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Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Chapter 126 – Baron Ancelot (1)
[Knight Ancelot of The Hart Kingdom has been summoned to the royal palace tomorrow morning.]
In return for driving out the damned Imperial bastards, the King had prepared some empty words of praise.
I headed toward an inn in the central district. I could have sought refuge at the residence of Marquis Foltaine, Duke Herman, or even at Milon’s estate, but I deliberately chose not to.
‘The Empire and the Meeke Principality aren’t completely out of this kingdom’s picture yet.’
What if one of them disguised themselves as an assassin?
I wouldn’t be able to look them in the face if that happened. Worse, my involvement could bring harm to their families.
Especially since I had already received so much kindness from them.
However,
“Are you out of your mind, staying alone at an inn at a time like this?”
“The Lazy Duke told me everything. Stop being reckless and just come stay at our place!”
The fiercely protesting Marquis Foltaine and Duke Herman, who were conveniently in the palace at the time, were adamant.
“It’s just one night, isn’t it?”
“Again with that stubbornness of his……!”
“Don’t worry. I’m not one to just let myself get jumped, right?”
Eventually, I managed to talk them down and rented a decent room in a high-end inn.
Deep into the night,
“……”
I opened my eyes silently.
‘……As expected, the assassins came knocking the moment I separated myself from everyone.’
I slowly got out of bed. This was the third floor, but I could sense numerous sinister presences. They were on the roof, outside the window, inside the neighboring rooms and on the floor below.
‘How could I possibly stay at someone else’s home under these circumstances?’
I know better than anyone the pain of losing one’s family.
‘Besides, I’ve been living rather quietly recently, haven’t I?’
More importantly, I had already decided to kill every assassin who came for me. I needed to send a clear message early on.
I need to show them that I’m no pushover, nor am I some cocky fledgling relying on raw talent.
Ssss!
Suddenly, a sound like a snake’s tongue flicking echoed.
Swish!
Immediately, I swung my sword lightly to the left.
Slice!
“……Urk!”
A chilling sound of flesh being torn sounded followed by a wheezing sound.
Even as the assassin’s pupils darted left and right in their dying moments, I felt no pity.
Crash! Smash! Bang!
At that moment, the waiting attackers poured in all at once.
They broke through the windows, smashed the door and even burst through the walls.
‘Ten in total.’
In all honesty, every single one of them was no ordinary opponent.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sound of clothing brushing filled the room. Despite being discovered, their movements were almost soundless.
They didn’t speak a word, executing their roles with lethal precision.
Hiss!
Then, one of them behind me flung something into the air.
A dark green powder.
Obviously poison.
Bam!
Immediately after, I used the flat of my blade to swing it back toward him.
Whoosh!
“Aaaargh!”
The poison, caught in the gust from the swing of my sword, splattered onto his body.
Whoosh!
Even as the assassin screamed, the others didn’t falter. Four daggers came flying at me from the sides, timed just right to my sword swing.
Fwip!
I spun my body like a windmill.
My specially reinforced shoes, designed with thick steel soles for fighting multiple enemies, deflected the daggers.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
“……!”
Precisely for a situation like this one. Each dagger, after making contact with the foot, returned to its sender.
Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk!
The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed four times in quick succession.
The four assassins died having their necks, hearts, and other vital points struck with precision.
And it didn’t stop there.
Sla-ash!
I swung my sword once in a perfect circle. In the darkness, silver lines traced brilliant circular paths. As if the moon had fallen into the room.
“What…… Is this……?”
One assassin stumbled back, having barely avoided the path of death. He clutched his neck with his hands as blood poured out from a deep wound.
The other three had their heads severed instantly.
“That was meant to kill. Looks like you’re not too shabby.”
“You…… Who…… Are…… You…… Grrghh!”
His body went limp, and he’d just collapsed to the ground, when
Crash!
The last attacker appeared, bursting through the floor.
‘The last one.’
I moved to strike him with my sword.
Squelch!
But another blade pierced his forehead first. The silver sword, having precisely pierced the skull of the assassin, stopped inches from my nose.
“Such a strong scent of blood on this lovely night.”
“And why does everyone insist on coming through anything but the door?”
I shook my head.
Pop!
The sword disappeared from my vision.
Splatter!
At the same time, my face was splashed with hot blood from the wound.
“You don’t like me too much, do you?”
I asked calmly, wiping the blood away. Through the window stepped a handsome man.
“If I disliked you, I wouldn’t have helped, would I?”
Duke Serin smiled as he replied.
“This is what happens when revenge is incomplete.”
“Don’t tell me you’re here to give me another lecture. At this hour?”
“Hahaha.”
“If that’s the case, I should report to His Majesty tomorrow during the ceremony that one of this kingdom’s great dukes has far too much time on his hands.”
Duke Serin made a peculiar expression in response to my half-joking remark.
“Do you think I’m the only one with time to spare?”
At that moment, a loud commotion erupted outside, followed by hurried footsteps.
“S-Sir Ancelot! Are you alright!?”
A group burst into the room like a wave breaking onto the shore. They were knights I recognized.
On the left were those under Marquis Foltaine, and on the right, those under Duke Herman.
They must have been assigned to watch the area and were clearly caught off guard. It was no wonder, given the skill level of the assassins who had visited tonight.
“It seems the great nobles of this nation all tend to free up their schedules when it comes to matters involving the prince.”
“Duke…… Serin?”
The knights noticed Duke Serin for the first time and their eyes widened in surprise.
Worrying they might misunderstand the situation, I quickly waved my hand.
“All is well. The Duke came to assist me.”
“Ah……”
“You may head back. As you can see, the area is now secure.”
After a brief hesitation, the knights nodded in agreement.
“I-In that case, we will thoroughly investigate the vicinity for any lingering assassins.”
“Please relay my gratitude to those who dispatched you.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights departed quickly, their faint smiles visible even as they moved with purpose. As soon as they left, Duke Serin began speaking again.
“And this is why grudges are best avoided.”
I bit back the response bubbling up within me.
Is that why you’re a politician, through and through? And if so, why meddle in someone else’s business now?
Instead, I responded with the opposite of what I truly felt.
“So, you really did come to offer advice.”
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – San]
[Proofreader – Abstract]
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* * *
“Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand.”
“Pardon?”
“Just because Duke Kairos has relinquished his claim, do you think other nobles will simply stand by as land within their territory is handed over to a foreign power?”
So this was the real reason he had come.
“I don’t know why you’re so keen on obtaining Black Swan, but even with His Majesty’s approval, you will not succeed.”
“Then should I kill those nobles too?”
“……!”
For a fleeting moment, Duke Serin’s eyes flashed with a sharp gleam.
“As you saw earlier, I was prepared to take on the Empire. Dealing with some minor nobles in a small country like this would be nothing.”
“……I wonder, if Marquis Foltaine or Duke Herman saw you now, how would they react?”
“Remember, I never forget a grudge. I’ll make sure those in the Meeke Principality, who tried to bury me while I was abroad, pay dearly.”
Duke Serin shook his head.
“Your Highness, you truly lead an exhausting life.”
Without missing a beat, I responded—
“Are you tired?”
“……!”
“Yes, I agree. It’s exhausting for me, too.”
I shrugged, and Duke Serin frowned. He had realized I wasn’t speaking sincerely.
“First, there were parents who treated me worse than strangers……”
Twitch.
The lines of his carefully composed expression faltered.
“Then it was a sibling who shared my blood……”
Now his eyelids quivered faintly.
“……And finally, even those closest to me—friends and comrades—became objects of suspicion. ‘Are they approaching me with ulterior motives?’ ‘Do they dislike me? Should I deal with them before they act?’ Or even, ‘Why not cut ties with everyone and live alone, since trusting anyone is futile?’”
“What are you……”
“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about you, Your Grace. This is my story.”
“……!”
The cold light in Duke Serin’s eyes grew even icier.
“It’s just that living a life where you suspect everyone, one where you’re constantly on edge, is utterly exhausting.”
“……”
“Even when it’s for my own peace of mind, it feels like I’m driving myself to the brink. And that kind of life? It’s unbearably lonely.”
At last, Duke Serin spoke in a low voice.
“Then tell me, Your Highness—can you endure it? Can you stop yourself from cutting them all down?”
“I’m not saying to endure it. If they deserve to be cut down, then they must be.”
“Aren’t you contradicting yourself?”
“I’m not. What I mean is, the root cause of hatred, grudges, and the fatigue of life isn’t others. It’s yourself.”
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Duke Serin’s lips.
“Now I see that Your Highness is a self-loather.”
No.
You, who see the world in such a twisted light, are the true misanthrope.
“Life is short. I’d rather spend it with those I care about—arguing, laughing, and living together.”
Even if it meant facing betrayal again, it was preferable to becoming a demon consumed by vengeance.
I had already walked that bloody path and lost what mattered most.
“Your Highness……”
After hesitating for a long moment, Duke Serin finally turned sharply on his heel.
“……Haa. If life is so short, you might as well enjoy it. You seem destined not to die an ordinary death, anyway.”
“Who knows?”
A faint smile playing on my lips.
“Perhaps the people around me will end up prolonging this brief life of mine.”
***
The next day, in the grand hall of The Hart Kingdom’s royal palace.
This was the first commendation ceremony since Terry Kuhn Hart ascended to the throne, and every noble in the capital had gathered.
Yet, as Duke Serin had predicted, the uproar began almost immediately.
“This is unacceptable!”
“Granting Black Swan to a foreign royal, and from the Meeke Principality, no less?!”
“Just recently, we were at war with Meeke over that very territory! This is essentially ceding land to an enemy nation!”
Seated on the throne, King Terry clutched his temples, trying to keep a headache at bay. He had anticipated this, but facing it directly was another matter entirely.
Knowing his personality, however……
“……A promise is a promise. Sir Ancelot is the hero who drove out the criminal who set fire to Twilight Palace.”
“Your Majesty!”
“So! Instead of persecuting the hero, perhaps you should discuss how to punish the criminal properly!”
“……!”
The hall fell silent, as if on cue.
“……Tch.”
Amidst the silence, King Terry clicked his tongue softly.
“How pathetic. You won’t speak a word against the powerful who deserve judgment, yet you’re quick to trample on a powerless child……”
“Y-Your Majesty, confronting the Empire without evidence would provoke severe repercussions……”
Terry raised his hand, signaling he had heard enough.
“I hereby grant the lands of Black Swan to Sir Ancelot. Furthermore!”
His voice rang out, reverberating through the Grand Hall.
“Though it is uninhabited land, its size rivals that of any duchy. Thus, I find it unfitting for a landowner of such stature to hold no title.”
“……!”
“And so, by my authority as king, I grant Sir Ancelot the rank of baron.”
Just as the lower-ranking nobles were about to voice their protests.
“A wise and just decision, Your Highness.”
“……!”
Marquis Foltaine was the first to bow.
“I have no objections.”
Marquis Milon, who stood nearby, also opened his mouth in a rare moment.
“I will heed your commands, Your Highness.”
And lastly, Duke Herman as well.
“Your Majesty. I may be being presumptuous, but let me just say……”
Just as Duke Kairos was about to interject.
“I also have no objections.”
“……!”
Forgetting what he was going to say, Duke Kairos whipped around. He froze, jaws slightly agape.
“D-Duke Serin……?”
It was unexpected, to say the least.
“Well…… Since I’m powerless, I have to go with the flow. Besides, wouldn’t tossing away a useless piece of land be better than to leave a debt unpaid?”
But I caught the subtle nuance in his expression.
‘Your Highness. If I had lived like you, would my life have turned out differently?’
Indeed.
A storm was raging within the grand hall.
* * *