“I will definitely kill you with my own hands.”
As the fire in the village, which had been burning steadily, died down, Evan ran into the village without thinking.
‘Ah...’
It was a sight that left him speechless.
He saw the firewood burning in the furnace, and he saw someone who twisted their neck to pluck out the feathers of a chicken being burned. He had also seen someone who had suffered severe burns all over their body after a house fire.
Although he didn’t look closely, he couldn’t easily forget the sight of them groaning with their body’s outer skin damaged and their pus flowing out, which was red and shiny.
‘Leoni. Please stay alive.’
In his desperately wishing mind, his wife’s beautiful smile, which had waved her hand to tell him to take care, was eaten away as each dark red spark flew. He hoped she had escaped the incomprehensible fire.
She was such a smart and great woman. He believed that she couldn’t just disappear like this.
If she was alive, she would have circled the fire and come down to the village. Evan walked around the village for several days, but there was no sign of anyone escaping outside the village.
Furthermore, seeing that the entrance to the small and cozy village had been blocked with large and thick trees and set on fire as if blocking the escape route, his blood froze like ice in the boiling heat of a furnace.
The village existed under the branches of the sacred tree Arbor, which stretched out like a mountain.
So the large and thick branches that fell from the trees continuously provided firewood to burn the small houses that were built by human hands, as if they were blending into nature. There was no trace of digging the ground to erect pillars in the house site, and it was filled with charcoal and ash that had been broken into finger-sized pieces.
‘Eeeeeeeee!’
Evan lost his reason and screamed.
Whoever made the village like this would not forgive him.
Even if it was God.
He was truly ready to chase after God or something similar to him and tear it apart.
It was then.
Sensing a presence, Evan instinctively ran to a place where the smoke was hanging in the forest due to the wind and hid.
They looked around the village here and there, stacked the firewood they had brought here and there, and poured oil.
As if someone had made a mistake, the village, which was still hot, caught fire again.
'Temnes...'
The enemy of the family.
Evan watched what they were doing for a moment and then turned around and came down the mountain.
'It's better to have a living person as my opponent for revenge.'
With that thought in his heart, he grabbed Claudel and Hannah and ran towards the castle of Valmonde.
If he was the brother who would always curse the ignorant and cruel Temnes bastards with his vassals and landowners whenever he had a chance to speak out, he would have severely punished them at this opportunity.
'The Temnes dared to do something ridiculous in Valmonde!'
However, the Duke of Vermont's reaction was different from what Evan had expected.
'The village of Plogne is an inviolable territory. It can't be considered Vermont's business.'
'...What?'
Evan was embarrassed, watching him act as if it was nothing.
'The sacred tree and the village of Plogne were completely burned down. Isn't it the duty of Vermont to protect the secrets of the continent?'
'That duty lies with the Oberon royal family. I don't know about this.'
Evan doubted his ears.
'Temnes came all the way to Valmonde without a sound and caused this chaos. Are you saying that you don't care?'
He had grown up learning that Temnes must be killed at all costs, even if other enemies were spared.
‘Leoni. Please stay alive.’
In his desperately wishing mind, his wife’s beautiful smile, which had waved her hand to tell him to take care, was eaten away as each dark red spark flew. He hoped she had escaped the incomprehensible fire.
She was such a smart and great woman. He believed that she couldn’t just disappear like this.
If she was alive, she would have circled the fire and come down to the village. Evan walked around the village for several days, but there was no sign of anyone escaping outside the village.
Furthermore, seeing that the entrance to the small and cozy village had been blocked with large and thick trees and set on fire as if blocking the escape route, his blood froze like ice in the boiling heat of a furnace.
The village existed under the branches of the sacred tree Arbor, which stretched out like a mountain.
So the large and thick branches that fell from the trees continuously provided firewood to burn the small houses that were built by human hands, as if they were blending into nature. There was no trace of digging the ground to erect pillars in the house site, and it was filled with charcoal and ash that had been broken into finger-sized pieces.
‘Eeeeeeeee!’
Evan lost his reason and screamed.
Whoever made the village like this would not forgive him.
Even if it was God.
He was truly ready to chase after God or something similar to him and tear it apart.
It was then.
Sensing a presence, Evan instinctively ran to a place where the smoke was hanging in the forest due to the wind and hid.
They looked around the village here and there, stacked the firewood they had brought here and there, and poured oil.
As if someone had made a mistake, the village, which was still hot, caught fire again.
'Temnes...'
The enemy of the family.
Evan watched what they were doing for a moment and then turned around and came down the mountain.
'It's better to have a living person as my opponent for revenge.'
With that thought in his heart, he grabbed Claudel and Hannah and ran towards the castle of Valmonde.
If he was the brother who would always curse the ignorant and cruel Temnes bastards with his vassals and landowners whenever he had a chance to speak out, he would have severely punished them at this opportunity.
'The Temnes dared to do something ridiculous in Valmonde!'
However, the Duke of Vermont's reaction was different from what Evan had expected.
'The village of Plogne is an inviolable territory. It can't be considered Vermont's business.'
'...What?'
Evan was embarrassed, watching him act as if it was nothing.
'The sacred tree and the village of Plogne were completely burned down. Isn't it the duty of Vermont to protect the secrets of the continent?'
'That duty lies with the Oberon royal family. I don't know about this.'
Evan doubted his ears.
'Temnes came all the way to Valmonde without a sound and caused this chaos. Are you saying that you don't care?'
He had grown up learning that Temnes must be killed at all costs, even if other enemies were spared.
The Duke of Vermont's eyes looking at him had a familiar golden color, but they were very unfamiliar.
'It's easy to rule because we're all at each other's throats. Wasn't there really no chance for the two families to reconcile and unite during our ancestors' time? '
'What do you mean? That?'
'Vermont is a good excuse for Temnes, and Temnes is a good excuse for Vermont to cover up the family head's wrongdoings.'
Only then did Evan understand the Duke of Vermonte's words.
Even a lord who rules over a large territory or a head of a powerful family is human.
Humans cannot be perfect. Even when the resentment of the people of the territory grows louder, such as in a disaster or calamity, blaming the real enemy covered up our mistakes and made it easier to unite the people.
The Duke of Vermont had no intention of attacking Temnes.
Then what happened to the legacy of the ancestors passed down through the generations?
Were the words they said at the end of their lives that Temnes should never be forgiven and should be severely punished just words calculated based on political logic to the point of futility?
Evan suppressed his anger and asked the Duke of Vermont.
'I won't expect much help from my brother. Give me one knight. For that, I'll cut off the Duke of Temnes's head.'
'I can't allow it.'
'What?'
The Duke of Vermont said coldly.
'Since you're a red-handed person, you must not raise your sword against Temnes.'
'What?'
'Don't even think about taking revenge on Temnes.'
Evan, who had been suppressing his emotions until now, exploded in anger.
'Then what should I do! When you told me to live as if my brother didn't exist!'
The fur on his body stood on end like a beast's mane in anger.
'Did I say no? I just followed because you said it was necessary for the family.'
'Well said. So this time, I'll do the same. Listen. Bring Evan out.'
'Brother!'
There was no trace of affection for his brother in his golden eyes.
'You must not become a burden to the family.'
'Do you think I'm going to back down like this?'
Then the Duke of Vermont raised his hand. Armed soldiers held Evan from both sides and stopped walking.
The Duke of Vermont slowly approached and suddenly kicked Evan's shin with all his might.
'Ugh!'
As Evan fell to his knees, he met his eye level.
'The hostage is Claudel.'
Evan's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
'It breaks my heart that you won't back down. Which would you rather have, losing your child or having your child become an orphan?'
'Seymour!'
Evan roared as he was dragged away, enraged.
'You won't stop me! I will have my revenge on Temnes!'
The man, screaming and going berserk, was tied up and dragged away like a hunted animal as several soldiers grabbed him and beat him.
He didn't particularly blame the Duke of Vermont.
He resented himself for not being able to build up his power and for never even thinking about having the authority to control the entire family.
For not being able to protect Leonie.
For asks his brother for a sword to take revenge on the enemy who took his wife’s life.
Looking back, it was truly shameful.
When it comes to a sword to stab an enemy’s heart, you should sharpen it yourself rather than borrowing someone else’s.
After being banished to the Sol Continent, Evan gradually prepared for revenge. He thought that if he didn’t do it with his own hands, he wouldn’t be able to face Leonie even after death.
“Wait a minute, Leonie.”
It didn’t seem to suit her tastes when she was alive, but he couldn’t bear to give her an unwanted gift.
Rowen Castle regained its vitality.
Telegrams were cut off, and it was impossible to leave for the capital with a travel permit issued by Lord Rowen.
Nevertheless, everyone was happy and worked more happily than in a dangerous and precarious atmosphere.
After the autumn harvest, the young men of Rowen would put down their rakes and take up arms.
But no one was crying or complaining.
It seemed as if they were all determined to be faithful to the present rather than imagine the uncertain horrors of war.
“The lord is really pitiful. It’s only been three years since he returned from the battlefield, and now he’s back in the field.”
Some were worried, but others were not. A few men gathered around, smoking cigarettes and sighing.
“If he doesn’t return, won’t the Vermont bloodline take over Temnes?”
“Oh, you. How dare you say such things. If the lord hears about it, you’ll be in trouble.”
“You never know what happens in life... Ouch! Ouch! Why are you like this?”
'It's easy to rule because we're all at each other's throats. Wasn't there really no chance for the two families to reconcile and unite during our ancestors' time? '
'What do you mean? That?'
'Vermont is a good excuse for Temnes, and Temnes is a good excuse for Vermont to cover up the family head's wrongdoings.'
Only then did Evan understand the Duke of Vermonte's words.
Even a lord who rules over a large territory or a head of a powerful family is human.
Humans cannot be perfect. Even when the resentment of the people of the territory grows louder, such as in a disaster or calamity, blaming the real enemy covered up our mistakes and made it easier to unite the people.
The Duke of Vermont had no intention of attacking Temnes.
Then what happened to the legacy of the ancestors passed down through the generations?
Were the words they said at the end of their lives that Temnes should never be forgiven and should be severely punished just words calculated based on political logic to the point of futility?
Evan suppressed his anger and asked the Duke of Vermont.
'I won't expect much help from my brother. Give me one knight. For that, I'll cut off the Duke of Temnes's head.'
'I can't allow it.'
'What?'
The Duke of Vermont said coldly.
'Since you're a red-handed person, you must not raise your sword against Temnes.'
'What?'
'Don't even think about taking revenge on Temnes.'
Evan, who had been suppressing his emotions until now, exploded in anger.
'Then what should I do! When you told me to live as if my brother didn't exist!'
The fur on his body stood on end like a beast's mane in anger.
'Did I say no? I just followed because you said it was necessary for the family.'
'Well said. So this time, I'll do the same. Listen. Bring Evan out.'
'Brother!'
There was no trace of affection for his brother in his golden eyes.
'You must not become a burden to the family.'
'Do you think I'm going to back down like this?'
Then the Duke of Vermont raised his hand. Armed soldiers held Evan from both sides and stopped walking.
The Duke of Vermont slowly approached and suddenly kicked Evan's shin with all his might.
'Ugh!'
As Evan fell to his knees, he met his eye level.
'The hostage is Claudel.'
Evan's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
'It breaks my heart that you won't back down. Which would you rather have, losing your child or having your child become an orphan?'
'Seymour!'
Evan roared as he was dragged away, enraged.
'You won't stop me! I will have my revenge on Temnes!'
The man, screaming and going berserk, was tied up and dragged away like a hunted animal as several soldiers grabbed him and beat him.
He didn't particularly blame the Duke of Vermont.
He resented himself for not being able to build up his power and for never even thinking about having the authority to control the entire family.
For not being able to protect Leonie.
For asks his brother for a sword to take revenge on the enemy who took his wife’s life.
Looking back, it was truly shameful.
When it comes to a sword to stab an enemy’s heart, you should sharpen it yourself rather than borrowing someone else’s.
After being banished to the Sol Continent, Evan gradually prepared for revenge. He thought that if he didn’t do it with his own hands, he wouldn’t be able to face Leonie even after death.
“Wait a minute, Leonie.”
It didn’t seem to suit her tastes when she was alive, but he couldn’t bear to give her an unwanted gift.
***
Rowen Castle regained its vitality.
Telegrams were cut off, and it was impossible to leave for the capital with a travel permit issued by Lord Rowen.
Nevertheless, everyone was happy and worked more happily than in a dangerous and precarious atmosphere.
After the autumn harvest, the young men of Rowen would put down their rakes and take up arms.
But no one was crying or complaining.
It seemed as if they were all determined to be faithful to the present rather than imagine the uncertain horrors of war.
“The lord is really pitiful. It’s only been three years since he returned from the battlefield, and now he’s back in the field.”
Some were worried, but others were not. A few men gathered around, smoking cigarettes and sighing.
“If he doesn’t return, won’t the Vermont bloodline take over Temnes?”
“Oh, you. How dare you say such things. If the lord hears about it, you’ll be in trouble.”
“You never know what happens in life... Ouch! Ouch! Why are you like this?”
A woman came up with a poker and struck one of the men who was talking ominously.
“Where did you say that? If the lord can’t come back, who would not be able to return to Rowen? You’re unlucky!”
“No, I’m just saying that because I’m worried.”
“Oh. Right. You should just go and be fertilizer. Our lord would never lose a battle.”
“Why did you say that?”
The man who had put out his cigarette tried to collect the matter in a hurry, but the woman grumbled and ran away.
“Oh, my. You’re unlucky.”
“You can prepare one less dinner.”
Valquiterre had already officially declared in the capital that he would attack Rowen.
The reason was ‘treason.’
It was unexpected that the Rowen people were uniting to protect the baby who had the appearance of Vermont because of Valquiterre's reckless actions.
Claudel regained enough strength to hold the baby.
It was so skinny and damaged that it felt so pitiful that a mother couldn’t even raise a child after giving birth.
She was so happy that she could finally hold the baby, whose breasts were growing by the day, in one arm. Naturally, the time she spent taking care of the baby herself gradually increased.
“Kaian. Our baby is sleeping.”
Every time she whispered softly, lowering her voice so that the baby wouldn’t wake up, Kaian felt a tickle inside his ear.
“Words about babies are like fluff.”
He couldn’t understand why he was feeling this tingly inside his body just by hearing it.
“Kaian.”
“Huh?”
“Our baby. How long are you planning on naming it?”
Kaian furrowed his brows in embarrassment at her question.
“Be honest. You haven’t named it yet, right?”
Claudel puffed out her cheeks.
“I understand. You’re so busy these days.”
She omitted the words “because of war preparations.” Understanding and feeling sad are two different things, so now it’s time for the baby, who won’t be able to be called ‘baby’ forever, to be given a proper name by his father.
“No. I named him. I named him, but I was having some trouble deciding.”
“Really? You’re not lying?”
“I have proof. Hmm.”
Kaian took out a folded piece of paper from his bosom as if to say, “ Look.”
Claudel’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Julien, Julius, Senev, Claudus, Ludwig, Francesco, Linus, Thorwallendorf...”
“Where did you say that? If the lord can’t come back, who would not be able to return to Rowen? You’re unlucky!”
“No, I’m just saying that because I’m worried.”
“Oh. Right. You should just go and be fertilizer. Our lord would never lose a battle.”
“Why did you say that?”
The man who had put out his cigarette tried to collect the matter in a hurry, but the woman grumbled and ran away.
“Oh, my. You’re unlucky.”
“You can prepare one less dinner.”
Valquiterre had already officially declared in the capital that he would attack Rowen.
The reason was ‘treason.’
It was unexpected that the Rowen people were uniting to protect the baby who had the appearance of Vermont because of Valquiterre's reckless actions.
Claudel regained enough strength to hold the baby.
It was so skinny and damaged that it felt so pitiful that a mother couldn’t even raise a child after giving birth.
She was so happy that she could finally hold the baby, whose breasts were growing by the day, in one arm. Naturally, the time she spent taking care of the baby herself gradually increased.
“Kaian. Our baby is sleeping.”
Every time she whispered softly, lowering her voice so that the baby wouldn’t wake up, Kaian felt a tickle inside his ear.
“Words about babies are like fluff.”
He couldn’t understand why he was feeling this tingly inside his body just by hearing it.
“Kaian.”
“Huh?”
“Our baby. How long are you planning on naming it?”
Kaian furrowed his brows in embarrassment at her question.
“Be honest. You haven’t named it yet, right?”
Claudel puffed out her cheeks.
“I understand. You’re so busy these days.”
She omitted the words “because of war preparations.” Understanding and feeling sad are two different things, so now it’s time for the baby, who won’t be able to be called ‘baby’ forever, to be given a proper name by his father.
“No. I named him. I named him, but I was having some trouble deciding.”
“Really? You’re not lying?”
“I have proof. Hmm.”
Kaian took out a folded piece of paper from his bosom as if to say, “ Look.”
Claudel’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Julien, Julius, Senev, Claudus, Ludwig, Francesco, Linus, Thorwallendorf...”
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