Chapter 304: Side Story – The Young Dragons in Search of a Place to Go (1)
lbcThe Albarion Imperial Palace.nd4N99
EObd3rThe symbol of the capital, Brigantes, radiated a gentle light tinged with an ivory glow.F3Jfpqa
e7HJujcIn the garden at the center of that magnificent palace stood a man.40ss
LDzKPSr“They failed?”mE0Z
dYZleYXHe was a man with brown hair.hgF3g
2qT6hTall, broad-shouldered, and thick-browed.rrfpH
Sf08iAlthough he wore loose-fitting clothes, his sturdy physique was unmistakable, showing that he was in the prime of his life.ICoZ
jXlcGki“And even after sending them all those troops?”NcCD4S
u3YkUpon hearing the report, the man let out a disbelieving laugh.2J3Rr
vP7At the same time, his hand stopped moving.oWeQcS
3XrTiSBeneath the pond, a school of hungry carp repeatedly opened and closed their mouths, waiting for the man to throw them food.oVpBNN3
QEUU“They say the resistance was almost on the scale of a riot. That’s why it wasn’t easy to take the children…”D1T
vG1mkc“And that’s exactly why I sent them an army, Razmael.”Tv3c1
x7KlzCRThe man’s gaze, fixed on the Court Duke, gleamed dangerously.phrEZJS
Fqy“That army was sent so they could use it. Since they had already drawn their swords, they should have at least pretended to swing them.”0kIT
6BnSQ2The fish food crumbled inside the man’s hand.IU4jy
vZDU5AThe hungry fish continued gathering, drawn by the scent, but he had no intention whatsoever of opening his fist.b8YJG0
mOisg2“What is it that makes you so cautious? Haven’t the Swordmaster and we already crossed a river from which there is no return?”rqY
Fao7The brown-haired man walked toward Razmael.CBsFXiy
IiyFLSMEach of his steps was heavy and solemn.iMe
1BfTiThe Emperor of the Empire lightly tapped Razmael’s chest as he said,WCMlmZ
vax“Don’t forget, Razmael. Remember who trampled both your family and mine.”WSRU
kTlX“……”6mE
52aA1p“Never forget what the dragons did to this Empire.”jwiq2Q0
p0FOaMore than twenty years ago, there had existed a dragon that sought to achieve perfection by feeding on the Empire’s blood.F8U2C
2TxJcThe oldest dragon, who humiliated the noble Imperial Family and wiped out its rightful heirs.3HXYVw
KLXmaJThe two men now standing in that garden were among the few survivors who had managed to escape that monster.m95
dkk0s3k“As long as Dragulia’s blood still exists, there will never be peace in the Empire.”N24N
1HwYThe Emperor raised a finger and pointed toward the sky.UQBPBS
rBWj5UThere floated a black moon bathed in a pale white light.Z1i6Ntq
6QSnD“Let’s not allow those bastards to do whatever they want again. Understood, Razmael?”TwclnU
MqtDHearing those words, Court Duke Razmael bowed deeply.TOCU069
7aTru“Yes, Your Majesty.”zRpjk
wEO9ItThe age of dragons had already come to an end.Y7s
OYXzBut the wounds they had left behind were still deep.aaWPPy
4R3Wounds that might never heal.8jJ
qyMnU2FAnd because of them, the two moons, unable to trust one another, continued to watch each other with hatred.vB2
3H17Da***Mcqs
tkUvA man and a boy walked through a dark forest.yEspFv
2jYIt was the forest west of Soara, so dense that it barely allowed sunlight to pass through.dA8Ky9
mmCVZQBefore the Spirit Route existed, merchants had often crossed it, but now the path was covered only with patches of wild grass.iy8VLb
CHVfM“So if I can’t call you old man, what do you want me to call you?”GCt
324WJKEmil walked with his ears keenly alert in case any pursuers appeared.AmaVV
VYQBehind him walked a man too old to be middle-aged, yet too young to be called elderly, grumbling as he listened to the boy’s words.6gYyq8
nm32fd“There are plenty of other ways to address me. Master, Sir Knight, things like that.”TJ75VV
7Qen3IdThe man was quite bothered that Emil insisted on calling him old man.U8h1U
1s8o“But you’ve never taught me anything, so calling you Master would be weird.”vPhP8
bZVsg“And Sir Knight?”Syq
befaWhen the man suggested that, Emil turned to look at him and frowned.BjEQCAa
kJF“And how am I supposed to know whether you’re really a knight or not?”3NTX
O4puHe was a man of unknown identity.aiP
lYoAlthough it was customary for retired knights not to reveal their names, Emil was in a situation where he had to be suspicious of everything.fIC
A3hdN“Then why do you think I saved you?”B8Zc
BoV“……”tqw
SRjlAt that question, Emil was left speechless.tPwKaR0
nzk“Because I’m a knight. Retired knights have a habit of sticking our noses into other people’s business.”KBr
4aSxr27“And someone from the center came all the way to the north just for that?”ym5zB
ftr4CszWhen Emil called him someone from the center, the man fell silent for a moment.kPL
h4hXj“How are you so sure I’m from the center?”cZx
QfkMEmil didn’t answer.uRkP
eOPIYrHe simply raised a finger beside his nose and drew a circle in the air, imitating a mustache.mVe6kT6
Cvgor1z“No one in the north wears a mustache like that. Only people from the center who care too much about appearances.”7Gp5EX
x7w“Ahem! Appearances? That’s called the dignity of a grown man.”XGn
UEUEven though it had only been a guess, Emil had been right.SkxZOJ
zfHlXThe man pulled a piece of dried fruit from his pocket and offered it to him as he spoke.zzeRC
pbhj00“The truth is, I owed your father a debt a long time ago. I came to Soara intending to repay that favor, and then this whole mess happened.”5EyM
g1ngJHe was still a man of unknown identity.DGjYE
zWS8ZBut his actions had shown who he was.nOF
q45He was the first to notice the arrival of the Dragon Slayer Knights and the one who managed to get Emil out of Soara before they could capture him.2DOzKgi
9TR8Emil didn’t know what debt he owed his father, but he was convinced the two of them must have been very close.PNX
Hlg03“I don’t like raisins.”HVIBIZq
WGx“Just eat them. Kids these days don’t know how valuable food is.”RpTL8
3pRoTThough he grumbled, the man reached into his pocket again and, instead of raisins, handed Emil some dried figs.Ix3bXi
H2m7ZkS“By the way, where are you planning to go now?”kwizElz
uaGafEmil took a big bite of the dried fig before answering.EeuJ0oD
bEIC2Dh“To Deirmar.”mRu
vNoWKEmil’s next destination was the city of Deirmar.5hSNn
XEoPotEThe territory of Baron Hainal’s family, Lady Alicia’s city.22p9
qSp9bn“That’s my home. I was born there.”Un20
X6hSince he had been too young to remember, Emil had run through the hills of Deirmar.P5Sl
kXckIlSir Duncan was there, who had cared for him as much as Ramund had, and so were the elves of Aushrin, who always showed up with curious trinkets.BTxOQMy
KlNEogOUnlike bustling Soara, it was a quiet, rural town, but Emil loved its scenery just as much.WGgng
0y2ase“If we get there, we’ll be safe.”FWPI9
D5eA8KWhen he heard that Emil wanted to head to Deirmar, the man stroked his mustache and fell into thought.DKR
z6Co21r“…I don’t think so.”qgW4a
wdK3If they couldn’t stay in Soara, then going to Deirmar was the obvious choice.sPyvmZv
eTq4q7fBut that was precisely the problem.IHoAw6
FPhouRIt was too obvious a choice.9tALaY
5otSo obvious that the Dragon Slayer Knights would surely think the same thing.GaRi9y9
M3xFw“You shouldn’t take things for granted so easily. It’s dangerous.”f7se
ImrvqiPThe man’s words, spoken from behind him, carried a strange depth.Wnt
KEEO0G5A depth so profound that Emil stopped in his tracks.uVuI7X
PJrjoh“Because people who try to deceive others usually take advantage of those very obvious assumptions.”x9S
2UTWhen Emil turned around, he saw the man scratching his head while looking away.lHiU
ePN8OHe seemed to be avoiding the boy’s gaze, though Emil couldn’t understand why.xg7o
eFOlz“It’ll be safer than Soara, which has already been attacked, but the road to Deirmar will be quite difficult. I heard rumors that several of the most influential families from the center have already deployed troops to the north.”PlV
o3P5LrThe Emperor had lost his influence over the north.uGO5hU
Qx3aKHowever, because of that, he had easily gained the support of the central nobility.unzR
3JkQThe central nobles had lost much of their former privilege, not only because of the growing power of the north, but also because of outside forces such as the elves and the dwarves.zEDlw
Eolofkw“Then where do I go?”fEgDAf
rqdHearing that even the road to Deirmar would not be safe, Emil’s expression hardened.0jyR
E7jC2He came to a complete stop, as though he had lost all sense of direction.H3n0di
8qHfThe retired knight watched him before speaking.xF1
mXvOws3“As long as they don’t catch you, everything will be fine. Once your father returns, all of this will be resolved.”QrELm
1AbWaNAfter reassuring the boy, he continued.hTH
BZe“So instead of Deirmar, how about heading straight west?”PVWCL
nhqltps“To the west?”eOmMrd
422z3y2“Yes, to the west.”uSg
o8tWfHThe Dragon Slayer Knights naturally assumed Emil would head for Deirmar.0b6hj
Z3vWRtThat was precisely why the man believed skipping Deirmar and traveling much farther away would be the best way to deceive them.HOv0
eNSPnG“Let’s go to the city of Trinova. Countess Lavnoma will be able to protect you.”XsEh9g
ZNirTiThere was a region that hated the Imperial Family just as much as the north did.lxPSKy
JPPJEjThe western part of the continent.90CL
3LMA land that had suffered greatly under the Gaidar family.teCa
XarAlthough it had been brought to the brink of destruction by the schemes of the Imperial Family and Dragulia, there was a family there that had reclaimed its name thanks to a blue-eyed boy.fBzZ
Wtp0do“Besides, the dwarves of Nidavellir are nearby. Even the Dragon Slayer Knights will have a hard time getting close there.”EDQkhFU
C1OsRkEmil nodded slowly.29WkhVz
wBuCharles Lavnoma.4Ky2
VCxHe remembered seeing her when he was little.CEPoYex
VrXp5AGShe was a woman with dark green hair cut into a flawless bob.1wp
UNRIHer sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing anyone like the tip of a sword, while her pale face retained only the refined elegance carved by years of training.pm2
bjX9p“All right.”2pg
0zmShe was the woman admired by every young girl who dreamed of becoming a knight, including his sister, Yustia.i07N
s0j5And she was also one of the few people his father said he could trust completely.3EVn8Hs
VzQjZ2“Let’s go west.”AyAs2Bm
dSewbWith his destination decided, Emil resumed walking.j5lNTs
71IjxtHis destination was the west.Zwgn
z4OM80NThe city of Trinova, home of the Lavnoma family.pFQe6OM
YEVz***TZzjUq
5lTmovThe western city of Trinova.9g0Dyo
S2IA place where even the blazing summer sun could not overcome the cool sea breeze.hLsgf
uvSrafInside the study of a residence with its windows open to let in the wind, a woman rested her head on her desk with her eyes closed.sHu
ZnwZQ“Countess. Countess?”x9CfTe
04UShe was a woman with very fair skin and dark green hair.tNGnB
coj9dmxAnyone would turn to look at her because of her extraordinary beauty.ntu
7y8UZDyHowever, Martha, the head maid, wore an expression full of concern.EEC6jtd
prrM“Countess! Countess! Oh, I’m going to lose my mind!”Hlp
dB9Because countless empty liquor bottles surrounded her.8jmYfY
e1UkLarge bottles of every kind.Gb9OK
rjbaLxDThe strong smell of alcohol filled the study as Martha, completely exasperated, grabbed Charles by the shoulders and shook her.MF5jA
CEDHA“Milady! How many bottles did you drink last night?”vVNnWR
dEf2yGB“Mmm…”j4dzW
qQ5Only then did Charles stir and slowly lift her head.1ET0k1
DMP“Ah… Martha… give me a glass of water.”x4caE06
oHe2She had slept so deeply that her sweat-soaked hair clung to her cheeks.pi2ia0
IyiHer face was also completely smeared with ink.eKcPBnG
alFoAnd there was still a trail of drool running from the corner of her mouth.2rMMm
x5R6uZSeeing her like that, Martha handed her a glass of water with a frown.XwB9N
yVix7“I’m afraid someone will see you like this. Do you really plan on getting married someday?”ykpXS
G2yThe moment she heard the word married, Charles’s hand stopped reaching for the glass of water and went straight for another bottle of liquor.i3ya
WK1“What are you going to do with your life? You’re almost thirty already, Milady… I mean, Countess.”r3gNCi
2oKvZlAOfficially, they were mistress and servant, but in truth they were more like mother and daughter.ZZjbuVW
CYN15After all, Martha had raised Charles as though she were her own daughter ever since she was little.zPjR4
jOMmoQEven during the tragedy caused by the Gaidar family, she had endured countless hardships to protect the young Charles.jZz
e2zuP“I don’t want to hear about it!”kOA
O9BMSSA“What do you mean you don’t want to hear about it? Are you planning to end the Lavnoma family line right here?”sJMK7c
uuhn9HThat was precisely why Charles could never stand up to her.axn8
cpxWOlMartha could even shove marriage proposals right in front of her face without the Countess being able to protest.kwWr
dhT7rxR“Look at all these outstanding young men begging to meet you, and you won’t even grant them an audience?”OU5f
4Hvz“……”2RPl9
blhVtk“I might as well die now and go apologize to the late Count and the late Countess. Honestly…”Fo7
ZkHGmUAs Martha continued lecturing her, Charles raised another glass of liquor.9ApJCH
7RzA woman already of marriageable age, drinking hard liquor in broad daylight.doe0u
9HwMartha’s eyes narrowed more and more.X4x5
a8Di57“If you won’t get married, then at least go get yourself an heir some other way!”sEFg
7BlPum“I’d like to do that too!”hAOYA
qkuIlquCharles slammed the glass onto the desk and answered, still completely drunk.16A0bEX
aqfy“If I could, I would’ve done it already!”sFGla
pyNoA3eThe alcohol from the previous night had still not worn off.yN99H
d1M03RkAnd after enduring Martha’s lecture, Charles’s eyes began to fill with tears.LiXjV
ac7rMfZ“I don’t want any of these pretenders…”xAxFU
oOBluPThe desk was piled high with marriage proposals sent by countless noble families.gS5
TnoVuFTEvery one of them overflowed with flattery and sweet words meant to win her over.1Qf
SPaWgBut Charles had not the slightest interest in any of those men.lVYN6Iu
aTALTr0“I want a blond-haired, blue-eyed child too!”tEFU
wJgjnBecause ever since childhood, she had carried her first love in her heart.jpPf1g
IEjTNThe blue-eyed knight who had saved her so gracefully during the hardest period of her life.Smlw
KE3Cy4Displayed in her study like a treasured heirloom was still the old, worn cloak Vlad had given her.MaCbn
8rv“Oh, my young lady… what am I supposed to do with you?”cwp
qOpKcmbIf it wasn’t that person, she didn’t want to marry anyone.fF7L
r4iMAs she watched Charles cry her heart out like a little girl, completely drunk, Martha could do nothing but beat her chest in resignation.vlZ8o1G
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