TISND Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Where had so many people come from?

As Helena stood frozen in shock, Caligo began stepping toward the armed individuals.

Even as he approached those wielding weapons, his steps showed no hesitation. It was the attackers who seemed to be consumed by fear.

He was a man hailed as one of history’s greatest warriors, yet he hadn’t even drawn his sword. Still, the aura he exuded was so intense that it felt suffocating.

“Everyone,”
In the stillness of the forest, Caligo’s voice rang out. It was low and resolute.

Although he didn’t raise his voice, it was clear that everyone was hanging onto his every word.

“Capture them alive. Don’t kill them.”

The moment their lord gave the command, the knights swung their swords without hesitation.

The difference in skill between the knights and the civilians was overwhelming.

In fact, these knights were far superior to most others in their craft.

The knights moved with the force of a tidal wave, their swords cutting through the opposition. The enemies crumbled like foam in their wake, while Caligo stood amidst it all, like an unyielding lighthouse in the storm.

Helena watched his back from a distance. Unlike the terrified attackers who were scrambling to escape, she felt something entirely different.

She found herself wondering, ‘What had this man sacrificed to attain such strength?’

At that moment, Caligo turned his head and looked at her.

The skirmish was over in an instant. The knights had swiftly subdued the enemies and were tying them up with ropes.

“I’m relieved to see you unharmed.”

One of the knights approached Caligo.

He was a young man, seemingly younger than Caligo and perhaps around Helena’s own age. Though his face was youthful, his physique bore the marks of rigorous training.

Upon closer inspection, Helena noticed the crest of Frantor engraved near the top of his sword.

“Are you injured in any way, Madam?”

“Pardon?”

Helena was taken aback. She thought she had familiarized herself with most of the knights serving the ducal house, yet she had never seen this young man—or the others—before.

Startled, she even replied in formal language. The knight smiled kindly.

“You don’t seem to have any visible injuries, but just in case, we’ll escort you back to the estate.”

As if the sudden appearance of unfamiliar knights wasn’t shocking enough, they were all treating her with utmost deference.

‘Are they not Caligo’s men? Why are they acting so kindly toward me?’ Her mind was a whirlwind of questions.

“My lord, what should we do with these people?”

One of the knights addressed Caligo just as another of the captured enemies began shouting.

“Let us go, you bastards!”

The man’s voice was filled with anguish as he cried out.

“Duke Frantor! Why are you arresting us? Didn’t you lose your brother to that accursed Eskel as well?”

It was a cry steeped in sorrow.

“We mean you no harm, Duke! Our business is only with Eskel’s daughter! Let us go!”

“You don’t need to trouble yourself over what to do with us! Kill that wretched girl, and I’ll follow her to the afterlife. I’ll go to my daughter waiting in the next world—just let me go!”

As expected, these were people who had lost their loved ones to Eskel. Each had their own tragic story.

“Eskel—those wretched monsters! They kidnapped my daughter, defiled her, and left her to slowly die in the freezing winter. My poor girl suffered such a cruel fate because she had the misfortune of being born to a worthless father like me!”

“Please, I beg you! Let me go! They killed my mother!”

“I was enslaved for years, and they murdered my son!”

One by one, their voices rang out.

“Duke Frantor! You of all people should understand our pain. We only came here to exact vengeance on Eskel. This has nothing to do with you!”

“Eskel must know the grief of losing a beloved child, just as we have!”

Their cries, filled with resentment and despair, tore at her heart.

“Madam, let us escort you back to the estate immediately.”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, one of the knights addressed Helena. However, she shook her head.

“Madam!”

Ignoring the knight’s protest, she approached the captives, who had been bound and forced to their knees on the ground. Their gazes, filled with sorrow, despair, pain, and anguish, pierced her heart.

“Eskel scum who would sell their own country!”

“Do you even know how many people have died because of your family?”

“The blood of the victims forms rivers!”

Helena couldn’t bear to look down on them. Instead, she knelt before them, folding her knees neatly beneath her.

Then, she spoke.

“I am sorry.”

She knew that a mere apology could never resolve their anger and grief, but she wanted to convey her sincerity.

The room fell silent at her bowed head and softly spoken words.

“I’m not saying this lightly, nor am I asking for your forgiveness. Still… I wanted to say this to you.”

“…”

“I will spend the rest of my life atoning for these sins.”

For the short time she had left.

Her desperation for charity work and the establishment of medical centers was rooted in this. It was her meager way of atonement.

Perhaps it was also her way of trying to help those who had suffered because of her father.

For that reason, she couldn’t afford to die now.

She still had so much to do.

“So please, trust me and wait a little longer.”

Her voice was filled with sorrow. It was a stark contrast to Eskel, who had always been shameless and unapologetic.

When Helena finished speaking, the room was overcome with silence. Everyone present turned their gaze toward her.

Even the victims, who had been glaring at her just moments ago, now looked at her with tearful and questioning eyes.

Even the knights—and Caligo himself—seemed caught off guard by her unexpected actions.

Amid the stunned crowd, Helena appeared the calmest and most composed of all.

“Your Grace, I humbly beg your pardon as I make this request.”

She bowed her head deeply toward Caligo, her plea shaking the hearts of the victims.

“I understand that strong punishment is necessary to uphold Your Grace’s authority in such situations. However… even so, I beg you. Could you spare their lives?”

Seeing the guilt-ridden expression on her face, Caligo finally spoke. He seemed uncharacteristically surprised and shaken by her words.

‘Wait a little longer? Atone for her sins?’

“Please.”

“Exile them permanently from the North. They are never to set foot here again. Confirm their identities and issue orders to the respective regions.”

It was a remarkably light punishment for a situation where execution wouldn’t have been unexpected.

“There will be no second chances. If they set foot in the North again, their lives will be forfeit.”

—

“Wow, who would’ve thought he had such a massive force under his command without anyone knowing?”

Aiden, who had come belatedly to check on the situation, sounded impressed.

“The duke is truly insane.”

Helena offered him a faint smile but didn’t respond.

In truth, she was emotionally drained.

The cries of the victims still echoed in her soul, piercing her heart.

*?’Wait a little longer.’ She had said that, but nothing had truly changed yet.

Worse, she had caused Caligo unnecessary trouble.

As the situation settled down, Caligo passed by her. Helena followed him and spoke quietly.

“I’m sorry.”

She hesitated, unsure if she had the right to love him now.

“For what?”

“I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”

“I believe I already told you—it’s not troublesome.”

“Even so… you probably didn’t want to get entangled with Eskel.”

Helena replied with a bitter smile, but Caligo quietly gazed at her.

Would he scold her? Or perhaps get angry?

Helena felt like she wouldn’t mind, no matter what he said.

“Don’t be alone from now on.”

But what he said was entirely unexpected.

“What?”

“This will likely keep happening.”

He was right.

The fact that this incident had occurred meant her father had started moving against Caligo. As expected, the man didn’t trust her.

“Then wouldn’t it make more sense for me to stay alone? If I’m with others, people like Jeremy, Joshua, or anyone else might get hurt because of me. Maybe I should just stay out in the outskirts.”

“Enough.”

Caligo cut her off.

“I told you—you belong to me for one year.”

“…”

“So don’t try to run away.”

“But—”

“… And don’t get hurt, either.”

The seemingly indifferent yet gentle tone of his voice made her eyes sting with the threat of tears.

It struck her—he was worried about her.

‘Ah, this is why I fell for him.’

She had seen through the strength he showed to the warm kindness and tenderness hidden beneath.

That’s why she had come to love him.

Caligo still appeared stoic, but he was kind.

‘How can I not love him? How can I let go of my feelings?’

“I’ll try.”

“That wasn’t meant to make you smile.”

When Helena smiled, he gave her a puzzled look as if she were acting strangely.

But his expression wasn’t as cold as usual.

Hello Guys, if you liked my work and want to support me then you can visit this link for tips. As I can’t create Kofi because of the unavailability of Paypal in my country, I’ve made this tier which will be updated every week so that you won’t be charged again till you want to donate again by yourself or you can exit the tier after donating 🙂.

Happy Reading 🩷