The head of the Maniears family, Lugh, who also serves as the current village chief, and his wife, Chicoco, confessed everything without hesitation. Orlando protested vehemently until the very end, but once the couple revealed all they knew, he fell silent.
“So, you only know about Sadada and Ish?”
“Y-Yes. As for the others, we either believe they’re dead or haven’t heard from them since.”
Lugh, looking desperate, answered honestly.
Sadada was Chicoco’s younger brother and the third steward of the Maniears family. Ish, a close friend of Sadada, was a former coachman. Both men were reportedly residing in Dattos Town, not far from Sapp Village, on the continent of Arond.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
Sorderic turned his gaze to Orlando.
“Hmph. I have nothing to say to a mere specter.”
“I see. Then, you too shall join the specters.”
Sorderic’s hand pierced Orlando’s back.
“Gaaaahhhhh!”
When Sorderic withdrew his hand, he held Orlando’s beating heart.
“I’ll be keeping this. Without a heart, you’re no longer human. Heh. You’re now a revenant. Surely, you know of the priests who specialize in hunting down creatures like you. You’ll be pursued, cornered, and meet a grisly end.”
Orlando’s face turned a ghastly pale, his lifeless eyes staring into nothingness.
“Aaaaaaah…”
As the newly transformed revenant, Orlando staggered out of the room with unsteady steps.
“Now, as for the two of you…”
“P-Please spare us!”
Terrified of the same fate, Lugh and Chicoco begged for their lives.
“Fine. I’ll spare your lives.”
“W-We won’t become revenants, will we?”
“No, I won’t do that to you.”
Hearing this, the couple visibly relaxed.
Suddenly, a scream echoed from deeper within the mansion.
“It seems Orlando is devouring the other inhabitants of this estate.”
“H-Heeeelp!”
“S-Save us!”
“There’s no need to panic so much. I won’t kill you, after all.”
Sorderic’s grin, however, only served to heighten their terror.
“T-Thank you!”
Despite knowing their children and grandchildren might be among Orlando’s victims, Lugh and Chicoco were more concerned with their own survival.
“Master Sai, I deeply apologize for troubling you.”
“Think nothing of it. It was a promise, after all.”
“Even so, you have my sincerest gratitude.”
Sorderic offered a deep, respectful bow.
“I intend to visit Sadada and Ish next. Would that be acceptable?”
“Of course. Boronbo and the others will take care of the mansion.”
“Thank you. I shall take my leave.”
“Go on, unleash your fury as you wish.”
As Sorderic’s figure faded from view, Lugh and Chicoco felt a momentary relief.
However, Artemis stepped forward with a cheerful smile.
“It’s my turn now.”
“Wha—?!?”
They’d killed more than just Sorderic; Artemis had every right to exact her revenge.
Artemis slashed their backs with a knife and rubbed salt into the wounds. Her methods were nothing short of torture, as she inflicted excruciating pain.
“Next up is this!”
She produced bamboo skewers and began driving them under Lugh’s fingernails, eliciting howls of agony.
“Isn’t this a bit much, Artemis?”
“Master Sai, you do love little girls, don’t you? (Pout).”
Pal turned away with an exaggerated pout.
“I’ve told you countless times—I am NOT a lolicon.”
“Then pamper me more!”
“I think I already do…”
“More!”
“Fine, fine.”
“One ‘fine’ is enough, Master Sai.”
“Alright, alright.”
Pal, now on Sai’s lap, claimed his lips in an affectionate gesture, despite the inappropriate timing.
Meanwhile, Artemis finished her torment, leaving the couple alive but permanently maimed.
The group exited the mansion under a starry night sky.
“The promise has been fulfilled. Now, it’s time for my journey.”
“You’re going to the world’s edge?”
“Yes. To see it for myself.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Sai wrapped his arm around Pal’s shoulder, gazing up at the brilliant stars.
Their next destination lay in the hands of fate, and their journey was far from over.