Chapter 157 |
'Crazy.'
A curse naturally spilled out inwardly.
The head of the Lester family and Luna's mother.
Caron was the one who killed Renia. He even offered her head to the Emperor?
K-dramas, movies, webtoons, web novels, etc.
Even though I'm trained by numerous K-series, I couldn't help but be surprised this time.
It's almost at the level of 'Bro, this guy is smiling?' level. (TL Note: In K-dramas, the antagonist will usually smile while doing something evil)
"I can't believe it."
"But it's a clear fact. I was there too. It was really... hard to endure."
Not only is she angry that someone she respected was killed, but he even brought back a dripping head.
Given Lucia's personality, it's impressive she held back.
But.
'...Something is strange.'
If it were the Caron I knew from the game, I would have thought 'Of course he did that'.
But not now.
Because I've come to realize he's a person with more affection and deeper thoughts than I thought.
His personality is nasty, but he acts rationally in his own way.
'Moreover, he was at the pinnacle of the rats then and now. From the beginning, he must have vaguely noticed the Lester family was framed.'
Supplies, troops, operations, cooperation from blood-oath families, etc.
To commit treason, that much preparation is usually needed.
Caron, who manages information, would have keenly observed these aspects and known there were no such signs from the Lester family.
Moreover, the Lester family is one that has been loyal since before the Annwood Kingdom became an empire.
Such a family suddenly plotting treason?
Caron would have known from the beginning. That the Lester family was framed.
'The reason the Lester family ended up like that was revealed in the game. But Caron probably doesn't know.'
Not only Caron, but also Duke Aziz who led the incident won't know.
Because 'he' who gave orders to Duke Aziz didn't explain the detailed reason.
'His' identity and the reason for destroying the Lester family are revealed in a monologue, giving users shock and fear, but let's move on for now.
Because it's a story unrelated to this incident.
'Anyway, Caron, who knows they're innocent, kills Renia? It doesn't make sense.'
In other words, the probability that Caron killed Renia is low.
Even if he did, there must have been a reason. Or it was an 'unavoidable accident'.
'Whatever the reason, I need to gather the pieces.'
Renia, Caron, Luna, and the information revealed in the future.
The huge puzzle of Caron unfolded in my mind.
I tried to fill it out in my own way, but it's still full of empty spots.
About 70% is empty?
Not only because Caron is an existence shrouded in mystery, but also because in the game, I couldn't obtain information since he kept twisting my neck whenever we met.
'In other words, now is the golden opportunity to collect puzzle pieces.'
Lucia hates Caron.
If I respond just a little, won't she excitedly gossip and spit out information?
"To think he killed Lady Renia. He's a real jerk."
"That's what I'm saying. He's a really wicked and sinister guy."
"His personality is nasty too."
"He doesn't listen well! He's really frustrating."
"Keke, unfortunately that's all I know. I don't know much about Teacher Caron yet."
"Is that so? That's too bad."
Lucia clicked her tongue as if she was sincerely disappointed.
Hmm, seeing this, she seems fully ready to gossip for about 10 hours.
"So I was wondering... Could you explain in detail what happened then?"
"Sure. Well, this is a story everyone in the know knows anyway."
Perhaps thinking she can gossip a bit more, or thinking it's an opportunity for me to stay away from Caron.
Lucia readily responded.
"Caron personally offered Lady Renia's head to His Majesty. Everyone was shocked. Because the Lester family, of all families, was destroyed."
It had to be a shock, as they were one of the eight pillars of the Empire and a family that had been devoted since the Annwood Empire was a kingdom.
"The relatives of the Lester family were executed in an instant. There was a noble trial, but it was handled summarily. The blood-oath families survived, but... They gave up massive rights as the price, so they're barely maintaining their lineage."
No, that's not what I want to know.
"Were there no strange points?"
"Strange points?"
"Yes, wasn't Lady Renia called the strongest of her time? Teacher Caron is great too, but it doesn't seem like he can be compared."
"That's true. But Lady Renia is also human. If hundreds of people, and skilled ones at that, keep rushing in, how can she handle it."
In the midst of that, Caron launched a surprise attack and took her life?
There's nothing to point out. It's a bit sloppy though.
"Were there no peculiarities at the battle scene?"
"I heard the scene was very messy. Well, it's a natural result since so many people died."
The Lester family, framed as traitors.
Even while claiming their innocence, they confronted those who boldly rushed in.
It was natural for third-rate nobles who wanted to make a name for themselves to flock.
Not only because the Lester family had a high reputation, but also because the head, Renia, was one of the people considered the strongest of her time.
Subduing Renia and taking her head?
You can instantly become a promising noble! My skills are enough to make it possible!
They went with such foolish thoughts and met their end.
It can be said to be a fitting end for fools.
"There must have been many mercenaries seeking rewards too. Considering blood and unidentifiable body parts were scattered outside the mansion gates... Anyway, they say it was very messy. Many corpses were hacked up."
"That's strange."
"What is?"
"One Flash isn't that kind of technique, right?"
The One Flash technique basically shoots compressed air waves.
Then it should be cleanly severed or the entire hit part should be gone.
But hacked up, you say.
"Well, that's true. But real battles aren't that simple, you know? I can't just use the techniques I want as I please. Even more so when fighting hundreds of people."
"Hmm..."
"And they probably fought among themselves too. There's only one head to take."
Only then did I realize.
The identity of the sense of discomfort I kept feeling.
'I heard', 'there must have been many', 'they say', 'they probably fought'.
That's right. Lucia's testimony right now is...
'Guess, guess, and more guesses.'
The only thing Lucia directly saw was 'Caron brought Renia's head'.
Statements relying on rumors can't be trusted.
Even more so for Lucia who hates Caron.
"So no one knows exactly what happened there."
"Since the only survivor is Caron. Well, everyone speculated like that while keeping it hush-hush."
"Hmm... That's strange."
"Strange, you say? Hey, you're the strange one. He proudly brought the head. Then who else would have killed her? Isn't it obvious?"
What Lucia said isn't wrong either. Anyone would think that way.
But.
'Knowing it's a false charge, he still killed Renia, is searching for the real culprit out of guilt, discovered Luna, the last survivor, and is taking care of her?'
Is Caron someone who would take care of a child simply out of guilt?
Then to be consistent, he should take care of the descendants of all the people he killed.
Because there must have been situations where he had no choice but to kill innocent people while on missions.
But the only one Caron looks after is Luna alone.
In other words.
'There's something more.'
I could feel it instinctively.
The instinct that guilt is only an additional reason.
The 'real reason' he takes care of Luna.
This will be the key to winning over Caron.
"Ah, there's one more peculiar thing."
"What is it?"
"They say there was no Lady Renia's corpse at the scene. The head Caron brought also disappeared while being moved to the execution ground."
The corpse disappeared? Of a traitor at that?
"Well, people who supported the Lester family probably siphoned it off. Because it was a family people really liked."
"...That's also a guess this time."
"But it's true the corpse disappeared. There was a huge commotion. Those involved were punished too."
I obtained puzzle pieces that are somewhat useful, but I can't do anything with them.
Because I have no idea where to fit them.
"Did you ask everything you're curious about? Now it's my turn."
"Pardon?"
"I told you what you were curious about, so you should resolve my curiosity too."
"...I don't remember making such a promise."
"Are you being stingy? I won't go easy on you during training tomorrow."
"Keke, ask as much as you want. I'll faithfully answer."
I don't mind if she asks difficult questions. Because I can lie.
Well, in the first place, Lucia's question is expected too.
"What deal did you make with that bastard?"
The question of what deal I made with Caron.
As expected. I even coordinated with Caron a little while ago about this question.
That I agreed to receive rat training, and that I will become a rat when I graduate from the academy.
I calmly explained the deal with Caron. Then.
"You're going to work under that guy? Are you crazy?"
"Keke, I'm not crazy at all though."
"No, even if you were before, it's natural to change your mind now, isn't it? Didn't you say your dream was to become the Lester family's rat? But you're saying you'll work under Caron who killed Lady Renia! It's strange!"
As Lucia said. It's unbelievably strange.
But.
"Keke, it could be a misunderstanding."
"He showed up with the head and even bragged that he cut it off, what misunderstanding!"
Given Caron's cool personality, he wouldn't have bragged.
In other words, that's a lie made up of Lucia's delusion.
At this point, its credibility drops even further.
'Well, it does seem to be true that Caron offered Renia's head.'
Lucia fumed and continued.
"Ha, you really haven't come to your senses? This won't do. I'll have to go fight Caron and invalidate the deal or something."
"Keke, are you confident you can win?"
"It won't be easy. He probably has a secret weapon or two hidden. But the same goes for me. It's well worth trying."
Caron, the Empire's rat specialized in assassination and one-on-one combat.
Lucia, one of the Empire's Ten Swords and a hero recognized by the Empire.
'I'm personally curious who would win, but...'
It's troublesome if the two fight.
Because they're both my people.
"Don't fight him."
"Why?"
"Because I'm worried."
Lucia trembled slightly.
Why is she acting like that? It's just pure worry.
"Hm-hmm... At least teaching you paid off. But don't mind it. I'll say it clearly, you're a student and I'm a teacher!"
Mumble mumble.
Lucia kept muttering with her head slightly turned, but my interest was already far away.
'Come to think of it, it's a bit of a difficult situation.'
Luna is the problem.
Because the time for Luna to realize the fact that Caron is her enemy will be faster than the time to find out what happened to Caron and Renia that day.
Putting other things aside, it's a clear fact that Caron offered Renia's head to the Emperor.
It'll be enough to make Luna angry.
'Enemy... huh.'
The biggest reason Caron can't approach Luna. The reason he only watches from behind.
Like this, one piece of the puzzle was put together. But.
I wasn't happy at all. Strangely enough.
"Ah, you should tell me who the survivor of the Lester family is."
"Pardon?"
"It's one of the conditions of the deal! Don't think about glossing over it! I absolutely need to know this!"
Come to think of it, that's right.
Training, three wish coupons, and even an alliance with Lucia.
In return, I promised to keep the secret of the Lucid family and tell her the survivor of the Lester family.
Normally I would have told her now, but...
'This is troublesome.'
A cold sweat flowed down my back.
If she finds out Luna is Renia's daughter?
She'll shout 'Luna! Your enemy is over there!' and Luna will immediately pummel Caron.
I, caught in between, will suffer tremendously, and in the worst case, I might lose both of them.
I can't get by with a lie in this situation either.
So...
"I'll tell you right before you leave."
"What? Why?"
"I haven't gained anything substantial yet, have I."
The training is in progress, the wish coupons will be used later, and the alliance isn't even visible.
"In this situation, I can't give you what I have. So I'll tell you after we finish all the training, right before you leave."
"Wh-what kind of guy are you! Do you really want to die?"
Lucia started shaking my head while grabbing it.
But I have no choice.
Delaying it as much as possible and blocking Lucia and Luna's approach on the last day.
That's the best I can do right now.
"Say it, I said say it!"
Shake shake shake-.
Of course, the price was my precious hair.
*
Lucia, who plucked a handful of Zero's hair.
She threw it into the air and shouted.
"Argh, so annoying! Anyways, those rats are... No, that guy isn't a rat, but...!"
His qualities are more than sufficient.
Lucia realized that through this conversation.
"What if I acknowledge it! It just made me feel worse!"
"Keke, but anger isn't good for the skin?"
Lucia glared.
The nanny who had taken care of her since childhood. She was suddenly by her side.
"Nanny, can you please stop using that way of speaking?"
"Keke, the more I use it, the more charming it becomes. I'll perfect it. So that I won't forget Zero even after leaving this place."
"...Sigh."
Lucia decided to just leave it.
Because it's not more important than separating Caron and Zero.
"You seem to be getting along well with Zero. Has there been any progress?"
"What progress. Not only is he young, but such a suspicious guy is absolutely not allowed."
"Where is Zero suspicious?"
"Well..."
Lucia thought for a moment.
She soon realized she couldn't tell the truth.
If she says 'Zero knows our family's secret'?
The nanny's worries will be endless.
It might even be reported to Duke Luke.
In the end, Lucia's choice was...
"It's a secret."
The nanny's eyes widened sideways. At the same time, a sinister smile appeared.
Rather than feeling bad, she seems to have discovered something interesting.
"Hoho, a secret even from me, your nanny. Have you already reached the stage of having such things?"
"It's not that kind of secret..."
"Have more secrets. For example... @#$% or something?"
"Ky-kyaa! Nanny! What on earth are you saying!"
Lucia shouted in shock.
Perhaps because it was such an incredible(?) thing to say. It caused a rejection response in her head.
"Are you going to head home now?"
"Hmm..."
Lucia fell into thought for a moment.
Normally it would be time to lie on the bed and bully cute Delin.
But.
-Keke, it could be a misunderstanding.
For some reason, Zero's words suddenly came to mind.
"...Nanny, do you know where Caron is now?"
"...!"
The nanny tried to act nonchalant and desperately manage her expression.
Because she knows well that Lucia hates Caron.
But not only is she showing such a docile attitude, she's even going to meet him.
"Catching a rat nearby would easily reveal his location."
Speaking of Caron's whereabouts was a taboo.
However, it was Caron's directive that it was alright to disclose this to someone of Elester's caliber.
If a powerful individual is seeking Caron, it signifies an urgent situation.
And the nanny was well aware that this rule also applied to Lucia.
No, even if it were not allowed, she was prepared to force the information out.
Lucia was on the verge of significant mental growth.
"I need to see Caron."
"I will accompany you."
"I can go alone, you know?"
"Protecting you is the very purpose of my existence."
The nanny flashed a smile and then disappeared.
She must have gone to catch a rat.
'To think that protecting me is the purpose of her existence...'
It felt like a statement that was both pleasing and disheartening.
Lucia, staring at the spot where the nanny had vanished, fell into deep thought.
But nanny, do you know?
Protecting my family is the purpose of my existence. And that includes.
Protecting you as well.
"It's the purpose of my existence."
--TL Notes--
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