I am the Saviour that the Male Leads Abandoned - Chapter 104

Episode 104

As Dianel became more determined to perish and gradually lost his will to live, the Demon King found it easier to manipulate his soul. However, the Demon King couldn’t completely relax either.

Even when Dianel had his body taken away by the Demon King and inflicted damage to his surroundings, he fiercely resisted. And for some reason, possibly due to the previous confinement, he became sensitive even to matters related to Siara.

On the other hand, Dianel meant to remain quiet unless someone directly attacked Siara.

The situation was the same at present. Despite having his autonomy taken away, Dianel showed no signs of resistance. Judging from his recent condition, it seemed like he wasn’t even aware that his body had been taken away.

The Demon King silently moved forward, trying not to provoke him. However, there was a noticeable looseness in his tense body and a strangely triumphant gait.

The secretaries following behind him noticed the unsettling change in Dianel and hardened their expressions. Whenever Dianel seemed unusually pleased, it was because he had gone somewhere and returned after completing some task.

Someone who had been close to Dianel since childhood cautiously spoke up.

“…It’s an audacious thing to say, but are you alright?”

Finally noticing their presence, Dianel swiftly turned his body. His arrogant gaze swept up and down the secretary who spoke to him.

The secretary involuntarily stiffened as he felt the chill that enveloped his entire body. It felt as if sharp thorns had passed through his body from head to toe, leaving him unable to move.

Dianel coldly smiled as he watched the person who was in front of him.

“I’m fine. Give me the documents you’re holding and all of you can leave.”

“Yes.”

The secretary handed the documents to Dianel. Taking them away as if snatching them from the secretary, Dianel turned and walked away. 

A twisted smile appeared on his calm face.

* * *

Scattered and dim lighting barely illuminated the darkness. In a closed space without a single window, a pungent smell pricked the nose.

Inside, about twenty people were bound, ranging from children to the elderly. They were diverse in their backgrounds. The one commonality among them was the lack of vitality in their faces as if they had all given up.

They were all bound by iron chains fixed to the walls. Inside the handcuffs encircling their hands were small thorns, causing blood to drip. Moans could be heard here and there, as if from young animals. The people bound there seemed helpless.

Soon, urgent footsteps drowned out the sound. As hushed conversations continued, their voices grew louder.

“I mentioned it last time, but something seems off about the central movements. It seems we were tracked even during the previous transaction.”

“It doesn’t matter. We have abundant resources to turn the situation around.”

“They seem to be accurately pinpointing targets and investigating. At this rate, we might be exposed—”

“Are you suggesting we should give up on this venture? Or are you afraid that we might turn the tables on our sins? Adi?”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant, Leven. We are a community of fate… You know that, right?”

“Of course.” 

As the conversation ended, the door dividing the space opened ominously. Viscount Leven, his belly full, and gaunt Baron Adi entered, cutting through the darkness.

Leven glanced at the bound individuals with greedy eyes. His expression alone showed his satisfaction.

Adi had a different expression from Leven, but it was equally devoid of emotion towards the people bound there.

At that moment, a bright light emerged from a man who had collapsed as if he had lost consciousness. It was a healing ability. He regained his senses, looked around, and realized that nothing had changed. He shook his head in frustration.

Leven chuckled as he heard him sighing in despair.

“Look, geese are laying golden eggs here. Would it make sense to abandon them?”

“Leven, it seems like you’re taking this matter lightly… There have been rumors that His Highness Dianel is investigating this.”

“Hah, Dianel? The one who wouldn’t bat an eye even if the Empire were to collapse?”

“I don’t know. Anyway, it would be best to deal with them quickly and consider other matters. I’m not just saying this; the atmosphere is unsettling. Even the people who went hunting the other day disappeared without a trace.”

“They’re blinded by money, stealing my belongings. Anyway, it’s better to be prepared as you said.”

Leven stroked his sparsely bearded chin as he spoke.

“Indeed, the resistance from the Escalde family was fierce last time. They seem to have formed a solid alliance with the Duke’s family. It appears that their son caught Dianel’s attention. They have vulnerabilities, but it would be wise to be cautious for a while.”

“True, now you’re making sense.”

“But there’s no need to pay attention to Dianel. I’ve seen that person for a day or two. He lacks empathy. He won’t even care as long as it doesn’t directly harm himself.”

“Anyway, Escalde was dangerous. My sister warned me not to touch the central nobility.”

“…Tsk, then where should we focus?”

Leven murmured the names of the families with weaknesses as if he were bored. Then, his eyes brightened as if something had come to mind.

“By the way, isn’t it true that Astita’s eldest son recently got engaged to a central noble?”

“Do you intend to target that family?”

“Are you afraid of getting involved with the central nobility? Let’s break off Astita’s engagement.”

Baron Adi furrowed his brow, but Leven paid him no mind.

“Well, Pete seems to think so too. He’s taken an interest in that family’s heiress.”

“…Do you know who sponsored that heiress?”

“It was all proven false. How can a newly appointed noble be involved with the crown prince? Erin is being used in many ways. Siara? That girl isn’t even worth discussing.”

Leven chuckled as if something had occurred to him.

“By the way, I heard she’s also a healer. A healer who possesses the power of the fairy race… She could be useful in various ways. My son has a good eye for people.”

Leven looked at the bound individuals on the wall with a satisfied expression.

“Anyway, let’s take care of half of them within this month.”

Baron Adi narrowed his eyes but didn’t respond, simply nodding his head. Then, he gently stroked the dark circles under his tired eyes and spoke.

“Alright. My informant will be here soon, and we can discuss it then.”

“Well, nothing will happen anyway. Or should I say, you’ll do everything in your power, won’t you?”

Baron Adi turned away without retorting. As he walked away, he muttered curses under his breath.

“Damn it, if only our weaknesses weren’t exposed—”

Although Leven was the one orchestrating the operation, Baron Adi was left to clean up the aftermath. He became more desperate as the investigation targeted high-profile individuals who couldn’t be bought with money.

And as the investigation progressed, Baron Adi’s anxiety grew. It was clear that he would be exposed as the culprit.

Leven had carefully manipulated Baron Adi for several years, making it seem as if he was the one responsible for his crimes. 

Ironically, he was the one who sympathized with him. At that time, it seemed like there was no other choice. It was to save his son.

While Baron Adi was lost in thought, a butler approached him.

“Baron, a guest has arrived.”

“Is it ‘him’?”

The butler nodded silently. Baron Adi immediately walked towards his private office. There, a man dressed in common attire was waiting. His body was wrapped in a cloth. He handed a document to Baron Adi without saying a word.

Baron Adi’s expression froze as he silently read the document.

“…This is.”

The document contained a detailed account of Leven’s activities and even included clear evidence. There were even things that Baron Adi himself was unaware of. It seemed difficult to find more accurate information than this.

Baron Adi trembled, his hand holding the document turning pale. The man reached out and grabbed his trembling hand.

“Father.”

“This… This means… It’s over for us.”

Baron Adi slumped as if he would collapse. The man held his shoulder tightly and spoke.

“Calm down. The person who provided this information is His Highness Dianel.”

“What?”

“He already had a sense that I was on Leven’s side.”

“Then we should have run away immediately! If we’re caught, it means certain death!”

“If they had intended to capture us, they would have done so.”

Even after hearing his son’s words, Baron Adi sat down as if collapsing. 

Ever since his wife died, he had lived relying solely on his son, who he raised with care and cherished. His son was a talented individual who had excelled enough to be recognized by the central government.

Baron Adi’s sole source of pride. 

It was the day of his son’s celebratory party for his promotion. He had returned after killing someone.

‘Oh, Father. I have killed someone.’

Blood was dripping from his son’s hands. His clothes were stained as well.

Baron Adi, who had been resting in his room during the festivities, couldn’t utter a word. Everything was confusing—what to do, what to say. He was at a loss.

In the midst of this, Viscount Leven entered the room, where a bewildered Baron Adi was trying to make sense of what had happened. 

In hindsight, it was an incredibly suspicious situation, but at that time, their judgment was clouded.

‘Oh, it seems there’s a problem. Shall I help you?’

From that moment on, their ill-fated connection with Viscount Leven began.