Sword of Salvation-Chapter 55: - Plans and Dr. Lergen (2)

—Capital City Iresvilea, Mangolla Kingdom—

Leroy Genhardia was not a familiar name. Even if the entire world was to be surveyed, only one person would have recognized it. However, that did not mean the name’s owner was just an ordinary individual living in a remote area. Quite the opposite—he was fairly famous, though not in a positive way.

So, if he was so well-known, why did only one person know his name?

The answer was simple.

The long-haired man had not used his real name since choosing to stop being human. This man, who appeared to be in his thirties, had adopted another name as his identity—Lergen. That name was even more famous than Merlin’s. Indeed, he was the man behind the creation of half-demons. He was none other than Doctor Lergen, publicly hunted by the world.

At the moment, the doctor was in his secret underground laboratory located in a corner of the capital. His hands were busy cutting up heart organs with a scalpel. He had already dissected a total of six demon hearts. Lergen’s goal this time was to create a giant heart to implant into a gorilla’s body.

As Doctor Lergen moved his scalpel, footsteps echoed through the dimly lit room.

A gray-haired woman with her hair tied back entered the space. She appeared to be in her twenties, but her actual age was far older. Like Lergen, she was a half-demon. Her name was Livera, the doctor’s trusted assistant and right-hand woman. Like Lergen, who wore a lab coat, she too wore one—though hers was darker than his.

"Doctor," the woman called, her dark eyes fixed intently on the doctor’s back. "King Maggio is waiting outside with his daughter. He said he has made up his mind."

"Kukuku. You didn’t forget to explain the consequences of his decision, did you, Livera?"

"Of course not, Doctor. I even told him the worst possible outcomes, but King Maggio is resolute. I suspect there’s something related to his daughter that he’s hiding from us."

"I hope it’s not some cliché reason, like wanting to ensure his dying daughter can live perfectly. I wouldn’t even be able to laugh if that is the case."

"Ah... His daughter’s condition certainly isn’t healthy. Her skin is rather pale. Do you think your assumption is correct, Doctor?"

"Ninety percent correct." Lergen set down his scalpel and removed his gloves. "Maggio appears tough on the outside, but inside he’s quite naive. I’d wager he’s tried every means to heal his daughter, but nothing worked. Now he’s desperate and placing all his hopes on me."

"Will you give him hope?"

Lergen turned around, his lips curling into a wide grin that revealed sharp, saw-like white teeth. "Prepare the operating room, Livera," he said with a gleam of excitement. "Bring out Object B-147 as well. It’s time to test whether that heart will work perfectly or not."

"...Doctor, you’re as cruel as ever."

"Kukuku. Such a harsh accusation, Livera. I’m merely taking my job seriously. Rather than waiting two months in an amniotic tube, Maggio would certainly prefer if I offered his daughter a special treatment."

"If it will save his daughter, yes. But, Doctor, you’re not that type of person. You already know the outcome of the operation. Seeing your smile, the operation is guaranteed to fail. But that failure is exactly what you want. So, for you, the operation will be 100 percent successful."

"Livera, has anyone ever told you that your smile is terrifying?"

"At least I’m not stubbornly pretending to be kind."

"Kukuku. That’s what I like about you, Livera. You’re not boring. But enough fooling around. Go and do your task; I’ll meet Maggio."

Lergen stepped past his assistant. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Will you follow the orders of those two, Doctor?" Livera asked before Lergen reached the doorway, causing him to halt mid-step.

"I don’t like them," she continued. "Seeing them makes my blood boil. Especially when they flaunted their superiority in front of you—I wanted to kill them right then and there. I still don’t understand why you accepted their offer in the first place, Doctor."

"Kukuku. I am touched that you care so much for your boss, Livera. But don’t worry. There is nothing you need to be concerned about. I join World Order not because I follow them; I join because they are useful. Great Human Council controls this world. The reason we can move freely is because of their influence. In this case, it’s not them using me, but me using them."

"Besides," Lergen continued, "the main reason I accepted their offer back then is to find out the human that Romero claimed can fight on par with Nessthanovla. How can he become an equal to a creature as powerful as Nessthanovla?"

"Since you’re still pretending to submit Great Human Council, you haven’t found that person’s identity yet?"

"So far, I only know two things. That man has lived longer than both Romero and even me. His name is Siegra Vermalloven. There is no other information about him." Lergen paused briefly. "Do you have any more questions?" he asked.

"No, Doctor. Thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate it."

"Then, go do your job. It’s impolite to keep Maggio waiting too long."

Lergen immediately walked away after saying that. In less than two minutes, he was already in the front room of the laboratory. The king was alone with his daughter—all of his guards had been ordered to wait outside.

"Doctor Lergen," the king greeted, holding his eleven-year-old daughter tightly in his arms—the young girl was sound asleep. "I’ve decided to make Milly a half-demon."

"King Maggio, you’ve heard the warnings from my assistant. Even so, you still want to proceed? I guarantee 100 percent that your daughter will survive, but I can’t guarantee she’ll be able to control and manage her mind. She may forget you. She can also become wild and aggressive like a mad animal."

"I’m ready to accept any risk. As long as she survives, everything will be fine."

Lergen smiled. "I’ve given my warning," he said. "If your daughter loses control and goes on a rampage, destroying everything in her path, I’ll wash my hands of it. I won’t be responsible in any way. I won’t stop her, and I won’t help you."

"Don’t worry, Doctor. That’s why I come here with all my elite guards. Just do what you need to do; I’ll handle the rest."

"May I know the real reason you’re so desperate that you want your daughter turned into a half-demon?"

"That’s none of your business, Doctor."

"Kukuku." Lergen wasn’t offended by the king’s harsh response. "Then follow me," he said, turning around and walking away. "Do you want to see how I cut open your daughter’s chest and remove her heart?"

"Don’t ask such foolish things. There’s no way I can stay calm watching your scalpel slice through her skin. I’m afraid I’d attack you. I’ll wait outside. Make sure she doesn’t feel any pain, Doctor."

"Kukuku."

"Your laugh is terrifying, Doctor. I’m worried."

"Kukuku. Don’t worry; your daughter won’t wake up until I’ve finished transplanting the demon’s heart into her. She won’t feel any pain, and she won’t even know her heart has changed. But once she wakes up, she might destroy everything. So make sure you’re ready to run out as soon as you hear any noise from inside."

The king nodded, and Lergen said no more. What was going to happen to his daughter would shake the king’s emotions. He needed some peace to prepare himself. Especially if Lergen’s prediction came true—then the Kingdom of Mangolla might face the greatest disaster in its history.

Kukukuku.