LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 40
Chapter 40. A Clever Method
So, it’s Zilbagias here, asked to devise a new method of torture to further torment the few acquaintances from my past life.
Why… why must I, along with Liliana, suffer in this way?
“Such a strange twist of fate, indeed.”
Is it a time to be casual about this?!
Sidarl and Viene, with a hint of excitement on their faces, are intently watching me.
In the cold prison, the only sound echoing is the crushed breathing of Liliana, who is suspended in the air.
Her life and death are now in my hands. Pretending to try out a new torture method to release her from suffering—or in other words, to kill her—could be quite easy.
But is that really the only option?
Is there nothing else I can do?
If there’s no other choice, then so be it. Just like I took the lives of the human warriors. Just like I let people die as substitutes for the teleportation spell.
However, if I let her die when there was another way, I would regret it for the rest of my life.
This time, it’s different. I’m not being forced to kill or let someone die.
It’s me. My own decision will change her fate.
Think, think, think.
“If, hypothetically,” I wet my lips and spoke up.
“What would I do if I couldn’t think of any particularly clever methods?”
Words to buy time.
“Nothing in particular. Just maintaining the status quo.”
Sidarl shook his head without showing any sign of disappointment, still smiling.
“However, well… we will continue our research on this girl.”
“Research?”
“Yes. We haven’t just been looking on while she suffers; we’ve always been searching for ways to utilize her.”
For example, this blood power, Sidarl pointed at the pool of blood on the floor.
“An incredible regenerative ability, with strong light magic. For us, the beings of darkness, it could instead be toxic. For Night Elves, merely touching it could cause their skin to rot.”
Sidarl waved his leather gloves in the air.
“I see, so that’s why the gloves.”
“Yes. When torturing, we must wear masks and protective clothing, paying careful attention to splattered blood.”
Going that far…
“However, the efficacy of this blood is closer to a miracle than magic or curses. In other words, depending on the Saint’s will, it might not have any ‘side effects’ on us.”
Sidarl gazed at Liliana with gleaming eyes.
“And so, we attempted to establish the Saint’s [Domination].”
[Domination]—or perhaps [Brainwashing]. It’s a specialty of the Night Elves. Using drugs and magic to twist the target’s will, turning them into puppets that obey any command—
But that’s not easily done with High Elves, unlike those with weaker magic power like humans or beastmen.
“Through repeated torment, her mind has been completely broken. However, we’re still one step away from breaking her soul and applying the miracle to us.”
His face twisted in frustration.
“Even if we temporarily control her with drugs, the light magic injures us. Besides, even if she loses consciousness, this blood remains poisonous—”
I watched Sidarl, who was grinding his teeth, with a cold gaze.
Of course. Her healing power only applies to ‘allies.’ No matter how broken her spirit, no matter how much we twist her will with drugs, there’s no way she could acknowledge the ones who bring her hell as allies.
“Recently, there’s been a proposal that perhaps we could try cracking open her head and rearranging her insides. Since it will regenerate anyway, we might be able to rewrite her memory by scooping out her insides—”
He started talking about something grotesque.
“However, if we go that far, she might actually die. There’s also a chance her thinking might become distorted, and she wouldn’t be a ‘Saint’ anymore, so that’s a last resort.”
…In any case, it’s certain that Liliana’s future is bleak.
“I see, but I understand now.”
Suppressing my nausea, I tried to act indifferent as I spoke.
“So you guys aren’t directly violating this woman, then?”
The torture stories I heard earlier didn’t include that detail. They left all that to goblins or something.
“Absolutely not! Even without the light poison, I would want no part of it!”
With a face that looked like he was holding back vomit, Sidarl shook his head.
“Just researching her blood for medicinal use has brought out opposition within our clan. Violating the Saint?—abominable! I’d rather sleep with a dog… just thinking about it makes my manhood want to rot away.”
Sidarl’s smirk fell away, revealing his disgust. Ah, so that’s his value system…
“I see then—”
I thought for a moment.
“—To be honest, I’m kind of fond of her.”
“Eh?” Sidarl and Viene exclaimed, their voices vacant. Ignoring them, I continued.
“I think you’ve heard, Sidarl… I’ve been growing suddenly.”
“Y-yes… I’ve heard…”
“I’m originally supposed to be a five-year-old, but recently I’ve started feeling certain desires.”
I formed the most sleazy face my facial muscles would allow and directed a lustful gaze at Liliana. …Seeing her suffer like that made me want to wilt, but I held my ground.
Right now, I’m—Diagias. The lust-crazed Diagias!
“And I’ve been at a loss with no outlet for these feelings… So, Sidarl, I seek your counsel.”
“N-no way…”
“Indeed, way. Of course, I can hurt her as I wish, but you know, I mean, in the way I think.”
Sidarl looked taken aback but quickly plastered on an artificial smile.
“Of course, I don’t mind… but—”
“……No! Not like that! I—that’s… the Prince’s first time mustn’t be… like this! I can’t let my lady face it!!”
Viene interrupted with a voice resembling a shriek. Ugh, what an unnecessary interruption!
“Viene. Of course, this is a secret from my mother.”
“But—”
“What I do is my decision. Or are you suggesting I need my mother’s permission for every woman I choose to bed?”
As I let a hint of anger seep into my words, Viene turned pale and backed down, saying, “No…” That’s right; such issues are hard to confront. And she wouldn’t want to incur my wrath over something so trivial.
“Well then, that’s settled… but, really, I… when in view of others… well, you get me right?”
Being aware of the mixture of adolescent desires and appearances, I threw a meaningful glance. Sidarl looked like he was regretting various things.
“With all due respect… Your Highness, that woman is rather a dangerous existence.”
I silently pointed to the blood of Liliana that was dripping to the floor.
It sizzles. Must be light magic.
“Don’t underestimate my magical resistance.”
“N-no, that’s not all… If by any chance the rope loosens and she regains consciousness, she could even injure you. At such times, a being is at their most defenseless… unless someone is nearby…”
While watching Sidarl, who was rambling nervously, I tried to contort my face into a sulky expression. Of course, this was to hold back my laughter.
…Ante, where are you? You’ve been laughing since earlier.
“Hm? I just wanted to watch from this premium seat,” the brown demon god floated down beside me. Sidarl recoiled as though struck and took a step back.
“No problem. I’m not alone.”
“Is it fine for me to see?”
“Even if I told you not to, you’d just look anyway. So it’s a waste of time to worry.”
I looked at the troubled Night Elves, hands resting on my belt, as if declaring I was ready to go. “By the way, how long are you planning to stay there?” I glared at them.
“…We’ll wait outside. If anything happens, yell loudly; we’ll rush over immediately…”
With shoulders slumped as though resigned to fate, Sidarl nodded reluctantly. Viene looked like she was about to roll her eyes. Losing my virginity to a High Elf is already awkward enough, but if anything happens, my clan’s very heads could be at stake. Since Sidarl is the one responsible…
“Don’t worry about it. But if I keep you waiting, I might indulge a bit longer.”
I called out to the retreating backs of the two.
“…Your Highness! Please, above all else, do not loosen the rope around her neck! Absolutely do not loosen it!”
Sidarl left with that desperate plea, his face twisted like he had swallowed a thousand bitter pills as he closed the iron door.
“………”
Ante quietly jumped into me.
“—Hahahaha! Hahaha! Hee, huhu… Hahaha! Huha, hehehehehe…”
He burst into uncontrollable laughter.
While I felt a sense of triumph over the cruel Night Elves, that sensation faded as soon as I laid eyes on the wretched Liliana hanging there again.
I somehow managed to chase the interlopers away.
“…What are you planning?” Ante asked quietly.
“Oh, if you wish, I could wait in the corner and block my eyes and ears for you.”
Shut up, you fool!
“I’ll mention that the incredible power you’ll gain would be worth it, as the taboo demon god.”
…Shut up, stupid.
Listening to Sidarl’s story, an odd idea struck me.
However—this naturally comes with risks.
I had to make a decision.
Would I put Liliana out of her misery?
Or would I take the risk—risk exposing my identity just to save her?