Azadin believed that life must have aesthetics.
To live merely for survival was not a human life. A true human being should pursue values beyond mere survival, and that pursuit was philosophy and aesthetics.
To live with an answer to the question of what is right and beautiful, and to continue on that path.
That was Azadin's reason for living—his purpose in life.
But most of the Aragasa were captivated by the vision shown by Arael, rather than pursuing such philosophy or aesthetics.
To subjugate everything, bend it to one's will, and place it under one's rule. That vision was now appearing right before their eyes, in the form of tangible results.
What if he rejected it now?
All the Aragasa would turn against Azadin. The persecution and scorn he had suffered until now would seem laughable by comparison.
He would truly become a public enemy.
But it wasn't as if the king's church or the knights of salvation would actually accept him either. In the end, Azadin would become a complete outsider.
Even so, he couldn't submit to the mercy Arael offered.
The status, power, wealth, and beautiful women that Arael promised—none of those had anything to do with the philosophy and aesthetics Azadin sought.
To try and fill Azadin with those things was nothing but Arael's arrogance, an attempt to destroy Azadin's soul and replace it with her own.
"Come now, Azadin. I'm not here to kill or hurt you. Sure, some of the other executives want to kill you behind Lady Arael's back, but... well, if you've got the strength to defeat a clan elder, then that's a different story, isn't it? Just think about the place you'd hold in the world we rule. Oh, but of course, with how you've been shouting about your ideals in the open, it'd be a little tough to enjoy such sweet fruits now, wouldn't it? In that case, all you have to do is close your eyes just a little. Say you had no choice because a hostage was taken. Or that you were just too exhausted. Anything works. We'll handle all the dirty work, so your sense of morality stays spotless."
Zenith's syrupy voice tickled his ear.
"I can't tell if you're trying to persuade me or mock me, Zenith. When you put it that way, it makes it even harder to give in, you know?"
"You're really going to stand against us in this situation? Deny the entire vow of the Aragasa?"
"Before that, let me ask you something. You're all speaking as if this is a done deal. Do you really think this will succeed?"
"Why do you think we'll fail? What are you basing that on?"
"Have you ever actually succeeded before?"
When Azadin asked that, Zenith gave a smile.
"Have we ever succeeded? Of course we have. Otherwise, why do you think this storm is happening? Do you think it's just a natural storm?"
"I'm not asking if you've succeeded in drawing power from the Nether. I'm asking if you've ever succeeded in banishing the Nether beings that descend because of it. Are you certain you can banish something capable of calling forth a storm like this?"
"That… we haven't."
Even Zenith had no answer to that.
"Right? No matter how successful something is in training, it often fails in real situations. So if it fails this time, how will you take responsibility? Don't be ridiculous. Are you all out of your minds?"
"Then what can you do?"
"Collect copies of the Book of Divine King one by one. And find the Emperor's Treasury."
"We already know about that. We even secured one of the keys."
"But you don't actually know where the treasury is, do you? And you can't open it with just one key, can you?"
Azadin brought up the search for the Emperor's Treasury, but Zenith didn't seem very enthusiastic.
"We're not just trying to break the curse of service, Azadin. We want more than that. Of course we plan to find the Emperor's Treasury, but right now, the opportunity to destroy the Kingdom of Korasar is right before us. We can't pass that up."
"And if you can't control the Nether being? What then?"
"We're prepared for that. Well, it's not like we believe Lady Arael will fail... but even if she does and the world ends, isn't that fine too? The ones who'd mourn the world's end are the ones who have a lot to lose. The Hubris hold this world. Even if it all burns, we don't care."
Azadin let out a sigh.
"You really think Hubris people have everything? The farmers are poor, and only a few nobles and merchants are rich. I understand the hatred toward those who persecute Aragasa people for no reason. But to justify spewing hatred onto the poor and powerless as well—that's truly disgusting."
"So you really can't be persuaded, Azadin. Then what will you do? Throw away your comrades' lives, betray your own people, and fight us for the sake of the Hubris folk who won't even thank you?"
Zenith flicked her coat hem and widened her stance. As her posture lowered, killing intent surged from her.
"Before that…"
Azadin sheathed his curved sword and held only Wendigo's dagger in hand. He pointed it at the neck of the fallen Elder Sebali and hoisted him onto his back.
"If you want Elder Sebali Aether's life spared, don't hurt my comrades. If even one of them gets harmed, the elder will start losing his fingers, one by one."
"Wow. Alright, alright. Calm down."
Zenith smiled as Azadin took the elder hostage.
"But don't you think we're capable of harming an elder of the House Aether? He symbolizes the old order we're trying to surpass."
"Not at all. A clan elder who defected from the elder council would be extremely valuable to you. If you let him die, how do you expect to persuade the other elders?"
"..."
"Let the Sea Snake Nagas know too. Make sure they don't interfere."
"That's a bit difficult."
"Then the elder might die or get hurt."
"No, seriously, we can't do anything about the Nagas. It's a loose alliance, and the Sea Snake Nagas are… a bit crazy."
"Understood."
Azadin raised the Wendigo's dagger and began scratching and defacing the magic circles on the ground, all drawn in nether language.
"Then!"
Azadin descended the lighthouse steps.
Perhaps because of the elder, or perhaps out of fear of Azadin himself, Zenith didn't immediately chase after him.
***
Every time a thunderclap flashed, it looked as if a massive shadow could be seen from the sea.
Some of the Sea Snake Nagas prostrated themselves on the ground, worshiping the shadow visible from the ocean.
"Ah-oooh! Ah-oooh!"
Like werewolves howling at the moon, the cries of the Sea Snake Nagas spread through the storm.
Azadin clicked his tongue as he watched. Now he understood what Zenith meant when she said the Sea Snake Nagas were mad.
"The light of the king's virtue is weakening."
"Mmm…."
Elder Sebali shifted his body.
"Are you alright?"
"You ask that, after shooting an arrow into the hand of someone who was already down?"
"It was to prevent you from joining forces with Zenith and turning against me. But... now you've grown weak."
As the excitement of battle faded, the pain surged in.
Sebali was in a dangerous state.
Given the situation, it had been necessary to injure and subdue him, but now that the threat had passed, Azadin had no intention of killing the elder.
"My wounds... are severe."
"There's someone among my companions who's good at treating injuries. Let's go find them."
"What do you mean, companions?"
"Yes. If Zion Aether has taken hold of my companions... then he'd listen to your words, wouldn't he?"
"Haha. Who knows?"
At that moment, Sea Snake Naga appeared before Azadin.
"Human..."
"Step aside. I'm of the Herald Clan. There's a wounded man here."
"..."
The Sea Snake Naga hesitated for a moment at the sight of Azadin, then eventually let him pass.
Just as Azadin was about to continue walking, he stopped and looked at the Naga. One of them, a Naga mage, had taken on a human form.
"Hey. Do you know green magic? The power of healing and regeneration."
"That, you mean? I used to be able to, long ago."
"There's someone injured..."
"I can heal him with Nether magic."
"No Nether magic. Ah—do you happen to know where I can find my companions?"
"...Third watchtower of the outer fortress."
"I see. Thanks."
Azadin passed calmly between the Sea Snake Naga.
"Such nerve. So this is the cursed son of Akre."
Elder Sebali was impressed by Azadin's boldness.
"I can't fight with you in tow. Keep talking. If you lose consciousness, you'll be in danger."
"Kh... khahaha. Bold and utterly audacious."
Elder Sebali laughed as he looked at Azadin, who had subdued him yet was more concerned with his well-being.
***
Later on, the other Sea Snake Naga they encountered also let Azadin through, mistaking him for one of the Herald Clan allied with the Arael's faction, because of how confidently he carried himself.
A few of the Naga who had succumbed to madness tried to attack regardless, but their pack leaders were still sane and held the crazed ones back.
Even in such circumstances, Azadin shamelessly asked any mages among the Naga if they could use healing magic.
Fortunately, he found one who still maintained faith in the Cobra Queen, Devislin, and without hesitation entrusted Elder Aether's treatment to him.
"You're a bold one. Impressive. Even in my prime, people like you were rare. And you're Arael's younger brother"
"I'm her older brother."
"Well, with twins, the order doesn't really matter, does it? Anyway, have you considered becoming part of the House Aether?"
"You mean, as a son-in-law?"
From the House Aether's perspective, suggesting an adoption into the family by marriage was a sign that they acknowledged the human as a top-tier talent.
"Yes. I heard Midiam has become your servant. How is she?"
"Haha. She's still a child."
"In the old days, she'd have been more than old enough to marry."
"I appreciate the offer, but now doesn't seem like the right time for that kind of talk. How's your body?"
"Hmm, it does feel better than before. But... I can't fight."
"That's a relief."
It would be troublesome if the elder recovered too well. He might come at Azadin again—and this time, there'd be no chance he'd let his guard down.
Azadin had already experienced the nature of green magic through Shati. Regeneration magic accelerated natural healing, so while it could repair internal bleeding and concussions throughout the elder's body and keep him from dying, it likely hadn't fully healed the damaged muscles and bones.
"So, what now? You're not planning to charge in, are you? Even putting Zion Aether aside, Arael being here must be something you're already aware of, right?"
"Yes."
Zenith hadn't said anything, but Azadin could sense that Arael was here in Coral Sahar.
The Arael's faction's plan was probably something like this:
Kill the king of Coral Sahar, fulfill the Sea Snake Naga's long-cherished wish by summoning the being of the Nether, and once that's done... Arael would take the throne of Coral Sahar, seize the Book of the Divine King, and use the power of the Light of King's Virtue to drive out the Nether being.
It was a reckless plan, one that could only be made by someone with unwavering faith in Arael's own capabilities.
Or else, a plan born from such deep hatred for the world that even destruction felt sweet.