Chapter 26
Title: Lashes
It's a sad day gents, Charles Oliveira lost to Illia :(
"I was a child among the lions. Now I want to be one of those lions." - Charles Olivera
– Basil's POV –
I went back to my room, changed, and made my way to the training grounds.
Everyone was already gathered and ready to begin.
I made every group—except Group Three—run twenty-five kilometers in full gear as punishment. While they ran, I began training Group Three immediately. We drilled basic hand-to-hand combat and weapons work. The mana users were put through grueling physical training—push-ups, sit-ups, laps.
I will not have a backline that can't defend itself in close quarters.
This went on until midday.
When the other groups finally finished their run, gasping and soaked in sweat, they joined in the drills.
As the training session wrapped up, I noticed Lisa and Nyx—the dark elf—talking quietly. I assumed Lisa was thanking her for stepping up during the second trial.
Once everyone completed their exercises, I had them form a wide circle around the field, with me standing at its center.
I exhaled slowly, already knowing what was coming.
Three MP potions sat beside me.
And a whip.
In the middle stood a post I'd set up that morning—simple, tall, sturdy. Iron cuffs attached to its sides.
I placed the whip beside the post, then set the three MP potions in a clean, deliberate line.
I turned to the group.
"Everyone," I began, "good work today."
I paced slowly around the circle, eyes scanning the crowd.
"It pains me more than you know to do what I'm about to do. But it must be done. I will not tolerate disobedience in this legion."
I heard the shuffling of boots. Some soldiers looked confused. Others, who already knew what was coming, couldn't meet my gaze.
"Greenie Lisa," I said firmly. "Step forward."
She walked into the center, her posture upright but trembling.
"During the second trial, Greenie Lisa disobeyed one of my only two rules."
I paused, pacing again.
"Lisa. Did I, or did I not, clearly state that the use of skills was prohibited during the second trial?"
She swallowed hard but answered loudly, "Yes, Commander. You said the use of skills was prohibited."
"Did you obey that order?"
"No, Commander."
"And what happens to those who disobey direct orders?"
"They... they should be punished, Commander."
"So be it."
I looked at her.
"Remove your breastplate. Tunic stays on."
She unclasped her armor and let it fall to the ground, standing in her linen tunic. Her breathing grew shaky.
"Those she healed during the trial—step forward."
Three men did so, nervously.
"You three," I said, "tie her to the post. One of you—pick up the whip."
One of them hesitated. "But sir—"
"Just do what he asks, damn it!" Lisa shouted, eyes locked on the ground.
They followed orders. The post's cuffs clinked into place around her wrists. One man picked up the whip, hands trembling.
"For disobeying a direct order," I announced, "Lisa will receive twenty lashes. After healing herself and consuming one MP potion, she will be lashed twenty more times. This will continue until all three potions are used."
I walked up to her and removed my belt, folding the leather neatly.
"Bite down," I said softly, placing it in her mouth. "So you don't bite your tongue off."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded.
I turned to the three men. "As her squad mates, you allowed her to break the rule. You'll each deliver part of her punishment."
They looked down, clenching their fists.
"Everyone—eyes open. Do not look away. Do not flinch. If you do, you're next. Am I clear?"
"YES, COMMANDER!" the legion roared in unison.
"Begin."
The man holding the whip hesitated. On one hand, she'd saved his life. On the other—if he disobeyed, he'd take her place.
The first lash cracked through the air like lightning.
Her tunic tore as red bloomed across her back.
The belt muffled her scream.
"ONE!" the man shouted.
My eye twitched as I saw her bite down on the belt I'd given her.
"TWO!"
Each lash drew blood. Each shout drove it deeper into every soldier's mind:
This was not a game. Not a noble army. This was war.
"FOUR!"
The belt fell from her mouth. She screamed. Raw, real, heartbreaking.
"FIVE!"
Her knees buckled. She leaned against the pole, sobbing.
I raised a hand.
"That's enough."
I stepped forward, removing my shirt. I draped it gently across her shoulders, shielding the damage from view. Then I undid her cuffs and lifted her into my arms.
She sobbed into my neck.
"You did good," I whispered. "Now heal yourself and rest."
I handed her to Juno.
Then I turned back to the post. Picked up my belt.
Faced the legion.
"As your commander, I am responsible for each and every one of you. That includes your mistakes."
I walked to the post and held out my wrists.
"Therefore, it is my duty to shield you as much as I can. If you disobey a direct order, the fault lies not only with you—but with me."
Everyone's faces twisted with confusion and sympathy.
"I will take the remainder of Lisa's punishment."
Gasps rippled through the formation.
Before they could object, Synn stepped forward.
"Silence," he said. "The commander has spoken."
He cuffed my wrists and placed the belt between my teeth.He never looked me in the eye—just did what needed to be done.
Juno stepped forward, face dark with guilt and anger. "Give me the whip," he said.
The man handed it over without a word.
Juno stared at my back for a long moment…
Then raised his arm.
"SIX!"
The whip bit into me.
Then again.
And again.
Each deep lash only made the next one worse.
No skills. No mana reinforcement. Just pure flesh.
By the fortieth strike, my mind was swimming.
The back only has so much surface area. Strikes inevitably landed over already torn flesh. Those hurt the most.
By the time I felt one lash, the next had already come.
I could have used mana to reinforce my body, but what kind of example would that set?
Juno continued, each lash tearing into freshly healed skin. The whip's rhythm became a trance, a familiar hell.
My eyes blurred. My world dulled to shades of grey.
Around the 30th lash—or maybe it was the 40th—I lost track of time. I was drifting.
My body twitched uncontrollably. Lisa, now healed, ran to me and used her magic on my back.
By the eightieth, I couldn't feel my legs.
I looked down. A pool of blood shimmered at my feet, reflecting my blank expression. There were no tears. No screams. No emotion. Just silence.
Lisa healed me one final time.
Juno dropped the whip.
Synn undid my bindings.
I forced myself to stay upright, blood dripping to the dirt.
"Let today be a reminder," I said, voice hoarse. "Disobedience affects more than just you—it affects everyone."
I turned a slow circle.
"This legion will not be like the others. You'll give everything—and then more. I will demand everything—and give everything in return. Do I make myself clear?"
"YES, COMMANDER!" the shout nearly shook the earth.
"Dismissed!"
Good.
Very good.
The field cleared.
Lisa remained behind.
"I'm sorry, Commander," she said. "It won't happen again. I swear."
"I know, Greenie. Rest up. Be ready for tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
She saluted and left.
Once she was out of sight, I took a step.
My leg buckled. I faceplanted into the dirt.
I groaned and rolled onto my back, unable to move.
I tried to lift myself… but my legs wouldn't budge. Probably the aftershock of repeated healing. Your body might be fine, but the shock leaves behind effects—like numbness.
The sky was orange now. The sun was setting.
Clouds drifted lazily overhead.
I saw red hair floating in the wind.
Wait—red?
No.
Not now.
She appeared above me, grinning like a fox.
"Need help?" Ria asked sweetly.
"Can I help you?" I muttered, annoyed.
"You look stuck," she said, clearly enjoying this.
"I'm just… cloud watching."
There was no way in hell I could admit my legs wouldn't move.
"Hmmm. Sure you are."
She plopped down next to me and stared up.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why what?"
"Why did you take the lashes for her? I watched everything from the balcony of my office."
I paused. The old me would never have done it.
Maybe… maybe I had changed.
Why did I do it? The old me—the one before the cube—would've just let Lisa take her punishment without question. Had I grown soft? Was it because she was Bella's kin?
No.
Deep down, I knew the real answer. Somewhere along the way… I had changed.
It's not that I hadn't noticed. I had. I just refused to acknowledge it.
Before the cube, all I thought about was revenge—taking the lives of the demons who slaughtered my family. I would've sacrificed anything—anyone—to achieve that goal. In the end, even my own party died because of my selfishness. People I considered friends… family.
But now?
Maybe it was the sheer passage of time. Maybe it was the warmth I found in the small things—the kids laughing in the streets, the workers enjoying a hard-earned drink at Gyra's tavern, Lace and Gyra's quiet smiles.
Maybe… my desire to protect had finally grown stronger than my desire for destruction.
These thoughts terrified me. Because if I wasn't driven by revenge anymore, then what was I?
A bloodless immortal? A relic of war with no home, no future?
Still… I knew the answer. I just didn't want to believe it.
So I responded to Ria's question.
"It's a leader's job," I said, "Because a leader doesn't just command… he protects his people. Even from the consequences of their own mistakes."
She studied my face.
I understood why—even I knew how crazy it sounded.
Maybe I had lost my mind in that cube after all.
Her voice dropped.
"Mercy like that is rare." she paused "And for a reason. How do you know they'll learn anything from it?"
"They will," I said quietly. "And if they don't… I'll shield them until they do."
She was quiet for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"We're very different, you and I… but I don't think that's a bad thing."
We sat in silence.
"You can't walk, can you?"
"…No."
She laughed and stood.
Then—without warning—lifted me.
"Put me down!" I shouted.
She grinned. "Nope."
"This is humiliating."
"Just to the weapons room. Relax, you big baby."
This was humiliating. It was supposed to be men carrying women in troubled times, not the other way around.
She locked the door behind us and gently set me down. I leaned against the wall, watching her sit beside me.
"I'm going to nap here, if that's okay. Meetings all day. Poisoning. Y'know. A girl needs a break."
Without asking, she rested her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes.
I sighed.
There's no winning with her.
I closed my eyes and meditated, drawing in mana.
Hours passed.
I was pulled from my trance by something warm.
A trickle. Sliding down my arm.
I opened my eyes, face twisting in horror.
She was drooling on me.
Sitting on the dirt floor of a weapons room that smells like blood and sweat, passed out on a stranger's bare shoulder—and now drooling.
"Gross," I muttered. "Absolutely disgusting."
Then—my toes moved.
Yes!
I wasn't sure how much longer I could've lasted in this stinky room.
I could finally walk again.
I looked at her. Sleeping, drooling, hair wild, the strands of her red hair swayed like flames in a breeze.
The mighty Empress.
For someone ruling over sixty million people… she's kind of weird.
I reached up and tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear.
Hmm. What's this—a necklace. Silver. Simple.
silver in color, with a small star-shaped pendant and a cracked purple gem in the center. It didn't sparkle or scream "royalty." The wear and tear said it was old—probably a keepsake from someone important.
I gently shook her.
"Hey. Ria. I can walk again."
Her eyes opened slowly, glowing with a fiery hue that caught the evening light.
"How long did I sleep?"
"About two hours."
"Two hours?!" she jolted upright.
I stretched and stood.
"Yep. And you drooled like a baby."
She froze.
I smirked, without waiting for a response, walked to the door, and unlocked it.
I peeked outside back at the training grounds to make sure it was clear.
I'll use mana vision too just to be safe.
Just before I stepped out, I realized something was holding me back.
Was my leg still paralyzed?
I looked down—and rolled my eyes.
"…What are you doing?"
"I don't drool!" she snapped. her voice that of an embarrassed child.
I turned.
I laughed under my breath. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Her cheeks were puffed out, and her hair was a wild mess from the nap. She was crouched on all fours, gripping my pant leg like a toddler refusing to let go of a toy.
Absolutely no dignity.
"Okay, fine. I made it up to embarrass you. You caught me," I said, waving my hands in surrender. "Now will you let go of my pant leg? I'd really like to leave."
She's kinda cute like this..
"Where do you need to go?" she asked softly, a note of sadness in her voice.
I sighed.
"Just to get some pie. After the day I've had—no, the week—I could really use a slice."
She tightened her grip on my pant leg.
"Um… can I come?"
Her eyes met mine. Wide. Red eyes. brimming with that same softness that melted my resolve.
Too damn soft.
I folded instantly.
Turning away, I scratched the back of my neck, cheeks a little red.
"Uh… sure. I guess."
She lit up like the damn sun.
"Okay! Let's go get changed then," she said casually, strolling ahead.
I stood there, slightly agape.
Fooled again.
"Mirian, I'm sure they've noticed your absence," I muttered, trying to salvage my dignity. "Shouldn't you be heading back?"
She stopped in her tracks, arms crossed, back to me.
Still no response.
"…What are you doing?" I asked.
She tapped her boot against the stone pathway—impatient.
"Uh, Ria—"
"Yes, Basileus?" she said in a mocking tone as soon as Ria came out of my mouth, tilting her head up with dramatic flair.
By the goddesses. This girl's going to be the death of me.
"Nothing. Forget it. Let's go… Ria."
I emphasized the nickname.
"Okay!" she chirped, completely unbothered.
Honestly, if she didn't want me calling her Mirian, she could've just said so.
We reached my room, and to my surprise, she followed me inside.
I gave her a flat look.
She didn't say anything. Just wandered in like it was her room.
She wasn't… planning to change?
Best not to ask. I might fall into another one of her traps.
I grabbed a vanilla tunic—worn but clean—and glanced at her outfit. It was simple, but the pristine cut and detailing screamed nobility.
I pretended to rummage through my dresser, then pulled a winter cloak from my inventory and tossed it to her.
Along with a short-sleeved tunic that was… slightly lived-in.
"Put those on."
She sniffed the tunic and wrinkled her nose.
"This kinda stinks. Did you wear it recently?"
I held out a hand. "Then give it back and go get something from your own room."
She hugged it to her chest protectively.
"NO! Ahem—this is fine. Thanks."
"Uh-huh. Sure."
I turned my back as I swapped boots, giving her privacy while she changed.
When I looked again, she had both the tunic and my winter cloak on.
Damn.
Even trying to dress down, she still looked… good.
"You ready?" I asked, standing up.
"Yep!" she said brightly.
We made our way through the palace, using mana vision to check for guards before slipping out the side entrance.
The capital was alive tonight. Magic lanterns lit every corner in warm gold. Shops buzzed, laughter spilled out of taverns, street vendors shouted over each other, and the air smelled of roasted meat and sweet bread. The main road was stone-paved but showed its age, worn down by carriage wheels.
At night, however, the road bore a different kind of traffic—not wheels, but feet. Feet belonging to all kinds of people out enjoying the evening. Along the endless road were shops, taverns, and brothels of every kind. People poured in and out of the open ones, laughing, arguing, drinking.
We walked shoulder to shoulder through it all, searching for one thing.
Pie.
But every pastry shop was closed, and none of the taverns served anything that even resembled pie.
Ria noticed the disappointment on my face.
"Would you like to grab something else?"
"No. When I crave pie, nothing else fills the hole."
"Oh… I see."
She sounded a little defeated.
I peeked at her. She was kicking a rock, head slightly down.
I sighed.
She probably doesn't get to do this often. I could at least be nice, I guess.
"You wanna just… walk around?"
Her eyes lit up. "Please!"
I said nothing, shoved my hands into my pockets, and started walking. She followed close behind, taking in everything.
She tugged her hood lower and fell in step beside me.
"You don't get out much, do you?"
"I try. But the council, the generals, nobles constantly requesting my attention… I'm always either in meetings or surrounded by guards. When I do come out, people just bow and shuffle out of my way."
"Hm."
The strongest person in the empire… caged like a bird.
We stopped at a food stall I remembered from the other night.
I bought us each a waffle cone.
Strawberry for her—it matched her hair. Vanilla for me.
Or, well… it was going to be hers.
Right before handing it over, I took a big bite out of it.
She gave me a puzzled look.
"Just making sure it wasn't poisoned," I said.
She smiled with her eyes and took the cone.
I regretted my choice instantly. Strawberry was way better.
We sat on a bench and watched the street.
I listened to snippets of conversations. Normal people, living normal lives. It felt distant—like another world.
I peeked at her again.
AHHH—nope.
She was staring at me.
Not just looking. Staring. With a wicked grin.
She was planning something.
Then… she scooted closer.
Her shoulder brushed against mine.
"Basil," she said, her voice calm, almost musical.
"Ye—yeah?" I stammered.
A thousand alarms blared in my mind.
She rested her head on my shoulder.
"I envy you."
Everything went quiet. Like someone muted the world. like the first time I met Sarien in the white room.
Envy? Me? Why?
"…Envy?" I repeated, confused.
"You're surrounded by people who trust you. You can go where you want, when you want. No expectations weighing you down."
I looked down at my hands. memories playing in my mind like a slideshow.
Me killing demons with my bare hands. Strangling my own men who had lost their minds to fear. Torture. The cube.
I've lived over six hundred years. But I've only truly lived maybe twenty of them. The rest… hell.
"There's nothing to envy about a life like mine. A man like me. I've made a lot of mistakes and gone through hell. What you see now is just who I've become after surviving it. I've learned life is short, and you should spend every moment you can with the ones you care about. Because one day, you could wake up and lose it all in a flash."
My voice was low. Heavy.
She leaned in.
"A man like you—"
ATTACKED.
Out of nowhere—she devoured my entire cone.
Gone.
Like it never existed.
A single tear slid down my cheek as I stared at the empty wrapper.
Even if I could slow time, it would've been useless.
She gave me a goblin grin, licking her lips, and winked.
I swear the wink spoke, it said-
'Just making sure it wasn't poisoned.'
"A man like you is soft-hearted, compassionate, and a good leader. That's rare. That's why I think I'm so drawn to you. Most men now just want power and money. They'll do anything for it. Makes me sick."
She's a monster.
Unreal.
Just picking up where she left off like nothing happened. Like I'm supposed to be okay with it.
No. Not this time.
"Hey—" I whispered.
I grabbed her by the shoulders, shook her, and shouted, "WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?! IF YOU WANTED A BITE, YOU COULD'VE JUST ASKED!"
A crowd gathered. People murmured. Eyes turned.
Not toward me. Toward her.
"…Isn't that the Empress?"
"…She's beautiful…"
The culprit, still wide-eyed and stunned, hadn't realized her hood had fallen off.
Shit.
I yanked the hood back up and grabbed her hand.
"We're leaving."
I pulled her through the crowd, double-checked with mana vision—no one followed.
We finally slowed near the palace gates.
"Sorry," I muttered. "Forgot where we were."
A mana lantern flickered above us, casting a warm glow on the cobbled street.
She looked down at our hands. I tried to loosen my grip.
She squeezed tighter.
"It's fine. Thanks to you, I don't think anyone noticed."
Then—she looped her arms around mine. Pressed her chest against my arm.
"…Let's pretend to be a couple. Just in case."
I looked down at her. Her cheeks were red.
When our eyes met, she looked away, pretending to inspect a nearby lamppost.
Cute. In that awkward, infuriating way she always managed to be.
"…Fine," I said. "Just until we get to the palace.I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea."
She didn't reply. But I saw the smile tugging at her lips.
We walked in sync.
And just as we turned the corner, I heard her whisper:
"I wouldn't mind."
Thank the goddesses I'm taller than her—and it's dark out. No way I can let her see how red my face is after hearing that.
We reached her room.
She opened the door and turned to me.
"Well… here we are," I said awkwardly. "Sorry we didn't find any pie. Hope you still had fun." I said, half-turning to leave.
She grabbed my sleeve, stopping me.
"I had fun tonight, Basil. Thank you. I haven't dropped my guard like that with anyone in a long time. Maybe… not ever."
She stepped closer.
Her scent—clean, vanilla, familiar.
Her lips hovered, barely a breath away.
And just before they could reach—
EHEM.
"Empress, there you are," Nella said, appearing like death itself. "I've been looking for you all night."
We both jerked upright.
Ria's softness vanished. Her mask returned.
"Nella. What do you need?"
"I need to speak with you. But… I'll give you two a moment."
She bowed and disappeared into the shadows.
A long silence passed.
"…Well," I said, trying to breathe again. "Goodnight."
She nodded. "Yeah. um Goodnight."
I bowed and walked away, hearing her door close behind me—softly, not locked. Just… closed.I kept walking until the hall was empty.
Heart still racing.
What just happened?
What… was she trying to do?
And more importantly—
What was I about to let her do?