Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 145

The disaster came without warning.

And disasters, as it turned out, could arise from something as simple as a single word.

This was one of those moments.

"Kyahhhh!"

"Execute the traitor!"

The instant the Knight Commander uttered those words, the knights who stood as the protectors of this scenery transformed into relentless killers, mercilessly stabbing and slaughtering the divine beings.

The stronger among the divine beings managed to withstand the knights’ attacks with sheer resilience and fled, but the weaker ones were mercilessly cut down on the spot.

Even those who were present at the scene didn’t remain passive.

"So, these damned creatures were harboring treacherous intent all along!"

Fueled by nothing more than the Knight Commander’s single sentence, people suddenly erupted into a fury, chasing down the fleeing divine beings, dragging them back, and beating them to death in mob violence.

Wait.

What...?

I tried to snap back to reality, blinking hard to regain my focus. But this incomprehensible madness left me dumbfounded.

Suddenly?

Why?

Watching this collective hysteria unfold, countless questions raced through my mind. Chief among them: “There’s no evidence, and yet they’re acting on nothing but a single sentence?”

What exactly had the Knight Commander done? He had merely grabbed a ten-year-old child with one hand and accused the Empress of assassinating the Emperor.

There wasn’t even any proof of the Emperor’s death—no body, no evidence.

Yet these people, as if following a prearranged script, acted without hesitation, slaughtering the divine beings mercilessly.

"Damn it."

Something was seriously wrong. It was impossible to think otherwise.

I had to confirm the situation myself. I couldn’t just stand by and let this insanity continue.

But as I moved to leave, Afta grabbed my arm, her face filled with worry and urgency.

"Don’t go, Raydan."

"Why not? People are dying out there, and you want me to just stand here and watch?"

"You’ll put yourself in danger."

Her words hit me like a nail driven straight into my chest. Painful.

Surely, Afta didn’t want to stand idly by and watch the divine beings die either. She must have been just as overwhelmed by this absurd situation. Yet, for my safety, she couldn’t bring herself to let me go.

Creaaak.

The grand doors opened with a heavy sound.

Inside, I saw the Emperor lying in a pool of blood. The Empress knelt beside him, tears streaming down her face.

And there stood the Knight Commander, poised to stab a child with his sword.

I didn’t think.

Before I knew it, I had kicked the Knight Commander, sending him flying out a window and plummeting four stories to the ground.

"Aaaagh!"

Oops. I’d just committed treason.

This wasn’t what I intended.

Sighing, I turned my attention to the child, lowering them gently to the floor. They had golden hair and striking red eyes—a beautiful child who would grow into a stunning adult.

The small spider insignia on their chest marked them as the Emperor and Empress’s child.

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

"Y-yes."

The princess’s face was still pale with shock, her body trembling from the ordeal.

As I approached to check her condition, she recoiled, twisting away in fright.

I decided to give her some space. Perhaps she needed time to collect herself.

"...Father..."

Despite nearly dying herself, the princess’s only concern was for her father.

Running to the Emperor, I found the Empress by his side, her face contorted with grief.

"Your Majesty!"

"...Sir Tantan," the Emperor coughed. "Forgive me for showing you such a disgraceful sight. But perhaps it is what I deserve..."

His words were cryptic, and his breathing labored, blood rising in his throat.

Turning to the Empress, the Emperor’s trembling hand brushed her tear-streaked face.

"This was my fault... I let myself be swayed by fear and threats..."

"Your fault? What do you mean...?"

"If only I had thought more carefully, things might have been different..."

His voice faltered, and he began to convulse.

"Your Majesty!"

"Don’t leave us!"

The Emperor’s face grew pale, his body losing strength.

"Sir Tantan," he rasped, clutching my arm. "I have one last request... Even if this empire crumbles, ensure that, in the end, everyone can smile."

With those final words, the Emperor passed, leaving only the sound of sobbing in the room.