The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 20



Only Krnovel

Episode 20. The Devil Baron (6)

“… … .”

“… … .”

There was a brief silence as the fallen Baron was before their eyes. As Kadim took the first step, Duncan, who had climbed over the fence while struggling, followed him.

“Lord, are you dead or are you getting better?”

“Not yet.”

As he said, the Baron was still breathing faintly. However, his injuries were so deep that it seemed unlikely that he would ever come back to life. Blood poured out endlessly on the torn quilted armor.

Kadim looked down at the Baron and spoke calmly.

“You’re strong, Baron. To pierce that thick armor in one go.”

The Baron trembled and raised the corner of his mouth.

“ha ha ha… … . It wouldn’t have been possible without the power of the devil… … .”

“… … .”

“This time, this time too… … I mean… … .”

Kadim narrowed his eyes. Then she suddenly took out ‘Mosquito’. Duncan trembled, thinking he was trying to end the Baron’s life.

But instead of swinging the sword, Kadim put the hilt of the sword into the Baron’s hand.

Then he brought the sword to his forearm and made a shallow cut.

“Ah, no, Your Majesty! What are you doing… … .”

Contrary to Duncan’s concerns, it was not a meaningless self-harm. The blood-sucking effect of the ‘mosquito’ was effective even if it was in someone else’s hands.

The sword spirit accepted the owner’s blood and healed the baron’s injuries. Light smoke rose from the deep penetration wound. The Baron’s pale face slightly regained its color.

“Uh, hmm… … .”

However, it was only a temporary reprieve from death. In order to completely heal a fatal wound like that, I would have to take in the blood of at least a hundred people. Absorbing just a sip of blood was not enough.

Kadim wipes away the blood stains and sits cross-legged.

“When an ordinary person faces the devil, all the noble will to live is broken, and only a deep fear and a longing for survival remain.”

“… … .”

“But Baron, like a bug that bites your finger even after being crushed, you did not give up until the end and used your own will to drive out the devil’s thoughts and destroy them together.”

“… … .”

“So stop blaming yourself. Such self-denial is not something that just anyone can demonstrate. “The blood I just gave is a tribute to your iron will.”

Duncan’s eyes opened wide.

He had always thought that savages thought of humans as nothing more than talking pieces of meat. He had never dreamed that someone would show them such respect.

The Baron also blinked his eyes in bewilderment. Kadim spoke in a tone that was still blunt, but contained a small amount of respect.

“Of course, I cannot bring you back to life with my power. However, I can keep you company until I die. If you still have something to say to the world, tell it without hesitation, Baron.”

“… … Ha, haha. This is an honor… … . To have a great warrior like you as my final companion… … .”

Blood spurted out along with a cough and a deep cough. The Baron swallowed the blood flowing back with difficulty and began to speak.

“Please listen to me thinking it’s a useless complaint… … . About me… … “No, let me tell you a story about Malden and me.”

“… … .”

“… … To conclude, everything, everything was because of my greed. He should have gotten rid of that demon as soon as he found it… … .”

In the past, Baron Malden was in deep despair.

It was nice to be awarded a title and territory in recognition of my ancestors’ contributions. However, the place he came to rule was not the fertile territory near Seongdo that he had longed for, but Malden, a barren and remote rural area.

Still, he did his best at first. He reformed the tax system, called in mercenaries to fight off bandits and monsters, and rented land cheaply to those who had no land. However, no matter how much he fought them off, the invaders did not decrease, and in the depleted farmland, crop failures continued every year.

“Then, I discovered a strange-looking lump of flesh in the basement of the castle… … .”

The devil, who looked like the intestines of a monster, tempted him with a sweet offer he couldn’t refuse. The goal is to develop Malden into the most outstanding territory in the vicinity.

As expected from the devil, it was not without conditions. However, at first glance, the conditions were not something that the devil would ask for.

“The devil… … “I told them to cherish all the people as if they were their children and to devote themselves to the territory to the best of their ability.”

“… … .”

That was the most fatal trap, but I didn’t know it at the time. The Baron accepted the offer after much deliberation.

The devil kept his promise.

Suddenly, bandits and monsters disappeared, the land became fertile, and more and more people wanted to settle in Molden. The positive changes created a virtuous cycle, and Molden became an increasingly better place to live.

The Baron also faithfully fulfilled the terms of the contract.

At first, I felt awkward and lost face because the residents of the territory seemed uncomfortable. Nevertheless, as we did not give up and continued to approach in a close manner, the residents of the territory gradually began to open their hearts. The years of pretending to be a good lord were not long. At some point, the Baron came to truly care for the residents of the territory as if they were his own children.

However, guilt and anxiety were slowly growing in a corner of the Baron’s heart.

“Molden’s revival… … was not the result of my own blood, sweat, and tears… … . It was done through extremely dishonorable means, such as joining hands with the devil… … .”

As a defense mechanism against this, the Baron became particularly obsessed with honorable behavior. To the extent that Gasol believes that guests must be entertained unconditionally even if they are starving.

But that obsession could not cover up the growing anxiety. The Baron could not sleep properly every night and was anxious. He was worried that all of this might collapse overnight due to the devil’s whim.

And the Baron’s anxiety eventually became reality.

“Was it written long ago or later? … I don’t know the exact time either… … . What is certain is in front of me… … When Viscount Adlen and his soldiers appeared… … They are all already possessed by the devil… … .”

The devil knew very well that it was more painful to kill him slowly than to destroy him right away. He used cunning means to create the right situation and conditions, raised his soldiers, and completely surrounded Malden.

“I tried every possible way to end the battle… … I looked for a solution… … But I realized that there was nothing I could do… … on my own… … Everything I had… … was achieved by borrowing the power of the devil… … .”

Four months of watching the suffering people helplessly as parents look on helplessly at their seriously ill child.

In the end, the Baron decides to sacrifice his life to cut ties with the devil and save Molden.

Kadim shook his head briefly.

“If the devil’s will had been intact, you would not have been able to die by your will alone. Instead, you would have survived and Molden would have fallen. What the devil wanted was your deep, deep pain and despair.”

“… … I know. You know it well… … . In the end, the devil is destroyed… … Saving Malden is also… … It’s not my strength… … Borrowing someone else’s power… … Also… … . ha ha ha… … .”

A self-mocking laugh that fades away. The life in the eyes was fading away. The Baron gave a sad look with bloodshot eyes.

“Still, still… … To this extent… … At least the period… … I put it on my own… … No?”

That wasn’t wrong. Kadim nodded his head in a clear motion that the Baron could clearly see.

The sadness disappeared from his eyes and a sense of relief filled him. A wide smile appeared on his lips. The Baron squeezed out the last of his strength and moved his lips.

“Tell Delphina… … that I… … am sorry I couldn’t… … .”

“… … .”

With those words, Baron Molden’s breath died.

Without closing his eyes, he lowered his head toward Molden. The lonely dawn wind swept the corpse’s forehead. Kadim remained solemnly silent. Duncan sighed deeply and gave him a look of sympathy.

“Wow, what a pitiful person he was… … . however… … Do you know who Delphina is talking about, Nauri?”

“Probably his wife. It seems like they don’t have any children.”

Kadim closed the Baron’s eyes by sweeping his eyelids. He lifted the body, supporting the neck and groin. Then he glanced at the peddler.

“Thank you for following my instructions all night, peddler. Now, come back and find the axe I threw at you.”

“Yes? Oh, oh, yes! I understand. But… … what are you going to do after you bring the axe, Your Majesty?”

“I have to go back to Malden.”

“… … .”

“This man deserves to be buried in the arms of the treasure he loved most.”

I turn my back on the approaching dawn and embrace the life that has faded away.

Kadim walked towards Molden.

*

Every single person in Molden raised a black flag from their roof.

The poor, who had nothing but a crumbling shack and a single piece of clothing, were no exception. They soaked their only clothes in lye, hung them on the roof, and chose to remain naked for a while.

The Baron’s tomb was built in front of the castle for all residents of the territory to visit and see.

The young men voluntarily carved the tombstone and dug the grave. The children and maidens gathered a bouquet of wild flowers and scattered them. The old men took out gold coins that they had hidden in the attic and laid them on the grave. Although everyone was starving, they did not drink even a sip of water on the day of the funeral.

The people of Malden naturally wanted to express their condolences in this way.

It is known that the Baron died while fighting against the enemy alone to the end. The residents of the territory, who had no way of knowing the secret circumstances, simply mourned in sorrow.

However, the soldiers who had to clean up the scene in front of the castle were different. While removing over four hundred corpses, they could not help but be surrounded by various suspicions.

How could a barbarian and a baron, alone, defeat four hundred men? How could the enemy soldiers who were so skinny before have been alive and moving? Why did Viscount Adlen turn into such a monster? What on earth were we fighting all this time?

There was no answer to the suspicion, because the only one who knew the truth, Kadim, did not speak. Unfortunately, there was no soldier brave enough to threaten the silent savage.

According to the deceased’s will, the Baroness became the new Lord of Molden. No one raised an objection to this. Even during the Baron’s reign, the Baroness had a reputation as a wise helper and a frugal hostess.

And the Baroness’s first duty as a lord was to see off her departing guests.

The Baroness bowed politely to the barbarians and peddlers at the central gate of Molden.

“I owe you a great favor, mercenary. Even though we had no special connection, you helped Molden fight the enemy. On behalf of my deceased husband, I would like to express my deepest gratitude.”

“There is no need for that. “I have already received payment from the Baron.”

He lifted the throwing ax hanging from Kadim’s waist. Even Baroness Yin, who was unfamiliar with her weapons, could see at a glance that it was a great treasure.

There was no regret. A good weapon shines brightest when it is next to a good warrior. That axe would have been nothing more than a decoration in the castle. On the contrary, the Baroness thought that the benefactor who saved Molden deserved a greater reward.

“That alone is not enough. I have prepared some gold and food. It is not much compared to what you have done for me, but I hope that it will be helpful to you on your journey, mercenary… … .”

But Kadim declined.

“I don’t need pennies or food scraps. “I have one piece of advice worth giving you.”

“yes? which… … .”

“If you go a little to the west from here, you’ll come across a valley. It was the base of a bandit group, and if you look carefully, you’ll find quite a bit of food and supplies left. Since it wasn’t something you could carry around, I just took what I could and left it there.”

“… … .”

“Take it and give it to the hungry people. Don’t worry about the thieves, I killed all of them.”

The Baroness purses her lips and stares blankly.

From Kadim’s perspective, it was a gesture of kindness with supplies that would not be used anyway. However, from the Baroness’ perspective, it was extremely welcome news, like rain in a drought.

Although I was not able to properly repay the favor I had already received, I ended up receiving another great favor. All he could do now was bow politely and promise to return the favor.

“I will never forget this grace. The mercenary’s benefactor is from now on the benefactor of Malden, and the mercenary’s enemy is from now on the enemy of Malden. If you have the chance, please be sure to stop by Malden again. Next time you visit, I will welcome you with the utmost courtesy.”

Kadim waved his hand. There was still a long way to go to the top of the mountain, and saying he would come back was an empty promise. Who knows how they might get tangled up again in the distant future.

Before leaving, there was one last thing he had to say. Kadim asked the Baroness.

“Oh, and your name is Delphina?”

“Yes, that’s right. How… … ?”

“Before the Baron dies, he asked me to tell him this. He said he was sorry he couldn’t protect the tulips.”

“… … .”

As if the flow of time had stopped.

The Baroness stood still.

Waves slowly flowing over the pupils of the eyes. A wave that instantly breaks through the sea of ​​memories. The last thing I saw was my wife trying to joke around in case she was disappointed.

Since I was in the lord’s position, I couldn’t let my eyes get teary-eyed. The Baroness squeezed her eyes shut and bit her quivering lip. But she couldn’t stop a single tear from flowing down her cheek.

Kadim took a step back. This concludes everything we need to see here. From now on, it is time for the wanderers to step off the stage so that the remaining ones can understand their sorrow.

But after passing the gate and walking for a while.

“Oh, I’ll be better…” … ? “Look over there.”

I could see the Baroness running breathlessly in the distance.

Kadim stopped in his tracks. The Baroness managed to catch up with them. Without even taking a breath, I urgently took out the business.

“Hey, mercenary, can I ask you one last question?”

“… … .”

“I know that something strange happened that night, something that couldn’t even be guessed by a criminal’s common sense. I also understand that the mercenary had his own agenda and kept the truth hidden in the dark. But, but, as a partner who has been with him for half his life, I need to know this.”

“… … .”

“… … “The knife that stabbed my father was definitely his own, right?”

Affirmation of silence.

My mouth was dry. The Baroness managed to vomit out the question that had been stuck in her throat like a thorn and could not come out.

“… … Please tell me, mercenary. Did he kill himself because he was possessed by a demon? He was a person who wanted an honorable death more than anyone else… … “Did he die so miserable and in vain?”

It was more of an appeal than a question. It was filled with a contradictory desperation, desperately wanting the truth, but at the same time not wanting the truth.

Kadim didn’t want to lie to comfort someone. Fortunately, there was no need for that now.

I simply told the Baroness the truth as it was.

“no.”

“… … .”

“He slayed the devil with an iron will and died with more honor than anyone else in the world.”

Then he turned his back and walked away again.

“… … .”

The midday sun was shining brightly on the meadow. The path was treeless, so the savages and peddlers were bearing the dazzling sunlight on their shoulders. The baroness did not move until they were faintly distant like dots. She bowed her head until her neck broke and murmured.

Thank you, thank you so much.

For allowing me to remember his name as Baron Molden, not Baron Demon.