Chapter 131
Chapter 131
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Wind from the West
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Near the Gamria Coast, situated between Valentine's territory in the west and the south.
The God's Knights, guardians of Midgard and Ragnarok, had been spotted by Strange Family scouts.
Their numbers were roughly five hundred—not too many, not too few—suggesting they were merely a support force.
'Looks like something's gone wrong with the enemy's plans.'
According to the original plan, the Rothschild forces should have moved south by today.
They had intended to position themselves as close as possible to Strange territory, striking at our vulnerabilities alongside the Glazers.
"They didn't seem inclined to move at all, did they?"
The knight who had returned from scouting raised his voice in reply.
"That's correct, Family Head!"
"What about their armament?"
"No different from ours. Most were clad in medium armor, and those who looked like porters... They were shackled at the arms and legs like criminals, covered in nothing but thin rags."
"How many porters were there?"
"Fewer than a hundred, from what I could see. Judging by their hair color, most appeared to be nobles from the west."
"From the west?"
"Yes. You can tell by the blue hair and the prominent brow ridges."
That meant they had brought along the captives from their recent attack on the west as porters.
The three knights listening in from the side—Bichon, Chihuahua, and Collie—asked in unison.
"Was Baron Gerard among them, by any chance?!"
"No, that knight wouldn't know Baron Gerard's face. Don't ask like that. Did you see a man a full head taller than us, with a large scar on his forehead?"
"Right, exactly. Gerard's so ridiculously tall, he'd stand out just like that guy described!"
The scout shook his head.
"No one that tall. They were all shorter than the three of you standing before me."
Bichon drooped his head.
"I see..."
"I'm sorry I couldn't bring better news."
"No need to apologize... You did well."
The three knights withdrew, their shoulders slumped. I watched them for a moment, pondering.
'Should I bring them along on this mission?'
They would certainly provide solid support. Knights who valued their honor above all wouldn't shy from death anyway.
They had expressed a desire to search for their superior if the chance arose, so letting them join wouldn't hurt.
"Bichon."
"Speak, Sir Berddin."
"If I head to Midgard, would you care to join me?"
Bichon approached me, veins bulging on his forehead.
"You're not thinking of going to Ragnarok, are you?"
"No. I just plan to meet the God's Knights at the heart of Midgard."
"The God's Knights?"
"Yes. My sister has a debt to settle with them. I'm thinking of paying it on her behalf."
Anyone who threatens the Strange Family—and anyone who points a sword at us—will never be forgiven.
This isn't because I'm the Family Head. It's the will of the Strange Family, passed down through generations.
"If you do that, I'd be grateful! We could ask them about Baron Gerard's whereabouts too."
Rox, who had been listening to our exchange, tapped the floor irritably with an uncomfortable expression.
"Hey, but Bichon... Weren't you a baronet?"
Bichon nodded.
"Yes. I was a centurion in the Red Dogs mercenary band in the west when Baron Gerard took notice of me and elevated me to nobility."
"Baron Gerard elevated you to nobility?"
"Indeed. Thanks to his high regard, I met Marquis Modi, the king of the west, and received my baronetcy."
"So you are a baronet."
"That's right."
"Then why are you holding your head so high in front of Viscount Berddin? And I'm a baron just like your superior—why no respect for me?"
Bichon glanced awkwardly between me and Rox, sniffing nervously at a rapid pace.
I waved my hand dismissively in the air and answered for him.
"Sir Bichon is from the western kingdom, and we're from the south, so we can observe noble courtesies between us. But we don't divide into superior and subordinate."
"Oh, really?"
"There are places with strict hierarchies like you say, but it doesn't apply to us."
"Hmm—"
"Enough idle talk. Rox, inspect the troops heading west. We'll depart within the hour."
Berddin headed to Midgard with a small group.
For this mission, Rox would anchor the center like a pillar, flanked by the three knights to watch for enemies: Bichon, Chihuahua, and Collie.
And in preparation for any powerful foes that might appear, Saintess Maria Theresia with her healing abilities.
Inside the rattling carriage, Maria Theresia asked cautiously.
"Sir Berddin, is there a particular reason you left Lady Cynthia back at the castle?"
"What's the point of your question?"
"I came along, but she didn't."
"...She seemed in need of rest. Not physical, but mental."
"I see."
"Besides, she wasn't necessary for this journey. There's only one reason we're undertaking this operation."
Berddin lightly traced the Strange Family's cross-sword etched into his armor and continued.
"To etch the terror of the Strange Family deep into the minds of our enemies."
"And what will that change?"
"As long as that fear lingers in their heads, they won't dare attack again."
"They won't strike out of fear..."
Theresia sidled up subtly and leaned her head against him.
"I want to feel that terror too."
Berddin gazed at the distant horizon beyond the carriage and continued.
"Once battle begins, the western knights you met earlier will form a defensive line around you, Lady Theresia."
"Those dog-like fellows?"
"Yes. Stay under their protection until I call for you."
"Simple enough. Got it."
"Even if the enemy targets you, Rox will handle it, so don't worry too much."
Theresia beamed, staring fixedly at Berddin's face.
Unable to comprehend her actions, Berddin pretended not to notice, keeping his gaze fixed outside the carriage.
Thump!
"Young Master—no! Family Head, we've arrived."
The coachman announced in a trembling voice.
He rose first and opened the carriage door. Before them stretched an endless plain, dominated by the mound of warriors' graves rising starkly. Countless tombs dotted the landscape, a place where those worthy of history slumbered.
'Midgard.'
My father rests somewhere here as well.
He never achieved his dream of conquering the continent, but as head of the Strange Family, he had reached the pinnacle of strength on the continent.
"You, stay here and wait."
The coachman bowed deeply and stepped back.
"Yes, Family Head."
Arriving before Rox's group, Berddin toured Midgard with Theresia.
The view consisted only of wheat fields stretching to either side and an endless plain ahead.
Yet beyond the hills loomed Yggdrasil, the tree symbolizing the world's heart, and above it, Ragnarok, home to those who received the gods' will.
"Is that Ragnarok visible atop the tree?"
Berddin nodded lightly.
"Yes."
"It looks taller than the nearby mountains. From up there, you could see everything around."
"Rumors say you can see the entire continent."
"Wow... But why would the children of the gods build their castle in such a place?"
"Who knows."
Berddin feigned ignorance of her question, though he knew the truth.
He had seen records of it in the tower's upper levels.
Screee—
"...Huh?"
"What's wrong, Sir Berddin?"
"Oh, no—suddenly my head—"
"Your head?"
"My head..."
A snapping sound echoed in his mind, and his vision flashed white, blurring completely.
'What is this?'
Just moments ago, his body had been fine. Why this reaction the instant he laid eyes on Ragnarok?
He tried to brace himself, tensing his legs.
But it was futile.
In mere seconds, his mind grew dizzy, his eyes lost focus, and his eyelids drooped shut on their own.
Thud.
He collapsed onto the plain without resistance.
'What the hell.'
Maria Theresia startled and cradled his upper body.
"Sir Berddin!"
He tried to respond, but his mouth wouldn't move.
'What is this, damn it.'
Just before losing consciousness.
A familiar voice rang in his ears.
'Father? What unfinished story?'
Forgiving or not forgiving my father wasn't for me to decide.
He wanted to say this to his father's soul, but before he could, he slipped into unconsciousness.
Whoosh!
Space swirled, and his vision shifted to Strange Castle.
It matched the current layout of his room's windows and furniture perfectly.
"Uru ruru, peekaboo!"
His mother, Verdandi, made a silly face at the baby's face, who could barely open its eyes yet.
"Mother, Berddin can't see yet."
The young Valentine said to Verdandi with a bewildered expression.
"I know. But doesn't he smile when I do this?"
"Eh? Really?"
They both looked at me, lying on the small white crib.
I lay there still as a statue, but I was indeed smiling broadly, giggling with delight.
'...So different from how I remember myself.'
He'd heard the nannies avoided eye contact because his glare was so fierce.
'Even in this life.'
"Kyahaha!"
The infant him reached out with both hands toward his mother.
Verdandi and Valentine competed to make even sillier faces, distorting theirs with their fingers.
Bang!
That was when it happened.
Someone burst into the room.
Verdandi startled, looked at the intruder, then paled, her hands trembling as she swallowed hard.
"H-how did you get here—"
Step, step, step.
A middle-aged man with half-bald head and a long brown mustache.
His armor bore the lion emblem of the Rothschild God's Knights.
"An honor to meet you, Lady Verdandi. I am Rothschild de Mayer."
"Rothschild...?"
"I come at the command of your father, Apostle Ordin."