What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 56
“…It’s no use after all.”
A dry sigh escaped him. Kazhan couldn’t bear the thought of being hated by Ysaris to the point of death. Even when he was trapped in the misunderstanding of being betrayed, he had cherished her. Now, pushing her to harbor murderous intent was beyond him.
For now, he would return to the palace and beg for her forgiveness. Even if it was difficult to win her over immediately, with consistent effort, perhaps something would change.
If risking his life once wasn’t enough, then he should continue to do what was necessary until it worked. Maybe he should consider handing over the rule of Pyrein to Ysaris. But to do that, he needed to secure power for the Empress first. Naturally, there would be nobles who would oppose this, so how should he deal with them…
“Kyaaah!”
“…!”
With a start, Kazhan sat up, his upper body rising at the faint scream that reached him from afar.
“Ysaris?”
There was no way he could mistake Ysaris’s voice. His heart began to race uncontrollably, and his breathing quickened. The pounding in his chest echoed like a drum, adrenaline surging through him.
“Damn it…!”
He should never have let Ysaris go out again.
Kazhan, whose language had become rougher lately, propped himself up on the wall with his right hand, struggling to stand on his left foot. Ignoring his right leg, which was completely shattered, he hopped on one foot, stumbling out of the hideout.
Just from that, sweat began to pool on his skin. A groan slipped through his tightly clenched teeth.
He wondered if it would be easier to move if he just cut off his dangling limbs.
The insane thought came naturally. That’s how difficult it was to move his body. Gasping for breath near the entrance, he somehow managed to pick up a long branch to support himself.
It was fortunate he could still use his left foot and right hand. Balancing with the sturdy branch, he could at least imitate walking to some extent.
“Kh… Kgh.”
The pain of his limbs feeling like they were tearing apart with every movement was relentless, but there was no time to dwell on it. Kazhan, drenched in sweat, began searching for Ysaris.
Unfortunately, being inside the cave meant he couldn’t even determine the direction of the scream. The best he could do was follow any trace of her he could find, prioritizing the direction of the river.
“Empress! Ysaris Tennilath!”
He didn’t even think about the fact that he was being pursued. Ignoring the possibility of alerting the predators, he shouted until his throat strained.
Please, please. Answer me.
Like you did once before.
…But the forest remained cruelly silent.
Until the sun passed its peak.
* * *
“Huff… Huff…”
Kazhan collapsed, leaning against a tree. Sweat dripped down his chin, falling in droplets.
His slow pace meant he had wandered for too long. It was already afternoon, and still, there was no trace of Ysaris.
“Where…”
‘Where do I have to go to find you, Ysaris?’
Who took you away?
His red eyes, blurred and unfocused, gradually filled with a murderous intent. Reason was replaced by a chilling malice.
The mere thought of Ysaris being harmed drove Kazhan to madness. An overwhelming urge to tear apart any living creature he saw gripped him.
It felt as if his blood was boiling. That rage soon turned into strength, giving him the energy to stand once more.
“Ysaris…”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
The branch he used as a makeshift cane and his left foot alternately struck the ground. His dragging right foot scraped across the earth between them.
Kazhan wandered like a specter, searching for Ysaris. As dusk began to fall, he finally halted, confronted by a group in familiar uniforms.
* * *
“Your Majesty!”
Kazhan stood still, silently surveying the man running toward him. The luxurious armor bore the proud insignia of the Royal Third Knights.
Fweeeet…!
“His Majesty is here!”
“Over here! His injuries are severe—bring a stretcher!”
The commotion quickly multiplied. After the signal whistle echoed through the air, it seemed like the entire knight order had gathered.
“Your Majesty, please, lie down here…”
“Ysaris.”
“Pardon?”
Kazhan finally spoke after scanning every single person gathered there. His expression seemed both dazed and hollow, causing the knight who had questioned him to meet his red gaze.
“Did you see Ysaris Tennilath?”
“Gasp!”
Something was off. Although Kazhan’s voice was dry and hoarse, it carried a disturbing calmness that left the knight breathless.
Killing intent?
How could such a force come from mere killing intent?
The knight, sweating coldly, darted his eyes around before stammering out a response.
“Th-there were traces that we believe belonged to Her Majesty the Empress… but, it’s….”
“Lead me there.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Kazhan moved his broken body, following the knight. The few knights who had brought the stretcher exchanged glances before quietly following behind. The rest naturally fell into formation, escorting the Emperor.
* * *
When they arrived at the location…
Ysaris’s clothing was torn to shreds, and her platinum hair lay scattered in disarray.
In the middle of a pool of blood.
