Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Edwin Duke (2) - Anne
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1.
'Did I make a mistake?'
Her face twisted into a deep frown, and my heart started pounding like mad.
"What did you say? Say it again."
"I asked if you knew about the Edwin Duke. Do you, by any chance?"
She let out a hollow laugh, then suddenly clutched her face.
"Why are you doing that all of a sudden?"
"......It's nothing."
Anne shook her head and met my eyes again. Her cheeks seemed just a little flushed.
"Right. Edwin Duke, was it?"
"Yeah. Do you know him by any chance?"
"No. Never heard of him. Never even heard of a family named 'Edwin' in the kingdom."
"Hmm."
Just as I'd suspected, it was a lie after all?
"But who knows. I only know the nobles in the kingdom. There might be a family named Edwin in some other empire or kingdom."
"Wouldn't a duke-level noble be known by name in other kingdoms too?"
"Well, that's true, but Boris Kingdom is so remote compared to its size that news from outside doesn't reach us easily. So it's possible not to know."
"Fair point."
To travel from the Boris Region to anywhere else, you had to cross the Black Forest that surrounded it on all sides.
There was a road through it, but maintenance was so tough they only managed it certain months of the year.
"......This is tricky."
"Maybe the Young Lady knows."
"Really?"
"She studied it formally as a child and reviews it regularly. But first, I have a question."
"Why are you suddenly asking about the Edwin Duke?"
She nodded slightly. As I opened my mouth to speak, I hesitated.
'Should I really tell her?'
Even though I'd already decided, I wavered. Just talking about it could get me slapped with treason. And even if not, she might not believe me.
'She might even condemn me as dishonorable.'
I didn't know much about nobles, but I knew they obsessed over honor and justification. Spilling info on someone like this could be seen as cowardly.
"......Hanson?"
I kept fumbling for words, so Anne tilted her head. I stared blankly at her swaying black bob for a moment, then clenched my fist.
The Bardi Count or Amelia might be different, but Anne was the most trustworthy person I'd met in my life.
She was a knight, quasi-noble, but not rigid—someone who understood honor and chivalry. If I couldn't trust her, who could I trust going forward?
"I got attacked by a citizen in the residential district."
That's why I told her.
I recounted the afternoon's events from start to finish. She didn't interrupt with questions—just listened intently until I finished.
"......That's how it happened."
"I see."
She nodded slowly at my words.
"I understand the situation. And how much you've been agonizing over it."
"I spilled it the next day—no agony there..."
"Time doesn't measure the depth of worry. Short time doesn't mean shallow worry. Time is a resource judged by quality, not quantity."
"Ooh, that's profound."
Anne smirked and said,
"Thanks for being brave. Because you told me quickly, I can confirm his identity."
"So you already suspected rebels in the residential district?"
"Not full rebellion, but I had my suspicions. All the scouts I sent vanished."
She took a sip of water from beside her and continued.
"At first, I wondered if it was beasts or humans. But when we checked the attack sites, all the gear was gone."
"So you realized it was humans."
"Yes. But it could've been someone scavenging later, so I was still debating. Your info turns suspicion into certainty."
"One question."
"What?"
"Do you believe everything I said?"
Anne shook her head.
"Not completely. Our relationship isn't that deep yet."
"True."
"But considering your behavior so far and weighing the pros and cons, I have no choice but to believe."
"What if you're wrong?"
"Then my judgment's off, and that's on me."
She stood from the bed and stretched.
"It's serious enough that I need to report to the Young Lady right away."
"She won't believe it all."
"Probably. So I'll rephrase it to make it undeniable."
I had no idea how, but she'd handle it.
"Thanks again for telling me. I'll head out now."
"Yeah, take care."
Anne left the room, and I flopped back onto the bed.
'Thought I was screwed for sure.'
*
"You've got five minutes! Finish mobilization in five! Understood?!"
"Yes!"
Things moved faster than I'd expected. The very next day after telling Anne, knights and soldiers were already mobilizing.
"What magic did you work to get them moving this urgently?"
I glanced at the soldiers rushing about. Everyone except minimal guards was out.
"No magic. Your info was urgent, so we're acting fast. Nothing scarier than an internal enemy."
"True, but isn't this too rushed?"
"Edwin's probably still recruiting in the residential district. Best to strike before more join him. And we already know where he is."
"Right."
"Any reason to hesitate? Caution's good, but sometimes you need decisive action."
She was spot on—I couldn't argue.
'Anne must have real sway in the Bardi family.'
No matter how persuasive, without backing, this scale of operation wouldn't happen.
'Makes sense—she's the sole heir's guardian knight.'
Lost in thought, I suddenly noticed ranks of soldiers assembled.
"Our plan is simple! Eliminate all rebels in the religious district! Take down anyone suspicious immediately! Understood?!"
"Yes!!!"
The knight speaking up front approached Anne.
"We'll split and move out now."
"Good luck."
"You too, Anne."
He glanced at me, turned with a click of his tongue—but I ignored it.
"Then let's head out too."
"Yeah."
Unlike other knights with their soldiers, we were going alone. Different objectives.
The Bardi Count wanted to clean up all city troublemakers, so the full sweep of the residential district—and thus all these forces.
"We head straight to the religious district, capture Edwin. Kill if necessary—use your judgment."
"Got it."
We bypassed soldiers marching on the road, slipped into alleys, scaled wooden walls into the residential district.
We dashed through dark alleys. Complex paths, but no need for a map—Anne had them memorized.
'She's a real monster.'
Running ahead, it hit me again.
"Eight beasts ahead. Taking them out now."
"Do it."
Ghouls blocked the way. Anne drew her sword and charged straight in.
Shaaaack—
A blue line slashed across, and three ghoul heads flew off simultaneously. In a blink.
'Insane.'
First time watching up close—she was leagues beyond me.
Puuk!
I drew my sword and cleaved a ghoul ahead. After her display, mine felt crude.
"You've improved."
She finished the rest in seconds, swung her blade to the ground—blood flung clean off.
"Have I?"
"Last time, it was wild swinging. Now you've got some form, awkward as it is. Someone teach you?"
"Who'd teach swordplay to a lowly mercenary?"
"Fair enough."
Lv.9 Basic Swordsmanship - Slash, thrust, and block. You will skillfully use the basics of swordsmanship, as the name implies. Probably because my swordsmanship level rose.
'Wonder if hitting Lv.10 changes anything?'
I sheathed my sword with faint hope.
"Let's move again."
"Yeah."
We finished adjusting and kept dashing through alleys. How much time passed?
Bwoooo—
A horn blared clearly. Soldiers had engaged the rebels.
"Word of our attack's reached them now. He might flee—gotta hurry."
"Got it."
Anne clenched her fist.
"I won't let him escape."