Chapter 43
After leaving his record in the Square, Evan returned to his room.
Tomorrow, he would be going to the Winchester Duchy.
A grand and massive mansion built from the crimson-black rock of the Wilnus Mountains.
He had been there before. More than twenty times.
That mansion had always been veiled in the smoke of death. He had seen the faces of countless people dying, and the blood that flowed from them.
He had thrust his sword into them and condemned them.
Because such an ending was fitting for villains like them.
But this was the first time he would go there at such a young age—without even having awakened his Clairvoyance.
Even so, Clairvoyance didn’t matter. His swordsmanship alone was enough to withstand at least ten of Ricardo Winchester’s strikes. There would be no one in the Taylor mansion who could pose a threat to him.
The only possible variable might be Jin Winchester.
And… the influential master with that thin, shining silver hair.
“Investigate the third child of the Winchester Duchy thoroughly. He is not an ordinary child.”
He would definitely have to meet Sasha Winchester.
As he stepped toward the pitch-black window, his brows twitched.
When he turned his head, a man had approached silently.
“What is it?”
Evan frowned.
It was Luce Regwin, the captain of the guards at the Taylor estate.
But to Evan, his skill was hardly impressive—not enough to conceal his presence.
Evan scowled, and Luce knelt before him, pulling something from his breast.
A red pouch.
“The Lord has given you a special command.”
Evan did not accept it, merely watching silently.
The guard captain raised his head to meet Evan’s eyes and said,
“Put this powder into Winchester’s meal. Destroy as many of them as possible—”
At that moment, Evan recalled a scene from years ago.
After the hunting tournament, at the ball—how laughable it had been when Ricardo Winchester had appeared carrying a baby.
And how the Taylor household had been thrown into chaos.
All because of the memories that had spilled from Sasha Winchester’s mind.
“…Luce.”
Evan recognized the familiar scent from the guard captain.
“Does your master… know Sasha Winchester?”
“Pardon?”
Evan accepted the red pouch the man handed over.
He could see faint color rise in the captain’s face.
In his third regression, or perhaps his fifth, Evan would have carried out the command without hesitation.
But now…
“…!”
Evan seized the man’s head and forced the red pouch into his mouth.
Dark poison spread swiftly across the guard captain’s face.
Behind his ear was branded the sigil of Kaisa. He had been nothing more than a corpse from the very beginning.
“I know this isn’t Father’s order.”
The veins in his eyes bulged, then dulled. The guard captain’s body collapsed in a heap.
Years ago, Chenoa Taylor had investigated Sasha Winchester. But aside from the fact he was the child of a woman from House Quelln, nothing else had been discovered.
“For now, I have no interest in mingling with anyone.”
Evan pulled out a handkerchief, wiping the ash from his hands.
“The only one I care about… is that child.”
His blue eyes sank into a cold, quiet depth.
[Name: Sasha Winchester (LV.7)]
[Class: None]
[Traits: Rattle Master, Little Explorer]
[Stats: HP 18 / Strength 10 / Special Ability — / Intelligence 31
Some stats remain locked.]
[Skill: Black Domination (LV.3 / SS)]
[Inventory: Secret of the Blue Hawk / 370 Rubies]
Upon turning seven, my level rose to 7.
When I was younger, perhaps because of a slow birthday, the timing had always felt late. But now, it seemed to rise almost as soon as the new year began—apparently a growth-adjusted leveling system.
From level 5, my detailed stats became visible. Other than Intelligence, which had soared thanks to my special training with Grandpa Hector, the rest were mediocre.
And with my beginner’s buff gone, no more level-up rewards were coming in.
My Bouncy Shoes still had durability left, but since my feet had grown, I could no longer wear them, so I sold them at the shop for 20 rubies.
Alongside that, I earned another 200 rubies completing small quests, and even leveled up my skill.
“…”
I frowned, staring at Secret of the Blue Hawk, which had been sitting in my inventory for ages.
It was nothing but an ordinary brooch shaped like a hawk.
Even after searching the library, I found no information about it.
Maybe it would be useful someday… I didn’t know.
“Young Miss, the Taylor carriage will be arriving soon.”
Maya’s voice reached me.
Suddenly, I thought of Othello, who had left three days ago, leaving me with a hollow feeling.
Would he be taller when he came back?
“Oh my, it’s already coming.”
Maya pointed outside.
Through the forest, a carriage was approaching.
On its side gleamed the emblem of House Taylor.
All the estate workers stopped what they were doing, staring with wary eyes at the approaching carriage.
A heavy stillness settled over the mansion.
I moved to the window to look out.
The carriage stopped at the entrance. The door opened.
Thump, thump—my heart raced.
Inside that carriage… was Evan Taylor, the original protagonist.
A moment later, a boy stepped down.
Though it had been years since I’d last seen that face, I knew right away, even beneath the robe, that it was Evan.
He must be twelve now—Evan Taylor.
Black hair, cold blue eyes, and skin so pale it seemed frozen.
The protagonist of Lord of Taylor: a boy with an unyielding will.
The future scourge who would one day set fire to Winchester Mansion, and the Empire’s hero.
The snowstorm tugged at his cape as his boots touched the ground.
Everyone was watching him, but he carried himself as calmly as if this hostile place were nothing.
Like Jin and Othello, his very presence was extraordinary.
Then, Evan lifted his head and looked upward.
The unexpected gesture froze me in place.
Because his eyes met mine.
Even from such a distance, I could feel it—he was looking directly at me.
‘W-what was that…?’
Panicked, I ducked below the window frame.
Thump, thump—my heart pounded in unease.
“He looks just like Duke Chenoa. Uncannily so.”
Maya’s voice reached me.
No. I had seen Chenoa before. Evan wasn’t like him.
What they shared was only the outer shell. Anyone could see it in those eyes—eyes carrying the weight of a vast, empty universe.
Evan’s world was frighteningly deep.
“I thought he looked this way for a second… haha, must’ve been my imagination.”
At Maya’s awkward laugh, I forced my lips to move.
“Yeah.”
In the three days after Othello left and before Evan’s arrival, I had been thinking.
How should I treat Evan Taylor, who surely wasn’t pleased to be sent here as a hostage?
As a reader, I had truly rooted for him.
He had mercilessly struck down the vile villains and walked without hesitation on the path of his own justice. It had been pure catharsis.
But now, as Sasha Winchester—the sickly youngest of the Winchester family—my stance was different.
Winchester was my family. I had built real bonds with them.
I didn’t want to live and die bound to the family’s fate, but I still wanted to help them however I could.
Of course, first and foremost, I needed to look after my frail body.
So… my rules were these:
-
Observe Evan Taylor and remain on guard.
-
Do not get entangled with him.
-
If he ever seems to threaten the family, report immediately to Duke Ricardo.
These would be my guiding principles.
[Character View]
[1. Ricardo Winchester
Title: Lord of Black Flame
Causality Rate: 17%]
[2. Jin Winchester
Title: None
Causality Rate: 16%]
[3. Othello Winchester
Title: None
Causality Rate: 17%]
[4. Chenoa Taylor
Title: Lord of Clairvoyance
Causality Rate: N/A]
[5. Evan Taylor
— Further information cannot be displayed.]
[6. Permetis Winchester
Title: None
Causality Rate: N/A]
[7. Hector Winchester
Title: Guardian of Black Flame
Causality Rate: N/A]
I checked [Character View]. As expected, entry number five was filled with strange symbols—but Evan Taylor’s name was clearly there.
“Further information cannot be displayed.” Because he was the protagonist, no doubt.
In the novel, when Evan reached twenty-five, Winchester fell.
At his hands.
But that time was still far away.
No need to panic just yet.
