The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 122

Chapter 15: Accusation: The Executed Scoundrel

A Necromancer. That is, one who practices necromancy.

They defy the natural order, manipulating the souls of the dead by binding them to corpses.

Because they wield power over death, Necromancers have always been viewed with fear and suspicion.

However, a closer look reveals that Necromancers are not all-powerful.

Firstly, the number and type of undead entities they can control depends on their skill.

Low-level Necromancers can barely animate a few ordinary corpses as clumsy zombies, and even then, the control is weak as the souls often escape or the bodies quickly decay.

As Necromancers advance, the number of wraiths they can command increases significantly.

They can control not only zombies but also ghouls (a more evolved and resilient form of undead), and even formidable Death Knights or Death Lords.

A Necromancer capable of controlling Death Knights is considered highly skilled.

The undead controlled by such necromancers possess considerable intelligence, their corpses decompose slowly, and they retain a significant portion (over 70%) of their skills from their former lives.

In this respect, Urka was arguably one of the most powerful Necromancers in the Arnia continent.

He could instantly create Death Knights from fallen Experts [skilled warriors or mages].

Moreover, these Death Knights were essentially immortal, nearly unstoppable without divine intervention or the immense destructive power of an Aura Sword [a weapon imbued with concentrated life force].

“Muhahaha! Quietly accept your fate. You cannot defeat my Death Knights!”

I gazed at Count Hilton and the Five Fingers [likely referring to a group of his elite subordinates], now twisted into grotesque parodies of their former selves, trapped in the most powerful emotions they felt in life. It was a mockery of death.

While they deserved punishment for their actions, the desecration of their souls after death felt like a separate, even greater, injustice.

I drew the Heavenly Demon Sword and channeled Dual Mana [a potent energy source] from my dantian [an energy center in the body, a concept from Eastern martial arts], causing a dazzling jade light to envelop the blade.

“Urka, was it? Let me ask you something.”

“Unless it’s a pathetic plea for mercy, I’m all ears.”

“As a follower of the Twilight Church, are you aware that the demon Dantaleon appeared in the Lloyd territory some time ago?”

Urka tilted his head, a skeletal gesture.

“That’s a rather obvious question. Who *doesn’t* know that? It’s why you earned the moniker ‘Demon Slayer’.”

“Precisely. That’s what happened. So, here’s the question: If I could handle a demon, do you really think I can’t kill a few Death Knights?”

[Flash Step]

[Haste]

I exploded into motion, blurring across the battlefield.

The closest Death Knight was Count Hilton.

With a swift, merciful strike, I cleanly severed his head, hoping to grant him some semblance of peace.

[Passive Skill]

[Power of Exorcism Applied]

The headless body, struck by the sword infused with the energy of nature, crumbled into dust.

The burning flames in Urka’s empty eye sockets flickered with unease.

“How is that possible?”

“There are countless forms of power in this world that you don’t comprehend. You’re trapped within your narrow perspective, judging everything by your own limited standards. That’s why you’re failing.”

Emerald light flashed across the sky as I moved, and Death Knights fell like felled trees after a storm.

My companions, led by Zion and Campbell, skillfully held the remaining Death Knights in place, allowing me to deliver the final, decisive blow.

It was only a matter of time before the last Death Knight was destroyed, leaving only Urka standing.

Urka was dumbfounded, utterly defeated.

Then, a flicker of realization crossed his face, and he smiled triumphantly.

“Kuhahaha! I was momentarily surprised. I underestimated you; you truly are a Demon Slayer. But this is where it ends.”

What other tricks did he have up his sleeve?

He didn’t seem to have much left.

“I am a Lich. An immortal being. Unless you destroy the Life Vessel that holds my heart and soul, I cannot be killed. And my vessel is safely guarded by Master Oman.”

*That’s* what he was relying on?

His shallow thinking didn’t even warrant a smile.

“That’s… convenient.”

“What did you say?”

“Are you deaf? I said it’s convenient.”

Urka, misinterpreting my relaxed demeanor and the faint smile on my lips as a bluff, pressed on.

“Hehehe, even if you try to appear confident, nothing will change. You can never kill me, and eventually, my master will come and punish you all!”

“Okay, Zion, Campbell, grab his arms.”

Zion and Campbell swiftly disarmed the Lich, snatching his staff and restraining his skeletal body.

I brought the Heavenly Demon Sword close to Urka, who was now completely immobile.

“I don’t understand…”

“Can’t you see? I’m going to stab you with this sword.”

“Foolish mortal! I am a Lich! My flesh, muscles, and nerves have long since rotted away, leaving only bone. Do you honestly believe I can feel pain?”

“We’ll see about that.”

Evil beings are particularly vulnerable to sacred objects or weapons imbued with divine power, and they can indeed feel pain when struck by them.

If the energy of nature has similar effects to divine power, then the Power of Exorcism should certainly disrupt the Lich’s undead essence.

I lightly severed one of the Lich’s finger bones with the Mana Sword.

*Poogak!*

[Passive Skill]

[Power of Exorcism Applied]

The system window appeared, confirming the effect.

Urka trembled violently.

“Keueup!”

“Huh? Didn’t you just say you couldn’t feel pain?”

“O-Of course! I am an immortal being! So… Keueup!!”

*Bbagak! Bbagak! Bbagak!*

I began systematically carving into the Lich’s bones.

Miraculously, each time a bone was broken, magical energy surged forth, reconnecting the fragments like living threads, restoring the damage.

“A test subject that can be used semi-permanently without breaking. I like this even more.”

*Bbagak! Bbagak! Bbagak!!*

“Since you claim to feel no pain, I can cut you as much as I please.”

Arm bones, leg bones, rib bones, neck bones, skull.

Breaking, cutting, severing, crushing, and pulverizing.

I experimented with a variety of methods for a full hour.

The Power of Exorcism continued to inflict its agonizing effects.

Eventually, Urka, his undead patience exhausted, screamed.

“Kkyaaaaaaak!!! Stop!”

“What? I thought you said it didn’t hurt?”

“Why is this happening…? Are you a paladin?”

“Nope! Wrong guess. Try again. I’ll keep going until you get the right answer.”

“Keuheok!!”

Would Urka ever guess that I was a Druid?

I hadn’t used many Druid skills in today’s battle, relying mostly on the Heavenly Demon Sword.

[Tenacious Life Force Activated]

[Health Recovery Greatly Increased]

One hour turned into two, and two hours became three.

Thanks to the passive skill, my stamina remained high, and I continued to torture Urka with the same speed and intensity as at the beginning.

The mechanical-like efficiency of my work made not only Urka, who was being tortured, but also the onlookers, visibly uneasy.

“If I ever betray my lord, I will remember this day.”

“Young Master, I have always been loyal, but I will be even more so from now on.”

“Vice-Captain, have I treated you unfairly recently? Tell me if I have. I’ll apologize.”

Eventually, four hours passed.

The sun began to rise over the horizon.

I was fine, only slightly sweaty.

Urka was… well, his body was still mostly intact, despite being repeatedly dismembered.

But that was only the surface.

His inner self was a shattered wreck.

“Kkeueok… Kkeueok… Demon… You are a demon…”

“That’s a rich joke, coming from someone who sold their soul to a demon.”

“I… I want to stop now…”

“That will not happen. I will continue to inflict pain upon you until your sanity is completely extinguished. That is the end for one who believed in immortality and reveled in arrogance.”

As I raised my sword again, Urka muttered in despair.

“Kkeueuek… Damn it… If that’s the case, I’d rather…”

*Pasak!!*

A sound of something shattering.

With that, the flames that had burned in Urka’s eyes vanished.

Simultaneously, the skeletal corpse collapsed with a soft thud, then turned to dust and was swept away by the wind.

“He gave up on life himself.”

Urka was technically correct.

In principle, a Lich is immortal unless their Life Vessel is destroyed.

However, humans (and even undead) are not simply physical bodies.

Where there is flesh, there is spirit; where there is an exterior, there is an interior.

In the end, Urka’s body remained intact, but his mind was broken, and he chose to end his own existence by shattering his Life Vessel with his own will.

A heavy silence fell after the intense battle.

Rebecca, who had witnessed everything, spoke in an exhausted voice.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Whew!”

“Oh, my legs…”

Hearing her words, I finally realized it was truly over.

Everyone collapsed or leaned against pillars, seeking rest.

But I crossed my arms and began to contemplate the future.

I had learned quite a few things from Urka during his… interrogation.

Firstly, Urka was Oman’s disciple.

As Oman’s disciple, he was arrogant and overconfident.

That made him relatively easy to manipulate.

More importantly, the shocking revelation was Oman’s true identity.

“Is it true? That Oman, a high-ranking executive of the Twilight Church, is actually Duke James, a powerful figure who wields considerable influence within the Empire?”

Rebecca seemed equally concerned, as she sat heavily on the throne and questioned me.

“Urka wouldn’t have lied in that situation. It must be true that Duke James is Oman.”

There are dukes in the Elden Kingdom as well, but the power and prestige of a kingdom’s duke pales in comparison to that of an empire’s duke.

The Calon Empire boasts vast territory, a formidable military, and a society, culture, and economy that are decades ahead of the Elden Kingdom.

It was no exaggeration to say that a duke, the highest-ranking aristocrat in such a powerful nation, held influence that even the king of a smaller kingdom could not match.

Rebecca sighed deeply.

“I can’t even begin to imagine how deeply the Twilight Church has infiltrated the Empire. This is a major headache.”

“Rebecca, you just focus on governing the Elden Kingdom. I’ll take care of the Twilight Church matter.”

She seemed worried that I was becoming entangled in the fate of the Arnia continent.

“That’s too dangerous a mission for you. Is it really necessary? Now that we know the true identity of Duke James, we can simply exercise caution.”

As Rebecca suggested, how pleasant would it be to simply travel back and forth between the marquisate and the royal palace, enjoying a perpetual vacation?

However, the world rarely conforms to our desires.

To remain stagnant is to invite destruction.

Even if this particular incident hadn’t occurred, the Twilight Church would inevitably use the Empire to extend its influence over the Kingdom.

“Rebecca, I stated my intentions clearly when I first became the Queen’s Consort: I would entrust all state affairs to you and step back from politics.”

“Did Henon foresee the Twilight Church’s rise to power? How many steps ahead are you planning?”

Not exactly.

I simply felt sympathy for her studying so diligently in her room, and I laid the groundwork because I anticipated being occupied with managing the marquisate.

Good is good, so I’ll just leave it at that.

“Ahem, anyway, you understand my reasoning, correct? I’m relying on you to guide the Kingdom in the future.”

Rebecca clenched her fists tightly and made a solemn vow.

In any case, it’s beneficial if she’s motivated.

“Now, all that remains is to deal with the remnants who rebelled against the royal family.”

Count Hilton, the primary instigator, is dead, and Charlie has become Rebecca’s subordinate, so the remaining conspirators are merely insignificant.

I resolved to resolve the situation swiftly.

* * *

The Elden Kingdom was in turmoil.

The news that the Hilton family had led an armed force to invade the royal palace and attempt to assassinate the Queen spread like wildfire throughout the country.

Initially, some pro-imperial nobles dismissed it as an impossibility, claiming it was a fabrication by the royal family to suppress the pro-imperial faction.

However, the evidence was overwhelming.

Firstly, there was no legitimate reason for Count Hilton to be present in the royal palace at such a late hour.

Moreover, Charlie Hilton, a member of the Hilton family, confessed to participating in the assassination attempt, silencing the pro-imperial nobles who had staunchly supported Hilton.

Then, as if on cue, the extensive corruption of the Hilton family was exposed to the public.

Like peeling an onion, one layer of deceit and malfeasance was revealed after another, and just when it seemed to be over, even more shocking revelations surfaced.

“Have you heard the latest news?”

“The Hilton family attempted to seize control of the Lloyd family by colluding with the elves, right?”

“The Lloyd family has released a handwritten letter exchanged between the elven chief elder and Count Hilton.”

“Isn’t there a possibility that it’s a forgery?”

“Of course, handwriting can be faked, but family seals are much harder to replicate. Experts have already authenticated the letter. Even the experts hired by the pro-imperial faction confirmed that the handwritten letter was genuine.”

That wasn’t all.

The Hilton family was implicated in numerous instances of bribery and underhanded dealings, acting as an insider in various illicit schemes.

Indeed, it was difficult to find a corrupt transaction that *didn’t* involve the Hilton family.

Furthermore, the Hilton family’s deep involvement in Liang’s slave trade came to light.

In particular, Hilton’s wife, Mrs. Hilton, frequently visited Liang, and each time, she purchased slaves and subjected them to unspeakable abuse.

These rumors spread rapidly, igniting public outrage among both the aristocratic social circles and the commoners.

All of this unfolded according to my carefully laid plans.

I possessed a wealth of evidence documenting the Hilton family’s corruption, but there was no opportune moment to reveal it.

If I had acted prematurely and the pro-imperial nobles had rallied in protest, denouncing it as a conspiracy, the evidence I had painstakingly gathered would have been rendered useless.

So, I patiently waited and unleashed it as a decisive blow when the time was right.

Consequently, the Hilton family collapsed beyond any hope of recovery.

The pro-imperial nobles abandoned the sinking ship and pledged their unwavering loyalty to the royal family.

Naturally, the authority of Queen Rebecca, which had been precarious since her accession, was solidified, and the whispers that women were unfit to rule faded away.

Currently, we are in Fontano Central Square.

A massive guillotine stands prominently in the center.

In recent days, the guillotine has been stained with the blood of numerous pro-imperial nobles.

This is because nobles who had sympathized with the Hilton family and engaged in severe corruption or participated in the slave trade were executed daily.

For the residents of the capital, who had been largely unaware of the extent of the corruption, it was a long-awaited spectacle.

They brought rotten eggs and overripe tomatoes from their homes and hurled them at the condemned, expressing their pent-up anger.

Today marked the final day of the execution spectacle.

As such, the noble to be executed today was a figure of considerable notoriety, and a woman at that.

The condemned was Mrs. Hilton.

The crowd, gathered like ants, buzzed with anticipation, speculating about the future.

“That woman is truly vile.”

“The slave trade is abhorrent, but what she did with the slaves she purchased…”

“What did she do? Tell me about it.”

“It’s too shameful and obscene to recount.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that! Aren’t you curious? Let’s grab a drink after this is over and you can tell me all about it.”

“Ahem, very well, but promise not to repeat it to anyone. That noble woman, you see…”

One of the busybodies raised his voice, recounting Mrs. Hilton’s atrocities as if everyone was listening.

The crowd, feigning indifference but listening more intently than anyone else, reacted with shock and whispered amongst themselves.

The old man, who had offered to buy him a drink in exchange for the story, displayed a particularly strong reaction, expressing his outrage.

“That can’t be! How could she do such things! Not all noble women are so depraved!”

“Not all ladies are like that, of course. But look at Mrs. Hilton. The nobles are even worse than you can imagine.”

“At this rate, the Hilton family will be completely destroyed. We can’t allow them any chance to recover.”

At the old man’s words, the busybody clutched his chest dramatically and feigned tears.

It was a bit of an overreaction, but the crowd naturally focused on him thanks to his theatrical performance.

“I thought so too, but Her Majesty the Queen’s grace is truly boundless.”

“Don’t tell me she forgave them?”

“Considering the contributions that the Hilton family has made to the Kingdom in the past, she will likely end it with the deaths of Count and Countess Hilton.”

“Hehe! That’s absurd! Her Majesty was threatened with her life, yet she shows such leniency. She hasn’t been on the throne for long, but she already displays the qualities of a wise and compassionate ruler.”

“That’s right. She’s not only beautiful but also incredibly kind. We have no need to worry about the future of our country.”

Everyone cursed the evil and greedy Hilton family and praised Rebecca, who possessed such a virtuous character.

As the crowd was being stirred up, the busybody and the old man who had initiated the conversation quietly slipped away.

The two, having disappeared into a nearby alley, were now kneeling before me.

“We carried out your orders flawlessly, my lord.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“The makeup was a bit itchy.”

The identity of the old man who removed his white beard was Rakan, and the identity of the busybody next to him was Aiden.

The two had traveled throughout the capital, executing my instructions, shaping public opinion, and acting as agitators to sway the crowd.

This task was of paramount importance.

The public sentiment cultivated in the capital needed to be firmly established so that it could spread to the provinces, increasing the number of people who supported the royal family and, conversely, undermining trust in the Hilton family.

“There she is! The demon woman is coming out!”

“That damn woman! Die!”

“You’re not even human!”

The execution ceremony was about to commence.

Mrs. Hilton, being led to the guillotine, was wearing a tattered dress for the first time in her life.

She was met with jeers and a barrage of filth and rotten vegetables.

As a result, her hair became disheveled, and her clothes were torn to shreds in an instant.

“Zion, prepare yourself.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Today’s execution ceremony was to be carried out by me and Zion in particular.

My story of being born a bastard and rising to become the Queen’s consort was so well-known that the crowd recognized me and erupted in cheers.

“Wow!!! It’s the Demon Slayer!!”

“He’s so handsome! No wonder the Queen fell for him.”

“He’s not only handsome but also incredibly capable.”

“I’m a man, but I want to marry him!”

I waved my hand in acknowledgment of the warm support and proceeded directly to the guillotine.

Mrs. Hilton was already bound and had her head positioned on the guillotine’s recessed block.

Now, if I cut the rope, the blade would fall and sever her head.

Even in the midst of this horrifying ordeal, Mrs. Hilton saw my face, and her body twisted and convulsed.

“Damn you! If it weren’t for you! If it weren’t for you!”

“Even if it wasn’t me, someone else would have emerged and brought you to justice. Ultimately, people reap what they sow.”

“Don’t think this is the end! The Hilton family will not fall so easily!”

How many innocent victims perished in the Molt Territory because the Hilton family colluded with the elves and instigated a war?

How many people were captured as slaves in Liang and died or suffered terribly, denied even basic human dignity?

She still refuses to acknowledge her crimes and spouts such nonsense. No matter how deeply you delve, you can never reach the bottom of the Hilton family’s depravity.

“Madam, allow me to ask you just one question.”

“What other nonsense are you going to spew?”

“Don’t you remember me?”

I pointed to my face.

Mrs. Hilton’s face contorted in confusion.

“Who are you? Henon Lloyd. Aren’t you just a lowly bastard and a lucky swindler?”

“Doesn’t my voice sound familiar?”

“Stop talking nonsense and untie the rope first. Let’s resolve this with a civil conversation.”

At this point, I had to assume that she genuinely didn’t recognize me.

Zion, who was standing behind me, stepped forward slightly.

Then, he lowered the hood that concealed his face.

Rich and glossy purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

“What is it? Suddenly, a woman I don’t know… Huh!?”

Mrs. Hilton, who had been slurring her words, widened her eyes as if she had suddenly grasped the truth.

Even if she had forgotten everything else, she would never forget Zion’s distinctive purple hair.

Because she had vowed to kill him in Liang’s slave market.

“It was you! You damn bastards!”

“I see you remember now.”

Mrs. Hilton began to foam at the mouth.

Zion casually displayed the Tears of the Mermaid necklace around his neck, as if to taunt her.

“Kkyaaaaaaak!!!”

“Please offer your apologies to those who were sacrificed to your greed in the afterlife, even if it’s just a small gesture.”

“I’m going to kill you! I’m going to kill you!”

“The time has come. I hope you experience as much pain as possible.”

*Koo-oong! Ssakduk!*

I drew the Heavenly Demon Sword and severed the rope in a single, fluid motion.

The guillotine blade fell with a chilling thud.

Mrs. Hilton’s head rolled across the floor.

“Waaaaaaa!!!!!”

A shout that seemed to tear the sky resounded throughout the central square.

With Mrs. Hilton’s execution, the pro-imperial faction was completely eradicated.

With this, the Elden Kingdom fully supported me and Rebecca.