Chapter 07
As soon as morning broke, I went to see Ahak.
Since he was someone I had saved, I felt a sense of responsibility…
‘Mm, even seeing him again, he’s handsome.’
Before I knew it, I was absentmindedly admiring his looks as if I were appreciating a work of art.
‘How can a person look like this?’
If Ahak went to Earth, he could easily make it into Hollywood just with his face alone.
Is this what it feels like to see a top actor in real life?
If he debuted as an idol, his visuals alone would’ve made him the center.
He looked so unreal that I poked his cheek.
I could clearly feel the touch of skin on my finger. He wasn’t a doll, nor a sculpture…
“Ahak.”
I called his name.
There wasn’t the slightest sign of him waking up.
“Ahak.”
I called him once more.
‘Why am I repeating his name?’
It’s not even a difficult name to remember.
In truth, it had already been engraved in my mind the moment I first saw him at the Papal State.
‘It might be a shame if Ahak’s eyes turn red.’
After staring at Ahak absentmindedly, I got up from my seat.
I threw chunks of meat to the hounds I had released last night.
The hounds were as large as full-grown men, and with their entirely black fur, the sight of them gathered together was overwhelming.
To me, they were all loyal dogs.
A knight approached and bowed politely.
“My Lady. As ordered, we have investigated— the castle and territory of <Blood Osbldarun> have all been trampled and are still burning.”
It was a day with intense sunlight.
The grass I stepped on was heavy with dew.
I stared into the misty forest, then tossed more meat to the hounds.
They rushed in and tore into it.
“Not a single survivor?”
“It is said the entire clan has perished. However, the heir, Lord Ahak, is currently missing. <Mist Catoblepas> even exterminated the servants, so very few seem to have survived.”
“Bring me any surviving knights, attendants, or maids. In absolute secrecy.”
“I will carry out your command.”
The knight quietly withdrew.
Or at least, he tried to.
KWA-KWA-KWANG!
Had it not been for Sharehin, who appeared with the sound of the castle walls collapsing, he would have succeeded.
I frowned and glared at Sharehin.
‘She dares to break my castle walls?’
Sharehin— the fourth daughter of the head of <Mist Catoblepas>, whom I had killed.
She was now the younger sister of the newly appointed 23rd head, Lucentan.
“Lady Letiana? I heard you were recuperating— so the rumors were true. To think you were hiding in such a remote place.”
With a sickeningly polite tone, Sharehin smiled sweetly.
With the signature black hair and gray eyes of <Mist Catoblepas>, she was a beauty with an oriental charm.
Unlike most noble families who preferred dresses or uniforms, her attire was different.
Her hair was pinned up with a hairpin, and her clothes resembled something like a kimono.
‘Was she two years older than me?’
In one hand, she held a bright red parasol—her signature weapon.
Behind her stood poison assassins in formation, making my mood sour.
Their faces were covered with black cloth, silently scanning my castle.
“What kind of rudeness is this?”
I didn’t even feel she was worth speaking politely to.
“The gates were closed. I would’ve gladly entered if properly invited, but your knights refused no matter how much I insisted on seeing you. What else could I have done but break the wall?”
“If the gates were closed, you should’ve taken the hint and left.”
I stepped forward, glancing at the broken wall fragments on her parasol.
‘How much will it cost to rebuild that wall again?’
Sharehin smiled and replied,
“You’re quite harsh, Lady Letiana. To a guest who came hoping to get closer to you.”
“A guest?”
I let out a hollow laugh.
Anyone could tell from a hundred meters away that she had come looking for Ahak of <Blood Osbldarun>.
‘She must know he went missing around here.’
I hid the chill in my eyes as I thought.
<Mist Catoblepas> was the most likely family to win the imperial succession war across all regressions.
Lucentan, the current 23rd head, had won every succession war in previous timelines.
<Mist Catoblepas> was the most powerful noble faction, while <Blood Osbldarun> had always been the core of the imperial faction whenever an emperor was chosen.
The brutal annihilation of <Blood Osbldarun> was, in essence, a political example.
‘They think eliminating Ahak completely will prevent future trouble.’
As seen in the downfall of <Blood Osbldarun>, imperial authority was now extremely weakened compared to three years ago.
Despite the emperor still being alive, the succession war had already begun two months ago.
‘If Ahak survives and becomes emperor, there will be a bloodbath… so Catoblepas will try to kill him at all costs.’
If Ahak, whose entire family was wiped out, ascends the throne, there’s no way he’d spare <Mist Catoblepas>.
He even lost his parents.
Though history is different, wasn’t it said that King Yeonsan of Joseon went mad after seeing his mother’s blood-stained garment?
From Sharehin’s perspective, it was only natural for her to desperately search for Ahak.
‘Of course, I’ll protect him.’
“You’re still blocking me? Since when has <Sun Stelshanin> become so bold toward our family?”
“Seems you’re slow with news. Sorry, but I’ve been independent from Stelshanin for quite some time. You can tell just by seeing me live in this castle alone—if your eyes work properly.”
“…You really are someone who shouldn’t be spoken to lightly.”
“I just happen to be well-informed, Sharehin. Congratulations— I heard you recently got dumped by that foreign noble you were so desperate to marry?”
I was certain that the smile I wore at that moment was the prettiest I had ever made in my life.
Finally, Sharehin dropped her fake smile, her face twisting like the witch from Hansel and Gretel.
Her hand holding the parasol trembled.
“Let’s get to the point. If you’ve seen Ahak, hand him over quietly.”
“I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Then why did you release hounds into the forest yesterday? Do you know how badly my subordinates were injured? Enough of that—if I search this castle and find Ahak, <Sun Stelshanin> will be next after <Blood Osbldarun>.”
“Like I said, I’m no longer related to Stelshanin.”
Our gazes clashed fiercely in midair.
I was confident in a battle of pressure.
Of course, I was confident in actual combat too.
‘As long as Ahak qualifies for the imperial succession war, <Mist Catoblepas> won’t be able to touch him.’
Since the war must remain fair, interfering with participants is considered blasphemy against the gods.
‘Until then, I just need to keep it secret.’
I only needed to protect Ahak until that moment.
Provoked by the tense atmosphere, the hounds began barking fiercely at the assassins.
<Mist Catoblepas> was also my enemy.
Although <Sun Stelshanin> wasn’t annihilated like <Blood Osbldarun>, in the first timeline we had practically lived as half-slaves.
‘Even after their head died, they’re still arrogant.’
Well, the current 23rd head, Lucentan, was far stronger than the 22nd head I killed.
He was known as the wielder of one of the legendary swords, the Shadow Sword, and one of the greatest swordsmen on the continent.
And the Sharehin before me was his beloved younger sister.
“In accordance with the rules of the 20 families, I request a ‘duel of life.’”
I let out a short laugh.
‘A duel of life.’
A duel where even if one party dies, their family cannot protest.
As expected of Lucentan’s favored sister, Sharehin herself was incredibly skilled.
A sharp blade sprang out from her parasol.
I stared at it indifferently and asked,
“You sound confident you can beat me?”
“Do you truly think someone from Stelshanin can compare to Catoblepas?”
She replied mockingly, her face filled with pride.
‘Would you still talk like that if you knew I killed your father?’
I thought it, but didn’t say it aloud.
Instead, I simply felt my heart start to race for the first time in a while.
“If I win, you leave my castle immediately. Oh, and you’ll compensate for the wall.”
“Agreed. But if I win, I will search this entire castle.”
As a sign of acceptance, I slowly drew the Rose Sword.
Under the sun, crimson roses bloomed beautifully along the blade.
Even if I were to die in this duel, <Sun Stelshanin> wouldn’t be able to protest.
And the moment they searched the castle, they would find Ahak chained near the bed.
At that point, <Sun Stelshanin> might truly be annihilated.
‘To think I’d go this far to protect someone.’
But once I’ve made a decision, how could I take it back so lightly?
Besides, losing was never an outcome that would happen.
I shifted the Rose Sword to my other hand, while Sharehin opened her parasol to shield her face from the blazing sun.
A brief standoff.
I raised my sword.
