Episode 26 – Water Cut by a Sword

*

Robin was sitting at the large desk in the dark study, not even a single candle lit.

The flickering firelight from the fireplace illuminated him, his only movement the slight trembling of his shoulders as he clutched his head, his breath unsteady.

Robin had been spending a lot of time here lately.

Hero Robin.

This year, the 20th anniversary of his defeat of the Demon King, was supposed to be a special one for him, but reality was crushing him instead.

The position he forcibly seized from his master had created numerous side effects.

Whispers about him, comparisons to his predecessor, the Emperor’s distrust.

The financial strain from the money he splurged to overcome all that was immense.

He squeezed taxes from his hometown, now his territory, Voldiras, and due to the severe exploitation, most of the farmers had either fled or become bandits, leaving the territory itself devastated.

To top it off, his beloved eldest son and daughter had died in such ridiculous ways, Robin had no choice but to rely on alcohol.

Every day, he was holed up in this dark study, downing whiskey, clutching his head, and wondering how his glory had ended up like this; that was Robin’s routine these days.

Even though today was his youngest daughter’s birthday, he was sitting here.

,Robin, are you here?

Someone opened the door to Robin’s study without knocking.

It was Jennifer, a member of the Hero’s party and one of Robin’s wives.

Robin didn’t even look up, just clutched his head and replied.

,What.

,Duke Villard has arrived. It’s Dena’s birthday today, you know.

,…Ha, Villard.

Robin laughed as if it were absurd.

Jennifer crossed her arms, closed the door, and spoke to Robin.

,What’s wrong? I don’t know what you’re unhappy about, but can’t you just let it go today?

,Jennifer, where were you today?

,I went to greet Duke Villard. And prepared to welcome our guest.

,…Guests should be welcomed with open arms. Not with open legs like you.

,Ha, Robin, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but today is Dena’s birthday.

,You goddamn whore…

Robin took his hands off his head and slowly stood up.

Even in middle age, his height and sturdy build made him seem threateningly larger just by standing up.

Robin glared at Jennifer with half-unfocused eyes.

,How long did you think you could keep it from me?

,I have no idea what you’re talking about.

,You don’t even bother to hide it these days, Jennifer.

,Robin. You’re too drunk. Calm down.

,Even on the day of Daniel and Rose’s funeral.

,Robin. Stop it. Today is your youngest daughter’s…

,Jennifer.

The low voice sounded like a beast growling.

A shiver ran down Jennifer’s spine.

In an instant, Jennifer pulled a magic wand from between her breasts and aimed it at Robin.

Robin just stood there.

,Robin, calm down.

,Shut your mouth.

Robin slowly moved towards the fireplace.

A large sword hung on the display case above the fireplace.

,Robin, stop!

,Did you enjoy your time in bed with the Duke? You whore.

,No, I was just discussing support for our family with the Duke.

,Since when is paying a whore called support?

Robin reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword.

Jennifer screamed in terror.

,Robin! Don’t move, I’ll cast a spell if you try to move!.

,Go ahead and try.

Robin is a Hero.

People vaguely praise the Hero who defeated the Demon King, assuming his skills must be amazing, but the reality is different.

Robin’s skills weren’t just amazing.

No one in this world is better at cutting, breaking, and destroying than him.

The Demon King was beyond human comprehension, making a head-on fight impossible, but he was ambushed and restrained, Robin effortlessly sliced him down, proving he was a true Hero.

The person who knew Robin’s skills best was none other than Jennifer herself.

And, in Jennifer’s opinion, Robin was the pinnacle of strength within the bounds of human comprehension.

Jennifer dropped the wand to the floor.

,…Ugh, I give up. So put that down.

,…

No matter how many simulations Jennifer ran in her head, there was no way out.

No matter what magic she tried to use, it was clear that Robin, who already had his hand on the sword hilt, would be much faster at severing her neck.

Of course, she didn’t think Robin would kill her, but he was drunk right now.

Jennifer had no intention of gambling with her life.

,…What do you want? What can I do for you?

,…Hahahahaha,

Robin let go of the sword hilt, turned around, and approached Jennifer.

Jennifer felt her whole body become damp with sweat in that short moment.

Robin smiled and said to her.

,I’ve been thinking about where things started to go wrong.

,…

,I work while being called a bastard who ousted his master and stole his position, and I spend money like crazy to please those *sibal놈*s, but when I come home, my so-called wives ignore me.

,… Robin.

,You’re rolling around with some *sibal새끼* who’s playing me for a fool from above with my own money, Lara left home a long time ago and hasn’t been heard from since, Mela is still hung up on that dead *byungshin새끼*.

,…Robin…Ugh!

Robin grabbed Jennifer’s chin and pressed hard.

A thin groan escaped from Jennifer’s lips, twisted by the pressure on her cheeks and chin.

,How much have you been looking down on me that…

,Eueup!

,…you even carry another man’s baby and dare to pass it off as mine?

Jennifer’s eyes widened.

,Ah, damn it, he knew all along.

Jennifer soon wore a resigned expression.

She didn’t know when Robin had found out, but if he had known for a long time, his anger wouldn’t be small.

,Where did I go wrong? Jennifer. Huh? Tell me, open that smart mouth of yours again.

,Roeui..bin

,I said, tell me.

He abruptly released Jennifer’s chin, and she fell to the floor with the force of the recoil.

Robin looked down at her coldly.

Jennifer, lying on the floor, quietly muttered.

,…Do you even have the right to say that?

,What did you say?

Jennifer raised her head from the floor and glared at Robin.

Robin was dumbfounded.

He knew she had a strong pride, but he never imagined she would hold her head up so proudly even in this situation.

Jennifer continued without a break.

,You’re the one who ousted your master and took his position, you’re the one who ruined Voldiras by squeezing taxes to silence complaints with money.

,Hey,

,You’re the one who couldn’t figure out which side had the real power, going back and forth between the Emperor and the Villard family, and lost trust on both sides.

,Jennifer!

,I’m the one who kept the relationship with Villard alive, Robin. And are you so righteous that you can blame your spouses?

Robin flinched at Jennifer’s last words.

Jennifer mocked Robin and asked.

,Don’t you remember getting the maid Menara pregnant and having Banata? I made a fuss back then and sent Banata to an orphanage. Do you even know that Daniel and Rose died because of that child?

,…

,A few years ago, you got Mela’s maid, Miemu, pregnant and had twins, does Mela even know about that?

,You, you *ssibal*.

Robin grabbed Jennifer’s hair and lifted her up.

Jennifer, dragged up by her hair, forced a smile while suppressing the screams that leaked through her teeth.

,Mela is always thinking about Edward? Of course, did you even love Mela in the first place? No, have you ever loved us?

,…At least you were my lover, how can you say such a thing?

,Ha, don’t be ridiculous, Robin. You just wanted to concentrate the power and honor that the Hero’s party was supposed to share on yourself. A peasant from Voldiras with nothing but useless ambition…

Paak!

The sound of Robin slapping Jennifer echoed through the room.

At least, it didn’t sound like flesh hitting flesh at all.

Jennifer was thrown ten steps away from Robin.

As she fell, she trembled all over and slowly tried to get up, blood dripping from her face.

With just one slap, her face was a mess.

At least five teeth on the side she was hit were gone, her cheekbone had collapsed, and her nose was crooked.

Jennifer, who was trying to get up, made a choking sound and sat back down.

Robin strode towards Jennifer.

Jennifer realized the power of Robin she felt for the first time.

She had only been slapped once, but she felt like her mind was flying away.

A terrible pain rushed in from every part of her face that she couldn’t even touch.

She wanted to spit out blood, but even moving her lips was difficult due to the pain, so she just let the blood flow from her mouth.

Robin, who had approached, grabbed Jennifer by the collar and threw her onto a chair.

Jennifer trembled with pain and fear engulfing her whole body, but she still had something to say.

No, she still had her pride.

,You asked where things went wrong.

,…

Robin was rummaging through a drawer next to the fireplace, silently listening to her words.

,You ruined everything, Robin, do you even remember?

,Remember what.

,Edward…

,…

,Have you ever felt sorry for Edward?

Edward.

Robin recalled the thief who had been his comrade.

The friend he had betrayed and killed because he wanted power.

It had been 20 years already, and he couldn’t even remember his face properly.

Robin chuckled and said.

,…You’re asking me that? You of all people?

Jennifer also twisted her distorted face and smiled.

,Ha, I’ve never felt sorry, unlike you.

,…

,Robin, you and I are both equally *gae자식*s. We don’t have the right to be resentful or sad.

Robin threw a vial of medicine at Jennifer from the drawer.

The vial, which landed precisely on her lap, was a top-grade elixir.

Robin didn’t even look back at Jennifer and said as he headed for the door.

,Mela said that Baron Salvier is coming today.

,…

,I don’t care if you use your whore-like tendencies or any other talent. Just get some money from that Baron, no matter what.

,…Ha, after calling me a whore and everything, now you’re going to be a pimp?

Robin didn’t respond to Jennifer’s words and grabbed the doorknob.

Jennifer opened the lid of the elixir.

It was a medicine she had used a lot during her adventuring days.

With practiced skill, she poured half of it on her face and swallowed the other half after holding it in her mouth for a moment.

Her face gradually returned to its original form.

Before opening the door, Robin turned back to Jennifer for the last time and muttered quietly.

,They say Dena shows a talent for magic, right?

Jennifer, who was touching her face, turned to look at Robin at those words.

Certainly, unlike that idiot Rose, Dena resembled her and showed a natural talent for magic.

To Jennifer, who loved talented children like Daniel, Dena, who showed a talent for magic, was a precious daughter.

,…Robin, you…

,If you don’t do it properly, I’ll tear Dena apart and kill her.

The two stared at each other in silence.

A tension that you wouldn’t expect from a married couple lingered between them.

The flickering firelight from the fireplace illuminated the study, and the shadows cast by the flickering embers were extremely chaotic, even though no one was moving.

Perhaps that was why.

Neither Robin nor Jennifer noticed the young girl who had been listening to the entire conversation outside the door.

.