Raising the Princess to Overcome Death-Chapter 284: Engagement - The Bad Guy
283. Engagement - The Bad Guy
Barnaul was in complete chaos.
Rumors spread rapidly that the citizens who had gathered to watch the departure ceremony were massacred, and that the heinous culprit was the evil god wearing the king’s skin.
Prince Arnulf de Klaus desperately tried to calm the turbulent public sentiment.
He suppressed the group of nobles who sought to take advantage of the king's absence to fill their own pockets, summoned diplomats to retract the declaration of war against the Kingdom of Bellita, and held a memorial service at the southern square, where thousands of citizens had died, to comfort the people. He ran tirelessly, trying to manage the situation.
However, the absent royal authority was an issue.
With the core of the centralized system gone, the chaos was expected to persist until the throne was filled. Although Prince Arnulf was the legitimate heir, he had a long way to go before officially inheriting the throne.
Some nobles, like Viscount Diallo Brina, had already started revealing their intentions by pointing out potential royal candidates. Politically and diplomatically, the Kingdom of Astin was engulfed in internal and external turmoil.
Meanwhile, Ray and his companions... well, it was hard to even call them that now. Only Ray and Rera remained, the two of them kneeling before a freshly made grave.
The spring breeze gently rustled the weeds.
Noel and Dehor’s bodies were buried next to Ray’s mother, Ibera Ainar. Tears fell from Rera’s eyes.
She had already cried so much.
From the southern square to here, she didn’t even know how they had managed to transport Dehor’s heavy body.
And yet, her tears wouldn’t stop.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Rera ran towards Ray.
“You bastard! You damn bastard…”
“…”
“You knew. You knew all along! Why was I the only one… why was I the only one left in the dark… you bastards, you goddamn bastards!!”
Men are often captivated by strange things.
What about those who are left behind? She even resented her father, who died protecting her. Screaming, Rera pounded on Ray’s chest, then covered her face and sobbed. Kneeling and hunched over, she looked smaller than she had ever been.
Ray embraced Rera. She tried to break free, but he held her tightly. Soon, Rera clung to Ray and burst into tears.
“What am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to live after you all died like this... You bastards. You terrible, terrible bastards…”
Ray had nothing he could say to her. He, too, had lost his father, but knowing the cycle would repeat lessened his pain. Instead, Ray clenched his teeth.
It was as if he had killed his father himself. Perhaps he had known this would happen. He wasn’t even that surprised when his father charged at Malpas.
His father-in-law, Dehor, and his uncle, Elson, were also dead. Even Yuan had died, clutching Elson’s body while being struck by falling blades. He had dragged everyone around him into ruin.
He could feel his life crumbling.
His vision blurred, and everything felt unreal. Reality was trapped within his stubbornness. As he cradled Rera’s head, Ray made a vow.
No matter the cost, he would bring his mother back to life. When he was a child, his mother died protecting him.
During the Nine Days War, Jensen had come to their home, wounded and with his cheekbone exposed. He was treated at their family home, where his mother’s grave was, and left. That was the beginning of the catastrophe.
Jensen had failed to assassinate Count Pamphili, who was prospering by running a crystal mine, and fled.
Had it been just that, he wouldn’t have been pursued. Back then, such things happened frequently.
However, Noel had followed Jensen, who had barged into the Count’s house alone after an argument. While Jensen caused a commotion and fled, Noel killed Count Pamphili. Furious soldiers pursued Noel and Jensen.
Noel, experienced and prioritizing safety, vanished without a trace, but Jensen could not.
The soldiers found traces of Jensen and pursued him, raiding the house where Ibera and Ray were hiding. Ibera hid her five-year-old son in a wardrobe. When Elson, who realized the soldiers had discovered Jensen’s hiding place, arrived with his mercenaries, a sword was already impaled in Ibera’s abdomen.
“Mom! Mom! Please, open the door!”
“You bastards! I’ll kill you all!”
Elson slaughtered the soldiers and rushed to check on Ibera, but she was already dying. Little Ray, locked in the wardrobe, tumbled out.
“M-Mom…”
“…Ray.”
He watched through the crack in the door as his mother fought desperately, wielding a sword to protect her son and struggling to avoid disgrace. Ibera, with great effort, lifted her hand and brushed the cheek of her terrified son.
“You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”
“I’m fine… but you’re…”
“I’m okay. How did I do? Did I fight bravely?”
It was then that Ray said something he would regret for the rest of his life.
“You didn’t fight bravely at all. You’re hurt like this. Are you really okay?”
“…Yes. Ray, can you promise your mom one thing?”
Ibera held Ray’s tiny hand tightly.
“Be happy. At least you…”
The wind blew over the grave.
Ten years ago, the young Ray made a vow in front of his mother’s grave. As the civil war ended, he looked up at his father, who was preparing to move.
“I will be happy. I don’t know what happiness is, but I will definitely… I’ll be happy, and I’ll become a great knight. A happy and brave knight… like you, Dad.”
He had declared with a trembling, immature voice. Noel couldn’t bear to look his son in the eye and boarded the carriage loaded with household goods. At that moment, Rera spoke.
“You said you knew where Malpas went, right? Tell me.”
Her face, though wiped of tears, was a portrait of determination. Ray could see it clearly.
The burning blue eyes. Just like him, her happiness had also vanished for good.
After paying respects to their parents, the two warriors, whose lives were now shattered, left that place.
*
“I’ve already contacted him. But he said he couldn’t believe it.”
From his drawing room, Baron Arpen Albacete shrugged his shoulders as he spoke.
“Jacob still seems to harbor a grudge against me. A bit petty, holding onto something as small as losing a chunk of his jaw. So I told him, if he doesn’t believe me, he should ask the Saintess.”
“…I see. Then we must hurry.”
“Hurry? Why?”
Ray replied.
“Malpas likely flew to Halpas. The two of them are fundamentally one. But knowing that his identity was exposed, who knows what Halpas might do.”
“Hmm… I heard the Crusader Corps departed from Lutetia. Why don’t we wait for them and go together?”
“That would take too long. By then, the creature will have prepared. The citizens of the capital of the Aster Kingdom, could be massacred. It’s better if we go ahead and assess the situation first. By the way, when will His Highness ascend to the throne?”
“You’re asking so you can borrow some knights, huh? Well… I don’t think it’ll happen this year. The nobles are swarming like bees to rip apart the royal family, so I’m not sure if I can spare any knights.”
It was disappointing news in many ways.
Not only was it frustrating that they couldn’t borrow the knight order to hunt Malpas,
[Achievement: King 5/7]
It also meant he couldn’t achieve this milestone.
It would have been ideal to meet with the king before Malpas revealed his true nature. But there was no guarantee that the creature wouldn’t recognize him as a plaything of the gods.
Fighting Malpas unarmed in the palace would be disastrous, so he had planned to use Prince Arnulf de Klaus, who was in line for the throne. However, things had not gone as expected.
There was no other choice. Ray decided to deal with Malpas and then visit on his way back.
“Please do what you can. Even a single knight is valuable when dealing with an evil god.”
“I’ll mention it. But... who’s the one next to you? She looks like a native warrior at first glance. Are you going to introduce her to me…?”
“She’s my fiancée.”
Ray cut him off, making it clear there was no chance. Arpen shamelessly eyed a girl young enough to be his daughter. Rera scowled and introduced herself to Arpen.
“My name is Rera Ainar. Pardon me, but may I ask a favor?”
“No. Damn it. Some people can’t even get married despite being nobles, and here you are, a snot-nosed kid already engaged… huh?!”
— Swish!
A sword flashed across the low tea table. Rera swung her blade, slicing through the porcelain teapot.
However, Baron Arpen Albacete reacted even as he grumbled.
With the hand holding his teacup, he slammed down on Rera’s sword, pinning it down with a hint of annoyance.
“Hey, fiancée girl. That’s a bit much, isn’t it? Who do you think I am? I am none other than the greatest genius and warri—”
“Shut up and take this! We’re not done yet!”
“Oh, really? Ray, did this girl eat something bad for lunch?”
Arpen asked, perplexed, but Ray just clicked his tongue and quietly slipped away with his teacup. Arpen was someone who would listen if you just talked to him…
However, Rera, impatient, launched a kick. She twisted her pinned sword, trying to pull it free.
— Crunch.
It didn’t budge.
Arpen grabbed Rera’s sword with one hand and blocked her flying leg with the other. Standing up, Arpen’s size was overwhelming.
“Tsk!”
He deftly folded his hand around the blade, holding it securely. Seeing her attempts futile, Rera boldly abandoned her sword and threw a punch.
“Hm. Not bad, but...”
Her punches were effortlessly blocked by Arpen’s bear-like hands. His palms felt as solid as stone.
Realizing this wasn’t working, Rera lowered her stance, spun around, and swept her leg at the ground. Arpen lifted his shin to block it. In the meantime, Rera retrieved the sword that had fallen to the floor. Arpen scratched his head and asked.
“What are you trying to do? At least tell me your reason.”
“I want the Sword Master to teach me. If I prove myself worthy... take this!”
With her last words, she thrust her sword forward. Arpen smirked, his expression hardening as he bellowed.
“You want to make me your master? Then be ready to risk your life!”
He had lost count of the knights who, after dismissing him for wielding only an axe, would fawn over him the moment he became a Sword Master, begging for his teachings.
It was repulsive.
— Clang!
Arpen’s greatsword, which had appeared in his hands at some point, struck Rera’s blade upward at an angle. Stepping onto the shattered table, he loomed over Rera intimidatingly.
Arpen was terrifying.
He was tall and massively built, so standing before him was enough to make one’s knees weak. His rough, intimidating face and barely existent eyelids made even the bravest hearts hesitate to look him in the eye.
When he stared menacingly, many kingdom knights and those seeking his teachings would cower pathetically.
‘What’s this?’
But there was no sign of fear in the girl before him. She wasn’t burning with a desire for victory either.
He was so large she had to look up, his belly protruding in a way that seemed oddly comforting, and his bulk felt solid and reassuring.
Rera was thinking of her father, Dehor. Tears welled up and spilled over as she forgot her purpose, wildly swinging her sword.
“You damn bastard!”
“...Me?”
Arpen was taken aback. He had never even held a woman’s hand... and yet blades and kicks were flying at him.
.
!
Chapter 284: Engagement - The Bad Guy
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