Chapter 80: The Abyss Beckons

He desired to guard the border, to fend off foreign enemies. This was Serol’s simple, singular reason for wanting to serve as Kana City’s lord.

Yet, beneath that straightforward ambition, lay another reason—one he dared not voice.

A fleeting glint of purple light sparked in the depths of Serol’s eyes.

And so, Serol returned to Kana City.

Kana City had suffered severe destruction during the final battle. Rebuilding an entire city was an arduous and troublesome undertaking.

Within the hastily constructed Lord’s Manor, Serol often worked by lamplight until late into the night.

Many around him worried that such relentless exertion, especially after his grave injuries, would ruin his health. Yet, Serol persevered.

His body had recovered remarkably, showing no lingering after-effects. At least, that was how it appeared to everyone at the time.

It was only in the dead of night, with the candlelight flickering, that Serol, hunched over his desk, would furrow his brows, propping his head in his hand, and murmur to himself.

‘No, if it’s just using criminals as material for the sacrificial ritual, that might be acceptable. But to seek out innocent city residents…’

Serol paused, not continuing his thought. It seemed he was listening to another voice speaking to him.

And so, Serol wavered.

Indeed, he knew the requirements for the sacrificial ritual were stringent. There weren’t enough suitable criminals for him to use.

But the city residents were his bottom line. Otherwise, could he, Serol Kros, still be called a City Lord?

However, Serol remained silent, seemingly still listening to that seductive voice that no one else could hear.

‘Yes, the nation’s situation is still precarious. Compared to the entire country, one or two lives…’

“But even if I am the City Lord, I can’t openly seize city residents.”

In Serol’s murmured words, a painful compromise was revealed.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Serol quickly composed himself, cleared his throat, and spoke.

“Enter.”

“Lord Serol, there are many restless individuals in the city recently.”

The person reporting wore a face etched with worry.

“We just apprehended a petty thug today, named Red, I believe. He seems to be attempting to establish a gang-like organization within Kana City.”

“Furthermore, Kana City’s economy and normal daily operations remain in a semi-paralyzed state…”

The rambling report seemed to bring nothing but bad news. Even just listening to these problems, Serol couldn’t help but feel a headache brewing.

Soon, however, Serol’s brows furrowed, as if he were pondering something important.

“That petty thug named Red? Is he still in custody?”

“I’ll go see him.”

The reporting officer seemed a little apprehensive.

“Lord Serol, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with such a minor matter. We can handle it.”

“No,” Serol took a deep breath. “Let me. It’s fine.”

With that, Serol rose and strode purposefully towards the door.

****

This seemed to be a turning point—yes, it was from this moment onward.

Change is not an overnight phenomenon, but it was indeed from this time that Serol, without even realizing it, began to step, little by little, into an abyss.

Such is the nature of change; only by looking back at events long past can one truly grasp the immense distance stretched between ‘before’ and ‘after’ on that long road.

The newly constructed Lord’s Manor now contained a secret underground chamber, known to no one but Serol.

This basement remained hidden from the world.

Memories flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern, yet they did not alter Serol’s current resolve.

To try and stop him, to make him waver with ‘clinging to life’ and recollections, was impossible.

This was how Serol Kros, the legendary knight, was meant to be.

“Lord Serol…”

Rona stared blankly at Serol, seemingly unable to comprehend how things had come to this.

“Rona…”

Serol gave a bitter laugh and closed his eyes.

There were so many words he could have said, so many confessions he wanted to make. But when they reached his lips, only simple words emerged.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

The longsword, held high, plunged down without hesitation, piercing Serol’s heart.

In his final moments, Serol recalled that very sword stroke beneath the great tree, the one that had definitively concluded the civil war.

That great tree still stood. The Lord’s Manor had been built on the old site, yet the tree itself had changed very little over the years.

Serol suddenly remembered something.

Back then, facing the rising sun, the longsword he thrust out had not actually pierced the rebel leader’s heart.

The man’s injuries had been too severe. After his final, desperate words, like dying embers, his life had reached its end.

The leader had already fallen backward, ending his sinful life, before the thrusting sword could even penetrate his body.

His face bore a sarcastic smile.

Yet, that sword had not missed its mark entirely.

Serol at that time could not be described as ‘spirited.’ Having just endured a bloody battle, his body covered in gruesome wounds, he was far from spirited. However, he was certainly younger then, much younger.

His strike was sharp, the wind whistling from the blade cutting through the air. The young Serol had dedicated immense effort to swordsmanship, and that single thrust was flawlessly impeccable.

Such a perfect sword strike could not possibly miss. And so, more than a decade later, the very sword thrust Serol had made all those years ago finally pierced his own heart with precision.

Like a perfect closed loop, Serol fell backward onto the basement floor. The blood flowing from behind him spread out like a vibrant, crimson painting.

The final settling of dust seemed to come somewhat suddenly. Neither Eve nor Rona had reacted in time to stop Serol.

And so, a legendary knight died.

Eve quickly grasped the situation. She took a few quick steps to Rona’s side and held her friend’s shoulders.

“Rona, you…”

“I’m fine, Eve.”

Accompanied by a distinct sniffle, Rona lifted her head.

“According to normal procedure, I’ll first secure the scene, then call for people to come and examine the clues…”

Rona’s voice grew fainter and fainter.

Eve saw that Rona’s eyes were truly red, but she still nodded, agreeing with Rona’s suggestion.

“Alright, then. I’ll go upstairs and check on Xiluo’er first.”

Eve clearly intended to give Rona some time alone. Besides, leaving Xiluo’er alone upstairs also made her a little uneasy.

Footsteps faded into the distance as Eve left the basement.

Meanwhile, Xiluo’er, left alone upstairs, immediately shed her pitiful expression after Eve departed. She eagerly began searching the castle’s garden.