episode_0069

“Ugh….”

Experiencing an involuntary moan slipping past her lips was a first for Eleanor.

There was no time to contemplate in the chaos of Serjuha’s end. When she fell victim to Shelob’s poison, the warmth that enveloped her left no room for anything else.

But now, Eleanor had no time to show such emotions to Eleonore.

Her view askew,

the shattered remnants of the carriage around her,

horses and people sprawled on the ground,

even the metallic tang of blood in the air.

Every sensation conveyed danger to her mind.

Struggling, Eleanor lifted her head. Thankfully, Ophelia, who had been sitting beside her moments ago, now lay collapsed at her side, covered in dust.

Though unconscious, with twisted joints and no visible severe wounds, small breaths amidst her shallow chest movements suggested she was still breathing.

Only after realizing her precious friend was alive did Eleanor begin to comprehend the situation unfolding before her eyes.

People strewn across the ground. Fortunately, those individuals were not known to Eleanor.

Three knights, including Violet, stood protectively over the fallen Eleanor and Violet. Before them, figures concealed by brown robes exuded ominous vibes.

“V-Violet….”

Eleanor strained to lift her lips. The taste of blood lingered in her mouth, mixed with the earthy dust.

Sensing a presence behind her, Violet maintained her guard, turning her head slightly to meet Eleanor’s gaze.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“V-Violet? Are you okay?”

Their inquiries overlapped, but their tones were starkly different.

Her face, her arms. Eleanor’s sky-blue eyes widened in horror at the crimson stains on the white uniform.

Beneath the smooth blade gripped in her hand, a viscous red liquid trickled down the edge, creating a sticky trail. Puddles of spilled blood formed beneath her.

“A-Are you badly hurt, Violet?”

“No, Miss. I’m fine.”

Unlike Eleanor, Violet remained remarkably composed, even offering a faint smile while assuring her well-being.

Eventually, Violet leaned in close to Eleanor’s face and whispered softly.

“Miss, just endure a little longer. Since I sent Mabu and Samuel out from here, the family’s knights will arrive soon.”

Upon hearing this, Eleanor couldn’t muster a response.

The wounds on Violet seen up close were more severe than anticipated. Sharp cuts from the blade had left visible marks on her arms, and blood seeped through torn fabric on her side and thigh.

Yet, despite these injuries, her voice remained resolute.

“I, Violet, will never let a single finger touch your body, Miss.”

Violet once again poised her blade threateningly towards the brown-robed figures they faced off against.

In the midst of Eleanor’s unconsciousness, they had already repelled one assault.

The brown-robed figures surrounding them were no pushovers, but neither were they invincible opponents.

Through the ranks of these robed figures, a familiar voice inexplicably reached Eleanor’s ears.

“Really… They say if you give up and retreat peacefully, they’ll spare your lives.”

In a displeased tone, Eleanor shifted her gaze from the wounded Violet and knights to the man stepping forward among those in robes.

“Louis… Edmund.”

With red hair and tousled bangs swept back, Louis Edmund stood before her.

“It’s been a while, Eleanor. Looks like you’ve caused quite a mess everywhere. Well, I won’t apologize for my ruined life being better than yours.”

Sporting a smirk sharper than the stench of blood surrounding them, he continued with a hoarse voice.

“But it’s true. Don’t speak so harshly of Lord Eli. It’s not wise.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Who is this Lord?”

“Well, you might act all high and mighty now, but if you keep groveling beneath, even the esteemed lady of House Bayern will have to acknowledge you.”

Louis Edmund’s trembling voice was heard as adjustments were made to the position of the mask on the face behind the robed man, Nasir.

“Louis Edmund… It seems he’s even dabbling in drugs. Keep him in check by your side.”

With an emotionless tone, his superior had given that order.

“How far should I tolerate it?”

“Touching Yeong-ae, forcing yourself on her, is permissible. Just ensure her life remains intact. Absolutely.”

Until meeting Ernst, Nasir had navigated the underworld’s battles fairly well.

Maintaining his composure, despite Ernst’s nonchalant demeanor while reading documents, sent shivers down Nasir’s spine.

It wasn’t the intensity of Ernst’s words; it was about silently allowing a lowly man to harm such a valuable woman.

“Let’s not dwell on it. I’m just a tool.”

Nasir raised his hand above the hilt of the dagger hanging from his waist.

Honestly, the current situation was taking a rather unfavorable turn compared to the arrogance displayed by that scoundrel.

Despite pushing the cart energetically, colliding with the carriage she was in, and stopping it, that was all he did.

Certainly, the coin Nasir received from Louis Edmund was substantial. He had replaced capable individuals with mediocre ones using the coin provided.

Of course, the gathered men weren’t entirely lacking in skill.

Their ability to face bloodshed without fear made them somewhat useful forces, but they were severely lacking in dealing with trained knights’ swords.

Without his intervention, they would likely succumb to the knights’ blades despite numerical superiority.

Moreover, foolishly letting one knight slip away meant that delaying any longer would result in the arrival of Bayern’s knights.

Yet, that man remained posturing there.

Exhaling softly, Nasir pushed through the robes and approached Louis Edmund quietly to address him.

“Edmund, there’s no time to dawdle.”

“What? Who are you to dare instruct Edmund Hujak’s eldest son like this!”

The white sclera, swollen with red blood vessels, housed jade-green irises that had lost their light, becoming cloudy and hazy. His purple-tinted lips trembled involuntarily, unrelated to his intentions.

Furthermore, an overwhelmingly sweet smell emanated from his body, to the point of discomfort.

It was the typical appearance of a drug addict, the faces of back alley losers.

Ignoring the defiant Louis Edmund, Nasir turned his head and looked at the robed figures.

“Rush them all at once. No need to knock them down. Just block their view. Be careful not to harm a single scratch on the body of the platinum blonde beauty over there.”

“Understood.”

“What, what’s this! What are you all doing! I am your employer!”

Despite Louis Edmund’s loud protests, the robed figures ignored him and drew their swords from their scabbards.

They were individuals driven by money and power.

Thanks to their keen sense of money and power, they quickly realized that the drug-addicted employer was a puppet and the real power lay with the masked man.

Brandishing two daggers in each hand, Nasir gave orders to the leader of the robed figures.

“Now.”

“Alright, you trash! It’s time to pay for your sins!”

“Whoa!”

Before the words could finish, the robed men charged towards the knights, shouting loudly.

Clubs and axes in hand, their weapons may have been crude, but their aggressive demeanor was enough to put even the battle-hardened knights of Beaurne on edge.

Approximately more than fifteen in number, facing only four knights, including himself.

While each knight’s individual skill was formidable, the numbers were not in their favor.

Sharp blades clashed with rugged edges, sparks flying.

Though it was the rough edges that deflected the blows, the increasing wounds belonged to the wielders of the swords.

The three knights immediately exchanged glances towards Violet.

“If we keep stalling like this, we’ll all be overwhelmed. So take the lady and get out of here.”

In Violet’s eyes, hesitation quickly took hold.

They were comrades she had trained with since childhood.

They had not hesitated to crush those who underestimated a woman’s strength, nor had they failed to offer comfort during moments of disparity.

Yet, regardless, both Violet and her comrades were knights.

They were individuals who prioritized something to protect over their own lives.

Deflecting the axe aimed at her waist, Violet swiftly moved towards Eleanor.

“Lady, there are too many. For now, dodge-”

“Violet! Behind you! Look out!”

Their voices failed to reach each other.

Thud.

The eerie sound of flesh being pierced.

The sharp blade emerging through sun-darkened skin.

The crimson liquid spurting into the air.

Witnessing the unfolding scene before her, Eleanor froze in place.

As the dagger pierced through Violet’s chest, she fell to her knees, blood spilling onto the ground.

“Violet!”

Eleanor rushed forward, embracing Violet as she collapsed. Eleanor’s white blouse was slowly being tainted by her crimson blood.