Episode 244
Chapter 77: The Villain (Part 1)
Last night.
“Rani, you must be the one to strike me down.”
The moment Jin returned to the kingdom with the survivors, Bitura said those words.
While Jin was away, Bitura had already come to a firm decision on how to swiftly and flawlessly root out the invaders and traitors from the kingdom.
No, it wasn’t just a decision—it was a resolve.
“Sir Bitura, what on earth do you mean by that?” Rani asked, her voice trembling.
“Prince Jin has brought witnesses and evidence. And with the arrival of the Divine Emperor, more eyes than ever are watching over this land. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. To finish off those scoundrels for good, we need a villain who will die alongside them.”
“You must be joking…”
Rani’s voice cracked, but Bitura shook his head.
“No, I’ve already made up my mind.”
“Why must it be this way? We have undeniable witnesses, and the evidence painstakingly recorded by the martyr of the Dawn Carriage Society. Surely, Sir Bitura, you don’t need to involve yourself with them to prove the truth…”
“That’s a pipe dream, Rani Salome. Do you really believe that against that colossal family controlling the world, we can reclaim the kingdom with just that?”
“Why not? No matter how powerful Ziphl or Kinzel are, how could they possibly deny the state of the survivors exposed to the world? And according to Prince Jin, Ziphl is already compromised because of the Sword Ziphl…”
“Of course, with Prince Jin’s help, we can corner them. But what then? They’ll just scapegoat a few leaders and continue to rot this land from within.”
“Even if that’s true, Sir Bitura, you can’t make yourself the traitor! That’s absurd!”
A tense silence followed, broken only by Rani’s uneasy breaths.
“Rani Salome, what do you think the kingdom needs right now?”
Rani couldn’t answer.
“A leader. Someone who can convince everyone the kingdom isn’t finished yet—a symbol of hope. A leader who can publicly execute the traitors and declare that the rightful rulers of this land are the children of Ayula.”
“You mean… you want me to play that role?”
“Yes.”
“I… I understand what you mean. Then, Sir Bitura, you should be the one branded a traitor and die as the leader.”
“Rani.”
“Frankly, I’ve done nothing compared to you. I was only loved by the people because I’m the king’s daughter. What right do I have to lead them? I don’t have the ability.”
“…Miclan was brought here from the start to be raised as the next king.”
“My father never said that.”
“I swear by Ayula’s name: Miclan received a revelation from Ayula that you will become the king.”
“That’s… sudden…”
“Look at this.”
Bitura pulled a notebook from his chest.
It was Miclan’s diary. It contained no political notes, only personal reflections and religious musings. Near the center was an entry about the revelation concerning Rani and Ayula.
“Hah.”
Rani recognized Miclan’s handwriting immediately.
“So if you can’t accept it, then accept it as Ayula’s will. Aren’t you the one who has always followed Ayula’s words better than anyone else?”
“Even if the gods have chosen me… this isn’t right. It really isn’t.”
“I’ve long been known as a staunch Ziphl supporter, and I’ve pretended to be their lackey for a long time. By having you strike me down, you’ll prove that Ayula’s volcano still burns strong.”
“There must be another way, Sir Bitura.”
Rani had disliked Bitura for a long time, even before the king’s kidnapping, so it was hard for her to accept this.
To her, Bitura was not a loyal subject but the first to become Ziphl’s pawn, her father’s greatest rival, and a thorn in the kingdom’s side.
But the real Bitura was a loyalist who shared a deep friendship with Miclan and always took on the role of the villain, watching over enemies both inside and out.
After a lifetime of atonement and gratitude, to be left alone to bear such a heavy burden as the villain until the very end—it was too much for Rani.
“I don’t have the strength, Sir Bitura…”
“No, you can do it. Think rationally. You know as well as I do that there’s no better option. Even Prince Jin, a stranger to us, fought a great battle for the kingdom. Killing me will be easier than that.”
“No one but us will recognize your sacrifice! They’ll point fingers and insult you. History will remember you as a terrible traitor…”
“Did the great saints ever teach us to expect reward for doing good? To seek recognition for upholding our beliefs? To calculate the cost of sacrifice? Ayula and the great saints never left such teachings.”
“But—”
“Rani Salome! Stop acting like a child. Don’t disappoint me anymore. Like me, you must endure. Will you let your selfish pain dishonor my resolve?”
Finally, Rani collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably. Gripped by madness, she clutched her chest, banging her head against the floor, screaming in agony.
At that moment, Jin and Murakan saw a brief, radiant glow emanate from Rani’s body—so fleeting it seemed like an illusion.
Bitura gently patted her back before turning his gaze to Jin.
Jin and Murakan had been silently listening to their conversation, pondering whether there was a better solution than the one Bitura proposed.
If they had thought of one, they would have spoken up. But sadly, Bitura’s sacrifice was undoubtedly the strongest means to stabilize the kingdom.
Even as an outsider, Jin felt Bitura’s sacrifice was unfair. Considering personal lives, it would be far easier to expose corruption and seek asylum in Huepester or ally properly with Ziphl.
But to question this iron-willed man’s decision was a grave disrespect.
“Prince Jin.”
“Yes, Sir Bitura.”
“You owe a debt that’s hard to repay. I will never forget your efforts for the kingdom, even after I’m gone.”
“…Unlike you, I started this with the promise of future compensation.”
“Even so, it was no easy task.”
“Sir Bitura.”
“Speak.”
“I will take responsibility to ensure your family can live quietly in Huepester.”
If Bitura’s plan succeeded, Rani would have no way to care for his family. The king could never look after the families of traitors.
And without help, Bitura’s family would never survive.
Would Ziphl, having suffered a great loss, spare them?
The kingdom’s people, though embodying Ayula’s compassion, would not protect the families of traitors.
“…I meant to express my gratitude, but now I owe you even more.”
“Consider it a gesture of respect from one warrior to another in the Garden of Swords.”
“What are these filthy heretics babbling about now? The Doctrine Defense Dawn Society! Drag them out at once!”
Bitura shouted, his voice filled with rage.
His fierce reaction silenced the square to an eerie stillness.
Everyone sensed something was terribly wrong: ten citizens bearing clear signs of cruel experiments, the paladin captain shouting accusations of heresy, and the fake king’s horrified expression.
All of it created a growing sense of alienation among the crowd.
Clack, clack, clack!
The paladins of the Doctrine Defense Dawn Society quickly formed ranks beside Bitura.
The crowd naturally blocked Bitura and the paladins, who pushed forward roughly.
“Your Majesty! They are all heretics! Step back! Golden Shield Company, what are you doing? You’re not separating these heretics from His Majesty!”
The Golden Shield Company remained motionless, surrounding the carriage despite Bitura’s orders.
The fake king, unable to hide his discomfort, was at a loss for how to respond, having been transformed with Bubar’s help but still a man of Ziphl, not Kinzel.
Rani glared at Bitura and shouted.
“Captain, how can you declare them heretics? And to draw your sword so recklessly before His Majesty even gives an order—stand down!”
No one in the square was unaware of the political rivalry between the king and Bitura.
Naturally, to their eyes, Bitura looked like a desperate Ziphl lackey trying to control the situation.
“I am the paladin captain. I have full authority over heresy trials. Look closely, Rani Salome. Do those hideous figures look like normal humans? They must be in league with demons!”
“That’s for His Majesty to decide! Your Majesty, please order Sir Bitura to stand down.”
The fake king was at a loss.
“I’ve told you repeatedly—they are heretics. Before the kingdom’s dignity falls further, you must subdue them and continue the consecration ceremony.”
“Keep your mouth shut, or you’ll be considered a heretic too, Rani Salome. Everyone, clear the way! Let us through!”
As Bitura and the paladins of the Doctrine Defense Dawn Society closed in on the citizens,
the Golden Shield Company drew their swords and blocked their path.
“Do not advance any further, Sir Bitura.”
“You scoundrels…! You answer directly to me—how dare you stand in my way?”
Direct subordinates.
Unlike those who had beheaded Jin when Bitura met him, these were the thirty knights of the Golden Shield Order who had remained loyal to the very end.
They pointed their swords at Bitura with the resolve of men ready to cut out their own tongues.
“Drawing your weapons without His Majesty’s command is treason. Captain, sheathe your sword immediately.”
Clang!
Bitura swung his blade fiercely at the paladins of the Golden Shield Order.
At the same time, the knights of the Doctrine’s Dawn began their assault, and blood splattered across the battlefield.
Like a man possessed by a demon, Bitura charged at the survivors. It was as if he believed that if only he could kill them, the chaos of today could be dealt with later.
Bitura, fifty paladins of the Doctrine’s Dawn, and Rani with thirty Golden Shield knights.
The battle had devolved into a chaotic melee, but Bitura was proving himself worthy of the title of Captain with his sheer combat prowess.
He pushed back the Golden Shield knights with brute force, closing the distance to the survivors.
“You heretics! I’ll cut your throats!”
As Bitura drew closer, the ten survivors clung tightly to the fake Holy King.
Of course, this had been planned in advance. Within seconds, all the survivors screamed as they surrounded the fake Holy King, with Rani blocking their path.
Naturally, Bitura was the first to reach Rani. The Golden Shield knights fought desperately to prevent the Doctrine’s Dawn from breaking through to her.
Their eyes met.
Though they glared at each other outwardly, inside they both felt an indescribable sorrow.
“Rani, you’re a heretic too. You will be severely punished later! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I have arrived—Bitura will save you from these heretics!”
Clang!
Their swords collided.
The duel they had practiced all night began.
Rani only needed to dodge and block his attacks, while Bitura had to push her back, feign an attempt to kill the survivors, and keep his eyes on the fake Holy King.
Clang, shing!
As Rani parried Bitura’s blade, she felt as if he was trying to comfort her with his sword.
It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.
Thud!
Bitura’s thrust sent Rani flying, tumbling across the ground. At that moment, the distance between the fake Holy King, the survivors, and Bitura was barely two steps.
With eyes wild with madness, Bitura swung his sword past Rani and struck again.
What happened next seemed like a mistake on Bitura’s part.
“Ugh, ha…!”
Bitura’s sword pierced the fake Holy King’s neck.
He froze, as if unable to believe his own error, and just as he was about to turn his blade back toward the survivors—
Rani, who had just gotten to her feet, lunged forward, her sword slicing toward the back of Bitura’s neck.