I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

14 – 3# Perfect Plan (4)

What was called a calamity slept in this land. Having lived through countless ages, it was no longer a monster but held knowledge close to that of a sage. Therefore, it realized.

To devour despair from humans, there was a certain way. However, it wasn’t a method that could be used casually. After all, the calamity itself being sealed was an extremely rare occurrence.

Sixty years ago, the man who defeated it had a somewhat peculiar ability. He even had to endure tremendous sacrifices. However, the sealing was, in fact, an opportunity for him.

He first poured numerous resources to elevate his own worth. At the same time, he made sure the seal was maintained. If it disappeared, all the resources would vanish. And that method worked quite well.

Humans blinded by greed sought to maintain the seal by sacrificing a few. Of course, there were those who opposed it, but their opinions were thoroughly silenced.

Because it didn’t make money.

The seal of it, over time, became something that had to be kept unconditionally for a different reason. Thus, the city of Saren persisted until now. What it demanded was sacrifices, and they were very precious.

As expected, intense feelings of despair and sadness entered its mouth. Having to sacrifice the life of a precious person to the monster with one’s own hands—how pitiful and miserable it must be.

It smirked.

But that didn’t last long.

“Come out.”

It was immediately clear that the quick-witted one knew.

“You’ll die if you don’t.”

What it really meant to not come out.

* * *

Isaac put his sword back into its sheath. The shattered body of Behemoth turned into dust and vanished into emptiness. Isaac, who had been watching the scene, turned his head.

No one who had fallen there dared to say anything. An unnamed hero had truly defeated Behemoth. No matter how weakened, the opponent was one of the three great calamities.

He was not an ordinary hero to face such a presence. He even dealt with a calamity in a single strike? Even a great hero would find it impossible, but he achieved it.

Thus, the sense of reality could not help but disappear. Is this really reality? Has Behemoth truly vanished? No one could open their mouths. Everything felt like a dream.

Isaac also remained silent. He only moved his steps slowly. Eventually, he arrived in front of Cain and Yulina. Only then did his tightly closed lips open.

“The mission is over.”

“Ha! You crazy f*ck!!”

“Uh… is it over? Really…?”

“Yes! You don’t have to die anymore!!”

Cain’s frank voice became a sign of victory. The knights finally let out a sigh of relief and lowered their weapons. Zig, who had just started to move, ran towards Isaac.

“Master!!!”

“Gah?! What’s going on?”

“I was worried! I really thought you were going to die…!!”

‘I’m about to die right now…’

It was truly a strange situation. Although it was a body that didn’t even flinch at the knights’ attacks, why did Zig rush in? A huge shock was transmitted. How was this even possible?

‘But before that.’

Isaac slowly detached Zig, who was clinging to him. After all, he didn’t have a hobby of hugging guys. Instead, he put his hand on Zig’s head. This much should be fine.

“Do you really think I’d die so easily?”

“But!!”

“Don’t worry. I have no intentions of dying until you grow.”

“Just don’t die!”

“Alright, alright.”

Thanks to Zig screaming loudly, Isaac had no choice but to cover his ears and nod his head. Meanwhile, the knights also lowered their weapons. They had been carrying heavy burdens until now.

Now they could finally put down the heavy burden they had been carrying. Ulris quietly watched the scene. He couldn’t say anything. How could he speak with any dignity.

Not only his wife. The fact that he was willing to sacrifice his daughter to the monster cannot be erased. Even if there was a reason to protect the world. Now, it could only be an excuse.

“Aren’t you happy that you saved your daughter?”

Did Isaac understand Ulris’s feelings? Suddenly, Isaac approached Ulris and asked him discreetly. Ulris, who had been looking at Isaac for a moment, shook his head. Saved? Who? Me?

“I couldn’t save my daughter. You saved her.”

“……”

“So, you don’t have the right to be by that child’s side.”

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t irresponsibly risk my life.”

Ulris no longer had a reason to take his own life. After all, there was hope that he could continue living. But he had to take responsibility. And Ulris was not a man who would avoid responsibility.

Aside from Isaac, the first person to notice that Ulris had disappeared was Ulrina. Ulrina looked around for Ulris, but there was no sign of him.

“Are you looking for Father?”

“Oh, how did you know?!”

“You can tell if you pay attention.”

“Indeed, I don’t see my father anywhere.”

Upon Isaac’s words, Cain, like Ulrina, looked around for Ulris. Isaac, who had been lost in thought for a moment, nodded as if he guessed something, and said.

“I have a guess where he might be.”

“What?! Really?!”

“For sure?!”

“Yes, but let me tell you for sure. It won’t be a pleasant sight.”

“I have a rough idea.”

Cain had gained numerous experiences as a wanderer. And Ulrina was also a clever girl. Naturally, they could immediately grasp what Ulris was trying to do based on Isaac’s words.

“I see, my father is trying to take responsibility now.”

“Somebody has to let the truth be known. And at the same time, let the people of this land know about all the truth.”

“…You’re so upright.”

“Huh? Is that so? I thought he was going to face punishment from the law.”

In fact, Isaac had a different thought. In any case, Salen is the biggest source of money in the law country. He has forcefully maintained the seal of Behemoth, ignoring a few sacrifices for that.

Of course, the authorities in the law country would certainly not be unaware of what Isaac knew. That description appeared in the original work to begin with. The disaster that visited Salen was caused by the greed of humanity.

But since he couldn’t protect the seal of Behemoth, it was natural to expect punishment. However, that was not the case. Ulris now intended to face judgment from the people of the land.

“My lord! What on earth is going on?!”

“The territory…!! All of our homes…!!”

“Where is this? It’s not my hometown.”

“Calm down. I’ll explain everything from the beginning.”

As expected, Ulysses was in the temple. Just the brief presence of Behemoth had already turned the domain into chaos, like a massive earthquake had struck. The castle walls and houses had crumbled.

Fortunately, thanks to the temple Ulysses had prepared in case of emergencies, the residents of the domain were unharmed, but only to a certain extent. The anxiety and fear among the residents were spreading like wildfire.

However, Ulysses did not avoid that fear and anxiety. Instead, true to his straightforward nature, he chose to confront it head-on. Like the stubborn person he was, Ulysses explained everything.

“So, we were on top of the monster?”

“The Three Calamities…!! Uh, I thought it was unbelievable!!”

“…There are no words. I’m truly sorry.”

In reality, the residents probably sensed that something was off from the beginning. Crops yielded bountiful harvests every year, and there was no paradise filled with countless resources, including herbs.

But they deliberately ignored it, choosing to overlook any doubts in pursuit of the gains right in front of their eyes. And the price for that was this. Of course, it wasn’t entirely their fault.

“You’ve been hiding this fact all along? You son of a…!!”

“Yeah, it’s all the Lord’s fault!!”

“If we had known earlier, we would have left this land long ago!!”

Their anger was justified. They had never heard that this land was sealed by a monster. But if things continued like this, Ulysses would face judgment. He wouldn’t escape it himself.

So, he tried to force a compromise.

“Everyone, quiet!”

Isaac’s shout, thunderous like a storm, completely overwhelmed even the voices filled with anger and betrayal among the residents. Thanks to that, temporary silence descended.

“By what right do you judge the Lord?”

“That’s…!!”

“Presumably for hiding Behemoth…!!”

“So what? Is there someone here against their will? Or was there someone preventing the Lord from leaving this place?”

No one could answer Isaac’s sarcastic question. Ulysses didn’t force the residents to stay; in fact, he recommended that they leave as much as possible.

Of course, the freedom of movement for farmers was restricted. However, this domain was filled with immigrants. They were not serfs tied to the domain but free people who could leave if they wished.

Yet, they didn’t leave. Why? It was simple. This place brought them money. They could cultivate the ownerless land freely, process and sell the resources from here as they pleased. The Lord didn’t impose significant restrictions, only asking for a small tax and meeting a minimal labor quota. Everything else became their property.

“The Lord, recommending leaving the domain, an imaginary paradise that could never exist. You must have known something was strange.”

“…”

“But no one raised any questions. No one tried to leave. They just covered it up and enjoyed the sweet fruits.”

“T-That’s…!!”

“Meanwhile, someone shed tears of blood all this time.”

It’s sophistry. But at the same time, it was also true. This mixed argument briefly silenced the lords. But it couldn’t be left like that. A plausible solution had to be suggested.

“The only person who can judge him here is one.”

With those words, Isaac naturally raised his finger and pointed to someone. The person Isaac was pointing to was none other than Yulrina. Yulrina realized Isaac’s intention.

“That’s right, only I was about to sacrifice myself for the territory. I have the right to judge my father…”

“Yulrina, you don’t have to force yourself…”

“It’s okay, Cain. This is something I have to do.”

Cain tried to stop Yulrina. But Yulrina shook her head. She never shirks her duty. Rather, she faces it and moves forward. That was Yulrina.

Yulrina walked slowly forward. Isaac said nothing and handed her sword. She bowed her head to Isaac, and turned it around.

“I see, this is the best ending.”

“….”

“I won’t make any excuses. I’m a monster who sold your mother to monsters.”

“Yeah, it was shocking. I couldn’t believe it. Dad wouldn’t do that.”

“Yes, so let’s end it now.”

The daughter, who they had tried to save, finally saved her life. On the contrary, he could also be judged for his sin. In the best ending, Yulris was willing to give up her life.

However, Yulrina did not draw her sword. Instead, there was a sound of metal falling on the ground. Yulris felt a warm embrace. Am I dead?

But it wasn’t. It was warm enough to feel like heaven, but it was a hug from her daughter. At that unexpected moment, Yulris made a stupid expression.

“How painful has it been? How long have you lived shedding tears and blood?”

“….!!”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I’ve only been happy until now. I didn’t look around me.”

“This can’t go on. I must be judged for the crime I committed….”

“I am the only one who has the right to judge you.”

He still couldn’t forgive himself. What an naive man. That’s why the girl who wanted her father to be a little more comfortable. Clearly said.

“I forgive you.”

Isaac, who had been watching her from behind, nodded his head with satisfaction. Yeah, it’s contrived. But Yulris suffered and sacrificed until now, and it was also true.

So.

Can’t we overlook this kind of forced act?

As the situation evolved like this, there was no one else who complained except one person. There was a raging Zec who pulled the handcuffs. “What happened earlier? Why didn’t you use your weapons?”

“Couldn’t help it! I thought I was really going to die!”

Zeke couldn’t help but get angry. To a child who had lost his parents to goblins, Zeke was more than just a hero. But to dash off without a weapon? It was madness.

“I’m sorry.”

“Forget it! Just give me a solid reason or explanation!”

“…Even though our intentions differ, they too are individuals protecting humanity like me. And…”

“And?”

Isaac lifted his head. Following his gaze, Zeke did the same. There was a woman, embracing and sobbing uncontrollably. Isaac spoke while looking at her.

“How could I disgrace my father in front of his daughter?”

Just as my family is precious to me, so are others’. That fact must be respected. Zeke turned away. Isaac, in that moment, had a faint smile on his lips.

“Why… that moment, that sight…”

Suddenly, in Zeke’s mind, the scene from back then appeared. It was Uriel and Cain, their lips meeting. Why was that moment surfacing now? He couldn’t fathom it.

His face was flushed, his heart racing.

I can’t bear to face the Master.

Ultimately, Zeke bowed his head.

“Argh! I said it, but I messed up. I really screwed up.”

Ironically, Isaac was intoxicated by his own words.