rid gazed at the body lying there, then turned his attention toward Charles and Chloe. Chloe, who had been stunned into silence, asked Rid a question, her expression still one of utter shock.

"R-Rid, w-what did you just do?!" Chloe asked.

Meanwhile, I was somewhat startled to see Charles and Chloe standing in one of the connecting passageways. I had sensed their presence, of course, but seeing them in the flesh still took me by surprise.

"Charles... Chloe..." I said.

"Why aren't you answering my question, Rid? I asked what you just did!" Chloe demanded, her voice raised.

I fell silent upon hearing Chloe's question. A moment later, I lowered my head and answered her directly.

"I'm sorry; I just killed your father," I said.

*Sob* *Sob* *Sob*

Then, I heard the sound of a woman weeping. It had to be Chloe, as she was the only woman present.

"Sorry? Is that what you said? After killing our father, you just casually apologize to us? Do you think an apology can bring him back to life? Answer me, Rid!" Chloe demanded.

I remained silent, my head still bowed.

"It’s been over two years since our father’s whereabouts became unknown after he vanished from the palace. We kept waiting for news about him. And now, we’ve finally found him again after all that time. But why did you kill him right in front of us the moment we found him, Rid? We hadn't even had a chance to speak to him. How could you be so cruel? I used to respect and admire you, but now I am deeply disappointed in you. You have to pay for what you've done!" Chloe declared.

I remained silent after hearing Chloe's words. However, I lifted my head and decided to look directly at Chloe and Charles. As I looked at them, I saw Chloe gripping her bow, preparing to loose an arrow made of fire magic. She intended to shoot that fire arrow at me. I wasn't surprised to see her doing this; to me, her actions made perfect sense. She wanted to kill me because I had killed her father.

"Once again, I apologize, Chloe. As an apology, if you want to shoot me with that fire arrow of yours, go ahead. I won't dodge it," I said.

"Good, then. Now stay still and let me shoot you, Rid!" Chloe said.

Tears streamed down Chloe's face as she prepared to loose her arrow.

"Goodbye, Rid," Chloe said.

With that, Chloe immediately fired the arrow at me. I stood motionless, watching the arrow hurtle toward me. I made no attempt to dodge or block the shot; I fully intended to let it strike me. However, just before the arrow could hit, a slash of water suddenly shot out and instantly shattered it. I was startled, and so was Chloe. She quickly turned around to look at the person who had unleashed the water slash—it was Charles. After delivering the strike, Charles sheathed his sword at his waist.

"What are you doing, Brother? Why did you destroy the arrow I fired at Rid?" Chloe asked.

"If I hadn't destroyed it, that arrow would have struck Rid and might have killed him. Do you really want to kill Rid?" Charles asked.

Chloe fell silent upon hearing Charles's words, appearing hesitant to answer. A moment later, she finally spoke.

"Yes, that's right. After all, Rid killed our father, Brother. We saw with our own eyes that it was Rid who killed him. If Mother saw this, she would surely kill Rid instantly, too," Chloe said.

"Calm down, Chloe. Mother wouldn't just kill someone at random—especially not an innocent person," said Charles.

"That may be true, but in this case, it is clear that Rid is guilty of killing our father!" said Chloe.

"It’s true, we both saw Rid kill Father, but he must have had a reason for doing so. We’ve known Rid for a long time—ever since the entrance exam for the academy. You should know that Rid wouldn't kill someone without a reason. He wouldn't even attack someone without cause, let alone kill them," Charles said.

Chloe fell silent after hearing Charles's words.

"I know you were shocked to see Rid kill Father. You were angry at him and immediately intended to kill him without a second thought. For now, calm yourself down. I’ll ask Rid why he killed Father," Charles said.

".......Alright," Chloe replied.

Chloe then slung her bow back onto her back, while Charles walked over to me.

"Rid..." Charles said.

"Charles, I didn't expect you to stop Chloe when she was trying to kill me," I said.

"As for that... I just felt that what Chloe was doing was wrong. She acted without thinking it through first, which is why I chose to stop her. Besides, I haven't heard your explanation for why you killed our father yet. All I've heard from you so far are apologies," Charles said.

"I see. You’ve really changed, Charles. You’re able to consider the right course of action even after seeing your father killed right in front of you. I don't think what Chloe did was entirely wrong, though. If I were in her shoes, I might have done the exact same thing," I said.

"You don't need to praise me, Rid. So, what was the reason you decided to kill our father?" Charles asked.

"If I told you the reason, would you believe everything I said?" I asked.

"I would believe everything you say," Charles replied.

"Alright then, I’ll tell you the reason. The reason I decided to kill your father was that he tried to attack and kill me. It wasn't just your father; Commander Marshall and Senior Florian also joined in the attempt to kill me," I said, glancing toward Commander Marshall and Senior Florian, whose bodies lay on the ground.

Charles turned his gaze in the same direction.

"Commander Marshall and Senior Florian attacked you, too?! They were previously prisoners held at San Sabaneta Prison. They were abducted when the prison was attacked by unknown assailants, and there had been no news of them since until now. They reappeared at this academy to kill you, but it looks like you’ve already killed them both," Charles said.

"Yes, I killed them both. It seems they, along with your father didn't come to this academy solely to kill me. They came to attack and kill the people here, just like the other demons in the academy. They simply happened to run into me, so they chose to attack and kill me," I explained.

"Just like the other demons? You mean..." Charles asked.

"Yes, because both of themand your father had turned into demons. So, their reason for coming here was surely the same as the other demons'," I said.

Charles looked utterly shocked upon hearing this, as did Chloe, who had remained silent until then.

"Father turned into a demon?! You aren't joking, are you, Rid?" a shocked Charles asked.

"I'm not joking, Charles. If you don't believe me, you can examine his body more closely," I said.

Upon hearing my words, Charles and Chloe immediately rushed over to King Albert's body, which lay on the ground. At first, they could not bear the thought of looking at their own father's body—especially given that it was headless. Nevertheless, they proceeded to examine the remains. They inspected King Albert’s torso, which was covered by his garments. Visible on his skin was a pitch-black tattoo a physical mark characteristic of the Demon race. A similar pitch-black tattoo was also found on his left arm, beneath his clothing. Charles and Chloe were shocked by the sight.

"Father..." Chloe said, weeping.

"So, he really has been turned into a demon. Who did this? Who turned Father into a demon?!" Charles demanded, looking furious.

"I don't yet know who turned your father into a demon. However, while I was with Miss Karina earlier, she speculated that the person responsible—the one who transformed people including your father into demons and ordered them to attack the academy might be Lord Duke San Quentine, Lord Remy," I said.

"Lord Remy?!" Charles exclaimed in shock.

-

On the fifth floor of the academy's central building.

Parts of the floor were frozen and shattered. Even the walls, previously covered in twigs and foliage, were encased in ice.

In the center of the floor stood Duke Remy, gripping his sword. Fresh blood trickled and dripped from the sworf. Sharp tree branches writhed around him, snaking across both the floor and the surrounding walls.

Not far ahead of him, Duke Louis and Duchess Arlet lay on the ground, their bodies bearing various wounds.

"Is this the extent of your abilities?" Duke Remy asked.

"It's not over yet," Duke Louis said as he lay there.

"That's right," Duchess Arlet added.

The two of them struggled to rise again. Seeing them attempting to stand, Duke Remy began to smile.

"No matter how many times you get up and fight back, you will never be able to defeat or kill me. Now, let's put an end to this," Duke Remy said.

-To be continued