Chapter 350: This Is Certain. (3)
Edwin’s momentum faltered for a moment. Even he asked with a puzzled expression.
“What… is that?”
“I told you, it’s an exorcism tool. You could even say it’s a tool to cure the weak minds of people like you and Edwin. Physical therapy works best for those who have frail minds.”
“You insolent brat… How dare you stand before me, a great being of the Demon Realm…”
“You’re not even from the Demon Realm. You’re just leeching off it because you can’t control yourself properly. If you could, you’d probably be pretending to be all noble and righteous.”
Edwin froze momentarily at Ghislain’s sudden words.
However, he quickly laughed, unleashing an intense aura of demonic energy.
“It seems… you’ve never tasted the hellfire. Even the holy power of the goddess cannot harm me. Do you really think… that thing will do anything to me…?”
As the crackling demonic energy touched him, Ghislain waved it off with a flick of his hand.
“Why are you trying so hard to act like a demon? You’re quite entertaining.”
Ghislain’s composed demeanor made Edwin grit his teeth.
As the son of a powerful count, Edwin was used to others approaching him with caution and deference.
But this man… who was he to behave like this? And what kind of treatment was this, to try and cast him out with such a method? He was the heir of a count’s family. He couldn’t be killed or left crippled.
Even Count Mowbray had beaten him with a club before. But even he hadn’t dared to cross certain lines.
“You… insolent fool. Such earthly pain means… nothing to me…”
In any case, even if he were beaten, it would only damage Edwin’s body. Though he could feel pain, it was no more than the pain a human could inflict.
For someone whose mind was already overtaken, such threats were not fundamentally terrifying. Besides, his energy could deflect most physical impacts.
This was just bluster a show of intimidation as if he were a mere human.
Holy power and magic didn’t work on him, so Count Mowbray must have resorted to this childish method. He couldn’t help but scoff.
“That sort of threat… only works on… fools. Come at me with… something better…”
Ignoring Edwin’s words, Ghislain took a set of finger knuckles from his bag and carefully put them on his hand.
With a few wrist flicks, Ghislain grinned and said, “Let’s go easy today since it’s the first day. Try to hold on.”
“Such bravado…”
Smack!
Before Edwin could finish his sentence, Ghislain’s fist slammed into his face.
“Guh!”
Edwin’s head snapped to the side, frozen in place.
He couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.
‘Did he really hit me? I’m the heir of a count’s family! This isn’t some holy treatment! What kind of treatment is this? Is this really physical therapy?’
Then Ghislain’s voice rang out again.
“Reset your head position.”
“You bastard…!”
As Edwin turned his head back with a furious expression, another fist came flying from the opposite direction.
Smack!
“Gah!”
Edwin couldn’t think straight. He wasn’t supposed to feel pain, yet it hurt. It hurt so much.
‘What… what is this?’
He was wrapped in his demonic energy, so ordinarily, pain shouldn’t register at all.
Even if his opponent used mana, it would take someone highly skilled to inflict any real damage on Edwin’s body.
But now, he was feeling human pain completely unfiltered.
No, it wasn’t just that. If someone were strong enough, perhaps they could hurt him. That would make sense. But there was something inexplicable, a mysterious force that seemed to strike at his very essence.
Ghislain was channeling mana into his fists to attack the energy possessing Edwin, though the malevolent spirit was oblivious to this fact.
“Argh! You wretch! How dare you!”
Smack!
“Gahhh!”
Even in his agony, Edwin felt a surge of overwhelming rage. How dare a mere human lay hands on him like this!
And on top of that, how dare they touch the heir of a count’s family?
The feelings of the malevolent spirit and Edwin’s own emotions mixed chaotically, boiling over.
“You dare! I will curse you! My power will devour your soul! The heavens and all their kin will tear you apart! The earth’s creatures will drag you into the pits of…”
“What nonsense.”
Smack!
“Ow!”
The pain was so intense that Edwin couldn’t help but cry out. He had no idea what was happening.
Why did a simple punch from a human cause this much pain?
It felt as though his very soul was being struck. A chilling sensation tore through his body, slicing and piercing him with unbearable sharpness.
“Aarghhh!”
Clang!
In his fury, Edwin let out a feral scream and reached out to grab Ghislain.
Though he was bound in chains, he still had just enough mobility to perform basic actions like eating.
Reaching the person standing right in front of him was no challenge at all.
But who was Ghislain? His reflexes were honed to the extreme.
With a subtle movement…
Tap.
When Ghislain lightly swung his arm, Edwin’s hand couldn’t even reach him and was deflected away.
Edwin, who was weak and poorly trained, stood no chance of overpowering Ghislain. Even when he tried to bolster himself with demonic energy, the result was the same.
No matter how much energy he focused and unleashed, Ghislain dispersed it with just a few casual swipes, as if swatting at flies.
‘What… what is this? Who is this guy?’
He wasn’t a priest, nor did he seem like a mage. Edwin could sense that he was using mana, but he couldn’t fathom how or what kind of technique it was.
All he did was punch him, yet the pain Edwin felt was beyond comprehension.
Edwin wasn’t the only one dumbfounded. Arel, who had been tensely observing from the side, was equally stupefied.
‘Is this… exorcism?’
He had prepared himself for a difficult battle, steeling his resolve more than anyone after hearing that they would confront a malevolent spirit.
But now that the moment had come… it was just a matter of beating him up.
Could exorcism really work like this? Was this even right? Everything he thought he knew about the process was crumbling.
Suddenly, Arel remembered what Ghislain had said before they entered the tower.
“No matter what you see, don’t be surprised. Got it?”
‘Ah, so that’s what he meant.’
Arel finally understood Ghislain’s words.
While Ghislain enthusiastically pummeled Edwin, Arel pulled out a scrap of paper and began scribbling notes.
‘Malevolent spirits… can be beaten… Memo…’
Determined to retain everything he learned from Ghislain, Arel diligently documented each experience. It was also an opportunity to improve his literacy skills as a bonus.
His efforts to emulate and follow his mentor in every aspect made him a model student.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Guh! You… how dare you! Aaargh!”
The “physical therapy” showed no signs of ending. Ghislain kept hitting him with great vigor.
He didn’t just strike at random he infused mana into his punches, targeting the malevolent energy hidden within Edwin’s body.
As someone who had mastered the art of striking, Ghislain ensured that the blows wouldn’t break Edwin’s bones but would deliver pure, unrelenting pain.
In the end, Edwin could do nothing but scream in agony.
“Argh! I… I am the son of a count! The heir of this household! Do you think you can just beat me and walk away unscathed?”
“Relax, it’s fine. As long as you don’t die.”
That was Ghislain’s philosophy so long as he didn’t kill his target, all he needed to do was keep hitting until they surrendered. He had never encountered a situation where this didn’t work.
Edwin’s outbursts only grew more frantic.
“Is anyone there! Outside! This man is trying to kill me!”
“Nope, no one’s here.”
Ghislain had already cleared the area, ensuring no one could hear Edwin’s screams. Even if someone died here, it would likely go unnoticed.
Overwhelmed with rage, Edwin glared with his pitch-black eyes and shouted.
“You! Are you not afraid of my curse? I will make sure you”
Smack!
“Guh!”
Ghislain remained utterly indifferent to such threats. He knew perfectly well that Edwin lacked the power to back them up.
And so, over the course of several days, Ghislain continued to beat Edwin relentlessly. Arel went down to fetch meals during each break.
As expected from a noble family, the meals were always lavish feasts.
“Wow, this is delicious. Let’s eat quickly and get back to work.”
Ghislain never wasted time. Starting from the second day, he began teaching Arel during the beatings.
“Now, watch closely. Hitting here makes it hard for the opponent to breathe, forcing them into this posture.”
Thud!
“Gahk!”
“This spot is a weak point, but if you don’t strike precisely, you could leave yourself open to a counterattack.”
Thud!
“Aaargh!”
“Your stance during an attack is important too. You need to be ready to react immediately if your opponent dodges or blocks.”
Thud!
“Owwww!”
Arel nodded vigorously and took notes, fully embodying the diligent student role. Ghislain, pleased with his enthusiasm, smiled warmly.
“Now, give it a try.”
“Yes, sir!”
Ghislain handed Arel a club, and the student enthusiastically practiced what he had learned. While Arel couldn’t infuse his strikes with mana to target the hidden energy, he treated it as part of his training.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
“Good, you’re doing well.”
Watching Arel’s earnest efforts, Ghislain beamed with pride.
Meanwhile, Edwin, despite being thoroughly beaten, could only think to himself:
‘What the hell is wrong with these guys?’
It felt like he had gotten tangled in something horribly wrong. He truly thought he might die, and the fact that he didn’t only made it more maddening.
That bastard barely even slept. Just when it seemed like he might stop, he’d close his eyes for a few minutes, rest briefly, and then spring back to life. This man wasn’t human.
Ironically, the so-called disciple beside him slept far more.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
‘When is this going to end?’
Eventually, he even started hitting him during meals. He hit the disciple too. There was no break in sight.
At some point, terror began to seep into him. It felt like this would never end.
He wished, prayed, that it would stop. He could no longer endure the pain.
Even the malevolent spirit that had taken over Edwin’s body and mind could no longer hold out. As a result, Edwin’s original consciousness slowly began to reawaken.
‘No, no… I don’t want to wake up…’
The malevolent spirit had already absorbed Edwin’s memories and psyche, becoming one with him. Even their emotions were shared.
Edwin’s heart was filled with despair, anger, and sorrow. It was these feelings that fueled the spirit’s ferocity and relentless rage.
The crushing weight of being the heir to the family.
The grueling lessons and studies required for his succession.
He hated it all and didn’t want to follow any of it.
Because of this, his father constantly scolded him, and over time, Edwin lost all confidence.
As the heir of the estate, he could enjoy the finest meals, clothing, and anything he desired.
But what was the point of any of it?
He envied the free peasants who worked the fields and played without care.
He didn’t need a prestigious family or a perfect environment. All he wanted was to escape from his stern and frightening father.
“You are the heir of this estate! You must take responsibility!”
‘I don’t want to…’
He hated hearing those words. He didn’t want to be responsible for anyone or lead anyone.
He just wanted to live freely and comfortably.
“You pathetic fool! And you call yourself a noble?”
The more his father reprimanded him, the worse it got. Fear of being scolded made him clumsier, and soon he couldn’t seem to do anything right.
He felt like he was turning into an idiot. It seemed like the entire world was mocking him.
He wanted to throw it all away and run, but he lacked the courage.
He felt like he was going insane. Maybe he already was.
Then, one day, he heard a voice.
“Accept me… I will set you free…”
Having already given up on life, Edwin accepted the being that approached him without hesitation.
Since he thought he was already crazy, he felt no resistance.
Thus, the two became one, and this twisted state came to be.
Edwin found it comforting. He could release his anger freely and say no to whatever he disliked. He hurled curses at his father and the retainers who looked down on him.
‘Ah! This is freedom! I’ve finally reclaimed my liberty!’
It felt liberating. Wonderful. He wanted to live like this forever. His body no longer hurt, and he felt at ease. A strange energy protected him.
He wanted to continue living carefree and thoughtless.
So, he entrusted everything to the spirit and fell into a deep sleep.
All he wanted was for it to vent the anger and resentment he had accumulated over the years.
But now…
He was experiencing pain unlike anything he had ever felt.
Not even the times his father hit him were this painful. Not even being scolded hurt this much.
He wanted to escape this agony. The past suddenly seemed preferable.
At least back then, he hadn’t experienced pain like this.
In the end, Edwin’s spirit, which had completely yielded to the malevolent entity, fully awakened.
This pain was unbearable for himself, for the spirit, for anyone.
And so, he uttered words he never thought he would say in his life.
“Father! Save me! This man is trying to kill me! Someone help me! Father! Father!”
Thud.
At that moment, Ghislain’s fist stopped.