Episode 126 – I Promise

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The morning, two days after Robin was released from the Imperial Castle.

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A carriage of the Boldiras family was heading towards Baron Salvier’s mansion, and Count Robin Boldiras was sitting inside, unable to hide his displeased expression.

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Fucking Emperor, goddamn Baron Salvier.

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Why should I, who suffered such a severe humiliation in a public place like the Imperial Castle’s social hall, apologize to the Baron?

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Even if Robin lacked political sense, he was eerily good at recognizing when someone was trying to shame him.

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As soon as Villard, who had been backing Robin, died, the Emperor was openly trying to humiliate Robin, who had been the face of the aristocratic faction.

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Whether it was to tame Robin, or to show the remnants of the aristocratic faction, who might still be harboring vain dreams, the reality.

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Robin knew the Emperor’s dark intentions, but he had no choice but to comply with the request.

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Openly ignoring the Emperor’s words was the same as refusing to be a member of the Empire any longer.

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Robin barely suppressed the curse words that were rising to his throat and swallowed his anger.

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Lara disappeared, and Jennifer died.

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Mela suddenly lost her mind, and even Villard died.

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Robin, feeling wronged and annoyed, raised the veins on his head and huffed.

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All of them were the just rewards he had received for serving the world as a Hero, but suddenly it felt as if fate was mocking him and trampling on all those rewards and Robin’s future.

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The most infuriating part was that all these things happened at such an incredible timing.

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The coup that Villard was preparing to overthrow the Emperor was truly in the final countdown stage.

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The forces for the rebellion were also gathering smoothly thanks to the increased size due to the gathering of several nobles, and the city snake trash to be used as cannon fodder was also prepared.

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And if Robin, a Hero no less, stood at the forefront of the rebels, he would have been able to gain the support of the citizens.

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All of that was about to be executed.

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Overthrowing the current Emperor and Villard becoming the Emperor.

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And he would be recognized for his contributions and rise to the position of a great noble, even gaining the right to succeed to the throne as a relative of the Emperor’s son, Piadu.

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That was the perfect ending to the life that Robin, a country bumpkin, had dreamed of.

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But all of that vanished into thin air like a morning mist.

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All that remained in the Boldiras family, which had begun to creak due to repeated misfortunes, was the unpleasant trace of glory, like a choking dust cloud.

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Hoping for a little change of pace, Robin looked out the small window of the carriage.

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Robin soon realized that the choice was a mistake.

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Citizens and the poor were seen patting their bellies with satisfied, bright expressions as they came out of a white tent.

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They were people who had eaten Baron Salvier’s free meals.

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Robin couldn’t help but utter a contemptuous curse.

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“Tch, those vulgar sons of bitches running for a bowl of rice.”

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Yesterday, Robin had gone to the Valguire family’s mansion to meet Piadu, who had taken over the Valguire family in place of Villard.

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It was to ask what would happen in the future, since Villard, who had been supporting the Boldiras family, had died.

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The Boldiras family’s financial difficulties were, to put it mildly, serious, as he had not been able to work for a week, various misfortunes had overlapped, and he was even suspected of being a heretic.

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Without the support of the Valguire family, talking about the 20th Anniversary Victory Day party was a joke.

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However, Piadu coldly rejected Robin’s request.

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He only repeated that he had different intentions from Villard, and that he would reflect on Villard’s karma, who had tried to confuse the Empire, and be loyal to the current Emperor.

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Robin felt absurd and strongly rebuked Piadu, but he was rather chased away with a scolding that he dared to raise his voice to a Duke.

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“Fucking brat. Does he think he’s Villard? Ha, fucking.”

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Robin gritted his teeth and roughly turned his gaze away from the citizens who were filling the streets as if they were cockroaches.

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He wondered what was so good about them giggling, and wanted to get out of the carriage right away and crush the faces of those lowly things.

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After finishing the conversation with Piadu, Robin had first completely stopped the free meals that had been provided in the name of the Boldiras family.

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Robin no longer had the money to spend on such nonsense.

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But the citizens didn’t seem to be very sorry.

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It was because they were already tasting food of a different dimension in quality every day.

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Thanks to this, he was able to stop the meals safely without any particular resistance, but Robin’s mood was still rotten as if he had eaten shit.

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He was upset and angry that no one cared even though he was quitting something he had been doing with a big heart because it cost a lot of money.

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“I’ve done so much until now, and this is how you repay me? If it weren’t for me, you guys would have become monster dung residue…”

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Robin muttered, clenching both fists so tightly that they turned red, and trembled.

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Having to apologize to Baron Salvier in this mood, Robin was literally going crazy.

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Baron Salvier.

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It seems that Robin’s life was ruined from the point when that human appeared.

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Because of that fucking idiot who only had money rotting away!

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“Hoo…”

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Robin slowly took a deep breath, loosened the strength in his two hands that were turning purple, and repeatedly clenched and unclenched them.

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He had to come to his senses.

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It was obvious that it would be difficult to have a proper conversation with him with such a confused mind.

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He had to endure it now.

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Although Mela was ruined and there was no place left for him to settle his heart, there were plenty of women to satisfy his carnal desires.

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Because there are still plenty of women who want to sleep with a Hero.

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He’ll endure it now.

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He has to lie low now.

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But this humiliation.

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He will definitely repay it someday.

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Robin thought so and felt the carriage slowly slowing down.

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Baron Salvier’s mansion was visible outside the window.

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*

I deliberately dawdled.

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Robin made me wait for two days, so he’ll let me get away with just walking slowly.

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No, what’s he going to do if he doesn’t?

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What can Robin do to me in his situation?

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I headed to the guest room where Robin was waiting very slowly, taking almost 20 minutes.

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I even chatted with Banata, who I met on the way.

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But I ran away because she was trying to set a date.

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I opened the door to the guest room where Robin was waiting and said.

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“Aigo- I’m so sorry I’m late, Count-nim.”

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“…Baron.”

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Robin seemed to be trying to maintain a calm and composed expression as much as possible, but in my eyes, he was clearly unable to control himself because of his anger.

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It’s like covering a hot iron ball with only a piece of leather, it doesn’t mean you can’t feel the heat.

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Robin was struggling to control his expression.

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He seemed to be furious because of my nonchalant appearance that was beyond his imagination.

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I shrugged the mask I was wearing on my face and said.

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“I heard you were investigated because of what happened at the social gathering? I’m really sorry that you had to go through such hardships because of my words.”

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“… No,”

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I stopped talking and sat down, waiting for Robin to speak.

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It was my turn to speak in terms of the timing of the conversation, but I didn’t say anything like ‘I said something I shouldn’t have because I was angry’ or ‘I’m sorry for my mistake’, so I remained silent.

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Rather, this was a place where he had to apologize to me.

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Robin also bit his lip slightly at the unnaturally cut-off conversation, then took a deep breath and began to speak.

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“It seems that I have been making too unreasonable demands on you, forgetting what you have done for our family. Now I can understand why you were angry.”

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“… I didn’t mean to show off, but it seems that I’m a narrow-minded person. I’m ashamed.”

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“No, rather, I’m the one who’s been bad for taking your kindness for granted. I sincerely apologize. Please forgive me, Baron.”

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When Robin started talking, he began to apologize politely with a surprisingly calm demeanor.

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I didn’t show it on the outside, but I was quite surprised by Robin’s appearance.

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It was an appearance that showed where Rose’s acting skills that Banata was talking about came from.

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Well, that’s why I didn’t notice until he betrayed me.

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I nodded and replied.

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“You’ve had a lot of trouble because of me.”

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“No, as a result, it was revealed that I had no charges. Trying to hide the death of my son, who had become an undead, was a punishable act, but any parent would have a hard time maintaining their sanity if they lost their child like that. It seems that the Inquisitors also acknowledged that to some extent.”

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“I see.”

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“I’m sorry that you were forced to share the secret with me, and you were badly injured that day. But Jennifer committed such a terrible act without my knowledge, so I hope you understand my desire to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”

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“… I understand.”

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“Thank you, and I’m sorry again.”

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Robin bowed his head.

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Oh my god,

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Such a clean apology.

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I felt a chill as I deeply felt how good he was at acting.

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How many people have been deceived by his ability to thoroughly hide his true feelings and deceive others?

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Me, Mela, Lara, and the many people who still think of him as a hero.

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All of them have been deceived by Robin’s god-given acting skills.

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I gritted my teeth at the momentary surge of anger.

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Robin slowly raised his head and said.

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“Baron. I heard you’re from another continent.”

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“Yes.”

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“Do you have any family left in your hometown?”

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“No. I don’t.”

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“Then, may I make a suggestion?”

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“A suggestion…?”

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“No, no. It seems that I was trying to hide my true feelings again without realizing it. It’s a suggestion and a request at the same time. It’s shameless of me to say this again, even though I’ve had conflicts with you because of my shameless request, but would you still listen?”

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I nodded.

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It was because I already knew what Robin was going to say.

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“As you know, the sea, for those of you who have been shipwrecked and drifted to this Empire, is a dangerous place where anything can happen no matter how thoroughly prepared you are. Furthermore, crossing between continents is even more so.”

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“That’s right. I also tried to find a craftsman to repair my ship, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought. It’s far from enough to prepare to cross the ocean.”

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“Perhaps, the number of people who have survived that ocean, including you, can be counted on one hand.”

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“What are you trying to say?”

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I asked Robin, who was beating around the bush, as if urging him.

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What’s the point of talking so long when he’s going to ask me to support the 20th Anniversary Victory Day party, or even ask me to host it?

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Maybe he’s trying to find a justification for me to accept, but I found this conversation very useless since I was going to accept it anyway.

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In the first place, I’m not from another continent.

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My hometown is that small mountain village that has now disappeared… no, it’s the Demon King’s Castle where you betrayed your comrades.

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“Won’t you settle down in this Empire now?”

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“…Are you telling me to find a bride?”

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“No, no. Shouldn’t a couple be with someone they get along with? I have no intention of being a matchmaker.”

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“…”

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“Our family is going to hold a 20th Anniversary Victory Day party.”

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“… Ha,”

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I couldn’t help but laugh.

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Robin continued without paying attention.

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“But, I’m not in a position to hold that party right now. So, if you’re okay with it, I’d like you to host the party instead.”

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“I’ve heard a lot about the Count defeating the Demon King, but what does a foreigner like me have to do with Victory Day…”

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“That’s why I suggested you settle down here.”

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“…Aha,”

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“Wouldn’t it be a place to celebrate the 20th anniversary and your naturalization? Baron. Your good deeds have already deeply penetrated the people of this city, and there will probably be no one in the Empire who doesn’t welcome you.”

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“…”

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I was slightly impressed.

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I thought he would just ask me without any reason, but he’s going to bring up Baron Salvier’s naturalization.

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If this happens, Robin will have the justification for helping Baron Salvier’s naturalization in the future.

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A Baron who has built a good image with good deeds and a Hero who is popular with the citizens.

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If I host the party, it will be a place to solidify the relationship between the two.

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Robin seemed to be trying to reach out to a corner to recover somehow now that he had lost Villard.

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Even if it’s Baron Salvier, who humiliated him.

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I was disgusted by Robin’s trickery, but I forced myself to hide my expression and nodded with a smile.

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Whatever Robin’s intentions were, that day would be the worst day of his life.

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“That’s a good idea.”

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“Are you accepting?”

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“Why not? I like this country too.”

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“I’m so proud as a Hero who saved this country.”

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You little shit.

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Look at this bastard.

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I swallowed my anger and continued with a smile.

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“…But there’s a condition.”

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“What is it?”

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“On the day of the party, please be sure to bring Mela-nim with you.”

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“Mela?”

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“Yes, I’m going to properly repay her for the trouble I caused at the banquet hall.”

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“…Hmm,”

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Robin looked worried.

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It must be because Mela is not in a normal state.

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But I had no intention of giving in to this condition.

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Lara told me.

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That Mela was trying to betray me.

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To be honest, I couldn’t fully believe those words.

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Really, she…

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But it didn’t matter.

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If Mela chose Robin, I had to show her.

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Robin’s desperate downfall.

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The scene of me, destroying him.

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Robin made excuses that Mela wasn’t feeling well these days, but I shook my head.

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“I’ll adjust the date, so please, I beg you.”

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“…If you come this far…”

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“Please.”

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“…”

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Robin slowly nodded with a reluctant expression.

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“Okay. I’ll tell my wife.”

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I got up from my seat with a big smile that could be seen even behind the mask and strode towards Robin.

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Then, I held out my hand, wearing the gloves that Edward had given me, to Robin.

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Robin also got up from his seat and shook my hand.

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I said.

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“I promise you.”

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“… What?”

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“That it will be a party that will be talked about for a very long time.”

I promise, Robin.

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