Episode 117: The Foundation of Evil

“You… are you mocking me!?”

Supporting his sword with trembling hands, Radophilias glared sharply at Siegfried von Kreving.

“That composure… you must be able to use healing magic! But this sword is a masterpiece forged by the legendary craftsman Varia… imbued with magic that nullifies healing powers. If it pierces your heart… you will surely die!”

“Is that so? Then you should just get it over with.”

Siegfried von Kreving spoke nonchalantly, as if it were someone else’s concern.

“Guh…!”

Radophilias gripped the sword tightly, but his hand only trembled faintly. The blade’s tip refused to move forward.

And then—

“Ugh… uhh…”

The sword slipped from Radophilias’s hand. Following that, his knees buckled beneath him.

“Ah… ugh… uhh…”

A sob escaped the old king’s lips.

In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to thrust the sword into Siegfried von Kreving. Because he knew.

(I… am not worthy of doing so.)

Volfirio was, without a doubt, a foolish man.

Countless lives had been lost, and countless others humiliated, because of his selfish commands.

Thus, most who learned of his death would likely say, “He got what he deserved.”

(And the reason Volfirio became such a man… lies with me.)

Radophilias muttered softly.

“I… am an incompetent king.”

It had been thirty years since Radophilias ascended to the throne.

Yet in all that time, he had never once steered the course of the nation with his own will.

“In the end… I was nothing more than a figurehead, merely following the whims of my vassals.”

He had inherited the policies of the previous king, leaving the real power of governance to his ministers.

He chose to avoid meddling in politics, embracing his role as a mere symbol.

He did so because he understood all too well.

Attempting reform recklessly would invite backlash.

In some cases, it could even lead to other princes being propped up, potentially costing him the throne.

Thus, Radophilias had spent his reign nodding along to the directives of the great nobles.

“Even the education of my sons and daughters… I left it entirely to my vassals. And the result—was Volfirio’s deplorable state.”

The second prince, Volfirio, was surrounded by nobles who flattered and elevated him. That environment likely fueled his excessive pride.

But Radophilias had been unable to correct it.

Having entrusted everything to his vassals, he had no room to interfere in the prince’s upbringing at that point.

Over time, Volfirio began to distance himself from Radophilias.

“In the end… I never chose anything for myself. I was afraid—afraid of choosing and getting hurt. To a capable man like you, Count Kreving… I must seem like an object of ridicule.”

“No.”

Siegfried von Kreving shook his head.

Then, calmly but ruthlessly, he declared:

“Let me be clear. I don’t care about you. You couldn’t even become evil, nor could you exact revenge against me. To me, you’re no different from a pebble on the roadside—not even worth mocking.”

“What…!?”

Radophilias gasped, his eyes widening as his lips trembled for a moment.

But that trembling soon turned into a faint smile.

“Ha… haha. I see, I don’t matter, do I? It’s been a long time since I became king… but this is the first time someone has said such a thing to me. Yes… I see. I’m just… an insignificant existence, aren’t I…?”

Siegfried von Kreving’s words should have felt like an insult.

Yet, for some reason, a strange sense of relief began to bloom in the old king’s heart.

“…Indeed. Someone like me… to others, I’m nothing significant. Perhaps I should have lived more freely. Even if I were dragged from the throne, it’s not as if my life would be taken. If that’s the case… I should have lived more as I wished, more freely—…”

“And so—is that the end of our conversation, Your Majesty King Radophilias?”

To that question, Radophilias nodded quietly.

“…Yes. My apologies for wasting your time, Count Kreving.”

“No need to concern yourself. I did say you were ‘insignificant’ earlier, but—I am grateful. I’ll indulge in this little diversion.”

“Grateful…?”

“Yes. Prince Volfirio was quite the splendid villain. Because you were his father, that man was born and stood before me. For that—I am grateful.”

As he spoke, Siegfried von Kreving knelt, meeting the old king’s gaze directly.

“As a small token of my gratitude—I’ll tell you this. Both Volfirio’s lamentations and your resentment… they are all indispensable foundations for the royal path I tread. I will walk forward, treading upon them. As long as I stay true to this path, Prince Volfirio’s death will never be in vain.”

The one thing Siegfried von Kreving could promise was this—he would never waver from his chosen way of life.

He slays evil, makes it shine, and builds his path upon its remains.

Thus, the ‘evil’ he buries continues to hold meaning—as long as his path of evil endures.

(I see…)

Radophilias didn’t fully comprehend every word Siegfried von Kreving spoke.

But even so, he clearly felt one thing.

This man—more than anyone—had faced Volfirio with utmost sincerity.

Until now, those who approached Volfirio were merely power-hungry sycophants.

Not a single person had ever truly faced him with their heart.

Yet the man before him—the very one who killed Volfirio—was the only one who had confronted him earnestly.

With cunning strategies, commanding his subordinates, and staking his life—he etched Volfirio, the ‘evil,’ into this world.

Understanding this much, Radophilias still spoke in a strained voice:

“…Even so, I have no intention of forgiving you.”

“Naturally, I wouldn’t expect you to.”

Siegfried von Kreving smiled coldly.

That was fine. He had no intention of seeking forgiveness or understanding.

He had merely, as a small gesture of gratitude for the encounter with the villain Volfirio, shared a sliver of his true feelings. That was all.

“Then… I, too, shall make a vow. I will never forget my resentment toward you. If the day comes when you betray your way of life, then—at that moment—I will take your life.”

He could never forgive the man who killed Volfirio.

Yet, as long as Siegfried von Kreving stayed true to his path of evil, that death would continue to hold meaning.

Thus, the old king resolved.

The moment Siegfried von Kreving betrayed his ideals—that would be the moment he would make him pay with his life.

“—I look forward to it, King Radophilias.”

Siegfried von Kreving narrowed his eyes and nodded quietly.

And so, their secret meeting came to a quiet close.