Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Amid a raging snowstorm—
in a world painted entirely white—
dark shadows moved without rest.
One man—
and dozens of horned wolves—
clashed violently.
After some time—
the storm calmed.
And what remained—
was a lone man standing at the center of scattered blood and corpses.
“...Hoo.”
His name—
Bern Culam.
Ten years ago, he was one of the heroes who defeated the Demon King.
Now—
he guarded the northern front as a count.
Though by merit he should’ve been a marquis—
the king had only granted him the title of count.
“My lord, the extermination in Sector 2 is complete.”
“Casualties?”
“Eight lightly wounded. Three seriously. One… deceased.”
“…Who?”
“Roman.”
“…We’ve lost someone precious. Give him a state funeral. Deliver his remains to his family with proper compensation and respect.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Standing in the snow—
his sword planted—
his breath steaming in the cold—
Bern’s back carried both sorrow and exhaustion.
Some said soldiers were expendable to nobles.
But not to him.
To Bern—
each one mattered.
Yet—
he wasn’t omnipotent.
He couldn’t protect everyone.
‘How many more must I lose…?’
Drip.
Drip.
Blood fell from his hand.
Not from battle—
but from his own nails digging into his skin.
Even after countless battles—
he could not get used to death.
But as a leader—
he couldn’t show weakness.
“Another storm is coming. We should return.”
“…Right.”
“Please. If anything happens to you, I’ll be thrown out of my house.”
“…That’s a strange joke.”
“It’s not. My family loves you more than me.”
“…I see.”
He smiled faintly—
and turned back.
Behind him—
his aide watched quietly.
‘Such a foolishly sincere man… carrying all that pain alone.’
No one knew everything Bern had endured.
But everyone knew—
he carried wounds he couldn’t share.
Culam Mansion—Blisstone.
A grand estate built by the people—
for Bern.
He had refused at first—
but accepted because of his wife—
Sherin.
Since then—
he devoted himself even more.
“My lord, welcome back.”
“You’ve done well maintaining this place.”
“Others deserve the praise more than I.”
“I’ll thank them personally.”
Even after years as a noble—
he remained humble.
“Also… there is something regarding Master Ruen and Madam Sherin.”
“…What now?”
“They argued again. About her spending.”
“…Again…”
“Thirty minutes this time.”
“…You’ve worked hard.”
“I apologize for troubling you—”
“It’s not your responsibility.”
Bern handed over his coat.
Then—
footsteps.
“Hyung—no… my lord!”
“…Ruen.”
“I request a private conversation.”
“…Alright.”
They entered his office.
Dismissed everyone.
Then—
Ruen spoke.
“When are you going to stop living with that woman?”
“…If it’s about spending—”
“I’m not talking about money! Why are you staying with someone who doesn’t even love you?!”
“….”
Bang!
Ruen slammed the table.
“You know it! Her heart isn’t yours!”
“Sherin sacrificed her love for me.”
“Sacrifice? No—she got abandoned and settled for you!”
“Watch your words.”
“Kill me if you want. I don’t care.”
“Ruen!”
Bern’s voice cracked.
“Don’t say that… If I lose you too… I can’t face Rin.”
“…If she mattered that much, why didn’t you treat her better when she was alive?”
“…Back then, I—”
“Enough! Nothing’s changed! You still push people away! You still suffer alone!”
“….”
“If you had opened your heart—maybe she wouldn’t have died!”
Silence.
Ruen’s teeth clenched.
He had lost his sister.
And now—
Bern was repeating the same mistakes.
“You can blame me all you want.”
“That won’t change the past. But why haven’t you changed?”
“….”
“Because of you—she died! And you still won’t open up?!”
“Everything is my responsibility.”
“Bullshit!”
Crash!
A teacup shattered—
cutting Bern’s cheek.
Blood trickled down.
“You’ve done everything for others! So why do you keep suffering alone?!”
“…Because of my sin.”
“That ‘sin’ saved the world! If you hadn’t done it, things would’ve been worse!”
“…I cannot tell you.”
“…Damn it!”
Ruen stormed out.
Silence returned.
Bern stood alone.
Then—
he pulled out a handkerchief.
White—
like snow—
stained with blood.
Rin’s.
Her final memory.
“…I’m sorry.”
He whispered—
to someone no longer there.