Chapter 74

A stranger barged in, cutting off Theo Lamstair and Flo’s conversation.

Darkness retreated before the bright light, and Flo finally sighed in relief.

Whoever it was, their presence here was enough.

She could ask for help.

She could tell them she was kidnapped.

She could have Theo punished.

It was truly enough.

Whether it be her mother, with an angry expression, dragging all the knights of their house to punish him,

Or her eldest sister wielding a sword, threatening to cut his neck right there,

Or her younger sister threatening to burn his skin to ashes.

None of those scenarios were good, but they were better than this.

Even if it were one of her house’s knights,

Or a vassal from the Bargrand noble house,

Or someone she wasn’t particularly close with,

Or even a royal guard or knight from another noble house.

It didn’t matter.

What mattered was that a single thread of light had pierced through the dark and gloomy place.

-KLANG! PSHOOT!

“GRRK!!!”

The man barged in, slamming the door, clashing swords with Theo and slicing his shoulder in one continuous motion.

Though the sudden brightness made it hard to see, she recognized the kidnapper’s voice. It had become a voice filled with anger and insults, pushed back by the sheer force.

But…

It looked familiar.

His build was much slimmer compared to Theo’s, almost completely hidden behind Theo’s bulk.

She felt she should look closer.

Her eyes, adjusted to the darkness, met the light, making her forehead feel cold, yet she had to keep her eyes open.

She couldn’t afford not to.

This scenario entering her mind was too much to bear, threatening to bring tears to her eyes.

‘It must be someone else. Maybe one of the skinny knights from our house…’

-SPLASH!

A line of blood splattered.

The blood, like a fountain, splashed up the sword and left an unpleasant stain on Flo’s skirt.

It was chilling.

This blood was not Theo Lamstair’s.

“It’s just luck. Yeah, even if you wield a sword, you’re still just as useless.”

With Theo Lamstair’s confident voice, the man was pushed back.

It was a mistake.

He was much weaker.

It seemed he was pushing forward, but he lacked the strength, and when their swords clashed, Theo’s hand didn’t tremble.

Nor did it when he tried to push forward with his shoulder.

When the blades clashed and Theo lost balance, allowing a kick, it was the man who was pushed back.

Now her eyes were beginning to adjust to the light.

‘What…?’

Flo’s heart started to sink as she realized they might not escape after all.

She thought it impossible.

She never imagined he would be here.

Yet, here he was.

The man’s hair, nearly blackened from sweat, was soaked through.

‘Carsein, why are you here…?’

The one she had relentlessly tormented and bullied was now holding a sword to save her.

Conflicted between relief and denial, Flo could only stand there dumbfounded.

-KLANG! KANG! TING!

“You dare think you could win against me?!”

Theo Lamstair’s blade, filled with malice in the dim cabin, pushed Carsein back.

One of his shoulders was sliced.

Blood flowed freely from the wound, starkly visible.

The outside light, ironically a bright lantern, revealed his wounds and blood clearly.

PSHOOO!

Another line of blood spilled.

This one was Carsein’s.

‘It can’t be…’

Run.

Ironically, the words Flo wanted to say to Carsein, who came to save her, were to run.

Tears streaming down her face, she muttered over and over again, unable to do anything more than a helpless girl could.

But then,

“Not much of a deal. You’ve caused a lot of trouble because of me. Huh? Die already, die—”

-TANG! SPLASH!

“GRRK?!”

“Got it. A brat with inferiority complexes stuffed in your head.”

He didn’t run.

***

Theo Lamstair.

Like Emma or her maids, he was one of the main antagonists to be defeated in Chapter 1.

He was cunning and devious, isolating Carsein effectively and creating scenes that would easily lead to misunderstandings about how he was treated in the duke’s mansion.

Moreover, rising to the top among the trainees and becoming a full-fledged knight within months, he was an opponent Carsein couldn’t possibly beat.

But the Theo Lamstair I’m seeing isn’t that strong.

He was pathetically weak.

Weak enough not to even recognize his own worth.

Thus, he relied on others’ strength instead of his own.

There’s a rule for people like him.

They don’t touch those stronger than themselves.

Instead, they torment those weaker than themselves.

They accept those who seem useful and use them, pressuring them into submission.

They believe in power as a collective.

They believe in the power they wield as a group.

Even though it’s not their own.

It wasn’t built layer by layer.

It appeared as if it was hastily piled up.

They didn’t put in any effort.

They used easy and convenient means to control people.

In a rush, without waiting.

So, he never built a solid foundation of effort; he only took shortcuts.

Why does he do this?

Because he’s lacking.

Because he gave up.

Because he envied those who had.

Because he turned away from the path others diligently built.

Inferiority complex.

He couldn’t overcome his petty inferiority complex.

He rationalized it, thinking this method was correct.

Perhaps that’s why he resembled Flo.

It was inevitable that they would all be enemies in this episode.

Even the third sibling, Flo included.

They shared a common ground in their inferiority complex.

They feared losing their family because of it.

***

-CLANG! SPLASH!

“Ugh…?”

I won’t lose.

Theo Lamstair, a mere bully who couldn’t muster any real strength, mustn’t win.

Yunji’s older sister said so, and Hyunsung taught me that.

“Why? I can’t even understand why you’re being cut…”

“Shut up!”

“You probably picked on the weak instead of properly wielding your sword. So, you never had any real skill.”

“Shut up, you peasant!”

-SWISH! SWISH!

Like Bruce, the sword, which was merely a blunt weapon, was easy to handle.

Slightly better, but still fifty steps forward, fifty steps back.

Someone who trained with shortcuts instead of earnest effort couldn’t even maintain a balanced body.

Now it became clear.

While his center of gravity leaned forward, his action power was incredibly low, making his legs serve only as support.

He rushed blindly, relying solely on brute force.

-SLASH!

A light wound appeared on the struggling man’s arm.

-SLASH!

Theo Lamstair lunged again, this time leaving a light wound on the other side.

Twice.

In succession.

He couldn’t be mistaken for chance anymore.

When the man rushed in, desperate to retaliate, I grabbed the sword hilt, twisted it, and punched him in the face.

“GAHK!”

The man collapsed.

Pathetically sprawled, he gasped for breath.

Despite that, I was the one who should be exhausted first.

“A pile of rubble, not a tower, means nothing. That’s why you can’t beat me.”

“Your…!”

“Tell me honestly. You’ve never been sincere.”

You always escaped shamelessly.

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

His crazed eyes flipped completely.

He swung the sword with all his might.

But now, it didn’t hit.

The blood on the sword had dried, sticking to the floor, hardening.

Not once did I allow him to land a hit since the first drop of blood.

-BAM!

Another punch landed on his face.

Now, his nose bled profusely, revealing his ugly, dark face beneath his handsome exterior.

It was time to finish this.

I stuck the sword in the ground, supporting myself, and calmly held the blade to his throat.

“Shameful for a knight. Looks like that’s just a walking stick to you.”

“You filthy peasant!”

Even a simple provocation, he fell for it.

He didn’t know how much rage Carsein harbored when he provoked him.

So, I’ll repay every bit of it, multiple times over.

Even if it means breaking my promise with Yunji and Hyunsung.

—

The sword blade flew into the air.

It hit the ceiling and fell back to the floor with a clang.

Split in half.

“Ma, mana-infused sword broken…?”

“That’s not the problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“Using it recklessly, you wouldn’t know. How to grip it, which part is weak, how weight distribution affects the body and sword.”

“Don’t joke. I, I just lost to you completely…”

—

Of course, he wouldn’t accept it.

I still remember.

How the faces of those bullies who lost because they belonged to a group were crushed.

It was exactly Theo Lamstair’s face.

-PSHOO!

“GRAAAAH!!!”

The sword pierced his flesh, spraying blood, eliciting a painful cry.

“You failed to harm me, but you framed me. You crippled a kind person’s arm. So, you should receive the same, right?”

“W, what? Are you saying…?”

-RATTLE!

A terrifying sound as something tore apart.

Theo’s scream echoed as the sword embedded in his back dug deeper, filling the cabin with blood.

“I don’t care about your reality you can’t accept. But, if you destroy someone else’s reality, you must pay the price.”

“S, stop. Stop… AAAAH!!”

-RATTLE!

The tip of the sword felt it.

Just now, it broke his bone.

Gently tapping the fractured bone with the tip of the sword, I let him feel the pain.

“This is for Radiel Grupein.”

“AAAAGH!!”

“This is for Mark Redeltain, who’s suffering because of you.”

“GRAAAH!! S, stop, stop!!”

“And this is for Carsein Bargrand, who became the perpetrator due to your petty inferiority complex.”

“AAAAGH!! P, please! Please stop!!”

And this…

Is for someone I don’t even know.

“If your arm heals properly, you might be able to escape years of labor in the mines with a bribe. But, as a knight, it’s different. If your arm is not in perfect condition…”

“N, no. No!! Stop it immediately!!”

“Karma, you scum.”

Let them suffer.

Multiple times the pain they inflicted on others.

Rot away in the labor camp.

—

The broken bone snapped completely.

He likely won’t be able to use one arm fully due to the fracture. Even if modern doctors performed surgery now, complete recovery would be impossible.

He fainted from shock, foaming at the mouth.

I watched the scene indifferently.

Though it wasn’t outright murder, cutting someone and mutilating their body left me unmoved.

…Maybe this is Carsein’s fury.

Thinking so, I turned around.

Flo stared at me, dazed.

She seemed quite shocked.

Two people ready to fight to the death in front of her eyes, spilling blood, it was too much for a child to witness.

Of course, this didn’t evoke any sympathy or worry.

‘This is the limit.’

To be honest, I pushed myself too hard.

It wasn’t just Carsein’s frailty; concentrating so intensely in such a short time was unsustainable.

How could anyone remain calm watching someone die in front of them, especially someone who has never experienced cutting flesh, breaking bones?

Both body and mind were exhausted.

▶Defeated Theo Lamstair!◀

▶Successfully triggered results beyond choices!◀

▶Rescue Flo and complete the episode.◀

Seeing the progress screen, it seems we’re done.

Struggling to hold onto consciousness, I removed Flo’s gag.

Then, cutting the ropes freed her hands and feet…

▶Bleeding state!◀

▶Confusion state!◀

▶HP too low to withstand two states.陷入了昏迷状态!◀

It was done.

My vision began to blur.

▶Cleared Episode VI. Disappearance!◀

▶Chapter 1 ends!◀

“Carsein!”

Alright.

We’ve ended the episode, avoiding a bad ending.

“──! ─────!!”

As my senses faded, Flo seemed to say something, but…

I don’t know. I’ll just lie down now.

***

Seeing him fight with a sword made his heart race.

Every drop of blood sent him cowering, while watching his torn clothes and being trampled made him swell with pride.

Repeating the cycle of running, cowering, and swelling.

Carsein had already knocked Theo down and approached her.

The shackles were off.

The ropes binding his hands disappeared.

His gag dropped, freeing his mouth.

But his eyes remained fixed on Carsein.

-TUK.

“Carsein!”

When he suddenly collapsed, her heart sank.

She caught him with her arms, still bearing marks from the ropes, but she was too weak to support him properly.

All she could do was cradle his head to prevent further injury.

But Carsein’s eyes were closed.

“Get up! Get up, please!!”

Panic set in.

She envisioned the scene of him collapsing in a dream.

Blood from his injuries stained her hands.

“Blood…”

The blood, sticky on her hands, felt eerie.

An unsettling sensation.

Unlike the liquid that flowed from wounds, this blood no longer seemed merely annoying.

Now, it was no longer a trivial thought.

“No. No…”

She was scared.

Scared that this blood belonged to Carsein.

Terrified that it was his blood, injured because of her.

Afraid he might die, reliving the scene from her dream.

Tears streaming down her face, Flo hugged Carsein and pleaded.

“Please, someone help us!”

Her desperation reached outside.

Soon, the duke’s two sisters arrived, and Carsein was given emergency treatment right away.

The council member’s words were inaudible.

Even if they said it was a minor injury, her ears were deaf to it.

At this moment, Flo still held Carsein’s hand tightly, crying.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please wake up…”

She begged and begged.

For him to wake up, for him not to disappear like in a dream.

“Miya, I… I’m sorry. Please wake up…”

She was sorry for what she did. Sorry for making him like this.

So, please don’t fall unconscious.

Her words were muffled, but she managed to speak them.

Finally, the unpleasant emotions she felt were released.

Only then could she fully accept it.

▶Cleared Hidden Episode!◀

▶Flo’s affinity has changed!◀

[??? : 60%]

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