Chapter 7: Brotherly Conflict (6)
The Renorf-Marquis family was the most influential house in the North.
Naturally, they had many enemies.
Perhaps because of that, their estate was built like a fortress.
Even the underground was designed for multiple purposes, including shelters.
Among its most infamous facilities…
Was the prison for those who defied the marquis’ family?
Walls that even cannons couldn’t break.
Barriers that neutralized even advanced magic.
Guards watching without blind spots.
Detection spells.
Escaping through all that was impossible.
In fact, in all history…
Not a single prisoner had ever left without the marquis family’s permission.
The servants who had betrayed Ian knew that well.
They had long since given up on escape.
All they could do now, condemned to death, was pray.
One guard watching them clicked his tongue.
“You should’ve thought of that before stealing.”
Ian might be a troublesome member of the family…
But he was still part of the marquis house.
Stealing from someone like that naturally brought punishment.
Though death did seem excessive.
Still…
What could anyone do?
In the North, the Renorf family’s word was law.
No one would hear their complaints.
“Hey, shift change.”
Another guard came down the stairs.
The guard on duty looked relieved.
“I thought I’d die waiting.”
Listening to prisoners wail that they didn’t want to die was exhausting.
Escaping that misery felt worth dancing over.
He happily removed his helmet, wiped sweat, and handed over the keys.
“Did the duel end?”
“Yeah. Just ended.”
“Really? Who won?”
At that question, every prisoner behind the bars listened closely.
“…Young Master Yulian.”
“Hahaha! Of course! Just as expected! No, I should call him Young Master Successor now!”
Unlike the laughing guard…
His companion looked miserable.
Seeing that expression, the first guard smirked.
“What’s wrong? Lose money?”
“Shut up.”
“Don’t tell me you stupidly bet on Ian?”
“Shut the hell up! The odds were 25 to 1! Anyone would be tempted!”
“You only win 25 times if you win~ Why bet the underdog when losing was obvious, idiot~”
Mocked, the other guard sighed deeply.
“Damn it. I’m the fool for believing in that man.”
But he wasn’t the only disappointed one.
The imprisoned servants had also been praying Ian would win.
Now they sank into despair.
“We’re really going to die…”
One servant muttered in resignation.
Everyone’s faces darkened further.
“M-Maybe not. Maybe Young Master Yulian will forgive us if he’s in a good mood…”
One maid tried to stay hopeful.
Everyone ignored her.
Or scoffed.
“Miss, do you really believe that?”
“Forgive us? Yulian?”
“If anything, he’ll cut loose loose ends while he has the chance.”
The spies Yulian planted to monitor Ian had all been caught stealing.
There was no way his pride would let him spare them.
Especially now that he had won the duel and become the official successor.
He no longer needed them.
“If Young Master Ian had won… we might at least beg for mercy…”
Ian had no particular reason to spare them either.
But compared to Yulian…
There was at least hope of leniency.
But no miracle happened.
Ian had not won.
And the final thread of hope snapped.
As that realization set in…
Fear of execution crashed over them.
“No… I don’t want to die here!”
But no matter how loudly she cried…
No one here could grant that wish.
Everyone was doomed.
Who could save whom?
As all sank into despair, the maid alone denied reality and rushed to the bars.
“Guard! Please, I’m begging you! Tell Young Master Yulian we’re sorry!”
“Well… asking us…”
“Please! I don’t want to die!”
The guards awkwardly looked away.
Yulian was probably celebrating his victory with gathered nobles.
The guards had no desire to ruin that mood by bringing prisoner pleas.
And if Yulian got angry…
They might end up in the cells too.
“It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do.”
“We’re only soldiers. You know we have no power.”
“But still—!”
She knew ordinary soldiers couldn’t overturn punishment.
But she had no other choice.
They were the only ones moving between the prison and the outside.
Clinging to them was the only thing she could do.
“It’s not even difficult! Just pass along a few words!”
“I said no.”
The guards were getting irritated.
Her situation was pitiable.
But ultimately it was self-inflicted.
And trying to drag them into it felt insulting.
Meanwhile, the maid felt wronged too.
She didn’t want to just sit and wait to die.
Yet the guards only seemed concerned about themselves.
“Lives are at stake! Please, just once!”
“Hey! Don’t drag innocent people into trouble! If we get expelled, will you take responsibility?”
Neither side gave ground.
Voices rose.
Then—
“Pretty noisy down there.”
A third voice cut through the argument.
Everyone turned.
“I-Ian, Young Master?”
“What brings you here?”
The guards had never expected to see Ian here.
While they stared in shock—
I smiled.
And handed over a document.
“I’ll be taking these prisoners.”
***
The guards looked like they wanted to ask what nonsense I was spouting.
Fair enough.
Yulian himself had sentenced these prisoners to death.
By what right was I taking them?
“Brother Yulian permitted it.”
“Truly?”
“If you don’t believe me, read the warrant. It’s written there.”
Only then did they check the document.
Execution of the prisoners is suspended, and authority over their disposition is transferred to Ian.
Even after seeing Yulian’s handwriting and seal…
They still looked doubtful.
“Young Master Successor really allowed this?”
“I asked. He agreed more easily than expected.”
“That can’t…”
The guard realized he had spoken out of turn and panicked.
The situation was just too unbelievable.
“A-Anyway… understood. I’ll open the cells.”
He hurriedly unlocked the door.
Then even removed their shackles.
The prisoners blinked blankly.
“Are you really… releasing us?”
Even after getting what they wanted most…
They couldn’t believe it.
Naturally.
Everyone in this estate knew Yulian’s personality.
“Yes. But the execution itself is not canceled.”
I reminded them of the document.
Their punishment had merely been postponed.
Not erased.
“T-Then… we could be dragged back here?”
“That depends on you.”
Like probation.
Live cleanly, no problem.
Commit even a small crime—
And you’d lose your head.
“You now have two choices.”
I raised one finger.
“One. Leave this estate and disappear somewhere quietly.”
Then raised a second one.
“Two. Risk your lives and work under me again.”
A choice for those walking out of the cells.
They hesitated.
So I gave a little advice.
“If you want to avoid coming back to prison, leaving the estate is better.”
“But after that… how do we survive?”
A servant said it.
I smiled slightly.
He was right.
Once branded as someone who stole from a master…
No one in this territory would hire them.
But leaving the territory?
Going into the brutal northern wilderness with nothing?
Suicide.
‘In reality, they have no path except working under me.’
The first option was there only to make them realize their position.
To survive…
They had no choice but to grab my hand.
“I won’t stop anyone who wants to return as my servant. But it’ll be much harder than before.”
Treating guilty servants the same as innocent ones would set a bad example.
Others might think wrongdoing had no consequences.
There had to be a distinction.
“We are prepared for that.”
Just as expected…
The prisoners accepted without hesitation.
Maybe out of guilt.
Or indebtedness.
Did they see me as someone who poisoned and cured them?
Or someone who gave them an opportunity in crisis?
The answer came from the message appearing before me.
[You have formed a trust relationship with ‘James.’]
[You have formed a trust relationship with ‘Ethan.’]
[You have formed a trust relationship with ‘Frisia.’]
…
Seeing it—
I cheered inwardly.
‘Just like the game.’
Survival Fantasy made every NPC relationship matter.
There was no simple
“He’s a knight, so he’s loyal.”
Not even blood relations or paid contracts were exceptions.
Unless you built trust through favors, gifts, and actions…
Anyone could betray you.
But—
Once trust was formed…
They never betrayed you.
Saving someone’s life gave massive trust.
That’s why most of the prisoners bonded with me.
A few didn’t.
As expected.
Not every person responds the same.
Just like in the game, some NPCs remained indifferent no matter what.
‘Three duds.’
Those without trust would likely cause trouble again.
If I told Albert to watch them, it’d probably resolve itself within a month.
‘Six is enough for now.’
My current power amounted to one annex, a handful of jewels…
And a few servants.
Even Albert alone was enough.
These were extra assets.
‘Power I don’t even need yet… which makes it even more useful.’
Pieces on a board.
Six of them.
‘You think I’m going to coddle people who already betrayed me once?’
I’m not a good person.
I asked Yulian to release them because I needed expendable people for future crises.
Not because I pitied them.
Honestly…
Watching people cling to me and swear loyalty only after I saved them from death…
It was almost disgusting.
But I hid those thoughts.
And smiled.
Because I didn’t want the trust I had built…
To decrease.
