The carriage carrying Count Casper the Rich Man rolled along with a rattling noise and stopped near the mine.
“Here it is.”
The coachman opened the carriage door to announce their arrival, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of questions as to why they were coming to a place like this.
It was annoying, but it was understandable because even at a glance, the surroundings were so desolate that it seemed as if something was wrong. Not a single person was walking around, let alone a laborer. Count Casper used his cane to support his trembling legs.
"This..."
He couldn't believe his son's words, so he came all the way to Driton's mine. Even though the carriage rattled uncomfortably on the unpaved mountain paths and stone roads, he couldn't give up his last hope.
But the sight that unfolded before his eyes betrayed all of Count Casper's expectations.
“I already told you.”
“...”
“I told you there was nothing there. Except for a sign that said ‘Work in progress.’ I’ve been watching for a few days, but no one has come.”
Owen sighed and spoke, but it was not heard. Count Casper moved forward, feeling the floor with his cane.
It was a spectacular view. It was a spectacular view.
All that was visible before his eyes was the desolate entrance to a half-collapsed mine.
“Hah, hah hah...”
Count Casper approached the entrance, laughing in disbelief. It was not difficult to enter the entrance, which was not even blocked.
While Count Casper repeatedly ran his gloved hand over the rough wall, Owen squeezed his eyes shut and washed his face with one hand. He hated to admit it, but after seeing the scene unfold before his eyes twice, he couldn't help but admit it.
“Father, what should I do now...”
The investment that Count Casper had expected was a complete failure. In fact, it went beyond failure, and he lost his family fortune and was in debt. The future was bleak.
“What should I do?”
Count Casper blinked without saying a word. On the outside, he seemed to have no thoughts, but in fact, his mind was busy trying to guess where and what had gone wrong.
Her wife, who had just met Grand Duchess Burnett, said that the Emperor would strip the titles of those who were addicted to gambling. So he borrowed money from a big shot to pay off the debt. It was not from a bank, but the interest rate was high, so he used his land as collateral and invested in the mine redevelopment that the Grand Duchess had recommended...
"Father!"
But the son, who could not guess the complicated inside, shouted. It is said that his father will be finished when he dies, but he is still in the prime of his life. How could he lead a family that was burdened with debt?
“It’s noisy!”
When Owen, overcome with confusion, pressed for an answer, Count Casper became angry and responded with a resentful tone.
“This damn thing...”
“...”
“Damn it! That little swindler!”
The moment Owen flinched at the sound of his father's wrath, Count Casper gritted his teeth and struck his staff hard on the floor. It was an act of anger that he could not control.
“How dare you! This Mond Casper!”
The sturdy oak cane, which had been struck repeatedly against the ground, eventually broke into two pieces. Even his son was so frightened by his ferocious momentum that he took a step back.
“Hey, you’re committing fraud against Count Casper!”
Count Casper couldn't control his anger and screamed. The groaning of a beast that had lost its senses echoed through the deep-dug hole.
“I, I will catch him right now and kill him...”
“...”
“As soon as I get back, I must protest to the Grand Duchess who leaked false information. I will hold her responsible for this fraud!”
The sound of the angry outburst suddenly stopped. Count Casper suddenly turned around. Count Casper, who was coming out of the entrance while grumbling, met someone and opened his eyes wide. The person he met was also surprised enough to jump from his seat.
"You."
It was the owner of the Driedon mine. As Count Casper showed his teeth, the man who had been holding onto the sign that said "Work in progress" ran away with a hiss. The politeness he had shown when he first met him had long since vanished.
"If you are caught, I will twist you!"
Count Casper rushed at him in a frenzy. The swindler, trying to escape, was grabbed by the scruff of the neck and dragged down as he tried to get into the carriage he had come in.
“Oh, Count. It’s a misunderstanding! You’ve misunderstood!”
“What the hell? Do you want me to trust you after seeing this piece of shit? There aren’t even any miners!”
It was at that moment when Count Casper, who had been sitting on the swindler, was strangling him indiscriminately. His son Owen came running late.
“Father! Don’t kill him!”
There was money that had to be collected by beating him up. However, if he were to kill him in anger right now, no one would know where he had hidden the money. Count Casper, who realized this too late, said, “Oops,” and pulled his hand away.
“Gasp, gasp...”
The Driton mine owner, who was on the verge of suffocation, took a sharp breath and gasped. Then, not missing the moment when Count Casper's body lost its strength, he pushed his body away with all his might.
“This kid... !”
Count Casper stumbled like a dry leaf and fell from his body. The Driton mine owner ran away with all his might. After all, Count Casper’s people did not know the characteristics of this terrain, so he could easily escape.
“Eek!”
But there was something unexpected. Count Casper snatched the gun he had dropped. With a bang, the bullet strayed right to the side and lodged in a nearby twisted tree. The Driedon mine owner was startled and jumped even faster.
He thought he would give up at this point, but Count Casper didn't seem to have any intention of giving up. He was not young, but he ran faster than his son and even aimed his gun at him.
"Shit...!"
There was nothing he could do now. It was not a situation where he could worry or think about the pros and cons. He had no choice but to turn the situation around, even if he got caught by Benia and got kicked out, or even if he had to bribe the soldiers.
He had gained some distance, but he still ran wildly to escape the threat of Count Casper and the gun that was chasing him. As expected of a conman, he was good at running, and he knew this area better than anyone. He also knew that there was a loophole near the border that could lead to Benia.
“Here, where... Right!”
The man finally found the hole and was about to hurriedly crawl into it.
Bang, the sound of gunfire echoed through the air, and the barbed wire fence blocking the border shook with vibration. The Benia soldier who had been standing crookedly and blowing a whistle with a blade of grass straightened up and loaded his gun.
“Stop, this is the border!”
And he warned him. But Count Casper, whose eyes had already rolled back, seemed not to hear him. He ran wildly toward the swindler, pistol in hand.
“I’ll just kill that kid here...!”
“Stop!”
The soldier warned again. But Count Casper chose to aim his gun at the man stuck in the hole once more.
“Father! No!”
Owen, who arrived late, was shocked when he discovered the sight.
“Stop! Father!”
It was nothing more than a border. If there was any misunderstanding, it could really lead to a violent death. Even if that happened, it would be difficult to place responsibility on anyone.
If it were the usual Count Casper, he would not have known. But now, both his eyes and ears were darkened. Just like when he was swindled by the Driton mine owner.
“Father...!”
It was before the call could be made. The moment the bullet was fired from Count Casper's gun, sparks flew from the muzzle of the Benia soldier's gun as well.
It was all in a split second. It happened in a matter of seconds. The man who had been curled up in the hole was shot in the back and fell down, and Count Casper’s body collapsed backward. Blood splattered in the air like paint.
"Father!"
Owen hurriedly picked up his father's body which had fallen to the floor. Count Casper's flailing body was dragged limply into his arms.
"Ah..."
Owen groped and tapped his father's face, but Count Casper didn't move. Of course, he was weak, and he didn't respond.
Owen carefully lowered his gaze to Count Casper's body. Black-red blood was widely spread over his luxurious white silk shirt and dark blue vest. Not only did it completely soak his upper body, but it was also enough to soak Owen's pants that were holding his body.
“Uh, huh, uh-huh...”
He burst into tears. Owen Casper was not used to this kind of tragedy. He had only ever used a gun to kill game in the hunting grounds and had never been to war.
“Ugh. Gasp!”
Owen, who had been touching his father's chest, was startled and pulled his hand away, sobbing. Then, soon, unable to bear it any longer, he began to vomit.
Count Casper's body was not intact after being shot by a Benia soldier. It was a miracle that his arm was not blown off. The bullet fired by the Benia soldier pierced Count Casper's heart.
That was the reason why he died without even screaming.
“Here it is.”
The coachman opened the carriage door to announce their arrival, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of questions as to why they were coming to a place like this.
It was annoying, but it was understandable because even at a glance, the surroundings were so desolate that it seemed as if something was wrong. Not a single person was walking around, let alone a laborer. Count Casper used his cane to support his trembling legs.
"This..."
He couldn't believe his son's words, so he came all the way to Driton's mine. Even though the carriage rattled uncomfortably on the unpaved mountain paths and stone roads, he couldn't give up his last hope.
But the sight that unfolded before his eyes betrayed all of Count Casper's expectations.
“I already told you.”
“...”
“I told you there was nothing there. Except for a sign that said ‘Work in progress.’ I’ve been watching for a few days, but no one has come.”
Owen sighed and spoke, but it was not heard. Count Casper moved forward, feeling the floor with his cane.
It was a spectacular view. It was a spectacular view.
All that was visible before his eyes was the desolate entrance to a half-collapsed mine.
“Hah, hah hah...”
Count Casper approached the entrance, laughing in disbelief. It was not difficult to enter the entrance, which was not even blocked.
While Count Casper repeatedly ran his gloved hand over the rough wall, Owen squeezed his eyes shut and washed his face with one hand. He hated to admit it, but after seeing the scene unfold before his eyes twice, he couldn't help but admit it.
“Father, what should I do now...”
The investment that Count Casper had expected was a complete failure. In fact, it went beyond failure, and he lost his family fortune and was in debt. The future was bleak.
“What should I do?”
Count Casper blinked without saying a word. On the outside, he seemed to have no thoughts, but in fact, his mind was busy trying to guess where and what had gone wrong.
Her wife, who had just met Grand Duchess Burnett, said that the Emperor would strip the titles of those who were addicted to gambling. So he borrowed money from a big shot to pay off the debt. It was not from a bank, but the interest rate was high, so he used his land as collateral and invested in the mine redevelopment that the Grand Duchess had recommended...
"Father!"
But the son, who could not guess the complicated inside, shouted. It is said that his father will be finished when he dies, but he is still in the prime of his life. How could he lead a family that was burdened with debt?
“It’s noisy!”
When Owen, overcome with confusion, pressed for an answer, Count Casper became angry and responded with a resentful tone.
“This damn thing...”
“...”
“Damn it! That little swindler!”
The moment Owen flinched at the sound of his father's wrath, Count Casper gritted his teeth and struck his staff hard on the floor. It was an act of anger that he could not control.
“How dare you! This Mond Casper!”
The sturdy oak cane, which had been struck repeatedly against the ground, eventually broke into two pieces. Even his son was so frightened by his ferocious momentum that he took a step back.
“Hey, you’re committing fraud against Count Casper!”
Count Casper couldn't control his anger and screamed. The groaning of a beast that had lost its senses echoed through the deep-dug hole.
“I, I will catch him right now and kill him...”
“...”
“As soon as I get back, I must protest to the Grand Duchess who leaked false information. I will hold her responsible for this fraud!”
The sound of the angry outburst suddenly stopped. Count Casper suddenly turned around. Count Casper, who was coming out of the entrance while grumbling, met someone and opened his eyes wide. The person he met was also surprised enough to jump from his seat.
"You."
It was the owner of the Driedon mine. As Count Casper showed his teeth, the man who had been holding onto the sign that said "Work in progress" ran away with a hiss. The politeness he had shown when he first met him had long since vanished.
"If you are caught, I will twist you!"
Count Casper rushed at him in a frenzy. The swindler, trying to escape, was grabbed by the scruff of the neck and dragged down as he tried to get into the carriage he had come in.
“Oh, Count. It’s a misunderstanding! You’ve misunderstood!”
“What the hell? Do you want me to trust you after seeing this piece of shit? There aren’t even any miners!”
It was at that moment when Count Casper, who had been sitting on the swindler, was strangling him indiscriminately. His son Owen came running late.
“Father! Don’t kill him!”
There was money that had to be collected by beating him up. However, if he were to kill him in anger right now, no one would know where he had hidden the money. Count Casper, who realized this too late, said, “Oops,” and pulled his hand away.
“Gasp, gasp...”
The Driton mine owner, who was on the verge of suffocation, took a sharp breath and gasped. Then, not missing the moment when Count Casper's body lost its strength, he pushed his body away with all his might.
“This kid... !”
Count Casper stumbled like a dry leaf and fell from his body. The Driton mine owner ran away with all his might. After all, Count Casper’s people did not know the characteristics of this terrain, so he could easily escape.
“Eek!”
But there was something unexpected. Count Casper snatched the gun he had dropped. With a bang, the bullet strayed right to the side and lodged in a nearby twisted tree. The Driedon mine owner was startled and jumped even faster.
He thought he would give up at this point, but Count Casper didn't seem to have any intention of giving up. He was not young, but he ran faster than his son and even aimed his gun at him.
"Shit...!"
There was nothing he could do now. It was not a situation where he could worry or think about the pros and cons. He had no choice but to turn the situation around, even if he got caught by Benia and got kicked out, or even if he had to bribe the soldiers.
He had gained some distance, but he still ran wildly to escape the threat of Count Casper and the gun that was chasing him. As expected of a conman, he was good at running, and he knew this area better than anyone. He also knew that there was a loophole near the border that could lead to Benia.
“Here, where... Right!”
The man finally found the hole and was about to hurriedly crawl into it.
Bang, the sound of gunfire echoed through the air, and the barbed wire fence blocking the border shook with vibration. The Benia soldier who had been standing crookedly and blowing a whistle with a blade of grass straightened up and loaded his gun.
“Stop, this is the border!”
And he warned him. But Count Casper, whose eyes had already rolled back, seemed not to hear him. He ran wildly toward the swindler, pistol in hand.
“I’ll just kill that kid here...!”
“Stop!”
The soldier warned again. But Count Casper chose to aim his gun at the man stuck in the hole once more.
“Father! No!”
Owen, who arrived late, was shocked when he discovered the sight.
“Stop! Father!”
It was nothing more than a border. If there was any misunderstanding, it could really lead to a violent death. Even if that happened, it would be difficult to place responsibility on anyone.
If it were the usual Count Casper, he would not have known. But now, both his eyes and ears were darkened. Just like when he was swindled by the Driton mine owner.
“Father...!”
It was before the call could be made. The moment the bullet was fired from Count Casper's gun, sparks flew from the muzzle of the Benia soldier's gun as well.
It was all in a split second. It happened in a matter of seconds. The man who had been curled up in the hole was shot in the back and fell down, and Count Casper’s body collapsed backward. Blood splattered in the air like paint.
"Father!"
Owen hurriedly picked up his father's body which had fallen to the floor. Count Casper's flailing body was dragged limply into his arms.
"Ah..."
Owen groped and tapped his father's face, but Count Casper didn't move. Of course, he was weak, and he didn't respond.
Owen carefully lowered his gaze to Count Casper's body. Black-red blood was widely spread over his luxurious white silk shirt and dark blue vest. Not only did it completely soak his upper body, but it was also enough to soak Owen's pants that were holding his body.
“Uh, huh, uh-huh...”
He burst into tears. Owen Casper was not used to this kind of tragedy. He had only ever used a gun to kill game in the hunting grounds and had never been to war.
“Ugh. Gasp!”
Owen, who had been touching his father's chest, was startled and pulled his hand away, sobbing. Then, soon, unable to bear it any longer, he began to vomit.
Count Casper's body was not intact after being shot by a Benia soldier. It was a miracle that his arm was not blown off. The bullet fired by the Benia soldier pierced Count Casper's heart.
That was the reason why he died without even screaming.
Support Novellate!
Thank you, dear Translator!🍬
ReplyDelete