It was the next day, at night.
“Ugh, it’s cold, so cold.”
At the border of the Windsor territory, the border guards huddled around a fire in their outpost.
“Isn’t it particularly cold today?”
“Seems like it.”
“Ah, I’m hungry.”
“I wish I could go to the feast. There must be loads of delicious food.”
“Should we have gone too?”
“Exactly. A feast hosted by the direct line of the Windsor family, when else could we legally skip our duties like this?”
Just a little while ago, the young lady of the Windsor direct line had personally invited them. There was to be a feast at Windsor Castle. She had invited all the soldiers to forget everything for the day and enjoy food, drink, and fun. Shocked by the direct line’s invitation, the soldiers had left for the banquet hall, except for these two.
“But didn’t they say they were going to remove the Guardian Tree today?”
“That’s right. I heard the land might even become rotten.”
“Ugh, that’s scary.”
It was then.
“Are you keeping watch properly?”
“Lord Mark!”
The soldiers snapped to attention and saluted.
“It seems the other soldiers have gone to the feast. Why are you two still here?”
“Ah, that, someone has to guard the border, even though everyone was allowed to go.”
“I see.”
“Yes. But why are you here, Lord Mark?”
“But.” Mark interrupted the soldier. “What were you talking about just now?”
“Pardon?”
“It’s fine, go on.”
The soldiers glanced at each other before speaking.
“We were talking about the Guardian Tree. The direct line of the Windsor family said they would remove it today.”
“Is that so? What do you think?”
At Mark’s question, the soldiers stiffened.
“I believe… it’s for a reason since Lord Kuruz and the Windsor direct line decided to do it.”
“Me too.”
Mark nodded thoughtfully. “I see. So you were chatting about that.” Then he raised his pistol and pointed it at the soldier’s forehead.
“Lord Mark?”
“And you slack off like this. What if an intruder suddenly appears?”
“That…”
“See, you can’t even react when I point a gun at you. You should never let your guard down.”
Thinking it was a lesson from a superior, the soldiers felt relieved. “Yes, we’ll keep that in mind.”
“Do so. In your next life.”
Bang! A shot rang out. The soldier fell backward without even screaming.
“Lord Mark! What is this?!”
“And you too.”
Bang!
After shooting the other soldier, Mark muttered grimly. “In your next life, be born as a loyal soldier, not a dog that can’t recognize its owner.”
* * *
In the forest, the felling of the Guardian Tree was underway.
“Everyone be careful. If you get scratched by the tree, come to me immediately!”
The heavily armored soldiers swung their axes, but… When will they be able to cut it down? They had been felling the tree since noon, but they hadn’t even cut half of it.
The Guardian Tree truly lived up to its name. The trunk, large enough for twenty men to barely encircle, was unexpectedly sturdy, hardly dented by the axe blades.
As the task was taking much longer than expected, I started to regret my decision. Maybe I should have brought Rumie. I regretted being emotional yesterday. He would have been a great help now…
It was then.
“Milord!” A man ran up frantically. “Barbarians have crossed the border and are invading!”
“What?”
At that moment, all the soldiers who were working stopped moving.
Count Kuruz asked incredulously. “What do you mean barbarians are invading?”
“It’s true! The barbarians are looting and attacking the people!”
“Are you sure? Then, the invasion alarm should have sounded. There are border guards at the outpost―”
It was at that moment. Bang. A gunshot from afar followed by faint screams carried by the wind. Every face turned pale. That sounds just now…
Bang, bang, bang! Gunshots continued non-stop, accompanied by prolonged screams.
“Get your weapons!” Count Kuruz was the first to regain composure. “Everyone, return to the territory! Drive out the barbarians!” He efficiently commanded. “Quickly evacuate all the people to the castle!”
“Yes!” The soldiers dropped their axes and rushed off.
“Lady Danae, this place is dangerous. Go back to the castle. I’ll stay and continue the feeling― Lady Danae?”
Where did she go? Count Kuruz looked around in panic. It was then…
Thud! He found me already wielding an axe, chopping the tree.
“What are you doing? Come and help!”
“Yes!”
Count Kuruz quickly grabbed an axe and joined me.
That’s when.
“You seem to be working hard.”
A chilling voice came from behind.
“Mark!”
It was Mark and his followers. Count Kuruz rose, relieved.
“Good timing. Come and help!”
“Father.”
At that moment, I sensed an eerie feeling.
Mark, that man’s expression was…
“You’ve lived as a dog of Windsor all your life.”
Too cold.
“Mark, what are you―”
Mark raised his gun. Count Kuruz realized its meaning, and his eyes trembled.
“What are you doing?”
“The shame of living as a dog of Windsor ends with you, Father.”
Mark aimed at Count Kuruz with a ruthless look and declared.
“I will live as the lord of Windsor.”
Bang! Count Kuruz’s body crumbled like a husk. Mark looked at him emotionlessly. He no longer felt disturbed. No hesitation. Rather, a firm conviction blazed in his chest. He should have done this long ago. Much earlier.
“Such a traitor like you ruined Windsor.” Then he gestured to his two followers. “What are you waiting for? Capture Danae Windsor.” But the moment he glanced at me…
“―!”
I fired without hesitation. Bang!
“Keugh!”
The man rushed at me.
Bang!
“Aah!”
Another man pulled out his pistol.
Bang!
And Mark, staring at me dumbfounded.
“Agh!”
The first two shots were accurate, knocking them down instantly. But the last shot unfortunately missed. It grazed his arm, making Mark drop his gun and glare at me.
“You, you crazy…”
Regardless, I fired again. Bang! But it missed again.
Mark quickly rolled to the side, hiding behind bushes, and yelled. “You dare kill my men?!”
Click, I pulled the silver trigger, pondering. Is that so? Did I kill them? Glancing down, the two men seemed dead. But, so what?
“Shoot decisively once you’ve decided to.”
Suddenly, a calm voice descended.
“Focus only on hitting the target.”
I clutched that voice. Like a talisman, it evaporated all thoughts. All that remained was a frighteningly sharp focus.
“Danae Windsor, you!”
Bang!
“Aaagh!”
The bullet lodged in his shoulder. I had aimed for the head but couldn’t get a clear view because the guy was crouching in the bushes. And then it happened.
“Mommyyyy!”
A child’s crying echoed.
“Huaang, mommy, where are you!”
Had she fled into the forest to escape the barbarians? A young girl was running and crying. Of all times, now!
As expected, Mark didn’t miss this opportunity. He rolled over and grabbed the girl.
“Hiik, Mo-Mommy!”
“Stop!” Mark Kuruz shouted, squeezing the girl’s neck. “Drop the gun! If you don’t, I’ll kill this girl!”
“Huaaang, Mommy!”
“Drop it! I said drop it!”
I didn’t drop it. Instead, I aimed the gun with a cold expression. But as soon as she aimed, I realized. No.
It wouldn’t hit him. I wasn’t confident I could hit only Mark. There was a fear that I might hit the child by mistake…
“Stay calm.”
I can’t do it.
“Hold your breath.”
It’s impossible.
“Don’t take your eyes off the target.”
With my skills, I can’t do it, Brother Viego.
It was then.
“Impressive, Mark Kuruz.”
If so, I needed to find another way.
“Why don’t you take a look at yourself?” I intentionally sneered and taunted him vulgarly. “You look really impressive, don’t you?”
“S-Shut up! I’m the lord of this land!”
“Exactly, a truly impressive lord. Threatening a little girl from your territory.”
Mark’s face flushed bright red. A surge of shame overwhelmed him.
The crying girl. His hand around that girl’s neck— just like a villain.
“No.” Mark gritted his teeth and muttered as if brainwashing himself. “I’m not a villain. It’s for this land. So Windsor can’t take it!”
Then, suddenly, the muzzle of a gun appeared. And it poked at the back of Mark’s head. And someone grabbed him from behind tightly.
“Can I break it?”
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