I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 323

Lucas regained consciousness several days later.

The large swordsman who had been nursing Lucas cried out, sobbing.

“Young Master! You’re awake!”

“Mason… Uncle?”

Lucas struggled to sit up, his body wrapped in bandages.

It was the McGregor family’s mansion. It had been so long since he had returned to his hometown that it felt unfamiliar, and he couldn’t quite grasp the current situation.

“How did I get here…?”

His memories were hazy due to the aftereffects of his beastification. [A transformation into a beast-like state.]

The mission had failed, and Ash had discovered his betrayal, so he should have been killed.

How was he alive… and back in his hometown?

“His Highness Prince Ash sent people to bring you here, Young Master! Your injuries were mostly healed, but you were unconscious for days, and we were so worried…”

Mason sniffled, which was out of character for his large frame. Lucas blinked blankly, then asked urgently,

“Was there any other message?”

“Ah, yes… there’s a letter from His Highness Prince Ash here.”

Lucas eagerly read the letter Mason handed him. The content was simple.

– Get lost. Forever.

“…”

Lucas squeezed his eyes shut and carefully folded the letter, placing it in his pocket.

He took a deep breath to compose himself and turned to Mason beside him.

“How are you here, Uncle Mason…?”

He had failed to assassinate Ash. It wouldn’t have been strange if Fernandez had killed all the McGregor family members who had been held hostage.

“His Highness Fernandez released us all!”

“Even though I failed…?”

“Here, this is a letter from His Highness Fernandez. Please read it.”

Lucas unfolded it, and it read:

– Your dedication until now has become meaningless due to this mission failure.

– However, acknowledging your past efforts, I will spare your family and forgive half of your remaining debt.

– I still value your talent. If you wish to pay off the rest of your debt…

Crinkle.

Lucas roughly crumpled the letter and then tore it to shreds. Mason, startled by Lucas’s actions, asked hesitantly,

“What are you going to do now, Young Master?”

“…I have to live.”

Lucas pulled at the corners of his dry mouth, forcing a smile.

The smile of the boy who had been like an innocent puppy had, in the meantime,

“Even if the world ends, people have to keep living.”

Changed a little, like that of a wolf.

***

Lucas disposed of the McGregor family’s mansion and estate.

Even then, he didn’t have enough money to pay off his debts, so he ended up selling off the swordsmanship dojo, the family’s secret manuals, and even the swords that had been passed down as heirlooms.

The McGregor family’s secret manuals and treasured swords were surprisingly valuable.

On the day the family’s mansion was sold and the swordsmanship dojo’s sign was taken down.

All the retainers and loyal servants who had served the McGregor family until the very end burst into tears. Lucas hugged each of them.

“I’m sorry for making you all suffer until the end. Everyone, live well.”

He even forced Mason, who wanted to stay by his side, to leave.

He sold everything down to the last speck of dust, finally paying off his debts.

Lucas was left penniless.

Now, all that remained in his hand was the hilt of a broken sword. The sword Ash had given him was now just a pitiful hilt.

“…”

Lucas stared silently at the hilt, then tucked it into his pocket and began to walk away.

He had nothing left to lose anyway.

His destination was already decided.

***

“How shameless.”

In Ash’s detached palace.

Even though it was midday, the thick curtains were drawn, making the room dark. Ash sat on a chair, sipping the poisoned liquor in his glass.

The ashtray next to him was full of crushed cigarette butts.

“A traitor, yet you dare to show your face before me again?”

Ash sneered, his eyes looking decadent and haggard, like an old man whose soul had aged to its very core, making it hard to believe he was only fifteen years old.

Thud.

Lucas quietly knelt before him.

“Please give me a chance to atone.”

“Atone? How will you atone?”

“I will become Your Highness’s dog. I will bark if you tell me to bark, and I will die if you tell me to die.”

“Are you asking me to take back a dog that has already bitten its master?”

“If a watchdog bites its master, it should be put down. But Your Highness spared my life.”

Ash chuckled and rose from his seat.

“The reason I spared you is that your betrayal was of no great consequence. Whether you betrayed me or not, Mother would have died in the end, and sooner or later, I would have become this wretched mess…”

Ash downed the rest of his drink in one gulp and slammed the glass down, then smiled gloomily.

“…And it’s pointless to chase you away from here. No matter what, you’ll end up joining me on my cursed journey. Seriously, it always ends up like this.”

“Are you taking me back?”

“I gave you a chance to run away. But you came back. So, I’ll use you until you’re on the verge of death.”

Lucas couldn’t fully understand Ash’s words, but he listened quietly.

“Be a dog that follows my orders completely. If you slip up, you’ll be put down as you wished.”

“That is what I desire.”

He was a dog.

A dog does not question its master’s words.

“…I’ll tell you in advance. I’m going to break down more and more.”

Ash swept his messy hair back.

“My soul is so old that it’s full of cracks. Right now, it’s still holding its shape because it’s right after the regression, but as time passes, it’ll shatter into pieces.”

“…”

“I’ll forget people’s names, I’ll forget what I was doing, and in the end, I’ll even forget my purpose. So, guard, I’m telling you. Remember this clearly.”

Lucas didn’t try to understand.

He just remembered the next words.

“In the year I turn twenty-three, I have to go to Crossroads. To start my last game.”

Eight years from now.

The words of his master, that he had to go to the southern end of the world.

On the table next to Ash was a chessboard. On it, there were no other pieces, only the white and black kings.

On that desolate chessboard, Ash picked up another piece that had fallen on the floor and placed it.

Clack!

A knight.

A white knight was placed in front of the king.

“If I forget, you lead me. I trust you.”

At that moment, one question popped into Lucas’s head.

He tried not to question, but he was certain that he had to ask this now.

Not for his own curiosity, but for Ash’s sake.

“…May I ask you just one thing?”

“You’re asking questions as soon as I take you back as a watchdog? You have no manners.”

Ash clicked his tongue but nodded. Lucas asked slowly,

“What is the reason you want to play that ‘game’?”

Then Ash’s eyes widened.

His eyes, which had been murky and dull, sparkled clearly for a moment.

“Well… of course, there’s only one reason.”

At that moment, Lucas saw it.

Like a downpour on the cracked earth.

The smile, weary with the passage of time, transformed into a bright smile like that of a fifteen-year-old boy—appearing on Ash’s lips.

Only then did Lucas realize.

Ah. This person,

No matter how much he changes, he is still the person I served.

Smiling brightly, Ash said,

“It’s to save this world.”

***

Ash took Lucas out.

The carriage headed to the Winter Silver family’s estate. Serenade ran out barefoot at Ash’s visit.

“My Lord!”

Serenade, who had rushed over, hugged Ash tightly. Ash stood still.

“You’ve been secluded since Empress Dustia’s funeral… I was worried. Are you feeling better?”

Serenade, with tears welling up in her eyes, looked at Ash’s gaunt face and then noticed the smell of alcohol and cigarettes on his body.

Serenade, at a loss, carefully opened her mouth.

“My Lord. I understand your heart is breaking, but alcohol and cigarettes are bad for your health.”

“I’m sorry, Serenade, but I didn’t come here to listen to your nagging.”

“Please come inside first. I’ll bring you some warm tea. If there’s anything I can do to comfort you…”

“I don’t need your comfort either.”

Ash, who had spoken coldly, gestured lightly with his chin.

“Give me money. I have a use for it.”

“Huh? Money…?”

“As the heir to a merchant family, you must have some funds you can use. Hurry up and give it to me.”

Ash, who had gestured impudently, wore a wicked sneer that didn’t suit his small face.

“Bring me a good bottle of liquor too, if you have one.”

“…”

Serenade’s face fell.

But she quietly went back into her house and returned a few minutes later with a small wooden box and a bottle of liquor.

“This box… contains the jewelry I’ve collected since I was a child. I’ve been saving it for my wedding with you, my lord, and this liquor is-”

Ash didn’t listen any further and snatched the box and bottle from Serenade’s hands.

He casually opened the box, confirmed that it was full of jewels, and then turned away.

“Thanks. I’ll use it well.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll come again next time, so have this much ready again. Got it?”

Serenade stared blankly at Ash’s back as he walked away without looking back.

Lucas, who had been watching this scene with a cold sweat, bowed to Serenade and then hurriedly followed Ash.

As Ash was getting back into the carriage, Serenade cried out, sobbing.

“My Lord!”

“…”

“If money, liquor, or anything else can heal your heart, I’ll prepare it as much as you need. So…”

Serenade, who had barely swallowed her tears, smiled sadly.

“Please, don’t be in too much pain. It hurts me more.”

“…”

“Please come to me anytime, my lord. I’ll be waiting. Here, forever…”

Ash silently got into the carriage and had it depart.

The Winter Silver family’s mansion quickly receded into the distance. Serenade was still standing there barefoot, as if rooted to the spot, waving her hand weakly.

Once Serenade was out of sight, Ash finally opened his mouth.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

“Yes?”

“I mean, first love. Even after this much time has passed, it still makes my heart ache.”

Ash opened the box Serenade had given him.

The jewels she had carefully collected one by one in preparation for her wedding with him sparkled.

“I should be used to this kind of thing too… ha, seriously.”

Ash smiled bitterly, turned his gaze away, and closed the box. Then, he looked out the window with a heavy heart.

After a long silence, Ash spoke again in a cold voice.

“I need more money, and… more connections.”

Lucas didn’t ask.

Why he needed that money. Why he needed those connections.

What Ash’s actions were for.

“Since I don’t have any damn foundation, there’s no other way. This time too…”

However, Lucas suddenly thought.

That this boy, who was smiling precariously as if he would break at any moment.

“Shall I become the Empire’s number one delinquent?”

Even in the darkness, he still seemed to emit light.

Like a backlight.

***

Eight years passed.

Ash and Lucas reached Crossroads.

And the final game began.