Beast in the Woods, Deep in the Night - Chapter 20.1

Chapter 20.1

Suddenly, Edgar’s mind went blank.

As it turned out, his father was the one who was locking up innocent chimeras just because they had been born with the blood of Richard.

Edgar could not even imagine how he could do this to others, as he was infinitely kind to him and said that he would give him everything in the world.

“Edgar, this…”

Grand Duke Richard tried to explain what the terrible chimera research facility was. He hurried down the stairs, asking him to wait for a moment.

He seemed to think that the horrific sight in front of Edgar right now could not be understood without an explanation.

“…”

Instead of waiting obediently, Edgar looked around. With each step, there were dozens of pairs of bloodshot eyes looking at him. The scene was so devastating that it was indistinguishable whether his heart was beating violently or continuously jolting.

It wasn’t long before Edgar was able to find a familiar back trapped in a cage. It was Karl, the one he came here for.

Karl was holding in his arms a maid who Edgar had also encountered several times in the mansion. The person whose body was already stiffening and going cold seemed to be Karl and Iris’ mother.

Then, the father of the two…

Edgar gritted his teeth. Karl’s hair was deep black, and his eyes were of a lighter green tone than his. It was no coincidence that he resembled him. Karl had been imprisoned here by him and his father.

“… Karl.”

Edgar approached the iron cage. His legs gave out unexpectedly and he slowly slid down, holding onto the iron bars.

Then, Karl turned his head. His face, which was always smiling at him despite his caution, was ruined in a mess of blood and tears. His eyes were also lifeless, as if he was already out of his mind.

“…”

The moment he made eye contact with the boy who was strangely similar to him, the boy who had suspiciously intrigued him from the first time he encountered him, Edgar didn’t know what expression to make.

Did Karl know that he was a chimera born to the grand duke and a maid?

Had he resented or cursed Edgar after being brought here?

If he didn’t hang out with the twins… Maybe those who lived in hiding in the hinterland wouldn’t have been discovered and brought here.

Edgar couldn’t utter a word because every question that came to mind seemed to strike his head heavily. His hands, clutching the iron bars, trembled.

Karl reached out and grabbed his hand. His hand was extremely cold for a living person.

The boy inhaled roughly, then whispered with all his might, “Ed…gar…”

“…”

“Iris… Please protect my sister. Please…”

“…”

“The knights, ugh… haven’t seen her yet.”

Karl reached out his other hand and held Edgar’s hand tightly between his. Even though his already weak body trembled dangerously as he coughed, he did not let go of his hand, like he was praying.

His eyelids were swollen, and his pupils were out of focus with the pain, but Karl’s eyes as he looked up at him were as innocent as ever.

So Edgar had no choice but to ask.

“… Why don’t you blame me?”

“Because it was fun. Hanging out with Edgar.”

“…”

“… We can never, ugh, play again together, right?”

Karl coughed and threw up blood.

Soon, both hands of the boy who was holding Edgar’s hand flowed down. The boy wriggled as if trying to hold on somehow, but no miracles happened.

“…”

Karl, who was his first friend, lost his life like that.

Watching the scene right in front of him, Edgar felt as if all the blood had drained from his body. His heart thumped so violently that it was painful. It was the first time he felt contempt at the blood flowing through his body.

“Edgar, let me explain everything.”

Grand Duke Richard, who quickly descended the stairs, began to give an excuse for imprisoning the chimeras in a place like this.

In order to understand and further develop Richard’s power, research was inevitable. Chimeras used in this way for his family have existed throughout the ages.

If he could use them to study the power flowing in the duchy body, he would be able to form an order of knights with monstrous powers.

If that happened, it would only be a matter of time before Richard wiped out the capital, he said.

‘He did this to wipe out the capital.’

It was the first time Edgar knew that his father had such a desire.

Richard was reluctant to enter the capital to avoid a futile fight because of the regret he had for killing all his clan and becoming the grand duke.

But the man in front of him secretly wanted the capital. Even so, he denied that his ambition was for himself.

“Don’t you understand that this is all for you? I just wanted to make you sit in the highest position…”