Chapter 59: A Perverse Obsession
"AAAAAAAH—!!!"
"I surrender! I surrender!"
"Lord Erwin, please—spare me!!!"
Watching his opponent completely collapse, Erwin turned back leisurely, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"Spare you?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"The rules clearly state that killing is forbidden.
Are you implying that I would dare violate the rules?"
"—No!"
"How could I ever doubt you, my lord?!"
"I only beg that you show mercy!"
"—Very well."
Erwin waved his hand dismissively.
"I was wondering how long you'd last. What a disappointment~"
With that casual gesture, the mana threads vanished.
The sobbing man collapsed to the ground and was immediately carried away for treatment.
At that moment, Elias spoke coldly.
"That man is finished."
"There are no wounds. No blood."
"But I can tell—his body has been pierced through and through by those threads."
"As an interrogator, Erwin's understanding of human pain…
and his precision in controlling mana…"
"…is undeniably exceptional."
"—Exceptional?"
Flamme let out a hollow, incredulous laugh.
"Elias, is that how you interpret Erwin's actions?"
"Look around you. Look at their faces."
"The fear."
"To these people, Interrogator Erwin is more terrifying than any demon."
"Even within the Allied Army…"
Flamme took a slow breath, memories of the battlefield surfacing.
"Erwin doesn't only interrogate enemies."
"He interrogates traitors within the army."
"Those people would rather be eaten alive by demons than subjected to his questioning."
"Because Erwin once said it himself…"
"Compared to interrogating emotionless demons,
he prefers living humans—those who can feel pain,
who still cling to hope."
"…Is that so?"
Elias fell silent.
Demons kill out of instinct.
Erwin tortures humans to satisfy his personal obsession.
From that perspective…
He truly was more terrifying than any demon.
As the square sank into an oppressive silence, a towering, broad-shouldered middle-aged officer stepped onto the central arena.
"Everyone, I am Yug, Vice Commander of the Allied Army."
"By order of General Theodore, I will personally preside over the central stage."
"I swear upon the medals on my chest—
the judging will be absolutely fair and impartial!"
The crowd erupted.
No one had expected the second-highest-ranking officer in the military to serve as referee himself!
"—Hehehe…"
A sudden chuckle cut through the noise.
The crowd turned toward the sound, only to see Erwin calmly stepping onto the platform, bowing slightly toward Yug.
"As fellow servants of the military, I hope you'll grant me this courtesy, General Yug."
"Watching those weak outsiders fight is nothing but a waste of time."
"Allow me, Erwin, to be the first to step onto the central stage."
"I'll even save you some time while I'm at it."
Yug looked genuinely surprised.
"You want to defend the arena voluntarily?"
"Erwin, going first puts you at a disadvantage. Are you sure about this?"
"—Heh heh heh…"
Erwin's contemptuous gaze swept casually over the remaining contestants below the platform.
"General Yug…"
"In your eyes…"
"Do you truly believe these so-called mages—who've never even set foot on a battlefield—could defeat me?"
He stepped confidently to the center of the arena, basking in the attention of the crowd.
"Lady Leiya's safety—and the honor of the military—will be guaranteed by me, Erwin!"
Yug sighed inwardly.
Young people really are reckless.
Still… Erwin wasn't wrong.
Unless a grand-mage-level existence appeared, no one here could stop him.
"…Very well."
"Contestant Erwin will defend the arena."
"All remaining contestants—when your name is called, step forward in order!"
What followed was nothing short of brutal.
The first eight challengers lasted less than two minutes each.
Pierced by invisible mana threads, they screamed in agony and begged for mercy.
Spectators turned away in horror, pale faces lit by fear as the screams echoed across the square.
Elias remained expressionless, calmly waiting for his name to be called.
"Ninth contestant—Julie!"
Julie took a deep breath, hoisted her massive axe, and was about to step forward when a small hand grabbed her from behind.
"Julie…"
"Maybe… you shouldn't go."
Frieren's eyes were filled with worry.
"That Erwin is terrifying. I'm afraid you might—"
Elias said nothing, but inwardly, he agreed.
Julie relied on brute strength.
Her magical perception was weak.
She couldn't even see Erwin's mana threads.
The outcome was obvious.
…Then again.
Elias suddenly smiled.
That woman knows when to advance and when to retreat.
Just like months ago, against the crystal turtle—
she'd surely choose to flee.
"…No!"
"I just said it!"
"Even if I'm facing someone several times stronger than me—"
"I won't give up!"
Elias: (≖_≖|||)
…This idiot.
Did she seriously get fired up by something I said earlier?
This was getting troublesome.
Elias lowered his head helplessly—and his gaze fell on Julie's boots.
If he remembered correctly…
They were enchanted to increase movement speed.
"…I see."
Under Frieren's anxious gaze, Julie hefted her axe and stepped onto the central arena.
Erwin raised an eyebrow at her appearance and sneered.
"A mercenary…"
"Am I seeing this right?"
"A lowly profession like yours thinks it deserves to be Lady Leiya's guard?"
Julie exploded in anger.
"Hey!!"
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"We both fight evil—what makes soldiers nobler than mercenaries?!"
"That's how inferiors think," Erwin replied coldly.
"You do similar work and delude yourselves into thinking you deserve the same honor."
"That's exactly why I despise you military outsiders."
"Enough talk!"
Julie swung her axe.
"Take this—!"
—Slice.
Julie suddenly dropped to her knees.
"Captain Julie!!"
Frieren screamed from below, her heart pounding violently.
Julie clenched her teeth as sharp pain tore through her thigh, rapidly worsening.
Damn it…
When did it happen?
I didn't even hear anything!
No… I can't fall here…
She forced herself to rise—
—Slice.
Another thread pierced through.
"…Ugh!!"
She collapsed again with a muffled cry.
Frieren panicked, grabbing Elias's sleeve.
"Elias, do something!"
"—Relax. She won't die."
"B-But Julie—"
As Julie attempted to stand a third time, Erwin suddenly began clapping.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Strong will."
"Nice figure."
"But your expressions and screams are dull."
"Not worth my time."
"I'll give you a choice—"
"Surrender now, or continue this farce."
Julie raised her head stubbornly.
"I said…"
"I absolutely won't—"
—Whoosh!
Julie's body suddenly sprinted off the arena at breakneck speed, skidding to her knees right in front of Frieren.
Julie: ╭(°A°`)╮
"…Huh?! What just happened?!"
"Why are my legs running on their own?!"
Everyone: (≖_≖'')
Only Elias smiled faintly.
Before Julie stepped onto the stage, he had discreetly cast a spell on her boots:
"Automatically flee when facing mortal danger."
…Surprisingly effective.
As the crowd stood in utter confusion—
Yug's voice boomed across the square.
"Tenth contestant!"
"Elias!"
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