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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 135: You Have No Reason to Save Me
Rudgarda narrowed her eyes as she observed Zizek, who was somehow enduring the pressure of her killing intent.
“You’ve got more guts than I expected.”
But did he truly understand? The moment Rudgarda drew her blade, Zizek would become a headless corpse in an instant.
‘No, it seems he does.’
Rudgarda quickly assessed Zizek’s sweating forehead, uneasy pupils, clenched fists, and the way his lower body was tensed, ready to spring up at any moment. She concluded that he was aware.
The moment she drew her blade, Zizek would likely resist in his own way.
It was a demeanor befitting someone who lived in a world where even a joke or a minor quarrel could cost you your life.
‘He knows the difference in strength, yet he still speaks his mind.’
Was this recklessness, or was it the boldness cultivated from surviving in Grunewald’s underworld?
Rudgarda decided to test the measure of this man.
“How absurd, Zizek. Don’t you value your life?”
Rudgarda’s pressure intensified, weighing heavily on Zizek’s shoulders as she spoke.
“Is there anyone in this world who doesn’t value their life?”
“And yet?”
“And yet what?”
Zizek retorted with a defiant tone.
“You came here as Boss Karzan’s messenger, but did you expect me to kneel and beg? I doubt he sent you here to act so tyrannically.”
“……!”
It was an unexpectedly sharp insight.
‘A fox disguised as a bear, huh?’
It seemed he understood the situation better than she thought.
‘But that’s not as easy as it sounds.’
How many talented recruits and novices of the Special Operations Division had died prematurely due to a lack of judgment in real combat?
“Sorry to say, but I’ve already met someone far stronger than you.”
Zizek had etched the overwhelming savagery and violence of Knut Eisenach into his memory. Now, he felt he could endure even Rudgarda’s pressure.
“Compared to him, you don’t seem all that impressive.”
Look at this audacious fool, even throwing in a provocation. Rudgarda almost let out a hollow laugh.
“Failing to accurately gauge an enemy’s strength is nothing to boast about. No matter who you’ve met…”
“That man’s name is Knut Eisenach.”
Zizek cut her off.
“The leader of Eisenach and Young Master Allenvert’s cousin.”
“…….”
Rudgarda fell silent.
‘Knut.’
Though it wasn’t a sin she had committed, the name Eisenach always reminded her of her original sin.
“What was he like?”
“A warrior of savagery. It was like seeing a tiger or a lion speaking human words.”
“Is that so?”
Of course, she had met Knut a few times since childhood. While Knut was the most promising young warrior of the Eisenach clan, the Angantyr clan had her and her brother.
‘……So, you’re still alive, Knut.’
Zizek paused as he noticed the change in Rudgarda’s demeanor upon mentioning Knut’s name.
‘What’s this? Do they know each other?’
But how?
Zizek didn’t even consider the possibility that the mysterious figure before him could be a member of the Angantyr clan, whom Knut so deeply despised. In fact, thinking so would have been stranger.
“Now I see you’ve got quite the mouth on you.”
Rudgarda looked directly at Zizek. His physique was solid, and his gaze was sharp—qualities rare in the underworld.
‘Though he’s still far from being refined into something useful.’
Sometimes, finding a good raw gem is more important. Today, it was enough to confirm that Allenvert’s judgment wasn’t half bad.
“I’ll commend your boldness today. But next time, it would be wise to build up the strength that matches that mouth of yours.”
Zizek knew this was Rudgarda’s way of conceding.
“……Right.”
Zizek, who had been teetering on the edge of a cliff, finally felt a sense of relief and thought to himself.
‘I almost died back there, didn’t I?’
The aura emanating from the person before him was far more formidable than what he had felt from Karzan. If she had been even slightly more impulsive, Zizek might have lost at least a finger.
‘For someone this strong to listen so obediently, does that mean Boss Karzan has hidden strength? Or is Young Master Allenvert truly extraordinary?’
If it was the latter, then Allenvert was undoubtedly a remarkable man.
“Um, can I ask one more thing?”
“Go ahead.”
Rudgarda granted permission, and Zizek quickly asked.
“Have you met Young Master Allenvert in person?”
“……I have.”
“What kind of person is he?”
Rudgarda pondered for a moment before replying.
“A genius. Not just with the sword, but also in strategy and adaptability.”
“And according to Boss Karzan, he’s incredibly handsome.”
“Karzan said that?”
Rudgarda, who knew Allenvert and Karzan were the same person, paused in surprise.
‘How absurd. Saying that about himself…’
Rudgarda muttered inwardly, thinking that the man had a knack for being annoyingly self-aware. Out loud, she said.
“That’s true. He’s probably the most handsome man in the entire Duchy of Grunewald.”
Even as she said it, it felt strange, but it was the truth nonetheless.
“But why are you curious about that? Don’t tell me you—”
“It’s not like that.”
Zizek vehemently denied Rudgarda’s suspicion.
‘The more I learn, the more I realize how incredible Young Master Allenvert is.’
Zizek quietly admired Allenvert from afar.
* * *
“My ear feels a bit itchy.”
“Maybe it’s just wax buildup?”
“I cleaned them out yesterday.”
After a quick breakfast, I headed to the prison with Jeffrey.
“How ironic. Isn’t Evan Bergen the one accused of killing prisoners in this very prison?”
“That’s correct.”
“How ironic, don’t you think?”
Following Jeffrey’s lead, I entered the prison. The air was thick with a mix of dampness and stench, making it feel like just breathing it in would ruin your health.
“This is the place.”
Some of the guards hesitated, trying to block my way, but when Jeffrey and I glared at them, they shrunk back without a word.
“Your Highness.”
A guard saluted me, and I waved my hand dismissively.
“Yes, you’ve been working hard.”
“Th-thank you!”
Inside the cell, a gaunt-faced man looked up at me.
“You must be Evan Bergen.”
I stepped closer to the bars.
“Wh-who are you?”
Seeing the mix of surprise and wariness in Evan Bergen’s expression, I pondered for a moment how best to respond.
‘I’ve come with good news? No, that’s not it.’
Ah, this will do.
I lowered my voice and spoke.
“My name is Allenvert Grunewald. I am the last lifeline that can save you and your mother.”
.
.
.
Evan Bergen had a somewhat plain face and looked to be in his thirties. Though he came from noble lineage, there was no trace of arrogance in his expression.
He was likely a distant relative from a branch clan—so distant that he was more of a local figure than a true noble.
‘It’s not like those nobles would go out of their way to care for distant relatives.’
If they did, they wouldn’t have pushed him to take the fall for something he didn’t do.
“Y-your Highness. What is it you wish to say to me…?”
I casually sat down on the dirty floor of the cell and replied.
“Why play dumb? I’ve come to have a constructive conversation.”
I could almost hear the gears turning in Evan’s head.
“Do you know how you ended up taking the blame for a crime you didn’t commit?”
“Ah, that is…”
Evan’s face filled with a mix of resentment and sorrow.
“……Of course, it’s because I committed the crime.”
Even in this situation, he stubbornly admitted to the crime. Just how much had they intimidated him to make him automatically spout this rehearsed answer?
“Really? Are you sure?”
I asked in a tone that suggested I found his claim ridiculous.
“From what I’ve gathered, I don’t believe you ever ordered the killing of those prisoners.”
“……!”
Evan’s lips twitched before he finally managed to ask:
“Wh-why do you think that?”
Given his position, where he couldn’t assert his innocence, this was the best response he could muster.
“I looked into your background before coming here.”
I replied simply.
“From what I can tell, you were likely following orders from a direct descendant of the count’s clan. I don’t know who exactly, but it’s not uncommon for branch clans to serve the main clan like vassals.”
Just by looking at Evan’s expression, it was clear my guess was correct.
“And the current situation is the result of that person pinning the crime on you. Isn’t that right?”
Or is it? I asked again.
“Did Brother Verdzig use you as a scapegoat and push you to cut off loose ends?”
“……!”
Evan’s pupils shook as I pressed him, as if I already knew everything.
“What do you want from me? If Your Highness thinks that way, then you must already know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”
Evan’s response was practically an admission.
‘He’s opening up more easily than I expected.’
Well, when you combine the environment of a solitary cell, a scheduled execution, and the injustice of being framed for a crime he didn’t commit, it’s no wonder his spirit would break so quickly.
And then, when I show up, offering a lifeline and telling him I already know the whole story, scratching that itch for him……
“Ugh…!”
It’s not so strange for a grown man to shed tears like chicken droppings.
“I—I didn’t do anything! Your Highness!”
Evan cried out.
“I know.”
“It’s so unfair! Why do I have to die like this?”
“That’s truly unjust. I’ve come here to prevent the wrongful death of a man.”
“Ugh…! Your Highness!”
……Or maybe he’s just naturally prone to tears?
* * *
“Y-Your Highness. I must have been out of my mind earlier, speaking out of turn……”
Realizing he had admitted his innocence too easily, Evan tried to backtrack.
“Evan.”
Instead of acknowledging his attempt to shift gears, I asked him this.
“Do you know about the maid who was caught sneaking into my residence?”
“Ah, yes.”
Evan replied, cautiously watching my expression.
“I heard about it, but not in detail……”
“That maid was actually a spy sent by Brother Verdzig.”
“Ah! I see.”
Evan accepted it easily. It might have been news to him, but if Verdzig was behind it, it wasn’t all that surprising.
‘Second Brother’s reputation is truly something.’
“I saw through Gemini being a spy. After that, Brother Verdzig came to me to negotiate her fate.”
“…….”
Evan tensed up, realizing this story wasn’t entirely unrelated to him.
“What happened to her?”
“I spared her and sent her to Flanders.”
“Ah, is that true?”
“In the process, I secretly assigned Royal Guard to escort her and managed to stop the assassins Brother Verdzig sent.”
“!”
Evan’s expression wavered.
“Do you think I’m making this up?”
“No.”
“Of course not. Even to you, it must seem like a very Brother-like approach.”
“…….”
Some silences carry the weight of affirmation. If Evan had any sense, he’d have no choice but to believe me after hearing this.
“You’re truly astute. How did you foresee all that?”
Evan marveled, but in truth, the thoughts of bad people often follow similar patterns. If you imagine the most cruel and ruthless methods, the answer is usually somewhere close by.
“Do you understand what I’m saying? I hold no ill will toward those like you or Gemini who were used by Brother Verdzig. In fact, I’d rather save you if I can.”
I pointed at Evan.
“But if you choose to remain silent, saving you will be difficult even for me. Are you that afraid of Brother Verdzig?”
“……He will kill my mother if I don’t stay silent.”
‘What a brutal story.’
I felt a chill run down my spine.
This incident made me realize something anew: Verdzig was a man who could easily kill anyone if he deemed the cost worth it. To him, even murder was just another political tool.
“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”
I gave him permission.
“Of course.”
“Why are you going this far? You have no reason to save me.”
I looked into Evan’s eyes. In his wavering gaze, I could see distrust, doubt, and a glimmer of hope.
“If you’re curious about my reasons, it’s only natural to answer.”
In a way, this situation arose because of my existence, and I wouldn’t feel at ease letting this man die like this.
‘Pragmatically speaking, of course, his existence could serve as a card to unsettle Verdzig.’
I won’t call this hypocrisy and beat myself up over it. Life is a rough voyage that can’t be navigated solely on soft idealism.
“Evan.”
I looked at the man who had been abandoned by his clan and said.
“From now on, I’ll try to persuade you.”
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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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