<Episode 179>
‘Well, if I have to say it, my best skill is physical activities.’
I had no intention of saying that. If I revealed the truth, I know I’d have to roll around like a dog. Why? Because that’s a skill that can’t be mastered any other way.
‘I don’t want to roll around like a dog with Dian’s fragile, glasswork-like body.’
Let’s see, besides my sword and fists, what was I good enough at to appeal to Rue… Ah.
Right, I was a maid.
“Cleaning.”
“….”
“Laundry.”
“….”
“Dishwashing.”
“….”
“For your information, I can’t cook.”
Rue let out a hollow laugh, as if finding it absurd, and soon after, he frowned at me with an unlucky expression.
“Cleaning, huh? What, were you the servant of that filthy household? You seem skilled in using strength for a mere employee. One thing is for sure, you’re definitely not a blood relative.”
I felt very annoyed at seeing Rue getting closer to uncovering my true identity with just a short answer.
“And I sent the maids who used to take care of you out of the castle.”
What the hell? You already sent them away? You damn bastard!
“You should have told me in advance!”
“Why should I?”
Effortlessly tidying up the papers, he climbed onto the makeshift bed without even taking off his coat. Beyond the dimming lamp, Rue’s drowsy voice spread like smoke.
“Stay quietly by my side while I rest. If you try to escape, I know how to chase you to the ends of the continent and drag you back by the scruff of your neck.”
“I have nowhere to go anyway. But isn’t it not even 7 p.m. yet? Are you already going to sleep?”
There was no more response.
Feeling the chill in the dark interior, as if it grew colder like dusk, I also tucked myself into the sleeping bag.
Beep, beep. Hearing Ash’s snoring nearby, it seemed like she was sound asleep somewhere in the tent. By the time I absentmindedly focused on her presence that I’d become used to, the tent started shaking violently due to the raging wind.
It’s a snowstorm.
‘So that’s why you slept early.’
Outdoor activities were impossible in such nasty weather.
I sniffled my nose as the sporadic gusts of snow wind blew in.
‘What kind of group is this?’
Where were these barracks located, and what was the state of Serenier castle? Did it burn down? The Serenier Castle I visited in the future and the current one are definitely different…
I found the notebook I had put in my bag.
However, the notebook was blank, since I didn’t have the time to leave any notes amidst the consecutive incidents including being forced to torture someone by that perverted bastard and getting knocked out.
‘…for now, I’ll leave you with the details of what happened.’
I found a notebook in my bag.
How surprised was Dian when he woke up to the situation unfolding before him? Whatever my intentions, the person involved must have felt great frustration and fear.
However, as well as the fact that he fainted after being forced to torture by that perverted bastard in Serenier, the notebook was empty because he could not afford to leave a note on the situation.
Looking at it this way, everything started and ended so abruptly.
But I’d come too far for regret. I wrote a long, detailed memo to reassure Dian.
* * *
『When I woke up this morning, I was surprised enough to jump out of bed. The tent was shaking as if it was about to collapse.
Fortunately, it didn’t collapse, but it was difficult to see the outside clearly due to the pouring snowstorm.
In the morning, the captain (he insisted on being called the captain) took care of me. He gave me hot water to thaw my frozen hands, and I fed Ash. I also took my share of medication.
I can’t believe I’m sitting in the midst of a fierce snowstorm. This is a phenomenal experience I’d never experienced back in the castle.
It felt as if I was left alone in the world, but strangely, I didn’t feel lonely or scared.
It’s a strange thing, but amazing.』
Dian’s excitement was clearly felt through his sharp and jagged handwriting, unlike usual.
『You asked if I was scared, right?
To be honest, I’m not sure.
I do feel fear being alone, but when I think of Ash and you being with me, it’s not that scary.
I had a nightmare last night, but what appeared in my dream wasn’t the ruined Serenier Castle.
Reaching out through the ashes was my father, who came to take me, and the unknown people who were tortured and killed by the poison I created. They were family and friends of this rebel army.』
As expected, it seemed that the army led by Rue were rebels.
『Now it feels like I’m finally facing the sins I’ve committed.
I have a strong desire to escape from the contemptuous gazes… but at the same time, I want to help them. I want to see with my own eyes what sins I have committed and how I can atone for them.
Thinking about it again, it’s strange. Even though there’s no place to hide anymore, my heart feels lighter.
I’m truly grateful to have someone to confide my contradictory and embarrassing sincerity in.』
At the end of the note, there was a very brief description of the rebel army that Rue belonged to.
‘They emerged four years ago and gradually expanded their influence from outside Astrosa to the inside.’
Dian was also surprised by the fact that someone as young as Rue was the commander-in-chief.
It seemed that Rue had tremendous support both at home and internationally, but Dian, who had spent all his time in the castle, seemed unaware of any information beyond that.
‘Hmm. So Rue wasn’t originally a follower of Rogue. Then through this war, later on…’
Flutter.
At that moment, the entrance to the barracks opened roughly, and a tall sergeant entered. The man approached me, staring into my eyes with a terrifying intensity, and uttered my name.
“Dian Serenier!”
Deep anger was evident in his eyes.
Without warning, the man walked up to me, firmly grabbed my arm, and led me outside the barracks.
The sky, which had calmed down after the snowstorm, was serene. The man threw me onto the dirty snow and poured weapons – I didn’t know where I’d come from – onto the floor. The attention of those who were resting amidst the noisy commotion turned towards me.
I felt instantly irritated.
“What do you want right now?”
“Pick up a weapon.”
“What?”
“I said, pick up your weapon right now, you son of a bitch!”
His hand already held a long sword as he shouted like blood would come out.
Although his actions were rough and lacked any warning or explanation, I thought I had a vague inkling of what the man’s purpose might be.
‘Revenge… is that it?’
Serenier was a family known for slaughter and biological experiments within the kingdom of Astrosa. As the successor of such a family, being brought here as a hostage meant that enemies were lurking in every direction.
“…I can’t wield a weapon.”
“Shut up. You can’t wield a weapon? Then what about Leila, who didn’t even know how to hold a bow? Why did she have to die? Huh?”
“…”
“If it weren’t for the Commander, I would have crushed scum like you a long time ago! Why… why do worthless trash like you survive, while Leila… Leila…!”
As I silently looked up at him, the man clenched his lips so tightly that blood seemed to drip and forcibly raised my arm.
“Coward. If you can’t do it willingly, I’ll make you do it by force.”
The anger of losing someone precious. The belief that they would return the pain they had suffered.
Well, I understood.
I, too, spent ten years on the battlefield. Wasn’t it because of the single-minded pursuit of revenge that I threw myself into the War after Andert died?
But right now, I didn’t have the luxury to consider the man’s circumstances.
“…But is this really what I must do? Was I born to kill people and manufacture poisons for torture?”
I don’t want to say that Dian is innocent.
Even if he was forced to do it, Dian knew that he would never escape the consequences and guilt of his actions.
But if there was something I wanted to protect, it would undoubtedly be Dian’s humanity.
Today, as I read Dian’s note and saw that he chose to stay instead of running away, I was quite surprised. From Dian’s perspective, this situation would most definitely feel unfair.. Serenier was hell for him, and usually, one’s own suffering felt greater than others.
In a sense, atonement was no different from courage. I wanted to help Dian continue to have courage.
‘So, if I use this opportunity to discipline them a little, they’ll calm down.’
Just as I was about to pick up the sword obediently.
A chilling shiver ran through my entire body, enough to make my eyes widen.
What? Who was it? Who was staring at me with such a cold gaze…
‘Rue.’
I wasn’t exactly sure which direction it was from, but Rue was watching over us.
Then, the conversation we had last night flashed through my mind like a flickering flame.
“Tell me your use.”
“So, what is your use?”
If I were to pick up the sword here, my use would be…
‘A Swordsman.’
I had to swing the sword again after coming this far?
I really hate that.
Perhaps his pent-up anger burst out while hesitating, since the man tightly grabbed my shoulder.
“Where do you think your mind is running off to…!”
“Ugh, aah!”
In a fit, I struck his hand, causing him to recoil.
Tripping backward and hitting my buttocks was a stroke of luck, or rather, a blessing in disguise. I crouched on the floor, wrapping my arms around my head, trembling all over, and cried out.
“P-Please, spare me, Father! I’m sorry. I did something wrong. Huk. I’ll do everything Father says… Please don’t hit me…”
“…You.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so stupid. I’m really sorry.”
“…”
“I won’t rebel again… Please don’t hit me, please don’t hit me…”
Through the narrow opening in my blurred vision, I saw a face frozen in shock. It was an expression that said he’d never imagined me to have a fit like this.
“Huk, I’m sorry… P-Please, spare me.”
Yeah, you little punk. Feel at least a tiny bit of guilt.
Dian was still a minor, and on top of that, he’s been weak since birth. He’s a scrawny little kid who almost got poisoned not long ago!
The man remained silent enough for me to hear his breaths. I couldn’t see what kind of expression the others were making.
After crying like that for a while, just as the hesitant man’s footsteps were about to come closer.
“Creon.”
A deeply annoyed call came from not far away.
“Yes, Commander.”
It was Rue’s voice. I perked up my ears while still hugging my head.
“Who the hell decided to create this kind of atmosphere by stepping forward like a fool?”
“I apologize.”
“Do you want to do more?”
“No, I don’t. I’m sorry.”
“Why? Go ahead and do more.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“…I got too riled up. I will stay quiet and not step forward from now on.”
You cannot trust me to be isekaied into any novel bc my biasness runs so deep I would’ve started throwing hands the moment he dragged daisy out of the tent
rue said “you’re definitely not a blood relative” bc it sounds like Dian was treated as a servant not a family member
Thank you for the chapter!
Quiero ver la interacción entre Rue y Dian (real)!!