Chapter 13 - Desiring Freedom
The Emperor of the West Empire had changed four times. The West Empire was a strong empire back when Emperor Iver, famous for his tuberosity, occupied its throne. But now it barely existed, like a piece of cake eaten around.
The minorities, who relegated to the corner of the West, did not miss the opportunity and attacked the Empire. All sides of the Empire became a battlefield, and in the middle of it, a young child with a sword suddenly appeared.
On the battlefield, even a child like that
Ironically, those who felt pity towards the child died first. Yet the child survived tenaciously, even if his back was covered with wounds and his breathing was ragged, persistently enduring. The longer he was on the battlefield, the more injuries he suffered.
By the time the Emperor of Miltan was replaced for the fifth time, he turned his sword to the center of the Empire, the symbol of the Iver family carved in his gloves.
He sported black hair, which was golden before. The necklace around his neck was nothing but a tool for hiding his blonde hair.
It was about ten years after the child appeared.
His name was Nabel Iver.
***
The fork poked the apple in the middle, clutched by a hand that was tender and thin. The owner of the hand saw one side of the apple turning brown, and took a bite, avoiding it.
Rone suddenly looked at her hand. Every time she looked at it, she would sometimes remember another hand, holding her own.
Nabel. A small frown appeared on her lips. It was a name she hadnt forgotten even after ten years.
The child, who was no longer there, was a little taller than her then. By now, wouldnt he be much bigger than her?
Rone thought, how are you doing?
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He was bought by her as a slave, but he was not a slave. Rone did not treat him as a slave. Nabel was a free man, and he left.You said youd come back.
She hadnt been under much sunlight, so her skin was pale. She picked up the fork again. It was then,
Lady!
There was only one person who came rushing into her room: the maid Ryne.
Ryne? Is something wrong?
Lady Ryne was panting, unable to speak.
Rone immediately knew that the fear she had been dreading for ten years had finally come.
From the temple, I got a call.
Rone dropped the fork. The fox, Bell, jumped into her arms and sat down. As if it was reassuring, as if it was there to protect.
Rone saw Nabel from Bell. For a moment, she reminisced about their childhood promise that he would come back, but she immediately erased it from her mind. The child, who said he would be back soon, was late. Its been ten years since she started expecting his return even though she said she wouldnt.
Rone closed her eyes. This year, she turned 27 years old.
***
Where are the heretics?
The Wizards of the Gods Crest entered the mansion. While Count Rieda and Lady Countess treated them with great care, knights rushed into Rones room.
Youll be dragged out anyway when the sorcerers arrive. Is there any reason to stay here?
The knights laughed at Rone to their hearts content. Now that the sorcerers from the temple had officially come, they thought that no matter how many foxes she had, she still would not be able to endure.
It was the moment they had been waiting for ten years.
Lady The maid, Ryne, was at a loss.
Rone looked out of the window. Oblivious to her wretched situation, the sun was brightly shining across the clear skies.
It would be better to walk out than to be dragged out, Rone thought, raising herself up.
Dont you want to go out?The voice of Nabel she remembered was still young. Hed be an adult now. She recalled his voice again, wondering how he looked now.
I want to go out, too.Rone gazed out of the window once more. That was the first time in her twenty-seven-year-old life.Can we get out of here?
The Rieda family was the leading family of numerous knights and wizards. It was too much for her alone. Until now, she had been told to behave at the temple, which prevented her death. However, orders had already been issued to kill her if she resisted violently.
If the devil resists strongly, cleanse it.
Rones father accepted the order from the temple with a look of regret.
What they said was quite a spectacle.
Itll take a long time to recreate your daughter, but you are still young, wouldnt it be all right?
Rones stepmother, now in her late thirties, could not hide her laughter at the remark. That day, Rone completely abandoned her personal affection for the two after hearing their conversation. Besides, it was already thinner than a thread.
Still, I couldnt get out. No, I couldnt get out.
Since then, theyve been acting like they could kill Rone somehow.
If you try to escape with all your might, we wont hesitate to do anything cruel on the other side, they would say.
But Rone still desired to leave. It was better than being treated like a demon and going to the temple anyway.