The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 135.1
The Emperor was still unconscious. But from the faint rise and fall of his chest, they could at least confirm he was still alive.
While Leslun’s eyes remained fixed on the Emperor, Kailos raised his sword and approached the commander.
By then, Robin and the knights—having subdued the remaining sorcerers—had joined them.
Cornered, the commander ground his teeth, knowing there was no way out.
“Even if you do this, our Shadow Corps will not disappear.”
“True. I don’t know who came up with the name, but I’ve always thought it was a good one.”
Kailos muttered, repeating the words Shadow Corps.
“You must have lived in the shadows for so long that you’ve forgotten something important.”
There was not a trace of sympathy in his eyes for the Shadow Corps.
“At the very least, you should know that you only exist because the sun does.”
There can be no shadow where there is no light.
“For people who claim to pursue truth, your vision is far too narrow.”
And whether that sun referred to the nation or to the Emperor himself depended on how one chose to interpret it.
“Seize him!”
At Robin’s command, the knights rushed toward the lone remaining commander.
No matter how much he struggled, he was nothing more than an old man now. Having exhausted his strength through the ritual, he was subdued with ease.
“There’s plenty we can extract from you.”
How long had they taken root here, and who had they been so desperately searching for?
As Kailos murmured, the bound commander began to cackle.
“You’re mistaken if you think this is the end.”
“We’ll take our time talking about that. Take him away.”
At Kailos’s order, the commander was dragged out. His feet scraped against the floor, smearing and ruining the useless remains of the broken sigil.
Meanwhile, Leslun approached the Emperor.
He hoped it was only shock that had rendered him unconscious. But the pallor on the Emperor’s face made him certain it was something worse.
After examining him briefly, Leslun reached into his cloak and pulled out a small pouch.
It contained herbs he had brought just in case.
Baron Kelly had said they were effective, and Leslun prayed they would work on the Emperor as well.
Kailos quietly watched from beside him.
Leslun held the herbs near the Emperor’s nose and mouth.
At first, there was no reaction.
Then the Emperor’s body began to twitch slightly.
“Cough—khh!”
With a violent cough, something burst from the Emperor’s mouth.
It was a dark, sticky lump, and within it, something alive writhed.
Kailos immediately pressed it down with his sword.
A sickening squelch followed.
The creature flailed briefly before going limp.
Kailos grimaced in disgust and turned his head away from the grotesque thing.
Catching his glance, Robin collected the insect’s corpse while the knights inspected the area to ensure no remnants of the sigil remained.
Any lingering trace could become a future threat, so they had to be thorough.
“Urgh…”
The Emperor groaned and slowly opened his eyes.
Because Leslun had just stepped back, the only figure visible in his line of sight was Kailos.
“You… saved me.”
His voice was weak, completely devoid of the strength it once held. The Emperor, who had seemed so vigorous only recently, had changed in an instant.
“Well, I suppose so…”
Even at the Emperor’s praise, Kailos didn’t look particularly pleased.
A mix of emotions flickered in his eyes.
He had spent his life seeking the Emperor’s acknowledgment, yet it had never been given.
The Emperor had always regarded Kailos with disapproval for being born of a lowly mother, and once a legitimate heir was born of the Empress, he had openly rejected him.
Memories he had thought he no longer cared about flashed before his eyes, and Kailos’s expression grew increasingly complex.
“How strange,” he murmured to himself, then turned to look at Leslun.
Startled to suddenly meet his gaze, Leslun tilted his head in confusion, wondering what he meant.
Kailos gave no answer. Instead, he turned away and walked off.
Robin stepped in to take his place.
“Escort His Majesty the Emperor.”
At Robin’s brisk order, issued in place of the Crown Prince, the knights moved swiftly.
Kailos stopped Leslun, who was about to assist the knights.
“You’re supposed to stay with me.”
Speaking lightly, as if teasing, Kailos took Leslun’s arm and led him out of the cavern. Leslun could do nothing but follow.
Once they reached the surface, Kailos inhaled deeply, letting the outside air fill his lungs.
“Finally, I can breathe again.”
Leslun gave a faint smile.
“I’m glad things were resolved well.”
“Yes, everything’s been settled. But still… something feels off.”
He had said those same words before. It seemed there was still a question lingering in Kailos’s mind.
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