Chapter 3;The Last Exit of a Desperate Man
“Captain, over there….”
“Yes, I see her.”
A low voice cut across the templar knight’s report.
Those sharp, crimson eyes were locked on the woman who had stepped out of line, her head concealed beneath a hooded cloak.
It was not the first time. From the moment inspections had begun, Howard Chilston’s gaze had followed that small-framed woman unceasingly—because her tension was palpable.
She moved with such restless unease that, even at a distance too great to discern her face, it was obvious she was desperately trying to slip away.
The templar knights, who had interrogated countless heretics until now, knew that expression all too well.
The look of one concealing a secret they dreaded to expose.
“Shall I pursue her?”
“No. I will go myself.”
The instant Howard spoke, he propelled his body forward.
The woman, lacking in stamina, ran clumsily and slow. Closing the distance was no challenge at all.
She darted into a narrow alley far ahead. Howard followed in silence, masking his presence so completely she never realized someone trailed her steps.
He cast a brief glance about his surroundings.
‘If I drive her left, the escape route will vanish entirely.’
Though he could capture her at once, Howard would not risk a single unforeseen outcome. Not when she stood tainted with suspicion of heresy.
Heretics were a blight that must be erased from this world.
He would not allow even one to slip through his hands.
Howard’s crimson eyes fixed again on the cloaked figure. Within them, long-buried emotions stirred—hatred, disdain, an old venomous contempt blended into something that bordered on annihilation. None would be surprised if he struck her down where she stood.
His gaze narrowed. As soon as the woman turned of her own accord into the left alley, his hand went to the sword at his waist.
And when he followed her in—
“Ah, right. I still haven’t confirmed that bastard’s exact location.”
A carefree murmur echoed through the empty alley. Her voice was so lighthearted that, had he not been standing beside her, he might have thought she was saying something like—
“I suppose an egg sandwich with bacon would be perfect for tomorrow’s meal!”
The atmosphere was nothing as he had anticipated, yet he did not lower his guard.
And indeed, the woman’s actions quickly grew more suspicious.
Ding—!
A sound rang out, achingly familiar. The chime of a system window from <Fantasy World>, heard only by the chosen few among non-player characters.
Like himself, for instance.
He had heard it countless times before. There was no mistaking it.
“About ten minutes until midnight. I should double-check his location. He may have slipped out of Ovolin during this time. Perhaps he was even standing in the inspection line just moments ago.”
Her hands moved swiftly. A breath escaped her lips in disappointment.
“Haah. What a shame. He’s still inside Ovolin.”
Howard’s wary gaze hardened as he watched her manipulate the system freely—despite not being one of the NPCs granted that power.
Just as he thought, she was suspicious in far too many ways. Waiting longer would serve no purpose.
Without removing his eyes from her, Howard drew his sword fully from its sheath. The gleaming edge hovered at the nape of her neck, so close that the slightest motion would carve her skin.
At that instant, as though sensing the danger, the woman turned slowly, her expression puzzled.
Her gaze flitted—first to Howard, then to the blade at her throat, then to the glowing system window she herself had summoned. Finally, her blue eyes met Howard’s again.
Realization struck her; her face drained white as snow.
“…..Oh. Hello, Commander!”
After a heartbeat of silence, she hurriedly closed the system window and forced a light smile, her blue eyes curving gently with it.
“I never imagined I would meet the Commander of the Templar Knights in a place like this. I thought you were busy with inspections—how did you end up here…?”
“What you were looking at a moment ago—how do you use it?”
Howard’s voice cut through her words, blunt and unwavering.
Her eyes darted as she replied,
“What I was looking at? What exactly do you mean?”
“I mean the system window.”
Her body trembled faintly. She had not expected him to strike so directly.
Her eyes flicked rapidly aside.
“Haha… system… what? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I think you must have seen wrong—hiek!”
Howard pressed the blade closer. She gasped sharply as the sword’s edge drew nearer than ever before.
Her eyes wavered in frantic disarray.
Howard’s voice dropped, low and commanding.
“Enough with the charade. Do not waste either of our time with lies. It will be far better for you—and for me—if you confess the truth.”
“…..”
“Speak. How did you learn of the system? How do you wield it? And why did you leave the inspection line?”
Her teeth sank hard into her lip.
He did not need to ask what she was thinking; it was written clearly upon her face: I’m in serious trouble.
“In fact….”
Her lips parted—but then flicked toward the towering clock in the distance.
Suddenly, her eyes grew sharp with resolve, as though a decision had been made.
“I’ll… I’ll explain later!”
With sudden force, she slammed her satchel against his blade and spun to flee.
Her movements were far swifter than before. Yet to Howard, the difference was meaningless.
“Ahhk—!”
She let out a strangled cry as Howard seized her bag and yanked her to a halt.
Her hood fell away. Cascading silver hair shimmered under the night. The satchel she had guarded as if her very life depended on it now lay in Howard’s grasp.
He expected her to abandon it and attempt escape again, but to his surprise, she remained rooted to the spot.
“Haah… there really is no time….”
Her foot stamped anxiously as she looked at him.
“I know you won’t believe me, but I am not suspicious. Please, just let me go this once. I have an urgent matter. I swear I will submit to the full inspection the moment I return.”
“Do you know? Even heretics say exactly the same when they are caught.”
“I’m telling you the truth! It’s truly urgent! I’ll return right after I finish! Just past midnight. If you don’t believe me, then come with me yourself!”
“And why should I accompany you when I have no reason to trust you? For all I know, you seek contact with the Demon King’s followers.”
“The Demon King? Good heavens, that’s madness!”
She tugged at her hair in frustration.
“I care nothing for the Demon King or his heretics! I’ve never even met them! I could swear it on everything I own!”
“…..”
“Please… if I don’t go now, I’ll be ruined. My entire life will change—I’ll be miserable forever. Please, just this once, believe me.”
‘Believe me.’
Howard knew how hollow those words were. How many had begged the same, their heretical marks hidden beneath their clothes?
Every plea after that was nearly identical, as though written from the same wretched script:
I committed a grave sin. I am sorry. I only did it because I was starving. I heard a dark voice command me to follow the Demon King. I was threatened by heretics. I was promised the Demon King could resurrect the dead….
‘…Resurrect those long since dead.’
Howard repeated the words inwardly—and laughed bitterly.
Had he been swayed by such lies, he would not still stand here. No one in this world desired it more than he.
“If you are truly innocent, then come with me now. Submit to the inspection. And afterward, we will discuss this ‘system’ in greater detail.”
“…..You don’t believe me at all. I understand why. In times like these, when heretics must be seized at once, and in the midst of it all, someone suspicious like me appears… of course you wouldn’t believe.”
Howard remained expressionless. She exhaled a long sigh.
“But I really am in dire straits. I did not want to say this, but if you don’t let me leave before midnight, troublesome things will happen—for both of us. I say this for your sake, Commander.”
“Troublesome things?”
“Yes. Very troublesome. I don’t want us to clash. When midnight strikes, you will understand everything. You may regret it. You may wish you could turn back time… Ah, the clock is nearly at midnight.”
Her eyes turned again to the looming tower as she sighed deeply. Her face seemed steeped in despair, as though resignation had swallowed her whole.
“Now… it will happen that… I will lose much. Please, do not be shocked. Just remember—I did not choose this. I never wanted it.”
“What…?”
DONG— DONG— DONG—
The bell tolled midnight.
And in that moment, Howard saw it.
“…..What is this?”
