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“We must cut down the guardian tree.”
Dana immediately returned to Windsor Castle to discuss with the count.
“Right now, it’s in a dormant phase, but it will soon start rotting in earnest. When that happens, the surrounding forest will all become contaminated and begin to rot as well.”
“Does that mean Windsor territory will turn into rotten land?”
Count Kurs’s face turned pale, but he soon responded calmly. “Then can’t we just purify it right away?”
“I tried, but it didn’t work,” Dana said matter-of-factly. The moment she realized the guardian tree was decaying, she tried to use her purifying power, but it failed. “It’s because it’s in a dormant phase.”
The tree hadn’t fully decayed yet.
“In dormant cases, there’s a concentrated black core of contamination. We need to find and purify that.”
These were things Dana realized while purifying rotten lands. Fully decayed land could be purified immediately by placing a hand anywhere on the contaminated area. However, in dormant cases, it’s trickier. There is a core filled with rot and unburst contamination. You must find that core and purify it.
“There’s probably a black core inside the three. To find it, we have to destroy the tree.”
That’s when it happened.
“Destroy the guardian tree?”
Bang!The door burst open.
Had he been eavesdropping? Mark Kurs entered urgently.
“Now, you’re talking about destroying the guardian tree of the territory?”
“Mark. Leave at once.”
“Father, how can you sit still after hearing such blasphemous talk!”
Mark Kurs couldn’t accept the situation at all. He had been eavesdropping because their conversation seemed odd, but he never expected to hear such nonsense.Destroy the guardian tree? That very tree was the one that protects this territory!
Danae Windsor, that woman, never ever set foot in the Windsor territory her whole life. So what did she know about this land to make such claims?Just because she owned the land document, she might have thought she could do as she pleased!
“The tree has protected this territory for a long time. And you talk about destroying it?!”
“Mark, you rascal!”
“Father, please come to your senses!” Mark slammed his fist onto the desk. “Why can’t you see? She’s talking nonsense about rotten land just to reclaim control!”
“Rotten land? You purified it? Don’t make me laugh. You’re just trying to stir up the people with false propaganda!”
“Mark! How dare you!”
As Count Kurs rose to his feet—Thunk.
Count Kurs and Mark, who had been glaring at each other, looked down. On top of Mark’s hand, which had slammed the desk… A fountain pen had deeply pierced his hand!
The fountain pen was lodged in his hand!
“Keugh, w-what the hell do you think you’re doing?! Rumie Windsor!”
But the culprit, who had stabbed his hand with the fountain pen, just smiled indifferently.
“Ah, my mistake. I thought a rat had crawled out.”
Mark pulled out the fountain pen with a curse, glaring sharply at Rumie as he staunched the bleeding with a handkerchief.
“You filthy b*stard, attacking me sneakily when I wasn’t looking.” Mark couldn’t hold back from cursing. “Despicable b*stard! You must never have learned to fight, sitting comfortably in a captain’s chair all day, giving orders! Cowardly and low―”
“Aah.” Rumie gave an annoyed laugh, tilting his head. “Stop whining. If you’re so dissatisfied, why not draw your sword or your gun?”
“W-What did you say?!”
“I prefer physical conversations, you see.”
“Fine! I’ll draw a sword right now!” Mark shouted, clutching his trembling hand. “I challenge you to a duel! Draw your swo―”
At that moment, Count Kurs rushed at him.Slap!He slapped Mark’s face mercilessly.
“You’re no longer my son! Get out!”
“I said get out!”
Mark’s face went blank.
Count Kurs pointed firmly at the door, glaring into his empty eyes. “Leave this castle at once!”
“…” Mark bit his lips hard, then turned sharply and left the room.
“I apologize.” As the door closed, Count Kurs crumbled, as if only a shell remained. “I’m truly sorry.”
“…Enough, just sit down. That’s not what’s important right now.”
Honestly, it was easier with Mark gone. Dana quickly forgot about him and began discussing what to do next.
Mark Kurs’s heart burned with resentment.Crazy. They’re all crazy, definitely! Destroying the guardian tree of the territory?! How could his father make such a decision? He’s gone mad. Senile, perhaps. No, no. He was always like that. Always willing to lick even the feet of Windsor’s direct lineage.
Mark could no longer trust his father’s judgment. After all, his father had already become nothing more than Windsor’s loyal dog! Instead, he went to the wisest person he knew. It was Priest Morius.
“Priest, do you know about rotten land?”
Mark knew what rotten land was; he had heard of it. But he had never once believed in it. Land suddenly turning black and killing everything on it? He doubted the intelligence of anyone who believed such nonsense.
“Actually, it’s a scam by the Windsor family.”
See? After all, Priest Morius knew the truth!
“Danae Windsor, that young lady was suffering from doll disease. They must have made up this rotten land story to cover up her past illness.” Priest Morius whispered conspiratorially. “Everyone in the capital knows it, but even the imperial family helped with the scam.”
“Why would the imperial family?”
“Because fear is the most effective means of control. They intended to keep the people in fear and rule as they wished!”
Exactly!A lightning of realization struck Mark. “That’s exactly what Danae Windsor is trying to do now!”
“Please protect this territory, Milord.”
“I want to do that too!” Mark gritted my teeth. “My father is about to give everything to Windsor! He even kicked me out of the castle!”
“Who dares expel Milord from your own castle? There’s no one who cares for this territory as much as you, Milord!”
Priest Morius’s words ignited a fire in Mark’s heart, and it blazed up, consuming everything.
Yes. No one can kick me out. Not even my own father.
“I have a plan, Milord.”
After hearing Priest Morius’ plan, hesitation appeared on Mark’s face.
“It’s for the greater good. To protect this territory from Windsor.”
“There may be martyrs in the process, but God will guide them on the right path.” Priest Morius bowed respectfully. “Your decision is needed, Milord. The true owner of this territory.”
Allice wandered, feeling dejected.I just want to go home.She trudged along, kicking a stone in the garden.I shouldn’t have come to Windsor territory.All she got was a false accusation.
Recalling the recent events, Allice sighed involuntarily.Why do people keep trying to use me?She had reached out to Mark with good intentions, but that bad guy had taken advantage of her.And Sister Dana just watched it happen.
I extended a hand of reconciliation to Mark with good intentions, but that bad guy used me.And Sister Dana just watched it happen.She felt a surge of resentment.
Though Allice didn’t know much about the world, Dana must have seen right through it all. That Mark was a bad person. That approaching him with goodwill would be useless.But she just let me be used by him.And then Dana took all the glory to herself.
About sneaking into the castle by climbing the walls too. Why did she have to do that? Wouldn’t it have been faster to just ask for my help?If that were the case, Allice would have gladly opened the gates and let her meet Count Kurs!
She just didn’t want me to get any credit. After all, she’s jealous of me.
Just then, her bodyguard, Yoris, approached quietly. “Lady Allice, Mark Kurs is approaching. What would you like to do?”
Huh? Mark? Wasn’t he kicked out?
Apparently, Mark hadn’t left yet, as he was confidently approaching her.
How shameless. After using me, that bad person…!Allice glared at him, clenching her fist.
“Lady Allice. May I speak with you alone for a moment?”
How dare he speak to me so brazenly!Allice was furious. “I don’t want to. Are you going to bribe me again?”
“It’s not like that. I just wanted to give you a gift out of admiration…”
“…As expected, Lady Allice doesn’t believe me either.” Mark smiled bitterly. “But please believe this one thing.”
“That I truly admire you, Lady Allice.”
Allice’s face turned red at that.