Chapter 384: Because You Exist

“This really is unacceptable. You greedy bastards, I can’t believe you saw the immediate benefits and put Vasil and Raphael in such a complicated situation. You really are a disgrace to be core members The Gilded Circle. And on top of that I heard it was all an illusion; the only thing you’d be eating would be air.”

“”…””

At this moment, in the centre of the camp they made outside the city, was Clarence giving a loud scolding to the kneeling members of his faction.

The reason was that Clarence heard what happened in the fourth test and decided to call them to give them a strong reprimand; it was his job as a leader.

“Tsk, you are really letting our faction down. I hope they reflect… Really, being blinded by their greed and going crazy like that. It’s just a little scolding for now, but I’ll impose sanctions later. I hope it will be a lesson to you. Well, you may go.”

“”Yes, Sir Clarens!.””

The reprimand was over. Honestly, it was more of a formality; from what he had heard, what his subordinates had done could constitute a breach of contract on his part and ultimately cause him to lose his share of the mines, something unacceptable to Clarence, so he called them in and reprimanded them in front of everyone to alleviate any discontent.

“I’m very sorry for all the trouble caused. I don’t know where those idiots get their greed from, ugh! To end this without any hard feelings, why don’t we negotiate a little? I’m willing to give up a little of my percentage.”

Turning back to where Raphael and Vasil were, he began to apologise again, and although he obviously didn’t want to because of the incident, he was willing to renegotiate a little.

“…I understand, the situation was designed to turn out that way.!

Raphael was the first to comment. It really struck him as odd that the greediest guy he knew – and who just recently the mime commented that he didn’t even pass the first test, on something that evaluated greed – was the one he was scolding, but he wasn’t going to meddle in the affairs of another faction.

“Yes Clarens, you really didn’t have to. In the end we also… killed them. Luckily it wasn’t real though.”

“¡Phew! No, I understand. You guys were looking at the big picture and you were right to do it and put yours first. That’s why we are faction leaders: we always put our interests and members first. All right, we’ll talk later. I used to get excited about nothing, and I haven’t eaten all day. I’m starving.

“Yes, I too feel that I lack energy, which I wasted stopping that golem’s blows. That illusion was really crazy. I really feel like my bones still ache. The owner of that domain must have reached a level of illusion magic that we can’t even understand.”

“/_ Vasil, please… let’s not talk about how real that illusion was… please.”

“Ah!… sorry. Well, let’s eat. Oh, and Raphael, from what happened earlier I feel like I don’t really know you like I thought I did. Why don’t you tell me a little about your sister?”

“Huh?! Do you have any interest in my sister, eh bastard!!!! 눈_눈”

“Eh?! Did you call me a bastard? You, the person with the most manners-?! Hey!, why the murderous intent? Wait, don’t get me wrong, I have no interest in your sister like that, I mean, I don’t even know what she looks like!”

“Huh!!? Are you saying you have no interest in my beautiful little sister? Who do you think you are, you bastard, to have no interest in her? You should praise her cuteness even if you don’t know her…!’

“Ugh! What did I get myself into? Hey, put away that sword, I mean it. Let’s talk… I-I’d just like to hear about your beautiful little sister, of whom I have no interest beyond curiosity… naturally.”

“눈_눈… Well, yes, after all it is natural to want to know about the prettiest creature. It’s good that you don’t have any impure interests, after all she will be single forever.”

“Yes… whatever you say… ehem!.”

“Wow, seriously… it changes his personality to mention her sister. This is crazy. I wonder what she’s like.”

“Huh?! You greedy dwarf, do you have any interest in my sister?!”

“Fuck! What did I talk for? Hey, you, her second-in-command, control your crazy leader! What is this?”

“(°_o) Where are we? Who am I? Who is Raphael? What even is a Raphael? A person, a concept, or just a thought? At what point do you truly define a being? By its mere existence, or by the experiences it accumulates? If so… who am I? Who is Lirena? What is my role in the world? What should I really believe? Do I exist… or do I exist only because I think I exist?”

“Ugh! Give it up, Lirena seems the most shocked. Just do what I do before it’s too late and-”

That day, everyone learned that bringing up the subject of his younger sister in front of Raphael was a taboo that should not be touched upon.

Although things were able to calm down and they could finally go for lunch.

..

.

Clatter!

The first indication was a faint sound, a metallic clattering sound coming from a falling spoon.

Clatter clatter, clunk!

Then another, and another, and along with the spoons the bowls also fell, spilling their contents.

“Cough!…cough!!!”

The sound of metal against stone mingled with a chorus of dry coughs, of throats trying to beg for air.

Raphael, Vasil and Clarence began to sense that something wasn’t right, and it was confirmed when someone started coughing up blood and some began to fall.

Clarens had a similar reaction and began to lose his balance.

“Quickly, clerics! Cast purification magic. Mages, if you know spells also help.”

Vasil understood it was poison; he immediately spoke aloud and addressed the mages whose area of expertise was purification spells and poison removal. He knew some of them himself and began to chant.

“Puritas clarias”

He lifted his spell on Clarens, who had fallen. He knew that order had to be maintained as much as possible and that they, as leaders, should not be the first to fall in the face of this very sudden situation, but it seemed to have no effect.

He looked at the rest of the clerics to see if they had purified the poison, but most had fallen, were conscious, but seemed unable to do anything.

He himself began to feel the forces leaving his body, but he did not let himself be overpowered and tried to resist it as he tried to expel it from his body by circulating his art.

The warriors, including those who were better physically, were barely standing and conscious.

“it’s definitely poison, this situation doesn’t look good. The barriers to detect harmful substances have not been activated…so it must be the food, it’s sabotage.”

Raphael also understood the situation he was in, but unlike the rest, he did not seem affected by the poison, as he had an artifact that his father had given him that prevented any poison or curse from affecting him, but that did not make the situation any less serious.

Noticing that things were becoming uncontrollable, Vasil, who was not overpowered by the poison, turned to his trusted subordinate Tomas.

“Go and call Ophel- cough! Quickly.”

“Cough! Yes, sir!”

It was at that moment that Tomas retreated to look for the one who could get them out of that bad situation that was overheard.

Plp! Plap! Plap!

“Congratulations! You really did an excellent job, haha~. Everything was so great that I have to hand it to you. That’s something to be proud of.”

First there was applause, and then a noise that sounded like someone was having fun clapping for the great show they had just witnessed.

All those who still had the ability turned their gaze towards the source of that voice; someone appeared, walking slowly, with a smile so serene that it was nauseating.

Not long after, a dozen figures walked calmly in their direction, unhurriedly.

“Whoa,”

he said, in a calm voice, as one of his men pushed a heavily muscled dwarf who was barely standing upright to the ground, making a loud sound.

“Hahaha! What’s wrong with that guy, has he got soft legs? Oh yeah, he must have, hahaha. How did he sound so loud if he’s so close to the ground? Hahahahah.”

“Y-you, you’re…”

“Hey, it’s rude to point at people. Well, what was expected of someone like you? This was too easy, even though I was a bit worried when you decided to join with other factions. But it was better instead, don’t you think so, “brother”? Ugh, gross just mentioning it. Well, one last time, that wouldn’t be bad, hahaha. You should feel honoured.”

“y-you, cough!”

If the person who arrived was someone Vasil was very familiar with, it was his older brother Saelis, and that to Vassil made the situation even more confusing.

“Oh, really, the poison works great. Oh, hold it right there, Raphael! I wouldn’t move carelessly if I were you. Do you want all the poisoned to die? Oh, and there’s no hurry. It will be a long hour of suffering before they die, so don’t worry.”

“…”

“Well, I’m glad you’re so understanding. For starters, this isn’t about you. This is between this bastard and me. Look, I came well prepared and brought some contracts, made by the blessed one of Eshvara. You know what you have to do if you want to get out of here with your faction, right?”

“…Yes.”

Raphael was about to attack Saelis, but he was discovered. He was beginning to understand what this was all about: it was an internal struggle within their kingdom, and they had been drawn into it.

So, with that understanding, he decided not to intervene… or rather, he couldn’t do anything else, since the lives of his subordinates were at stake.

“How clever. Although I won’t say I was surprised that you weren’t poisoned. Are you resisting it, or does it not affect you? Well, it’s not unusual. After all, you also follow Aeloria… Oh, and you, the same goes for you, Clarens.”

” I understa- Cough!…”

“Hahaha!, aren’t they reasonable? They are exemplary leaders. If there were any recognition, I would give it to them. Well, now you just have to endure it until I finish my business.”

“…”

“…”

“Hahaha! Your faces are truly priceless, hahaha! Hey, you lot, why don’t you laugh with me? Don’t you think it’s funny too?”

“Ha… hahaha…”

A few laughs emerged from among his subordinates, encouraged by Saelis. Some seemed forced, while others genuinely appeared to be enjoying themselves.

Vasil tried to remain steadfast. He finally gathered enough strength to speak clearly.

“Saelis… why?”

The tone was more one of bewilderment than hatred. He really didn’t understand. He never coveted the throne and only formed his faction to give those who chose to follow him a better chance to grow.

His father promised him a noble title, and he was more than happy with just that. There was not supposed to be a fight for the throne and, in fact, as far as Vasil knew, there was no conflict between them. He would even say they got along well.

“Haaah~.”

Saelis sighed, shaking his head as if it were a ridiculous question. Still, he acted as if he had the patience to answer his silly question.

“Because you exist.”

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