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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 107: The Wine Doesn't Taste Bad
Duke Georg Grunewald gazed at the moonlit vineyard and raised his wine glass.
"Your Grace, even I was greatly surprised this time."
"I concur."
To think he would come up with such a solution.
"For once, I even thought it might be best to yield to Young master Verdzig."
The two men had resolved the conflict without mediation. And that was not Verdzig's usual way of handling things.
"Isn't he quite a bold fellow? To blatantly tell such lies."
But since he himself had condoned those lies, it could be said that power has the strength to turn falsehood into truth.
"Give me another glass."
The Duke took the glass that the head steward poured and walked outside.
The river of grapes bathed in moonlight swayed in the sea breeze.
The Duke quietly gazed at the black sea spread out beyond it, the brilliant moon rising above it, and the lakes of stars.
'Magnificent and profound.'
A sight that a man named Grunewald had seen hundreds of years ago—
A sight that he, who inherited that name, was now beholding.
And a sight that his descendants, who would follow him, would see in the same way.
…The Duke suddenly thought of the bond of the people connected under the name of Grunewald.
'Heavy and heavy indeed.'
He was the one holding the helm that would lead Grunewald of this generation.
That fact was sometimes overwhelming. It was even more so now that the time to choose the man who would hold the helm of the next generation was approaching.
'The son who will inherit Grunewald is ultimately one.'
Whenever he thought of Allenvert's face, the Duke's heart became especially complicated.
"To think that the son I hurt the most would show such an admirable side."
"Your Grace."
Aiden, who had approached his side, spoke with a low and worried voice.
"You are drinking a bit too much."
"Please understand, just for today."
"You said that before as well."
"Haha."
The Duke laughed heartily.
***
At the same time.
Ulbhild, who was carrying out the head of the Clan's orders, finally obtained Countess Webern's tiara after more than ten fruitless attempts.
"This is undoubtedly the genuine article, correct?"
"Yes, it is."
Ulbhild stared at the target she had obtained after some bloodshed.
"Beautiful."
However, there was no emotion beyond that. A mission was simply a mission.
"News about Allen?"
At Ulbhild's question after putting down the tiara, Harold immediately replied.
"Gathering the stories circulating within the castle, it seems the two men have come to a mutual agreement and resolved the matter."
Ulbhild, having heard the rumors mixed with Harold's deductions, nodded.
"If that's the case, then that is close to Allen's strategic victory."
"It is a surprising matter."
Ulbhild raised her head and gazed at the Milky Way spread out in the night sky.
"Neither I nor Karl could do such a thing."
Among the brothers who inherited the name of Grunewald, only Allenvert was capable of such a feat.
"Regardless of power or lack of talent."
She knew that fact well.
"The eye to read the situation, a cold and clear reason, outstanding intellect. An unyielding will. That is a warrior's true talent. Allen, you have that."
Harold responded as if echoing his commander's muttering.
"But he acts as if he doesn't have a limited time to live."
Ulbhild also found this point surprisingly curious.
"Could it be that a man who despaired because he had little time left can now, for the same reason, ignite his passion instead?"
Or perhaps the experience of crossing the line between life and death due to illness was that shocking.
'Allen. Though the time left for you is short and finite, all humans are finite beings anyway.'
Then the important thing is not how long the flame burns, but how big and magnificent a flame it burns.
"Perhaps he can find Ereshkigal before then."
Now that Allenvert had shown this level of ability—
Rudgarda Angantyr, her friend who was sold as a hostage and shackled, might also decide to entrust her fate to this man.
'Moreover, if Allen reaches a transcendent level, that is, the 9th-tier.'
Ulbhild thought.
'Then the very word ‘limited time’ will become meaningless.'
But she knew better than anyone how absurd that was.
What was the 9th-tier? A level that even her Father had not reached, a level that, to exaggerate, could be called entering divine territory.
'But Allen, with that innate talent and burning will you've shown…'
Her thoughts stopped there.
Ulbhild, looking at the men of the underworld gathering in the distance, pressed her mask down.
"Let's move."
"Yes."
The members of the Special Operations Division disappeared like ghosts.
***
The news that Allenvert and Verdzig had unexpectedly joined forces to find the culprit spread throughout the Duke's castle, adding all sorts of deductions, suspicions, and admiration before reaching Barclava's ears.
"…Absurd. I don't know how much of it to believe."
In any case, what was important was not whether to believe the story or not, but the fact that the two had reached such an agreement and settled the matter.
Moreover, even Barclava, who still lacked experience, could tell that Allenvert had gained something after facing Verdzig in that hellish arena.
'Why?'
Why could he be so strong, so dignified, and so brave?
How could he have the heart to…
'Dare to harbor a desire to oppose' that terrifying and cruelly perfect man?’’
To Barclava, who had been under Verdzig's mental control since childhood, this fact was beyond surprising; it was bewildering.
'Mixed-blood of a foreign race. Annihilation of his mother's Clan. Severance from his mother. A sentence of limited time to live. Seven years of seclusion.'
Compared to the trials Allenvert had to endure, he could receive the support of the powerful Bergen County, his mother's Clan, and he had a healthy body unlike Allenvert's limited time to live.
'Even so, in front of Brother, I'm just as timid as a mouse in front of a cat.'
Even while longing for his mother's recognition and love, wouldn't he instinctively shrink and hunch his shoulders when standing before her?
'And yet, I've been complacent with my insignificant talent, feeling inferior, and acting cruelly to my subordinates.'
All the taunts and insults Allenvert had hurled at him now felt true the more he reflected on them.
But why did he not feel resentful toward that man, toward 'Brother'?
"Damn it."
Barclava, looking at the sword energy shining under the moonlight, drew a blue line in the air. An aura that was too weak to be called a slash and somewhat long to be called sword energy.
Barclava was grappling with the heavy door, the entrance to the 4th-tier. It was a door that seemed to open, yet remained stubbornly shut.
But Barclava wasn't impatient. The joy he found in deducing and pursuing the next level of swordsmanship was far more satisfying.
Swoosh! Whoosh!
Under the moonlight, a young man was dancing with his sword. His eyes were fixed on the moon’s reflection on the sea as he swung his blade.
‘The Sword Dance of the Moon on the Vast Sea.’
It was a sight truly befitting the name.
***
Two days later, Gemini was disguised beyond recognition and boarded a merchant ship bound for a foreign land.
"Don’t worry, I’ll send your family soon."
Gemini bowed her head and tears streaming down her face, in response to Jeffrey’s words.
"Your Highness’s kindness, I will never forget it until the day I die."
“…Yes.”
Jeffrey patted her shoulder lightly. How could he not know the feeling of being saved from death? To Gemini, Allenvert must be like a god.
"Forget the secret and live a new life as if you were dead. The restriction implanted in your mind won't disappear."
Though her face was stained with tears, Gemini managed to respond.
"I will remember."
"Then live well."
Gemini watched Jeffrey's retreating figure for a long time before finally boarding the ship.
…And someone quietly followed behind.
***
Before letting Gemini go, Allenvert asked Jeffrey.
"Do you know the favorite way of those who want to keep a perfect secret when they let someone go?"
Based on Karzan’s memories, Allenvert stated firmly.
"When they feel at ease and let their guard down, when they're out of everyone's sight. That's when they quietly kill them to silence them."
Thus, Allenvert quietly sent one of Jeffrey’s most trusted Royal Guard with her. He would watch over Gemini’s journey and then return.
‘What an amazing person the Young Master is.’
Though he often grumbled, Jeffrey couldn’t help but admire Allenvert after witnessing this.
‘…To be honest, he doesn’t need to care if a maid who even spied on him lives or dies.’
In fact, Jeffrey had secretly thought the same.
Nevertheless, when he saw Gemini’s tearful expression of gratitude, he felt a strange emotion that he couldn’t describe.
‘He’s a man of a different caliber. Like the vast ocean.’
And so, Allenvert was a dangerous man.
A man as dangerous as a swamp, impossible to escape once ensnared, with his charisma, the compassion hidden beneath his coldness, his ability to break through any obstacle with shameless audacity, and his insane talent.
“Oh, well.”
Jeffrey’s idle laughter was drowned out by the bustling noises of the harbor.
***
Deep in the night, a sailing ship was anchored in the vast ocean, swaying with the waves.
“Whew.”
Gemini was was leaning against a corner of the deck, stared at the stars while holding a wine bottle she usually didn’t drink.
She had once been a maid serving in Grunewald Castle, a spy who had infiltrated Allenvert’s residence under Verdzig’s threat, and now she was starting a new life in a foreign land.
A mixture of anxiety, fear, uncertainty, gratitude for Allenvert’s mercy, and relief filled her.
With each sip of wine under the moon, Gemini tried to temporarily forget her troubles.
“…….”
The deck was deserted. The passengers were asleep in their cramped cabins, and only one or two sailors were climbing the rigging, taking turns to watch the deck.
Feeling the effects of the alcohol, Gemini's attention was suddenly drawn to something nearby. One of the sailors was approaching her, silently and swiftly as if running.
“Wait a moment-”
It was too late when she realized something was amiss. Gemini sensed the impending doom and closed her eyes at the approaching sailor's blade which was shimmering under the cold moonlight.
Thwack!
Warm blood splattered across her face.
“Ah…?”
Gemini opened her eyes and saw the headless body of the man.
“Huh!”
Someone covered Gemini's mouth and whispered. “Don't be alarmed, Miss Gemini. I'm Taris, a Royal Guard under Captain Jeffrey.”
Gemini looked at Taris.
“Young Master Allenvert already anticipated something like this and secretly assigned me to watch over you.”
Taris removed his hand from her mouth and continued.
And then Gemini realized that this was the same man she had exchanged a few glances with during the voyage.
“His Highness, how could you go to such lengths for me…?”
Gemini knelt.
“I don’t know how I can repay his kindness.”
Taris smiled bitterly.
“Just stay alive. It would be better if you could board another ship. It will make it more difficult to track you.”
With a splash, Taris threw the headless body into the sea and casually took a rag to clean the deck. Gemini stared blankly at him.
“Yes, I understand.”
"Once you’ve settled down, send a letter, and I’ll arrange for your family to join you."
“Thank you, thank you.”
“……Why don’t you go rest? And please, lay off the alcohol.”
Gemini replied with a sober face. “I will. I’ll quit drinking from today.”
She was about to throw the wine bottle into the sea.
“Wait a moment. If you’re going to throw it away, can I have the rest?”
“Yes?”
"Haha, I haven't had a drink in a few days because of my duty."
Gemini carefully handed him the bottle.
“Thank you.”
“You should wipe the blood off your face. I apologize for the mess.”
"No, please don't mention it..."
Gemini turned away as Taris cleaned up the mess.
Taris, having completed his urgent task, walked around the deck with the half-empty bottle of wine.
"The wine doesn't taste bad."
The taste of the cheap wine, carried by the sea breeze, was surprisingly pleasant.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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