Becoming the Terminally-Ill Villain Who Torments His Disciples

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“…Yes.”

Cielo stayed in Ryan’s arms for a long time like that. Then, Ryan told him everything that had happened while he had been unconscious.

Cielo had been asleep for an entire month following the major incident at the Esteban estate.

According to Eli’s report, the Imperial Palace had urgently dispatched troops. As a result, it was discovered that Typhon von Esteban had been plotting a demonic summoning.

The ones used for the demonic summoning were Typhon’s son Sol, Pielago, and Cielo.

The use of forbidden sorcery carries a punishment equivalent to treason in the Empire of Astha.

As a result, Typhon’s title was stripped, and the Esteban ducal house vanished into history. A family once called the shield of the Empire became forever branded with the disgrace of having summoned demons.

“Originally, Duke Esteban should also have been executed… but they say his whereabouts, and even his body, couldn’t be found.”

“Ah…”

“But they did find the Duchess’s corpse in the estate dining hall, so they judged that the chances of him fleeing were low.”

Typhon had been known across the Empire for being deeply devoted to his wife. Though his love had been warped to the point of preventing anyone else from even looking at her, no one believed he would have abandoned her and run.

Thus, the Imperial family concluded that Typhon had lost both his body and soul to the demons.

“The twins turned themselves in.”

Sol and Pielago confessed everything in front of the people—things they could have kept hidden for life if they had wished to. The Emperor acknowledged the sincerity of their repentance and confession, and so did not take their lives.

However, he deemed it inappropriate for them to remain in the capital. They were sent to a major city in the south, ordered to spend the rest of their lives there.

Meanwhile, Ryan and Oscar were rewarded for discovering and stopping the demonic summoning.

The House of Doberman was given a vast fortune. Oscar received the townhouse formerly used by the Esteban family and was granted the title of Count.

“Then… what about me?”

Cielo swallowed dryly as he looked at Ryan.

Sol and Pielago had been stripped of their noble titles, and the Esteban family had fallen into ruin. It seemed inevitable that he too would face punishment.

“Your sentence… is still on hold.”

“On hold…”

“There are special circumstances, and the testimony of the Esteban twins helped as well. His Majesty also wants to hear your account of the matter personally. I imagine he’ll summon you once your body has recovered.”

As if to reassure him, Ryan gently stroked Cielo’s back.

“Whatever the outcome…”

Cielo reached out and took Ryan’s large hand in his own. His fingers interlaced with Ryan’s, holding on tightly to a hand too big to grasp with just one. A quiet sense of relief spread through his heart.

“If I’m with you, then it’s all right.”

“…”

“Of course, Oscar too.”

He added playfully, and Ryan’s emotions wavered sharply in an instant.

When Cielo looked up, puzzled by the shift, Ryan had a troubled, flustered expression on his face.

“Ryan?”

“Ah, well…”

“Now that I think about it…”

Oscar wasn’t here.

He had been too preoccupied—first by the shock that Oscar was alive, then by Ryan’s long scolding—to realize it earlier.

“…Where is Oscar?”

That day, Oscar had been more seriously injured than anyone else.

Even though Cielo had healed him, it was possible the demon’s poison had spread more than expected. After all, Cielo had gotten out of the estate quite late.

“That’s…”

“Ryan.”

A surge of unease gripped Cielo’s heart. Perhaps Ryan sensed it too, because his large hand once again slowly rubbed down Cielo’s back.

“Pascius is alive. He’s healthy. But…”

“But?”

Why was he hesitating so much to say it?

Cielo leaned in, urging him to speak. Then, with a strained voice, Ryan finally said:

“…He doesn’t remember you.”