Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Second Epilogue - Sion Idris
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Sion slipped through the window into the room like a snake, landing on the floor without a sound and quietly closing the window behind her, leaving no trace of her entry.
"Mmnyaam... a box of carrots... give me more... Arthin..."
At the very least, the faint noise she made was drowned out by the mumbling sleep-talk of Unicorn, who was sprawled out in the living room, scratching her belly in deep slumber, oblivious to the commotion.
'Ha! Like a beast in heat, you don't even know what's happening right now?'
Sion clicked her tongue at the sight of Unicorn.
A unicorn should protect its contractor's purity, but it couldn't even keep away stray women and was instead sleeping so carefree.
'If it weren't for you, I could have been the first to serve Young Master Arthin...'
Sion ground her teeth with a faint crunch, struggling to regain her composure. A trickle of murderous intent toward the unicorn welled up—she wanted to deal with it—but Unicorn was someone Young Master Arthin cherished. She couldn't make an enemy of it.
'Hoo, I decided to give up everything for Young Master. Calm down.'
Finally regaining her cool, Sion headed toward the living room. What mattered to her now wasn't the unicorn, denied even love for the sake of purity, but receiving grace from the sexually aroused Young Master.
"..Arthin... where are you touching me... mm... you're so naughty.."
"....What?"
The moment she reached for the door, Sion whipped around toward Unicorn at the sleep-talk that escaped its lips, unleashing the murderous intent she'd been suppressing without filter. What did that unicorn just say? Daring to harbor lewd thoughts toward Young Master?
"You insolent unicorn, how dare you—"
As Sion spat the words sharply, her vision suddenly went pure white. Right after, it blacked out as if she'd been hit by magic.
'Huh...?'
*
"Our family has wielded the sword for the Empire generation after generation. You must become a sword wielded for the Empire as well."
Born into the Viscount Idris family, Sion had heard those words endlessly from childhood.
The Idris family, one of the Empire's knightly houses for centuries before the Demon King's army even awakened, had never produced peerless heroes but had endlessly supplied knights who supported such heroes. It was a prestigious knightly house.
Sion's father, vice-captain of the Empire's 3rd Knight Order, took pride in his position and family, harboring the same expectations for his one son and one daughter.
But his eldest son and heir had inherited his late mother's chronic illness, plagued by health issues from childhood. Thus, all of Father's expectations fell squarely on Sion.
"Abandon any thoughts of growing up weak like girls from other families. You are a daughter of the Idris family. Our house has always chosen to become proud knights, regardless of age or gender."
Naturally, Sion had gripped a sword from a very young age. Due to the family's modest means, she applied salve to her own wounds at night, her life forced into that of a knight.
Of course, Sion had no will for such a life. As a child, she preferred flower arranging and sewing over sword training, but by the time she came of age, she had adapted, developing sword talent that stood out among her peers.
Yet Sion never attended the Academy. Her obsessive father wanted her to spread the family name as a knight as soon as possible, in place of her brother who had become an administrator.
So at the tender age of 15, instead of heading to the Academy, Sion became an imperial knight order squire through her father's connections. Her own will played no part in that choice either.
But during that time, Sion silently gripped and swung her sword. Having lost her mother young, family love for her meant repaying her expectant father—that was all.
*
That day was a rare weekend holiday. Sion returned home excited to boast about winning first place in a sword duel against her fellow new squires.
"Oh! You're finally here, Sion! Pride of the Idris family! My lovely eldest daughter!"
"Father, what's this? Coming out to greet me...? And who is this gentleman...?"
Upon arriving at the family estate, Sion was puzzled to see her father—not sternly awaiting her in his study as usual—but greeting her with an excited expression. And beside him stood a man she'd never seen before.
"Ah, this gentleman came all this way to scout you—the knight from the Black Rose Knights! Greet him properly!"
"Greetings. I'm Roman of the Black Rose Knights."
"A knight order...? Scouting me?"
Black Rose Knights? Sion tilted her head at the unfamiliar name, but she couldn't help feeling thrilled at the prospect of being scouted as a mere squire.
"The Empire has its light that upholds it, but it also has its darkness. We Black Rose Knights work in the shadows for the Empire. Hearing from Lord Idris of his excellent daughter, we came to see for ourselves."
A dangerous aura emanated from the bad-boy type man, his fatal smile captivating as he introduced himself. To Sion, the situation felt irresistibly alluring.
The darkness upholding the Empire? A knight order operating in secret? And this handsome man praising her as excellent? For a 15-year-old Sion, it was a choice that could make her faint with joy.
"What do you say? Isn't it time you joined a knight order and seized the chance to serve the Empire? Even this father of yours is quite pleased!"
Above all, her father—who was her entire world—was delighted. Sion nodded with a smiling face. At 15, she wanted to go where she was recognized rather than join some mediocre order.
"Excellent. Please do your utmost for the Empire."
"Yes! I look forward to working with you, Sir Roman!"
Sion saluted the man who introduced himself as Roman, flashing the biggest smile of her life. And after that day, she never smiled like that again.
*
There are eight knight orders upholding the Empire's underbelly. Among them, the Black Rose Knights handle assassinations, intrigue, abduction, and murder of key figures.
For the first year, its members are trained to kill their own egos, becoming people who spare no dangerous or dirty task for the Empire.
Naturally, individual members have no human rights. Why was Sion selected so young? Because Viscount Idris's patriotism meant he wouldn't object to his daughter's changes.
"The human Sion Idris no longer exists. You exist for the Empire. Understood?"
The two years in the Black Rose Knights were a horrific wound and nightmarish brainwashing for Sion.
She learned assassination over slaying demons, stealthy movement, torture and breaking people, and utter loyalty.
In that process, unlike other knights, Sion couldn't fully kill her self—that was her greatest torment.
Roman, who brought her in, treated her kindly the first year, but in the second, he changed completely, using every means to strip her of human emotions.
The pinnacle was the "man-slaying," forcing her to kill randomly abducted innocent Empire citizens.
"Slay them, or you'll die in their place."
"H... but they're not Demon King collaborators or criminals!"
At Sion's distraught cry, Roman emotionlessly beheaded a trembling mother holding her child. Screams echoed, but his eyelids didn't even twitch.
"Yes, their deaths are because you're immature and weak. Last warning. Slay them and become a Black Rose Knight, or die by my hand."
...Sion couldn't fully discard her humanity. Nor did she have superhuman mental fortitude to overcome fear of death. In panic, she killed innocent people for the first time that day.
A newlywed bride, two young boys, a sturdy adult man, and an elderly couple. Sion etched every death into her heart. And finally, she broke.
"Well done, Sion. From now on, you are the Black Rose Knights."
Roman smiled at the blood-soaked Sion, offering the knight insignia. As her dazed eyes took it, the metallic stench of blood assaulted her nose.
But the stench wasn't from the insignia—it came from Sion's own hands.
"From now on, you'll handle all manner of filthy tasks for the Empire. But remember, everything is for the justice of the Empire."
Roman patted her shoulder, accepting her as a member of the Black Rose Knights.
*
Three months later, the Black Rose Knights massacred a bandit horde led by the Bandit King—who had dealings with the Demon King—in brutal fashion, then dishonorably discharged Sion.
The reason was simple. They needed someone to take the blame for the Empire, and as a newbie, Sion was a disposable dagger.
Publicly, it wasn't under the Empire Intelligence Bureau's orders but Sion's mad solo rampage. All nobles and knights condemned her massacre and insanity.
"How dare you tarnish the Idris family name! Out of old sentiment, I won't strike you from the family registry. Leave the Empire! Never return! That's the only thing you can do for this father!"
The blood-soaked Sion's only sanctuary—her family, her father—exiled her with a face of rage she'd never shown before.
Soiled for her family and Empire, Sion had nowhere left to go, no one to accept her. She left the Empire aimlessly.
Those who met Sion then said her eyes were like those of a corpse.
*
"Big Sis, you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?"
At a kingdom noble's party, hired as a bodyguard mercenary for some family, Sion was drinking on the terrace.
Then a little boy approached her. A handsome child with golden blond hair and sparkling eyes gazed at her face worriedly.
Having avoided children since slaughtering an innocent one that day, Sion scowled and downed her glass. She just wanted to pass out from the brutally strong liquor.
"Scram, kid. I'm in a dogshit mood right now."
"If you're in a dog mood, that's good, right? Dogs are super cute and sweet!"
The kid's lively reply grated on her nerves. She suppressed the urge to toss him off the terrace and tried to ignore him.
"Where's Big Sis from? Oh! I studied crests! Ro... Roland Barony, right!"
"Hankers Barony. Answered you, now beat it."
"Ah! Right! I studied yesterday too but mixed it up! For real! So Big Sis is from the Hankers Barony?"
"No, I'm from the Empire. Now seriously scram. My head hurts."
The kid's shrill whining was deafening to Sion. Her head throbbed; she rubbed her brow, thinking of fetching more liquor.
"You can't hurt! Do you have a fever? Or did you lose a tooth like me?"
Then the chatty kid grabbed her hand, and Sion was about to snap with pent-up irritation.
But she couldn't. Those worried eyes, that tiny warm hand—it was too warm.
"I'll get our family doctor! Wait here, Big Sis! Don't go anywhere?"
"...W-wait, kid!"
Before Sion could stop him, the blond boy dashed off to fetch the doctor.
Sensing more hassle if she stayed, Sion tried to leave. But strangely, her legs wouldn't move. That lingering warmth in her hand...
"..."
Suddenly, Sion realized it had been ages since she'd felt human warmth. For the 17-year-old her, it was an inescapable comfort. Warm enough to bring tears to her broken eyes unbidden.
That was Sion and Rexton's first meeting.
*
Sion was still twisted and wounded, but Count Wise recognized her swordsmanship, stealth, and espionage skills, taking her in as Rexton's bodyguard—and incidentally, his sword tutor.
Having never taught anyone, Sion initially planned to just earn money for a few years. Rexton truly had no sword talent either.
But his pure, bright demeanor stirred twisted affection in Sion. His kindness—something even her father never showed—began softening her heart bit by bit.
However, as always, the unexpected struck abruptly.
One day, Rexton returned from playing with friends in tears, startling Sion into rushing to him.
"Wh-what happened, Young Master Rexton? Did someone hit you?"
"Hweeng! Shaomei! Shaomei!"
...It was a very simple matter.
Rexton had fallen for Lin Shaomei—the same-age daughter of the Pelkas Merchant Group that traded with the Wise Family—instead of her who always stayed by his side.
The problem? That kid preferred the oddly mature redheaded boy from a minor barony whom Rexton always dragged around, over the Wise Family heir. So she flatly rejected Rexton's brave confession that day.
"She said I'm ugly and unlucky!! Hweeeeng!!"
"......."
And in that moment, Sion's slowly healing mind began twisting again. It was understandable for him to like a peer over her. She could be happy just serving Young Master Rexton.
But daring to reject him? And choosing that worthless barony kid over this handsome, innocent Young Master?
At the attitude of squandering luck she could never have, and brazenly snubbing her master, Sion's warped rage began to surge toward the redheaded kid.
And the loyalty to her master she'd learned in the Black Rose Knights had only one form. Recalling lessons from years ago, Sion began to smile viciously.
"...Don't cry, Young Master. I have a very good idea."
"Hic! G-good idea? What is it?"
"If you show that kid you're better than her, and let her know she's worthless, won't Miss Shaomei like you then?"
"A-Arthin? How? Arthin's better than me at studying and swordsmanship too?"
Sion hugged the tearfully rubbing Rexton warmly, patting him.
"Don't worry. I have a way. Just trust me, Young Master. Got it?"
Sion's brown-tinged eyes flashed gold for the first time in ages—the murderous gaze that had lost its light since the bandit massacre returned.
"Because I exist solely for you, Young Master."
**
"Th-this is bad! Snap out of it, knight!"
Unicorn shook Sion's body, who was staring at her life flashing before her eyes, while treating her in a panic.
It wasn't intentional. Deep in sleep, her post-awakening senses caught the killing intent, and she reflexively kicked toward the source.
But realizing the one flung by her kick was Sion, Unicorn was filled with dismay.
'Why is Sion in mine and Arthin's bedroom??'
First things first, Sion's condition. Kicked so defenselessly, even with holy power healing her, she showed no sign of waking...
"Sh-she's not breathing?!"
"What happened, Unicorn!?"
When Unicorn checked her nose and found no breath, her panic peaked—just as the bedroom door burst open.
"Perfect timing, Arthin! Sion isn't breath...ing..."
"Sion? Why is Sion here?! What was that wall-smashing noise just now?"
...Unaware himself, Arthin—who'd been having sex moments ago—approached Sion to check her state, his erect cock dangling, smeared with semen and fluids.
Unicorn's gaze toward him cooled sharply.
"Arthin, what were you doing in the living room until just now?"
"...Huh?"
"What's with the presence I sense from the living room now, and this woman's scent and perfume?"
"Huh? That... More importantly, Sion! Wake up! She's not breathing?!"
Arthin urgently mounted Sion's body to start CPR. Unicorn wanted to grill him right then, but held off due to Sion's state, her eyes blazing with intent to settle it later.