章節 530: CHAPTER 689
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
"It's not that it couldn't be done, but rather that it couldn't have been."
"I think you would have sufficient strength."
"It wasn't just an expression, but Sir Chiron truly classified me as non-human. How can someone who isn't human become a knight?"
"It wouldn't have been much of a task for my father to educate you and make you into a human."
"I don't think your father is someone who would make an effort to tame anyone. Let alone a beast."
"Well, that's true. If my father hadn't directly recruited you, the Black Knights wouldn't have tried to persuade you either."
"I didn't particularly want to be Sir Chiron's subordinate. I just had a desire to reach the same level as him, and the stimulation from the Black Knights was the greatest. So, from that point on, attacking Sir Chiron and the knights became my most important routine. But it was no longer one-on-one; it became a common occurrence to be easily subdued by multiple opponents."
"Even if they didn't want to recruit you, there's no reason to force yourself on an opponent you don't want to kill. In your own words, well, since they found you cute..."
"And when I was subdued, I always had a meal together with the Black Knights at their camp. Even if I tried to escape, they would catch me and forcibly make me eat while I was bound."
"Did they really go to such lengths? Did they receive an order to have a meal together if you encountered each other?"
-If you kill me, he will kill you, what kind of bullshit is this?
-It is an order from the patriarch. To eat with you.
"So it was."
At that point, Jin fell into contemplation for a moment.
Why did Chiron give such an order? He wondered, wanting to figure it out himself rather than hearing it directly from Hedo.
"The act of sharing a meal... I think my father must have thought it was a good way to acquire humanity. And it seems that it also helped the mental state of the Black Knights. The Black Sea is a dreadful land, after all."
"I agree, 12th flagbearer. It was possible because I was a beast."
The two don't know, but at the time, Hedo played a role similar to Ozdock, who is currently part of the current expedition team.
Hedo spent quite a long time with Chiron's knights in such moments.
Eating together, sitting idly by the campfire, and then leaving.
Sometimes they would have conversations, and sometimes the knights would advise Hedo on swordsmanship while he was eating, and sometimes Hedo would be attacked while eating and subdued.
They were becoming something like friends.
"Well, in that case, it would have been better for you to simply become a Runcandel back then. Why did you end up getting entangled in Zipfel and taking such a long detour?"
"Because it wasn't fate."
At first, if they continued like this, it seemed possible for Hedo to blend in among the Black Knights.
Hedo and the Black Knights both thought so.
But it was only for a brief period.
"I was a beast, Sir Chiron and the knights were human. But in the end, we were all becoming monsters. The desire to resemble Sir Chiron's sword gradually faded away. Madness was surpassing motivation."
While the Black Knights fought against the Black Sea, Hedo was deteriorating due to an increasingly inexplicable madness.
Chiron was the same. Genesis knight's unique demonic nature kept alienating him from others, and the gatherings they used to have for meals became less frequent.
Chiron's orders were undoubtedly helpful to those who were withering away, but they were only temporary reprieves.
"In the Black Sea, you can't survive without abandoning your humanity, and reaching genesis knight, the point where you can't control it without leaving your humanity, is the pinnacle."
The timing and the place. Hedo and Runcandel's encounter was not pleasant in any aspect.
Without anyone saying it first, from the point where they stopped having meals together, Hedo and the knights once again lifted their swords only to kill each other.
"That's how Sir Chiron, the black knights, and I grew older. Every time we met, we could see the hollow traces of the passing years on each other's faces. It felt like looking into a mirror. They must have felt the same when they looked at me."
The past that Chiron's Runcandel and Hedo had was far longer and more melancholic than what Jin had imagined.
"And I had planned to meet Sir Chiron one last time."
"...Judging from the flow of the story, it wasn't because of determination or a desire for victory."
"That's right. I had thoughts of dying. Just as I learned shame and the desire for revenge through Vanessa, at that age, I experienced emptiness for the first time. It was something that had always filled me, even though I didn't realize it."
Hedo's gaze remained fixed on the sky.
That emptiness was the cause of Hedo's madness.
"As soon as I realized it, an impulse surged that there was no reason to live anymore. The days I spent exploring swordsmanship and simply surviving meant nothing."
The knights, even as they were becoming monsters, had clear goals and dedication, so they had no reason to give up on life. But Hedo was different.
He was truly a man with nothing.
"I met Sir Chiron again and drew my sword. Until then, even if I aimed my sword at Sir Chiron, other knights dealt with me, but no one stepped forward. Instead, Sir Chiron chose Barisada. Just like when he silently cut previous challengers."
Hedo's skill at that time was barely a few steps behind what it is now.
After years of training in the Black Sea, coupled with advice from the Black Knights and frequent sparring, his achievements truly exploded from that point onwards.
However, the fight didn't even take place at all. Chiron, the insurmountable wall even now, had already been completed back then.
"When I came to my senses after being engrossed in the fight, Sir Chiron was looking down at me, who had fallen. 'Kill me,' I said, what do you think Sir Chiron would have said to me?"
"Hmm...."
Jin imagined Chiron's thoughts again.
Unable to think of anything, he simply provided the response he would have given in the same situation.
"He would have asked why you didn't have any intention of leaving the Black Sea."
Hedo's eyes widened.
"Indeed... as expected of his son."
-Why do you still remain in the Black Sea?
"Now that I think about it, it was a question I had never heard despite fighting for such a long time. The Black Knights never said such things to me. It was like not asking a wild animal why it lives here."
In other words, it meant that only then did Chiron try to see Hedo as a human rather than a beast.
-Go out and live a human life. Stop chasing after us.
"When I heard those words... I felt like I was going crazy. I'd rather die, I shouted several times. I tried to catch Sir Chiron and his knights, who were leaving suddenly, but my battered body wouldn't listen. They had things they had to do, but I didn't have anything."
Hedo remained collapsed in that spot for three days.
He couldn't move, but as usual, he hoped that monsters would attack and devour him.
However, just as beasts avoid the scent of predators, the monsters didn't even come near Hedo until he rose again, all thanks to the lingering aura of Chiron nearby.
"And then, I went out. I was expelled from the Black Sea by Sir Chiron. I didn't know the way back, but I walked aimlessly, and before I knew it, I was in the human world. I never once encountered a monster attack on that path. It felt as if they were following Sir Chiron's will."
Leaving at fifteen and returning as a middle-aged man, the human world was nothing short of hell for Hedo.
Because he had nowhere to go.
"12th flagbearer, I kept calling the Black Sea my refuge."
"Yes."
"A person cannot grow in a refuge. When I emerged back into the human world, nothing had changed from when I left the Black Sea fifteen days ago. I became a martial artist close to 10-star, but internally, I was still the same as when I killed the orphanage director."
The situation was the same as before going to the Black Sea.
The only difference was that no one dared to underestimate Hedo and recklessly attack him.
With a similar build as now, the image of a disheveled madman with a giant longsword, and a distinct sense of emptiness and gloom overflowing, there was no need for him to get entangled in the disputes of criminals.
Furthermore, except for a few instances of taking the wrong path, Hedo never sought out places with people.
He mostly wandered around mountains, seas, and uninhabited islands, lost in thought.
"Did you not think of going to the Garden of Swords?"
"Because I became a dead man. You didn't have such an experience, I suppose."
When Jin was expelled from his clan before regression, he remembered that he was just a waste man until he met Valeria.
"It could be. So... I think Zipfel would have come to you first by then. You said you had been taking care of Sandra since she was very young. That's all there is to it in terms of time."
"Yes. Suddenly, the White Night came looking for me when I was on a deserted island."
"Why did White Night look for you?"
"It seems there were some remnants of Zipfel among the unfortunate challengers I killed in the Black Sea. One of them, who survived and returned to his family, informed them of my existence. Since then, they have been waiting for me to get out of the Black Sea."
Even if it wasn't Hedo, Zipfel always planted people near the Black Sea.
That way, they could confirm the Runcandels passing through the Black Sea.
When Hedo emerged in the human world and caught their attention, it was almost inevitable that he would be pursued.
Hedo starved for a few days but easily dealt with White Night. However, he wasn't able to handle Spectres who subsequently attacked him.
""I was imprisoned instead of being killed. I thought that if I stayed still, eventually they would stop trying to persuade me and kill me. But I was already in a state of being alive only in body, dead in spirit. So all the conditions offered by the clan were meaningless."
Of course, Zipfel didn't kill Hedo in the end.
Losing a few white nights was nothing compared to gaining an unaffiliated superhuman.
Besides, Zipfel was already researching mind manipulation even at that time. If Hedo wasn't finally subsumed, it would be enough to use mind manipulation magic after it was developed.
Hedo didn't know about such plans, but even if he did, he wouldn't have acted differently.
"How did Sandra manage to move your heart in such a state?"
At those words, Hedo turned around, leaned against the railing, and looked beyond the restaurant at Sandra.
She was laughing even more joyfully than before, for some reason.
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
創作者的想法 
babayaga01
babayaga01 You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
章節 531: CHAPTER 690
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
* * *
One year in Drakka's stronghold, and one year in the Tower of Stories.
During the two years of his captivity, Hedo received almost VIP treatment, with occasional personal visits from the leaders of the clan, including Kelliark himself. Except for the fact that he was imprisoned, Hedo was treated almost like an honored guest.
It was because of Kelliark's treatment of Hedo.
He wanted to make Hedo a person of Zipfel without resorting to mind manipulation if possible.
No matter how much mind manipulation would develop in the future, he believed that the moment it was added, Hedo's value would diminish.
Of course, Hedo didn't respond to Kelliark's sincere efforts.
Kelliark even released Hedo from his restraints, allowing him to leave freely. He even made a promise not to seek revenge as long as Hedo did not join the Runcandel. But Hedo did not leave.
"You refuse even when I offer you freedom. Is that what you're saying?"
Kelliark understood what had brought Hedo to such despair. Furthermore, he did not know that the world outside was a hell that Hedo could neither comprehend nor mix with.
Instead, Hedo had adapted perfectly to the days spent in prison with no meaning. There had been no better state in his life until then.
"...It's a pity. Since you've refused this as well, you will now be transferred to the Experimentation Ward. However, even there, if you change your mind at any time, you can request to speak with the person in charge. If you want to have a conversation with me."
And so, Hedo was transferred to the "12th Experimentation Ward" located near the Sota Desert and the Tower of the White Night.
At the time, the administrator of the 12th Experimentation Ward was an individual named "Ibunshi," who had gained infamy among the test subjects as a human known for using experiments as a form of torture.
"Hey there. When you were in Drakka and the Tower of Stories, it seemed like you were favored by the god of the human world. But here, I am your god, unless that person descends here personally. Hm... I'm a little unsure about how to treat you. Should I indulge you according to your personality, or should I be moderate in the consideration of the patriarch?"
This was the first time Ibunshi had spoken to Hedo. However, Hedo didn't even acknowledge his words.
""I prefer the latter. Although you are an experimental subject favored by the god of humans, it wouldn't be wise to treat you too lightly. Let's start with something gentle and old-fashioned, like a beating."
From that day on, Ibunshi physically abused Hedo every day. It was impossible to hurt a martial artist with the club of criminals, let alone superhuman.
However, at that time, Hedo's body was not the same as it had been in his prime due to long periods of fasting. He had the appearance of a weak giant, and with the restraints that restrained his strength, he was no different from an ordinary martial artist.
Hedo never resisted.
He didn't even scream. It wasn't that he didn't feel pain at all, but there was no need for him to show any signs of suffering.
"Subject 118! You're used to the pain, right? Let's see if your snout doesn't open again today."
Ibunshi was clearly insane. He saw Hedo's lack of response as rebellion and became increasingly focused on the resulting discomfort, forgetting that Hedo was an experimental subject sent by Kelliark.
In other words, he began to exceed the boundaries he had set for himself. The intensified torture and starvation turned Hedo into a lifeless being in an instant.
The once formidable entity that mercilessly tore apart the monsters of the Black Sea and defeated challengers who sought the Chiron had been completely destroyed.
His limbs had withered like dried-out branches, rendering him immobile, and the organs that generated aura were permanently damaged and no longer functioned.
Gradually, the only indication that Hedo was still alive was the faint whimpering that barely escaped his stiffened tongue.
Ironically, when the situation reached that point, Ibunshi showed signs of panic.
"What madness... What have I done! Can't it be fixed?"
"I'm sorry, Sir Ibunshi. Subject 118 cannot be revived without the legacy of Numerus. Moreover, at this rate, he will die soon. We should report to the higher-ups..."
"Report? You dare to mention reporting? It's not Subject 118 who will die, but you. How dare you... From this moment on, you are Subject 145."
"Sir Ibunshi? No, please!"
Ibunshi took measures to prevent Hedo's condition from being reported to the higher-ups. He demoted those who knew about the torture to experimental subjects and made every effort to ensure Hedo didn't die.
However, since Hedo himself had no will to live in the first place, there was no chance of improvement in his condition.
Moreover, if an audit were to take place, it was only a matter of time before the situation would be revealed. Ibunshi spent restless days, consumed by anxiety.
'When I first received Subject 118, I received only one specific instruction. If Subject 118 requests to see the patriarch, listen to it. grant his wish. He never did, so it wouldn't matter even if I killed him, right? Even if I reported his death during the experiment... No, it can't be. The patriarch will punish me personally.'
Preventing Hedo's death was impossible.
In the end, after much deliberation, Ibunshi chose to shift the blame onto someone else in the experimental facility. Specifically, he turned to another person in the facility who couldn't be treated lightly—the only subject he couldn't handle recklessly.
'Subject 109... Let's make it look like Sandra Zipfel killed him.'
Subject 109, the assigned experimental number for Sandra.
At that time, no one in the 12th experimental facility referred to Sandra by her number. Although she was an experimental subject, she was a pure-blood Zipfel, and all the researchers in the facility treated her like a lady, as if she were their superior.
Of course, beneath such consideration lay underlying hatred and mockery. It was just because she was a pure-blood Zipfel that she couldn't be treated recklessly. She was nothing more than an annoying pet in the laboratory.
She kept causing accidents as she freely roamed the facility, but she couldn't be abused like the other subjects.
That was Subject 109, Sandra Zipfel, at that time.
"Ibunshi! I heard you were looking for me. Did a new treat arrive?"
"Oh, my lady. Have you arrived?"
"Is there a treat!"
"Haha, of course, a new treat has arrived. Have you heard of sugar?"
"Sugar?"
"It's a powder that tastes very sweet when you eat it. Here... Oh, if you eat it like that... It's an indecent act."
"It's sweet! What do you mean by indecent?"
"Well, I guess you don't need to know. And a new toy is also prepared."
"A toy too? Is it my birthday today?"
"Every day is your birthday, my lady. However, there is something you need to be careful about."
"What?"
"You mustn't kill it the way you did with the previous toy. So, twisting its neck or stabbing it with something is not allowed."
Sandra had already undergone some living golem transformations, so she possessed incredible strength for a five-year-old.
She had unintentionally killed a few subjects with that strength, but it was more of an accident caused by Ibunshi and the researchers playing pranks rather than her own intention.
"Go ahead and stab, my lady. Yes, if they don't show enough pain, that's what you should do." Sandra followed those words without any hesitation.
Her innate temperament was peculiar, but the 12th experimental facility was her entire world. Since the formation of her ego, she had only seen, heard, and learned things within the facility.
This time, Ibunshi wanted to take advantage of Sandra's frog-like aspect. He thought that the mischievous nature typical of children, where they do the opposite of what they are told, could be helpful.
Remember, my lady, you must never, never hit or kill anyone. Just pat and love them."
"Love? What is that? What's that supposed to mean? Tell me in a way I can understand, don't talk like an idiot!"
"...Hmm. Maybe pat their head, have a conversation... or even endure a bit when you're annoyed. Something like that. Now, the toy is waiting. Shall we go?"
That was the first meeting between Hedo and Sandra.
"Hello, Subject 118?"
Of course, Hedo didn't react, and Sandra ended up beating him from the very first day.
Therefore, this time, Ibunshi felt that his choice was excellent. However, the problem was that Hedo didn't die despite Sandra's frequent attacks.
Instead, Hedo managed to regain some strength, albeit slightly. Although he couldn't move his body and could only whimper, occasionally he would utter complete words or sentences. This disproved the expectations of those who believed he could never recover without the blood of Numerus.
"Hey, are you dead or alive? If you're dead, stay dead, but if you're alive, answer me. I'm always trying so hard to play with you alone."
"Get... lost."
"Argh, you make me so angry! I should tear your mouth and twist your neck... No, I'll endure it. Because I have to love you! But I'll punch you twice. No, three times! Oh, are you dead? You're still breathing. See you tomorrow!"
Such bizarre days continued. As the time went on, Ibunshi became more anxious about this situation.
'It's getting to the point where I feel like Subject 109 is teasing me, as if I'm losing and about to die. Subject 118 is more persistent than I thought...'
When such thoughts occurred to him, Ibunshi decided to lock Sandra and Hedo in Isolation Room 118 altogether. He planned to keep Sandra confined until the stress of being trapped led her to kill Hedo before finally releasing her.
'Now, Subject 109 will truly finish off Subject 118. If that happens, even the higher-ups won't be able to investigate properly.'
* * *
"...I have never heard a more vile story in my life, tower keeper."
Jin wanted to ask. How could he remain loyal to Zipfel despite experiencing such things?
But then he realized that the object of his loyalty wasn't Zipfel, but Sandra Zipfel.
"Everyone has their nightmares. I don't even know now that those days were a nightmare. Maybe… if time had continued as it was, the lady might have killed me in the end, as she intended that time."
Since Hedo was here now, it was clear that this plan had failed.
Just a few days after he and Sandra were isolated together, the 12th experimental facility was attacked by Runcandel.
"The one who attacked the 12th experimental facility at that time was Black Panther, your mother."
"Rosa?"
On the day she attacked, the 12th experimental facility was completely ruined.
All data was discarded, and the researchers and mages who remained in the laboratory could not hold out against Rosa until reinforcements from the main headquarters arrived.
During that time, when the entire wing was on the verge of collapsing, vibrating as if it would crumble any moment.
Sandra cried out as she held the fallen Hedo in her arms.
"She said not to worry because she would protect me."
I will protect you.
It was the first time Hedo had heard such words since he was born. In his past life, where he traveled between orphanages, the Black Sea, underground prisons, and experimental wings, he had never heard such a natural statement. His life was never taken for granted.
He didn't know from what or how she would protect him, but Hedo suddenly felt the need to keep living.
He decided that he would live for this strange girl.
That day, Hedo stepped into the path of humanity, leaving behind the life of a beast.
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
創作者的想法
babayaga01
babayaga01
You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
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