Chapter 103: Strange but not unfamiliar

“Or should I slit your throats right now to make you believe me?”

When he saw Ruel’s arrogant smile, he could tell that he wasn’t lying.

Gors’ head bowed to the apparent warning.

“Now that you have proven you’re not the Red Ash, it’s settled. You will eradicate the Red Ash that has spread in the back alleys, alongside my people.”

“Why don’t you force obedience?”

“What are you saying?”

Ruel snorted.

It was funny how he kept treating himself like he was an important person.

“It would be very easy to cut off your head.”

Ruel’s gaze turned to Cassion, standing behind Gors.

Gors also followed Ruel’s gaze and immediately bowed his head in surprise.

“I need a leader to control the back alleys, and don’t you need hope?”

The support was given, but it was up to Gors to achieve it in the end.

Take it or not.

Gors had one of two choices.

“Thank you… Thank you, Lord.”

Gors was crying. He was offered a proposal by Ruel.

“I’ve misunderstood a lot. I thought that the head of the family was a noble person after all, so he would not help us, who were stigmatized. But there is hope. There was someone willing to help us.”

He seemed to have forgotten Shen, and all Gors could feel was deep admiration.

“Do you know Plane?”

“I know.”

“Just don’t cross the line I set like that guy.”

“Mind, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ruel said as he looked at Gors, who was lying face down.

“Maybe you can find out who is connected to the Red Ash. I’ll put my birds on it, so get in touch.”

“This humble servant will do anything for the Lord.”

“Go now.”

When Ruel shook his hand, Cassion disappeared into the shadows as he had come with Gors.

Ruel breathed in Breath.

Feeling a slight discomfort in his stomach, he lay down on the bed.

“I’m a little worried.”

Aris looked at the seat where Gors had sat and said.

“I don’t know if the Plane incident will happen again.”

Ruel was reorganizing the back alley.

It will have a huge ripple effect on its own.

“Anything that will happen is bound to happen no matter how much you block it. Also, back alleys are created no matter how hard you try to block them. If it’s going to happen anyway, it’s better to put it under my watch.”

“It’s not Gors I’m worried about, it’s that someone else will go for the job.”

“Don’t worry. My butler is a good judge of a person’s abilities.”

Pfft.

Aris laughed unintentionally.

“Yes, my concern was too much. It may have been influenced by Mr. Tyson.”

“Go now. You’re busy.”

Ruel was really free because Billo and Cassion had taken away most of his work.

—No. Aris is not busy.

Leo jumped up and clung to Aris’ arm.

Aris stroked Leo’s head at the sight of him asking him to play.

“Then I’ll go after playing with Leo and being his free-time companion.”

—Okay.

When Aris took out a notebook, Ruel quickly changed his mind.

It seemed that the idea of being a mere companion in words was not what he had in mind.

‘You have become a worthy wizard.’

Even though he was his Uncle, it was undoubtedly Aris who surpassed Tyson.

***

For four days, the routine of sleeping, eating, gathering mana, and summoning continued repeatedly.

Ruel looked at his monotonous life, feeling like he might meld with the bed at any moment.

‘What day is it today?’

Ruel counted the days on his fingers and hurriedly poured mana into the ring.

Even though Leponia’s business in Cyronian was over, Ruel still had to pay attention to the situation.

Since the novel itself flows around Cyronian, there was something to be told to Ganien.

“Ganien, are you free now?”

-I’m on duty right now. It’s okay if it’s only for a minute.

Ruel heard the door sound as if he was entering a room.

“Is Lord Sien doing well?”

-If you mean Master, he is currently with His Majesty… Why do you ask?

“The Red Ash on the Cyronian side seems to be quiet.”

Ruel didn’t know the exact date, but on the day when winter officially arrived, Sien had an accident.

It was poison.

Although he didn’t die, he was seriously injured affecting his ability to use Aura, to the point where he had to quit being a knight, so this had to be prevented.

The culprit was not revealed.

-Well, I did find it suspiciously quiet too. It’s like a blow to the back of the head, and I can’t just sit still.

“Based on my experience, they’ll target the surroundings, especially those close to you. So, it would be Lord Sien in your case.”

In fact, the Red Ash attack wasn’t just focused on him.

Ruel happened to see the Red Ash that was smashed while attacking Cassion.

Although they didn’t say anything, it seemed like the enemy was coming after Cassion and Aris as well.

Gnash.

The sound of Ganien grinding his teeth was clearly heard.

“Pay special attention to food items. Who would attack Lord Sien with a sword? Also, recheck the guards.”

-…You’re not poisoned again, are you?

“No, it’s quiet these days.”

Since Ruel was back at the mansion, Cheynol was taking care of preventing any minor attacks or external attacks.

Since there hadn’t been any direct attacks on him, it was true that it had been quiet.

-What about the injuries?

“It’s getting better. Nothing came out?”

-It’s just some nobles getting involved here, and some nobles getting entangled there. It’s like they’re all parroting the same thing. Ah!

Ganien suddenly became silent.

“What is it?”

-The barrier in the Tonisk Empire was shaken very slightly. It’s not like anyone came out.

“Shaken, you say?”

-I am investigating, but there does seem to be something strange. I’ll let you know once I have a definite answer. I don’t want to cause unnecessary confusion.

Ruel inhaled Breath while waiting for Ganien’s next words.

-And this really isn’t a big deal.

“Tell me.”

-The Kingdom of Kran has started to make moves. It’s a natural response, but I can’t quite grasp what they’re thinking. As you know, our country doesn’t have a good relationship with them.

“They might even send an envoy to Leponia.”

-Well, for now, that seems to be the case. Anyway, that’s all for now. Take care of yourself.

“Sure, keep an eye on Lord Sien.”

With Ganien’s reply, ‘Yes,’ the communication was cut off.

Now Sien’s life as a knight was up to Ganien.

‘I hope you’re safe.’

Ruel sighed immediately.

—What happened?

Leo, who was playing with the spirits, checked on Ruel.

“No, by the way, where are the spirits going after they grow up?”

—They said they were going to the place where they were supposed to be… They have decreased again!

Leo soon broke into tears.

—This body has less food.

As the wound progressed, the power of recovery shifted again toward the mark.

Ruel didn’t know if it’s because of Fran’s medicine or whether it was the spirits, but the marks growth has slowed significantly.

‘Does Fran get surprised every time she examines me? I’m sure it’s noticeably better.’

Ruel patted Leo and closed his eyes quietly.

What’s the point of playing?

He diligently increased his mana pool by increasing the power of resistance and reflection.

***

A week later.

“You can walk around now. The wound has healed well. Thank you very, very much for being careful.”

Fran was deeply moved as she looked at the newly healed, white scars on his skin.

“You gained more weight than before, and your condition has improved a lot.”

“He’s been coughing less these days.”

Cassion spoke with satisfaction.

‘The amount of medicine I take has increased.’

Ruel inhaled Breath and turned his head slightly to avoid the two burdensome pair of eyes.

“That’s really wonderful. If you continue like this, there might be hope for a full recovery…”

As Fran spoke, she glanced to the side finally noticing Tierra’s eyes were filled with tears.

Fran chuckled softly.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m so happy. Now I can see the improvement, and I know how hard the Lord and sister have worked to get to this point. I’m crying without realizing it.”

“D-don’t cry in front of the patient.”

Giving Tierra a handkerchief, Fran rose from her seat.

“Today’s examination is over. Well then, see you tomorrow.”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you?”

Fran paused at Ruel’s words.

Something was ominous.

“What do you mean…”

“I’m going out tomorrow. Thanks to you, I’ll make sure to move lightly.”

“Now, wait a minute. It’s true that you’re feeling better, but it’s too soon to go out.”

“Is my condition so terrible that I can’t even go out?”

“…That’s not true. However, I am worried because the Lord is weak.”

Unlike the usual Fran, her voice and eyes were weak.

She didn’t even mention stability, so he was sure to be in good shape.

“I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

Ruel showed a faint smile.

“Okay… Alright. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

Although Fran was angry, she held it in and left the room with Tierra.

—There’s less dirty stuff again.

Leo crouched weakly around Ruel, showing his regret.

—I’m glad that Ruel doesn’t get sick more than before, but I’m sad that there’s less food. This body is troubled between the two emotions now.

Leo’s prey was himself.

How anxious would you be if the food that seemed to last forever decreases.

‘What should Leo eat if my mark disappears?’

In the first place, wasn’t Leo drawn to his mark and ended up breaking one of his arms?

“Is it the influence of spirits? Or is it thanks to Fran’s new drug? I’ve never seen Ruel-nim so healthy.”

Cassion’s sighs have also decreased these days.

“I’m not in a good enough state to hear that often.”

Ruel bit the pie placed beside him.

He gave one to Leo, and he immediately became happy and started wagging his tail.

“So, are you ready?”

“Yes, they are all ready.”

A week ago, Ruel sent Ben a letter saying he was going to see him.

The Red Ash must be eagerly awaiting him, who had been crouching in his mansion for so long.

‘There will definitely be an attack.’

But tonight, Ruel would depart for the Liobenez Territory, while the Shadows would assist Gors in eliminating the Red Ash who had infiltrated the back alleys.

This time, Ruel couldn’t mobilize the knights.

They had to act discreetly, so it was decided to keep the numbers minimal for the confrontation.

“I have something to tell you.”

“I’ll listen to you in the carriage.”

Ruel rose from his seat.

It was the first time in a long time that he was away from his bedside, and he was deeply moved.

“That’s it.”

As soon as he moved, the spirits moved en masse to cling to his body.

He couldn’t take them all.

“Only the kids who are less grown up should follow me.”

Kuroo kuru.

The mongrels were talking to each other as if they were having a meeting, and about 20 of them clung to his body.

—Ruel’s shoulder is the seat of this body!

Leo jumped up to Ruel’s shoulder.

He seemed delighted at the mention of going out, forgetting about the fact that the black things had diminished.

“Leo.”

—Tell me.

“Do the treats you eat not satisfy your hunger?”

—Not only do they fail to satisfy this body’s hunger, but they also can’t sustain this body.

Cassion looked at Leo with an expression asking why he had been eating like that all this time then.

As if to pretend Ruel didn’t hear him, Ruel quickly walked over to the door and opened it.

‘Can’t you fill his stomach with anything but black things?’

He never thought about what would happen after removing the mark.

What happens to Leo if the mark disappears.

‘If you don’t eat it, it’ll disappear.’

Ruel was worried.

At first, Ruel brought Leo along because he thought it would be useful, but now Ruel couldn’t imagine not having him by his side.

—Why do you ask that? You suddenly look sad.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Ruel stroked Leo and held his cane.

Ttak.

The ringing sound was quite heavy after a long time.

***

-Start.

With Ruel’s command, the shadows next to Gors quickly dispersed.

“…ha.”

A long breath came from Gors.

It was serious.

After Plane died, those in the back alley fell into the group called Red Ash like a plague.

Even those he regarded as comrades, as brothers, were no exception.

But it has to be done.

By doing so, they would receive the promised hope.

They would fulfill the owner’s desire.

Swoosh.

He drew his sword and took a deep breath.

“We’re going too.”

Hearing Gors’ words, the subordinates standing behind him also pulled out their swords with tense expressions.

Those who obtained trust by swearing an Oath of Mana.

“Don’t hesitate.”

Gors opened the door.

“Those gathered in front of us are enemies.”

They had once shared a drink from the same glass.

But now, they had to be sent away all at once, in one final act.

“Captain, what’s happening now? Why are you acting like this? And why are those behind you behaving the same way? Where is the designated area for rendezvous… Ugh!”

“Bera!”

Gors stabbed his fellow men in the heart and shouted in spite.

“You, you crazy! What are you doing?”

The room became chaotic at the sudden movement.

But no one could get out.

All the doors were locked.

They had no weapons.

“Cut it down!”

Once the massacre occurred, it did not stop until the last enemy was killed.

“Keugh… ugh, Captain, ugh… Why…”

Gors’s eyes filled with tears as he stabbed his sword into the abdomen of his now-enemy ex-comrade.

Whenever he saw the sword soaked in blood, it seemed as if his chest had been cut out.

“Why!”

Gors shouted resentfully.

Stabbed in the shoulder by his sword, the man slumped back into the corner.

“Damn it!”

“Why! You joined that group!”

“…Why?”

The fellow man laughed.

It was a detached smile prepared for death.

“Because they gave me hope.”

Gors clenched his teeth at the man’s words.

“He said if I destroy Setiria, if I kill Ruel Setiria, he will grant me anything I want. You know why I’m like this.”

“You fool.”

The tip of Gors’ sword trembled, “You fool! Ruel Setiria will acknowledge us. He will accept us as permanent residents!”

As much as Gors knew the man, the man knew Gors. 

Gors was a man who didn’t deal in lies.

“…Damn it. Damn it all.”

Only then did the man shed tears.

“Save me, Captain. You know, you know how much I yearned for that. Captain, I’ll let go of that now. So, please…”

The conversation couldn’t continue.

Gors cut off the man’s head.

“The price of betrayal is death.”

That was the first rule Gors and Shen decided in the underworld.

How many more people’s blood will be spilt by the sword before morning?

Although his hands were already dirty, Gors closed the man’s eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read