Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Dragon Slayer
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A knight clad in blood-red armor, her long, aged red hair flowing down her back.
Valentine de Strange.
The woman known as the Red Filial Bird of the West had arrived at the castle.
Her sudden visit sent everyone into a frenzy. The tension rippling through the castle felt like the calm before a typhoon.
Not only the butlers but even the nannies rushed out to greet her, and at every corner she passed, the guardian knights offered their sword salutes.
"We greet Lady Valentine!"
She walked down the corridor with a cold expression, not sparing them a glance, merely nodding curtly.
Her gaze was so sharp that even brushing against it made one's body stiffen. Knights below 3-star who hadn't yet cloaked themselves in aura frothed at the mouth and collapsed.
Normally, she would have restrained her aura out of 'consideration' for others, but not today.
Why had Valentine come to the castle without a word? It wasn't a special day.
The guardian knight captain leading her wondered but didn't ask.
A mere knight captain daring to speak out of turn could lose his head, and besides, there was only one reason Valentine would come.
...Someone's going to die.
Someone in the castle.
Wherever the Strange Family's executioner, Valentine, appeared, someone always died.
The reason she was called the Red Filial Bird was because she brought death and blood wherever she went—not just to enemies, but even to family members. Her name carried undeniable impact.
"...From here on, walk quietly. Skip the sword salutes."
At Valentine's whispered command, the guardian knight captain bowed deeply.
"Yes, Miss!"
She stopped at the fourth floor of the castle. The fifth floor housed children who hadn't yet ventured outside.
Like those just born or not yet enrolled in the academy—a safe haven for them.
From the point where salutes were skipped, Valentine restrained her aura and walked straight to the triplets' room without pause.
Knock knock knock.
After three short raps on the door.
Creeeak—
She pushed it open and spoke in a low, flat voice.
"Follow me."
At her call, the brothers Tony, Jony, and Rony followed without a word.
Even as siblings, they couldn't muster a greeting, let alone a question.
They were so tense that the youngest, Rony, wet himself.
Who wouldn't be scared when the family's angel of death came calling?
Valentine led the three to the underground. At some point, the guardian knight who had been leading peeled off to the side.
Reaching the depths, Valentine began the execution.
No matter how young, those who broke family rules faced punishment.
Knowing this, the triplets clasped their hands in prayer.
'Please spare us.' They couldn't voice it, but their desperation showed on their faces.
Swish.
Valentine drew the dagger from her waist.
The tool of judgment commonly called the 'Blade of Verdict' in the Strange Family.
"You three, be grateful for the Family Head's mercy. Normally, I'd have taken your heads. But today, he only asked for your fingers."
Execution complete, Valentine and the triplets arrived at Berddin's door.
She took a deep breath, then knocked lightly.
Knock knock knock.
She entered just as she had with the triplets.
Creeeak—
Berddin sat at the table, reading a book. Unlike his brothers, he didn't flinch at her entrance—not even a blink.
Instead, he greeted her with a warm smile.
"You've come, Sister."
Berddin glanced at the four who entered his room. In that instant, he pieced together the situation.
Valentine with the Blade of Verdict at her waist. And beside her, brothers with bandaged fingers.
'So that's how it is.'
The only surprise was one thing.
With the Red Filial Bird stepping in personally, someone should have died for sure. Yet the trio at the heart of it were all alive.
'So Valentine has another reason for visiting the castle beyond the execution.'
Berddin showed no reaction despite knowing everything.
Confirming his composure, Valentine smirked briefly before resuming her stern expression and sitting across from him.
'This kid...'
Even facing the Red Filial Bird, his aura didn't waver. His bright eyes seemed to peer into her soul.
As if he'd known she was coming and was perfectly at ease.
Unlike the triplets, who had gasped and collapsed at the sight of her.
"Have you been well?"
Such a simple greeting.
Ordinary words exchanged daily by others, but the triplets in the room were stunned.
She never shared kind words with anyone but Father—and now she was asking after him first.
With them, she'd only commanded 'Follow me' in a low voice, no greeting.
The triplets felt a surge of resentment but stayed silent.
"Yes."
Berddin scratched the back of his head, finding her greeting awkward.
In his past life, she'd never even shown her face at his academy enrollment. Seeing this side of her felt off.
Even this simple exchange felt forced and dry.
Silence fell.
For the brothers, seconds dragged like minutes. Valentine opened her mouth as if to speak, tilted her head, then closed it.
'Why has Valentine come to see me?'
Berddin thought quickly. The triplets' punishment was done. His use of the Guardian Spirit was justified self-defense—no penalty there.
He had suspicions but held his tongue. She'd tell him without asking.
She stared into Berddin's eyes wordlessly. Just meeting her gaze sent chills down the spine.
The Strange Family's executioner, angel of death indeed.
'Well deserving of the Red Filial Bird title.'
Even I, once called Sword King in my past life, felt my spirit buckle.
Of course, with aura unleashed, it wouldn't be like this. But unawakened now, no choice.
The triplets beside her fidgeted nervously. Awkward time passed.
We stared at each other for a long while. Finally, Valentine broke the silence.
"Berddin, do you know why I've come?"
The answer was simple. No special day today. Father wasn't even in the castle. So why would the executioner come here?
Obviously, to carry out her duty.
As the family's 'executioner.'
The triplets' hands were proof.
'But that's not all.'
Finding the answer was easy.
Berddin pretended to think, gazing afar, then met her eyes again.
"To see me."
Valentine propped her chin, intrigued.
"To see you?"
"Yes. Otherwise, there'd be no need to come to my room personally."
Bringing the triplets along, no less.
"Correct. I've come to see you. Any guess why?"
"Just to see your little brother's face, I suppose."
"I could be here to punish you. Yet you think I'd come just to see your face?"
Berddin replied without changing expression.
"Yes. Isn't there a saying that whoever the Sword God chooses as Guardian Spirit becomes the next Family Head?"
"......"
"That alone would be reason enough for you to visit, Sister. To check how much I've grown. That's what I think."
"...Ha."
Bold.
Who would dare say such things to Valentine? Even the brothers in the annex couldn't approach her imposing dignity.
"...Kuhahaha!"
Valentine burst into laughter she couldn't hold back.
Her laugh echoed through the castle. As tension released, her aura shook the floor.
Rumble rumble.
Even the guardian knight captain outside jumped in shock at her reaction.
The executioner Valentine laughed? How many years had it been? Someone had breached her ironclad heart.
A sight even Family Head Roys had never seen.
...Could it be young master Berddin?
His guess was right.
In his past life, when all called her emotionless and cold-blooded, only Berddin knew her heart.
That she had the softest heart in the family.
But wore the Red Filial Bird mask to protect her position.
Berddin fell silent, waiting for her response.
His thoughts were just guesses, not certainties. He minimized words until he grasped her true intent.
She reached out slowly, stroking his head.
"Our little one has grown so well."
Berddin cheered inwardly. His guess was spot on. She'd never react like that if wrong.
'Of course! Even I'd come gawk at a monster like this born in the family.'
He was right.
Valentine had used the execution as an excuse to see Berddin. How much had her brother, with the Sword God as Guardian Spirit, grown? Curiosity drove her.
"Thank you, Sister."
She nodded slightly and drew a dagger from her waist.
"A gift."
"...A gift?"
"Yes. So those guys won't come at you again even without me here."
Real blades were banned inside the castle. Same reason Guardian Spirits couldn't be used—to guard against assassinations.
Yet she gave him a sharpened one. Meaning: show the triplets he had a real blade.
'Valentine's wise as ever! They'll think twice now.'
Berddin accepted her kindness. He took the dagger and glanced at his brothers—a silent warning.
"Thank you, Sister."
Valentine's visit gave me a golden opportunity. With her tying the triplets' feet, no one in the castle interfered with my actions.
Not even the guardian knights or the nanny always at my side—I could send them out of sight.
Now, I was recognized not as a five-year-old child, but as a true member of the household.
'...Finally complete.'
I let the mana dripping from my palm fall to the floor in thick drops.
Mana so dense it was sticky and viscous. This was true awakening.
Siegfried grinned wickedly and shoved the contract toward me.
I'd waited for this moment too, curling my lips into a smile.
"Then let's begin the contract. Sword God, Siegfried."