The Strongest in the World Doesn’t Want To Do Anything

4 – Episode 4: Tch

“Fine… I understand.”

Wolfgang sighed, his voice tinged with resignation.

“What’s left? My charges, I suppose.”

“Commander.”

Chaewonso took out a scroll from her pocket and unfurled it.

“These are records of your crimes during the war. There are so many that listing them one by one would take the entire day. Pillaging villages, ambushing convoys, embezzlement of faction funds, attempted rebellion…”

In a stern and bureaucratic tone, Chaewonso read through the densely written characters on the scroll.

“Quite meticulously orchestrated, I must say.”

The faction had saved a village under attack by demons, receiving rewards in return. Although they were acting as a national army, not mercenaries, and had fulfilled their role when everyone else had given up, there seemed to be a desire to repay even the smallest gesture to the faction that appeared like a ray of light in times of despair.

As the battles prolonged and the expedition distances increased, there were logistical difficulties.

Understanding the faction’s hardships during the war, Wolfgang did not refuse their case.

However, Chaewonso insisted on refusing rewards, citing Eastern proverbs such as “The army should practice virtue” or “One must save the people.” Each time, Wolfgang had to step in and explain to her.

Or rather, he thought he was convincing her.

She seemed to feign understanding outwardly, completely unaware that she was recording all the facts with her own biased perspective, filled with malice.

The unscrupulous soldiers colluding with demons were dealt with during the convoy ambush. Wolfgang contributed his own money to the faction’s operating funds, sparing no expense for the demoralized faction. Chaewonso, however, turned these various actions into crimes in her scroll, camouflaging them as offenses.

Wolfgang couldn’t help but burst into ironic laughter each time a creatively embellished charge appeared.

At such moments, Chaewonso would pause reading, take a deep breath, and then continue reciting the charges.

“Threatening and extorting weapons…”

“Alright, alright. I don’t need to hear it all. I did everything.”

“Do you admit to the charges?”

“If you want, I can even put my seal on it.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

“Are you saying I won’t really seal it?”

“….”

Chaewonso silently folded her scroll and handed it to the queen.

Wolfgang, with an indifferent expression, looked at the queen and spoke.

“Your Majesty, you must be aware of some of the wrongs I’ve committed as well.”

The queen responded to Wolfgang’s question with a sly smile.

“Well, Wolfgang. Would I incite a rebellion at a banquet just because the war is over?”

As she flicked her finger, the air shimmered, and a dense fog emerged.

Soon, light appeared on the surface of the mist, revealing an illusory image of Wolfgang, bound in the blue-green threads of magic.

“Welcome magic,” Wolfgang marveled at the queen’s cunning as he observed the illusory magic she had conjured.

The scene from the recent battle with the insurgent group played, voices muted.

From the perspective of the scene alone, it seemed entirely plausible that Wolfgang was inciting rebellion while the other insurgent leaders were being subdued.

It was a perfect pretext to execute the hero of humanity overnight.

The queen, anticipating how Wolfgang’s expression would contort into arrogance and audacity, flicked her finger once more after a brief pause.

The illusory magic fog twisted and then returned to its previous form.

This time, it revealed the interior of the insurgent barracks, showing the members who had collapsed after drinking the drugged liquor at the banquet.

“Not a single one in sight. They’ve all been moved into the barracks.”

As the members gradually regained consciousness, they looked around, trying to comprehend the situation, murmuring amongst themselves.

This illusion included sound.

What on earth is happening?

I suddenly blacked out.

Where are the officers?

Where is the commander?

Amid their confusion, someone entered the barracks.

It was Wolfgang, clad in armor soaked in blood.

Commander! Are you alright?

What happened?

Amidst the barrage of questions from the members, Wolfgang remained silent and retrieved a greatsword from a rack on one side of the barracks.

Then, without hesitation, he strode toward the members, mercilessly cutting them down.

What’s happening?!

Damn it! Aaargh!

Commander, why are you doing this? Please spare us. Please!!

This bastard’s gone mad!

Run!!!

The apparition continued to showcase Wolfgang, who had been slaughtering the members of the Order for a while.

The mist that illuminated the welcoming until the very last surviving member of the Order had his life taken by Wolfgang dispersed at last.

“To commit such a dreadful act like this…”

Of course, it was all manipulation.

The Queen had cast illusions on the loyal members of the Order who believed and followed Wolfgang, making the Grand Guard Captain appear like Wolfgang.

In the realm of illusions, the Queen could transform appearances at will.

She brushed away the smoke with her hand and examined Wolfgang’s face.

Contrary to expectations, his expression was indifferent.

“Was the shock too much for you?”

“… Do as you wish, quickly.”

Seeing Wolfgang completely devoid of resistance, the Queen felt a sense of satisfaction.

“Wolfgang… among all the attitudes I’ve seen, this one suits you the best.”

“…”

“You are an immense threat. You could seize power and authority at any time with your strength. So, understand why we are doing this.”

“…”

“And strictly speaking, you haven’t committed any crimes, have you?”

The deaths of the Order members, who were like family to him.

Although he felt a stronger anger than the pain that seemed to melt all his internal organs and the demons, Wolfgang, for the sake of the plan he had devised in a single moment, used his superhuman strength to suppress those emotions.

“Grand Guard Captain Wolfgang. I confess to all charges and am ready to accept any punishment that Your Majesty deems fit. So, please… I implore you to swiftly deal with this sinner.”

“Why do you beg so much? Normally, criminals like you should be cruelly and painfully killed. You know, according to human law.”

“Yes, I am well aware.”

“But you have undoubtedly achieved public merit. So, I will handle this as honorably and cleanly as possible. Adeus.”

Upon hearing the Queen’s command, Adeus gripped his holy sword and descended from the platform, walking towards Wolfgang.

The high-ranking members of the Order, standing on the platform, looked at Wolfgang with complex and subtle expressions.

Had some trace of sympathy emerged now?

Had the discomfort arisen from secretly planning everything and now witnessing its conclusion?

Was the betrayal, masked by justice, pricking their consciences?

In Wolfgang’s eyes, they were more repulsive than the demons.

“Adeus, send him off without pain.”

“Your Majesty?”

Hagnes, who seemed perplexed by the queen’s command, opened her mouth, but the queen dismissed her with a flick of her finger.

Then, a black curtain fell from above the table.

“It might be an uncomfortable scene for women like us to witness. This magic completely blocks even the slightest noise. Why don’t we leave our old friend to the warrior and at least have a drink?”

Wolfgang looked at the table that was gradually being covered by the curtain and let out a bitter laugh.

“So shameless.”

When the curtain nearly enveloped the table, it seemed like there was some commotion happening inside, but it could not be heard clearly behind the curtain.

At that moment, between the gaps of the still visible curtain, Hagnes’ tear-streaked face could be seen.

“Wolfang!!! I’m sorry!!! I didn’t mean to…”

Before her plea could be finished, she was completely hidden behind the curtain.

“Hagnes…”

Adeus stood still in front of his mentor and quickly glanced at the table. He then adjusted his sacred sword and thrust it into Wolfang’s throat.

“I have no personal feelings, Mentor.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Don’t forgive me.”

“Alright, whatever.”

The sacred sword rose in a semicircle above the warrior’s head.

“Wait!”

“Yes?”

“Hm… no matter how much I think about it, I really didn’t do anything wrong. It’s quite unfair to go like this.”

“…Do you have something to complain about? You really are shameless until the end.”

“That’s why I want to do one thing now.”

Spit-

As soon as he finished speaking, Wolfang spat towards Adeus’ face.

And the spit hit Adeus’ eyes accurately.

“Damn-“

Instinctively, Adeus swung his sacred sword as his vision was momentarily obscured, and Wolfang forcefully thrust his body against the blind blade, breaking the chains.

As soon as he freed himself, Wolfang immediately covered his face with his arm and took a defensive stance.

Boom-

And Adeus’ face exploded.