Cory admitted it.
He felt a surge of joy whenever he looked at Roland’s face.
Sometimes, a smile would slip across his lips as he watched him.
He felt sorry for Roland, but it was beyond his control. Emotions didn’t obey one’s will.
Cedric tilted his head, a crooked smile playing at the corner of his mouth. His smile resembled Yuri’s, but it looked far more sinister.
In a voice tinged with amusement, Cedric said,
“I get it. It’s only natural for a person to feel glad when someone who’s fallen as low as they have falls even further.”
“Isn’t that the heart of a monster?” Cory asked.
“No, it’s human. Cory, you’re more human than anyone else.”
Cedric reached out, and Cory instinctively closed his eyes. But nothing happened.
Cedric simply stroked Cory’s face.
“You must have felt it too—the world Yuri lives in and the one you inhabit are different.”
There was no warmth in Cedric’s touch, but neither was there hostility.
His voice grew hazy, almost hypnotic, as he continued,
“I’m going to change that. I’ll reshape the world into something more complete. So, Cory, won’t you lend me your power?”
“What do you mean?”
“The power of the Word of Authority is fascinating. If you help me, it’ll be a great advantage.”
Images flashed through Cory’s mind.
They were scenes of the new world Cedric sought to create.
“If you join me, you won’t have to be that big, scarred mercenary everyone fears. I know you’re worth far more than those worthless people in this village.”
Cory looked into Cedric’s eyes. Something flickered within them.
“Isn’t it strange? You, who wield the Word, are despised by those pitiful humans who only know how to till fields and catch rabbits.”
“I…”
“I’m going to recreate this inefficient, unfair world.”
“That’s impossible.”
“No, it’s possible.”
Cedric’s pupils dilated.
Facing that gaze, Cory forgot to breathe.
Inside was an unfathomable darkness.
It was a gateway.
Through Cedric’s eyes, Cory glimpsed the shadow that consumed his mind. Even a brief look was so dark and heavy it felt like his head might be poisoned.
Cory realized something.
Fighting an enemy like this was impossible from the start.
Yuri would never defeat Cedric.
“Now you understand, don’t you?”
Cory tried to look away from Cedric’s eyes, but the dark vision held him captive. His body trembled.
“Now, answer me.”
Cedric smiled, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.
Only then was Cory released from the darkness.
“Join me, Cory.”
Cory took a deep breath.
It was a dark night, clouds veiling the moon.
Cedric’s clothes blended into the shadows, his outline indistinct.
Only his pale face stood out, silently demanding an answer.
Cory struggled to understand his own heart.
So, he asked again,
“You said you can read minds, but maybe not all of them.”
“Hm?”
“If that were true, wouldn’t you already know my answer without asking?”
“You’re sharp, as always.”
Cedric smiled.
“Exactly. I can’t see through every thought. I only sense emotions. But that’s enough to peer into the heart.”
“What do you see in mine right now?”
“Emotions grow redder the stronger they are—joy, anger, hatred, even sorrow…”
Cedric placed his hand on Cory’s chest.
He closed his eyes, savoring something, a faint smile on his lips.
“You’re very red right now.”
“Is that so…”
“I always knew you’d join me someday.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re a half-orc. Half of you is orc, which means you belong to the darkness, whether you like it or not. Mixing blood doesn’t erase it. You can trust me—I’m a master of dark magic.”
Cedric reached out.
He embraced Cory and patted his back.
“But I want to hear your answer from you, personally.”
“I… I…”
“If you still find it hard to be honest, I’ll ask again.”
Cory saw himself reflected in Cedric’s eyes.
“Cory. You felt joy watching Roland fall so far, didn’t you?”
Two words tangled chaotically in Cory’s mind.
Yes.
And no.
Cory looked at Cedric.
He could read his feelings.
So lies wouldn’t work.
Cory’s eyes brightened, then darkened. His pupils trembled anxiously before settling calmly.
An eternal moment passed.
Finally, Cory spoke.
“Yes.”
“Hey, Roland!”
Yuri called out, but Roland didn’t look back.
Yuri sprang to his feet and ran after him.
“Stop.”
“I have nothing to say.”
“Let’s talk.”
The more Yuri tried to speak, the more desperate it felt, but he didn’t look back as he walked on.
“Hey, Roland.”
“Don’t come.”
“That bastard…”
The tone of his name changed. When calling didn’t stop him, Yuri’s voice grew irritated.
“I said stop.”
“How shameless.”
“Hmph…”
Of course, Yuri felt sorry for Roland.
But he couldn’t take all the blame himself.
Cedric was the one who caused all this. In a way, Yuri was a victim too.
“Get lost…”
Yuri grabbed the collar of Roland’s jacket from behind and yanked him back, tripping him up.
Roland, who had been striding forward, collapsed instantly.
“Ugh!”
Roland seethed with anger as he fell.
“What the hell is this…!”
“Running away now?”
“What?”
“Running away. Where’s the smart Roland from before?”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“I just don’t like you.”
“Then what about Cedric?”
Yuri raised his foot and stomped beside Roland’s face.
Dust rose.
“You take your anger out on me, but just leave Cedric alone?”
“That’s none of your business. I’ll handle it.”
“Handle what? You’re clearly living like a fool.”
“Shut up!”
Roland swung his sword as he got up.
But it was useless.
Yuri’s skill surpassed Roland’s.
After a few exchanges, Roland was sprawled on the ground again.
As Roland caught his breath lying there and tried to rise, Yuri spoke.
“Come back.”
“What?”
“Whether you resent me or agonize over it, first kill Cedric.”
“Why should I?”
“Revenge. Are you afraid of Cedric?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“I’m just sick of it all. You, Cedric, everything.”
“Why?”
“Just because. Why do I have to explain?”
“You’re completely twisted.”
Yuri smiled bitterly.
“If I were you, I’d want to kill Cedric for the sake of your family and Frances.”
Roland clenched his fist. The sound of his teeth grinding leaked from beneath the bandages covering his face.
Yuri continued,
“After you kill Cedric, you can do whatever you want.”
“What?”
“After Cedric’s dead, whether you kill me or beat me up, do as you please. I’ll gladly let you have your way then. If you want to kill me, go ahead.”
Yuri stepped closer and placed a hand on Roland’s cheek.
“So, let’s work together.”
“No…”
“Of course, if you say no, I’ll knock you down again.”
“You thug.”
“Why the sudden attitude? You know what I’m like.”
Roland was silent for a while.
The bandages slipped down, covering his eyes. Yuri couldn’t tell what expression or look was hidden beneath.
Finally, Roland spoke.
“Yuri Briol.”
“Yes, Roland.”
“It’s too late to go back now.”
His voice was heavy.
Yuri smirked.
“Who said I’m going back?”
“…”
“And I’ve come back from much farther away. Very far.”
Yuri briefly recalled the past. Roland might not know, but in his previous life, he had lived a life filled with regret, wandering in search of death.
So Yuri could vaguely understand how Roland felt.
“Do you think I’m any different from you? Just because my face looks fine? Don’t be ridiculous. If I can kill Cedric and stop the empire, I don’t care if I lose everything. So when that time comes, whether you kill me or spare me, I’ll let you do as you wish. Just help me until then.”
Yuri met Roland’s gaze.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
Neither moved first.
Then a voice cut between them.
“Hey, is that Roland?”
It was Inariel.
Roland froze, surprised by the sudden appearance.
“Long time no see, Roland.”
“…Yes, I see.”
He spoke casually to Yuri but used formal speech with Inariel, ignoring Yuri’s glare.
Inariel scanned Roland and waved his staff.
“A lot seems to have happened.”
“Not really.”
Roland shook his head.
“No, nothing much. Just a tragedy.”
“Seeing you talk back reminds me of the old days.”
Inariel clicked his tongue and looked at Yuri.
“Watching from the side, it looked like you were really trying to convince this guy. But is that even necessary?”
“Yes. He’ll be a great asset to us.”
“An asset, huh…”
Inariel chuckled softly.
“For someone like that, he was subdued pretty easily.”
“That was just luck.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Yuri knew that Lorant wasn’t in his normal condition. If he fully recovered, it wouldn’t be so easy to take him down like before.
“Alright.”
Inariel nodded.
“Since you’re putting in so much effort, I suppose I should help too. Lorant, if you agree to follow this kid’s wishes, I’ll heal you with magic.”
Yuri and Lorant both turned to look at Inariel, surprised by the sudden offer.
“Excuse me?”
“I said I’ll heal you.”
“Are you serious?”
Inariel raised her staff and said,
“Why the surprise? I’m Inariel, the Grand Mage. It’ll take some effort, but restoring your body to its original state is within my power.”
Yuri’s face brightened as she was the first to express her gratitude.
“Thank you so much!”
“No need to thank me.”
“That’s great, Lorant!”
Inariel smiled warmly at Lorant, who was still standing there in a daze.
“So, what do you say, Lorant? Will you accept Yuri’s proposal along with mine? If you don’t answer, I’ll take that as a yes.”
“…”
“Good. I’ll heal you.”
After a moment of silence, Lorant slowly lifted his head and looked around.
“But what about Kori?”
“Kori?”
“He’s been following me…”
“Wait, Kori’s here?”
Yuri tilted her head in confusion.
“I don’t sense him at all.”
After finishing his conversation with Cedric, Kori watched from a distance as Yuri and Lorant fought.
When Yuri knocked Lorant down, Cedric burst out laughing.
“Yuri’s as spirited as ever. Always entertaining.”
While the two were arguing, Inariel appeared.
She made her offer to Lorant.
“Lorant, if you follow this kid’s wishes, I’ll heal you with magic.”
Kori’s eyes widened.
That meant Lorant would return to his former self.
Kori turned to Cedric and asked,
“Is that… really possible?”
“It’s difficult, but not impossible. A skilled mage could pull it off.”
“I see…”
“Why, are you disappointed?”
“No, not at all.”
“Be honest, Kori.”
Cedric smiled.
“But don’t worry. Even if that happens, nothing will really change.”
He placed a hand on Kori’s shoulder.
“In this new world, you’re going to be someone important.”
“…”
“Looks like things have settled over there. Let’s head to the Empire now.”
Having taken in the scene with Yuri and Lorant, Kori nodded.
“Yes.”