Independent Path (2)

Azadine believed that life must have aesthetics.

Merely surviving was not truly living as a human. Humans must pursue values beyond mere survival—this was philosophy, and this was aesthetics.

To have an answer to what was right and beautiful and to continue living toward it.

That was the reason and the purpose of life, as Azadine saw it.

Yet, most of the Aragasa were enchanted by Arael’s vision instead of pursuing such philosophy of aesthetics.

To subdue and break everything, placing it under one’s rule. That vision was now right before them, manifesting into tangible results.

And if he were to reject it here?

All of the Aragasa would turn against him. The persecution and contempt he had suffered so far would pale in comparison.

He would become a public enemy.

But that didn’t mean the King’s Church or the Rescue Knights Order would truly accept him either. In the end, Azadine would become a complete outcast.

Yet, he could not yield to Arael’s so-called mercy.

The status, power, wealth, and women that Arael promised—none of them had anything to do with the philosophy and aesthetics that Azadine pursued.

For Arael to try to fill him with such things was nothing more than arrogance, an attempt to destroy Azadine’s soul and replace it with his own.

“Now, Azadine. We’re not here to kill or harm you. Some of the other officers want to kill you behind Arael’s back, but, well, if you’re strong enough to defeat an Elder, that changes the conversation, doesn’t it? Think about your standing in the world we will rule.

“Oh, of course, given how openly you’ve preached your righteousness, it’d be hard for you to enjoy such sweet fruits now, wouldn’t it? But all you have to do is close your eyes just a little.

“Say you were taken hostage and had no choice. Say you were too exhausted to resist. It doesn’t matter. Whatever excuse you need. Your morality stays intact. We’ll handle the dirty work.”

Janis’s honeyed voice tickled his ears.

“Are you trying to persuade me or mock me, Janis? The way you put it only makes me even less willing to yield.”

“So, are you really going to stand in our way in this situation? Are you going to deny all of the Aragasa’s aspirations?”

“Before that, let me ask you one thing. You speak as if everything is already settled, but do you really believe this will succeed?”

“And why do you think we’ll fail? What basis do you have for that?”

“Has this ever succeeded before?”

When Azadine asked that, Janis grinned.

“Has it ever succeeded before? Of course. Otherwise, why would this storm exist? Do you think it’s a natural phenomenon?”

“What I’m asking is, have you ever banished the Nether entity you summoned this way? Can you truly expel the very being that brings about this storm?”

“That… we haven’t.”

Janis had no words to refute him on that point.

“See? No matter how much you succeed in practice, failures often occur in real situations. If you fail this time, how do you intend to take responsibility? Don’t make me laugh. Are you all insane?”

“Then what can you do?”

“Gathering copies of the Heavenly King’s Book of Truth and searching for the Emperor’s Treasury.”

“We already know that. We even secured one key.”

“But you don’t know where the treasury is, do you? And one key alone won’t be enough to open it.”

Although Azadine mentioned searching for the Emperor’s Treasury, Janis didn’t seem particularly interested.

“We’re not just trying to break the Curse of Servitude, Azadine. We want more than that. Of course, we plan to find the Emperor’s Treasury, but right now, we have an opportunity to destroy the Kingdom of Korasar right before us. We can’t pass this up.”

“And what if you fail to control the Nether entity? What then?”

“We are prepared for that. Not that I believe Arael would fail… but even if she does, and the world ends, wouldn’t that be fine? The only ones who’d mourn are those with wealth and power. The Hubris people own this world, so what do we care if it burns?”

Azadine let out a sigh.

“Do you really think the Hubris people own everything? The peasants are poor, and only a few nobles and merchants are wealthy. I understand the resentment toward those who persecute the Aragasa without reason. But directing that hatred toward the powerless and the impoverished, and justifying it—it’s absolutely disgusting.”

“So you won’t be convinced, huh, Azadine? Then what now? Will you betray your kin and fight us for the sake of the Hubris citizens, who will never even thank you, all while throwing away the lives of your own comrades?”

Janis flicked the hem of her coat and widened her stance. Lowering her posture, she radiated a murderous aura.

“But first…”

Azadine sheathed his curved sword and held only Wendigo’s dagger. He pressed it against the throat of the collapsed Elder Sebali. Then, lifting the Elder onto his back, he spoke.

“If you want Elder Sebali Ethar to live, don’t harm my comrades. If even one of them is hurt, the Elder will lose a finger for each one.”

“Wow. Okay, okay. Relax.”

Janis smiled as Azadine took the Elder hostage.

“But don’t you think we can afford to sacrifice an Elder of the Ethar bloodline? He symbolizes the old order we aim to surpass.”

“Not at all. A defected Elder from the Senate is a valuable asset to you. If you sacrifice him, how do you plan to persuade the other Elders in the future?”

“…….”

“Make sure the Sea Serpent Nagas don’t interfere with me either.”

“That’s… a bit difficult.”

“Then the Elder might get hurt or die.”

“No, seriously, we can’t control the Nagas. They’re only loosely allied with us, and the Sea Serpent Nagas are completely mad.”

“I see.”

Azadine raised Wendigo’s dagger and scraped the magic circles inscribed with Nether symbols on the floor, disrupting them.

“Then!”

Azadine descended the lighthouse stairs.

Janis, whether because of the Elder or fear of Azadine himself, did not immediately pursue.

Every time lightning flashed, it seemed as though a massive shadow loomed over the sea.

Some of the Sea Serpent Nagas were prostrating themselves, worshiping the shadow emerging from the ocean.

“Auuu! Auuu!”

Like werewolves howling at the moon, the Sea Serpent Nagas let out cries that rode the storm.

Clicking his tongue, Azadine watched the scene unfold. Now he understood why Janis had said the Sea Serpent Nagas were insane.

“The Light of the Crown is fading.”

“Mm…”

Elder Sebali stirred.

“Are you alright?”

“You shot an arrow into my already fallen hand, and now you ask that?”

“That was to prevent you from joining forces with Janis against me. But… now you seem weak.”

As the excitement of battle faded, pain surged in.

Sebali was in a dangerous condition.

Given the situation, Azadine had to injure him to subdue him, but now that the immediate threat was gone, he had no intention of killing the Elder.

“Your wounds… are severe.”

“There is someone among my companions skilled in treating injuries. Let’s go find them.”

“Your companions, you say.”

“Yes. If Sion Ethar has taken control of my comrades… then he will listen to you, won’t he?”

“Haha. Who knows?”

Just then, a group of Sea Serpent Nagas appeared before Azadine.

“Human….”

“Step aside. I am of the Messenger Clan. There is an injured person.”

“……”

The Sea Serpent Nagas hesitated for a moment upon seeing Azadine but eventually let him pass.

Azadine was about to continue walking but suddenly stopped, turning to look at the Nagas. Among them was a Naga sorcerer in human form.

“Hey. Do you know how to use green magic? Healing and regeneration spells.”

“…That? I could use it in the past.”

“There’s an injured person….”

“I can heal him using Nether magic.”

“No Nether magic. Ah, by the way, do you know where I can find my companions?”

“…The third watchtower of the outer fortress.”

“I see. Thanks.”

Azadine walked through the Sea Serpent Nagas without hesitation.

“He has guts. So this is Acre’s cursed son.”

Elder Sebali marveled at Azadine’s boldness.

“I can’t fight while carrying you. Keep talking. If you lose consciousness, it will be dangerous.”

“Ku…kukuku. Bold and broad-minded.”

Elder Sebali laughed as he watched Azadine, who had subdued him yet was now concerned for his well-being.

After that, any Sea Serpent Nagas they encountered assumed Azadine was part of Arael’s faction within the Messenger Clan due to his confident demeanor and allowed him to pass.

Some of the Nagas, lost in madness, still tried to attack regardless, but their more rational leaders restrained them.

Azadine shamelessly asked every Naga spellcaster they met whether they could use healing magic.

Luckily, he found one who still maintained faith in Cobra Queen Debyslin and unhesitatingly left Elder Ethar’s treatment in their hands.

“You’re a bold one. Impressive. Even when I was in my prime, men like you were rare. And you’re Arael’s younger brother, aren’t you?”

“I’m her older brother.”

“Well, does it matter? You two are twins, after all. Anyway, have you considered becoming part of the Ethar bloodline?”

“Part of the Ethar bloodline?”

For the Ethar family to propose a marriage alliance meant they recognized him as the most outstanding talent.

“Yes. I heard Mediam has become your servant. What do you think of her?”

“Haha. She’s just a child.”

“In the past, that would have been old enough for marriage.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think this is the time to discuss such things. How is your condition?”

“Hmm, I do feel much better than before. But… I won’t be able to fight.”

“That’s good to hear.”

If the Elder had recovered too well, it would have been troublesome. He might have attacked Azadine again, and this time, he wouldn’t be careless.

Azadine had already experienced the nature of green magic through Shati. Regeneration magic accelerated natural healing, repairing internal bleeding and concussions so the Elder wouldn’t die, but his injured muscles and bones wouldn’t have fully recovered.

“So, what will you do now? Are you planning to charge in? You do realize that Arael is here, right? Even if Sion Ethar is one thing.”

“Yes.”

Janis hadn’t mentioned it, but Azadine could tell that Arael was in Coral Sahar.

The plan of Arael’s faction was likely as followed:

They would assassinate the King of Coral Sahar and summon a Nether entity, fulfilling the long-held ambition of the Sea Serpent Nagas. Then, Arael would take the throne, claim the Heavenly King’s Book of Truth, and use the power of the Light of the Crown to banish the Nether entity.

It was a reckless plan that only made sense if one had absolute faith in Arael’s abilities.

Or perhaps they were so consumed with hatred that they would welcome destruction as a sweet release.