Repent? Bullshit!

There was no utopia. There might be situations that satisfied the majority, but it was difficult for a situation to satisfy everyone. Now Kasim was proving it. As Grid and the 10 had great expectations for their future with the new empire, Kasims anger reached its peak. Even Regas, who believed that Asura had the scariest face in the world, was frightened by Kasims distorted face.

Your empire considered us ominous just because of our dark skin.

...

We were accused of listening to the movements of the empire because of our big ears and called beasts, instead of humans, because of our long arms.

...

Our women were insulted by the soldiers of your empire who invaded the land. All of our men were killed and dismembered by the knights of your empire. Your imperial nobles kept our royal family in cages and watched them for amusement.

...

It wasnt only Kasims family and friends. Everyone had been killed after suffering terrible humiliation. Their country disappeared entirely. Kasims eyes shed tears as he recalled those final days while Grenhal was just silent. The ones who inflicted wounds couldnt mourn for the wounded. He knew that no words could comfort the present Kasim. The Nero massacreled by 2nd Imperial Prince Dulandalwas one of the worst crimes in the history of the empire, and it had been strongly opposed.

Kasims dagger pointed at Grenhals neck. The imperial family you serve.

...

The prince who didnt even give us his name.

...

I saw him holding my kings head as a torch while he drank from his glass of wine.

...

Repent? Repent?! The dead will never come back! The dignity that has already been lost cant be regained! Now you want to relieve your guilt by offering apologies to those who are already dead?

...

Blood flowed from the neck of the silent Grenhal. Kasims poisonous dagger was digging into Grenhals neck.

Even if you really mean it...! You cant soothe the souls of those who have already died, even if you reflect on your past mistakes and repent for 10,000 years! Those who have already died will never forgive you!!

The Overgeared Kings audience hall was very small and shabby compared to the emperors. Nevertheless, it was a space that boasted hundreds of square meters. There were countless shadows created by the dozens of pillars, and this was well-suited for Kasims power.

Dozens of shadow soldiers surrounded Grenhal, whose face was blue due to the poison. The soldiers held spears in their hands. Kasim roared, I am the last survivor of the Nero people, Kasim! The empires enemy! I am requesting for a duel to the death!

Was it because of his loyalty to Lord, who he had affectionately served for a long time? Surprisingly, Kasim was composed. Unbelievably, this person who lived to get revenge on the empire maintained his sense of reason in front of one of the heads of the empirethe envoy of the empire.

Kasim requested for a fair duel as he knew that if he hurt Grenhal one-sidedly, the relationship between the empire and the Overgeared Kingdom could collapse miserably. Thats why Kasim hadnt harmed them when the wounded dukes were escorted to the Overgeared Kingdom not long ago. Kasim himself was unaware of it, but after guarding Lord for more than 10 years, he was already a member of the Overgeared Kingdom.

Kasim... Thats why Kasims attitude made Grid even sadder.

Okay, Grenhal accepted Kasims duel request. Our duel was caused by the empires sin against the Nero people. My subordinates will prove that the Overgeared Kingdom wasnt involved.

My Lord!! Grenhals subordinates cried out. They knew that King of Shadows Kasim was the best assassin of this time. They didnt doubt Grenhals ability. However, the opponent wasnt easy, and it could lead to a big accident. Grenhals men wanted Grenhal to avoid a showdown.

The Nero grudge is a matter for the 2nd Imperial Prince to take responsibility for! You dont have to be responsible for it! An impatient subordinate screamed.

Yet Grenhal stood his ground. Shut up! I am no different from the prince!

The empires policy of genocide had been carried out in the name of the imperial order. Grenhal had joined in many times. He hadnt commited genocide, but he had seized their territory and taken them captive. After all, he couldnt refuse an imperial order. The Nero incident was so unusual that it was criticized within the empire and 2nd Prince Dulandal was labeled bad...

Still, those were all excuses. Grenhal was also an object of resentment for someone. Did he have to keep making excuses every time he met a second or third Kasim? It wasnt possible. Those who sinned deserved to be held accountable. It was only then that the empire could move forward. Didnt the emperor show them that already?

Im Duke Grenhal of the empire. Grenhal used mana to drive out the poison and took off his armor. I will glimpse the Neros resentment through your sword. I will realize how dreadful and arduous the path of repentance that the empire will walk in the future and suggest to the empire the correct path of repentance.

You sure talk very well! If you have any shame, die willingly! Kasim shouted, and dozens of shadow soldiers stabbed their spears in unison.

Grenhal dodged most of the attacks, but he couldnt manage all of them and his upper body was wounded. The wounds made Grenhal faster and stronger. As he rushed through the shadow soldiers like a tsunami and reached Kasim, Grenhal shouted, My death isnt repentance! If the person who replaces me doesnt join the path of repentance, then it will be unfortunate as well!

...!

I will live and take responsibility!

The audience hall quickly became a mess. The battle between Kasim, who hid and moved in the darkness, and Grenhal, who had speed and destructive power, was so fierce that they feared the building would collapse. Administration Rabbit was knocking on his abacus. He was preparing in advance the repair fee he would give to Kasim and Grenhal.

Dammit...

The faces of the 10 meritorious retainers distorted as they witnessed the battle unfolding. Jishuka and Peak Sword even let out swear words. They witnessed the full power of an imperial duke as he quickly started to overpower Kasim and realized how insignificant their skills were. So far, the gap between players and named NPCs had been accepted under the excuse of a players limitations.

Grid is as strong as the dukes.

Grid had proved it again and again. The fact was that players had no limits. Their weakness was merely a lack of effort.

We are currently too weak to help Grid.

Grid didnt summon us because of this.

We are shameless.

The 10 meritorious retainers realized it. They werent in a position to worry about Grid. Their concerns were meaningless due to their current gap with Grids strength. The time wasted worrying about Grid should be invested in themselves to close the gap.

Lauel had given up on his personal strength since the day the Overgeared Kingdom was founded. Apart from him, the 10 meritorious retainers clenched their fists tightly. All of them were filled with a desire to become stronger quickly.

The result of the duel was decided. The moment his health dropped below 30%, Grenhal had unparalleled strength and smashed through dozens of shadow soldiers. The scattered shadow soldiers returned to their place, and the ragged Kasim slumped down.

Kasim coughed up blood while sitting on the ground and declaring angrily, Kill me.

He wanted to take revenge on the empire ruling the world...? It really was an illusory dream. His heart was weak enough to be fascinated by the Overgeared Kingdom that he had been trying to use as a tool of revenge, and his strength was so weak that he couldnt beat one duke, let alone the empire. It was better to die in peace. Kasim closed his eyes with a wretched heart.

Yet Grenhal said to him, Survive.

Dont sympathize with me.

It isnt sympathy. I just want to make sure that the empire will walk the right path of repentance.

Kukuk, you are frustrating. Didnt I tell you that it would be useless even if you repent for tens of thousands of years?

I also know that the empire cant be forgiven. This isnt an act to relieve my guilt.

...?

The empire just wishes to not repeat the same mistakes. I hope that a second or third Nero wont occur.

...

Survive to the end and watch the empire. Warn us not to lose our vigilance. Additionally, regarding the evil deeds that the empire committed against the Nero people... Really... Im really, deeply sorry, Grenhal apologised on his knees while bowing deeply to Kasim.

Would some of his feelings be delivered now?

I... Kasims large black eyes shook. He glimpsed the empires sincerity through Grenhals attitude and was devastated. Losing all of his motivation instantly, the desire to live slipped out of Kasims body. Kasim sensed it. He wouldnt be able to stand up again. His body, mind, and soul were sinking into the dark depths. Kasims eyes became dazed as he looked up at the ceiling.

Master!

Lord had been waiting outside the audience hall, hoping that his fathers work would end quickly. The young prince, Kasims first disciple and only friend, rushed in. He hugged Kasims body that had collapsed like a withered plant.

Master, live with me!

...

Ill make you happy!

It was the intuition of the most talented person in the world. Or was it just because he had been watching Kasim for a long time? Lord noticed Kasims crisis and cried out, raising Kasims soul that had sunk deeply. Lords clear eyes that were like his mothers captured Kasims face.

Master is the last survivor of the Nero! Once Master dies, the Nero people will disappear!

...

Ill live with you for a long time! I'll work with you until the Nero people are revived again!

...Prince.

Lords body temperature cooled down and revived Kasims heart. Kasim, who believed that revenge was the only reason for his existence, now discovered something. His life wasnt in vain. If his life was in vain, then he wouldnt have such a good friend by his side.

When he saw Kasim nod, Grid sighed and sank back against his throne with relief. A new era was healing the ghosts of the old era.