Chapter 817 – 817. The Plum Blossom Swordsman Reincarnated Into The Baek Family
Kyle stared at the man who had entered his office.
Baron Olrond Glvet.
A man with soft blonde hair, blue eyes, and dressed in flamboyant attire. The very atmosphere he exuded screamed nobility.
He was a noble who was active in the western corner of the Rapelli Kingdom.
Originally a fallen noble, he had used this war as an opportunity to rise through the ranks and begin building his reputation.
He was the noble who had sent a letter to Kyle a while ago.
“It’s our first time meeting in person, isn’t it? Kyle-nim. I am Baron Olrond Glvet.”
“I am Kyle Prukerus. The reason you came to see me is…”
“Yes, yes. I came to serve you, Kyle-nim. My 5,000 soldiers will be a great help to you. I will also faithfully serve you as your vassal.”
Baron Glvet bowed. His composed greeting was filled with dignity rather than servility.
Kyle couldn’t understand him. Baron Glvet was growing in fame and power. There was no reason for him to come under his command.
“It seems you are suspicious of me.”
“To be honest, yes. For someone of your stature to suddenly want to become my vassal… No matter how I think about it, it’s strange, isn’t it? Moreover, I haven’t even received a title yet.”
“First of all, Kyle-nim. Please speak comfortably.”
“…Alright.”
“At this time of war, titles are not important. What’s more important than titles is fame, power, wealth, and military strength. In that regard, you, Kyle-nim, are far superior to someone like me. After the war ends, you will receive a title higher than a Count. No, you will inherit the Prukerus Countship. I will make sure of it.”
Baron Glvet’s soft yet powerful voice was perfect for gaining people’s trust. However, Kyle did not erase his suspicious gaze.
“I don’t believe in loyalty without a reason. What do you want from me?”
“I want wealth and glory. Unfortunately, there are limits to how far I can rise on my own. I know my limits best. That’s why I seek wealth and glory under you, Kyle-nim.”
“……I’m sorry, but it won’t work. Baron Glvet, please return.”
Despite the dismissal, Baron Glvet did not back down. Instead, he smiled more leisurely.
“Kyle-nim. Don’t make such a hasty judgment. I know your current state and what you desire very well. Perhaps even better than you do.”
Kyle’s eyebrows twitched. If it were his usual self, he would have let it slide. However, the inner demon still lingered in his heart. His emotions were volatile.
“You know me well? Tell me then. But if you’re even a little bit wrong, I won’t let it slide.”
Baron Glvet didn’t flinch.
“Currently, Kyle-nim, you want to destroy and kill anything that slightly bothers you, right? You’re suddenly overwhelmed with anger for no reason, and it’s perplexing, isn’t it?”
“……”
“Yes. I understand you, Kyle-nim. I was like that once too.”
“You were too? How did you resolve the inner demon?”
Kyle asked urgently. Even after practicing breathing exercises and meditation, the inner demon did not disappear. Kyle wanted to shake it off before it grew any larger.
“So, that’s what you call the inner demon. A demon in the heart… Yes. That’s a good term.”
“Just answer me.”
“You just need to find the cause of the inner demon and resolve it. Simple, isn’t it?”
“……”
“As I said earlier, I know what you desire, Kyle-nim.”
“…What I desire? You do?”
“Yuria Grace.”
Bang!
Kyle’s fist slammed into the desk. The top of the desk shattered in the shape of his fist. Kyle’s eyes twitched. The moment Yuria’s name came out of Glvet’s mouth, out of another man’s mouth, he momentarily lost control of his anger. The inner demon was becoming more severe than before.
“Kyle-nim. Calm down.”
“……What should I do?”
“The inner demon is the conflict between your desire and your conscience. There are three ways to resolve it! Abandon your desire, or abandon your conscience, or fulfill your desire.”
“Isn’t that practically two?”
“Abandoning your conscience and fulfilling your desire are different. If you abandon your conscience, you will just run wild. You must fulfill your desire through the right methods while keeping your conscience. For example, if you abandon your conscience and only have desire left, you will kill Eugene Prukerus and forcibly take Yuria Grace. That’s acting according to your desire.”
“Kill my own flesh and blood? Are you crazy? That’s the path of a demon, not a human.”
Kyle growled. Baron Glvet shrugged leisurely.
“I was just giving an example, Kyle-nim.”
“……What do you mean by fulfilling my desire through the right methods?”
“Inheriting the Prukerus Countship. If you become the Prukerus Count, taking Yuria Grace from Eugene Prukerus will be a piece of cake. After all, Eugene Prukerus is a member of the Count’s family, and Yuria Grace is also a maid of the Count’s family.”
“That’s ridiculous. Yuria is married to Eugene. Even if I become the Count and call for her, Yuria won’t leave Eugene’s side.”
“Married? Kyle-nim, you are mistaken. Eugene Prukerus is unmarried. He has not married anyone.”
Officially, that was true. But Kyle had clearly seen it. The two of them sitting in the forest, embracing each other. Whispering words of love to each other.
The veins on Kyle’s hand throbbed.
“…That’s right. That’s what I’m also wondering. If it were me… If I were Eugene, I would have publicly announced the marriage….”
“There are many speculations, but the most likely one in my opinion is that Eugene Prukerus is playing with Yuria Grace’s heart. If Eugene Prukerus truly loved Yuria Grace, wouldn’t he have acted like you, Kyle-nim?”
“That’s right. If it were me, I would have. If I… If I hadn’t been late, Yuria would have….”
“It’s not too late yet. Kyle-nim, you can become the Prukerus Count and save Yuria Grace from being toyed with by Eugene Prukerus.”
“……”
“Are you still hesitating? Do you not intend to become the Prukerus Count, Kyle-nim?”
“I will become the Prukerus Count. I’ve already decided that. But can you be sure that Yuria is being toyed with by Eugene? I saw it. Yuria… She might truly love Eugene.”
“Kyle-nim, you don’t know the true nature of Eugene Prukerus.”
“Eugene’s true nature?”
“His mind is only filled with women. Do you know about his mansion? There are rumors that there are hundreds of beautiful women who serve only Eugene Prukerus. Moreover, Eugene Prukerus does not see slaves as people. There are rumors that the number of slaves executed by Eugene Prukerus is in the tens of thousands.”
Kyle couldn’t deny it. Eugene, whom he had met on the battlefield, had changed so much that he doubted if he was the same Eugene he knew. He treated soldiers and slaves carelessly and didn’t care at all about the slave soldiers who were being sacrificed.
“Kyle-nim. From now on, let’s thoroughly investigate Eugene Prukerus’s actions. I will assist you by your side. Even though I look like this, I once worked in an information guild and even rose to the position of branch manager. Uncover the true nature of Eugene Prukerus, become the Prukerus Count, and punish him. Save the commoners and slaves who are suffering in his territory. Only you, Kyle-nim, can save Yuria Grace.”
“……”
Kyle closed his eyes.
Eugene was his younger brother. If Eugene had been tainted by evil…. As his older brother, he had to punish Eugene. He had to correct his misguided brother. He had to save those who were suffering under Eugene, and Yuria, who was being toyed with.
“Baron Glvet. Do you truly swear loyalty to me?”
A smile appeared on Baron Glvet’s face. He knelt down on one knee in front of Kyle without hesitation.
“Of course! I swear eternal loyalty, my lord!”
“…What should I do?”
“First, you must establish discipline in the army. Kyle-nim’s army is excellent, but it is lax. The army is not acting like an army. You must strengthen the internal structure. And… I will take care of investigating information about Eugene Prukerus.”
“…Thoroughly investigate Eugene.”
“Leave it to me.”
•••
Since the day the mercenaries of the Korea Trading Company had given him the box containing the crystal ball and iron ring, Terius had lost his vitality.
Even when he slept, ate, and talked with his comrades, life was not enjoyable. Everything was bothersome and irritating. He just repeated his daily routine regularly, without any emotion.
He wanted to die.
That thought repeated itself. It was when he was actually thinking that it might be better to die that Kyle called for him.
Terius was nervous. Kyle had definitely changed. It had been since Olrond Glvet had declared himself Kyle’s vassal. He had changed from a comfortable and friendly older brother to a charismatic lord. The reactions of the knights and soldiers were mixed. Some liked it, saying that he had gained spirit, while others worried that he was becoming corrupted like other nobles.
Terius was closer to the latter.
“…Captain. I’m here.”
“Come in.”
He opened the door and entered. Kyle and Baron Glvet were sitting in front of the office. Terius was flustered. The atmosphere was unusual.
“Sir Terius! It’s been only three days since we briefly greeted each other, hasn’t it?”
“…Yes. Baron Glvet-nim. Today is…….”
Terius glanced at Kyle. Kyle, who was looking at Terius with a blank face, slowly opened his mouth. His voice was dry.
“Terius. I know that you embezzled the relics of Baron Mavelot.”
Thump!
Terius felt his heart sink. He was very afraid of Kyle. And he was bewildered. He himself had even considered taking his own life. But when death actually came close, his legs trembled, and he was overwhelmed with a suffocating fear.
Terius knelt on the floor.
“C-Captain. I’m sorry…. I needed money to save Nepia, so I had no choice. Captain…. Please forgive me just once….”
“I understand.”
“…Huh?”
Terius blinked.
“The place where you sold the relics and took out the loan is the Korea Trading Company, right? The actual owner of the Korea Trading Company is my younger brother, Eugene. It was also Eugene who demanded 1 billion Ner from you under the pretext of a slave named Nepia. Terius, you were just being toyed with by Eugene.”
“……What am I supposed to do now…. There’s nothing I can do.”
“Do you not intend to take revenge?”
“What do you expect from a crippled, one-armed mercenary slave? There’s no way I can take revenge.”
“If you want to, I will help you.”
“…I don’t understand. He’s your younger brother, Captain. Why are you helping me take revenge?”
“Eugene has gone astray. I will not correct Eugene. As his older brother… I will correct Eugene. In that process, your revenge will also be achieved.”
“……”
Kyle’s voice was firm. Terius realized that he was truly determined. Still, Terius was still skeptical. What could he do with only one left arm?
“Sir Terius. Your potential is high. The fact that you reached the level of an Aura Expert at your age is proof that you are a genius.”
Baron Glvet stepped forward. He smiled and placed his hand on Terius’s right shoulder. The shoulder without an arm throbbed.
“Sir Terius. I will reattach your arm. I will also pay off your debt.”
“…Reattach my arm? That’s ridiculous…. I’ve already lost my right arm.”
Terius, who had been momentarily happy, soon sighed and shook his head.
“Human arms are all similar. It doesn’t necessarily have to be your arm. I know a skilled magician. You just need to give your permission.”
Terius’s eyes lit up.
“……Is it also true that you will resolve my debt?”
“200 million is just pocket change to me.”
Terius glanced at Kyle. Kyle nodded.
“Are you still hesitating? Don’t you need to bring back the maid, Nepia?”
“Nepia is… not for me, but for him….”
“So, are you going to give up?”
Terius lowered his head.
Nepia.
His hope that he had longed for for so long.
Even if it was the wrong way, he wanted to have her. He wanted to keep her by his side.
Terius did not deny his ugly emotions and raised his head.
“……I can’t give up.”
Terius still had the iron ring on the ring finger of his left hand.
