The Reincarnated Martial God Brings Down the Heavens

Chapter 128 – Baron Ancelot (3)

Just as I stepped out of Milon’s mansion.

“Please wait!”

“……?”

Nella, Raven’s disciple, was rushing after me.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“Well……”

After hesitating for a moment, Nella took a deep breath.

“First of all, I want to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“Before I came here, I heard from Narakas about who your master is.”

“……”

Narakas, from what I’ve seen, is quite tight-lipped. Trust is the foundation of information trade, after all.

If he said something, there must have been a reason.

“You’re not angry?”

“I trust him.”

“……!”

Nella’s eyes widened for a split second before reverting back to her usual expression.

“I heard you haven’t known him for long, though……”

“The depth of trust isn’t always proportional to the time spent together.”

There were plenty of people whose trust lessened the more you got to know them.

“……Well, I can’t help but envy that.”

“Envy?”

“I know better than anyone how hard it is to find someone you can truly trust.”

Though it seemed there was more to her story, I didn’t have the time to dig into it now.

“What is it you want to say?”

“It’s connected to what we’ve just been talking about. I don’t trust people easily. However, the fact that you know my old name, which only a few would remember…… That alone proves you’re the Great Hero’s fellow disciple.”

Now it made sense why Narakas had revealed my identity. Even he wouldn’t have known the old name of one of countless orphans.

He must have asked to confirm her identity, and Nella likely grew curious in the process.

“Are you planning to seek revenge?”

By this point, I had no choice but to ask in return.

“Revenge for my master? Or yours?”

“……”

Nella’s face darkened.

“I see you don’t trust my master.”

“There’s no trust between him and me yet.”

I heard he worked for the emperor in the Poison Palace for ten years to protect a daughter I didn’t even know I had.

But now, I couldn’t believe anything without seeing the proof for myself.

“……I understand your reaction.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Well, if someday I successfully create a cure for dwarfism……”

This chapter upload first at NovelUsb.Com

Muttering as she looked at the ground, Nella suddenly lifted her head.

“In other words…… If you’re convinced I’m someone you can trust, then……”

“Then?”

Looking at me as I repeated her words, she asked earnestly.

“Would you make a deal with me, then?”

After the brief encounter with Nella, I went to meet the Marquis Foltaine, as originally intended.

‘I don’t know what kind of deal that kid is talking about, but it must be related to Raven somehow.’

I was curious about what kind of deal she would propose. In any case, I needed to procure the medicinal ingredients quickly for various reasons.

“Why are you here, you rascal?”

Aside from that, the other party seemed quite miffed with me. He must have heard from his men that assassins targeted me last night.

Since I’d stubbornly brought the danger upon myself, his reaction was entirely understandable.

“I apologize for worrying you.”

“Hmph. Why are you apologizing if you’re so bent on risking your life?”

“No matter how recklessly I treat my body, isn’t it a different story for someone who sees me as family?”

“……”

Marquis Foltaine glared at me like a flatfish.

“You think calling me family only when it’s beneficial for you will melt my heart?”

“I was only being honest. I’m always grateful.”

“Oh, gratitude, you say? How about you become my actual child, then? Then I’ll forgive you for everything.”

A wry smile crept onto my face at his remark.

Look here, friend. If I hadn’t died, we’d be of the same age. Still, rational thoughts aside……

‘Somehow……’

As someone who had never had parents, I always felt something stir in me when I saw Marquis Foltaine. A corner of my heart would ache in an unfamiliar way.

‘……If I had real parents, would it feel like this?’

Letting out a sigh, I spoke up again.

“I’ll be leaving for the Black Swan soon.”

“Damn it!”

Marquis Foltaine’s face scrunched up immediately.

“You apologize, but nothing changes!”

“……”

Being like this brought back memories of my dead Andy.

I regretted being able to play with my son only a few times.

I endlessly blamed myself for not spending even a little more time with him when I had the chance.

I figured many fathers must feel what I felt now. Caught up with work, busy earning money, or just tired.

For various reasons, they drift further from their children. And before they know it, their kids have grown up too fast.

A wall grows between parent and child during that time. Tearing down that lifelong wall is no easy task.

‘If Marquis Foltaine truly thought of me as his child, he might feel the same.’

With that thought, I made a suggestion. Or rather, a request.

“Will you come with me?”

“……!”

Marquis Foltaine’s eyes widened as if they’d pop out of his head.

“To that cursed land of death again?”

“If you come with me, I’d feel much more at ease.”

“……”

After a long silence, he stared at me and then.

“……Heheheh.”

A soft chuckle escaped him.

“This time, I like what I’m hearing. Fine. Let’s go together.”

Hearing his response, I couldn’t help but smile.

Thank you, Marquis Foltaine. For caring so deeply about someone as unworthy as me.

***

The next visit was to Duke Herman’s estate.

“I appreciate what you did at the royal court.”

“Did you come all the way here just to offer thanks?”

Duke Herman asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“I felt that if I didn’t say it in person, you might not recognize my sincerity.”

“As expected of a child beloved by my old friend. Your social skills are already exemplary.”

That old friend, of course, referred to Marquis Foltaine.

“Still, it was your own skill that earned you the title and land. There’s no need to thank me.”

“Even so, gratitude is gratitude.”

“Well, if you’re truly thankful……”

Duke Herman’s expression suddenly grew serious.

“Take good care of Princess Winley. If I ever see tears in her eyes because of you……”

“Do you truly think I’m the kind of shameless man who makes women cry?”

“……I’m saying this because it’s you, though? You really didn’t hold back your blows back at the knight’s exam.”

“Ahem.”

I cleared my throat awkwardly. After all, I understood what he was feeling. I bet at that time, he wanted to beat me half to death.

His affection for Winley likely mirrored those Marquis Foltaine had for me. Perhaps even more so.

‘Since he believes himself responsible for the death of Winley’s mother, the third queen.’

Having already heard the general details from Narakas, I gave him a bitter smile.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve heard from Marquis Foltaine. You’ll soon be heading to your territory, yes?”

“Sorry? You got word already?”

But I’d only just left……?

“Do you think communication crystals are just for show?”

“Ah……”

I don’t know about anything else, but he really is good at taking action.

“I’ll get two of my knight orders prepared. Take them with you.”

“……!”

The Herman family had seven knight orders in total. To offer two was a significant gesture, nearly a third of their forces.

“That’s too much. Now that I’ve seen the area, I don’t think such precautions are necessary……”

“Think bigger. An empty land with no people is too desolate. Security will be a concern as well.”

“There are people, though.”

“You don’t mean the Verdant Veil, do you? Are you seriously considering putting thieves in charge of security?”

Since I didn’t know each one of them personally, I couldn’t say that I was going to.

At my silence, Duke Herman smiled slyly.

“Use them well and return them when you’re done. I’ll just consider it a temporary reassignment.”

“Won’t the knights have complaints?”

“Well, what can they do? Orders are orders.”

Duke Herman, who had responded jokingly, became serious again.

“This isn’t just about maintaining security. You saw it at the court, didn’t you? The hostile glances aimed at you.”

“Ah……”

“You’ve already been targeted once. Someone else might come for you out of jealousy. But no one would dare act rashly when faced with my family’s emblem.”

How could I refuse his generosity when he was going this far to make me accept?

‘And they say that a single word can pay a debt of a thousand gold.’

I bowed deeply with sincerity.

“I’ll repay your kindness when I’m stronger.”

“Kindness? If you’re really thankful, just treat Her Highness well.”

No.

That wasn’t enough. True gratitude required direct action.

‘I heard the third queen left a will in the Empire.’

Though Duke Herman didn’t know yet, I did.

‘If Narakas fails to retrieve it, I’ll do so myself.’

Yes.

Even if the Emperor refused to hand it over, I decided I would take it—by force, if I had to.

***

The final meeting of the day was with Duke Serin.

“I must admit, I was surprised you chose to help me. I never imagined you would.”

“I realized how reckless the prince truly is. Better to align myself with you than risk the madness turning my way.”

“So this time, I’ll be bathing in my own blood, and not someone else’s.”

“Hahaha.”

Duke Serin chuckled, then smoothly shifted topics.

“Speaking of which, the assassins from last night? They were hired by the Meeke Principality.”

“Is that true?”

“They spent quite a sum trying to kill you. Given the Empire’s efforts to eradicate skilled assassins, finding competent ones must’ve been a challenge.”

“How did you find out?”

Duke Serin shrugged.

“You underestimate me, Your Highness. I’m one of only three dukes in this kingdom, and this is my territory.”

“I never underestimated you, Your Grace. I’m simply impressed.”

Duke Serin leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with expectation.

“Don’t you think you should exact some fiery revenge?”

It was clear he relished testing me.

Perhaps he believed we were alike, certain that no matter how I pretended to be different, the end results would be the same.

He wouldn’t accept that he might be wrong. To do so would mean questioning everything he’d lived for.

‘If he needs a turning point…… I’ll give him one.’

“Where are they now?”

“……!”

Duke Serin’s eyes sparkled. He looked delighted. Soon after, he leapt to his feet.

“Follow me. I’ll take you to them myself.”

* * *