Chapter 66
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Soup
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She swallowed hard, as if her breath was dragging her to hell.
You... killed Father?
Yeah.
It was too far gone to call it a joke.
No, Tristan wasnt the type to joke about something like this.
When I said I killed Father, the relatives hauled me straight to the hospital. Insisting there was no way it could be true.
For young Helga, this was a story too heavy to bear.
She didnt know whether to comfort him or condemn him.
After a moment, what came from her mouth was neither.
Why did you kill him...?
Because he deserved to die.
It was an immediate answer.
In a calm tone, showing no hint of guilt, Tristan added,
I dont regret killing Father. Even if I went back to that time, Id kill him again.
...Was it really necessary to go that far? No matter how bad he was, he was still your father.
Father gave me an indelible scar. And on top of that, an unquenchable rage.
Rage...?
Yeah.
The suffocating atmosphere pressed down on her.
It might have been an illusion, but Tristans voice seemed to tremble.
Helga had no choice but to tense up.
At first, I thought my life was pretty great. Born into a wealthy, honorable noble family, raised without any lacks. But... it was all my delusion. Born into a cursed family, pointed at for not being able to use magic. That bastard of a father was a madman who tormented me endlessly. It was only after killing him that I understood why he tried so hard to give me this indelible scar.
Tristans lips twisted.
He was smiling.
To make me feel rage. Rage at this irrational world.
Irrational.
The moment she heard that word, Helgas wounded eye throbbed as if it had been gouged out.
The exact same sensation as when her mana control had failed. She clutched her eye without thinking.
The wound on her eye had already healed.
Her pain came from a wound that hadnt healed.
A half-baked failure who couldnt handle even a speck of mana.
The familys disgrace.
A filthy illegitimate child.
The shame of the Wolfbert family.
A scar that would remain forever in Helgas memories. Tristan bore the same.
Ah... Hes just like me.
Helga didnt know what kind of life Tristan had lived.
But he harbored a rage no boy her age should have.
And that emotion resembled hers.
Rage is the power to destroy... the power to shatter everything. I will take everything into my hands. And shatter it all.
Tristan wasnt mad.
He was just like her father, Galesomeone trying to seize his ideals through power.
But... that path would be blessed by no one.
He would have to fight against those who cried out harsh condemnations and claimed to be justice.
Like a demon king...
Helgas heart pounded.
At the fact that only she understood his ideals.
At the fact that only she was qualified to walk alongside him.
I will destroy this mad world.
Even if it ended in ruin.
Tristan had finished speaking, but Helga couldnt say a word.
She was captivated by a strange emotion, as if she were the first to witness the birth of a demon king.
So once again, it was Tristan who spoke first.
But his expression was subtle.
...Are you okay?
Huh...?
Only then did Helga realize something hot was trailing down her cheek.
Blood was flowing from her wounded left eye.
...She never said it was actually tears.
Helga stood in the cold rain.
Her military coat had been soaked for a long time.
Heavy with rainwater, it pressed down on her shoulders.
She didnt know how much time had passed.
A day... maybe two?
No, it didnt matter.
She didnt want to know, didnt need to know.
She just... thought it would be nice to die standing like this.
From the moment Tristan dismissed her, she had stayed rooted in that spot.
During that time, Helga had thought about what she did wrong.
Punish enemies thoroughly.
So she had attacked the enemy.
There shouldnt have been any mistake in that action.
Very faintly, a doubt sprouted in Helgas heart.
Tristan had sent her on frequent expeditions.
All because Helga was capable.
The frail girl from childhood had undergone grueling training after meeting Tristan.
Her body, without a single muscle, was now covered in firm ones, and her clumsy mana control had advanced to an excellent level.
All to keep up with Tristan.
Helga had risen to vice-captain of Aslan.
Her capability was more than proven.
But Tristan hadnt accepted her as a guard knight.
Instead, he kept sending her far away on missions.
Was it because she had become too capable?
Or maybe... perhaps... just to keep distance from her?
Had he decided he no longer needed her?
-Dont ever show your face in front of me again.
Recalling those words, she couldnt move.
The moment she left that spot, her heart felt like it would shatter.
It was then, through the sound of the rain, that the voice came.
Um, are you okay...?
When Helga turned, a small girl with her hair in twin braids was looking at her worriedly.
The uniform peeking under the umbrella looked quite luxurious.
You... I dont recognize your face.
N-nyes...? W-we met just the other day...
Sorry. I forget anything not related to the Count.
Ah.... N-nyes. I-I'm... Wendy, the Count's exclusive maid...
...Exclusive maid?
Helga frowned.
Tristan wasnt the type to have an exclusive maid.
He wasnt the type to keep anyone close.
Even Helga, who had served him for so long, hadnt been accepted as a guard knight.
Yet... this tiny girl introduced herself as the Count's exclusive maid.
Thats strange...
That wasnt the only suspicious thing.
Even if she was an exclusive maid, why was she wearing a uniform?
...Was it the Counts taste?
Helga shook her head soon after.
No. That couldnt be.
There couldnt be a taste of the Counts that she didnt know.
Um, excuse me...
?
The Count didnt mean it seriously...
Wendy said it without even meeting her eyes, as if scared.
Since youve been standing there like this... He didnt say it, but he must be worried...
What was this girl babbling about?
Helga opened her mouth.
...What do you know about the Count to say that?
She hadnt planned to snap from the start.
But as she spoke, the emotions pent up inside burst out.
Dont talk like you know the Count so well! I know him better than anyone!
At her words, the girl named Wendy fell silent.
Was it because she had nothing to say?
Or out of pity for Helga?
Soon, Wendy bowed politely.
......Im sorry. As you say, Helga, I still dont know much about the Count.... But...
...?
That goes for you too.
...What?
Helgas eyes flashed.
Was this brat crazy?
But Wendy didnt even glance at Helgas eyes as she placed something in front of her.
...Ill leave this here.... Please eat it...
What...?
It was a cup steaming under an umbrella. From the smell, it seemed like soup.
Then.... See you later...
Wait! Stop right there?!
Even at Helgas call, Wendy ignored her and disappeared somewhere.
In the end, the only one left in front of the mansion was Helga.
She was on the verge of exploding with frustration.
...Who said Id drink this...? But the soups aroma was intense.
A rich scent rising even through the rain.
Probably cream of mushroom soup, packed with mushrooms.
One sip would surely melt Helgas frozen body.
Damn it...
She was pissed.
Felt like shed been tricked by that sly little self-proclaimed exclusive maid.
Looks so innocent, but digging traps like this...
Coincidentally, there was no one in front of the mansion.
Was even this part of that girl Wendys thorough calculation?
An temptation hard to resist for Helga, who hadnt eaten in days.
She glared murderously at the soup Wendy had left.
Just that little soup...
If she chugged it in one go, no one would know.
She, vice-captain of Aslan, who could fell even monsters in one blow.
She could crush a mere cup of soup in one bite.
Helga bent down and picked up the soup cup neatly placed under the umbrella.
...
It was warm.
Just holding it melted warmth into her body.
Helga focused all her nerves.
She resolved to make not a drop of that warmth escape, claiming it all for herself.
With that determined resolve, she boldly poured the contents into her mouth.
So she didnt notice him approaching amid the rain until it was too late.
The moment Helga met those cold, emotionless eyes.
C-Countpfft!
She spat out the hot soup shed held in her mouth.