Chapter 74

"The Zain Kingdom's eastern border was guarded by powerful nobles, and the Earl of Arveil was one of the most influential among them. However, the main reason the Arveil family was easily destroyed by the empire was that internal information had leaked to the empire."

"…………"

Facing the silent Viscount Ulfart, Svend spoke in a clear and steady voice.

"The fortress city that the Arveil family governed as their capital was impregnable. It had ample supplies, and even if besieged by enemy forces, it should have been able to hold out for several months... However, a secret passage known only to the Arveil family was discovered by the imperial army, allowing the enemy to infiltrate the city."

This secret passage, originally intended for the Arveil family to escape the city in case of an attack, ended up leading to their downfall.

The Arveil family's army, caught off guard by the surprise attack through the secret passage, crumbled easily. Except for Svend, all members of the Arveil family lost their lives.

"What does this have to do with me...?"

"The only people who knew about the secret passage were my parents, my brother, me... and the aunt who married into the viscount's family. Viscount."

"Gr... Gr..."

"Furthermore, when I confronted my aunt recently, she told me that she had spoken to you about the secret passage, saying it was necessary to send reinforcements."

Realizing that her revelation had led to the destruction of the Arveil family, the aunt had repeatedly confessed to Svend, tears streaming down her face. Recalling the sight of his usually strong aunt breaking down in tears, Svend's eyes grew even more intense.

"That is the reason I seek revenge... Do you understand, Viscount?"

"I, I don't know anything! I know nothing! I did not betray the Arveil family!"

The viscount, his face pale, shook his head vigorously, repeating his denials. However, his eyes darted around nervously, and sweat poured down his forehead, making his excuses seem utterly transparent. Svend, of course, and the soldiers present did not believe a word the viscount said. The young military strategist, who had lost his family, pressed on with his accusations.

"Among the 'Eight Families of the East' who were entrusted with the border, six families betrayed the kingdom to the empire. Five of those families, excluding the viscount's, are being forced to provide the empire with money and food as proof of their betrayal. Some even have imperial officials sent to oversee them. Why, then, is the Ulfart viscount's family the only one exempt from this?"

"Ugh... That... That is..."

"Did you avoid paying tribute to the empire in exchange for betraying my family, the Arveil family? Did you sell out the Arveil family to gain more favorable terms under the empire's rule?"

"A... Ah... Ah..."

The viscount, his lips trembling, took a step back. Svend slowly raised his hand and pointed at him.

"You orchestrated the death of my father, the Earl of Arveil, for your own safety! You killed your own brother-in-law, the man who had always looked after you!"

"Ah, ah, aaaaaah!"

The viscount, his body shaking violently, finally collapsed to the ground. The fat man, who was about twice the size of the young Svend, looked at him with terrified eyes.

The sin he had committed had come to judge him. To the viscount, Svend appeared like a grim reaper raising a scythe.

"Please, forgive me! I had no choice! To ensure the survival of the Ulfart viscount's family, I had no other option..."

"Viscount, if you claim that you betrayed for the sake of your family, then I will do the same."

"Huh...?"

Confused by Svend's words, the viscount asked in a dazed manner. Svend narrowed his eyes coldly at the viscount, who was sitting on the ground, and without hesitation, flipped his right hand.

"Kii..."

A sharp metal tip pierced the viscount's neck. The short sword, hidden in Svend's clothing, flashed silver as it stabbed into the viscount's throat.

"I will offer your life as a tribute to Prince Raidor and work to restore the Arveil family. As a noble, I will dirty my hands for the sake of my family, just as you did. You have no right to complain, do you?"

"Ga... Ha... Ha..."

Svend, a child with thin arms, could not fully pierce the viscount's fat neck. The viscount, bleeding from his throat, continued to make strange breathing sounds and convulse.

"No, no... I don't... want to die..."

"…………"

Neither Svend nor the other soldiers showed any mercy to the suffering Viscount Ulfart. After about five minutes of continuous crying, the viscount finally died.

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