Chapter 127
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Scene 127: The Room of Truth
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You want to have me?
The voice that slipped from the womans lips was incredibly sweet.
But separately from that, her expression was shadowed.
If Charlie had any insight, he might have realized it was deep anger.
However, blinded by lust, it just looked like shy embarrassment to him.
Women like her dont come around often. Ah, of course, since you brought her, sir, if you use her first and then give her to me
Thats enough. You worm.
Yes?
The man set his glass down on the table.
Listening to you is rotting my ears.
Charlie opened his mouth to speak, but no voice came out.
A trash heap of a man who doesnt even know his place
The man muttered in a cold voice.
Just hearing it was enough to rob Charlie of breath. An inexplicable force was crushing his lungs.
Who do you think came here to listen to your filthy thoughts?
The man watched Charlie grow paler and paler, his gaze full of disgust.
In that moment, what Charlie felt was terror.
The fear of being crushed in an instant by overwhelming violence.
One breath, two
Like a cockroach facing a human, Charlie instinctively tried to flee to survive.
But it didnt go as planned.
As if under a spell, he couldnt move a single finger.
Cold sweat poured from Charlie.
Regret came too late.
Was it because his judgment had clouded from the alcohol and boiling lust?
As oxygen dwindled, Charlie felt himself on the verge of blacking out.
But the man opened his mouth again, as if refusing to allow it.
Charlie.
In that instant, the mans anger vanished like a switched-off light.
At the same time, Charlies suffocating breath returned.
Gah?!
A worm like you carrying that much money.
Cough Y-yes?
What the man pointed to was the bundle of bills peeking from Charlies heaving chest pocket.
If Im not mistaken, thats an amount a serf overseers salary couldnt even dream of. Whered it come from?
N-no, its a misunderstanding! This isnt stolen money!
Feeling like he was under interrogation, Charlie reflexively denied it.
Its money I earned legitimately!
Legitimately?
Yes. All of it, earned through my own blood and sweat.
Dont back down.
Charlie swallowed hard.
Truth be told, hed underestimated him.
Hed thought him some idle noble young master who frequented rural gambling dens.
But judging from his demeanor just now, there was only one possibility left.
Gathering his courage, Charlie spoke.
But why have you been asking about this since earlier? I dont know what you do, sir, but if you keep prying the Ruelverta family wont let it slide.
It was his last resort.
The moment he heard Ruelverta, the woman flinched.
You must have heard of them, sir. This is the territory of the famous Ruelverta family. And I serve the Ruelverta family.
Would I carelessly leak village secrets to some outsider Ive never even seen?
Charlie emphasized the name Ruelverta once more.
Even the woman hed brought had reacted to it.
Most people, upon hearing the infamous Ruelverta nameeven nobles or foreign spieswould tuck tail and retreat.
The Ruelverta infamy was known not just in the empire, but abroad as well.
What?
Charlie, whats going on?
People sensing the unusual tension began murmuring.
The situation had completely flipped.
In this case, it was the man whod be in trouble.
He wouldnt want his identity exposed in front of so many people.
Charlie was now certain: the man was a foreign spy.
But that was a grave mistake.
Ive been remiss in introducing myself.
Breaking the silence, the man drew something shiny from his pocket.
It wasnt a diamond ring.
Huh?
Charlies eyes wavered.
The engraving on that ring was all too familiar.
No matter how much of a backwater bumpkin he was, anyone could recognize that crest.
The black lion?
It was the symbol of the Ruelverta family hed been blabbing about moments ago.
And that ring was the mark held only by the family headproof of status for an elite few among the nobles.
Then youre Lord Tristan, the Count?
Thats right.
Tristan smiled coldly.
Looks like he was one of mine, unfortunately.
Y-youre really the family head? B-but the rumors say the head is, uh, fat
I lost it.
Tristans immediate reply.
The beautiful woman beside him stood and addressed the confused onlookers.
But you lotwhy are you holding your heads higher than the Count?
Ah N-no, sir!
At her single remark, the gambling dens patrons bowed their heads in unison.
Wh-what? W-wait
Only the flustered Charlie remained standing. No, he couldnt even kneel if he wanted to.
His legs were trembling.
Even so, Charlie desperately denied it.
N-no Even so, it doesnt make sense. Why would someone of your stature be in a place like this?
Fair enough. A worm like you wouldnt have seen my face up close.
It hit the mark.
A lowly rural serf overseer like Charlie had never even had the chance to lay eyes on the Ruelverta head.
So he only knew the rumors: the Ruelverta family head was a grossly obese noble with a foul face.
Charlie looked at Tristans face again. It differed greatly from the rumors, but he could tell at a glance.
The arrogant, conceited expression.
The cold, sharp aura emanating from him.
Yes. Unbelievable, but real.
He was truly Tristan.
In a trembling voice, Charlie asked,
Th-then that woman is?
Oh, me?
The heterochromatic-eyed woman smiled quietly as she introduced herself.
Im Tristan Counts guard knight and vice-captain of AslanHelga Wolfbert.
Ahh
Finally, Charlie realized.
Hed touched a man he absolutely should not have.
Its over.
Charlies instincts reacted first.
Damn it!
He bolted from his seat.
If he could leap the upstairs railing and escape, maybe!
That was the moment.
Gaaah?!
Charlie let out a short scream as he tumbled.
Agonizing pain shot through his instep, as if it were on fire.
Wh-what the hell?!
Helgas high heel had pierced right through his foot.
Nailed to the floor like that, Charlie writhed in pain.
Huh? What were you trying to do just now?
Helga looked down at Charlie with innocent nonchalance.
Her smile was beautiful.
Like a viper harboring venom.
U-ugh Stay away Stay back!
Strange thing to say. Im just standing here.
He tried to back away, but with his foot pinned to the floor, Charlie could only flail in place.
In that desperate situation, a low voice reached Charlies ears.
I have a lot to ask you.
It was Tristan.
In frantic desperation, Charlie cried out.
I-Ill talk! Anything! Ill answer anything, just spare me!
Whered that money come from?
Y-yes?
For a moment, Charlie hesitated.
Telling the truth would be simple.
But how could he admit skimming from letters meant for the villagers?
Th-thats
Doesnt matter if you dont answer.
Tristan shook his head.
Once someone lies to me, I cant trust them again. Whatever you say now would just be lies to save your skin.
N-no! Believe me! I-Ill tell the truth! I stole it! I stole it from the villagers!
Charlie pleaded with the beautiful noble.
But he ignored him, muttering to himself.
Right. Money earned through blood and sweat, was it?
Y-yes?
If you shed blood and sweat too, you might feel like confessing. Helga.
Yes.
Tristan gave the order to his beautiful guard knight.
Take this man to Aslan headquarters.
...!
Charlie had heard of it before.
The place where those who caused serious trouble in Ruelverta territory were draggedand none returned. A place of ill repute.
Being taken there was as good as death, so Charlie screamed.
P-please! S-spare me! Please let me live!
Noisy man. Heh
Helgas heterochromatic eyes took in Charlies wrecked state.
The foot in her high heel pressed down on his back.
Ah, aaah
Shut up and come quietly.
Helgas alluring lips curved.
To the Room of Truth.
It was a chilling smile.