Chapter 51: Extermination of a Family
Knock, knock.
“Young lady, it’s Robin.”
“……”
“May I co in?”
When he opened the door and stepped inside, he saw Ilda lying on the bed, covered by her blanket.
Even after Robin pulled up a chair to sit beside the bed, she still kept her back turned.
“I bought so rpine cookies. Please have so.”
As he took out the freshly baked cookies wrapped in a paper bag, Ilda flinched.
They were her favorite cookies.
Normally, she would have greeted him with a bright smile, but not this ti.
“The loser of our bet has to grant the winner’s wish, rember? This is my wish. Please, have a taste.”
Ilda suddenly sat up.
Her eyes were red—perhaps she had been crying.
She picked up the cookie Robin brought and silently began to eat.
Crunch, crunch.
Cookies were dry by themselves, so Robin poured her so milk.
As expected, Ilda ate two cookies and drank the milk.
A faint smile appeared on Robin’s lips.
“Please listen while you eat. As you already know, young lady, I’ll soon—”
“No.”
“Pardon? I haven’t even finished talking yet.”
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
That was right.
Robin intended to leave Regiville.
In two months, the knight examination would be held in the capital.
He had grown stronger and could now protect himself.
Rather than hiding his ability, it was ti to show it to the world.
He had already told Baron Tefir a month ago.
The baron had gladly given his blessing, saying he supported Robin’s dream.
Of course, the news must have reached Ilda’s ears, but he hadn’t told her directly.
She would have opposed it with all her might.
‘Just as I thought.’
Around the ti of Ilda’s ninth birthday—
She had learned the sword because of a man she t while secretly going out with Robin.
In the process, she received much help from him.
Not only in swordsmanship but also ntally.
The killing intent that could have scarred her for life had been overco thanks to Robin.
It had been a positive change, but one thing bothered him.
Robin’s presence had grown far too large in Ilda’s heart.
“I was going to tell you this if I won the bet. Don’t go.”
“But I’m the one who won.”
“I’m not saying you can’t beco a knight. Just wait one more year.”
“Why one year, of all things?”
“Because I’ll go with you.”
That was a problem.
Baron Tefir would never permit it.
If his only heir beca a knight, who would inherit the family na?
‘It’s not impossible, but the baron would never allow it.’
Robin only gave an awkward smile without answering.
He felt sorry for Ilda, but his decision was already made.
There was no turning back.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re awful.”
Robin took a deep breath.
He, too, had grown attached to Ilda.
But he still had to go.
Because that was a promise.
“It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. I’ll write to you.”
“Why go that far? Things are good enough as they are.”
He didn’t answer her question.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t tell her about his promise with Jeremy, but…
During his ti here, he could never shake off the suspicion that Baron Tefir might actually be Jeremy’s biological father.
He had asked the baron directly several tis, but all he ever got was the answer that Jeremy had indeed been his illegitimate child.
Nothing beyond that.
Perhaps there was sothing the baron hadn’t told him.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Ilda—but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
It didn’t sound nice to admit he was fulfilling the last wish of a half-brother he hadn’t even known existed.
“Does soone need a reason to dream big? I just want to see how far I can go.”
“…Right. I suppose so.”
“Please rest well.”
“I just… wanted to beat you at least once.”
Ilda’s reddened eyes twisted in frustration.
Robin silently watched the tears streaming from her large eyes.
“I’m a swordswoman too. As one sword-user to another, I wanted to win against you.”
“……”
“The inferiority of a diocre person beside a genius… you’ll never understand that.”
Robin was at a loss for words.
He hadn’t known Ilda harbored such feelings.
After all, she had always smiled brightly whenever they trained together.
“Uh… I…”
“Just leave.”
Robin closed his mouth, not knowing how to comfort her.
As she said, he quietly shut the door and left the mansion.
The calm night air brushed through his hair.
“My skills… maybe I should’ve hidden them a bit more.”
He had thought he’d done his duty well as her personal attendant—but perhaps not.
As Ilda had said, he might never truly understand how she felt.
Maybe not for the rest of his life.
‘Still, I can’t get conceited. There are many strong people in the world.’
He had thought he would leave cleanly, but it wasn’t so simple.
With mixed feelings and unease, he walked slowly.
Baron Tefir would return tonight at the earliest, tomorrow at the latest.
He had already said goodbye to those around him.
“This feels strange.”
Regiville, the city where he had settled after following the rcenary band from Stonegoth.
The seven years Robin spent here had been the most peaceful of his life.
Ti had flowed by without anyone precious dying or getting hurt.
He had learned the manners of nobility, accumulated knowledge, and honed his swordsmanship.
He felt sorry toward Ilda, but at the sa ti, he was looking forward to it.
It was ti to see just how far he had co.
‘Is everyone doing well, I wonder.’
Feeling sentintal before his departure, he took one last walk around the mansion that had sheltered him all these years.
When he had first seen it, the mansion had looked enormous, but now it seed a little smaller.
The main building, the garden, the servants’ quarters, the training yard—he visited them all in turn, and as he passed through the main gate for the last ti,
A man he had never seen before approached the guards.
‘Unless it’s the baron himself… what could this be about at this hour?’
Curious, Robin moved closer to the gate.
He kept a distance so as not to disturb the guards on duty, but listened carefully.
Step, step.
“Halt. Who goes there?”
One of the guards blocked the man’s way.
The firelight from the brazier revealed that the man wore a sword at his waist.
His brown hair and cold features gave off a chilling impression.
“I ca to see Baron Tefir.”
“I asked who you are.”
“Captain of the 3rd Imperial Knights, Verman.”
“What?”
“I an exactly what I said.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
The man pulled an identification badge from his chest and showed it.
It bore the seal proving his mbership in the Imperial Knights.
The guard’s eyes widened in shock.
“A-are you truly the Captain of the Imperial Knights…?”
“I am here on official business by His Majesty the Emperor’s order. I ca to see Baron Tefir.”
“I beg your pardon, but the baron is currently away. He is expected to arrive within two days. Could you wait until then? If you tell us where you are staying, we’ll send word when he returns.”
“Hm.”
The mont the guards confird his rank, one of them ran toward the mansion—to inform the butler.
Robin held his breath and studied Verman.
With an expressionless face, the man spoke.
“I’ll wait inside.”
“B-but…”
Verman walked past the guards.
He moved so naturally that no one dared to stop him.
When he reached the garden, Greg ca running.
“Stop right there.”
Verman halted.
Even before the Captain of the Imperial Knights, Greg stood tall without losing his composure.
“This is the estate of Baron Tefir. No one may enter without permission.”
“Didn’t they tell you? I said I’m here on official business.”
“I have no intention of defying the command of His Majesty the Emperor. However, this is Baron Tefir’s domain. I’d appreciate it if you’d show proper respect.”
“Show respect? Who? ? To the likes of you?”
The atmosphere froze.
Unless one was born a noble before becoming a knight, even the Captain of the Imperial Knights was not necessarily of noble birth.
And as far as Greg knew, Verman was no noble.
In other words, they were equals—a baronet to a baronet.
Of course, the Captain’s authority could make even nobles bow, but Greg still stood his ground, praying that the man wouldn’t co any closer.
“The baron has loyal subordinates. Fine. I’ll wait at the gate.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Perhaps there was a kind of bond between knights.
Seeing Verman withdraw at Greg’s words, the guards looked at Greg with newfound respect.
Verman walked outside the gate and sat down where he was, not caring in the least whether guards were present or not.
‘But why has he co here at this hour? Judging from how he’s waiting for the baron’s return, it must be urgent.’
As Robin was about to return to his quarters, Greg caught him.
“Sir Greg?”
“Robin, listen carefully. Take Lady Ilda and leave this place at once.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know what that man does. Since he ca alone, he’s here to deal with a traitor.”
“A traitor?”
Greg gave a bitter smile.
Though the information was sudden, a single thought ford in Robin’s mind.
‘That man, Verman… ca to execute the baron?’
Rather than asking “why,” his mind already began forming a plan.
He had been preparing to leave Regiville for a month, so leaving the mansion imdiately would pose no problem.
He hadn’t planned to take Ilda with him, but that wasn’t a major issue.
If sothing happened, he could easily get her out.
“Tell
slowly—who is that man, and why should I take the young lady away?”
“I don’t know either. It’s an instruction the baron left in case sothing like this ever happened.”
Greg didn’t know the reason.
He could only guess.
“Don’t tell … the baron is a traitor to the Empire?”
“……”
“You’re joking, right?”
Greg said nothing.
His eyes never left Verman, who sat at the gate, scanning the mansion.
Robin couldn’t quite accept what was happening.
What reason would Baron Tefir have to defy the Empire?
He was a noble by birth—a beneficiary of its privileges.
Clop, clop, clop.
From afar ca the sound of carriage wheels.
It bore the crest of House Tefir.
The lord of this land had returned.
“Robin! What are you doing? Go, quickly!”
“But…”
Before he could answer, Greg dashed toward the main gate.
The urgency in his face and voice was unmistakable.
Robin didn’t know what was happening in the middle of the night, but he obeyed Greg’s command.
‘Nothing will happen.’
Murmuring that to himself, he returned to his quarters.
He packed his things and knocked on Ilda’s door.
“Robin?”
“Young lady, I don’t really know what’s going on either, but could you please get ready to leave? Don’t ask for details right now.”
“…Wait a mont.”
‘Still, just in case.’
“Young lady, take all your valuables too! Anything that might be worth money!”
Though she might have found it strange, Ilda followed Robin’s words without question.
In less than a minute, she opened the door, dressed for going out.
“So what’s going on?”
“Let’s just go. I’ll explain on the way.”
“Alright. And about earlier—sorry. I got too worked up.”
Ilda apologized for what had happened before, but there was no ti to talk leisurely.
Robin’s head was a whirl of confusion.
He had brought Ilda with him solely based on Greg’s words, but it was still hard to believe.
The idea that Baron Tefir might be a traitor.
Once they stepped outside the mansion, they saw Baron Tefir stepping down from a carriage.
His hands were bound in cuffs.
“Father?”
His eyes t Ilda’s.
“Ilda, run—”
Slash.
Thud. Roll.
The baron’s head rolled across the ground.
Verman’s sword had moved so fast it was invisible.
With just a flick of his hand, Baron Tefir’s head and body were separated.
“Huh?”
Everyone froze at the surreal sight.
Robin, Ilda, Greg, the guards—
Even the servants who had co out wondering what was happening at this hour.
Only one man spoke, utterly indifferent.
“For raising his sword against the Empire, the House of Tefir is hereby sentenced to extermination.”
“You bastard!!”
Greg drew his sword and charged at Verman.
Clang!
His blade surged with aura, but it was stopped by Verman’s sword.
“Sir Greg, are you a traitor as well?”
“You lunatic! How dare you strike down the baron!”
Two streaks of blue aura collided with a vicious roar.
Everyone began to back away from the two knights.
Robin ca to his senses and looked beside him.
Ilda’s trembling hand reached into the empty air.
“F… Father…?”
Tap-tap-tap!
Before Robin could stop her, Ilda ran forward.
She was so fast that even he could barely keep up.
She stopped before Baron Tefir’s corpse.
From the cleanly severed neck, blood gushed up in heavy spurts.
Ilda stood frozen, unable even to touch him, simply staring.
“A… ah…”
“Robin! What are you doing?! Get the young lady out of here!”
Greg’s shout snapped Robin back to his senses.
If Baron Tefir had been executed on the spot, there was every chance Ilda would be accused of his cris as well.
Greg was barely holding Verman off, but anyone could see he was at a disadvantage.
“Young lady! We have to get out of here now!”
“Let go! How can I leave my father here?!”
“This isn’t the ti for—!”
Slash!
Thud.
The sound of tearing flesh, followed by a dull impact against the ground.
Greg’s left arm had been severed.
“You’ve trained quite diligently. Not many can last this long.”
“Graaah!!”
Greg, using his remaining arm, charged once more—but it was futile.
“Young lady, we really have no ti now!”
“Yes. That man killed my father…”
Just as Ilda tried to rise and rush at Verman, Robin struck the back of her neck with the edge of his hand.
He caught her as she collapsed unconscious and imdiately ran in the opposite direction.
“All soldiers of House Tefir, hear ! Stop that man so the young lady can escape safely!”
At Greg’s command, the remaining guards rallied.
“I won’t stop you—but co closer and you’ll die.”
“He killed the baron! Kill hi—ugh…”
Greg couldn’t finish his words before collapsing.
Verman’s blade had pierced his throat, blood streaming out.
“Will you charge at
too?”
When Verman shook the blood from his sword, none of the surrounding guards dared move.
“Good choice. I’ll leave the cleanup to you.”
“W-where are you going, sir?”
At the guard’s question, Verman turned his head slightly.
“I told you—I’m on official business. I must see it through.”
Verman began to follow the footprints of the black-haired boy.
To erase from this land the last heir of House Tefir.
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