Chapter 198
* * *
Indeed, it seems now isnt the right time. And since Sir Raymond has done a favor for me, Im fine with leaving it at that.
The servant stayed silent. Truthfully, he knew that if Gueuze had gotten close to Carynne, he would be so overwhelmed by desire that he wouldnt know what to do. But, well, he was in no position to say such a thing.
I shall take my leave.
Very well. By the way, what did Verdic say? How did he feel about his ten chests of gold bing property of the state?
He did not say anything.
He must be very proud, working for the state. How rewarding that must be.
Gueuzeughed heartily, delighted beyond measure. He liked this kind of thing. Seeing a trusting face twist into despair.
Whispering into the ear of his dying son that Sir Raymond has betrayed you was a very enjoyable thing to do.
Smiling and saying You only have one son left now to a grieving father was incredibly satisfying.
And the fact that his aplice was none other than Raymond himself was, truly, almost happiness.
Well, I thought Sir Raymond no, Baron Raymond resembled Prince Lewis more.
The taste of power he felt after a long time was exhrating. He enjoyed manipting the fates of others, finding it much more fulfilling than toying with powerless prostitutes or foreigners.
But it turns out he resembles <i>me</i> more. When I looked closely, his face is quite simr to mine when I was younger.
When Gueuze had raised a ss for a toast, his subjects bowed their heads, congratting him with such reverence.
He disliked his own son. And naturally, he also disliked Raymond, whom his son favored. But after understanding why Lewis liked Raymond, he found no reason to hate him anymore.
Lewis admired Raymond. But people who were simply capable and handsome were plentiful in this country. The reason the prince was so fond of Raymond was because Raymond resembled his father.
Or rather, his older brother.
So, thats why Lewis liked him so much.
<i>What a pity.</i>
Hisughter was unstoppable.
* * *
Verdic had spent his entire fortune.
Marquis Penceir was a noble who could have been apetitor to Crown Prince Gueuze. The next in line for the throne was far down the session and a foreigner. As long as Gueuze remained powerful, there was no chance for him to be king, but Prince Lewiss murder created a huge scandal.
Rumors were rampant that Marquis Penceir had schemed to be king, but these did notst long.
Shortly after Prince Lewiss death, Marquis Penceirs carriage overturned, paralyzing his lower body.
Its been a long time since west met.
Marquis Penceir looked sharply at Verdic, who hade to see him. They did not hide their dislike for each other.
I didnt expect you toe looking for me.
Marquis Penceir, do you think that the carriage ident was a coincidence?
If you know something, its better to speak directly rather than beat around the bush.
Verdic shared everything he had discovered.
When a wealthy merchant, rich enough to be envied by royalty, spends almost his entire fortune gathering information, stories start to emerge from everywhere.
It wasnt easy to find the truth, but Verdic was driven by the heart of a parent who had lost his child.
When Verdic handed over the chests of gold, one of Gueuzes subordinates inevitably opened up.
<i>Ill use everything I have for vengeance.</i>
Verdic wanted revenge.
But there was something more pressing he had to do first.
Where are you going! We havent even properly conducted Ises funeral yet!
His wife cried out in anger. Verdic patted her shoulder once and stood up.
* * *
I didnt expect you toe today.
Come out right now And it would be wise to take your hands off her.
Verdic was pointing a gun at Raymond, not an axe. Behind him stood numerous soldiers, Marquis Penceirs troops.
Raymond smiled bitterly.
Hmm As expected, Carynnes presence created such variables. I didnt expect you toe.
Take your hands off her, ande out.
Verdic aimed the gun.
No matter how agile Raymond was, it was impossible to dodge a bullet at this distance.
And even if he was a sharpshooter, the difference between a person with a gun and one without was clear.
Currently, Verdic hade with dozens of trained soldiers.
Release Carynne Hare right now!
* * *
The inconceivable happened.
* * *
Verdic held Ise in his arms and cried.
<i>How could you do this to Ise? Why must my daughter suffer such a fate? A young, innocent girl with no grudges against anyone. The sinner should be me, shouldnt I be the one to bear all this?</i>
Then he realized.
The sinner was himself.
Verdic had never felt guilt before. The opulent life of a wealthy merchant oppressed by nobles and royalty was exhausting, barely able to breathe unless he wed and bit for everything. Everything was a means to an end. There was no need for reasons to increase the familys wealth. For the value of the Evans family, he, his father, even his wife, had strived.
People hanging themselves after being ruined by usury, daughters unable to repay debts being sold to brothels, unending conflicts, outbreaks of epidemicsnone of it mattered much to Verdic.
Ise ended up like this because she was born his daughter.
Verdic vowed revenge against Raymond and Crown Prince Gueuze.
But there was something he had to do first.
If that woman is still there.
Marquis Penceir spoke as if it was obvious. He knew Crown Prince Gueuze well.
Raymond must be keeping her to hand over to Crown Prince Gueuze. Ill send people to watch. If the momentes when Raymond Saytes hands her over, we can catch solid evidence.
Verdic remained silent. Marquis Penceir seemed slightly surprised by his expression.
You dont mean to say
Ise died while chasing after Raymond.
Raymond had handed her over.
Then the woman whos there now
Verdic recalled that girl who was his daughters agethe one he had rescued from the water.
Saving her life was one of the few good deeds he had done in his life.
He thought of how Carynne kept desperately defending Raymond with unbelievable lies.
Her actions were simr to how his daughter Ise had been, helplessly in love with Raymond.
Let that woman go, you bastard.
* * *
He could not cry. Now was not the time to weep. Now was not the time for regrets.
Raymond embraced Carynne.
Look, Carynne.
Miracles happen in life.
That Verdic never once before haha.
Verdic came to save you. Life is truly unpredictable. Even after living seven whole millennia, Ive never seen anything like it. To find kindness in someone you never expected, truly, how joyous
Carynne.
Verdic came to save you.
Such miracles <i>do</i> happen.
It would have been great if you could see this.
* * *
Cleaning is indeed not an easy task.
Raymond spoke while mopping the floor and wiped the bloodstains off his face. He also needed to open the windows. The stench of blood was overwhelming.
One, two well, the marquis underestimated me too much. Just thirty men?
How could Raymond die in his own house? Having returned, Raymond had set up numerous devices in the house.
Raymond piled up the bodies neatly. Even for him, cleaning such arge quantity was not easy.
After a long cleanup, Raymond opened a bag. Inside, a person was stored.
Do you know?
Torture, you see, is actually impossible to endure. The hero of all those epics, the unyielding soldier who doesnt answer to any torture He doesnt really exist. My superiors dont trust me, and I dont trust my subordinates either. Its not because the person is weak, but because thats the nature of torture.
Raymond held a hammer in his hand.
Thats why apetent superior must manage the distribution of information well.
Carynne was too soft-hearted to conduct proper torture. That task should have been left to Raymond from the start.
Thus, he made his way towards Dun.
And saw his own reflection in the priests ck eyes.
The visage of a demon.