Chapter 292: Side Story – The Destroyed Nest
eR4JBh8Collapsed buildings.Lyn54
dWKTcAir saturated with the smell of blood.cbr
rO1HThe head of an old man rolling at his feet.vl8bb
oUejAnd, in the distance, the roar of the Deathworm.en7
drPi‘What do I do? What am I supposed to do?’Yhh
4GpWEmil’s sharp hearing picked up the footsteps beginning to surround the building.5lGQZ
2qbtAt least several dozen.1a7
ZC6NqBThe moment he realized they were already surrounded, Emil’s eyes darted everywhere, but he could not find a single escape route.uFoY
GnKRn“It must have been hard getting here. Honestly, I thought I was going to die.”a5en
eZPPXTAs if he were completely satisfied with the situation, Ishtvan scratched his chin and began joking around.fAc
9oqMhEmil, who was watching even the slightest movement he made, unconsciously followed the direction of his fingers.nEAS86u
Xby5‘……!’hRM
msiPOvkAnd at the end of that gaze, he found a horrifying scar.KHt51
8inoA deep, dark scar carved into Ishtvan’s neck.rtx4
KouIt looked as though someone had tried to tear his throat out.XOHBRI
06f9yKAFaced with that brutal mark, Emil swallowed unconsciously.zpunKN
9rbplP“Or maybe I already died once.”UtlpMmf
zmkA strange madness shone in Ishtvan’s eyes as he looked at Emil.P6OFEX
0ENW0Yes.HoRgOB
uTcc2That’s how you should look at me.QC2MdW
y9EpCuCDon’t ignore me like before while you looked at Godin behind me.QEs
9nJ5Perhaps it was because those eyes looked so much like Vlad’s.nupmBv
dkiFRBecause at that moment, Ishtvan was trapped inside a scene from the past.t4JZ9o9
iqguoTThe impeccably maintained training yard of Daermar.OaIcOP
WdWgAThe assembled knights.bKr9K
2nZEb8SAnd that blue-eyed boy staring directly at him.oPDZ
7uJ4But this time that boy was not ignoring him.r0N98
FVp“As it turns out, the prison those dwarves built was too sturdy. So sturdy that I couldn’t escape with my own body…”buH
2JUDfSmThe madman lost in the past no longer distinguished between Vlad and Emil.u0G5ute
CcyJPlTUnable to separate reality from memories, Ishtvan swayed like a drunkard.RKtUNNu
4jkd7zwAnd then two shadows lunged at him.lEs
mvg4U“Haaah!”l0dUakE
GzPoPt“You bastard!”9GJcIer
bQDaE6ZTaking advantage of the slightest opening Ishtvan had shown.1Lev6p
PRePerhaps the first and last opportunity.Fjy
KYWQj0Ramund and Telsa swung their swords at the same time.49Z
wHK“Ah…”iRVHb
XRL2XWith a vacant gaze, Ishtvan watched the two auras approaching.BAlqy7J
CoH02One was a sharp thrust designed to create an opening.BjY
jVBvd2The other was the familiar aura of Body Reinforcement.OKfFBRB
GNB“Vlad!!!”LmT
KowCtThe same strategy Vlad had used against him in the past.ZMsy
mnoHCompletely immersed in his memories, a crazed aura began pouring from Ishtvan’s left eye.44285OW
Nvt7ju2“You damned bastard! A back-alley brat who doesn’t even know who his mother is!”9xOP9
dn3klcBooom!els
ZsZ9Vv“Guh!”uMi8d
JAmDRamund’s knees buckled as he blocked Ishtvan’s sword.uwf
6a5‘What the hell is this strength?!’uD9fZp
rX4bdThe blow was so brutal that the ground trembled.1vyXKa
4aWCEven after taking the impact head-on, Ramund desperately tried to keep Ishtvan’s sword pinned down.qjuMb6
irt‘Now!’Zum
v4ytAnd right behind him was Telsa.pGsJE
Sr8QaWith precise movements, she launched her sword.QGzSu
ZWtrThe combat style of a duelist from the Southern Archipelago.qTG5T
mi2gj5A technique perfected over a lifetime of short engagements.ppDZ2
kN0The rapier shot out from behind Ramund and curved like a serpent, piercing through the back of Ishtvan’s neck.K0KaF
yoid‘I got him!’Lp08Pg
np0GKoThe sensation transmitted through the tip was unmistakable.i2y4q
BlfCutting flesh.iJJbwh
Ddpna7Breaking bone.f6gNF
8pGYet even amid that familiar sensation, Telsa sensed something strange.0TTS
zw0xrOBecause Ishtvan’s madness-filled eyes were still staring at her.Rw0B
NCAH“Move!”EYSz
n0zgDcRamund shoved Telsa aside and raised his sword once more.oaxrOuF
d2UJhApBooom!lFS1S
4zmJ“Aaaah!”qk2
mtoW“Guh!”Zkg
jQSf24UThis time it was a merciless horizontal slash.lnk
V4TThe enormous mass of the sword swept both of them away in a single strike.QLZBcD
rcV“Guh… Cough!”3FAWu
oqdNot even Body Reinforcement could withstand such destructive power.Dfa1Z
aJFbqBuried beneath the rubble, blood began pouring from Ramund’s mouth.D3r
o8KY3s“Once again you’re trying to trick me with those damned tricks!”hwxe
qFDMSY8That cowardly sword that wore down my endurance.DGUeoq
kHJThat cursed forehead that shattered my fists.filH0
YJy“You think I’ll fall for the same thing again, Vlad?!”MSDb
Rpi5ElIf not for that.BEvUdR
axkgFvSMy sword would never have been taken from me.uSMVx
4FLXoMy father would not have died.60RA
zjjpZy7My family’s banner would not have fallen.bLQ
nCkRn“But that’s not going to happen anymore! I’ve come back! I’ll never be defeated by you again!”qBIf
6w719xiTo Ishtvan, imprisoned within his memories, it no longer mattered who stood before him.jp6E
IBJnHe only needed someone upon whom he could vent his rage.GxOtAa
9XiBksSomeone to bear twenty years of sorrow, anger, and despair.gl4w
evcJH“Die, Vlad!!”JgK
pZhMUfUThe gigantic sword rose.B2W2B
wYtjxZFAs it reached its highest point, the very air seemed to hang from its edge.QPw
1HBIIlAnd just as it was about to fall upon the two knights—0lKTI9z
gtKdLCrack!B84
I1sKpJq“……!”9qjt
2aN38SIshtvan’s eyes shook violently.bZa4
b0ahOA kick had slammed into the side of his head.AmLG4K1
djiEc8Someone had been waiting for that moment.0H9
xBRWS9QThe instant Ishtvan focused all his strength into a single point.pdSGFa
w2Epr“Haaah!”6cgP7s
4TkY9tA child shining intensely with yellow light.BLQn2G
DfTy9FMoving at terrifying speed, Emil struck Ishtvan’s head and continued his momentum until he smashed into the ceiling.tn7
L6cVvxLike a sharpened arrow.25nAY5g
60yhLike a yellow line cutting through the air.aGmr
zSO“The one who’s going to die is you!”beJUpD
39YpEmil carried no sword.dgcB2T
tqrBecause a squire had no right to bear a sharpened blade.HmST
8trCBang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!ipanCi
W1PdzsSo what he was using was Ramund’s body technique.cAC
JIz2yUThe same one that had crushed assassins only moments before.7TtVU
6Izjgq‘Emil…!’BWz7sb
FL9PGThe yellow line moved so quickly it was difficult to follow with the eye.ENueTg
86pBut Ramund recognized it.efb5d6
ai3K8AThose movements were the fundamentals of Body Reinforcement that he had spent his entire life perfecting.yAv
vdAdfP‘Don’t lose the flow!’JLitH0C
Dh9nTriangles appeared endlessly around Ishtvan.UQPN1E
VlA9ChwWith elbows.Zs6oF
sMPWith knees.tzCP
KWZSometimes with his forehead.nWOsPwS
p9H25BThe points of those force-filled triangles struck Ishtvan again and again.QjUswJI
UIqfaJw“…Damned brat!”ccwj4
ZpcA8XtWithout a sword, Emil could get even closer.2w21
B47iE8Just as Vlad had neutralized Ishtvan’s greatsword in the past.b5r
hTLEmil constantly stuck close to him, destroying his ideal range.sXS
0PsXi1JThe cruelty of a dragon exploiting the weaknesses of its prey.6OZgh7
zRp47iThe boy’s pupils had already become vertical, like a dragon’s.wTTB
BRsVJN“Graaaah!!”5PnUpF
PumcRealizing that he would never catch Emil through speed alone, Ishtvan raised his sword once more.BzJFNwV
5kCReason no longer existed within him.zO1eQeu
lsUVa9FBut that was precisely why certain instincts remained.aELWAH
4MsWj8vBooom!fyyOg
Czbc1DJThe sword came down with enough force to bring down a building.2F9beA
px8ZKAnd the resulting shockwave was not directed at Emil.Hch3D
oDjbyiEIt was directed at Ishtvan himself.3nLRZ6
ZMxTC“Aaaagh!”o101P
yrdAAn explosion of debris and energy in a completely unexpected direction.Rnl8Uzf
knGlEmil took the full impact head-on and was sent flying.6Zzne
SfaiCOc“I finally caught you.”peU
RgB“……!”hrRWh1
LnANVIshtvan’s entire body was covered in wounds.wyFMnw
NmpXHalf of one of his thighs had been torn away.p7b
I76But he smiled as though he felt no pain at all.AjUbI2
G9iP0iGrabbing Emil by the ankle, he raised his hand.MxuiXyP
FuNpzCrack!RzMK
spGEmil’s head slammed brutally into the ground.RhOlJ
1BvpkA sound that should never be heard near a child.atS3jUP
HvHRamund’s eyes trembled.um4piK
GQFAyCrack! Crack!ls7S
b0RyJAs if he were shaking a toy.ZVj2mh
OZibE3Again and again.P7D
xnRL77At first Emil struggled to break free.rhrVun
euTOBut after three, four, five impacts…3TS5gG
dujxXThe boy’s consciousness began to fade.rHEYUof
7vpg5K“No! No!”EJJ
KmolzFITrembling, Ramund managed to get to his feet and grabbed Ishtvan’s wrist.3hX6W
zGzCeuBut the violence continued.uDrbXYr
2SWHXxCrushing.cdm9J
OyCCRRelentless.i7o
fEeFaced with that absolute madness, both Ramund’s aura and the blessing protecting Emil began to weaken.wBzWN
cZcTLWOBooom!!055QwEt
FSoSZ“Don’t let her get away this time!”IHLd
XpTOJph“It’s the red-haired girl! Kill her!”VfE
Pe6Hampton watched the scene unable to breathe.TZM
D7VUPjAnd when another explosion echoed behind him, he shut his eyes.2Q5V
AdF1The doors of the trading company that had filled him with so much pride.j2ExEe
o3AcSeThe doors bearing the emblem of the Kannor family.GQnK
BPiHad just been destroyed.cZy8
ns2BYtuAnd men dressed in black began pouring inside like a flood.szdIy
ln4eRBC“F-Father!”4SRMBrX
8rdsSYZThe remnants of the past continued advancing toward the children.DH6EA65
t1UThe mercenaries tried to hold them back.ro4sEG
zOBuBu3But the enemy already outnumbered them several times over.3vS5SgC
1hLxAnd when that wave of despair reached a child’s throat.DtTsfyP
WmFoOnly a few words remained to be spoken.83ke20
ynHF“Father! Dad! Dad!”nod
JXEmThe broken nest.eK1K4sV
4GelThe voice of the child calling for his father was heartbreaking.QMKn
tJtBut his father had no time to turn around and look at him.OcqI9z
QFcWZmQ‘Father! Where did you put it?! Father!’F4c
J8nPortly was searching Olson Kannor’s corpse.9IZR
llY97BLNot the head that had been thrown in front of Emil.OR8hb
0Qkqx5VThe decapitated body.urVd4
zQZofy‘Father, please!’RMP6Z
F9NYPj9Like a madman, Portly emptied pockets, tore open the collar of the shirt, and desperately searched through the corpse’s belongings.1SK
cHlkzA son rummaging through his own father’s body.JmYw
CpR0It was a disrespectful sight to anyone watching.OJt
xHTy80jBut Portly’s hands did not hesitate for even a moment.TrhYY
8em“…I found it!”3cJE
yuXuBecause behind him, his little son was still crying.lib
920QgEBecause his father would have done exactly the same thing.ZuH
L5Sl“Everyone get back!”tuiS
HnZatIn Portly’s bloodied hand was a small brooch.mKW
Mnh70The symbol that only the head of the Kannor family was allowed to carry.SGc
YdOgZWhen he opened the lid, a complex magical formula engraved with tiny characters appeared.55R
7GwXZ“You damned bastards.”fzQ8Vqv
DvqS3tZPortly bit his index finger and let blood drip onto the brooch.5qlyq
tNzEIt was an artifact that responded only to the blood of the Kannor family.Hpg8
BXhVqTA bluish light began running across his fingers.BSXCGUx
KxAWQSWithout hesitation, he pointed toward the assassins.tBfb8
xG1yldkBooom!0WvRHDG
UIHlyHis index finger exploded.6ADY
oDgbVAnd at the same time, an icy flash tore through the air.iYL3
nxgzSx“Guaaah!”pyOaJ
PXSA“Guh…”lKvpF
hHL0OYSnowflakes began to fall upon the mercenaries’ corpses.fVM5Skv
RdftIAnd among that snowfall appeared the assassins.TJD7s
nQFnkTurned into statues of ice.8Gq16aX
mfn0At the sight of the sudden silence, Portly let out a groan of pain.0CdXf
eeYKub“Guhhh…”rt27cj
NGTq2It was an artifact of extreme freezing.Tedxm
fV9iqA relic that only the head of the Kannor family could use.cyj
16mA type of magic indispensable for a family involved in the meat trade.LQS
yuzD7He had never imagined he would end up using it like this.1SvF
IwVmrNormally it required a proper activation phrase and an exact amount of blood.gIBGhm
mNMBut it didn’t matter.GVh
jdTXNa7“Sir Ramund…”MfMu
7soMlbThis time he bit his middle finger.0UY
crU6aThen he looked toward Ishtvan and Ramund.gAOpSir
ZEXkab5Ishtvan was still striking Emil like a madman.K0TV
jhsXGkyRamund remained clinging to his arm.odmwJF9
26gE“Do it… hurry…”5F7
30JThe old man’s broken voice showed that he had almost no strength left.AmSK
qnzEven so, he gathered what little remained and began prying Ishtvan’s fingers open.B8eB
KAa“Guhhh…”tlee9HG
q8zEvery muscle in his body felt as though it were tearing apart.hNG2p
49AyPwbHis old body could no longer withstand any more aura.1q8lF
k9KOHBut if it was only for an instant.L0YPX
4eT9VOI“GRAAAAH!”buaynwa
MuLAll of Ramund’s remaining aura concentrated into his hands.HRE4
BgNVrQSlowly, Ishtvan’s fingers began to open.rmnZ7
qK0“You worthless old bastard!”PZUZK9x
Hf4P5LThe madman’s roar struck his ears.teZnf3L
CS5LVBut Ramund managed to free the boy.XSC2wn
ZwR1bEThen he quickly crawled over and covered Emil’s body with his own.5TM3B
unz79flBooom!6j85
fKFiA monstrous burst of freezing energy exploded behind him.Wox
mvmK“Guhhh…”9xj3
xYgzpHis back was left completely exposed.dMdn
TZVQ7uBody Reinforcement had been unable to protect it.f7YG1LI
aStpyHe felt the ice beginning to spread through his flesh.7xGp
JlS3H7nBut the more he froze.HobL04s
rOzM2jThe tighter he held Emil.dvlrtln
aE96qJust like that time.Fi9kqI
ck95So many years ago.IgliAXy
ODBlyWhen he blocked the breath of the fastest dragon to protect Vlad in the middle of a snowstorm.pDO
ykAfw“…Sir Ramund.”Eu2bpbL
5kvcH0At last, the Kannor Trading Company building fell silent.5EaEuv
FmOSnowflakes drifted down on a day that did not belong to winter.ziVdV
jK2PcwgHolding his ruined fingers, Portly approached the old man.ahzsj
uGMJ“……”wCFXy4I
nfU1QcBut Sir Ramund’s blue lips could no longer move.sqf
oqMvThe only thing he did was continue protecting the boy in his arms.rXGNm
tIKs“I understand.”Trve
MNHPortly took Emil.o5A2uM
2CSYu“I’ll make sure to get him to Soara.”oh62F
G8t1hRProtect the potential of the young.mTUj
3S9zbgvDo what you must when your time comes.XHSCoF
0euSUThey were vows every knight was expected to fulfill.9vVrH
K7TK7But Ramund did not act as a knight that day.nyb
PDjpeTHe had lived his entire life as one.884mqD
DOsYet in the final moment of his existence, he was a grandfather crawling across the ground to protect his grandson.2OjoDk
7sucUntil the very end.Q8YgK
ooc4He never stopped loving him.OuXX1YC
5NZWW“Let’s go!”zZOt1Nb
7ePN4uVGathering the survivors, Portly hurried out of the building.yBsApqE
FXSPNNo matter how much pain he felt, an adult still had things to do.e0Ts7
GIAIcVhAs he examined the street.yZMUwJx
LXIMMKA metallic noise echoed behind them.Dw8sPK1
XW8aVGRRRRRR—cjwFJE
OhEj2It was the building’s armored gate.23dRm6
8bLDSlowly descending.dkwX
85bNormally it protected the company’s valuable merchandise.SEFQ
00KmBut it should not have been lowering now.p6u0C
gGBw“…I suppose that artifact didn’t have enough power.”1mHJc
ozBrB3RTelsa smiled sadly from beneath the gate that continued descending.JhqQymY
iQvat8“He’s still alive. Or maybe he’s dead and still moving.”cRct
ojCn6The interior was filled with ice statues created by Portly.ktRJf6
dFeRXkAnd among them stood Ishtvan.9nq
Woj9Watching them with eyes completely consumed by madness.fkabZJ2
geW9q6“Telsa!”VMna
IWMc3ur“I’m already too badly injured. I won’t get very far.”RgT6
CgnLittle by little, the gate concealed her figure.SXp
jDauzSeeing her disappear, Tarenian tried to run toward her.QWL
9KRo6HBut Renvar grabbed her firmly.T08H
tOioeeq“Milady, remember this! Your mother loved you!”UVOV6j
0ZS“Telsa! Telsa!”0cRC
heX1Tarenian screamed desperately.QI6QJYd
n89ObBut the gate ultimately hid the knight completely.xUw
wnC9mBooom!sHRrtY
DU6Vrh“TELSAAA!”kP7
XWhkT3Tarenian’s scream echoed through the ruined alleys.8XVmL
wPQ4She struck the gate again and again.1l1R
LU3Mi6xThe despair of believing there was no one left in the world who loved her made her cry with all her strength.3uIv
nMls“We have to go!”09nTg
ld5hLWith Emil slung across his back, Portly signaled to Renvar.4X8X
yO2kneUnder other circumstances, he would have let her cry as much as she wanted.Xbm9R
7Hu6rHABut there was no time now.WeytH6p
os8Xxk“Let me go! Let me go!”iXVc16o
QWGjbWq“That’s enough! We have to move!”TwpxLyL
UobcHRhRenvar, the tallest of all the children, hoisted Tarenian onto his shoulders.gxQDy
UOWP1LThe dark-skinned child continued crying and struggling.SpA
NCGXlBut there are times when even grief must be left for later.AhZ9ZQ
fF6YBl“To the horse market!”oZP1dFF
DDT1Now Portly was the only adult left.wStk
VvptaWithout even bandaging his bleeding fingers, he led the children toward the market.7wGTO
CYAf“There’ll be carriages there! It’s a horse market, there have to be some!”aaWq
RN5He remembered the place near the city gate perfectly.4rPQ9Z
IAYzXgThe same one from which Emil had been thrown out.NeRau1
hntsKToA place full of horses.XF0JK3
hVozEuSurely they would find a carriage.GpQB1o
jjr“There!”g8ly
k5Pl3Just as Portly had said, several abandoned carriages stood there.PZqKQj
dDf3MPAnd dead merchants lay scattered on the ground.w4Vljy
FUliQFV‘They reached here too.’vjn
2zRmIt seemed the invaders had not relied solely on the tunnel opened by the Deathworm.h6tXc
ZX5FwThey had probably infiltrated the city through multiple routes to spread chaos.VffoH
3iyLn“Move!”CGMYMI
8yLLrwIf they had already passed through here, perhaps they would be safe for a while.3uurV
8nb2After all, a storm does not usually devastate the same place twice.RX8
NTPR— There they are!XHGs
P2M9I0— Don’t let them escape!XyB
qwmBut the storm pursuing them was made of pure malice.cTO
eiq7rjb“Sir…”uTfL3
7YK9XNRenvar called out to Portly, his face pale.kot
3DGGJBecause hundreds of assassins were descending the hill.yO5D
ooTsxThey looked like a black waterfall made of human beings.uCihJLK
mDDAn avalanche of hatred that could not be stopped.GL10
q7Le“What is your name?”y7I9EyS
X6qSqbP“Me? Why?”hjsfO
syiX2o“What kind of answer is that? An adult is talking to you.”bXDZ6l
tEvDespite the desperate situation, Portly seemed calm.1VYD4P
GStkAnxiety comes when you don’t know what to do.hWaMKkt
YVJV7But when the path is clear.GuKh
RwZkEven death can seem simple.1dB
KwKYsQ“R-Renvar.”y1iiK
xfRM7V“Good. Renvar. Do you know how to drive a carriage?”ojf8JT
4Yk06Portly had already harnessed the horses.oXfEKV7
nVG9And handed him the reins.Bh2
Pfz“From now on, you’re the adult here. Get the children to Soara.”A3tL
cJwNr2Renvar had never driven a carriage.k9BFjOq
jpaHe had been born and raised as a noble.Mnlc
guNBut faced with that strange presence Portly radiated.p2J2S9T
sQgPpHe could not say no.Cie
vJSrA“All right, children! You’re going to Soara! Don’t look back!”u3nW
7EHiiVThen he opened the corrals.2DEqXZ
fTIutKb“Dad!”x456FG
GJeeTmdHampton’s eyes widened.ow0
jh5IWqNHe understood what his father was about to do.fe3
oo3X4w“Dad, no! Come with us!”31YtF8
06ZRgFHampton waited for his father on the carriage.F4CGj
bfhvCBut the one who climbed into the driver’s seat was Renvar.AOi
OJd6kPortly simply smiled.Up5lxGH
fXT8tAnd waved his hand.SEl
aqfyE6j“Son! Catch!”v3nl
loMtlHampton caught the object thrown to him.1aB
HeXGH0cIt was the Kannor family brooch.PBjwNxb
wZBThe insignia of the family head.sjNK18
f2ujLm5The same one that had stopped Ishtvan and the assassins.Yjnr
88H“Son! I wanted to tell you before, but I never had the chance!”R3C
LA7A5J3The carriage was already beginning to move away.Ypt
QRZJDespite Renvar’s awkwardness with the whip, the horses chosen by Portly knew exactly what to do.4jjkorA
poGk71“Congratulations on becoming a squire of the Bayezid family! I’m proud of you! Your father got in by paying money, but you got in through your talent!”hrY
0yJWheeeet!7deQ
75NUA sharp whistle echoed throughout the area.khb
pYj9VsCIt was a sound no man of the Kannor family could fail to recognize.6IXVV
Lg1tYVmPortly raised the whistle to his lips.l5ZH
dFpCasAnd then the horses began charging out of the corrals.usgvD
ilquTaa“Dad!”E5tf6U
9iCHundreds of horses burst forward in a stampede.aFM
QFoMAnd crashed into the tide of assassins descending the hill.cNM0
dzLPortly stopped the wave of hatred pursuing the children.eduTK2s
wbfAnd kept waving his hand.UQRD7O0
NG0XUntil the carriage disappeared from his sight.2Ewv
Klc1DC“Dad!”6LQ
3FgAbove them, the Deathworm roared across the sky.oZmcUU
dv3ruUpon the earth advanced a tide of hatred.1nTwBd
sQM61And from the ruined buildings came the screams of a madman.EHBnlU
pbTQvhaThat day, the children lost their nest.JG7t
8j2UThe time had come for even the youngest chicks to learn how to fly on their own.yiyHUW
xTRbAs they left behind the blackened walls of Sturma engulfed in flames…M32
No8UThe beating wings of those little birds departing for distant lands seemed unbearably sad.IeX7i
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