Chapter 144: Applause!

“The Second Young Master… is very frail. He’s also extremely sensitive to stress. It would be best to create an environment where he experiences as little stress as possible.”

“The child vomited blood, which is why I was called… does that mean he vomits blood even when stressed?”

“Yes… that is correct.”

“Good heavens.”

“…Did you hear that, Cruel? Our second child made our hearts sink even when he was born, and it seems he’ll continue to do so frequently. His appearance is unique, but he is undeniably our child, and your younger brother. You have more years ahead of you than your aging parents, so please take good care of him as his elder brother.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Good. Children are said to be sensitive, so don’t dote on him too much or fuss over him excessively, or the Second might think of himself as useless and fall into self-loathing. It would be best to keep a moderate distance and care for him discreetly.”

“Hyung, I want to go outside the mansion.”

“That’s…”

“Just kidding. I don’t have time to go outside with all the reading I’m doing. By the way, what are you holding? It says ‘Chess’… Could it be the ‘Chess’ that my ‘Chess Basic Rulebook’ mentioned?”

“Yes, I thought it would be nice to play with you.”

“Oh, of course, that’s great. I was getting bored of just reading… ah, shoot.”

“…”

“…H-Hyung. How’s your swordsmanship going these days? Is it improving? When I peeked through the window last time, it looked amazing. Show me properly sometime.”

Yes, but.

How could I kill this child?

The fact that the child holds the position of Commander of the 0th Legion in the Demon Realm can be deduced from piecing together a few circumstances. They even created a non-existent position for him, so his life and treatment there must have been quite good. That’s why I took my time coming here.

Rather than being in the Human Realm, which is full of threats, it would be better for him to live a safe and peaceful life in the Demon Realm.

My right arm, where the dagger is embedded, feels hot.

The fact that it was an act for the child was so clear that even Deon showed a flicker of emotion. As expected of the bright child, he was already thinking, which was evident, so I reached out and covered his eyes to stop his thoughts.

“Don’t think.”

“…”

“Just like always, rationalize it and look away.”

Perhaps it’s the content, but my mouth feels bitter as I speak.

The concern I placed to protect him soon uncovered other things. Due to the aftereffects of the war, the child only remembers what he wants to remember.

When I learned that he had given himself two personalities and only brought out the other personality, which remembers everything, when needed, I felt unspeakably miserable. I was truly sorry and heartbroken. How much had he suffered to make such an extreme choice?

It was probably a choice made to protect his body, which is vulnerable to stress. So,

Just resent me.

Don’t have any doubts, just think it’s a relief.

I spoke while fending off and cutting down the enemies who were openly attacking. Covering the child’s eyes still made some injuries unavoidable.

“But…”

You’ve never listened to me since that day, so you’ll probably be stubborn this time too.

So,

“If you insist on opening your eyes,”

I can’t stop you.

“Before that, confront everything you’ve done so far.”

This is my provision.

Preparing my stress-sensitive brother so he doesn’t collapse from the shock.

Even this will be too much for you. I’d rather you lived and died without knowing anything.

It’s a small desire born from realizing how great a blessing a peaceful death is.

‘The choice is Deon’s.’

As a brother who loves his only sibling, I will support every choice you make from now on.

Even if it’s to destroy the world.

‘Deon, my baby.’

I will protect you even in death.

“Now, go.”

Hurry.

No matter how much of a hero one is, they are helpless against an overwhelming number.

With numerous weapons piercing his back, Cruel smiled.

……

I had to watch my parents die at the hands of my younger brother,

And I became a dog for the Duke to protect him.

Even after the war ended, I struggled and toiled to become a hero,

Anticipating and filtering some of the Duke’s attempts to kill my brother, engaging in a silent battle of wits with him.

It might seem like a pathetic and miserable life. Some might call it a tragic fate.

But Cruel was quite content.

After all, isn’t this a death while protecting my brother?

‘A perfect ending.’

I sincerely hope the child is receiving a lot of love in the Demon Realm. If not, I earnestly wish he will receive much love in the future.

Dying doesn’t matter, but I worry that after my death, you will be left alone in a world where no one loves you.

***

Foolish Cruel Hart.

Covering my eyes and turning my back won’t hide it forever. Even now, I’m pretending to flee but looking back like this.

Deon Hart watched Cruel, arrows and daggers embedded in his back, fighting the attackers with a blank expression. They said they had enough force to kill a hero, and it seemed true as he struggled against numerous enemies.

Arrows and daggers flew, and the attackers charged. In this life-or-death situation, ridiculously, Cruel prioritized blocking attacks aimed at Deon Hart over his own body.

He blocked daggers with his bandaged left hand. Though his palm was pierced, he nonchalantly pulled it out and knocked away another dagger aimed at Deon. Those who tried to rush past him towards Deon had their vitals pierced by small weapons he had attached to his thighs, so it was natural that the enemies’ priority shifted to Cruel.

Deon’s steps, which had been moving diligently considering the other party’s efforts, slowed, and he tilted his head, stopping at some point.

‘Why would he go this far for me?’

He is in this situation because of me.

Thinking back again, didn’t he abandon me? I was sure he was hiding his dislike under that impassive expression…

Deon paused as he reconnected the thoughts Cruel had interrupted.

[Don’t think.]

But.

[If you insist on opening your eyes.]

[Before that, confront everything you’ve done so far.]

Since when did I listen to his words?

Just as he was about to ignore it and continue thinking, an undeniable voice rang out.

“He’s finally dead.”

What?

His head snapped around reflexively. Black-clad humans were stabbing the fallen Cruel with their weapons as if to confirm the kill.

“A tenacious bastard. He didn’t even groan until the end. How many people did this guy kill?”

“He’s a hero, so let’s focus on the significance of his death. He certainly… caused a lot of damage.”

Huh…?

“Anyway, we need to complete the remaining request.”

One of the men gestured towards Deon, who was standing a short distance away.

Startled, Deon moved reflexively, his mind still blank, unable to fully process the situation.

‘Is he really… dead?’

He thought he wouldn’t feel anything even if Cruel died, or rather, he thought he’d be happy.

Huh…

Was it because he questioned his actions?

His emotions wandered aimlessly, unsure of what to prioritize. Even his mind, which should be making a cold judgment, felt blocked by a white film. He looked at Cruel’s tattered corpse, then turned away as the remaining attackers moved towards him.

Cruel killed many, but the remaining numbers are still threatening. They are seasoned human hunters who work well together, and they’ve gained confidence by killing a hero. Moreover, Deon’s current condition isn’t good, so fighting would be a loss.

‘First… let’s go to the Demon Realm…’

Yes, let’s go to the Demon Realm. Living is the priority, no matter what anyone says.

He forced himself to walk faster. The sound of pursuit behind him spurred his feet, and he started running at full speed.

They seemed to be throwing weapons from behind, but the distance was considerable, and thanks to the snow blowing in his face, few hit accurately.

But not none.

Clang!

The mana stone necklace Lirinel had once given him shattered. It meant that one of the attacks from behind was dangerous.

Deon ignored it and ran.

It’s a relief that it’s snowing. The cold snow hitting his face helped clear his head to some extent.

—No. It wasn’t a ‘relief’.

As his mind accepted the previous situation, emotions surged like a tidal wave.

Only after the cold wind whipped across his face, stealing away the liquid flowing down his cheeks, did Deon realize he was crying.

‘What is… What in the world…!’

The snow obscured the enemies’ vision and covered his tracks, so he had long shaken off the pursuers, but he didn’t realize it and kept running. His ankles sank deep into the snow, consuming a lot of stamina, but Deon didn’t even recognize this and forced his body onward.

“Cough!”

Thud.

Blood gushed from his mouth. The acrid liquid seeped into the white snow, blooming into crimson flowers.

It was only natural in a way. Physical shock, mental shock, and the freezing weather all combined, it would have been stranger if his body was in normal condition.

Only then did Deon, realizing that the pursuit had stopped, halt his steps.

‘Why, why?’

Damn Cruel. Stupid Cruel.

If you wanted to stop my thoughts, you shouldn’t have done things that would raise suspicion in the first place.

Don’t think? Rationalize it and look away like always?

“Hahaha—cough, to think I’d receive the words I said to those mad dogs back like this! Ugh! Keheok!”

Blood dripped from his chin. His bloodshot eyes, filled with tears, trembled as if about to shatter. He wasn’t even blinking, but for some reason, countless tear tracks were etched on his cheeks.

You died before my eyes for my sake. The contradiction to what I believed to be true until now was clearly revealed before me, did you think I was so simple-minded that I would just be mindlessly happy and move on?

Rationalization? Looking away? There’s a limit to that!

‘From the start, I’m the type to know everything and bury it, whether I rationalize it or look away.’

Deon raised the corners of his trembling lips.

But… yes, even considering your actions of sacrificing your life for me, I will listen to your last wish.

If I were to delve into it, you said to confront everything I’ve done so far before that. It’s not a difficult request.

I already knew everything from the start.

Even without that, I was reaching my limit recently. My mind is exhausted from the war, and there’s a limit to forcibly ignoring and pretending not to know the memories that keep surfacing.

Therefore, Deon, using Cruel’s last words as an excuse, gave up on holding back the dam that was cracking and leaking.

Once he gave up on forcibly enduring, the aftermath was instantaneous.

The dam that had been built over the past ten years crumbled. All the memories he had been looking away from poured out, and the emotions of that time surged vividly.

No matter how close he was to his limit, he knew this was a matter that needed to be seriously considered and decided upon. Although there was some impulsiveness mixed in, unlike his immature past self, he was now well past adulthood, so it was an action that came from that judgment.

“Heok, heuk, keuk, keuek…”

He couldn’t breathe.

His head ached as if it would break, and he stumbled, unable to support his body, and collapsed into the snowfield.

The cold sensation snapped him back to his senses, but unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.

“Heueu, euek, ah…aaaah, aaaaaah…”

His sharpened senses replayed the nightmare-like situation. It felt like his brain was being repeatedly stabbed by sharp daggers. The scenes replaying vividly before his eyes made him contemplate gouging them out.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

The overwhelming emotions made him feel like he would strangle himself, so he clenched his fists with his blue-frozen hands and slammed them against the ground until his bones felt like they would shatter for a long time.

“Demon-nim!”

Deon Hart lost consciousness to the sound of a youthful voice.