CHAPTER 38
After that, Asilia encountered a few more “traitors.”
Though their actions and reactions varied, what they said was always the same.
That Revilia was not a nation worthy of loyalty. That loyalty had been forced upon them. That, while still in control of their minds, they wished to die—so they pleaded to be killed quickly.
“Haah…”
She wanted, more than anything, to look into the records of past traitors.
But such behavior would be suspicious.
After all, those who had traveled abroad like Asilia and then tried to access the traitor records had vanished without a trace.
It was now undeniable.
Revilia was not a righteous nation.
Most of the dying resented Revilia—and someone within it.
Emotions of blame, hatred, and curses.
They were far from faint.
“Among the knights you speak of, there is a specific standard for branding someone a traitor.”
Cretes pulled out a document from Isaiah’s desk.
It was clearly written in secret—Asilia had never seen or received a report like this one.
[The conditions for being branded a traitor are simple: it’s when the brainwashing no longer takes hold. I’ve seen one knight undergo five interviews behind the wooden door. He insulted Revilia and was ultimately branded a traitor. So, no matter how furious or full of hatred you are, you must endure. Even if your enemy stands before your eyes, you must show loyalty. That’s the only way to survive in Revilia without being brainwashed.]
It wasn’t Isaiah’s handwriting.
The paper was yellowed, aged at least several years.
“The writer… is not someone I know. I have no idea who they were.”
It was likely a record from twenty years ago.
Either the writer had escaped safely—or they’d been caught and killed. One or the other.
And it wasn’t just Asilia or Isaiah who knew about the brainwashing.
Some knights in Revilia were aware of it.
And some must have told trusted comrades after years of service.
Some of them likely tried to flee together.
And others—those who learned the truth, felt hatred and fury, only to have their minds overwritten again—were probably still tending to their enemies, having forgotten even their rage.
“…Is there really a knight in Revilia who lives without being brainwashed?”
Cretes did not respond to Asilia’s question.
Not because he didn’t know.
But because, ever since entering the Imperial Palace, he had never met a single knight who wasn’t brainwashed.
Even that “Oswald” fellow had been brainwashed.
It was all but certain: all key personnel were affected.
“The perpetrator responsible for the brainwashing—along with the emperor—it might just be the two of them who remain sane.”
Whether they could truly be called “sane” was another matter.
After all, no sound-minded person would think of using others by brainwashing them.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
“…?”
“I want to break everyone free from the brainwashing.”
There was unwavering resolve in her eyes.
No one could predict what chaos might follow if the brainwashing were undone.
There would certainly be unrest.
Many might die.
Or perhaps…
“The nation of Revilia itself might disappear from the map.”
Loyalty would quickly turn into rage.
The knights would almost certainly come to hate Revilia.
They might even burn the very tree they believed had stood by their side all their lives.
But someone had to break the chain.
“In that case, the first step is to identify who’s performing the brainwashing.”
Cretes scanned a list of knights, inspecting each face.
It seemed he was trying to memorize them.
“I’d like to ask you to take charge of that part.”
“Ask me?”
Cretes’s expression brightened noticeably.
It was the first time he had heard Asilia say “ask” instead of “bargain.”
“Yes. I’m asking.”
“Then of course, I’ll do it.”
He smiled broadly.
After that day, Cretes began wandering all around the palace, trying to meet as many knights as possible.
To those he encountered, he used the excuse of “getting familiar with the palace layout.”
In truth, he was searching for physical traces of magic on their bodies.
Meanwhile, Asilia faithfully followed her orders to avoid suspicion.
There were a few tests of her loyalty, but she managed to skillfully deflect them.
“If Cretes hadn’t suppressed the brainwashing…”
She surely would’ve either been reconditioned—or killed.
Thus, Asilia and Cretes continued their investigation into Revilia.
“Hey, haven’t those two been spending a lot of time together lately?”
Before long, rumors about Asilia and Cretes began to spread around the palace.
Though they were investigating Revilia, others didn’t see it that way.
“Well, they were in Moria together for a while—feelings could’ve developed.”
“I mean, maybe Lord Restantis… but the other one’s Lord Heathclear?”
Cretes smirked as he overheard knights whispering openly in front of him.
“What kind of behavior did I show to make you say that?”
With arms crossed, he posed the question.
The knights cleared their throats awkwardly.
“Should we say… you didn’t treat people like people?”
“Actually, did you treat them like people at all?”
“Now that you’ve hit your head, you actually talk to us.”
Apparently, even among Revilia’s knights, his temper had been infamous.
“Still… I’m not like that now, right?”
“Of course, of course. You’re doing great now. So, when’s the wedding?”
The knights’ eyes sparkled with curiosity.
They were already convinced that “Isaiah” (actually Cretes) and Asilia were in a relationship, seeing how attached the two were.
“Are you that curious?”
The knight nodded eagerly. Cretes chuckled and closed the document he had been reading.
“Not telling you.”
As he stood up, the others began whispering again.
“D-Did you hear that? Lord Heathclear didn’t deny it!”
“They really must be dating!”
“Wow, finally some spring breeze in this gloomy order of knights!”
Cretes turned toward them, hearing their deliberate chatter.
The moment their eyes met his, they clammed up, looking younger and more innocent than their age suggested.
“You’re all finished with your duties, I presume?”
“…”
“Lunch break’s over, too. If you’ve got spare time, help me sort these documents.”
The knights instantly leapt up.
Those who had been coughing awkwardly now hurried out, claiming to be busy.
“Seriously…”
Cretes let out a half-laugh at their retreating figures.
But it didn’t last long. Soon, a pang of sympathy welled in his chest.
If they had no free will and were simply brainwashed—he wouldn’t feel pity.
But these were people who still felt joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.
Just like those in Moria.
As Cretes quietly watched them leave, Asilia appeared from the innermost room.
“Sounded noisy.”
She briefly surveyed the room, checking if anyone else was around.
Seeing it was only Cretes, she walked over and asked,
“Did something happen?”
At her question, Cretes reached out and gently patted her head.
“H-He touched her head! Did you see that?!”
“Lord Heathclear just stood there calmly…!”
The knights, who were supposed to have left, were peeking at them from behind the door.
Asilia, smiling softly at first, turned a sharp glare toward them.
“Twenty laps around the training ground. Now.”
“W-What?!”
“Are you not going?”
She crossed her arms. The knights pouted.
“Ten more laps added.”
“W-Wait, Lord Heathclear…!”
“Make that twenty more.”
“W-We’re going! Right now!!”
The knights fled, screaming like children caught misbehaving.
Asilia watched them go, letting out a sigh laced with a faint smile.
Cretes watched her quietly and once again reached out to pat her head.
“Family.”
To Asilia, the people of Revilia weren’t just comrades.
They were people who had shared life and death since childhood.
They were, in many ways, like family.
And that made it all the more painful.
He now understood—Revilia was not a place Asilia could simply cast aside.
Even knowing the truth, she still sought to protect them all.
Her warmth and compassion were overwhelming.
And the taste it left in his mouth—was bitter.
