Chapter 10: Adapting 2

* * *

It became a significant milestone. Just realizing that there were no clear rivals was a major gain.

“Still, why were you so anxious?”

“Huh?”

Startled. Perhaps because of the unexpected questions, Pia's body tensed up like a herbivore that had spotted a predator.

She had to answer the question, but she also wanted to leave. Her nervousness was painfully obvious.

So obvious that Cain felt sorry for her just watching.

“No, I was wrong. I’m sorry for holding you back.”

“Then, is there nothing else you need me to do?”

“Yes, now that it’s done, you can go.”

“Then I’ll go. If you need me, just ring the bell. I’ll be nearby.”

With quick steps, her eagerness to leave was evident in her gait. But she couldn’t relax, and she soon bumped into a wall.

“Ako!”

A cute moan escaped her. Rubbing her reddened face, she left the room. Watching her back, Cain shrugged.

Whether this child was deliberately assigned or selected by chance, he couldn’t tell.

“Who knows.”

Still, it was fortunate that a good child had come. Without such an opponent, he would have been exhausted.

Cain stood up and looked out the window.

The gazes of the people he encountered were all unfriendly, already showing a hostile attitude. After all, how many would be happy to see a new stone roll in?

“Indeed, because of such fellows.”

An innocent girl can shine.

Shaking off his thoughts, Cain turned his head and lay down on the bed. He knew no one would welcome him.

He hadn’t expected it.

Not since he fell alone in Hevnia.

* * *

Even though the head of the family, Lafman, had returned, the atmosphere inside the castle became even more tense. The mysterious child he brought back was the root of the problem. Perhaps because of the possibility that this child could become the first and last disciple of the Sword Saint, everyone was restless.

Though nothing was certain, some frowned at the heated scene, but nothing changed.

Late at night, Lafman, sitting in his office, looked down at the castle. The earldom, covered in snow, was deathly quiet.

But what was visible was not all. Deep within, darkness lurked.

“The earldom is still the same.”

Speaking of the events of the afternoon, Rozan, who was serving tea, nodded lightly.

“Indeed, the number of criminals fleeing from the Lessor Kingdom is increasing daily.”

“Of course. That hasn’t changed from the past.”

“Unfortunately, it’s inevitable.”

Schwaltzbein Earldom was an ideal refuge.

Untended land. Harsh weather that made investigation and tracking nearly impossible. And Lafman’s indifference as one of the Ten Seats.

With the Lessor Kingdom’s lukewarm response, not only domestic but also foreign criminals were flocking to the Schwaltzbein Earldom.

“It seems the size of the knight corps has also increased, but is the situation the same?”

“Dealing with the people in the earldom is already overwhelming.”

It was a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Just when they thought they had things under control, they would resurface and act, which was truly frustrating. A decisive approach was needed.

For example.

“Sir, you...”

“No, I won’t take the lead.”

That was a given. If he had worried about this from the start, he wouldn’t have left six years ago.

“Do you know why I returned here?”

There was only one reason for Lafman to return if he had disappeared with those words.

“Yes.”

A bitter smile appeared on Rozan’s lips.

The passage of time was always cruel.

The young man who set out to become a hero of the nation was no longer here. All that remained was ashes. His passion and vigor were gone. He had no attachment to the earldom.

Still, Lafman couldn’t be blamed.

Rozan had learned for the first time then how much fate could be destroyed.

But still, to leave nothing but debt and liabilities to the next generation was shameful.

“You’re giving me a heavy burden, Sir.”

“It’s also proof of my trust in you.”

Lafman smiled awkwardly for the first time since returning home. It was a smile he showed only to Rozan. Not to the steward or the knight commander, but to Rozan, the butler.

Because they had been friends since childhood, he could finally be honest. Because Rozan worried and dedicated himself to the Schwaltzbein family more than anyone, Lafman could reveal his true self.

“Then, what will you do with Cain?”

The situation was overwhelming for an ordinary child. The environment surrounding the earldom was far from good.

Relations with the royal family were poor, and criminals were rampant. It was a powder keg, and an explosion could happen anywhere at any time.

Still, the balance was maintained because of the giant, Lafman.

“He must be used appropriately.”

“Will you really accept him?”

“Cough, are you saying that too?”

“No, I’m talking about your will. Not all disciples are the same.”

What Rozan was curious about was why Lafman had changed his mind. Six years ago, he had left with the intention of cutting off the Schwaltzbein family’s lineage.

“So, you think I might set up a puppet?”

“I don’t want innocent victims.”

“Don’t worry, it’s fine. I have a plan. At least he can fulfill his role.”

Coughing, Lafman reflected on the past six years.

Of course, many had asked for the opportunity. The name of the Ten Seats was like honey, and the bees drawn to it were countless.

The number of those who clung to the end, seeking power, was beyond count.

But no one had shown their determination in the same way.

They had always just demanded it.

No one had come with a forced command contract, declaring they would become a slave.

So it was refreshing.

It moved him. At the age of 11, it was unexpected.

‘I escaped because there was someone I wanted to protect. But I am powerless. I can’t even reach out a hand.’

Because he couldn’t protect, he knew the words were true. Perhaps it was a vicarious satisfaction. Because he couldn’t protect.

At that moment, a sound broke his thoughts.

“Coincidentally, Cain is also 11 years old.”

It sounded natural, like water flowing, but he couldn’t miss the meaning behind it.

“Rozan.”

His voice naturally lowered.

“I’m sorry, Sir.”

As Rozan bowed, Lafman sighed and shook his head. Reflecting on it, there was nothing funnier than this situation.

“No, it’s silly to be angry about something that’s already passed. But be careful. I don’t want to hear this topic repeatedly.”

Looking up, he gazed into the distance. At a place that no longer existed, or rather, a place he couldn’t see.

“You must find this amusing too.”

“No, it was a decision only you could make. If anyone else, I might not understand, but I do.”

Usually, such flattery would make his ears tingle, but Lafman wanted to enjoy it a bit more.

“At that time, if I had been a bit more resolute, would it have been different?”

The hollow echo reverberated in the office. Unfortunately, there was no answer. Not expecting one, Lafman stared blankly out the window.

Snow began to fall over the earldom. As the scene before him turned white, Lafman closed his eyes and cleared his mind.

* * *

His lips twisted. It had been 21 years since he was bound to the organization. His body screamed with the increasing scars. He had reached his limit.

There was no hope, no future.

Thinking his situation might change, he had worked to the death to become a 2nd-class Deathbringer, but nothing changed. He was just a cog in the machine.

Break or die before breaking. Either way, the result was the same.

Despite entering a blazing inferno, he had no choice. The emotional control and mental restraints imprinted in his mind eliminated any options.

The organization’s orders were absolute. He couldn’t refuse, even though he knew it was impossible.

“Damn.”

The profanity, lost without a target, lingered in the air. He had read the parchment brought by the messenger pigeon several times, but reality didn’t change.

The mission assigned by the organization this time was hard to believe.

‘Explore an ancient ruin.’

A task fit for 1st-class Deathbringers.

Sure enough, the ‘factor’ activated by the body modification sounded the alarm.

Though lacking in direct combat ability, it was specialized in detecting danger and threats. Cain realized the mission was not ordinary but had no choice but to go.

As always.

“Who’s this? The perennial bottom feeder.”

“Why is this half-penny here? Did he fail again?”

“Enough with the chatter. The organization must have a reason for sending him.”

The gaze that questioned why he was there pierced his temples.

His fists clenched involuntarily at the welcome from his 1st-class Deathbringer classmates, but he could do nothing. Ignoring the surrounding malice and hostility was all he could manage.

Cain scanned the gathered faces and laughed bitterly.

Many of the organization’s pillars were present. Of course, that alone wouldn’t make him laugh. What caught his eye were those huddled in a corner.

2nd-class Deathbringers, and even 3rd-class Demons who couldn’t even become 2nd-class. They had no reason to be here.

But the fact that they had been assigned the mission meant they had been given a role.

Looking at the figures standing like old trees, a chill ran down his spine.

He couldn’t ignore it, but Cain wasn’t oblivious to what the organization was trying to say.

‘Meat shields.’

It was a way of saying they had outlived their usefulness and should disappear.

Intuiting that this was the last time, the factor within him stirred fiercely.

This was the last time. There would be no more. So, he had to survive at all costs. The alarm rang in his head.

Gritting his teeth, Cain turned his head roughly.

‘Damn it.’

The urge to throw everything away and run was overwhelming.

But his body, already moving according to the orders, was different. Absolute loyalty due to emotional control and mental restraints. The organization’s shackles were as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The exploration didn’t last long. Or rather, it didn’t even start. There was a guest at the destination, a very powerful one.

“The mission has failed. Scatter and regroup. Wait for the next orders.”

A cold voice rang out. And as if to confirm the decision, screams and explosions followed.

Was this luck or misfortune?

There was no time to judge.

The situation changed every second. In the end, Cain had to turn back without even entering the entrance. He had no regrets.

Being used as a meat shield was worse than fleeing desperately. Moving straight into the forest, Cain ran through the dark night. It was fortunate that a city was nearby. With a bit of caution, he could return.

A flash of light erupted then.

Swish. A strike faster than an arrow. A swift projectile grazed his earlobe, and Cain, like a flying squirrel, landed on a branch.

The figure that leaped from the bushes charged without regard for the failure. Like a raging bull. Crack. The tree he rammed into fell over.

Losing his foothold, Cain flew through the air.