Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 399

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 169.
In the Name of Loyalty and Vengeance (11)
“Of course I must keep faith with the Duke—that is, with the Demonic of House Arnim. I have no desire to become one of those mad spirits wandering the Wasteland. When I think of how that cursed Icabon’s scheme has extended this promise across generations rather than ending it in one, I want to devour every last one of those who bear the name of Arnim Castle… but.”
For a moment, a cruel expression crossed his face, and it suited Joshua’s features so unnaturally well—as if he had worn it for decades.
“But it cannot be. However, this world does have its share of clever madmen, and one of them was kind enough to open a path for me. Shall I explain? The oath that we, the People of Promise, made was this: at the very beginning, when we tried to bind Icabon’s name to the magic that administers oaths, it didn’t work because that name wasn’t his true name. That’s where it started…”
Riche tried her best to concentrate on his words. There might be a clue hidden within this story.
“Icabon said he didn’t even know his own true name. Since he had no parents, there was no one to ask. We thought: Icabon is a most unusual being—a Demonic, in other words—so even without knowing his true name, we could easily create an expression that referred to him alone. One who bears the name of Arnim Castle and is Demonic. Ah, back then we didn’t have the word ‘Demonic’ yet. That came later as a nickname. At the time, we called Icabon the ‘Blessed Arnim.’ In any case, the administrator of the oath heard an explanation of who the ‘Blessed Arnim’ was, and administered the oath accordingly. We never imagined that Icabon’s monstrous abilities would pass to his descendants. Only when a cursed new ‘Blessing’ was born—a grandson or great-grandson—after Icabon’s death did we learn that unless our consciousness was destroyed or we were born anew, we could never escape that oath!”
“…”
Riche did not comment as Maximian had. Korned paused to catch his breath, then continued.
“But there is only one. Do you understand? The Duke is singular. We serve only one Duke. We have no obligation to serve two. Since there has never been a time when two Demonics existed simultaneously, it seemed meaningless—but this time, by fortune, it has become useful. Tell me: how many Demonic Joshuas does House Arnim have now?”
Only then did Riche remember the puppet at Jade Ring Castle—the other Joshua. Juspian had said that he was not merely a copy but existed under the same causal law as this Joshua…
Seeing the expression on Riche’s face, Korned smiled faintly.
“Exactly. We need only serve the other Duke. If we serve that Duke and betray this one, we do not break our oath. So I… can leisurely enjoy this new body I’ve obtained. Well? Isn’t it splendid?”
Riche wracked her brain trying to find an answer, but nothing came to mind. Even Joshua, whose intellect far surpassed hers, had not thought of this. Or perhaps—the People of Promise had never explained the exact contents of this oath to Joshua. That had been their intention from the start.
“The other Duke won’t care what becomes of this one, so it works out even better. He might even prefer it if this one died, wouldn’t he? I intend to use this body for a long time. It’s quite excellent. I can even steal the hearts of girls like you. Beyond that, the uses are endless. Just thinking of being Demonic alone…”
Riche barely managed to open her mouth.
“If you thought that way from the beginning… why did you heal me?”
“You’re not an important person. Whether you live or die has no bearing on the outcome of this affair. Healing your body was merely a matter of my personal taste.”
Riche could no longer think. Her mind was foggy. Was that truly a farewell? So brief and simple… it ended like that? And he had only exchanged a few words with Riche before his existence was erased from the world without a single parting word to anyone else…
The Demonic Joshua, who was said to possess a fate as fierce as a storm?
Korned looked at the dazed Riche and changed his tone of voice.
“Now that I have what was lacking in me, there is much I wish to do. Ah… things I couldn’t do in those old days, things I’ve tried, the good games that can only be played with a human body…”
Korned’s words had already become mere repetition to Riche—nothing but the buzzing of an insect in her ears. He continued drawing something on the ground with his right index finger.
“Red hair… I’ve always liked that color.”
Korned leaned his upper body toward Riche. She tried to back away, tried to stand up, and was suddenly startled. Her body wouldn’t move—not even from her seated position.
Her opponent was a Mage. Riche had never encountered a Mage before and didn’t know what to be careful of. But now she understood clearly. Everything. One had to be careful of everything before a Mage. If the relationship wasn’t friendly, it was better to flee immediately. That’s what she should have done.
Though it might not help, she could still speak. Riche opened her eyes wide.
“You’re the worst human—no, the worst spirit. Since you’ve revealed this truth, why don’t you just kill yourself right there?”
Korned lowered his eyes for a moment. But soon he raised them again.
“Don’t command me.”
The starlit sea and sky vanished from Riche’s vision. All she could see was one face. And then the mocking smile faded from the boy’s face. For a moment, she could almost believe Joshua had returned—his eyes held such genuine sincerity as he spoke.
“He was never one to begin with, so what difference does it make if he becomes three?”
An answer to those words came from somewhere.
“Right, that bastard was never one, and now he’s supposed to become three? Now that’s some bullshit, isn’t it?”
6. In the Name of Loyalty and Vengeance
That place you think is clean is merely covered in uniform dust.
The moment Korned sprang to his feet, Riche felt the magical bonds that held her dissolve and quickly rose and retreated. There was nowhere to run, but staying close was hardly beneficial.
Korned’s gaze shot toward the slope descending to the Sandy Beach. There sat Maximian, relaxed as if he’d been there all along, his chin resting on his hand. He had a long wooden pole—perhaps an old pitchfork or plow handle—tucked under his arm.
“Since you lack the credentials to warrant an introduction, I’ll dispense with formalities.”
Maximian sprang to his feet, tossed the pole to the ground, and came down the slope. Riche cried out.
“Don’t come down!”
Maximian, who had already descended to Riche’s side, tapped her shoulder as he spoke.
“Mages, you see—the farther away they are, the more dangerous they become.”
“When did you start watching?”
“Not long ago.”
“But… what you just said about skipping introductions—that’s exactly what the author said to me!”
Maximian wore a blank expression.
“Did I?”
“Don’t ‘did I’—”
“Your kicks were exquisite.”
Maximian hadn’t come to argue with Riche, so he turned his body toward the creature wearing his friend’s mask—in other words, toward the villain from his perspective. He spread both arms wide, as if to show that he carried nothing in his hands.
“I heard your splendid speech quite well.”
Korned knew his opponent was neither a Mage nor a Warrior, so he simply folded his arms without fear. Maximian continued.
“You’ve come up with a plausible idea. One Duke will do, and it doesn’t matter who. In other words, that also means you must necessarily serve someone. Isn’t that right?”
Korned shook his head arrogantly.
“When there’s not a single Demonic, no one needs to serve anyone.”
“Ah yes, Demonic. As long as even one Demonic exists in this world, you cannot escape from them. But once there are two or more, choice emerges, and whichever you choose is freedom. You’ve decided to choose the puppet of Jade Ring Castle…”
Maximian suddenly tilted his head back and gazed at the sky. Riche, bewildered, wondered what had appeared and lifted her head as well, and in that moment when even the last one was swept up in the atmosphere and raised her chin—
「So you’ve finally angered me.」
A voice Riche knew well resonated through the empty air. At the same moment, Korned flinched in surprise and tried to move his hands to form a seal. But he failed. Korned froze in place, in that exact posture—his hands slightly extended, his head turned to glare at the empty space from which the voice had come.
「You’ve evaded me so well that it’s been longer than intended. I’ve always wanted to see you.」
Kelsneety Valmiad was of course invisible. But that was no problem. All fear had been forgotten. Riche looked around frantically, knowing absolutely that he couldn’t be seen, and cried out.
“It’s Kelsneety Valmiad, isn’t it? Isn’t it? Listen, do you know how glad I am to see you right now?”
After a pause that might have held a smile, Kelsneety Valmiad answered.
「I’m delighted as well, Miss Avril.」
Maximian, having completed his task of drawing Korned’s attention, leisurely climbed back up the slope and returned with the plow bundle. Until then, Korned in Joshua’s form remained standing motionless. He couldn’t speak, of course.
「Let’s stop this game of breath-holding now, Korned of the Rowan Staff. Since we’ve met after so long, we have much to discuss. So even if it’s not your own body, that posture won’t do.」
This time it was a change visible to both Riche and Maximian. A translucent, thin membrane-like barrier rose around Korned, forming a wall that enclosed him, then disappeared. Soon after, Korned lowered his hands and moved his body. At the same moment, an malice that Joshua had never harbored in his entire life appeared on his face.
“If you’re thinking of interfering, you’d best stop. Priest who serves the sons of the Ice River. No matter what you do, I will not abandon this task.”
It was a voice grinding through gritted teeth, each word forced out with intensity. Of course, what lay within was hostility, but it was not only that. Beneath it all lay tension and fear.
「You should refrain from such words. I am already quite angry. That you dared, fear itself forgotten, to lay hands upon Icabon’s bloodline. Was your promise with Icabon so light as a feather that, had there been no magic governing oaths, you would have broken it in an instant?」
He spoke of anger, but his voice was low and controlled in stark contrast. Korned, wearing Joshua’s face, raised his eyebrows and held a bitter smile.
“To invoke the promise with Icabon now—it seems I remembered Kelsneety Valmiad as far too wise a being. Now that name stirs only hatred in me. Such old promises are worth less than worn-out rags. Rather, deceived by that one, I endured centuries in slavery’s chains, became a worm of a creature—and you ask me to remember my promise with Icabon? I remember it well! In the name of hatred and curse!”
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Publisher: 14 Months Publishing
The copyright to this book belongs to the author and 14 Months Publishing.
To reuse all or part of this book’s contents, written consent from both parties is required.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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