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Chapter 72 Part 2 – The Beginning of a Tragic Night

A sound that resembled a dry tree branch snapping resounded.
As he was held in Matthew’s arms, Teddy trembled and screamed in agony.

「Gyaaaaahhhh!!!」

「Teddy!?」

Matthew broke Teddy’s left arm while smiling.

「…… It seems that the two of you are twins. Twins are said to be so united that they share the same pain. If that’s true, then punishing this boy here is the same as punishing you. How is it, Ronny? Is the pain transmitted to you? Hmm, are you crying because you’re in pain? Or are you crying because you’re sad? I can’t tell. I have no choice then. I’ll have to do a little more testing to see if there is any truth to the rumors.」

Matthew whispered beside Teddy’s ear.

Teddy wriggled desperately to escape Matthew’s arms, but his embrace was like a serpent’s constriction.
He didn’t move an inch.

Another horrifying sound resounded.
Teddy threw his head backward when the little finger on his left hand was broken.

「……!!」

But this time he gritted his teeth and didn’t make a single sound so as not to burden Ronny.

「Ohh, what a tenacious lamb. But you twins will suffer a lot if you continue to be so stubborn. On top of not being able to walk, at this rate, you won’t be able to use both arms. You’ll have to crawl like a caterpillar to live. I heard that Jo-o-hn is fond of boys like that, but …… Alright then, I guess I’ll hand you over to him. His way of expressing love is too excessive. I don’t think you’ll be able to live past 3 days.」

Matthew sighed deliberately.
Ronny screamed.

「Stop it!! Don’t touch Teddy!! If you’re going to torture someone, just do it to me ……!!」

Teddy began to cry as he also tried to protect Ronny.

「It’s okay, Ronny. If I’m alive, I’m going to be a burden to you for the rest of your life …… If it weren’t for me, sister Rona also wouldn’t have to go through that ……!!」

Then Teddy cried out while looking straight at Matthew.

「…… Please. I don’t mind if I get killed. But please let Ronny go.」

As Ronny wailed from the ground, Teddy begged Matthew while being held in his arms.
However, this devil’s heart did not budge an inch.

「It’s beautiful to see that the two of you have such a close relationship. I have certainly witnessed the bond between brothers who care for each other.」

Matthew spoke as though he was deeply impressed, which made Teddy feel a faint hope that he would let Ronny go. But he was soon knocked down into despair. Matthew said to Ronny with a displeased expression.

「…… I will not be deceived. I’m sure the devil is trying to lead you into putting on a show to make us have pity on you. How upsetting, to think that you would try to take advantage of people’s feelings. Devils are really cunning and tricky. It sends chills down my spine. Us, members of the Inquisition, are always required to be courageous as we are standing on the front lines. In order to protect mankind. …… Anyway, I can’t stand hearing the both of you crying and screaming. Alright then, I’ll make you keep quiet for a while.」

Matthew dislocated Teddy’s jaw.

「Ohh, is this mark on your tongue perhaps the sign of an abominable contract with the devil? I’ve found something terrible. I’ll have to cut out your tongue to confirm it.」

Matthew forcibly picked up Teddy’s tongue as he frantically shook his head and tried to escape.

「Jo-o-o-hn!! Get me a knife. No, bring me a needle. Saint Thomas said that the mark of the devil will not feel any pain even when pierced. Let’s confirm it.」

After receiving a needle large enough to kill a man from John, Matthew pierced it into the tip of Teddy’s tongue.

「How is it? Does it hurt?」

Matthew used the needle to gouge his tongue and pulled it hard.
The flesh of Teddy’s tongue was ripped open and the needle came out.
Teddy’s body jerked backwards.
Blood mixed with saliva trickled down his mouth.

「Hmm. He’s bleeding, but he didn’t say that it hurts. It seems that this is the mark of the devil after all.」

With his jaw dislocated, there was no way Teddy could make a sound properly.
Teddy opened his mouth slackly and let out a muffled cry.
Matthew brought the needle tip close to Teddy’s eyes, but his gaze was cold-heartedly looking at Ronny’s reaction.

「…… Do you think an adult will forgive you if you cry like a child? I won’t be deceived by the devil’s tricks. Don’t irritate me any more. There is a limit to my generosity. If you won’t confess that you are the devil’s minion, I will gouge out the parts of your face one by one. The devil may be hiding somewhere and giving orders to the two of you.」

Before Matthew could finish saying his threats, Teddy started foaming and convulsing.

「Teddy!?」

In front of Ronny’s horrified eyes, Matthew scrutinized the needle in his hand with a troubled expression, then turned around with a deliberate sigh.

「…… Jo-o-o-hn. What a troublesome guy. This is not a needle for testing, but a poisoned needle meant for execution. At this rate, this boy will stop breathing and die. The only antidote is in the torture chamber. Now what am I going to do?」

「Stop it!! Please save Teddy!! I’ll confess!! I’ll tell you anything!!」

Ronny screamed.
His composure vanished as he screamed with a piercing cry.
He realized that Matthew was serious about killing Teddy.

Succumbing to Matthew was the only way to save Teddy.
After enduring so many tortures, Ronny’s will was finally broken.
Now he had the eyes of a poor frightened child.

Even a person who can endure any kind of torture done to himself cannot bear to see someone he loves being hurt in front of his eyes.

Matthew knew this all too well.
Confirming Ronny’s submission, Matthew nodded in satisfaction.

「…… Your eyes look very obedient. God will be pleased. Jo-o-hn. There’s no longer any need for knives. Let us offer a friendly hand instead. …… Now then, Ronny. I am no demon myself. You have resisted the devil’s temptation and offered your cooperation. I am very pleased. In recognition of your courage, I’ll give your sister and you twins a special exemption. In exchange, I have a request ……」

Matthew moved his face closer to Ronny with a friendly demeanor, as if he was a devil offering a deal. Ronny felt like he was being watched by a serpent that could swallow a human whole.

「There is a great evil lurking in this town. I have secretly investigated and found that the mayor, the owners of large stores, and many others are minions of the devil under the skins of influential people.」

Ronny blinked his eyes.
He couldn’t wrap his head around what Matthew was talking about.
The mayor often takes the initiative in doing charity work for the poor and Ronny has never heard of devil worship running rampant in this town. Not paying any attention to the dumbfounded Ronny, Matthew continued to speak eloquently.

「They are using their position of leadership to try to drag more innocent sheep into their evil ways. This is an unforgivable act. …… In other words, I want you to say that they are the witches’ families. For the sake of saving a lot of innocent people. You will become a hero.」

Ronny’s complexion instantly became ghastly pale.

Matthew wants him to help him frame the town’s prominent figures as worshippers of the devil.
He can’t possibly do that.
He had experienced firsthand what would happen when you are dragged before the Inquisition.
Influential people who have done their best for the town would be unreasonably driven to their doom.
If a member of their family is found to be a witch, that person will be put to death and their family’s property will be confiscated by the Inquisition.
Families would be deprived of their loved ones and left to fend for themselves on the cold streets.
And Ronny will forever be cursed by the inhabitants of this town.