Chapter 73: Cry of Copse


    Earl Sitterheims POV


    Bassau, one of the cities inside the Southern part of the Empire. Among the mansions of the Nobles of the south, the mansion in this city should be counted from the bottom in terms of its size.


    Thats where the Lord of the area where Lynfias vige was located and the person who should be the one offering help to them, Earl Dennis von Sitterheim, reside.


    So..Duke Kruger has no intention to help me. Is that correct?


    That seems to be the case.


    Hearing the reply of the messenger serving under Sven von Kruger, Denniss expression was like he just took a bite out of worms.


    Then what should I do?


    He wants you to take the me for being the mastermind of this case. Everything will be your responsibility.


    Saying so the messengers face turned into a smile.


    He wholeheartedly believed that Dennis would ept the deal.


    For the South huh


    Exactly. Including you, one-third of the Southern Nobles are cooperating with Duke Kruger. He wants you to sacrifice yourself to protect our fellow Southern Noblemen.


    How did ite to this.


    Dennis takes a deep sigh.


    Dennis only turned 33 years old this year. He became a Lord ten years ago but now he felt ashamed of that.


    At first, he only acted ording to his fathers will.


    It was only one year after the Emperor decreed all the immigrants to be imperial citizens that his father passed away. At that time, his father told him that the immigrants will never be considered a citizen in their territory.


    Denniss father was once injured by a rampaging immigrant which rendered his legs paralyzed. He held a grudge against them because of that and the young Dennis understands him.


    Then a few yearster, that fact was revealed to Duke Kruger. If the news were to reach the capital, his lordship would be over and he was forced to help the Duke with his kidnapping operation.


    There is now a base for the kidnapping organization underneath his mansion with the knights from Duke Kruger patrolling his mansion to guarantee his loyalty.


    He has been cornered to the point where he can not turn back and right now he is being discarded.


    If I obey, will the security of my people be guaranteed?


    But of course.


    The messengers words terribly smell of lies.


    In the past, Dennis once tried to reach out to the Emperor because of the guilt he felt. At that time, the Earldom of Sitterheim was heavily harassed by the Southern Nobles. Their crops were destroyed, theirnds couldnt satisfyingly grow anything, and his people were starved because the crop distribution itself was hindered.


    After that, Dennis apologized to Duke Kruger and swore his allegiance. It was to protect his people.


    He has no way to know what kind of terrible things Duke Kruger would rain down on his people if he decides to betray him again this time.


    Thats why Dennis decided to give up.


    Fine then. I will take all the me as the mastermind.


    Thank you, I wont forget the sacrifice you made for the South.


    Never mind that. How about you just say that this is all for Duke Krugers sake? He already took control of most of the South and has been acting like King for a while now. Just what is nning to do?


    That has nothing to do with you.


    It has. I am being a stepping stone for Duke Kruger after all. Is he nning an uprising?


    Fuh.My Lord doesnt have such a thing in mind. Lets just say that this is all for the throne shall we.


    I seeso if pushes to shove he nned to start a rebellion in the south and put Her Highness Zandra on the throne huh. If thats the case then Duke Kruger will be a close rtive of the throne. Its the Fifth Consort we are talking about. She must have nted Duke Krugers people there already. Certainly, this is not a usurpation. This is a takeover.


    At Denniss bitter analysis, the messenger did not move. This is because something like this is not surprising given the history of the Empire. However, an emperor who relies on their rtives like that does notst long. They will eventually lose power and be eaten alive by other nobles after all.


    What does Duke Kruger think about that.


    He is the man who has been manipting the kidnapping organization and incorporates many of the Southern Nobles into his faction, he must already have thought things like this.


    But that doesnt matter now. When Dennis has that self-ridiculing thought, a de suddenly protruded from the messengers chest.


    Goho..


    Wha!?


    Forgive meMy Lord.


    Said a young female knight.


    To Dennis, this light-brown hair that almost seemed orange was not just a simple knight.


    Reba!? What are you trying to do!?


    You must not believe his words! They were nning to kill you, my Lord!


    What!?


    They are going to kill you after you have written a confession letter and handed it to Prince Leonard! Please, you must hurry and escape!


    Looking around, he saw that there are many knights in the room beside Reba.


    They were the few knights in the mansion who swore their loyalty to the Ducal House of Sitterheim.


    Lets head to Prince Leonards side and reveal the evil acts of the Duke! He is the prince who never gives up on the victims in the Principality of Albatro! He will definitely help us!


    Dennis keeps silent for a while after hearing Rebas plea.


    He should be able to escape from this city.


    But can they really escape?


    Theres no way that the Duke would not be cautious against betrayal at this crucial moment and he is also aware that Dennis tried to betray him once before.


    There will definitely be an ambush on his way to join Prince Leonard.


    Dennis read the situation as such and let out a heavy breath.


    He thenughed at his own foolishness.


    Hahahawhat a useless man I am.


    My Lord?


    ..Sir Reba. I am giving you a mission.


    Saying so, Dennis steps on the floor at the corner of the room.


    Doing so, it opened and revealed a letter inside. It was a letter Dennis had written describing all the evil deeds of Duke Kruger and other Southern Nobles.


    It was all in his handwriting with a special magical blood stamp used in writing important contracts. The presence of this stamp will increase the letters credibility.


    Take this letter and head to the Imperial Capital.


    No!? Are you saying that I should escape alone!?


    You are the daughter of my best friend. For me who has no children, you were like a daughterthats why I am entrusting this to you. Please head to the Imperial Capital and hand this to the Emperor.


    No! Please let me stay with you!


    You cant. You are still young. This is no ce for you to throw your life away.


    Saying so, Dennis picks up the sword lying against the wall.


    Seeing him, Reba realized that Dennis was nning to die.


    It has been over ten years since her parents passed away when she was young and the Lord who has been acting as her new parent is now about to die.


    Reba couldnt ept that.


    I will fight too! I will repay you for raising me!


    I didnt raise you so that you could die! Live on..please grant this miserable wish of mine.


    No! I wont! At least please run away together with me My Lord!


    I have abandoned many childrenI dont think I can live with that any longer. Of course, this will not be an honorable death. There is no longer honor left in this house anymore. But, at the very least I have to fulfill my duty as a noble.


    Saying so, Dennis looks over his knights except for Reba.


    Their faces are determined. Originally, they were prepared to give their lives in order to let their Lord escape. However, if the Lord himself said that he has onest thing to do then no one among them is going to stop him.


    What duty of a noble.is it your duty to die!?


    Wrong. It is to save. All the children who were kidnapped in the South will at some point be gathered here once. It was to determine their value. There are still many children left in the mansion. I can not escape by myself now can I.


    But..I am your knight as well!


    The mission of a knight is to obey their Lords order. I wont allow you to be selfish any longer. Go! Sir Reba!


    His voice was firm like never before.


    Receiving her order, Reba sheds her tears while kneeling down and epts the letter.


    Then, footsteps can be heard from outside.


    Dennis who heard it give out hisst order.


    Use the window to get out. While we are fighting, spread the words that theres a rebellion and use the confusion to run to the capital!


    Yes..


    Receiving her order, Reba standby waiting at the window.


    Dennis kicked open the door and began to engage with Duke Krugers knights who were taken by surprise.


    With his back burned to her eyes, Reba jumped out of the window.


    Then.


    ITS A REBELLION! THERE ARE REBELS AT THE LORDS MANSION! EVERYONE, RUN AWAY-   !!


    Leaving the mansion, Reba screamed at the top of her lungs and began her long journey to the imperial capital.


    WOAAAAAH!!


    Dennis cut down one knight after another.


    He has finally reached the basement of his mansion.


    There were a lot of knights who swore their loyalty toward him more than he thought and they are now furiously fighting against Duke Krugers knights who haughtily walk around the mansion like they own the ce.


    Hiiiii!!??


    Get out of my way!


    The ve merchant who fell on his butt was decapitated by Dennis without any hesitation.


    They were merchants associated with the Kruger house who were there to determine the value of the ve children.


    Dennis doesnt have anypassion for them.


    After that, Dennis and a small number of knights apanying him arrived at the prison where the children are being held.


    Dozens of children were cored and put inside the dimly lit prison.


    After seeing the unsanitary prison cell and how thin the children have be, Dennis thought to himself that he should have done this sooner.


    Its okay! I came to save you!


    Dennis then took the key from the corpse of the guard and opened the cell.


    However, the children did not try to move as if they were solidified.


    Seeing that, Dennis sheathed his sword and slowly entered the cell.


    Its alrightI will get you out of here


    Really.?


    One girl mutters.


    She is around ten years old with odd eyes of red and blue irises.


    Guessing that she is a child from the immigrant vige, Dennis bites his lips.


    Yeah, really


    I can return to the vige?


    Yes, you can


    I can meet Lyn-oneechan..?


    Yes, you can. Theres a gentle prince called Prince Leonarding to rescue you. He will definitely take care of you.


    Saying so, Dennis slowly approaches the girl.


    He then gently embraced the dirty girl.


    Im sorryIm sorry..


    I want to go home.I want to go back


    Stroking the hair of the sobbing girl, Dennis nods.


    Dennis looks over and tells the other children.


    Everyone, I will get you home. I swear.


    Smiles appear on the childrens faces with his words.


    However,


    I wont let you do that.


    Gohoh


    A man in ck appeared behind him and pierced Denniss chest.


    Dennis coughs up blood and squeezes his power to pull out his sword and sh at the man.


    However, his attack did not hit.


    This man was the instructor who trained talented children into an assassin. Hes not an enemy he can defeat with superficial swordsmanship.


    Not to mention his pierced chest, it is clear that he is now at deaths door


    Still, Dennis did not give up.


    He didnt have any right to.


    Even so.


    There was a wall called real ability that he wouldnt be able to ovee no matter how determined he is.


    Dennis rushes at the man in desperation.


    WOAHHHHHHH!!!!


    How unsightly.


    The instructor cut off Dennis head as he lunged past him.


    His neck fluttered through the air, rolling underneath the feet of the girl with odd-eyes.


    Seeing the head of the man who said he came to save her, for a moment, the girl did not know what just happened.


    However, the moment her eyes met with Denniss, her faint hope was shattered and fear and despair took over her heart.


    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!


    The cry of the girl was loud and echoed through the ce.


    At the same time, the girls eyes glow and the prison was then wrapped in something ck.