episode_0016

The winter when I turned fifteen.

Seven years ago, after saving Roderick, the foundation of the mercenary group was quite solidified.

At that time, Roderick, in an attempt to expand the mercenary group, made contact with various individuals, one of whom actively suggested absorbing the defeated factions of the era.

In other words, it was a strategy to reach out to those who had not escaped the judgment of the sword wielded by the new power – the lost remnants of power. However, I did not readily accept it. Knowing in detail the disgraceful past of my father and mother, I was reluctant to extend my hand to them.

Nevertheless, Roderick persistently pushed the issue to me whenever he had the chance. Unable to completely ignore his opinions as my superior, I found myself nodding in agreement at least once.

“Among the factions that have faced judgment, there are only a few who have maintained their ranks. If we gather them now, it will be a great help in the future.”

“Why do they still have their ranks?”

“Instead of confiscating their ranks, an enormous financial debt was cleared for them. They must repay it solely through military service. Until the amount is repaid and the entire family becomes elderly, they must serve in the military.”

Since they were outcasts in the eyes of the royal family, there was no noble family to bail them out. Even if I were to save a fallen noble family, the benefits would be minimal, so it was the harsh reality.

Therefore, Roderick’s justification was to clear their debt and bring back a rank by absorbing it. Even if I hesitated to do so.

And so, the area we moved to changed. It was the fortress ruled by Elenor Changbaek, known as the sword of the past fallen empire.

As it was a strategic point facing the borders of other kingdoms, the mission assigned to us was truly significant. Furthermore, since a new ruler had not yet been appointed, it was also an area where the royal representative ruled in their place.

We received temporary passes and entered the fortress.

Looking around, efforts to combat the cold temperature were visible everywhere. Soldiers wearing thick coats and gloves to hold onto the cold metal, and crowds gathering around blazing torches. In the unfamiliar sight, I unconsciously shivered.

It was when my mind was unconsciously distracted by the surrounding environment.

Sniff.

A very faint sound of someone sniffing tickled my ears. From the irregular rhythm of breathing and the heated breath, it seemed like someone was trying to hold back tears. And I, as if possessed, turned towards the direction where the sound came from and took a step.

Roderick was briefly discussing with the administrator of the decree, so I was alone, making this impromptu action possible.

Sniff, sob.

The faint sobbing became clearer. I headed towards the well located in a secluded corner around the corner. The source of the sobbing I was looking for could be found behind the well.

“Who are you…?”

It was a young girl. With white hair scattered with the colors of winter, and round eyes filled with tears.

The girl, who did not easily open her mouth, asked me again.

“You’re not from around here. I’ve never seen you before…”

“I came to find someone.”

“Someone?”

“Yes.”

I traced the source of the sobbing out of curiosity, but when I finally found it, I felt nothing. The girl’s dirty hands and disheveled face only revealed her situation, but I felt only a slight indifference. That was the extent of my impression.

Since the conversation had already started, I mechanically asked the girl a question.

“I came to find those who use the name Elenor. Do you happen to know?”

“Enenot? Enyenot…”

After sniffing once, the girl answered quietly.

“That’s over there…”

“What?”

“Ashutienyenot. That’s what I call it…”

Surprised by the unexpected confession, I widened my eyes slightly. According to the information I had, the last surviving members of the Elenoth family were a young couple.

[What about your parents?]

[Gone.]

[Why?]

[They left. Last year. Today.]

[…]

I couldn’t help but wonder if the young couple had a child. She stared at me with wide eyes, as if amazed by something. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I averted my gaze.

[But why are you here?]

[That’s…]

Just as I was about to speak, a violent sound approached rapidly, followed by a rough voice from behind.

“What are you up to! Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused?!”

The owner of the voice was a middle-aged woman with a fierce expression and a strong build.

She approached the young girl as if I wasn’t even there, forcefully grabbing her hand and pulling her up.

“Because of your mistake, all the laundry is ruined. Where on earth are you going to find a use for this?!”

“Mistake? Laundry…? I, I, I’m sorry…”

“The laundry is covered in dirt, how can you call it clean! And now you’re making excuses as a child!?”

“No, it’s not… really not… I swear…”

The girl winced in pain as her wrist was held tightly, constantly trying to bring her other hand to the one being held. But against the strength of an adult who had lived a harsh life, she was too weak to resist.

With her small wrist firmly held in the large hand, the young girl was forced to walk in step with the adult. And I, knowing I had to take the child with the Elenoth surname, followed them calmly.

The destination they reached was a laundry room with flowing water. Wet laundry covered in dirt piled up to the height of an adult, creating a strong presence. It seemed that this was the reason the woman was angry and dragging the girl along.

“I heard everything. You, secretly overturned the laundry basket because you were angry last time, right? This useless thing… how dare you!”

“I didn’t mean to…!”

“Oh, so it wasn’t you who did it?”

“It was…”

The girl looked around quickly, then pointed her arm in one direction.

“It was Aunt Henrietta. But not on purpose, it was a mistake…”

“So you’re saying Henrietta did it now?”

“What, what did you say?!”

As the girl pointed to the middle-aged woman – Henrietta, she stood up immediately and protested.

“It’s obvious that you’re lying! You’re so used to twisting things around because this kid has been trouble since birth!”

“Yeah, Henrietta wouldn’t have a reason to overturn the laundry.”

“No, it was a mistake… not on purpose…”

“Then am I accusing you of making a mistake right now? How can you be so shameless!”

*Sigh*

The woman who brought the child let out a sigh, then looked at her with a stern gaze, labeling her as a naughty child.

“You’re really incorrigible. You need to be punished.”

“Punished…?”

“If you throw something into the flowing water once, even bad feelings will be washed away clean.”

At her words, the girl’s eyes rolled coldly towards the water’s edge of the laundry room. Her eyes turned red with tears as she imagined the events that would unfold.

“I didn’t mean to! No, no. Actually…! I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I won’t do it again. Please forgive me…”

“Only now you tell the truth? You seem quite audacious.”

It seemed as though the woman’s attitude changed in an instant, making the child appear sullen. She dragged the child, who resisted with all her might, towards the riverside, unsure if the threat of punishment was empty. The more she resisted, the louder the child cried.

Just as the child’s foot was about to touch the icy water.

“Stop right there.”

I grabbed the wrist of the woman pulling the child.

“It’s difficult to harm her until the child’s situation is certain.”

“By the way, who are you to follow us all the way here?”

“A guest.”

As I confidently revealed, the woman’s grip loosened. The girl who narrowly avoided punishment looked at me with desperate eyes. It was a look that recognized me as the only lifeline that could solve the difficult situation I was facing.

“So, what business does this guest have with this child?”

“I might be able to take the child away.”

With that one word, hope sparked in the girl’s eyes. But with the harsh reality that followed, her eyes dimmed once again.

“Do you know how much debt she has inherited? Unless you’re a complete fool, you wouldn’t be able to pay it off! No one would be able to bear that burden unless they were incredibly stupid!”

“It could happen, or it might not.”

Whether it was foolish or wise would depend on Roderick’s decision. Because Roderick was smart, and if he paid off the debt, it would be the smart thing to do.

Meanwhile, the child who had been listening to me turned her head back and forth, looking at the woman from the laundry room and then at me. Eventually, she approached me cautiously, as if she had made up her mind.

“If you take her away, she won’t be mistreated, right…?”

The child said, holding onto the hem of my clothes.

“She…!”

“She can really grow up. She’ll work hard, learn to cook, and do everything you ask. So please, take her with you…”

Suddenly, the child knelt down without a care for her surroundings.

“My mom and dad, they were mistreated and abandoned. The world hates us. That’s why no one is by our side. I’m all alone. I want to be left alone… sniff…”

…

For a moment, strength entered the tip of my lips.

Outcast.

That one word echoed in my head like a hammer.

The days I wandered like a beast for three years after being expelled from the institute flashed before my eyes.

Lost in the vast horizon, not knowing where to turn or what to do, it was a past filled with despair.

The long silence urged me to make a decision. So, I reached out and lifted the child who was kneeling, cradling her in my arms.

“Huh…?”

The child made a surprised sound.

“I, I…!”

The woman from the laundry room stuttered in disbelief.

“Taking such a bad girl with you will only cause trouble. I recommend leaving her now.”

As I remained silent, the child, sensing the danger, clung to me and frantically gestured and spoke.

“You’re lying. I didn’t steal the laundry. I lied because I was scared. The auntie, she, she said those things!”

Her gestures were so frantic that it was difficult to understand. Even if I couldn’t understand, it was fine. My decision wouldn’t change.

“What’s your name?”

“I-It’s Eshutiel?”

“Slowly. One letter at a time.”

“I… I…”

The child struggled to remember her name with her small head.

“E, Sh, T, I, Elye.”

“Eshutiel Elenotte.”

As I repeated her name, Eshutiel nodded vigorously with tears in her eyes and a faint smile.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“I’m called Richard.”

“Ri…chard.”

“…Yes.”

I left the laundry room and headed towards the place where Roderick was sharing a conversation. Roderick’s gaze, witnessing the scene of me embracing Estelle, was quite piercing, causing me to turn my body sideways. In that state, I asked.

[Why are you delaying the time?]

[It’s such an exceptional situation that they’re asking for more money. But all the people we were looking for are dead, leaving only the child behind, so even if we give back the principal, it’s still a loss…]

Although I heard the request for a bribe, Roderick’s response indicated that he didn’t want to be undermined.

[Give it.]

[What?]

[No matter how much, give it to me.]

[You…?]

He stared at me for a few seconds before letting out a cool curse.

[Argh, damn it!]

Roderick clutched his forehead and looked up at the sky. Then, after a brief conflict, he threw a receipt with a huge price tag written on it at the other person.

[Th-this is… Oh my…]

The agent, filled with joy at the unexpected amount, looked at the man with admiration. Roderick slammed the table and unleashed a fierce look.

[I’ll hand it over because of the order… But if there’s any debt left for this kid, or if you hear any news about him becoming a fugitive, you will die for sure.]

Thud!

The man who put the receipt in the safe turned pale. The threatening aura was so strong that it even triggered a thud, making him look quite terrifying.

[Is there… a possibility.]

[Let’s hope not. For each other’s sake.]

And so, we left with the little child in tow, amidst the chilly breeze.

The departure was incredibly quiet and desolate. Yet, there was one person who seemed to be as happy as a blooming fog flower brushing against their cheek in the wind.

The loner Estelle had blossomed a pure smile. It was like a spring breeze that didn’t quite fit the cold earth.