Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The fortress where the royal palace guards stay. The bright morning sunlight and the grandeur of the castle beautifully complemented each other.
The royal emblem fluttered on the flags throughout the fortress, and the large golden lion statue prominently placed in the center of the fortress boldly displayed the imperial lineage and authority.
When the incessant war came to an end, the Imperial Guard was gladly savoring the long-awaited era of peace.
On the top floor of the palace of the Imperial Guard, a man lay on a wide bed with his bare upper body exposed. Between the thin silver cloth covering his lower body, the curved femur was barely visible.
The large beast’s claw marks clearly left on the well-defined inverted triangle of back muscles. Acute pain constantly gnawed at my flesh.
A groan escaped through the gaps in his tightly clenched teeth. Cold sweat formed on his broad chest and forearms, which were marked with countless small scars from numerous battles.
In the strange sensation of tearing flesh to shreds, I pressed so hard that the bloody, metallic taste that burst from my lips was swallowed, echoing in my thick throat.
Severe fever. An incurable disease that cannot be healed. A curse imbued with divine power that even weak humans like you cannot hope to resolve.
In the consciousness that was gradually becoming hazy, that place was always at the end of the memories I wanted to erase.
A mansion with a splendid exterior, but with no place to rely on, where the cold wind seeps into the depths of one’s being. A small room that relies solely on the faint light seeping in.
And the only child who lit up this place, which clearly revealed my status as an illegitimate child.
“Young Master Eric, you’re awake.
“I’ll be right in.
The worn-out maid outfit she always wears and her matching frizzy brown hair. A girl with brown pupils the same color as her hair.
The emaciated figure and thin shoulders from all the menial tasks made the gaunt bones particularly noticeable.
However, the girl’s bright eyes always sparkled, which was incongruous with her shabby circumstances.
“I thought you might skip a meal again today, so I brought it myself.
“Ah, it’s a secret from the lady!
The day you find out, my cheeks won’t be left intact.
After losing her mother, she came here and got stuck in this desolate life without any direction.
Before he knew it, the boy had become accustomed to the girl, waiting for her to come here with a tiny candle in her small hand.
The memory of that girl always forcibly infused me with vitality, just as it always had. It forcibly held me back to the reality I wanted to escape from and dragged me back again.
The pain that used to twist me into a colossal, futile wreck vanished like snow melting in front of the remaining memories. Today, as always.
The wind coming through the gap in the window dried the wet hair coolly, and the eyes, gently closed between the long bangs, barely opened and closed with the breeze.
I have to live. You must survive and return there. You must drag them into the deep darkness, choke their necks, and break them.
The inner self was waking him up without giving him a moment’s rest.
No. What good is such a petty revenge? It was such an exhausting life. I want to take a break too.
At that moment, the voice of someone suddenly waking him up began to be heard.
“Deputy Commander, are you alright
“Deputy Commander….”
The calloused hand firmly grasped the subordinate’s nape. Even though he didn’t apply much force, the subordinate’s neck was ruthlessly twisted by the fierce grip.
“Bu, bu…”
He barely reached out his hand, but soon lost strength. His breathing was barely restored thanks to Eric, who had just regained his senses.
The blue pupils, imbued with a fierce spirit, gleamed through the deeply covered bangs. I wanted to thoroughly confirm the person in front of my eyes.
Unkempt brown hair that hasn’t been cut due to the long war. Pale skin and a frail build that made it questionable whether he had even participated in the war. It was his subordinate, Henry Somerset.
As he relaxed his grip, Henry clutched his neck and kept coughing.
Eric, with a twisted face, carelessly put on a thin robe that was on the side table.
“I told you not to come in recklessly.”
“Cough. No, no matter how much I call from outside, you don’t move at all…But treating a loyal subordinate like a stranger isn’t right, is it?
“A loyal subordinate.”
Eric loosely fastened his robe and sat down. The muscles, almost bursting out of the gown, moved slightly. The first thing that caught Henry’s eye, as he barely regained his senses, was the pitch-black hair soaked through.
“Is it because of the injury that you are once again on the brink of death?
“I’ll call a doctor. If you take some painkillers…
“Not necessary.”
Henry had been watching Eric’s fever for a long time and knew it well.
The wound caused by saving the emperor from the ambushed barbarians. It was an indelible scar and a curse that gnawed at the flesh.
The northern barbarians rode on grotesque beasts. A creature over 2 meters tall, with sharp horns on its head, resembling a white wolf.
The yellow, sharp teeth of the beast brutally tore into the person’s neck and shredded the flesh. Especially the moment the beast’s saliva touched, it instantly rotted the flesh.
The emperor chose a shortcut to cross the vast snowy mountains, but there were already 100,000 enemy troops, including barbarians riding massive beasts, waiting for the emperor’s soldiers.
Just before everyone was about to be slaughtered, there was someone who bravely broke through the enemy lines and saved the emperor.
A person who lured the enemy to be trampled by the beast’s claws instead of the emperor, and despite writhing in unbearable pain, never lost the fierce blue gaze.
Henry felt a great sense of pride in the fact that the person he served was such a valiant hero.
“So, what’s going on?”
In response to the cool and low voice that broke his reverie, Henry came to his senses and answered.
“The Emperor is calling for you.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Perhaps you are being summoned for a reward regarding this war.
“Commander, you are the one who saved His Majesty the Emperor, after all.
“Being treated with respect first is only natural.”
Even at the mention of a reward, Eric’s indifferent expression did not change. He simply picked up the glass of water next to him and downed it in one go.
A person who has no greed for wealth and power, and has not even properly found the reason for living. I expected my boss to act like that, but even in that situation, Henry felt a strange sense of respect.
Eric stood up from his seat and headed towards the wardrobe after a moment. As soon as he took off his gown, his gaze naturally fell on his bare chest.
Broad shoulders and deep collarbones, clearly defined muscles. Even his bulging chest and forearms. His tanned skin made them stand out.
Eric recalled the dream of the previous war and buttoned up his shirt one by one. As a result, his massive and solid torso stood out beautifully.
She who comes back to torment herself whenever she thinks she’s forgotten. A person who soothes the chilling pain that digs into the flesh.
Why do I keep trying to bring my blurry vision back into focus?
“It’s annoying to the eye.
“Twisting that neck might finally put an end to the torment.
Eric finished adjusting his clothes, oblivious to Henry behind him, who was clutching his neck with wide eyes at the words he had just blurted out.
“Welcome, Eric.
“No, I mean, Lieutenant Eric.
Inside the emperor’s audience chamber. The young emperor, Carlos, dressed in a white uniform with a flowing red cape, greeted Eric with a gentle smile.
Eric knelt down and respectfully greeted.
“I have the honor of meeting Your Majesty.”
“Geez, did you forget that we agreed to drop the formalities when it’s just us?”
In Eric’s stiff tone, only a sound of empty resignation slipped through the gaps between the emperor sitting in the seat of honor.
“I’ve felt it for a long time, but you need to learn some flexibility first.
“You act like a stiff, withered old tree.”
“Well, I wasn’t expecting anything from you, you grumpy person.
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting anything from you, the grumpy one.
“Just sit down.”
Eric sat opposite the emperor. Even while the maid was pouring the tea, the conversation did not cease.
“Returning to the palace after a long time, I couldn’t understand why the internal affairs had become so complicated.
“Now that the war has ended, I need to restore the discipline among the nobles that has been neglected for so long.
“It’s been quite a long time.”
“Yeah.
“Before that, I plan to reward those who have worked hard in the war. The first hero will be you. What would you like to receive? Speak freely. I’ll listen to anything.
Seeing Eric, who didn’t budge even with the reward, the emperor’s eyes sparkled. He laughed confidently.
“This is why I like you.
“To think you would refuse the opportunity to wield immense power. I have something in mind for you, just in case. As a reward for saving the emperor, I will grant you the title of marquis, along with the lands and the title of count.”
Eric’s eyebrows twitched slightly. It was an excessive act. He rejected the kindness outright.
“I have no great ambitions for power.
“This position alone is more than I deserve.
The emperor gently narrowed his eyes, picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip, and then spoke.
“I knew you would do that.
“But as a human, wouldn’t you want to show the Bailey family a successful version of yourself? If Sir Bailey hears this news, how proud would he be?”
Eric’s mouth closed tightly once again. In his ears, a sharp hallucination gradually began to be heard.
“You cursed our son, didn’t you?
“Save my son! You worthless piece of trash!
As Eric’s complexion darkened, the emperor comforted him with a worried expression.
“I was practically exiled to the outskirts during the reign of the late emperor.
“I gritted my teeth day by day, enduring in the cold frontier against the brutal and ruthless Jagal tribe. Someday, I will return. I swear I will definitely take revenge when I return.
Emperor Carlos was the only brother of the late emperor and was swiftly cast out by his brother, who saw him as a potential threat to his power in the future.
Before the late emperor passed away early due to illness without leaving an heir, Carlos spent his time on the outskirts and deeply felt how harsh the lives of the people in the border regions were.
After the death of the former emperor, the nobles all held their breath as they looked at Carlos, who had ascended to the throne. Soon, the blood revenge will begin.
However, contrary to expectations, Carlos waged war and fortified the outskirts.
He led different policies from the late emperor and personally participated in the war, earning the praise of the people.
“You resemble me.
“To those who have been neglected by their family, a serpent’s gaze is hidden within. You will surely return to the Bailey family I will gladly give you that reason.”
The emperor handed an invitation to Eric.
“The eldest son of the Bailey family is getting engaged this month.
“As the second son, can you really skip such a grand event?
Eric’s gaze immediately turned to the letter. His pupils trembled slightly.
