#147. Other Love
“I have come to execute the traitor who dared to slander the royal family!”
Duke Turbol shouted. Others came in behind him. Inside the palace, swords flashed in the moonlight. They all fought with their swords. A melee broke out.
The elite knights of the Duke of Turbol were all men of exceptional skill. They cut down the knights of the Count of Locania one by one.
Count Locania was no pushover either. He brought 'that weapon' into his hands.
Within, bang! With a loud bang, the vice-captain of the knights died. In terms of martial arts, he was the best. However, he was easily defeated by one of Count Locania's weapons.
Indeed, witchcraft was witchcraft. The Duke of Turbol gnashed his teeth.
The long weapon held by Count Locania pierced through the man. Then, a bang was heard again. Now the sound of metal clashing was gone.
However, the Duke, who was thought to surrender, did not stop moving and continued to attack tenaciously. The Count's knights fell. It was not easy to deal with those who gritted their teeth and charged forward. The Count of Locania felt a sense of crisis again. The weapon he had developed took a long time to be reused.
Bang!
Again, a gunshot was heard. This time, his gun barrel hit the Duke of Turbol. At the same time, the large body fell. Only then did Count Locania realize that all the knights of House Turbol had fallen.
Count Locania smiled. What he had worked for his entire life had finally defeated the Turbols! What was more important than lineage and history was effort!
It was a good thing that Daphne was put forward as the Emperor. Now, his future is only brighter. That gentle thing eventually tricked Asherad and told him about the whereabouts of Duke Turbol and the existence of the secret passage. There was only one thing left! Now, all that was left was to connect Daphne and Derek... All that was left was to become the father of the Emperor and officially seize the palace in his own hands.
He was intoxicated with the feeling of victory. His gun pierced the body of the Duke of Turbol, the most powerful man in the country. Before he knew it, the Count had crossed a certain line, making excuses that it was revenge for his son. However, he was overjoyed without realizing it.
Blood poured out like a fountain from the Duke of Turbol's body. Count Locania said mockingly, looking at his empty eyes.
“This is really... isn’t the world’s best Lord Turbol too pitiful? It would be better if you were executed with honor.”
“...”
“Don’t be sad. The Duke has lost your son, and another son has become a dog... Rather than seeing that, it would be better to die than to live.”
Count Locania taunted Duke Turbol. At this moment, Count Locania could have been vicious towards his enemy.
“My son will be the Emperor’s man. Your son will be their dog. Your grandson will be the same. I will never put him on the throne.”
Was it because of those words? Duke Turbol's eyes, which had become empty, flashed for a moment. He suddenly stood up, grabbed his sword, and rushed at Count Locania.
Click!
Count Locania lifted the invention, aimed it at him, and pulled the trigger. But... it did not fire. There were rare instances where something would jam, and that was the case now.
"Shit."
Count Locania spat out a curse.
The battles of heroes are always decided by the difference of a small moment. In that difference of a moment, the Count of Locania became the loser, not the winner. If he had raised his sword and blocked the Duke's sword, the Count might have lived.
No, if the number of knights he brought was even just one more, he might have lived. However, the Count pretended not to do so, but he kept an eye on the nobles. He knew that even if he defeated the Duke of Turbol with an overwhelming military force, the nobles would only point fingers at him and accuse him of cowardice.
That's why Count Locania wanted to show that the world was his with a small force. He was confident. But he relied on what he had developed in his hands.
Thus, he overlooked the fact that the 'gun' he had developed was still in an incomplete development stage.
"This...!"
Duke Turbol's sword cut Count Rocania in two with a wide swipe. Although it had clearly hit a vital point, his body was revived like an immortal and moved toward its goal. Count Locania's absolute weapon was no match for a single, primitive sword that he barely managed to swing.
“Ugh, ugh!”
Blood flowed like crazy. Count Locania could not accept this absurd defeat. He could not even laugh. In the end, he mortally wounded Duke Turbol. However, Duke Turbol's sword took the Count's life.
The Count of Locania overlooked many things. The Count had lost his son, but the Duke of Turbol had also lost his son and was a 'father' who wanted to protect his son.
Also, the knights who followed Duke Turbol were all people who had lost loved ones due to the war caused by Count Locania. They came here to kill the Count, even at the risk of death.
If even one of Count Locania's subordinates had been alive, the Count would certainly have lived.
However, all of the Count's knights were killed by the knights of the House of Turbol, who had already decided to die, and even the Count was killed. The Count's eyes began to lose focus. The Duke of Turbol gasped for breath.
A strange pain was felt. The Duke of Turbol looked at the Count, who was cut in two. He was finally dead.
“My son...”
Duke Turbol muttered in vain.
On the day he killed Oliver, that last day, Asherad, who had gone mad, spoke.
'Father. If you really want to be a father...'
Askeraad said with a bloody face.
'Kill the Count of Locania, who has taken up residence in the palace.'
'...'
'I'm betting everything on the Duke and asking you to kill that bastard.'
Asherad never asked for favors. However, for the first time, he asked for favors from his father. Yes, what wouldn't a father like you do?
What moved the heart of the Duke of Turbol was the smile of Asherad that he had seen in the slums.
'Father, I have a family that is more precious than you.'
'....'
'My wife and son. I feel happy just by looking at them. They are completely mine, and they are my family that I can hold in my arms.'
At that moment, peace settled over Asherad's face. The look of madness had disappeared, and he had become an ordinary father.
The Duke of Turbol engraved that face upon his heart. Perhaps, perhaps, peace could come to his child. If that misguided form could bring him peace, he would gladly sacrifice his body...
This time, too, the Duke could not leave the hellish palace holding his son's hand.
His body wouldn't move.
But that's okay. Duke Turbol has already taken action. Even without him, Asherad and his life will be protected.
Duke Turbol lost consciousness.
Daphne couldn't believe the news she was hearing. The Count of Locania was dead? Why on earth? The knight reporting it also seemed completely unrealistic.
“It is said that the Duke of Carenda and the Marquis of Robinia have raised an army.”
“Ian... We have to evacuate Ian...”
Daphne muttered. No matter how much she kept aloof from politics, she knew. The Count of Locania was her watchdog and her greatest ally. What would happen if he fell?
It was obvious that all the families that had intermarriage ties with the royal family would proliferate. The Duke of Carenda and the Marquis of Robinia were among them.
Can she survive after losing her most powerful ally among the nobles?
Daphne thought she wouldn't survive. That's why Ian had to run away. This is what a puppet Emperor is like. Daphne thought bitterly.
It had been barely a month since she ascended the throne. She thought it was an unbecoming crown, but wasn't it such a vain ending? She suddenly thought of Asherad.
She thought she could control and protect Asherad in her hands, but it was all in vain. She was so weak that she couldn't even compare to Asherad.
“Please call Derek Pond.”
Derek was the only one who could take care of Ian. The knight bowed and left. It was a quiet morning, but it was an urgent situation.
Daphne closed her eyes and seemed to think, then added again.
“Asherad. Bring Asherad.”
The maid next to her bowed and ran out. Daphne sighed. Soon, a smile appeared on her lips. It was because Asherad had come. Daphne had bitten everyone. Asherad approached Daphne’s feet and knelt down. Asherad had no expression on his face, but his face flashed with joy.
“Do you know that Duke Turbol is dead, Asherad?”
Asherad made a face as if to say, “What’s the big deal?” He didn’t seem to care.
“A deal where he died while trying to assassinate Count Locania.”
Poor Daphne, Daphne didn't seem to know that Asherad had incited the Duke of Turbol to kill him. She must have felt sorry for Asherad. At that moment, Daphne released Asherad's leash. Wait, why all of a sudden?
He looked at the loose leash as if he were puzzled by the unexpected action.
"What..."
“The Count of Locania is also dead.”
“...”
“You are smarter than I; you must know what will happen.”
Asherad frowned. Daphne continued.
“I’ll stop playing dog games now, Asherad. You survive on your own.”
“What the...”
“I am not strong enough to protect you.”
Asherad's pupils shrank. He looked at Daphne, who was saying strange things. Asherad confessed with difficulty that he had not been able to protect Daphne in the past. However, Daphne said that she would let Asherad go so easily.
"Ah..."
Daphne seemed lost in thought.
“Asherad. The reason I made you into a dog was to save your life.”
“...”
“You sacrificed yourself for me, so I can’t let you die.”
It may be a long time before we can be together. Daphne looked at Asherad, who she had made her own dog, for a moment, then knelt down and hugged him.
“I’m sorry about everything.”
The back that touched her hand was warm. However, the man who should have been the happiest in this hug still had no idea what was happening.
"What are you doing?"
Asherad pulled away. He was trembling with angry eyes, but it felt like he was trembling in fear.
“I’m letting you go.”
“So, what are you doing now? Why are you letting me go?”
The role-playing he wanted most was already over. And yet, his plan hadn't even begun. Daphne readily admitted that she was weak and said she couldn't let him die.
Daphne was too honest, unlike Asherad. This was something Asherad had not expected. Daphne had to cling to Asherad until the end. She had to take him with her wherever she went. But she was letting him go so easily?
Daphne said quietly.
“Because I love you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Asherad felt as if he was going to faint at Daphne’s words. The woman who had been holding him back, telling him to just run away, was giving up on him so easily. All his plans were ruined! He thought that if Count Locania died, Daphne would gain more momentum.
Asherad and Daphne were different. They had no obsession with the throne, no lust for power. And there was no dark obsession. It was a lie that had been entangled! How, how could she have broken his scheme with such clean good intentions?
So I couldn't help but love Daphne. But...!
“Don’t throw me away, don’t throw me away!”
“...”
“I, I can’t live. You can’t abandon me. Turn me into a dog instead! Forever!”
Asherad cried out desperately. This stupid and foolish woman had a different way of loving him from the beginning. She loved him too much, so she let him go. Asherad fell into despair and sorrow. He realized it too, too late.
“I have come to execute the traitor who dared to slander the royal family!”
Duke Turbol shouted. Others came in behind him. Inside the palace, swords flashed in the moonlight. They all fought with their swords. A melee broke out.
The elite knights of the Duke of Turbol were all men of exceptional skill. They cut down the knights of the Count of Locania one by one.
Count Locania was no pushover either. He brought 'that weapon' into his hands.
Within, bang! With a loud bang, the vice-captain of the knights died. In terms of martial arts, he was the best. However, he was easily defeated by one of Count Locania's weapons.
Indeed, witchcraft was witchcraft. The Duke of Turbol gnashed his teeth.
The long weapon held by Count Locania pierced through the man. Then, a bang was heard again. Now the sound of metal clashing was gone.
However, the Duke, who was thought to surrender, did not stop moving and continued to attack tenaciously. The Count's knights fell. It was not easy to deal with those who gritted their teeth and charged forward. The Count of Locania felt a sense of crisis again. The weapon he had developed took a long time to be reused.
Bang!
Again, a gunshot was heard. This time, his gun barrel hit the Duke of Turbol. At the same time, the large body fell. Only then did Count Locania realize that all the knights of House Turbol had fallen.
Count Locania smiled. What he had worked for his entire life had finally defeated the Turbols! What was more important than lineage and history was effort!
It was a good thing that Daphne was put forward as the Emperor. Now, his future is only brighter. That gentle thing eventually tricked Asherad and told him about the whereabouts of Duke Turbol and the existence of the secret passage. There was only one thing left! Now, all that was left was to connect Daphne and Derek... All that was left was to become the father of the Emperor and officially seize the palace in his own hands.
He was intoxicated with the feeling of victory. His gun pierced the body of the Duke of Turbol, the most powerful man in the country. Before he knew it, the Count had crossed a certain line, making excuses that it was revenge for his son. However, he was overjoyed without realizing it.
Blood poured out like a fountain from the Duke of Turbol's body. Count Locania said mockingly, looking at his empty eyes.
“This is really... isn’t the world’s best Lord Turbol too pitiful? It would be better if you were executed with honor.”
“...”
“Don’t be sad. The Duke has lost your son, and another son has become a dog... Rather than seeing that, it would be better to die than to live.”
Count Locania taunted Duke Turbol. At this moment, Count Locania could have been vicious towards his enemy.
“My son will be the Emperor’s man. Your son will be their dog. Your grandson will be the same. I will never put him on the throne.”
Was it because of those words? Duke Turbol's eyes, which had become empty, flashed for a moment. He suddenly stood up, grabbed his sword, and rushed at Count Locania.
Click!
Count Locania lifted the invention, aimed it at him, and pulled the trigger. But... it did not fire. There were rare instances where something would jam, and that was the case now.
"Shit."
Count Locania spat out a curse.
The battles of heroes are always decided by the difference of a small moment. In that difference of a moment, the Count of Locania became the loser, not the winner. If he had raised his sword and blocked the Duke's sword, the Count might have lived.
No, if the number of knights he brought was even just one more, he might have lived. However, the Count pretended not to do so, but he kept an eye on the nobles. He knew that even if he defeated the Duke of Turbol with an overwhelming military force, the nobles would only point fingers at him and accuse him of cowardice.
That's why Count Locania wanted to show that the world was his with a small force. He was confident. But he relied on what he had developed in his hands.
Thus, he overlooked the fact that the 'gun' he had developed was still in an incomplete development stage.
"This...!"
Duke Turbol's sword cut Count Rocania in two with a wide swipe. Although it had clearly hit a vital point, his body was revived like an immortal and moved toward its goal. Count Locania's absolute weapon was no match for a single, primitive sword that he barely managed to swing.
“Ugh, ugh!”
Blood flowed like crazy. Count Locania could not accept this absurd defeat. He could not even laugh. In the end, he mortally wounded Duke Turbol. However, Duke Turbol's sword took the Count's life.
The Count of Locania overlooked many things. The Count had lost his son, but the Duke of Turbol had also lost his son and was a 'father' who wanted to protect his son.
Also, the knights who followed Duke Turbol were all people who had lost loved ones due to the war caused by Count Locania. They came here to kill the Count, even at the risk of death.
If even one of Count Locania's subordinates had been alive, the Count would certainly have lived.
However, all of the Count's knights were killed by the knights of the House of Turbol, who had already decided to die, and even the Count was killed. The Count's eyes began to lose focus. The Duke of Turbol gasped for breath.
A strange pain was felt. The Duke of Turbol looked at the Count, who was cut in two. He was finally dead.
“My son...”
Duke Turbol muttered in vain.
On the day he killed Oliver, that last day, Asherad, who had gone mad, spoke.
'Father. If you really want to be a father...'
Askeraad said with a bloody face.
'Kill the Count of Locania, who has taken up residence in the palace.'
'...'
'I'm betting everything on the Duke and asking you to kill that bastard.'
Asherad never asked for favors. However, for the first time, he asked for favors from his father. Yes, what wouldn't a father like you do?
What moved the heart of the Duke of Turbol was the smile of Asherad that he had seen in the slums.
'Father, I have a family that is more precious than you.'
'....'
'My wife and son. I feel happy just by looking at them. They are completely mine, and they are my family that I can hold in my arms.'
At that moment, peace settled over Asherad's face. The look of madness had disappeared, and he had become an ordinary father.
The Duke of Turbol engraved that face upon his heart. Perhaps, perhaps, peace could come to his child. If that misguided form could bring him peace, he would gladly sacrifice his body...
This time, too, the Duke could not leave the hellish palace holding his son's hand.
His body wouldn't move.
But that's okay. Duke Turbol has already taken action. Even without him, Asherad and his life will be protected.
Duke Turbol lost consciousness.
***
Daphne couldn't believe the news she was hearing. The Count of Locania was dead? Why on earth? The knight reporting it also seemed completely unrealistic.
“It is said that the Duke of Carenda and the Marquis of Robinia have raised an army.”
“Ian... We have to evacuate Ian...”
Daphne muttered. No matter how much she kept aloof from politics, she knew. The Count of Locania was her watchdog and her greatest ally. What would happen if he fell?
It was obvious that all the families that had intermarriage ties with the royal family would proliferate. The Duke of Carenda and the Marquis of Robinia were among them.
Can she survive after losing her most powerful ally among the nobles?
Daphne thought she wouldn't survive. That's why Ian had to run away. This is what a puppet Emperor is like. Daphne thought bitterly.
It had been barely a month since she ascended the throne. She thought it was an unbecoming crown, but wasn't it such a vain ending? She suddenly thought of Asherad.
She thought she could control and protect Asherad in her hands, but it was all in vain. She was so weak that she couldn't even compare to Asherad.
“Please call Derek Pond.”
Derek was the only one who could take care of Ian. The knight bowed and left. It was a quiet morning, but it was an urgent situation.
Daphne closed her eyes and seemed to think, then added again.
“Asherad. Bring Asherad.”
The maid next to her bowed and ran out. Daphne sighed. Soon, a smile appeared on her lips. It was because Asherad had come. Daphne had bitten everyone. Asherad approached Daphne’s feet and knelt down. Asherad had no expression on his face, but his face flashed with joy.
“Do you know that Duke Turbol is dead, Asherad?”
Asherad made a face as if to say, “What’s the big deal?” He didn’t seem to care.
“A deal where he died while trying to assassinate Count Locania.”
Poor Daphne, Daphne didn't seem to know that Asherad had incited the Duke of Turbol to kill him. She must have felt sorry for Asherad. At that moment, Daphne released Asherad's leash. Wait, why all of a sudden?
He looked at the loose leash as if he were puzzled by the unexpected action.
"What..."
“The Count of Locania is also dead.”
“...”
“You are smarter than I; you must know what will happen.”
Asherad frowned. Daphne continued.
“I’ll stop playing dog games now, Asherad. You survive on your own.”
“What the...”
“I am not strong enough to protect you.”
Asherad's pupils shrank. He looked at Daphne, who was saying strange things. Asherad confessed with difficulty that he had not been able to protect Daphne in the past. However, Daphne said that she would let Asherad go so easily.
"Ah..."
Daphne seemed lost in thought.
“Asherad. The reason I made you into a dog was to save your life.”
“...”
“You sacrificed yourself for me, so I can’t let you die.”
It may be a long time before we can be together. Daphne looked at Asherad, who she had made her own dog, for a moment, then knelt down and hugged him.
“I’m sorry about everything.”
The back that touched her hand was warm. However, the man who should have been the happiest in this hug still had no idea what was happening.
"What are you doing?"
Asherad pulled away. He was trembling with angry eyes, but it felt like he was trembling in fear.
“I’m letting you go.”
“So, what are you doing now? Why are you letting me go?”
The role-playing he wanted most was already over. And yet, his plan hadn't even begun. Daphne readily admitted that she was weak and said she couldn't let him die.
Daphne was too honest, unlike Asherad. This was something Asherad had not expected. Daphne had to cling to Asherad until the end. She had to take him with her wherever she went. But she was letting him go so easily?
Daphne said quietly.
“Because I love you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Asherad felt as if he was going to faint at Daphne’s words. The woman who had been holding him back, telling him to just run away, was giving up on him so easily. All his plans were ruined! He thought that if Count Locania died, Daphne would gain more momentum.
Asherad and Daphne were different. They had no obsession with the throne, no lust for power. And there was no dark obsession. It was a lie that had been entangled! How, how could she have broken his scheme with such clean good intentions?
So I couldn't help but love Daphne. But...!
“Don’t throw me away, don’t throw me away!”
“...”
“I, I can’t live. You can’t abandon me. Turn me into a dog instead! Forever!”
Asherad cried out desperately. This stupid and foolish woman had a different way of loving him from the beginning. She loved him too much, so she let him go. Asherad fell into despair and sorrow. He realized it too, too late.
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