Part 2 Chapter 74
〈God’s Punishment〉
“…?”
No response.
David froze, looking down at Bania, whose neck he held in his grip.
Manifestation, Stage 1: channeling lightning directly into the target’s body.
Her jaw was clenched tight, sweat beading at her brow, her whole body trembling faintly.
He had intended to wring a scream out of her, to torture her while Ryan listened.
Yet even as every part of her body was being seared from the inside, Bania made no sound.
The reason was obvious.
She feared that if Ryan saw her writhe and scream, his heart would break.
“Interesting.”
The bond between half-siblings ran deeper than David had thought. Laughably so.
“Hey.”
David deliberately raised his voice so Ryan could hear.
“If you don’t scream, what’s the point of torture?”
“…? Brother!!!”
At last Ryan realized what was happening, his eyes flying wide.
“Stop—stop it! I’ll talk! I’ll say whatever you want, just don’t—!”
“What are you plotting with the palace?”
“……”
Ryan’s mouth fell open in despair.
***
Belzer Castle, chapel basement.
Alexander pressed his hands hard over his ears to block out the endless thunderclaps.
Never had he believed the Gifted would truly storm this place.
Father had always worn the mask of law, of order, of restraint.
He hadn’t imagined that without cause, based on mere intuition or suspicion, he would slaughter people and interrogate Ryan.
Where did it go wrong? Was it my fault?
Maybe sending Mario had been Father’s final mercy.
If so, Alexander should have spoken with Mario, sown confusion, and then let him live.
Yes. That’s what he should have done.
Now everything felt like his fault.
The Gifted—they only pretended to blend into human society.
But the moment humans crossed the line, they would bare their fangs. Without hesitation.
They always had their finger on the trigger.
“Stop… stop, please…”
Ah.
The thunder had ceased.
“S-sister…”
So it was Bania who had stepped forward.
“If I don’t, everyone in the domain becomes a hostage. Standing by would be madness.”
She had argued that her sacrifice was worth sparing the lives of the common folk.
Rational, yes. But reason didn’t ease the heart.
Alexander couldn’t see her suffering—but Ryan could.
Watching his sister tortured, powerless to act… it was too cruel.
***
Whether Ryan had no answer or was hiding one, he finally spoke in halting fragments:
“…I don’t know. I only ever received what was given. My title, my land… the Crown Prince gave me everything, probably just to provoke Father…”
Pointless words. David already knew them all.
〈God’s Punishment〉
“Khk—!”
“Bania!!!”
This time, the current forced blood from her lips. Ryan screamed at the sight.
“Why? Why! I’m telling you the truth!!!”
“To provoke Father? Do you really think that’s the only reason the Crown Prince raised you so high?”
David displayed her convulsing body for emphasis.
“You believe he gave this girl an imperial name and kept you by his side for that?”
〈God’s Punishment〉
“Kh-hhhk!”
Her body spasmed.
“You bastard!!!”
Ryan lunged, but four guards grabbed him at once, holding him fast before he could touch David.
“She’s innocent! It’s me! I’m the one at fault! Do it to me instead—!”
“Did you know they’d take Diana and Gabriel as well?”
“…Y-yes.”
“Then what gives the palace such confidence?”
David jerked his chin toward the window, where earlier his lightning had struck down countless innocents.
“You think they didn’t know this would happen? That the empire would burn? That we Gifted are merciful only so long as humans don’t cross the line?”
“Then go ask them! Isn’t it obvious? They want Father at the table—they’re using them as hostages for negotiation!”
David nodded. He already understood as much.
The palace must have staked everything. Otherwise, they’d never have dared imprison the Gifted.
Father would go and ask. And he’d hear their demands.
“So Father plans to visit the palace.”
“…?”
Ryan’s mouth hung open.
“Then why… why come here?”
“Because Father is curious about you.”
“…What?”
“Are you Gifted?”
“……”
“That’s why he wanted you brought back. He’s suspected it for a long time.”
“……”
Cruel.
That was all Ryan could think.
Father was merciless.
Holding back his rage until the right moment—wise, yes. But he had never stopped preparing for this.
If Instant Death were exposed, everything would unravel.
His refusal to return to the family would be seen for what it was: a declaration of war.
No chance for reconciliation. No hope of mercy.
Father would never forgive him.
“Remember, Father. For every one of us you kill, a thousand, ten thousand will die. We must keep the Gifted merciful until the very end.”
David had been in Belzer less than half a day, yet already who knew how many lay dead.
This was why mercy had to hold until the final moment.
“…No. Brother, I… I’m not Gifted. If I had any talent at all, don’t you think I’d have begged to return long ago?”
〈God’s Punishment〉
Bania’s body twisted. She didn’t even cry out.
“Ahhh!!!”
The only screams came from Ryan, breaking apart as he watched helplessly.
Kill him.
Kill David.
If he died, this nightmare would end.
Yes—just kill—
“My lord, you can’t eliminate the Gifted one by one. The Bassenberg network is too fast, too tight. The moment one falls, the rest will know.”
David and Elliott knew their worth. If one fell, the other had to survive.
If David died, word would race back to Bassenberg before Ryan could breathe.
“There are thousands of troops scattered across their lands. Even if the army marched, it couldn’t prevent mass slaughter. Innocents would die everywhere.”
And it wasn’t just the Gifted. Their mercy was the only shield keeping the Empire’s people alive.
〈God’s Punishment〉
“No answer?”
“Damn it! Fine! I am! I’m Gifted!!!”
“Show me.”
“Aaaaghhh!!!”
“Just once. Hold on just once more. We’ve hidden it all this time—don’t break now. Please…”
〈God’s Punishment〉
Bania’s head drooped. Blood streamed from her mouth.
“No—no, save her! Brother, please—please stop!!!”
Ryan’s voice cracked, raw with fury and despair.
He was powerless.
He could do nothing.
〈God’s Punishment〉
“YES! I’m Gifted! I AM!!!”
Still his eyes never left Bania.
“What do I do? I’m telling you—I’m telling you—” Khhhk!
Blood erupted from Ryan’s throat.
David’s eyes widened.
Ryan clutched his chest, raking his nails against his flesh as he coughed up more blood.
Had his throat torn from screaming? Had his heart broken from rage?
No—he was coughing blood from sheer despair, forced to watch his sister die.
Yes. That was it.
To Ryan, Bania meant more than anyone imagined.
If he’d had something to hide, he would have confessed already.
But he hadn’t.
He truly had nothing to show.
“…Ah.”
David suddenly realized.
The body in his grasp had grown heavier.
He tilted her head.
Bania had stopped breathing.
