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It was the next day, at night.
“Ugh, it’s cold, so cold.”
At the border of Windsor territory, the border guards keeping watch warmed themselves by a bonfire at their post.
“Isn’t it colder than usual today?”
“Yeah, it really is.”
“Ah, I’m hungry.”
“I want to go to the banquet too. There’s probably going to be so much good food.”
“Should we have gone as well?”
“Right? I mean, where else would we ever get to skip out on our duties legally except for a banquet hosted by a Windsor direct family?”
Just a little while ago, the young lady of the Windsor family had personally spoken to them. There was to be a banquet at Windsor Castle. She had invited all the soldiers, specifically saying that just for today, let’s forget everything, eat, drink, and have fun. Shocked by the direct family’s invitation, the soldiers had left for the banquet hall, except for these two.
“But didn’t they say they were going to get rid of the guardian tree today?”
“That’s right. I heard the land might even become rotten.”
“Ugh, that’s scary.”
“Are you keeping watch properly?”
The soldiers snapped to attention and saluted.
“Looks like all the others have gone to the banquet. Why are you two still here?”
“Ah,that, she said everyone could go, but still, someone has to guard the border.”
“Yes. But Lord Mark, what brings you to—”
“But.” Mark interrupted the soldier. “What were you talking about just now?”
“It’s fine, go ahead and tell me.”
The soldiers glanced at each other before speaking. “The guardian tree is going to be destroyed by the direct family of Windsor. That was what we were talking about.”
“Is that so? What do you think?”
At Mark’s question, the soldiers stiffened.
“I… trust them. Since it’s being done by Count Kurs and the Windsor direct family, I’m sure they have their own reasons.”
Mark nodded thoughtfully. “I see. So you were having a little chat about that.” Then he raised his pistol and aimed it at the soldier’s forehead.
“What if an intruder showed up while you were chatting so carelessly?”
“See? Even with a gun to your head, you can’t do anything. That’s why you should never let your guard down.”
Mark’s face looked as if he were giving a lesson. Thinking it was a lesson from a superior, the soldiers felt relieved.
“Yes, we’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Make sure to do so in your next life.”
Bang!A gunshot rang out. The soldier fell backward without even screaming.
“Lord Mark! What are you—!”
Bang!After shooting the other soldier, Mark muttered grimly. “In your next life, be born as a loyal soldier. You damn dogs who can’t even recognize your master.”
In the forest, the felling of the guardian tree was in full swing.
“Everyone be careful. If you get scratched by the tree, let me know immediately!”
The heavily armored soldiers swung their axes, but…When will they be able to cut it down?They had been felling the tree since noon, but they hadn’t even cut halfway through yet.
The guardian tree truly lived up to its name. The trunk, large enough for twenty men to barely encircle, was unexpectedly sturdy, hardly dented by the axe blades.
As the task was taking much longer than expected, Dana started to regret her decision.I should have brought Rumie.She regretted being so emotional yesterday. Rumie would have been a great help right now…
“Milord!” A man ran up frantically. “Barbarians have crossed the border and are invading!”
At that moment, all the soldiers who were working stopped moving.
Count Kurs asked incredulously. “What do you mean by barbarians are invading?”
“It’s true! The barbarians are looting and attacking the territory’s residents right now!”
“Are you sure? Then, the invasion alarm should have sounded. The border guards are at the post―”
It was at that moment.Bang.A gunshot from afar, followed by faint screams carried by the wind. Every face turned pale. That sounds just now…
Bang, bang, bang!Starting with that, gunshots rang out repeatedly, followed by prolonged, tearing screams.
“Get your weapons!” Count Kurs was the first to regain composure. “Everyone, return to the territory! Go and drive out the barbarians!” He commanded in a sharp, orderly tone. “You, evacuate all the territory’s people into the castle, quickly!”
“Yes!” The soldiers dropped their axes and rushed off.
“Lady Danae, this place is dangerous. Please return to the castle. I’ll stay and continue cutting down the tree alo―Lady Danae?”
Where did she go?Count Kurs looked around in panic. It was then…
Thunk!He found Dana, already wielding an axe and striking the tree.
“What are you doing? Hurry and help!”
Count Kurs quickly grabbed an axe and joined me.
“You’re all working hard.”
A chilling voice came from behind.
It was Mark and his followers.
Count Kurs rose, his face lighting up with relief. “Good timing. Come and help!”
At that moment, Dana felt a strange sense of dissonance. Mark, that man’s expression was…
“You’ve lived as a dog of Windsor all your life.”
“Mark, what are you―”
Mark raised his gun.
Realizing what it meant, Count Kurs’s eyes trembled. “What are you doing?”
“To end the humiliation of living as Windsor’s dog in your generation, Father.” With cold, merciless eyes, Mark aimed at Count Kurs and declared. “I will live as the lord of Windsor.”
Bang!Count Kurs collapsed like a discarded shell.
Mark watched the scene with a heartless gaze. He wasn’t even conflicted anymore. There was no hesitation left. Only a firm conviction burned in his chest. That this should have happened long ago.
“It’s sycophants like Father who ruined Windsor.” Then, he nodded at his two subordinates. “What are you waiting for? Capture Danae Windsor.” But the moment he looked at the woman—
Dana fired instantly, without hesitation.Bang!
A man ran toward her.
Another man hurriedly drew his pistol.
Even Mark was staring at her in disbelief.
The first two were hit and fell dead on the spot. Mark Kurs, however, was the only one getting grazed. It seemed to have barely scraped his arm. He dropped his gun and glared at her.
Regardless, Dana fired again.Bang!But she missed again.
Mark quickly rolled to the side, dodging and hiding behind the bushes, yelling. “How dare you kill my subordinates!”
Click.Dana pulled the silver trigger and thought to herself.Is that so? Did I kill them?Glancing down, the two men lying there probably are dead. But so what?
“Once you decide to shoot, don’t hesitate.”
Suddenly, a calm voice echoed in her mind.
“Just focus on hitting the target.”
Dana clung to that voice. Like a talisman, it swept away all her thoughts. What remained was a sharp, almost frightening, focus.
“Danae Windsor, you!”
The bullet lodged in his shoulder. Dana had aimed for his head, but with him crouched in the bushes, she couldn’t get a clear shot. And then it happened.
“Mommyyyy!” A girl’s crying echoed. “Huaang,Mommy, where are you!”
Had she fled into the forest to escape the barbarians? A young girl was running and crying.
Why now, of all times!
As expected, Mark didn’t miss his chance. He rolled over and grabbed the girl.
“Hiik,Mo-Mommy!”
“Stop!” Mark Kurs shouted, squeezing the girl’s neck. “Drop the gun! If you don’t, I’ll kill this girl!”
“Huaaang,Mommy!”
“Drop it! I said drop it!”
Dana didn’t drop it. Instead, she pointed her gun with a cold face. But as soon as she aimed, she realized.No.She wouldn’t be able to hit only Mark. Dana didn’t trust herself to avoid the girl, and if she made the slightest mistake, she might shoot the girl…
She couldn’t do it.
“Hold your breath.”
It was impossible.
“Don’t take your eyes off the target.”
With my skills, I can’t do it, Brother Viego.In that case…
“Impressive, Mark Kurs.”
She had to find another way.
“Why don’t you take a look at yourself?” Dana deliberately sneered, intentionally provoking him. “You look really impressive, don’t you think?”
“S-Shut up! I’m the lord of this territory!”
“Exactly, a truly impressive lord. Threatening a little girl from your own territory by grabbing her neck.”
Mark’s face flushed bright red. A surge of shame overwhelmed him. The sobbing girl and his hand choking the girl’s neck made him just like a villain.
“No.” Mark gritted his teeth and muttered as if brainwashing himself. “I’m not a villain. This is for the territory. So Windsor can’t take it!”
Suddenly, a gun barrel pressed against the back of Mark’s head. It was grabbed tightly.
“Can I break it?”