Chapter 2 Part 1
Chapter 2 – The Poison Queen
‘Keim… You’ve done nothing wrong.’
Those were the last memories spent with his mother… Sasha Halsberg. Keim leaned close to his mother lying in bed, shedding tears as he listened to her final words.
‘I was truly happy that you were born. Holding you in my arms, watching you grow, brought me immense joy. So… no matter what happens, don’t blame yourself.’
Keim knew that Sasha had fallen ill after giving birth to twins. Occasionally, she coughed up blood, and the cause of it all was the faint poison unintentionally emanating from Keim’s body. Not only his blood but also his breath and bodily fluids contained the poison. It was a harmless concentration for a healthy person, but it was a deadly virus for his weakened mother.
Keim’s father had tried countless times to stop his mother. He told her not to meet Keim, not to touch him. Her husband, Kevin, had insisted that Sasha should abandon Keim and raise only Arnette as their child. However, Sasha did not abandon Keim. No matter how much Kevin protested or how much Arnette clung to her, she never abandoned Keim and kept him by her side.
‘It’s your mother’s fault that you were born as a ‘Cursed Child’. You’ve done nothing wrong. So… don’t blame yourself, okay?’
Emaciated and weakened, Sasha held Keim’s hand as she reassured him. With every bit of life she had left, she turned it into words for her son.
‘Please find your own happiness. Someday, have your own family and live together.’
That was the last conversation exchanged between Keim and his mother. Shortly after, Sasha began coughing up blood and endured tremendous pain before slipping into eternal slumber. Kevin, who believed that Keim was the reason for his wife’s death, drove his son away and began raising only Arnette as their child.
〇 〇 〇
“Haa… I’m finally back…”
After walking for several hours from the mansion where he was born and raised, Keim arrived at the cabin in the woods where he was staying. He had taken numerous breaks along the way to return home.
“…Let’s rest for today. My body is exhausted.”
With drooping shoulders, Keim opened the door to the seemingly fragile cabin. Inside, there were no fancy items like lamps. In the darkness, he relied on his memory to find the wooden planks he used as a makeshift bed, but… he quickly came to a halt.
“Who’s there…!?”
He sensed the presence of someone in the cabin, though the person appeared to be holding their breath, making no audible noise. However, Keim keenly perceived a different atmosphere from his usual home.
(It couldn’t be a thief; there was nothing valuable to steal here, and it was unlikely that villagers would come near.)
The villagers avoided Keim, the ‘Cursed Child’, and would never approach this place. It could be some beasts or monsters, but… it lacked the characteristic smell of a beast.
“………”
Keim cautiously grabbed a hatchet and looked around the cabin.
“………”
Carefully, with bated breath, Keim stepped further into the cabin, straining his ears and squinting his eyes to locate the intruder.
“Heehh, you’re more sensitive than I thought. I’m surprised.”
“Wha-…!?”
The voice sent shivers down Keim’s spine, appearing to originate from very close by. Someone had somehow approached from behind and whispered into Keim’s ear.
“You…!”
Keim attempted to swing the hatchet around as he turned. However, the young boy’s hand was easily caught by the person standing behind him.
“Heehh, your reaction time is not bad. I guess that’s to be expected from the son of the ‘Holy Fist’, huh? Although it seems you haven’t had much training, I can still sense glimpses of talent in you.”
The person standing behind him was a tall woman wearing a white coat draped like a mantle over a man’s suit. Her black hair and the intelligent eyes behind her glasses left a lasting impression.
“If I may offer some advice, it’s futile to notice an opponent’s presence once they’ve already noticed yours. If you realize they’ve intruded, pretend not to notice and seize the opportunity when they lower their guard. If not, running away is the right choice.”
“Damn it… Let go!”
“If you release that dangerous thing, I’ll release you, too. I apologize for the rudeness of barging into your house. I mean no harm. So, can you put down your weapon?”
“………”
The woman’s voice remained calm, devoid of any apparent hostility.
If her intention were to harm Keim, she would have attacked him by now. Despite distorting his expression with frustration, Keim reluctantly let go of the hatchet.
“Good boy.”
The woman released her grip on his arm, and Keim took several steps back as soon as he was free from restraint.
“Who are you…!? Why are you in my house…!?”
“There’s no need to be so defensive. You act as if I’m some wild animal.”
“Answer me!”
“Alright, alright. No need to rush. I’ll properly introduce myself.”
The woman in the white coat raised both hands in a gesture of surrender as she responded to his demanding inquiries.
“My name is Faust. For now… I suppose you could say I’m a friend of your parents?”
“………!”
The woman who introduced herself as Faust smiled amicably at Keim, who surprisedly opened his eyes.
“I’m here today as a doctor to meet with you, Keim. I wanted to examine the progress of the curse known as the ‘Poison Queen’, which was transplanted into your body thirteen years ago… Would you allow me to do that?”
“‘Poison Queen’…? Transplanted…?”
Keim was completely baffled, furrowing his brow.
Faust gave a wry smile in response to the question mark that seemed to float above Keim’s head.
“I see.Have your parents never spoken to you about the curse that has been afflicting your body?”
“……Not really.”
“Perhaps they couldn’t bear to tell their child… Or maybe they struggled to accept the responsibility?”
Faust rummaged through her baggage and took out a lantern. The room, once shrouded in darkness, was now bathed in an orange glow from the lantern’s light.
“Please, have a seat. Let’s discuss the curse that’s been afflicting your body.”
“…But you’re in my house, you know?”
Faust seated herself on a wooden plank as if she owned the place. Annoyed that she occupied the space he used as his bed, Keim frowned but reluctantly sat down beside her. He didn’t fully trust this enigmatic person before him, yet the story of the curse within his body held a powerful grip on his curiosity.
“Oh, do you have any tea or something? I’m a bit thirsty.”
“Seriously, you’ve got some nerve! It’s in that bottle there, help yourself!”
“Oh, there it is. Let’s give it a try.”
Faust picked up the bottle from the ground. She opened it, sniffed the liquid inside, and blinked in surprise.
“Heehh, interesting tea you have here. Did you brew it yourself?”
“…It’s not tea, just some herbs I picked around here. It tastes awful, but it makes me feel better when I drink it.”
“Well, yes, it’s a medicinal herb called ‘Healing Grass’ that’s also used as an ingredient in potions. You’re pretty interesting to make herbal tea out of it.”
Without hesitation, Faust drank the murky liquid from the liquor bottle. While it couldn’t be called ‘tea’, she seemed to enjoy the bitterness, savoring the taste with narrowed eyes.
“Yes, it’s terrible. But there’s nothing to worry about. They say ‘good medicine tastes bitter’, and things that are good for your health usually don’t taste pleasant. I appreciate your hospitality.”
“………”
It wasn’t his intention to be hospitable. She had entered his house without permission and was now drinking his tea without asking.
“So… about examining my body, what exactly does that mean?”
Faust had introduced herself as a ‘friend of his parents’. Keim might have trusted her if she were a friend of his mother, but he could never open his heart to a friend of his father.
“That’s not all… You mentioned having ‘transplanted a curse’ into my body, didn’t you? What does that even mean?”
It was not something that could be easily brushed off.
Keim had always believed that the ‘poison curse’ afflicting his body was innate, a coincidental affliction akin to an epidemic. However, the use of the word ‘transplant’ implied that Faust had intentionally implanted the curse into his body.
(If that’s true… I will never be able to forgive this person…!)
If someone had deliberately cast the shadow that loomed over his life, forgiveness would be impossible.
(No matter what, I will definitely make them pay…!)
“Don’t give me such a murderous look. Explaining the circumstances is also part of the reason I came to see you, after all.”
Faust smiled with a perplexed expression, placing the bottle she held on the ground. It was a carefree smile devoid of any hostility. Her demeanor almost seemed like an attempt to slip into the gaps in his heart, making Keim feel uneasy.
“Now then… The curse residing in your body originated from the ‘Demon King-class’ monster, the ‘Poison Queen’.”
“………”
The ‘Poison Queen’. It was the same word he had heard earlier. Looking back, Keim remembered that the villagers who persecuted him had also muttered those words.
“…Your parents really didn’t tell you anything…? That’s so irresponsible of them…”
“…What do you mean?”
“The curse that has invaded your body originated from the ‘Poison Queen’, and… your parents. Of course, I bear some responsibility in this as well and deserve to be resented.”
Faust began recounting events from thirteen years ago, just before Keim and Arnette, the twin siblings, were born.
Once upon a time――the ‘Poison Queen’, a ‘Demon King-class’ monster, appeared in the northern part of the Kingdom of Jade.
The ‘Demon King-class’ is one of the ranks that indicates the strength of a monster, starting from Commoner-class, Knight-class, Baron-class, Viscount-class, Count-class, Marquis-class, Duke-class, the Demon King-class, and so on. The higher the rank, the stronger and more dangerous it becomes. The Demon King-class is a calamity that can destroy an entire country.
The ‘Poison Queen’ posed a grave threat to the Kingdom of Jade, but it was ultimately saved by the adventurer’s party known as ‘The Fist of Iron God’, hailed as the strongest at the time.
Led by Kevin, the ‘Holy Fist’, ‘The Fist of Iron God’ succeeded in subjugating the ‘Poison Queen’ at great cost.
Kevin, the leader of the punitive force, was rewarded with the title of ‘Count’ and granted a territory. It is said that other participants were also generously rewarded by the king.
“However… in exchange for such glory, there was a great misfortune. The woman who delivered the final blow to the ‘Poison Queen’, Sasha Halsberg, ended up cursed.”
Faust spoke calmly, her words flowing into Keim’s mind like water seeping into sand.
“The final curse unleashed by the ‘Poison Queen’ was so powerful that Sasha could die at any moment. It wouldn’t be unusual. No doctor or mage could cure her. That’s why, as a doctor, I proposed an idea to them: to transfer the curse into one of the twins Sasha was carrying…”
“You can’t be serious…!”
“This concerns you, Keim Halsberg-kun. Your parents made the decision to transplant the curse of the ‘Poison Queen’ into you so that your mother and your twin sister could live.”
“………!”
Keim was rendered speechless, his breath caught in his throat. If Faust’s words were true, then Keim being born as the ‘Cursed Child’ was not his fault, nor was it due to bad luck.
(So, she’s saying it was all my mother’s and that man’s fault…!?)
Throughout her life, Sasha had repeatedly apologized, as if repenting for something. Could it have been about burdening Keim with the curse?
“Such a thing… Such a thing CAN’T BE TRUE!“
Keim couldn’t help but raise his voice. He stood up and let out the emotions surging within him.
“I’ve been blamed my entire life for being born a ‘Cursed Child’! And now…! You’re telling me it’s not me, but my parents who are to blame!? That’s just too cruel! If that’s the case, then why have people been blaming me all this time!? Why have they been throwing stones at me and saying hurtful things about me!?”
“…You haven’t done anything wrong. The ones at fault are your parents and me.”
Acknowledging the boy’s lament, Faust bowed.
“As a doctor, I did my best to save as many lives as possible. However… I deeply apologize for the burden I have placed on you alone. I truly am sorry.”
“………!”
Keim gritted his teeth in response to Faust’s sincere and honest apology.
At thirteen years old, Keim was at an age where he was becoming more discerning. He understood that Faust was not the one to blame, but that didn’t mean he could easily forgive her. The malice he had endured throughout his life couldn’t be dismissed with mere apologies.
“So, let me at least take responsibility as your ‘attending doctor’. I came here to save you.”
“Save me…?”
Contemplating Faust’s unexpected words, Keim looked up to meet her gaze directly.
“There is a way to lift the curse of the ‘Poison Queen’ that has been placed upon you. It couldn’t be done thirteen years ago, but now, with you, there might be a chance. Please, will you let me save you?”
Chapter 1 Part 3
〇 〇 〇
Kevin Halsberg, the current head of the Halsberg family, was originally a renowned adventurer who engaged in the subjugation of monsters and bandits. Having made a name for himself in various adventures, Kevin was bestowed the title of ‘Count’ and territory for his successful subjugation of a monster known as the ‘Poison Queen’ thirteen years ago.
Rising from a mere adventurer to nobility, Kevin faced strong opposition from the long-standing nobles. However, none dared to oppose him directly, as he was hailed the Kingdom’s strongest, known as the ‘Holy Fist’. Supported by the vassals he had gathered through the connections forged during his adventurer days, Count Kevin Halsberg governs his territory amicably and is admired by his people as a benevolent feudal lord.
“…To think I’d return here one day. Such thoughts never came across my mind when I was driven out.”
Looking up at his family home, which he visited for the first time in a year, Keim, the son of the Lord, furrowed his brow. Though this mansion was filled with memories of his mother, it was also filled with painful memories. If possible, he would rather not visit this place again.
“…Keim-sama, are you alright?”
“…Yeah, I’m fine.”
Keim forced a smile at Tee, who peered worriedly at his face, as they passed through the mansion’s gate.
On their way to the mansion, they walked past the gardeners and guards, all of whom averted their eyes without even greeting Keim, behaving as if they had seen something disgusting.
“How rude of them…!”
“…It’s fine. It doesn’t matter.”
He was accustomed to such reactions. In this mansion, the only people who treated him normally were his mother and Tee. It was better than having stones thrown at him like the villagers did.
As they approached the mansion, Keim noticed two figures moving about in the garden: the master of the mansion, Kevin Halsberg, and Keim’s twin sister, Arnette Halsberg.
“All right, then, I’m going to teach you the combat techniques of the ‘Demon Fighting God Style’ again today!”
“Yes, Father!”
Both of them are dressed for ease of movement and appear to be training in martial arts.
“First, let us review the combat technique of the ‘Demon Fighting God Style’ that envelopes the body in magic power and fights without using swords or spears. The body itself is the weapon. While strengthening the body with magic power is a fundamental technique in various martial arts, the ‘Demon Fighting God Style’ is in a different dimension!”
The red-haired, large-built man――Kevin, let out a sharp breath, and suddenly, his body was enveloped in magic power. The magic power gushed out from his body like hot steam, then gradually compressed, becoming visibly smaller. It was not that less magic power was emanating from his body. Rather, the magic power was compressed, increasing its density.
“Compress the magic power enveloping your body to the utmost limit. By doing so, the magic power will be sublimated to a hardness comparable to steel. The resulting ‘Compressed Magic Power’ can even rival a dragon’s scale. And naturally… when enveloped around your fists, the attack power soars!”
Kevin struck a boulder placed in the garden with his fist, which was enveloped in compressed magic power. With a single blow, the human-sized boulder was pulverized into pieces. It was indeed the punching power of a man known as the ‘Holy Fist’.
“See for yourself. But of course, there are downsides to not using weapons. Even talented individuals take at least five years to learn it. However, the advantage is that you don’t have to carry a weapon around with you and can activate it at any time, all while being lightweight. Running with just your own body is undoubtedly faster than wearing heavy armor.”
“I see… You’re amazing, Father! Will I be able to reach Father’s level someday?”
“Yes, because you’re my daughter! If you continue training for another ten years, you should become a top-class martial artist! To that end, we’ll train hard again today!”
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
The father and daughter continued their training harmoniously.
A little distance away, Keim twisted his expression.
“…It seems the two of them are still in the middle of training. Shall we go inside the mansion first?”
“No… that’s fine. I’ll watch from here.”
Keim shook his head at Tee’s concern and directed his gaze toward his twin sister, who is learning martial arts.
(My only sister… The other half of the twin… Arnette.)
Keim was overwhelmed with an inexplicable sense of emptiness whenever he saw Arnette. Although they were siblings born on the same day from the same mother’s womb, the relationship between Keim and Arnette was never good. It was hostile… or rather, Arnette unilaterally hated Keim.
The reason was that their mother, Sasha Halsberg, had been overly protective of Keim. Sasha had been very worried about her son’s future, who was born as a ‘Cursed Child’, and had hardly ever left his side. Arnette harbored hatred for Keim, who monopolized their mother’s love, and that hatred had only grown stronger after their mother’s death.
“Okay, take it slow. Let the magic power flow on the surface of your body and compress it.”
“Yes, Father!”
“………”
At the same time, jealousy flickered in Keim’s eyes as he watched his father and sister.
Despite being twins, Arnette, who did not bear the curse burden that Keim did, monopolized their father’s love and was training in martial arts. Keim could not help but yearn for it.
(It’s as if they’re mocking me. They cannot possibly not notice that I am watching… If they are going to ignore me, then why even call me to the mansion in the first place?)
“Alright! Next, I’ll teach you the basic technique. First of all… 【Kirin】!”
“Yes, Father! Like this!?”
With a proud expression, the father demonstrated the technique, and the daughter imitated the movements.
Feeling a strong sense of alienation, Keim continued to watch their training without taking his eyes off them.
As if turning away would be a loss, he watched until their training was over.
After finishing their training, the father and daughter returned to their respective rooms to cleanse themselves. In the meantime, Keim decided to pay his respects to his late mother.
“I’m home, Mother.”
In the room that had been his mother’s bedroom, there was an altar with a portrait of her. Keim knelt in front of the altar adorned with many flowers, paying his respects by offering prayers of tribute to his only family member who had loved him.
As a ‘Cursed Child’, Keim was treated coldly by his father and hated by his twin sister. Even the majority of the servants displayed similar attitudes. Yet, among them, only his mother had continually encouraged him.
‘Keim, please don’t hate yourself.’
‘You’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t think that being born is a sin.’
‘Your father doesn’t hate you either. He just… doesn’t know how to approach you. You’ve done nothing wrong. The curse upon you is not your fault. So, please learn to love yourself.’
“Learning to love myself is… difficult, Mother.”
No matter how Keim felt about himself, those around him treated him as the ‘Cursed Child’. He was immediately driven out of the mansion after his mother’s death and had been living a life where the villagers pelt him with stones.
In such a situation… he had no idea how to love himself.
(If I had a family that loved me, maybe things would have been different… But ever since Mother passed away, I have been all alone.)
“Gau! Keim-sama, Tee is with you!”
“Yeah… Oh, wait, did you just read my mind?”
“Your thoughts are as clear as day to me, Keim-sama! How many years do you think I’ve been serving you?”
“Haha, right… I guess that’s true.”
While smiling wryly at the perceptive maid, Keim finished his reunion with his late mother for the first time in a year. Just then, a stern-faced butler entered the room and spoke in a detached tone.
“…Dinner is ready. Please come to the dining room.”
“It’s fine… I’ve finished my business, so I’ll go home now.”
“The Master and the Young Lady are waiting. Please do not keep them waiting too long.”
The elderly butler said unilaterally and quickly left the room. Although Keim was undeniably part of the Halsberg family, there was not a shred of respect in the butler’s attitude.
“Garrrrr… How rude! What is that butler thinking!?”
“It’s okay, Tee… As much as I feel reluctant, I should at least join them for dinner, and for my mother’s sake.”
Sighing, Keim followed the instructions and headed to the dining room with Tee. When they arrived, both father and daughter, who had finished cleansing themselves, were already there. The two had started eating without waiting for Keim. Although a dish was prepared for him at the corner of the long table, it was noticeably distant from his father and sister’s seats.
“…Father, it’s been a while. I’m grateful for the opportunity to pay my respects to Mother.”
“No need for unnecessary greetings… Sit down and eat quickly.”
“Yes… Thank you.”
With a twisted expression towards his father, who did not even spare a glance, Keim sat down and began to eat.
“This steak is delicious! A meal after exercising is always exceptional!”
“Arnette. Don’t eat too quickly. It’s unbecoming.”
“Yes, I’m sorry, Father!”
“………”
While Arnette happily enjoyed her meal, Keim’s expression was heavy.
Although they were siblings who had not seen each other for a year, it was evident to anyone that there was a stark difference in how they were treated.
“Arnette, the food isn’t going anywhere, eat slowly.”
“Young Lady, your mouth is dirty.”
“We’ll bring dessert later. Today, we’ve prepared pear tart, your favorite, Young Lady.”
“Hehe, I’m so happy. I look forward to dessert!”
“………”
Next to the smiling Arnette was their father, while the servants surrounded them with warm smiles.
As if to show off and boast, Arnette happily ate her meal.
(What are they trying to show me…? Is this why I was called here?)
Keim scooped some soup with his spoon and brought it to his mouth, but it hardly had any taste. Whether it was intentionally made bland as a form of harassment, or his mood was so down that he couldn’t taste anything, he wasn’t sure.
“Keim-sama…”
“…Yeah. I’m fine.”
Encouraged by Tee, who was standing behind him, Keim mechanically consumed his meal and finished it quickly.
“Well then, Father… I’ll take my leave now.”
“Wait, Keim.”
After finishing his meal, Keim tried to leave the mansion in a hurry, but Kevin called him to a stop.
“…Recently, there have been complaints from the villagers. It seems you’ve been throwing stones at village children?”
“…I have not. I was the one who had stones thrown at me.”
“Silence! How dare you hurt innocent children when we’ve kindly allowed you, a ‘Cursed Child’, to stay here!? I don’t remember raising you like that!”
“………”
I don’t remember being raised by you. He almost said that in response but quickly realized it would be futile and shook his head. Instead, Keim sighed and muttered words of resignation.
“…If you say so, Father. You’re always right.”
“What’s with that tone! Is that how you talk to your father!?”
“Kugh…!”
Enraged, Kevin stood up and strode toward Keim, clenching his fist and ruthlessly aiming a punch at him. Keim instinctively tilted his head to the side, dodging the blow.
“You…!”
“Ka-hah!”
Kevin, who had initially looked surprised, quickly kicked Keim in the torso. Keim could not dodge it this time and was sent flying to the dining room’s door.
“Keim-sama!”
Tee hastily rushed over, lifting Keim’s body.
As Keim endured the pain and got up, Kevin spoke with animosity.
“Why was a ‘Cursed Child’ like you even born? If it weren’t for you, perhaps Sasha could have lived longer… Damn it!”
“Father!”
“Master…”
Kevin’s words were cut short as he collapsed in exhaustion onto a nearby chair. Seeing the fatigued appearance of the mansion’s master, Arnette and the servants rushed over.
“Gugh…!”
The servants, including Keim’s twin sister, glared accusingly at him, as if he were the one responsible. Ironically, it was Keim who had been kicked, making the situation absurdly unjust.
“Keim-sama, please hold on!”
“…Yeah, I’m fine. It’s not that painful.”
Supported by Tee, Keim slowly got up and quickly exited the dining room.
“Keim-sama, are you alright? This is terrible! Why must you suffer this way!?”
“…It’s okay, let’s go home.”
While offering a reassuring smile to the concerned Tee, Keim checked himself. He seemed to have taken a powerful kick… yet surprisingly, he wasn’t significantly hurt. Perhaps Kevin had moderated the force to avoid causing him serious injury.
(As expected of the ‘Holy Fist’, I suppose? Such a waste of talent.)
“…Please wait, Keim-sama.”
As Keim tried to leave the mansion, a butler approached and called out to him.
“There are duties for Tee to attend to, so please go back alone. I apologize, but she won’t be able to send you home.”
“Gau! You intend to send Keim-sama home in this state all by himself!?”
In protest against the butler’s provocative statement, Tee retorted fiercely.
“I am Keim-sama’s maid! What’s wrong with accompanying him on the way home!?”
“Please do not misunderstand. You are a maid employed by the Count’s family. Have you forgotten the favor of being taken in by the late Lady?”
“It was the late Lady who entrusted me with Keim-sama! Why does the heir of the Count’s family get treated so poorly!?”
“Tch… This is why beastfolk are so bothersome.”
The butler clicked his tongue in response to Tee’s persistence. In this country, beastfolk were subjected to discrimination and received poor treatment. For Tee to be employed by the Count’s family was remarkably fortunate for her.
(I cannot allow Tee to be burdened any further.)
“I’ll be alright. Tee, please return to your duties.”
“Keim-sama…!?”
“I’ll go back on my own… That settles it, right?”
“…Very well. Take care.”
With a mocking smirk, the butler turned and swiftly returned to the mansion.
“That’s how it is, Tee.”
“This is unreasonable! It’s reckless! How can you return alone in this injured state…!?”
“I’m fine. Although it looked severe, I’m not in much pain. I can walk home properly.”
“But…!”
“Tee.”
Keim tried to convince the teary-eyed maid.
“I’ll be okay. Please take care of the mansion my mother loved.”
“Gau… Keim-sama…!”
Though Tee appeared torn and bit her lip… she eventually conceded. Tearfully, she saw Keim off as he left the mansion.
“Seems just like a loyal dog… but you’re not a dog, you’re a tiger, aren’t you?”
With a wry smile, Keim made his way home. The sun had set, but the moon shone brightly, illuminating the night path. Slowly, yet steadily, Keim headed back to his cabin in the woods.
Chapter 1 Part 2
〇 〇 〇
Why in the world am I going through such an ordeal? This question had been contemplated, agonized, lamented, and grieved over countless times… yet it remained unanswered.
“Ah, the ‘Cursed Child’ is here again!”
“Stay away! The curse might spread to us!”
“Ow…”
As stones thrown by the children hit the back of his head, Keim Halsberg winced in pain.
Keim is a thirteen-year-old boy. With gray hair and eyes, and a handsome and well-formed face, it is likely that he will become a handsome young man that many women will not be able to ignore in a few years.
However… his face and limbs are marred with purple bruises, ruining his handsome appearance. The marks that cruelly cover his pale skin are the traces of a curse. They have been there since birth and are the root cause that burdened him with the fate of being oppressed as a ‘Cursed Child’.
“Run! We’ll be infected with the curse!”
“You monster! Get out of the village!”
The boys ran away, laughing heartily.
“Ouch…”
As Keim touched his head, blood oozed from the back of it, causing him even more pain.
Keim lives in a small village on the outskirts of Count Halsberg’s territory. Although he lives there, Keim resides in a cabin in the woods outside the village. Besides visiting occasionally to buy groceries, he had no interaction with the village.
“He’s here again… the ‘Cursed Child’.”
“The ‘Poison Queen’s’… Ugh, how detestable!”
“I hate it, he’s so disgusting. Can’t he just leave already?”
While the adults in the village didn’t pelt him with stones like the children did, they whispered and gossiped whenever they passed by Keim. This happens all the time.
When Keim arrived at his regular shop, the male shopkeeper glared at him.
“…You’re here again. Can’t be helped, I guess.”
“Um… I need some food…”
“Yeah, take it, take it. Grab that and get out of here!”
The shopkeeper tossed a sack at him, spilling bread, fruits, and cheese onto the ground.
“I’ll bill the Lord as usual, so leave quickly! The other customers will run away!”
“…!”
“What’s with that look? You’re not glaring at me, are you? Even though I’m graciously giving you food, you, the ‘Cursed Child’, dare to hold a grudge against me!?”
“Kugh…”
Intimidated by the shopkeeper, Keim packed the fallen food back into the sack. No matter how dirty or moldy it was, the food was precious to him. He needed to eat to survive.
Struggling to endure the humiliation, Keim picked up the food and quickly left the place. Slandered by the passing villagers, Keim left the village and walked along an animal trail in the woods. Feeling pain here and there as he walked, Keim’s mind was haunted by the same question as always.
(Why…? Why do I have to go through such an ordeal…?)
Keim had been living in a cabin in the woods for a year. At first, he had been cared for by an old man who lived there… but since the old man died of illness three months ago, he has been living alone.
Since then, his days have been filled with malicious voices, even when he goes to the village to get food, despite having done nothing wrong.
“Why was I born a ‘Cursed Child’? What have I done to deserve such a fate…?”
Even if he mutters it aloud, nothing changes. Keim has always been the ‘Cursed Child’ since birth and will probably continue to be so.
He had to live all alone, without anyone looking out for him.
“Cough… Cough…!”
Suddenly attacked by chest pain, he dropped the sack filled with food. Covering his mouth with his hand, he coughed repeatedly, and as he did so, his palm got covered in sticky thick blood.
As the blood fell to the ground, it made a sizzling sound, emitting a foul smell. Looking at his feet, he noticed that the pebbles on the ground had dissolved as if melted by acid.
“A poison curse…”
Keim’s body had been afflicted by a ‘poison curse’ since birth, and occasionally, he would cough up blood like this. The poisonous blood has the toxicity to dissolve stones.
(Because of this curse, they drove me out of the mansion where I was born and raised. Right after Mother passed away…)
Though now living in a cabin in the woods, Keim was actually the son of the Lord who ruled over the neighboring territory. Until last year, he lived in a spacious mansion with his mother, who had passed away.
(Things were better when Mother was alive. I was never pelted with stones then…)
His mother was one of the few people who loved Keim. Even when his father and twin sister refused to come near him, his mother would show him a carefree smile.
(Come to think of it… Mother occasionally muttered, “I’m sorry”. I wonder what she was apologizing for…?)
In her lifetime, his mother often apologized to Keim as if confessing something. Although Keim, being a ‘Cursed Child’, felt he should be the one to apologize, what was his mother sorry for?
“Hm…?”
“Grrrrr…”
When Keim looked up, he saw several wolves growling in the shadow of the trees a few meters away. They bared their ferocious fangs, ready to attack.
“Wolves…? I haven’t seen them around here lately. I wonder what’s going on?”
Keim tilted his head and raised his blood-stained hand.
“Woof!?”
The wolves then emit a cry like puppies and run away. The smell of the poisonous blood alone can drive away beasts and monsters. Although there used to be frequent wolf attacks in the area, it had quieted down considerably since Keim started living there.
“I can at least keep the beasts away. I wish they’d appreciate me a little more…”
Keim muttered self-mockingly as he picked up the food he had dropped on the ground.
(My body is more contaminated than the mud, anyway. What is the point of worrying when my body is filled with a poison curse?)
Keim slowly made his way home with drooping shoulders, carrying the weight of uncertainty about whether he would continue to face days filled with malice and contempt.
“Hm…?”
As Keim arrived at the cabin deep in the woods, he saw a woman standing before the crumbling and ragged cabin.
She looks to be in her early twenties and is dressed as a maid. Her long silver hair is distinctive, but even more eye-catching are the triangular beast ears on her head and the tail extending from the hem of her long skirt.
“Tee…”
“Oh, welcome back, Keim-sama!”
Upon noticing Keim’s return, the woman’s expression brightened, and she rushed over to him.
Her name is Tee. She is a maid serving at Count Halsberg’s mansion, where Keim was born. She is a ‘Tiger Beastfolk’ with the distinctive feature of being a rare ‘White Tiger’. Her beast ears and tail had a black-and-white fur pattern. She was the exclusive maid serving Keim’s late mother, and she also took care of little Keim.
While the Halsberg family’s servants despised Keim, Tee was the only one who was kind to him. Even after he was driven out of the mansion, she occasionally came to check on him out of concern.
“Were you out shopping? I was worried since you were coming home late today!”
“Ah… you mustn’t come close! Please don’t touch my body!”
“Eh…?”
He hastily stopped Tee as she was about to embrace him out of habit.
Tee is very affectionate, always embracing Keim whenever they meet. However, Keim was currently injured and bleeding from his head. If he were carelessly embraced, Tee might be contaminated by his poisonous blood.
Tee, who had been approaching with a friendly smile, noticed Keim’s injury, and her expression clouded over.
“…Keim-sama, what happened to that wound?”
“Oh, it’s… I tripped just now and accidentally bumped my head…”
As Keim awkwardly made up an excuse, Tee had an angry look in her eyes.
“Lies! The villagers did this, didn’t they? Those people… to treat Keim-sama of the Count’s family like this…! I’ll go and beat those fools right away!”
“N-No… stop it, please! I’m fine!”
Keim hastily stopped Tee, who looked as if she was about to run off.
There had been a similar incident before, and Tee had angrily stormed into the village. She had spanked the village children and yelled at their parents, demanding an apology. However… later on, she was scolded terribly by Keim’s father, Count Halsberg.
The village chief had protested to the Count, and Tee was blamed for unilaterally berating and attacking the villagers.
‘That village is taking care of the ‘Cursed Child’. Do not make such foolish commotion!’
The Count neither defended Keim, who was oppressed, nor Tee, who stood up for Keim. On the contrary, he sided with the villagers who had persecuted his son.
“Tee has caught Father’s attention. He lets you off because you were my mother’s favorite, but… if you cause any more trouble for my sake, you might be driven out of the Count’s family.”
“B-But… if we leave them alone, those people will get carried away and bully Keim-sama!”
“…There’s nothing we can do. It’s my fault for being born as a ‘Cursed Child’. Besides, if I’m driven out of this village, I’ll really have nowhere to go.”
“Gau…”
With Keim’s gloomy expression, Tee’s face also seemed on the verge of tears. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but… she bit her lip and slowly shook her head.
“…I will tend to your wound. Please come over here.”
“No, this is… um, okay. Just be careful not to touch the blood.”
Keim was about to refuse, not wanting Tee to touch his poisonous blood, but… he felt the unwavering determination in her eyes, so he reluctantly entered the cabin with her.
The cabin was devoid of furniture. It was a modest space with only wooden boards placed on the ground.
“I’ll clean the wound. It might sting a little, but please bear with it.”
“Ugh…”
Tee began tending to the wound on the back of Keim’s head, holding it against her chest. Keim blushed bright red as he found himself burying his face in her ample bosom, covered by her maid’s uniform.
“Keim-sama, please endure it a little longer.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. The wound only hurts a little, I can endure it.”
“Just a little more, and I’ll have enough money saved up. Then, we can leave this place right away…”
“………?”
Unable to catch Tee’s murmurs, Keim looked puzzled with his face buried in her chest. Eventually, the treatment was finished, and Keim raised his head with a sigh of relief.
“By the way, Tee. What brought you here today?”
Keim asked the question to hide the embarrassment of having his face buried in her chest.
Tee would come to check on him once a week, even without a particular reason, so the question was unnecessary. It was a diversion.
“Gau… right, I almost forgot.”
However, as Tee put away the medical tools, she blinked her eyes as if she remembered something. It seemed she had come with a real purpose.
“Today, the… Master has ordered me to bring Keim-sama to the mansion…”
“From Father…? That’s unusual. Does he have something to discuss with me?”
“…It’s almost the anniversary of Lady’s passing. He wants you to show up at the mansion before that…”
“…Ah, so that’s what it is.”
Keim realized his father’s intention, and his expression clouded over. In a week, the anniversary of his mother’s passing will come. It must be a request to return home beforehand and offer prayers for his mother.
Why does he insist on getting it done in advance rather than on the day itself…? It’s likely because his father doesn’t want to see the face of his disgraceful son, the ‘Cursed Child’, on the important day of his beloved wife’s passing.
It’s a selfish demand with a mixture of slight obligation to his son, Keim, and the love for his late wife, along with the self-centered convenience of a heartless father.
“…Okay. Let’s go back to that mansion.”
“…It may be strange for me to say this as a messenger, but there are only people there who look down on you, Keim-sama. You don’t have to force yourself to go back…”
“It’s okay. I want to pay proper respects to my dear mother who did so much for me. Even if I couldn’t get permission to go home, I was planning to pray in front of the mansion’s gate anyway… but now this has saved me the trouble.”
Keim showed a dark smile and decided to return to the mansion where he had lived until a year ago. The mansion of Count Halsberg――where his father, known as the ‘Holy Fist’, and his twin sister reside.
Chapter 1 Part 1
Chapter 1 – The Cursed Child
It all started thirteen years ago. In a small country at the center of the continent ―― the Kingdom of Jade, the curtain of that story was about to rise.
“Haa… Haa… Haa…”
A woman lay on the bed, exhaling weak breaths. She appeared to be in her early twenties, with sunken cheeks and her whole body drenched in sweat. It was evident that she was afflicted by some kind of illness. Moreover, the illness had progressed significantly, and it was clear to anyone that her remaining time was short.
“Sasha…”
A man crouched by the bedside, his back hunched over as he called out, his expression contorted in grief. However, there was no response. It was doubtful if the voice of the man calling out to the woman named Sasha reached her ears.
The two were husband and wife, but they were not just an ordinary couple. They were both heroes, saviors who had saved the people from a great calamity.
A year ago, a calamity known as the ‘Poison Queen’ appeared in the Kingdom of Jade. The northern part of the Kingdom was ravaged by a monster classified as ‘Demon King-Class’. Countless villages were destroyed, causing immeasurable damage.
The woman lying in bed and the man watching over her were the ones who defeated the calamitous monster. The woman ―― Sasha Halsberg, was a formidable mage bearing the title of ‘Sage’. The man ―― Kevin Halsberg, was a master of martial arts known as the ‘Holy Fist’.
With the husband and wife at the center of the extermination squad, they managed to defeat the ‘Queen’, and the Kingdom regained its peace. However… in exchange for that, Sasha fell under the curse that was the ultimate fate of the ‘Queen’ and was afflicted by an incurable disease.
Sasha was currently on the verge of death. Many doctors, pharmacists, priests, and court mages were gathered to save the life of the hero who saved the country, but no means of salvation had been found.
“Haa… Haa…”
“Sasha, why must this happen…? Why do you have to suffer like this…!? God, what have we done…!?”
Overwhelmed by his own powerlessness, Kevin could only watch his wife, suffering.
Kevin, the ‘Holy Fist’, capable of punching a dragon to death barehanded, was the strongest warrior in the Kingdom. Yet, he could not even save his beloved woman, who was afflicted by the curse.
If only they had ignored the ‘Poison Queen’, and just left her alone. Even the thought of unheroic considerations came to his mind, thoughts that he should have escaped without getting involved, even if it meant the destruction of the Kingdom.
“Sasha… Please, don’t die. Don’t leave me behind…”
“Excuse me, my lord.”
Kevin heard a knocking sound on the door amidst his grief. Without responding, he fell into silence. Then, a male servant who worked in the mansion entered as the door opened from the outside.
The elderly servant glanced sympathetically at the couple, his employers, and spoke to Kevin in a subdued tone.
“My lord, there is someone claiming to be a doctor waiting outside. May I let them in?”
“…………”
Kevin clenched his teeth so tightly that they made a grinding sound. Many doctors had examined his wife’s body before, only to find themselves helpless and give up. Surely, it would be the same this time.
“…Fine. Let them in.”
However, Kevin could not simply dismiss the person who had come to save Sasha. Perhaps it was a doctor sent by the grateful king for their extermination of the ‘Poison Queen’. There were even rumors that they would be appointed as nobles for their subjugation of the ‘Demon King-Class’ entity, so it was not an impossible notion.
Once Kevin granted permission, the servant disappeared down the hallway, and soon, a figure entered the bedroom.
“Hey, Kevin. It’s been a while. Do you remember me?”
“You…!!”
A tall woman entered the room with a casual gesture, wearing a black suit designed for men and a white coat draped like a mantle over it. She was in her early twenties in appearance.
Kevin knew her true identity. She used to be called a comrade, but they had since gone their separate ways.
“Why are you here!? Doctor Faust!”
“Haha! Quite an outburst as a greeting. Good to see you’re doing well.”
Being called by her name in a biting tone, the woman in the white coat ―― Faust, raised her scarlet lips in a crescent shape.
Doctor Faust. Evaluations of her varied greatly depending on the person or country.
Positive evaluations included… developing a miracle drug for an incurable disease, or nearly causing the destruction of a certain country but sealing away a demon in the process, and single-handedly stopping a stampede of monsters.
Those who held Faust in high regard praised her as ‘a noble and magnificent woman, almost like an angel’.
Negative evaluations included… conducting human experiments in the process of drug development, or causing the deaths of hundreds of people, wiping out an entire town as a sacrifice for magic, and creating biological weapons by modifying the bodies of beings called ‘demi-humans’.
Those who harbored animosity towards Faust disdained her as ‘a cruel and fearsome woman, almost like a demon’.
Kevin and Sasha had once considered Faust a comrade, but they could not tolerate her abnormal actions and had already severed ties with her.
And yet… why did Faust suddenly appear before them?
“‘Why’ is such a cold thing to say. I wouldn’t be so heartless as to ignore the crisis of an old friend. I came running when I heard that Sasha had been cursed by the ‘Poison Queen’.”
“How audacious of you…! Have you forgotten what you did to the people of that town five years ago!?”
“Of course, I remember. It’s a researcher’s duty not to forget the humans who became sacrifices for experiments. But more importantly… may I examine your wife immediately?”
“You…!!”
Kevin glared at Faust but, at the same time, he felt a glimmer of hope.
The doctor standing before him is a madwoman, an unmistakable monster who has crossed the boundaries of humanity.
(However… without a doubt, this woman is the greatest doctor and mage. Perhaps Faust might be able to save Sasha…)
Rather, if Faust could not save her, perhaps there truly was no way to save his wife. That thought has crossed Kevin’s mind.
“Kuh…! If you do anything strange to my wife, I won’t show mercy!”
Kevin’s expression twisted in frustration, and reluctantly gave permission for Sasha to be examined.
“Fair enough. Just leave it to me.”
Faust lightly patted Kevin’s shoulder with a wry smile and proceeded to examine Sasha.
“Alright… I’ll undress her.”
“Uuhn…”
As Faust removed Sasha’s clothes, purple bruises were revealed all over her body. The bruises covered her skin like an invasion centered around her heart, and had already reached the bottom of her face.
“Well, well, interesting.”
“…………”
Faust examined Sasha’s entire body. It was so thorough that it would have been unforgivable if not for the medical context, or if Faust were not a woman herself.
“Mm, I’ve grasped the general picture. The curse of the ‘Poison Queen’. This seems to be an infectious curse disease. It’s quite a troublesome curse you’ve been burdened with, but… there is a way to cure it. Barely, that is.”
“You can cure it!?”
Kevin could not help but raise his voice. No matter how renowned the doctors he had consulted or how exceptional the mages he had sought, no one had been able to find a treatment for Sasha. Yet, with just a few minutes of examination, Faust had easily discovered a means to save her.
While calming the approaching Kevin with a soothing gesture, Faust spoke in a slow tone, as if coaxing him.
“I’m sorry for raising your expectations, but… it’s not possible to nullify the curse of the ‘Poison Queen’, a calamity on the level of the ‘Demon King-Class’, without any risks. To overcome it, a substitute sacrifice is necessary.”
“A substitute sacrifice…?”
“Do you know of the ‘Soul Transference Technique’? It’s a secret technique that sacrifices someone’s life to bring back the dead. However, by using said secret technique, we should be able to transfer the curse placed on Sasha to someone else and cure her.”
“…………!”
Kevin held his breath. To save Sasha, someone else would have to bear the curse. Sacrificing another person for the sake of his wife… was incredibly selfish and sacrilegious.
“…I understand. I’ll be the substitute.”
After a moment of silence, Kevin spoke those words. He had made up his mind to sacrifice himself for his wife’s sake, but Faust shook her head.
“Unfortunately, you’re not eligible. The ‘Soul Transference Technique’ can only be used on someone who has close information about the ‘soul’, meaning a blood relative. The curse can only be transferred to parents, siblings, or maybe children.”
“What…!? Then, from the beginning, there’s no way to save her!”
Upon hearing Faust’s explanation, Kevin pounded the wall with his fist in frustration.
“Sasha was an orphan with no one in the world. Her parents were already dead, and she had no siblings. There was no one who could bear the curse…!”
When hope seemed to have appeared, it quickly slipped away, out of reach. Kevin was once again filled with despair. But Faust pushed up her glasses with a wry smile.
“That’s not necessarily true, is it? There is someone who can bear the curse.”
“What…?”
“If it’s a close relative, the curse can be transferred. And that includes… an unborn fetus.”
“What!? N-No way…!?”
Kevin understood what Faust was implying and instinctively turned his gaze toward Sasha.
“Haa… Haa…”
His wife, undressed for the examination… Was there another life dwelling within her body?
“So you’re saying… Sasha is carrying my child…?”
“I can’t guarantee that you’re the father… Well, pardon my rudeness. But there’s no doubt that Sasha is pregnant. I assure you as a doctor.”
“…………!”
Kevin’s expression contorted. He had been prepared to make any sacrifice to save his beloved wife. However, the thought of using his unborn child as the price was something he had not even considered.
“What is this…? Isn’t there a god in this world?”
“I don’t mind either way. I’ll respect your decision. Just keep in mind that if you leave it as it is, both the mother and child will die… That’s all I’ll emphasize.”
“Damn it…”
Kevin closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and eventually made a heart-wrenching decision.
“…Please, save my wife. Transfer the curse to the child.”
“I see. I understand…”
“Please, wait…!”
“Sasha!?”
Kevin had made his decision, but Sasha, lying on the bed on the verge of death, stopped him.
When had she woken up? Without raising her body, she glared at Kevin.
“Don’t be foolish… Don’t sacrifice our own child… I don’t want to survive by sacrificing our child…!”
“But… Sasha! There’s no other way! If you die, the child inside you will die, too. In that case, I’d rather… even if it’s just you…”
“This is my child…! If it means letting this child die alone, I would rather choose to embrace this child and pass through the gates of the underworld…!”
Despite being on the verge of death, Sasha’s eyes held a strong determination.
Even when it seemed like she was about to lose her life, Sasha refused to let go of her child. Her unwavering will was truly a mother’s love.
“Hmm… Are you sure about that?”
However, Faust tilted her head and asked Sasha, who had made up her mind.
“Choosing death without transferring the curse to the child… Is that really the best and final decision?”
“Of course… A parent’s duty is to protect their child. Where can you find a parent who would sacrifice their child as a substitute…!?”
“But… if it comes to that, both you and the children will die, you know? If sacrificing just one person could save everyone else, it doesn’t seem necessary for everyone to die.”
“That’s why…!”
Sasha, frustrated and weakened, was about to shout while lashing out against her own body. But suddenly, she felt a sense of unease in Faust’s words.
“Wait. Did you just say… ‘children’?”
“Yes, that’s right… ‘children’. “
Faust nodded and confirmed Sasha’s question.
“You are carrying twins in your womb. There are two fetuses.”
“Wha…!?”
“What!? Twins!?”
Both husband and wife were stunned by Faust’s statement. If there were two children, the premise itself would change.
“If you transfer the curse to one of the two children, the mother and the other child will be saved. It’s a choice between the three of you dying together or sacrificing one person to save the other two… It’s a simple either-or situation.”
“No way…”
“Now, what will you do? My old friend. I will respect your decision. Whether you choose to accompany both children or sacrifice just one… choose whichever you prefer.”
“…………”
“Whichever you choose, it won’t be a wrong choice. There is no correct answer when it comes to choosing life, you see.”
Faust’s expression as she pressed for a decision was calm. It had a gentle and compassionate look. However… to the Halsberg couple, that calm countenance appeared as the face of the devil, urging them to make a contract.
On that day, the couple would make a crucial decision.
The decision they made, after much anguish, would come to shape the fate of numerous people years later… but none of them, including the couple, could have anticipated that outcome.
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Prologue
“Ahh~, Keim-sama…”
“Mmm ah~, it feels good.”
A hot breath lingers in his chest. A sweet and syrupy voice that tickles his eardrums like honey. Deep affection flows into his ears, as if melting the brain.
(Seriously… This is not what I had wished for…)
Feeling a soft and warm weight all over his body, the young man――Keim, lets out a sigh in his heart.
Keim is on a king-size bed large enough for more than ten people to sleep in. There are multiple women besides Keim on the bed. Clad in underwear and negligees, their eyes are tinted with lust, and their eyes reflect only Keim.
Soft breasts press against him from all sides. Long legs entwined around Keim’s body. As the bed creaked, seductive voices escaped their mouths.
The women surrounding Keim are all exceptional beauties and young girls. Their cheeks are blushing a deep red like roses, as if they have been affected by a sweet toxin, and they desire Keim.
(In reality, they are probably intoxicated by the ‘poison’…)
Caressing their smooth and silky skin, and playing with the curves of their breasts and buttocks, Keim chuckled wryly. The women here have all become captivated by Keim. They are completely dominated by the sweet toxin, exposing their instincts and craving Keim.
(I have to take responsibility. It’s my own doing… No, it’s the ‘poison’.)
“Keim-sama… Please, I beg of you, have mercy on me… More, more…!”
One woman could not resist any longer and discarded her soaked underwear. Following her lead, the other women also gradually strip naked.
“Very well…! Come at me. I’ll take all of you at once.”
Uttering those words, Keim pulls one of the beauties close and takes her lips. While feeling other women clinging to his arms and legs… Keim recalls the events leading up to this moment.
What will be told next is the tale of the birth of a king. It is a heroic tale of the strongest being, later known as the ‘Wise Ruler’, the ‘Tyrant’ and… the ‘Demon King’.
It is a tale of the battles and adventures of a man known as the ‘Poison King’.
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