Chapter 100: A Twisted World (1)

Three days later, the First and Seventh Squads of the King's Order returned to the capital city of Drunta. The Mareda incident, involving the demonic sword, was one of the most devastating dark events to shake the Eustil Kingdom. Resolving it earned the squads great recognition from the royal family. The names of Captain Ziken and Vice-Captain Triv spread far and wide across the kingdom. However, Karnak's name remained unknown. This was intentional.

***

It was a day before they returned to Drunta.

"You want to credit me for dealing with Mareda? While leaving your names out entirely?"

"Yes."

"What are you talking about? It was you who banished the sword's evil spirit in the end, Karnak. Was it not?"

When he first heard the suggestion, Ziken vehemently opposed it.

"There’s no need to shift the credit to me alone. Do I look so petty that I’d be jealous over such a thing?"

"That’s not what I mean." Karnak had his reasons. "You were the one who ultimately neutralized Mareda, captain."

It wasn’t a lie. The final blow against the sword had indeed come from Ziken. What they had fought afterward was not the demonic sword but Lapicel herself.

"We merely tied up the loose ends."

Which was only possible because Ziken and Triv had already worn her down.

"This is simply ensuring that you receive the honor you rightfully deserve."

"Even so, shouldn’t the recognition be shared? Why are you excluding yourself?"

Karnak gave a wry smile.

"Not everyone in the King’s Order is as magnanimous as you are, captain."

At that, Ziken began to understand the situation. Karnak’s rapid ascent through the ranks had already drawn enough attention. If he were to outshine even Ziken, one of the most senior captains, it would undoubtedly create resentment among the other squad leaders.

"I'm already swamped enough as a country boy who clawed his way to the capital. I'd rather not invite any more trouble," admitted Karnak.

"Well, it’s true you’ve risen through the ranks unusually quickly. Showing some restraint might be wise. But altering official records might be a bit..."

Ziken looked uneasy. If they went with Karnak’s plan, they would have to erase all records of the demonic sword transferring its spirit to a human host. In other words, they’d be falsifying the report.

"Of course, we’ll report the truth to Commander Erantel. But do we really need to document a mistake the King's Order made?"

Within the King’s Order, it was crucial to preserve such information to prepare for any future incidents. However, there was no need to share their missteps with the outside world.

"Being honest would only give others ammunition to criticize us and hinder our work moving forward."

For the same reason, it was better to omit any mention of the demonic sword’s peculiar connection to Karnak and the Seventh Squad. Explaining those incidents would require answers they still didn’t have, which would only invite more scrutiny.

"It’s simpler to say that you, Captain Ziken, and Vice-Captain Triv handled everything yourselves."

Finally, Ziken nodded in agreement. "Very well. We’ll take the credit."

Then, with a serious expression, he turned to Karnak. "I owe you a debt. I’ll repay it, no matter what."

Karnak smiled warmly. "I don’t consider it a debt, but having someone reliable to lean on in times of need is always reassuring."

Ziken’s lips curled into a small smile. "If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to call on me."

***

Varos asked with a skeptical expression, "What’s the real reason?"

"What makes you think there’s a hidden reason?"

"You showing restraint? There's no way that's true."

And indeed, there was another reason.

"It’s because of Lapicel," Karnak admitted.

The King’s Order believed that Lapicel’s final outburst had been due to her possession by the demonic sword’s evil spirit. As a result, no one paid much attention to that detail. After all, it wasn't rare for evil spirits to move between hosts.

"But the church of the seven goddesses might think differently."

The church had been meticulously investigating traces of necromancy. Among their ranks were many capable and overly diligent priests who scrutinized even the smallest matters. One such example was their acquaintance, Priest Alius. In fact, his attention to detail was how they had crossed paths in the first place. While having competent priests was beneficial, it also risked stirring up unnecessary trouble.

What if the church suddenly decided to investigate Lapicel? What if the effects of divine power accidentally restored fragments of her memory?

"It’s better not to attract attention in the first place."

Lapicel’s odd behavior toward the Seventh Squad was ultimately linked to Karnak. If someone started digging into those connections, it would create complications. It was better to let Ziken and Triv take the credit and ensure everything passed without incident.

"Thanks to that, everything ended on a positive note, right?"

Karnak gave a broad grin. He had successfully deflected attention from Lapicel and, as a bonus, strengthened his ties with Ziken.

"Don’t you think my social skills have improved, Varos?"

"It seems so. Back in the day, every person you met ended up as your enemy...."

"Why was that, anyway?"

"No idea."

Both men tilted their heads in puzzlement.

With an exasperated sigh, Serati remarked dryly, "Maybe because you were so exceptional, you didn’t need to care about others’ opinions?"

She had thrown out the comment flippantly, but the two men took on serious expressions and nodded slowly.

"Perhaps social skills only develop when you’re lacking something," commented Karnak.

"True. I do feel like I’m getting along better with people these days," nodded Varos.

Serati stifled a laugh. Their comments felt both strangely off and oddly insightful at the same time.

Still, it’s a good sign that those two are finally paying attention to how others see them.

***

Thanks to their plan, Karnak’s name never surfaced in the public discourse. However, there was one name that did gain some attention: Varos.

"Congratulations, Sir Varos!"

"You’ve finally become an aura user!"

No one found it strange that Varos had awakened as an aura user. After all, he was already a renowned master when it came to techniques.

"Honestly, it’s more surprising he hadn’t awakened until now."

Within the King’s Order, several aura users had lost duels to him despite his inability to use aura at the time. Everyone had assumed it was only a matter of time before he achieved it. Some nobles watched with curiosity.

"Two aura users, and the lord himself is a sixth circle mage...."

"The Zestrad family seems more influential than I thought."

"There’s even a rumor they’re connected to His Highness Lloyd."

However, the nobles’ interest didn’t escalate beyond mild curiosity. After all, a newly awakened aura user wasn’t particularly extraordinary. It wasn't rare for warriors to awaken as red-tier aura users in the capital city of Drunta.

For a mere provincial noble family to grow a little stronger wasn’t enough to warrant concern from the central powers. This balance of moderate recognition and general indifference was precisely the position Karnak had been aiming for.

"Alright, with external issues resolved, it's time to address personal matters."

The group left the inn where they had been staying. Karnak rented a house in the southern district of Drunta. With Lapicel now part of their group, their numbers had grown, and an inn was far from an ideal place for hosting a young girl.

"More importantly, I don’t want her to have constant contact with random strangers before we confirm her condition."

"Wow, that sounds like you’re planning to lock up this young girl and raise her however you like," Serati quipped.

"Wait, is that a bad thing, Serati?"

"It’s just a joke. Don’t worry about it."

"Thank goodness."

As planned, Lapicel stayed under Serati’s care, though the situation left Serati feeling uneasy.

Isn’t this too much of a downgrade? Her original master was supposed to be the Martial King, Beltia.

But letting her go wasn’t an option. If Lapicel regained her memories, it wouldn’t just spell trouble for the former Monarch of Death and the Death Knight Lord. None of the vile servants of the Monarch of Death would be safe either.

Well, I suppose being kind from now on is the best course of action.

Serati made sure Lapicel ate well, stayed clean, had her hair neatly brushed, and wore fine clothes. The once unkempt country girl transformed into a lively, charming city child.

Sitting the newly refreshed Lapicel in front of her, Serati spoke seriously. "From now on, you’ll be my squire, Lapicel."

"Yes, master!"

"Master...."

For someone of Serati’s rank as an aura user, it was entirely appropriate to have a squire. But being called

master

by a future Martial King was undeniably awkward.

"...Just call me sister."

Lapicel, not knowing better, obediently nodded. "Yes, Sister Serati!"

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

A squire needed to be adept at handling various chores, so Lapicel was started on basic housework.

With her memories sealed, Lapicel proved to be a kind and diligent child. The anger and resentment she’d once shown were nowhere to be seen. In fact, she seemed to have an almost unsettling fondness for Karnak and Varos.

"Sir Karnak, I finished cleaning!"

"Sir Varos, I fetched the water!"

"Sir Karnak! I’ve done the sewing!"

"Sir Varos, should I help you prepare the meals?"

Each time, the two men did their best to avoid her bright, cheerful gaze.

"Ah, well... good job...."

"Ye-yeah, well done, thanks...."

Her beaming smile made it hard for them to look her in the eye.

—Ugh!

—The guilt. I can't take it!

Watching this, Serati smirked.

—Well, well. Who would’ve thought those shameless men could look so shaken?

Indeed, even their thick skins couldn’t withstand the weight of their guilt. Nevertheless, Lapicel naturally integrated into the group. It allowed Karnak to observe her closely.

"It seems the memory seal is holding properly...."

Now, the question was how she had traveled back in time. But digging into her sealed memories was too risky.

"Ah, finally a clue appears, and I can’t even verify it."

"A clue? What do you mean, young master?"

"I’ve had lingering suspicions about something for a while. And thanks to Lapicel, I’m starting to feel certain."

Karnak had long been puzzled. Why had the Zestrad family suddenly become so wealthy? And how had a copper mine appeared out of nowhere? Karnak’s power, the Shadow of Doom, had somehow been cast upon the world years before his own arrival. How?

"All of this started around four years before we returned."

What could have happened during that time?

Karnak abruptly shifted the conversation. "Did you know, Varos? Magic involving space-time is purely theoretical. None of it has ever been proven. It’s all conjecture."

Varos didn’t bother responding. Through long experience, he understood that Karnak wasn’t asking him for answers. When Karnak asked questions like these, it was a sign he was organizing his thoughts aloud.

"What would really happen if you truly travel back in time? How are paradoxes within time resolved?"

Mages were divided on the issue. Some posited that parallel worlds existed. Others claimed that the fabric of time was immutable, making time manipulation inherently impossible. Yet another theory suggested that fixed singularities within the space-time continuum anchored it in place.

The critical point was that all these ideas were mere thought experiments. No one had ever succeeded in traveling through time.

"It was only possible for me." Karnak gave a bitter smile. "That’s why no one can give me answers."

Until recently, Karnak had believed this world was akin to a parallel dimension.

"But even here, history can change."

What if someone else had traveled back in time? What if they had arrived before Karnak and altered the past?

"That would explain how the world has become so twisted."