Chapter 167: CH 170

Chapter 170 – The One Who Demands and the One Who Concedes

“Dragia might just be that anxious.” (Shiki)

“Anxious, huh…? According to Old Man Rajie’s opinion, Dragia’s goal is to take the throne and rule over the imperial capital.” (Bouchi)

Was that why he feared the survival of Nike, the successor to the throne? To the point that he wanted to find him and kill him right away?

“…Like… I… said… a million times. I… don’t know.” (Ze’ev)

“…Kihihi.” (Grievea)

Grievea stabbed him with another small knife in the shoulder, causing him to scream out in pain.

“How tough, how tooough. An ordinary person would have already died or gone crazy from the paaain. Ah, riiight. I suppose I’ll try this drug that I developed, which multiplies the amount of pain you feel by several times. Weeell… It’s still in the prototype stage, so there might be some side effects, but oh well, riiight?” (Grievea)

That’s no good. At least do a proper clinical trial. You have to abide by the proper drug dosage and instructions, you know?

“I’ll go grab the druuug, so wait here for me, okaaay? …Ah, I’ll give you the same drug, so you better look forward to it toooo.” (Grievea)

With that, Grievea left the prison cell, humming the entire way.

Next to Hakumen, Ze’ev looked like he was in a pitiful state, barely clinging onto life. It was a tragic that a misunderstanding had led him to this point.

“Y-Yo… Hakumen… Is that pretty girl… still doin’ well…?” (Ze’ev)

I was surprised he still had the energy to ask such nonsense.

“Are you talking about Torakado?” (Hakumen)

“…Was that her name? The one who rescued His Highness Nike… When I heard the description of the bandit’s appearance… I knew it was her…” (Ze’ev)

Come to think of it, I recalled meeting Ze’ev as Torakado before. But wait. In that case, wouldn’t Ze’ev have told Dragia about Torakado?

“Is His Highness Nike… safe…?” (Ze’ev)

“………..” (Hakumen)

“Don’t worry… I didn’t say anythin’… I didn’t speak ‘bout that pretty girl either…” (Ze’ev)

He didn’t say anything about Torakado?

“Why? If you at least told them some information about the invaders, maybe they would have trusted you a little bit.” (Hakumen)

“…I’m tired and fed up with this whole country thing.” (Ze’ev)

“What’s the difference between hurons and garbels anyway? They just look a li’l bit different, don’t they?” (Ze’ev)

I watched him through the monitor with furrowed brows, unsure of what he wanted to say.

“A long time ago… there used to be a paradise-like place where all the races used to live together in one city.” (Ze’ev)

It piqued my curiosity, so I asked Shiki and Kaza if it was true.

Shiki said he had never heard of it. But apparently, Kaza had heard of something of the sort.

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“It was a city where hurons, garbels, and elfins all lived together, hand in hand. But I don’t exactly know the details.” (Kaza)

It seemed unthinkable, given the situation in the other world. It wasn’t always the case on an individual basis, but the hurons and garbels repeatedly went to war with one another, and the elfins lived their lives separate from the other races.

Well, it was true that two races that had been at war with each other joined hands to defeat the Empire.

“I thought that maybe this time… the hurons and garbels could break down their walls and build a bond with each other. That’s why… I participated in the war. Well, my partner did ask for my help too though.” (Ze’ev)

If I recall correctly, the adventuring partner he spoke of was Julaf, a huron.

“In the face of the powerful enemy known as the Empire, our two races joined forces and took them down. In other words, they were only able to do that by working together. And yet…” (Ze’ev)

Ze’ev’s gaze fell, showing a sorrowful expression. I could tell that this man didn’t discriminate between races. He wasn’t racist, nor did he believe in being partial to someone because of their social status.

“Every single one of them… is afraid of others. That’s why they keep on killing and stealing.” (Ze’ev)

It couldn’t be helped. It was the same for the people of Earth. We didn’t know what someone else would do to us, so we remained scared of them. Scared that one day, their fangs would one day be bared towards us. Thus, before they were crushed by that fear, they either killed them or took away their fangs.

In particular, those who were in positions of power often had strong desires for control and domination, and these figures tended to be sensitive and afraid of hostility and animosity. Even if the other party had no intention of being hostile to them, they might still attack and crush them underfoot out of fear, unable to leave those past ties as is. They felt restless unless they were surrounded by allies. They simply couldn’t feel safe.

Even in the history of mankind, there were many cases where those personal emotions would lead to wars.

“…The war… is already over… Why… don’t they just… try to understand each other…?” (Ze’ev)

“It cannot be helped. People only pursue their own happiness. They picture a path to their own happiness, and if there is an obstacle in that path, they eliminate it.” (Hakumen)

“…Even if that obstacle is another life?” (Ze’ev)

“At least, that is what King Dragia has decided about those who do not side with him.” (Hakumen)

“………” (Ze’ev)

“Was the connection between you and King Dragia one that was so easily severed?” (Hakumen)

“That man… wasn’t like that in the past. When I was a kid… he used to dream of that paradise, just like me.” (Ze’ev)

That paradise… where all the races lived together, huh?

“I find that very hard to believe. Based on circumstantial evidence alone, he tortured a fellow garbel who supported the country alongside him. He went too far, punishing you just because he questioned your involvement.” (Hakumen)

“Haha… You could say that. He seriously went too far. It hurts like hell right now.” (Ze’ev)

A bitter smile rose to Ze’ev’s face, but I could see from his expression that he seemed to be hurting more inside than on the outside.

Most likely, King Dragia and him had actually been pretty close. Perhaps they had a connection like that of close friends or family. So… it must be tough for him.

I thought back to Dragia’s face when he left just now. It was just for a moment, but he did look sorrowful.

I wondered if he felt pained by the pure thought of being betrayed by Ze’ev or if he figured that he really was betrayed and lamented having to torture him like this.

I couldn’t clearly see through Dragia’s feelings, but if there was a bond that had been forged between him and Ze’ev, they would surely both be filled with difficult emotions at this time.

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