Necromancer 43

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43. Ran, the Despairing Treatment (Classmate's Perspective)

“...!”

When Ran woke up, he was inside a small stone room.

Iron bars were fitted into both the front and rear windows.

“No way, is this—”

A stone prison.

That's the only way to describe it.

“Are you saying... I'm imprisoned...? Me, of all people—?”

Ran’s face twisted with rage.

He and the other 'Heroes from Another World' were granted a special privilege by this kingdom's king: 'No matter the crime, they would never be imprisoned.'

This was because their mission—to defeat the Demon Lord—was a matter of utmost priority.

Yet here he was, imprisoned—?

“Damn it, don’t mess with me! Let me out of here!”

He shouted in rage.

And then—

Clack, clack, clack...

Footsteps echoed as a man approached.

He was a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, clad in luxurious robes.

“You... Are you the king?”

“You must be the Dark Hero, Toudou Ran.”

The king, who usually wore a gentle smile, now bore a rarely seen stern expression.

“Dark Hero...? What is that supposed to mean?”

“It’s something you know all too well yourself. While you were asleep, we took samples of your hair and saliva. Our magical researchers will soon uncover it—your power as the Dark Hero...”

“What are you talking about?”

“Feigning ignorance is futile, enemy of the world.”

The king's expression grew more severe.

“We have decided to strip you of your 'Hero Privilege' and imprison you.”

“What?”

“You are no longer the hero who saves the world. You no longer deserve protection under the privilege.”

“What nonsense are you spouting—”

Ran couldn’t make sense of it.

“Ran, I had high hopes for you. As the strongest hero in our ranks—wielding light, destined to defeat the Demon Lord.”

“I don’t care about your expectations. But I won’t deny that I’m the strongest.”

“No, you are no longer the strongest. You lost to him, didn’t you?”

“...!”

He must be talking about Shigure.

“Don’t make me laugh! That was just a fluke!”

Ran roared in anger.

To lose to someone like Shigure—a dropout, even by chance—was an unacceptable fact.

And to have someone else point it out was a humiliation beyond measure.

“Damn it! [Execution]!”

Consumed by rage, Ran unleashed his skill.

Ran’s skill was one of extreme power—‘carving out space itself around a target.’

While its range was narrow, there was no means of defense against it.

Any human who took the attack would die without fail—.

It didn’t matter that his target was the king.

He had completely lost all rational thought over what might happen after killing the king.

All reason had entirely vanished.

But—

Bashun.

A sound like something bursting rang out.

And then—

“What...?!”

Though the king should have been hit directly, he stood there unharmed.

“It’s useless. This prison is fortified with multiple countermeasures against Hero skills.”

The king smiled.

“No matter how powerful your skills are, here you are powerless.”

“Damn...!”

Ran tried using his skill again, but the result was the same.

He couldn’t even scratch the king.

“And your actions amount to treason against the king—no, against this entire nation. Do you comprehend the severity of this crime? Or is it too foreign a concept for a hero from another world?”

“What?”

“Execution—by the same name as the skill you wield. You will be executed for your treason against the king. A simple trial will be held, but it is a mere formality. Your execution has already been decided.”

“Execution? Without me, you can’t defeat the Demon Lord.”

“We have Shigure, who defeated you. There is no problem.”

The king smiled.

“...!”

Ran bit his lip.

“I’m stronger! Far stronger than Shigure!”

“Pathetic. The outcome was already settled in your recent match.”

“But that was—”

“In any case, you are powerless in this prison. Summoned as a hero, granted extraordinary skills, did you truly believe yourself to be 'chosen' 'beyond human'?”

The king’s gaze was icy.

Until now, Ran had thought of him as a kind and gentle man, but his true nature was completely different—.

(This guy doesn’t see me—no, any of us—as anything more than pawns...)

Discarding unwanted pieces.

His gaze made that abundantly clear.

“You are just a student. Strip away your skills, and you are nothing.”

“...Damn... you...”

“As I mentioned, your execution is inevitable. Within days or weeks, you will be taken to the gallows. Until then, reflect on the lives you took in this world, and offer them some repentance.”

The king turned his back.

“Farewell, Dark Hero. Your crime of treason against the king has now been established—”

Ran stared blankly at the king’s retreating figure.

The sudden turn of events left him unable to comprehend.

The only thing he understood was the despair of his impending execution.