[It seems there's something about the second son of the Hanmihan family.]
If he were in a mediocre position, he wouldn't have attempted this.
But he is a high-ranking Executor.
His way of thinking transcends the realm of ordinary people.
No matter what happens, obeying the orders of the royal family is his top priority.
Anything more or less, if it doesn't align with the direction for the royal family, is impossible.
That's why Dante finds it even more peculiar.
That a mere nobleman knows the ways of the Executors.
[This is strange, really strange.]
"Krk, kkyuk!"
"Ueoeok!"
Udtduk!
Dante, who was suppressing the knights who resisted, stared at me.
With just one look, an intense pressure was felt.
But there was no intimidation.
The pressure from a high-ranking Executor, who wasn't even a Transcendent, felt like a feather on my head.
[Who are you, exactly? You are nothing more than an ordinary human, incapable of sensing the power of a mage, a knight, or even other mysteries. Yet, how are you enduring my pressure?]
As if he was conducting an experiment, he immediately got a response when he exerted pressure on the knights.
They were already struggling under the shadow, and with the suffocating pressure added, they were on the verge of collapse.
This made him appear even stranger.
If even knights couldn't withstand his pressure...
So, I gave my answer.
"I am nothing."
Completely powerless.
Just an undying being.
"So, do what you must, Executor."
His heavily strained expression seemed more like he was being pressured by me.
He knew my words were true, but it was something he didn't want to hear, even though he acknowledged it.
In the end, he acquiesced.
If he had decided to kill all the knights and Charon here, I would have had to alter my original plan.
[Very well, I will do what I must.]
As the shadow covering the knights dispersed, even the shadow that enveloped Dante's entire body diminished slightly.
Tattoos covering his body.
Various peculiar accessories.
Symbolic of a sorcerer.
Silver strands of hair indicated his age.
"Let's go."
The appearance of the Executor was unexpectedly different.
As soon as he revealed himself, he also exposed his true voice without alteration.
An uncharacteristic act for an Executor, where secrecy is paramount.
As he gestured, I felt a powerful force rising from the ground.
I seemed to know the exact reason for revealing his true form.
To leave no room for concealing his identity, and to completely bind me.
Almost like a seal.
This was a powerful magic that could not be stopped unless black magic was employed.
No, it's not just black magic.
He said, "I'm nothing."
A little unjust, but whatever happened, it went as planned, so I suppose it's fortunate.
While this was happening, there were knights who seemed determined to protect me, even while struggling under the pressure.
I told them, "Stay still, knights. You can't handle the Executor."
The knights who knew firsthand the terror of the Executor didn't act recklessly.
Of course, if they had uttered a word asking for help, they would have charged immediately.
However...
Someone approached me.
"Master."
Perhaps it was due to the suffocating shadow from earlier, but she had a pale face.
Even in her madness, unable to understand emotions, unable to recognize others' emotions, one thing was certain.
She was grieving for me.
"Were you not suspicious until just now?"
And the sight I showed seemed to solidify that suspicion.
It definitely wasn't the weak Argal Britten.
A man who couldn't even kill a single ant. Charon must know this.
Yet she offered an unexpected response.
"No, Master is still Master. Just changed."
"...Why did you think that?"
"If you weren't the Master I know, I wouldn't have tried to save you."
"People can save others too."
Like a knight.
But Charon's question pierced me like an arrow.
"But isn't Master different now?"
I had killed everything.
My life was a series of slaughters, rather than helping anyone.
In her eyes, I was grieving for someone else.
"Indeed, I am not the person you knew."
I answered her question with sincerity.
It was unjust, perhaps even painful, but in any case, it went as intended, so I suppose it's fortunate.
While all this was happening, knights who appeared to be struggling to protect me and Charon were visible, so I said.
"Knights, stay still. You cannot withstand the pressure of a high-ranking Executor."
The Executor seemed focused on something, so he must have been most vulnerable now.
But you'll all die if you continue like this.
If I were just someone who died like that, would I have killed this man five times over, having made a contract with a great demon in the past?
The knights who knew firsthand the terror of the Executor did not act recklessly.
Of course, if a word asking for help had fallen, they would have rushed in.
But still.
There was someone who approached me.
"I will come back, Charon."
"Please come back. Master. If you don't, I will come find you."
"There won't be a need for that."
With that statement, the shadow completely obscured my view.
**
The floor is cold.
No, strictly speaking, isn't it a familiar floor?
Half of my life was spent on a hard and rough floor, not a soft bed.
Slowly rising with my groggy body, I surveyed the place.
The scenes that were slightly clearer in my hazy memories.
It's strangely familiar.
Whether my clothes have already been changed, a colorless gown covers my body.
As I lower my disheveled head, I recall the past.
How many years have I been here?
5 years? 6 years?
Due to madness, there wasn't a single precise memory.
Slowly, the things that didn't come to mind are starting to come to light.
They are so small.
Nothing significant.
Just one affection.
Why is my head hurting so much?
Perhaps I had forgotten for too long.
The things that were swallowed up and disappeared are starting to resurface.
It was such a trivial thing.
Nothing important.
Just one affection.
In the midst of confusion, I feel the shadow gradually engulfing me.
Time is not on my side.
"...I'll come back, Charon."
"Please come back, Master. If you don't, I will come find you."
"There won't be a need for that."
With those words, the shadow completely obscured my view.
**
The footsteps echo in the underground.
Or perhaps, familiar ground.
Half of my life was not spent on a soft bed, but on a hard and unforgiving ground.
Lowering my trembling body, I slowly take in this place.
From the faint memories, one scene stands out clearly.
It's so oddly familiar.
Is the gown already changed? A colorless robe covers my body.
As I settle my tousled hair and carefully recall the past, I wonder how long I've been in this place.
5 years? 6 years?
Due to the madness, there wasn't a single clear memory.
Groping through the things that don't come to mind, I find them gradually surfacing.
They're so small.
So insignificant.
Just one affection.
Why does my head ache so much?
Maybe I forgot for too long.
The things that were swallowed up and vanished are starting to return.
It was such a trivial thing.
So unimportant.
Just one affection.
Amidst the confusion, I sense the shadow slowly enveloping me.
Time is running out.
"...I'll come back, Charon."
"Please come back, Master. If you don't, I'll come find you."
"There won't be a need for that."
With those words, the shadow completely veils my sight.
[End of Episode 7]