Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Muspelheim
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A ironclad ship crossed the Njord coast and arrived at the 49th floor of the tower.
"Maintain speed and land on the coast as is."
Bess, the Guardian Knight Commander of the Strange Family, whispered softly. The knight beside him raised the flagpole high and shouted.
"Maintain speed! Land on the coast!"
The crew members on deck repeated the order in unison, relaying it all the way to the stern.
"Maintain speed! Land on the coast!"
The massive sail emblazoned with the Strange Family's cross symbol fluttered in the wind.
Bess had spotted the smoke rising from the castle and instinctively ordered the knights into combat readiness.
"First Platoon, head straight for the castle upon landing. Second Platoon, scout the nearby coast. Third Platoon, guard the ship."
Ku-woong.
The bow sliced through the sand as it reached land. At the same moment, knights leaped from the ship to carry out their assigned missions.
Thud thud thud thud thud.
Bess spoke to a short-haired woman with silver hair.
"You come with me to the castle."
She pulled her feathered helmet low over her head, drew her sword, and replied.
"Yes, Commander."
"Even if you see the Family Head, keep your head down. And if questioned, remain silent."
"D-Do you mean not to answer even if the Family Head asks?"
"I'll handle the answers."
"May I know why?"
"...To stay alive."
"To stay alive?"
"Yes. The Family Head is always on edge within the tower. One wrong word, and your head could roll."
The silver-haired woman bowed her head slightly and swallowed hard.
"Understood."
Finishing their conversation, the two headed straight for the castle. Their movements were as smooth and swift as a hawk slicing through the sky—one of the Quick Steps taught to Strange Family knights.
"I sense a strong presence nearby."
The silver-haired woman channeled aura into her blade.
Swoosh—
Bess twitched one eyebrow and gestured toward her, whispering low.
"Conceal your aura."
"Pardon?"
"We don't know yet if that presence is friend or foe. No need to reveal our position."
"Ah...."
"No matter how strong you are, you lack experience. Avoid combat as much as possible."
"Understood."
Rox let out a long sigh as he urinated against a tree.
Hoo—
"Man, why do I have to wait out here? Cynthia's in the castle too."
Alfredo, who had been squatting nearby to defecate, chuckled.
"Hey, kid. You don't know the world yet. Lowborns like us can't butt into nobles' conversations."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Do you know why Cynthia stayed in the castle?"
"Well.... Because she's weak and might get caught and killed by enemies?"
"Cynthia's weak? You saw her fight, and that's what you think?"
Rox rolled his eyes as if recalling something, then shrugged and pulled up his pants.
"Then why'd they leave her behind?"
"I told you. She's a noble, and we're commoners. I don't know you well, but you're definitely not noble."
"H-How can you tell?"
"Your behavior, speech, even how you eat."
"You can tell from that?"
"More than enough."
Alfredo shuddered as if finishing up, then turned toward Rox and replied.
"Nobles don't just pull up their pants like you after shitting. They wipe with leaves like this first—"
Swipe—
A razor-sharp blade pressed against Alfredo's throat.
"Move, and you die. You there, kid—if you look at my face, I'll sever this one's neck."
Rox kept his head down and still.
Alfredo glanced down at the blade, then spread his hands to show no intent to fight.
"Ughhh, I won't move."
"Doing well?"
"Pardon?"
"I asked if you're doing well."
"...What do you—"
"Rox, where's Berddin?"
Rox turned his head to check the intruder's identity.
"...Bess?"
The two seemed to know each other, exchanging bright smiles.
"Bess!"
"Still alive, huh."
"No, why're you so late! Didn't you leave before us?"
"...Circumstances. Where's Young Master Berddin?"
"In that castle over there. Right now.... Someone got badly hurt, so he's treating them."
"Badly hurt?"
"Yeah, Berddin's father, apparently."
Bess startled and withdrew his sword from Alfredo's throat.
"What?"
"The one Berddin calls father is injured."
No further words were exchanged.
Bess dashed toward the castle, leaving the two behind. The silver-haired woman following him swept her cold gaze over Alfredo and Rox's faces.
"Wh-Who the hell are those guys?"
Rox hurriedly gathered his gear and said to Alfredo.
"Strange Family."
"Strange Family?"
"...Yeah, Strange Family. I have no idea what's going on anymore. That guy who just ran off—he's insanely strong."
"Insanely strong?"
"Yeah, way beyond me. Insanely strong."
Alfredo paused, gripping his pant leg, then glanced down the path the silver-haired woman had taken and muttered.
"No footprints....?"
"Don't say useless crap. Let's hurry to the beach like Berddin said and search for any enemies left on the island."
"Ah, yeah. You go south, I'll go north."
"Where's north or south here? Just you go up, me down."
"...Fine, whatever."
The final words one on the brink of death might leave behind—a fragment of memory lingering in Roys's mind.
It was the tiniest voice, devoid of any strength.
Whoosh—
The wind riding the waves tickled Theresa and Cynthia's ears. Because of it, they missed Roys's final utterance.
Only Berddin, standing right before him, heard it.
"Understood, Father."
Berddin bowed his head.
Theresa, unaware of the reason, quietly waited for his response. Unable to bear the silence, Cynthia slowly approached Berddin and cautiously asked while staring at the ground.
"What did he say?"
"...Just an old story."
"An old story?"
His pupils seemed distant as he gazed at the sky, lost in deep thought, then a faint smile curved his lips as he met Cynthia's eyes.
"Cynthia."
"Yes?"
"Just in case—where were you born?"
"Me? Why?"
"Just wondering."
Cynthia tilted her head at the sudden question. Asking about her birthplace at a time like this?
"The south."
"The south?"
"That's what I heard. I was sent to the Papal Court right after birth, so I don't remember, but the nun who cared for me said so."
Berddin nodded briefly.
"Got it."
Thud thud thud thud thud!
No sooner had the conversation ended than two figures arrived at the castle. One was Bess, Guardian Knight Commander of Strange Castle.
The silver-haired woman following was a Strange Family knight even Berddin didn't recognize.
"F-Fam...ily...Head...I...meet...you...sir...."
Bess faced the battered Roys.
As if unable to believe it, he counted the swords embedded in Roys's body and slowly advanced.
Step, step, step.
"F-Family Head."
Bess fixed his gaze straight ahead, as if not even seeing Berddin standing before Roys.
Step, step, step.
"Fam...ily Head?"
Bess repeated the same words.
Watching his actions, Berddin bit his lip hard, then spread his arms wide to block the way.
"Stop right there. Father's body is currently protected by the Guardian Spirit. Approach further, and a sword will fly."
Only then did Bess notice Berddin.
"Young Master."
"Bess, pull yourself together and listen carefully. Father hasn't passed yet."
"?!"
"And the battle isn't over. Re-form ranks and prepare to face the enemy."
I told Bess everything that had happened so far.
From leaving the castle, what I'd seen and experienced in Legion, and the tangled web of human affairs there.
Finally, after hearing the full Academy incident, Bess clenched his fists and ground his teeth.
Crunch.
"If only I'd arrived a bit sooner. Things wouldn't have come to this!"
"This isn't the time for regrets. It's time to deal with those who defied the Strange Family."
"...What are your plans, Young Master?"
"First, I'll return to Strange Castle in the south with Father."
"To the castle?"
"Yes. The enemies likely haven't left the tower yet. If we can slip past them, we can suppress this situation easily."
Outside the tower, they couldn't proceed with subsequent plans yet. Plans that required news of Father's death to activate.
'Of course.'
They'd have contingencies for mission failure too.
'But if I appear before them with Father now?'
And then vanish to Strange Castle like this, the enemies wouldn't dare move recklessly.
'Confuse the enemy.'
Those who carried out the operation inside the tower would be certain Father was dead.
Those outside who saw Father alive with their own eyes wouldn't believe it.
In time, they'd distrust each other, and some would head to the castle to verify the truth.
'If so.'
The plan to eliminate the internal enemies would succeed perfectly.
Clang.
Bess sheathed his sword.
"Then what should I do?"
"Most Strange Family knights are near Legion right now. Lead them until I reappear with Father."
"Within Legion?"
"Yes. If we're armed and waiting, the enemy won't move large forces at once."
Small forces wouldn't dare target Strange Castle.
Thus, the threat to us would diminish naturally, and I could use that time to resolve this mess.
"Then I'll stand by in Legion until your return."
Bess accepted my proposal readily.
"Until I issue further orders, do not attack friend or foe indiscriminately."
"What about Duchess Katarina?"
"Leave her be too. That way, she'll let her guard down, thinking I haven't grasped the situation."
"...So, stay silent until the next order."
"Exactly. The hardest thing on the battlefield."
"Understood. Then I'll return to Legion and defend the castle."
"Yes. And one more thing."
Berddin placed both hands on his father's shoulder and said.
"I'll tell you how to approach Father without getting attacked. But keep it secret from the others."