I Married the Dragon I Killed — Chapter 87: Cadet William

Chapter 87: Cadet William

The‍‌⁠ man who introduced‍ himself as William‌ began explaining slowly.⁠‍

“We‍⁠‌ were peasants serving‍ under the Duchy⁠ of Yurei. As‍‌‍ you well know, after the Grand‌ Council, Duke Yurei began imposing excessive‌ taxes, and more‍‌ and more people⁠ abandoned their homeland.”⁠‌

“I‌ know very well.⁠⁠‍ Nearly a hundred‌ people like you‌‌ have already entered.”‍⁠

“We also came to‌ the Far East⁠‌‌ chasing a dream.”

“And‌ in that dream, was attacking and‌ killing merchants included‌⁠ as well?”

“Of‌ course, I completely understand why the‌ Lord Regent might misunderstand that incident.”

If‍‌ he said the⁠ wrong thing, he⁠‍ would lose his‌ head.

William‌‌ swallowed nervously and‍‌ spoke in a pleading voice.

“I‌ swear we had‍‌‍ absolutely nothing to‌ do with that‍ attack. We were⁠‌ only able to⁠ find that caravan‍ because someone told‌ us about it.”‍

“Someone informed you?”

“Yes.”⁠

William⁠‌‍ explained what had‌ happened.

“As⁠‍‌ we were heading⁠ toward the duchy’s‍ territory, a group⁠‌ of people appeared.‌⁠ They dressed similarly‌‍‌ to us, but‌ they were armed.⁠ We thought they‌‍ were bandits trying‍⁠ to rob what little we had‍ left, so we‍ stayed alert. But‌‌ that wasn’t the⁠⁠‌ case. Instead, they‌⁠ offered us help.”⁠‌

“What‌‌‍ kind of help?”‍‍

“They⁠ said they could‌ give food to those who were‌⁠‌ starving.”

Perda‍ tilted his head.‌‌‍

“You⁠‍ don’t seem stupid⁠ enough to believe⁠‌ something like that.”‍

“Would‍ you believe it⁠ if you were‌ that desperate?”

When‍ a person is⁠⁠ desperate, they can‍‍ cling to anything.‌⁠

Perda‍ decided to accept‌ that.

“Continue.”‌‍

“Anyway,‌‍ that’s how we⁠‍‍ arrived at the‌‍ place you saw.⁠‍ There were corpses‍‍ everywhere, fresh food⁠ scattered on the‌ ground, weapons for‍‍ defense, and valuable⁠ jewelry as well.”⁠

Perda‌‌‌ grasped the intention⁠ behind those words‌ and asked directly.‍

“You mentioned the jewelry‌‌ to insist that‍‍ you’re innocent?”

“But‌ as I said‌ before, we’re starving‌ refugees. At that moment, all we‌ felt was hunger,‌ and gold cannot⁠‌‍ be eaten. That’s⁠‌⁠ why we didn’t‌‍ touch it.”

“And⁠ yet, for things⁠ that can’t be‌ eaten, you certainly⁠‌⁠ took plenty of⁠‍ things that also‍ aren’t edible.”

Perda‌ remembered the missing weapons and asked.⁠

“We⁠ took the weapons‍ because we needed‍ something to protect ourselves during the rest of the‍‌ journey. After seeing‌‍⁠ an attack like that, there was⁠ no guarantee we wouldn’t be next.”‍

“So⁠‍ you took the‌‍ food because it‌ would rot anyway,‌‍ and the weapons‌‌ because you needed‌‍ to defend yourselves.⁠⁠ Is that what⁠ you’re trying to say?”

“That’s‍ correct.”

Perda looked around the‌⁠ scene and let⁠‍ out a mocking⁠⁠ laugh.

“Fine,‌ let’s assume those⁠‌ are your reasons.‍‌ Then what about⁠‌ the gold coin‍⁠ you took?”

“Huh?”⁠‌

“Did‍‌‌ you keep it‍ in case we‍ rejected the refugees?”

“What⁠‌ are you talking‌‍ about…?”

“Don’t‍‍‍ play dumb. How‍⁠ do you think‍‍ we tracked you‌⁠ here?”

William⁠⁠ showed a genuinely‌ confused expression.

It was unclear whether‌ he was simply‌⁠ shameless or truly knew nothing.

“Lord Perda.”

At‌ that moment, Isabella‌ suddenly intervened.

“William‍‍‌ did not take‌ the gold coin.”⁠⁠‌

“Then‌‍ who?”

Isabella⁠‌ pointed toward one‍⁠ of the kneeling‍‌ refugees.

She‌ did not indicate‍ anyone specific, but among them there‌‍‌ was one man‌ trembling excessively, so‍‍ it was obvious.⁠‍

“William.‌ Bring that rat here.”

“Yes.”‌

William‌⁠ dragged the man‍‍ indicated by Perda‌ forward.

The⁠ man’s face was‌ exposed.

The‍ thief with the‌‌‌ guilty conscience was‌‌ drenched in cold‍‍ sweat.

William‍ pressured him while‌ glaring at him.‍

“Turn‍‌ out your pockets.”‌

“……”⁠

“W-what‌ are you waiting⁠ for?! Show it⁠⁠ to him!”

With⁠⁠ trembling hands, the‍‍⁠ man emptied his pockets.

Clink—⁠⁠⁠

What‍ fell to the ground was a gold coin.

Perda picked it up.‍

It‍⁠ was, without a doubt, a coin⁠⁠ used as currency.‍⁠

“That seems like quite⁠⁠ a lot of‍‌ money for someone⁠ who’s supposed to‌ be a refugee.”⁠

William‍‌ grabbed the man⁠ by the collar‍‍ with an expression‍ full of betrayal.⁠

“Evans!‍ I clearly told‌‌ you not to‍ touch the valuables!‌ Didn’t I warn‍‍ you that anyone‍‌ who steals from the dead brings‍‌ misfortune upon himself?!”⁠

“I-I’m‌‍ sorry… but opportunities‌ like this don’t‍ come every day.‌ I thought it‌‌ would be fine⁠ to keep at⁠ least one gold‌ coin…”

“Idiot!‌‌ Do you understand‍ the situation you’ve‌⁠ dragged us into‍ because of that?!”⁠

“Enough.”‌‌‍

Perda‍‍ cut off the‍‌ argument.

“Stop⁠⁠‍ this farce and kneel.”

William‌‍ and the man‍‍ knelt once more.⁠

The⁠ man named Evans‍⁠ trembled, while William‍ hurriedly listed everything‍‍ they had done‍‍⁠ and pleaded.

“Lord‍ Regent. Please be‌ merciful and forgive⁠ this mistake born⁠ from ignorance.”

“And‍ why should I?”‍‍

“Although we could not‌ bury them for⁠‍ fear of interfering‍⁠⁠ with the investigation,⁠ we gathered all‍ the corpses and⁠‍ held funerals for‌‌ them. And when‍ we learned the‌‍‍ wagons were headed‍ toward Count Consilus’s‍⁠ territory, I personally‌‍ went to report‌‌ the incident. If‌ you take me‌‌‌ with you, those⁠ men will recognize⁠‍ me.”

“So‌⁠ you want me‍‍ to overlook what‌ you did because‍⁠ you reported the⁠ case and buried‌‌‌ the dead?”

“I‌ beg you to⁠⁠ forgive the deviation‍‍ of these fools⁠ and grant us‌⁠ a chance. God‌ dwells within the‌ hearts of these‍‌ people.”

William⁠‍ spoke with a voice full of⁠ conviction.

However,‍ the eyes with‍⁠ which Perda looked at him remained‍⁠⁠ cold.

“From⁠‌‍ the moment you‍ touched the goods‍ of a merchant‍‍⁠ belonging to the⁠ duchy, I stopped‍⁠ considering you simple⁠‌ refugees. You are‍ rats trying to⁠‌ infiltrate the duchy,⁠ people unworthy of⁠⁠ mercy. How can⁠ I be certain⁠ you didn’t participate‌ in the murders?”

“……”

“Even‍⁠ if you say⁠‍‍ you arranged the⁠ bodies to honor‍⁠ the dead, that⁠ doesn’t change the‌ fact that you‌⁠ stole money from‍⁠‍ a merchant’s pockets. Saying you did‌ it out of‌⁠‍ hunger is nothing‌⁠ more than an⁠⁠‍ excuse. If you‍ become desperate again,⁠ you’ll steal again.‌⁠‍ Am I wrong?”‌‍

It‍ was impossible to‌ answer clearly.

Amid⁠ that uncomfortable silence,⁠‍ Perda spoke again.‌‍

“But‌‍ there is one‌‌ way.”

William raised his head‍ upon hearing that⁠‍⁠ small hope.

“What⁠‌‌ is it?”

“That‍‌ the one who‍‌ committed the crime⁠⁠‌ receives the appropriate‍‍ punishment.”

Perda‍ threw the sword‌‌ at his side in front of‌ the man named‌⁠⁠ Evans.

“Wash⁠‍ away your sin⁠ with your blood.”‍

“W-what…?”‌‍

“Was‌‍⁠ that too difficult‍‌ to understand? I’ll⁠‍ say it simply.”‍‌

Perda made a throat-slitting‌‍ gesture with his index finger as‌‍ he spoke.

“Kill⁠‍⁠ yourself.”

Evans’s‍⁠ face lost all color.

“If‍ you die, the‍ others will live.⁠‍ That’s not a bad deal, is‌‍ it?”

“I…‍ I…”

“Lord‌ Regent!”

William‌‍⁠ interrupted.

“Though he is an⁠ idiot, he is⁠⁠ still someone with‌ a good heart.‍ He only risked⁠‌ his life for‌‌‍ his companions during‌‌ this cruel winter.⁠ Please, show mercy.”‌

“I⁠ will not. Finish⁠ this at once.”‌‌⁠

Even though Perda remained⁠ firm, William insisted.‌

“I‍ am the representative‍‌ of these refugees.‌ Could you not‍‌ take one of‍ my arms and‌‍ calm your anger?”

“One‌⁠ arm?”

Perda‌‍ showed a disgusted expression.

“What‌ nonsense are you‌‍ talking about?”

“If‌ that isn’t enough,⁠ then something else…”‌‌

“I‌ already told you,‍ didn’t I? You‍‌ are rats. If‌⁠‌ a small rat‌‌ steals from the⁠ granary, do you‌⁠‌ think I’d be‌ satisfied with merely tearing off the‍ mother rat’s arm?”‌

The‌‌ only thing reflected⁠⁠ in his eyes‍‍ was contempt.

“Whether⁠ mother, child, leader,‌‍ or subordinate, a rat is still a rat. One‌‍ life must be‌‌ paid with another⁠⁠ life. If you⁠⁠ intend to replace⁠ Evans’s life, then⁠ it will have⁠ to be with⁠‍ yours.”

A life.

William discreetly looked at Evans’s face.

He‌‍ was trembling in‌ terror.

He‍‍ did not want‌‌ to die.

That‍ was natural for any human being.‌‍⁠

William⁠‌ closed his eyes and thought briefly.

“I‌‍‍ understand.”

He‍ accepted the fact‍ without resistance and‍ dragged the sword‌ placed before Evans‌ toward himself.

Then⁠‍‍ the refugees who⁠ remained bowed down⁠‌⁠ began protesting.

“W-wait!”⁠‍‌

“You‍ can’t do that!”‌‍

“After⁠‍ everything he’s done⁠‌⁠ for us…!”

Booom—!‌

The⁠⁠ roar released from‌ Perda’s hand instantly⁠ silenced the murmuring.‌

“There will not be⁠ a second warning.‍ If you wish‌‍ to die in‌ his place, then keep talking. Just‍‍ as I said,‍‌‍ a rat is‌‍ still a rat.”‍‍

No‌‌ one opened their‌‌‌ mouth again.

Everyone‌⁠ knew their own‌‌‌ lives mattered more⁠‌ to them than‍ anyone else’s.

After‌ several minutes without⁠‍ hearing a response,‍ Perda spoke disdainfully.‍‌

“This‌‌ man stepped forward‌‍ for your sake,‍ and yet none‍ of you have‍⁠ the courage to do the same⁠‍ for him.”

Perda⁠‍ pushed the sword‌ aside.

Then‍ he placed his‍ hand on William’s‍‌⁠ head.

“I‌‍ will personally finish‌⁠ you without pain.‌‍‌ Do you have‌ any last words?”‍⁠

Facing‌‌‍ death, William spoke⁠⁠ with a trembling⁠‌ voice.

“If⁠ you guarantee that they will arrive‌ safely at the‍ duchy… then I have nothing more‌⁠ to say.”

“Well‍ said.”

Mana⁠ gathered in Perda’s‌‌‍ hand.

The‌ magical impact struck⁠ William’s head.

Booom!‍

With⁠ a deafening explosion,‌ William’s body collapsed‍‍ powerlessly onto the‍⁠ ground.

***‍

William⁠ was not originally‍⁠ just an ordinary⁠ peasant.

Nor‌⁠ was he someone who needed to become the leader‌ of refugees.

He‍‌‌ was a cavalry‌ cadet, a man‍‍ who stood out‍ among the other⁠‍‍ students.

He‍‌ understood honor and‍‌ never neglected the‌ duty of those⁠‌⁠ who possess power.‌‍

He‌ was also outstanding‌ in martial arts‌ and had accumulated⁠ military merits during‍ the war against‌ King Harudret.

No one doubted he‍ would become a knight.

However,‍ his path was‌ not an easy‌ one.

On‍⁠ the day when little remained before⁠ his knighting ceremony,‍ exactly when he⁠ had only one⁠ final test left‍‌ to become a knight…

That⁠ was the day‍‍‍ the war against‌ King Harudret ended⁠ at the Grand⁠⁠‍ Council.

The⁠‌ fate of the⁠‌ defeated is always‌⁠ miserable.

And‌⁠ especially the people‌ of the Duchy‌ of Yurei.

The defeated Duke Yurei⁠ was burdened with‌⁠ reparations of 60‍‌ thousand golden.

For⁠‍ a noble in‍‍ normal times, it‍ was not an‍‍ impossible sum.

But⁠‍⁠ Duke Yurei had⁠‍‌ already spent enormous‌‌ amounts of money⁠ on the war.‌

For⁠ him, those 60⁠ thousand golden were‌‍ an unbearable burden.

And⁠ when he tried⁠ to borrow money,‍‌‍ it was already‍ too late.

In‍ the end, he‌⁠‍ began mercilessly squeezing‌‌ the nearby villages‌ to gather the‌‍ money.

That⁠‌ was why more‌‍ and more people⁠ abandoned their homes⁠‍ and became refugees.‌

Of⁠‌ course, Duke Yurei‌ was not going‌‍ to sit idly by and watch⁠ that happen.

Population⁠‍⁠ was national power.‌‍

The‍ duke sent men‌‍⁠ to pursue and‍⁠ capture all refugees,⁠ turning them into slaves.

And some were brutally‍ executed as public⁠‍ examples.

Thus‍ began a tyranny under the name of unity.

William‌ also had to⁠⁠‌ participate in those⁠ missions.

As⁠ his final test⁠ before advancing from‌⁠ cadet to knight,‍ he was assigned‍‌ the task of⁠‍ hunting refugees.

William⁠⁠ led the soldiers⁠‍⁠ and eventually managed to find them.⁠‍‍

Up⁠‍‌ until accepting the‍⁠ mission, he had⁠ been full of‍‌‌ conviction.

The refugees were a threat.

At‌‍ a time when‍‌ the territory was‌‌ sinking into chaos,⁠ he could not forgive citizens who‍‌ fled instead of‌ helping.

They‍‍ were agitators, evil⁠ forces, criminals deserving⁠⁠‌ punishment.

But‍ the reality before‍‍ his eyes was⁠ very different from‌ his ideals.

No,‍ it was not‍‍ even something complex.⁠

He‌ had simply spent‌ his entire life‌ accumulating knowledge and⁠‍ honor, without seeing what he truly⁠‌ needed to see.⁠

The‍‍ people who were‍ supposedly plunging the‍‍ duchy into chaos⁠‌ were emaciated and‌‌ powerless.

They‌‍‍ were nothing but⁠ skin and bones.⁠

Even‌ the babies, who‌ should have been‌‍ plump, could barely⁠⁠ breathe because they‌ lacked the strength⁠ to cry.

The‌‌ only weapons they⁠ possessed were pokers‌‍ and shovels.

And‍ yet, all of them desperately resisted‌ against armed soldiers.

The‍ reason was simple.‌‍

They‍⁠‌ wanted to live.‌‌

At‍ that moment, William‌‍ questioned what it⁠‌ was he truly‍⁠‌ needed to protect.‌‍‍

The‍ people serve the feudal lord.

The⁠‍ king exists to‌‌ protect the people.‍

Then.⁠⁠

What⁠‌ remains of a king who does‍ not protect his‍ people?

Amid‌‌ that simple and cruel mission, William‌‌ fell into agony.‍

Just⁠ one final time.⁠

If⁠ he pretended not‍ to see anything⁠⁠ and acted like a blind craftsman one last time,⁠ his life would‌ continue without problems.‍‌

And in the end,‍‌ he made a decision.

The‍‌ sword that should‍‍‌ have been turned‍ against the refugees⁠ pointed instead toward‍⁠‍ the soldiers following‍‍ him.

William‍⁠ wounded his own‌‌‍ men to make‌ it appear he‍ had been betrayed‍ and let the⁠ refugees escape.

Afterward,‌ he slit the⁠⁠ throat of the‍ horse he had⁠⁠ been riding and‍ fed its meat‌‌ to the refugees.‌

He‍ never became a knight.

But‍ William did not‌ regret it.

Because‌ he never doubted that was the‍‍ reason he had‌‌ taken up the‌‍ sword.

That⁠ was why even‌ this death did not feel meaningless⁠ to him.

***‍‍

“Ugh!”⁠‍

William‍ jolted upright like‍ someone waking from a horrible nightmare.‍

He‍⁠ was certain he‌‍ had died, so⁠ he never imagined‍‌ he would rise‍‍‍ again.

He‍ touched his body⁠ while muttering.

“A-am⁠ I in the⁠ afterlife?”

“You’re‌ still in this‌ world.”

“Agh!”⁠

William⁠ flinched once more.‌⁠

The‍ voice that had⁠⁠‍ despised and humiliated⁠ him echoed right‍ beside him.

When he turned his‌ head, he saw‌‌‌ Perda.

“You⁠‍ were unconscious for‍‍‌ an hour.”

There was no longer any trace of⁠‍⁠ the coldness he⁠‍ had seen earlier⁠ in his eyes.‌‍

For‌ a moment, William‍‍ truly believed he⁠ had arrived in⁠‌ another world.

“I-I didn’t die?”

“Of‍‌ course not. What⁠⁠‍ struck your head⁠ was merely a simple stun spell.”⁠

“Then‌‍ why didn’t you‍ kill me…?”

“Because⁠⁠ it would be‌⁠ a waste to‌‌ kill a well-trained‌ knight.”

William’s⁠ eyes widened.

Perda‍⁠‌ looked at him‍⁠ with a gaze‌ full of pity.⁠

“Did⁠ you think you‌ were hiding it‍‌‍ well? It was⁠ so obvious it made me want‌⁠ to cry.”

“I see…”

Thinking⁠⁠ about it, it⁠ was not that‍ strange.

He‍‌‍ wore half plate‌ armor and carried‍‌ a sword at⁠ his waist.

“But‌ I’m not a knight. At most,‍⁠ I’m only an⁠ insignificant cadet.”

“Even‍ for a cadet,‍‌‍ it’s not normal‍⁠⁠ to blend in‍ among refugees.”

“That’s‍‌ true.”

“So⁠‌ you betrayed your lord.”

At‍ those words, William⁠ let out a bitter smile.

“I⁠‌ did something worthy of death. A knight betraying his‌‍ lord…”

It⁠‍⁠ was clear betrayal,‌⁠⁠ and William made‌ no attempt to‌‍‌ deny it.

“It⁠⁠ doesn’t matter. Didn’t‌ you say you‌⁠ were only a simple cadet?”

“That’s‌ true, but…”

“You‍‌ never even officially‍ became a knight,⁠‌ so it can’t‌ really be said⁠‌‍ that you betrayed‍ anyone. You’re just‌ an ordinary deserter.”‍‍

Coming from a family‍‍ of knights, Perda understood those distinctions‍‌ well.

“There’s‍‌ something I want⁠‍ to ask someone⁠⁠⁠ who returned from⁠ the dead.”

“Ask.”‌

“Was it worth it?”‍⁠

Perda⁠ turned his head.‌

The⁠ refugees were there.⁠‍

All‌ of them were‍ sharing the stew‍ with happy expressions.⁠

“You⁠⁠ sacrificed yourself for them, but none⁠ of them were⁠ willing to sacrifice⁠ themselves for you.⁠‌ Even so, was it worth doing?”⁠

William‌ remembered perfectly what‍ Perda was referring⁠⁠‍ to.

When‍‍ he stood before‍‌‌ death, Perda said‌⁠ that whoever wished to die in his place should⁠ break the silence.‍⁠

But‌‍‍ no one did.‌‍

It‍‌‌ was the kind⁠‌‌ of situation capable⁠ of leaving resentment behind.

“No one wants to die.”

And‍ yet, William smiled.‍

“That’s‌‌ precisely why I must guide them.”⁠‌⁠

He‌‍ had betrayed his lord, but not⁠ his convictions.

“I see.”

Perda‌ observed his satisfied⁠⁠‌ expression before looking‍⁠ away.

Beside‌ him knelt a man.

Evans,⁠‍ the man who‍⁠ had stolen the‌ gold coin.

“Your name was Evans?”‌

“Huh?‍‍ Y-yes! That’s right!”‍

The‌‌‍ kneeling man nodded‍ frantically.

“This‍ man carried the⁠⁠⁠ punishment for your⁠ stupidity. Do you⁠‌ know what that‌‌ means?”

“T-that‍‍ I owe him⁠‌⁠ a debt.”

“You don’t owe him⁠ just anything. You⁠⁠‌ owe him a life. So from‍‍ now on, you⁠ will become William’s‍‍ most loyal servant.‍⁠ And if he⁠⁠⁠ dies, I’ll teach you what it‍⁠ truly means to⁠ live a miserable⁠‍ life. Understood?”

“Y-yes!‍‌⁠ Understood! I’ll engrave‍ those words into‍‌ my heart!”

After‍‌‌ saying what he⁠‍‌ needed to say,‍ Perda stood up.

“Then⁠⁠ we’ll meet again‍ later, Sir William.”‌‍

“Yes.‍ Have a safe‌ journey.”

Just‌‌‍ as he watched‍‌ him leave, a single word echoed in his ears.‍

“Sir…?”⁠‌‌

Sir.‍

A title reserved only‌ for knights.

But‍‌ William had never‍ become one.

Had⁠ Perda simply mistaken‌ him?

Or‌⁠ did it mean‍⁠ he truly acknowledged him as a knight?

For⁠‍ the current William,‌⁠ it was a question impossible to⁠⁠ answer.

***

The incident involving the⁠ attacked wagons seemed⁠ to be progressing‌ without major results.‍⁠

Just‍‍ as Perda prepared⁠ to return to‍ the castle alongside Ruri, Isabella called out to him.⁠

“Lord‌ Regent. During the interrogations, we found⁠‌ people who could serve as witnesses.‍ I believe you should hear them.”⁠‍

Judging⁠‍ by her tone,‍ it seemed to‍ involve someone important.‌⁠‌

Beside‍ her stood a woman and a child.

Perda⁠ looked at the⁠‍‍ woman.

“Do⁠‌‍ you have something⁠ to say?”

“F-forgive‍⁠ me, but it’s‌⁠‌ not me… my son is the‌⁠ one who knows‍‍ something…”

The⁠ one they needed‌⁠‌ to speak with‍ was a six-year-old‍‌‍ brat.

“What’s‌‍ your name?”

“I’m⁠⁠ Ian.”

“You‍ should say, ‘I⁠‍‍ am Ian, sir.’‍‍ I deeply apologize,‍‌ Lord Regent. He’s‍‌ still a child‍ and doesn’t understand…”‍‍

“I‍‌ don’t care about‍‌⁠ such small formalities.‌‍ Ian, do you‍‍ have something to‍⁠ tell me?”

The‍‌ child nodded.

“When⁠‌ the reaper mister‍⁠‌ and the knight⁠ mister were talking…”

“Reaper‌ mister?”

The‌‍‍ woman answered in⁠ place of the‍‍ child.

“He‍ says that because the man wore a black hooded‍ robe.”

“I⁠‌⁠ understand. Continue.”

“Yes.⁠ Well… the reaper‌ mister rode away‍‌ on a horse‍ toward somewhere, and⁠ I saw something‌⁠ fall from him.‌ I don’t think anyone else noticed,‍ so I kept‍ it secret to‌‍ give it to⁠‌ Mom.”

“And‍ what was it⁠ that fell?”

“T-this.”⁠⁠

The‍‍ woman took out‍ something she had‌ been keeping hidden⁠ and showed it‌ to Perda.

It⁠ was a scarf.‍‌

The‍ green fabric did‍‍⁠ not appear unusual‌⁠ at first glance,⁠‌ but the moment⁠‌ he saw the⁠⁠ symbol embroidered in⁠ one corner, his‍ expression changed.

‘This‍ is…’

Perda⁠‌‍ narrowed his eyes.‍‌

If‍ he was not mistaken, that peculiar‍ scale symbol was‌ the emblem of‍ the Pascal family.⁠‌

‘And‌ the two crossed‍‌‌ swords behind the‍ symbol…’

There‌‌ was no doubt.

It‌ belonged to the‍⁠⁠ Pascal Mercenary Company.⁠