Punish the scum

In the middle of the town of Rebeck, a hastily built structure.

A 'prison' demanding fifty thousand units of magic power. Two of them made, stuffed full of Maxim's soldiers captured in battle.

While inspecting the prison, receiving a report from Yuria.

"Two hundred seventy-four soldiers captured. All here are lightly wounded, so we've assigned extra guards."

"Keep surveillance tight enough to prevent escape. And feed them properly. Just enough to fill their bellies with Pshinyi, that's all."

"Understood."

Taking Yuria with me, we circled the prison. The men who'd been Maxim's soldiers stared at me with wary eyes.

Locked in, wondering what else could possibly be done to them—fear and suspicion both in their gaze.

I don't know what I'm doing now, so I'll leave it be.

Exiting that prison, we entered another one beside it.

Smelled of blood.

The last cell had some, but this one’s worse.

I scowled. Yuria reported it.

“All here are severely wounded. Some might not make it.”

“Give everyone the universal remedy. Can’t have them dying.”

“Dying’s bad, huh?”

“Yeah. Bad.”

“Got it.”

Yuria nodded, already moving to gather the needed doses.

Watching her dart out beyond the cell, I circled the interior.

Same routine as before—but the soldiers here reacted differently.

Maybe from their wounds. Most were staring, eyes wide with pleading.

They’ll be fine once Yuria brings the remedy. I just walked through, did nothing.

Then I stopped. The wounded man lying there… I recognized him.

“Yan…”

The same one who came with Maxim’s surrender offer last time.

The bastard’s left side was soaked in blood, barely conscious.

“Tch… damn…”

He’s still aware, glaring at me even as he lies half-dead.

I couldn’t help it—I went inside the cell, drawn by Yan.

Pulled out my emergency medicine, forced it down his throat.

Doreca’s alchemical concoction works like magic. The bleeding stopped instantly. The agony vanished in a breath.

Yan lifted himself up.

Stared at his hands like they weren’t his own. Rotated his arms slowly, as if checking for damage.

Couldn’t believe it. He’d been broken a second ago. Now he’s… fine.

“Feel better? Any pain left?”

“Huh? What the hell is this?”

“Medicine.”

No need to explain further. I just said it and left it at that.

Now, I’ve got something I need to ask him.

“Hah, you already know what I’m gonna say, you bastard.”

Before I could even ask, Yan twisted his lips into a sneer.

"You know that, right?"

"Yeah, you already know what I'm gonna say, you bastard." Before I could even ask, Yan twisted his lips into a sneer.

"…."

A high-ranking officer, huh. This guy.

"Ah, well, I'll overlook your little act of virtue."

"Overlook it?"

"Anyway, bring me food and drink. Especially drink. Bring the best the town’s got."

"Food’ll be brought later. No drink. Not a drop."

No, wait—there might be some.

The town’s been growing, commerce’s picking up lately. Maybe there’s something hidden away.

But I don’t have it. Don’t even know if it exists.

"Damn it. What’s so great about this dump? What’s so special about it, Maxim-sama?"

Yan spat in frustration.

Fucking pissed me off.

Yan stood up, shoved past the open door I’d just come through, and stepped outside.

I didn’t react in time—moved too naturally, too smoothly.

By the time I tried to stop him, Yan had already stopped and turned toward me.

“Yeah, hand over a woman.”

“A woman?”

“Yeah, a woman. Five of them. All virgins. Got it?”

“No… wait—”

“Place… your keep’s fine. I’ll be waiting there. Hurry up and bring them.”

He said that, then strode out of the cell like he owned it.

I stared, stunned, then grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“You’re a prisoner. Stay put in the cell.”

“What?”

“I’ll feed you three times a day. If it gets too hot or too cold, I’ll let you know.”

“You’re serious? You really plan to lock me up here?”

“Yeah. You’re a prisoner, aren’t you?”

“Hah. You’ve got no idea what you’re dealing with, do you?”

Yan snorted. What was there to not understand, exactly?

"You think you've won, don't you? Honestly, you're so naive. So damn naive. Listen—Maxim-sama's power isn't anything like that. He's someone else entirely. You really don't know what happens when he snaps."

"Is that how he is?"

"Exactly. That's the kind of man he is. If one of the four heavenly kings I personally chose gets treated like trash here, he'll lose it. And then—well, things get messy. Either this town gets completely under our control... or we burn it to the ground. No trees left. No grass. Nothing."

"..."

"No, burning it would be too kind. I'll tell you what he'll do. He'll kill every last person in this town. You included. Brutally."

"..."

"So you'd better treat me right. My mood decides your fate from now on."

"..."

"Ha."

Yang let out a snort, smug as hell.

He probably thought I was scared of silence.

"Master..."

Risha arrived from outside the prison.

She came carrying a mountain of universal medicine in both arms.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, master. I’ve brought the universal medicine. There wasn’t enough, so Yuria’s making up the difference.”

“Ah. Distribute it starting with the worst injuries.”

“Yes.”

Risha started moving at my command.

“Wait—weren’t you his slave once?”

“Huh? Oh, right.”

“Guess I’ll have to make do with that. You’ve got two more slaves, right? Bring them too.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Did you hit your head?”

Yang jabbed his finger at my forehead, sneering.

…This is pissing me off.

“I said bring a woman. Since you can’t drag one in right away, make do with three slaves.”

“My slaves?”

"Yeah. I don’t really wanna touch an Eternal Slave, but I’ll swallow my pride for now—"

Before annoyance could even set in, my hand moved.

With the modified Eternal Slave at my waist, I severed Yan’s head.

The head arced through the air, mouth still flapping.

That smug grin—too much. I drove my boot into it, splitting the severed head clean down the middle.

Mouth stopped moving. Body collapsed seconds later.

Still not satisfied. Irritation lingered.

——Magic charged: 50,000.

I turned. Mira, how she got here I don’t know, stood red-faced and fidgeting.

Same universal remedy as Risha—stockpiled in ridiculous amounts. She must’ve seen the whole thing when she brought the extra supply.

"U-um, master? What’s going on here?"

Risha appeared from the back of the cell, eyes wide at the sight before her.

"What’s wrong, Mira?"

"Um… well…"

Mira was about to explain.

“Risha.”

I stopped her mid-sentence.

“Y-yes?”

Risha looked at me, wide-eyed, as if afraid. Good.

“Gonna borrow your power.”

I touched the red gem, pulled Risha in.

With the flame slave sword, I burned Yan’s corpse to ash.

Only then did my stomach settle.