Please, Just Listen
A week had passed since the marriage talks with Asil Freiden. Franche and I now spent most of our time at Kazar's house. With our newly manufactured products yet to be launched, we had little else to occupy ourselves, and the imperial banquet Franche was expected to attend was still a long way off.
"So, the way you solve this magic formula is..."
"Oh, I see. How fascinating."
Franche sat at the table, absorbed in her theoretical studies. Kazar, clearly enjoying her role as instructor, wore a bright, warm smile.
I'm glad she's finding it enjoyable.
My only task during these sessions was to keep watch nearby. Franche had yet to grasp the fundamentals of magic, meaning the ancient grimoire would be useless to her for now...
Still, perhaps I should secure it beforehand?
Giving it to Kazar would certainly yield results. It would make instructing Franche much easier for her. Once Franche grew more accustomed to magic, we could set out to claim that ancient grimoire—one of this world's hidden pieces. I had to hunt down the other hidden pieces eventually anyway.
Then again, even after this venture is settled...
There were still countless other businesses I had yet to launch. Heaven knew when I would actually find the time to go hunting for those hidden pieces.
Deep in their studies, Kazar and Franche suddenly paused to stretch their arms high.
"Let's take a break," Kazar groaned.
"Indeed. Straining one's mind is certainly exhausting."
Kazar promptly collapsed face-first onto the desk, letting out a long, mindless groan, while Franche rolled her neck to ease her stiff muscles. I quietly brewed some tea and brought it over to them.
"Thank you, Jin."
Franche quietly savored the aroma of the tea. Kazar, however, lifted her head, her eyes widening into perfect circles as she stared at me.
"You even know how to brew tea?"
"There is nothing I cannot do."
"Wow. For some reason, I feel utterly defeated in every possible way."
Was she secretly competing with me? The more I observed Kazar, the more amusing she became. Aside from her magical genius, she seemed to have a knack for doing the most useless things.
As I tidied up the kitchen, I glanced out the window. The sun was dipping below the horizon. Had time flown by that quickly?
"My Lady, we should head back now."
"Already? But I haven't solved this problem yet."
Franche looked out the window. Seeing the brilliant hues of the sunset, she nodded in resignation.
"Ah, the sun is indeed setting. I completely lost track of time."
"I shall prepare the carriage immediately, then."
I opened the door to summon the coachman. Behind me, Kazar waved cheerfully.
"Thanks for cleaning up today too!"
"...Clean up after yourself next time."
Did she think I was her personal maid? Regardless, I stepped outside and spoke to the coachman, who was currently dozing off on his seat.
"Prepare to return to the estate."
"Yes, ye—huh? Ah, yes!"
The coachman shook his head vigorously to shake off his sleep. I stepped back inside to fetch Franche.
"We are ready to depart, My Lady."
"Very well."
We boarded the carriage and made our way back to the Descartes estate. It was a short distance, so the journey was brief. However...
"Halt."
Eden Descartes and a contingent of the family's knights stood waiting for us, fully armed and armored. What on earth was going on?
"Franche Descartes. Come here."
"What... what is the meaning of this, Brother?"
"Do not ask questions. Just do as you are told."
Franche cast a fleeting glance in my direction. Sensing the gravity of the situation, I gave her a subtle nod. After a brief hesitation, she complied with Eden's command and walked over to his side.
"Jin Barenberg. State your true purpose."
My true purpose? Did he mean my plan to elevate Franche to the pinnacle of imperial power and make her the head of the Descartes family? Feigning ignorance, I replied calmly.
"I do not understand what you are referring to, Young Duke."
"Jin Barenberg. Did you truly believe I would remain blind to your schemes?"
"As I said, I have no idea what you are..."
Shring!
Eden drew his sword, and in unison, the surrounding knights unsheathed theirs. What is wrong with these people? I was utterly bewildered. I could only hope my shock wasn't plastered all over my face.
"Did you intend to rebuild the Barenberg Kingdom? Or was your plan to exact revenge upon the Empire?"
What is with everyone? First Seldas, and now this bastard. Did they all secretly want me to rebuild the fallen kingdom? I felt deeply wronged.
"I do not understand the intent of your question, Young Duke. I am merely a slave."
I spoke the absolute truth. I had a massive Slave Brand burned into my back, so what could I possibly plot? But contrary to my hopes, my answer only served to heighten Eden's suspicion.
"Franche's behavior only became strange after your arrival. Suddenly, everything changed. She launched a business venture she would have never normally touched, and she rejected a highly advantageous marriage proposal—one she had desperately desired—by executing a meticulously crafted plan."
Eden pointed the tip of his blade directly at my throat.
"Are you not using Franche to plot some grand conspiracy? Did you truly think I would remain oblivious to this?"
Hmm. How do I wriggle out of this? Judging by the look in his eyes, any explanation would likely fall on deaf ears. Still, it was worth a shot.
"I repeat, I have no such motives, nor have I ever manipulated the Lady. Furthermore, you must be well aware of the powerful Slave Brand engraved on my back."
The brand on my back was no ordinary mark of servitude. It possessed enough power to suppress a Sword Master. Such a feat was impossible for anyone save for a Transcendental Mage.
Eden scoffed.
"A Sword Master's Aura is formidable. A mere Slave Brand can be resisted if one simply endures the pain. Are you not merely biding your time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike?"
What utter nonsense. Why on earth would I subject myself to that agonizing pain just to rebel?
Before I could speak, Franche rushed to my side, shielding me.
"Young Duke! Jin has never once resisted the commands of his brand! Everything that has transpired was orchestrated by me, of my own volition! Please, lower your sword!"
Eden's expression darkened as he roughly pushed Franche aside.
"Stay out of this, Franche. He is whispering in your ear, waiting for his moment."
Ah, so he's completely convinced I'm the puppet master.
Sensing the lethal tension in the air, Franche bit her lower lip, staring at me with deeply troubled, anxious eyes. Her face was pale with worry.
I suppose I have no choice.
I surrendered to my instincts and unleashed my Aura.
Whoosh!
My blood boiled, coursing violently through my veins.
"I shall prove my innocence with this. Please, just listen to me."
A brilliant blue flame of Aura erupted, enveloping my body. The surrounding air instantly grew heavy, the temperature plummeting.
"Y-Young Duke! The bastard is showing his true colors!"
"Prepare to battle!"
"He's an Aura User! We cannot face him alone!"
"Jin Barenberg was the strongest knight of the kingdom! Stay focused!"
The knights fell into a collective panic. Their faces turned white, and their hands trembled violently on their hilts. Eden, however, merely narrowed his eyes, staring at me with icy calm.
"Jin Barenberg. I deem this act as baring your fangs against the Descartes family. You shall be executed here."
Fwoosh!
A dark, blood-red Aura erupted around Eden's body. So he can manifest Aura as well? Well, it didn't matter. I hadn't unleashed my Aura to fight.
Besides, not all Sword Masters were created equal. While anyone capable of manifesting Aura was technically classified as a Sword Master, their actual capabilities varied wildly. Their sensory perception, physical strength, and mastery over Aura were entirely different. There was absolutely no way Eden could lay a scratch on me.
This is also why the Duke and the Young Duke failed to hear my quiet whispers back then.
First, I needed to clear up this misunderstanding. To signal that I had no intention of fighting, I raised both hands in the air and shouted.
"I have no intention of resisting! Please, just hear me out!"
"You expect me to believe that while you flare your Aura?"
"Please listen! The only reason I activated my Aura is—!"
Swish!
In the blink of an eye, Eden closed the distance. His blade sliced through the air. My senses heightened instantly, my pupils dilating as the trajectory of his sword mapped itself perfectly in my mind. It was a lethal strike aimed squarely at my neck.
Reflexively, I ducked.
Whoosh!
A terrifying gust of wind pressure whipped past as the blade sheared the air just inches above my head. I shouted at the enraged Eden.
"I am not trying to fight you!"
"Silence!"
Eden unleashed a relentless flurry of strikes. Perhaps due to the overwhelming chasm between our respective masteries, dodging his attacks required minimal effort on my part.
"Lower your sword first! I have something to explain!"
"I have nothing to say to an enemy of the Empire—an enemy of the House of Descartes."
You stubborn son of a bitch, just listen to me! I had known he was unhinged ever since I learned of his abuse toward Franche, but I hadn't realized he was this utterly thick-headed.
I continued to evade. Dodging was my only viable option; the moment I drew my own weapon, there would be no turning back. My only hope was to make this stubborn bastard listen.
Though he clearly has absolutely no intention of doing so.
What was I supposed to do? The blade kept lunging at my vital points without a moment's pause. My eyes darted rapidly, tracking the silver flashes as I bent, twisted, and slipped past each strike.
"If you would just let me—!"
"Die!"
Ah, you absolute bastard! Dealing with this guy was like trying to swallow a mountain of dry sweet potatoes—pure, unadulterated frustration. It was driving me insane.
But at that exact moment—
"Stop!"
Franche fearlessly threw herself between us, shielding me with her own body.
Fortunately, the blade screeched to a halt just a hair's breadth from her throat. Yet, the sheer wind pressure or a slight graze was enough to draw a thin line of crimson.
"Step aside, Franche! Do you have any idea what you are doing? Do you wish to be executed as a traitor alongside Jin Barenberg?"
Her own brother, pointing a sword at her throat, and those are the first words out of his mouth? What an absolute piece of trash.
"Young Duke, please calm down first."
"I told you to move."
Realizing that words were utterly useless against him, Franche shook her head and pulled out the slave restraint device.
"I will activate his brand. The auctioneer assured me this mark is on an entirely different level of power. No matter how strong a Sword Master he is, no one can withstand the agony of this brand."
Franche activated the device.
Sizzle—!
The skin on my back began to smolder. Within seconds, the heat erupted into an agonizing, white-hot torment. It felt as though a branding iron fresh from a furnace was being dragged across my flesh, tearing through my very soul. To make matters worse, the brand's binding magic took hold, paralyzing my limbs and locking my body in place.
"Aaaaargh...!"
I had fully intended to use this to prove my point, but *damn*, it hurt like hell! Enduring this kind of torture just to rebel? Absolutely out of the question.
"Ugh... ah..."
I collapsed onto the cold stone floor, gasping and groaning in agony. Only after witnessing my pathetic state did Eden finally lower his sword.
"Look," Franche pleaded, her voice trembling. "Even though he possesses an Aura so powerful that even I can feel its pressure, he cannot resist the brand. Isn't this proof enough? Jin only unleashed his Aura to demonstrate this to you!"
Yes, exactly! We haven't spent all this time together for nothing—you read my mind perfectly. I'm truly touched, My Lady...
"And let me make this absolutely clear," Franche continued, standing tall. "Everything that has transpired thus far was orchestrated by me. It was my choice. Jin has nothing to do with any of it!"
Hearing her fierce defense, Eden narrowed his eyes, studying her face in silence.
"..."
After a tense silence, Eden turned his gaze back to me.
"...Where did you receive that Slave Brand?"
"I was branded... when I was first brought to the Empire as a prisoner of war..."
"Who branded you? Do you remember?"
Uh. That old hag was barely mentioned in the game, so I didn't actually know her name. I only knew her as the greatest mage in history.
"I never heard her name... but she was a hunched old woman known as the Transcendental Mage. She had a distinct, cackling laugh..."
Eden scowled, clicking his tongue in disgust.
"...The Transcendental Mage. So it was that wretched old hag who branded you."
With a sharp metallic ring, he sheathed his sword.
"Sheath your weapons, everyone. The beast is under control. Since it is the Transcendental Mage's brand, any rebellion he might plot is utterly futile."
At Eden's command, the knights hesitantly sheathed their swords, exchanging bewildered glances. None of them dared to speak.
Just as the tension began to dissipate, one of the knights stepped forward and shouted.
"I believe we should execute him here and now! He dared to flare his Aura against the Young Duke!"
I recognized him instantly. He was the very same knight I had beaten to a pulp on my first day at the estate. What a petty, grudge-holding bastard.
"Are you questioning my judgment?" Eden asked, his voice dropping to a freezing register.
His icy glare instantly crushed the knight's bravado. The entire courtyard fell dead silent; no one dared to utter another word.
"His punishment shall be to live out the rest of his days in absolute servitude. Dismissed."
With that, Eden turned on his heel, his business concluded.
Clank, clank.
His heavy plate armor rattled aggressively with every step.
He certainly went all out with his gear. Not that it would have saved him.
Even if every single knight in this estate had lunged at me at once, I wouldn't have lost. As my soul synchronized further with Jin's body, his muscle memory and combat instincts were becoming entirely my own.
Once Eden had vanished from sight and the knights dispersed, Franche rushed over, her trembling hand gently cupping my cheek.
"I am so sorry, Jin. Did it... did it hurt terribly?"
"I am fine, My Lady. But your neck..."
I stared at the scratch on her throat. Though the bleeding had stopped, I was deeply concerned it might leave a permanent scar on her fair skin.
"This is nothing. It will heal quickly with a bit of medicine, so do not worry."
"...Understood."
"Let us go inside."
Franche turned and walked toward the mansion. I followed closely behind her.
"..."
Perhaps it was the sight of that raw, red scratch on her neck.
My heart, which had remained utterly unshaken through the agonizing torment of the brand and the endless stream of aristocratic insults, suddenly turned ice-cold.
...Something is boiling inside me.
For some strange reason, I couldn't suppress the rage bubbling up from the depths of my chest. This anger rapidly curdled into pure, unadulterated hatred. My facial muscles twitched, my jaw clenching tight.
I'll have to adjust my plans slightly...
Perhaps toward ensuring Eden's eventual confinement.
Consider this a petty, personal revenge of my own making.