Chapter 42
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Opportunity
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Count.
Perhaps the gods had been listening to her words.
Bella felt Tristan, who had suddenly appeared before her eyes, like a miracle from the divine.
But it couldnt have been a benevolent god.
For Tristan to turn this situation around all by himself, without any guards, was too much to ask.
The first to react was the thug closest to Tristan.
What? Lowborn scum? This crazy pig bastard.
....
.....
The burly thug drew his dagger.
The blade gleamed with a chilling edge, threatening Tristan.
No, it tried to threaten him.
Swish.
...Huh?
With a strange sound, the mans hand now gripped what had been a dagger just moments agoa mere rod.
It had all happened in an instant.
But Bella had seen it clearly.
The moment the dagger was thrust out, Tristans hand had sliced through the air at an unbelievable speed.
Argh... Aaaagh!
The scarred thug right in front of Bella suddenly clutched his leg and screamed.
The blade of the dagger Tristan had snapped off was embedded in his thigh.
Y-You damn pig bastard!! My leg!
Ill give you a chance.
A cold voice cut off the man writhing in pain.
Turn yourself in to the Security Bureau right now and stand trial for kidnapping, smuggling, and attempted noble murder, then be executed. Or.
Bullshit!
Count! Behind you!
By the time Bella shouted, the thug behind Tristan had already lunged.
Tristan couldnt respond to the surprise attack.
He merely turned his body as if to look back.
Crack-!
Something snapped, like bone breaking.
Tristans elbow had smashed down onto the thugs waist as he charged.
What the...?
Whether his waist was broken or not, the man tumbled across the floor in bizarre contortions.
Bellas eyes widened at the sight.
She had seen it with her own eyes, yet she couldnt believe it.
The Count... was this strong?
Tristan was unarmed, bare-handed.
To wield this level of hand-to-hand combat skill, only someone like Blanche, trained for years, should be capable....
When had he been hiding such prowess?
Tristan, having neutralized two men in an instant, spoke.
...Die here at my hands. Choose.
You bastard! Hes alone!
Fuck! Rush him all at once!
The thugs, each clutching a weapon, charged at Tristan simultaneously.
The situation was dire.
In this confined space, there seemed no way to evade them.
Yet Tristan merely clicked his tongue.
Wasting even a chance on filth like you... How wasteful.
?!
In that moment, Bella had to shrink back.
She sensed an ominous aura emanating from Tristan.
His eyes burned as if they could incinerate everything, his emotions threatening her.
W-What is this?!
C-Cant... move?!
It wasnt just Bella who felt itthe charging men froze in place.
Tristan simply stared at them with cold eyes.
But the sharp terror in that gaze overwhelmed them.
That was when it happened.
Tristan moved.
His fist shattered the jaw of an exposed thug.
Another who swung his fist late had his arm bone snap with a gruesome crack as he collapsed.
When the last thug raised his head, Tristan was already leaping.
A sharp kick, unfit for his bulk, slammed into the thugs chest.
The man, with cracked ribs, clutched his chest and fell.
It had taken barely ten seconds.
When the mens screams and the chilling sounds of breaking bones ceased, only Tristan stood on his feet.
Are you alright, Lady Bella?
Y-Yes... But Count... what in the worldGuh?!
The scarred thug tackled Bella from behind.
Y-You pig bastard! Take one more step, and Ill carve up this bitchs face!
Huh?!
He pressed a knife to Bellas face, threatening her.
The reversed situation flipped once more with the cornered man taking Bella hostage.
Tch.
Tristan, clicking his tongue, drew something gleaming silver from his pocket.
A metal lump the size of a palm.
The scarred thug recognized it.
Hah, a gun? Carrying around an expensive import like thatguess youre a noble after all.
But the thug smirked triumphantly.
Thing is, I make my living off smuggling, so I know a bit about those toys.
For the first time, he sneered as if he had the upper hand over Tristan.
Looks like a revolver from Fellick. Cheap, packs a punch rivaling magic. But... its accuracy is the absolute worst.
.
You think that thingll hit at this range? Or do you trust yourself not to blow a hole in this girl if you miss? Huh?
In that moment, Bellas eyes met Tristans.
He gazed at her with a melancholic expression.
It was a nostalgic look.
From long ago, when Tristan had been the prince on a white horse to Bella.
Cynical, yet reassuring if you looked deep enough... exactly that gaze.
I clearly gave you a chance.
Fuck off! A chance? The only chance you gave was to die!
Then did vermin like you deserve a chance to live?
You... you son of a...
The mans face twisted in humiliation.
Tristan aimed at that ugly visage.
The silver barrel pointed at both Bella and the man.
Hah! Yeah! Shoot! Go ahead, shoot, you dog! Lets see who dies! Come on!
Count.
In that brief instant, Bella read it.
The conviction etched on Tristans face.
She didnt understand how poorly accurate his weapon was.
But she knew he would kill this man.
His expression held the absolute certainty that he could.
Dont... do it.
Ironically, Bella hoped otherwise.
She hoped this vile man pressing a blade to her wouldnt die.
She hoped Tristan wouldnt dirty his hands killing such a wretch.
Please... spare him. Theres no need.
She hoped, for her sake, that he wouldnt stain his hands with blood.
Tension gripped Tristans hand on the gun.
In that fleeting moment, Bellas senses, sharpened by mortal peril, caught a faint surge of power blooming in his hand.
Bang-!
A single gunshot echoed through the room.
Immediately after, a horrific scream filled the air.
Gaaahhh!!
The thug collapsed, bellowing.
He clutched the leg already pierced by the dagger, howling.
Tristans bullet had struck the daggers blade, driving it deeper into the mans leg.
M-My leeeeg!
The man wailed as if his leg were being torn apart.
Indeed. As you said, poor accuracy.
Tristan approached slowly.
He aimed at the writhing man and said,
At this range, I wont miss. This time, Ill blow your head off.
W-Wait! Stop!
Another gunshot rang out.
...Hngaaahhh!!
Blood spurted from the mans intact other leg.
Missed again.
Tristan tilted his head and stomped on the bloodied leg.
Aaaaagh!
Indeed... You moved, so thats why.
S-Stop!
This should do it.
Yet another gunshot.
Blood gushed from the mans leg.
Missed again.
P-Please...!
This time, I wont miss.
Stoooop!!!
Another shot.
Now even Bella could see it.
Tristan was missing on purpose.
She had never seen him this furious.
Another gunshot.
The cruelty made Bella want to look away.
Then, she suddenly noticed the presence clinging to her body.
Alice!
At some point, Alice had woken and was hugging Bella tightly.
She trembled, burrowing into Bellas embrace.
Of course. To a young child, this was far too brutal a scene.
Bella shouted.
Count! Thats enough!
The click of an empty chamber echoed.
She didnt know it signaled the bullets were spent.
The man, lost to excruciating pain, had foamed at the mouth and passed out.
Tristan slowly turned to her.
Cold eyes looked down upon her.
Under that gaze, Bella wanted to demand answers.
No, she had to.
Count, why... did you hide it?
Hide what?
...Youre going to play dumb?
With a trembling voice, Bella voiced her question.
You... Can you use magic now?