chapter 12

It’s been a long time ago since I was first introduced to Ares . I’ve been a friend with him since then .

The Earl Of Roxietta was the archduke Schwarzer’s vassal, and was in a position to receive protection .

There is this [Liege-Vassal] system among the nobles of Holy Arcadia Empire .

All aristocrats swear their allegiance to the Emperor, but smaller aristocrats would also swear their loyalty to a clan with a stronger influence . The stronger clan who protect the smaller clans would be called the liege, while the clans receiving the protection would be called vassals .

For the smaller clans, choosing the right clan to swear fealty is a matter of life and death . In exchange of being protected, the order from the stronger clan will be absolute for them .

Also, having a lot of vassals is important in creating a faction .

For example, the archduke Schwarzer and archduke Saxon who are both militaristic in nature . They both belong to the aristocratic clans with a huge influence over Holy Arcadia Empire soldiers .

As the vassal of Schwarzer clan, the Roxietta clan, which is a clan with long tradition of warriors, is assigned to guard the north .

And I was born as the sole daughter to the Earl of such clan .

Our Liege, Edgar-sama, is someone who is easy to speak with, and has a very good relationship with my father Loyd since childhood . Therefore, as a result of me also becoming Ares’ friend, we often visit Romaria Castle .

Ares has a weak constitution and a crybaby when he was young . The adults won’t let him out to play unless he’s with me . However, I remember that he’s loved by everyone because he acts gentle and polite without discriminating anyone .

Roxietta clan members have always been warriors for generations . For that reason, I’ve trained in swordsmanship since I was young . It might be hard for Ares who had a weak body constitution to train the way I did . But the way he always smile despite that had tugged me in my heart .

One day, Ares was afflicted with a strange sickness of unknown origin . He was suffering from high fever, and his consciousness was hazy at best . When I went to visit, and saw his figure… . . For the first time, I was frightened by the fact that Ares might be gone at any time . At that moment, I realized how big of a presence he was to me .

After that, I would go to the church again and again, praying to the Goddess . For Ares to get well soon somehow……

Later I heard that my wish came true, Ares was cured from his sickness . However, I was not allowed to meet him until the next year . I didn’t get a clear answer even when I asked my father .

A year later, when I finally met Ares again…I felt that something in him was changed . But I didn’t know what at that point… . .

Ares started to read a lot of books . The kind of difficult to read books that I won’t understand no matter of how many times I read it .

When I invited him for sword training, he would clearly decline . The previous him would’ve followed obediently despite how bad he was at sword fighting… . even when I deliberately treated him harsher than I should have . To other people… . it may seem like I was making a fool of him by comparing him to Kaizer… . but all I want was just to inspire Ares more .

Most people who loved him before also started to see the changes in him… . . but most of them gradually left out of boredom .

But I always know . Even if there are things about Ares that changed, his essence has never truly changed .

His gentleness that doesn’t discriminate, and also, his will to never give up .

Ares hasn’t changed that much . At least I thought so .

Right… . . until that day .

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It was when we were both 15 years old .

Right at this time, it was when I temporarily went back home from studying at Imperial Academy for the first time after a long while .

While riding on a carriage, an incident occured where another aristocrat’s private soldier kidnapped me .

From the east of the Forest of Evil, Baron Gordon’s son seemed to have taken a liking to me, and he ordered the private soldier to do this .

The Gordon barony has always had bad names surrounding them .

For the right amount of gold, they would do anything including thievery . And I heard only bad things about their fool of a son who actually applied to the Imperial Academy to take the knight course .

He was an arrogant and domineering man, who likes to exploit his people . He would seek happiness by enacting violence on the villages and towns nearly everyday . He also loved to drown himself in alcohol and kill anyone who he didn’t take a liking .

Also, in order to not let their deeds reach the Emperor’s eyes, I heard that they’ve been using force to hide their misdeeds .

Now that I think about it…… . among the many aristocrats that sent their marriage proposal, he was one of the more persistent .

That means, did he do this because I kept ignoring his proposal?

Afterwards, I was taken to meet with Baron Gordon’s son . He, as expected, threatened me to accept his marriage proposal .

Such a fool of a son . Not to mention that Baron Gordon also demanded Earl of Roxietta to pay ransom for the hostage .

[Now that you are here, there is no way out . How about marrying into the Gordon clan already?]

I looked at the father and son……giving them a stare as if I want to bleed them out .

[I have said it for the several times already . Cease this folly . In the first place, if this become known, your clan will definitely be crushed . My parent is an earl . Do you really think that your clan’s standing is above us? My clan definitely won’t stay silent . ]

Normally, we couldn’t resort to violence so easily . That’s why Gordon barony hasn’t disappeared yet from the Empire .

[Nonono, that won’t be the case . ]

Saying that, the baron and his son laughed maniacally .

The laugh of scums… .

It felt unpleasant and nauseating .

[I remember that I recently met with the second prince… . . and he asked me a favor . The second Prince said that he would like to meet you . Apparently you are quite famous in the Imperial Capital . The Knight Princess of the Imperial Academy .

(So he colluded with the second Prince… . ?)

His Highness, the Second Prince, Joseph, is also someone with a bad reputation in the Empire .

His Highness, the Second Prince, Joseph, is also someone with a bad reputation in the Empire .

As the Emperor of The Holy Arcadia Empire, His Majesty Sephiros obtained the title of [Thunder Emperor] after many meritorious efforts . However, the [Thunder Emperor] always act too softly when it comes to his own family .

(I guess they are indeed two of a kind… . . )

When the name of the Emperor was brought up, doubt begins to cloud my mind .

It’ll be easy for the second Prince to manipulate the situation . Forcing my family to give up on me in order to make me their sex slave . When it comes to the Second Prince, it should be possible to hide everything under a black screen .

It will be hard even for the Archduke to oppose this . Not to mention an Earl .

However, there is one thing that still left me with hope . Why, I was kidnapped… . yet still alright? Perhaps it’s because the second prince that they hadn’t done anything to me .

But when the time comes, I still have a dagger concealed for self-defense . I’d rather kill myself rather than be humiliated and bring bad rumors to my family .

While trying to think up another solution, that pair of father and son kept pestering me . Can you people cut it out alreadyーーwhen that thought crossed my mind, it happened .

[Oーi, Sharon . I came to pick you up . ]

[Wha?]

It’s as if time had stopped ticking .

Me and the parent-son pair looked up toward the source of that voice who didn’t match with the atmosphere .

Looking back, it was Ares, standing there with a smile on his face and a sword in one hand . However, his appearance was shocking . Blood splattered across his face, as well as on his clothes .

[Ah, aren’t you Baron Gordon? Greetings . But taking my friend away like this is no good, you know? You’ll get yourself in serious problem thanks to that . But alright, you people only have one option . Let Sharon free and be silent about it . Or else… . ]

[What the hell are you talking about?]

Baron Gordon’s son interrupt Ares mid-talking . He seemed to be perplexed by Ares’ sudden appearance .

[What will you lot dare to do to me?]

[No, I guess you don’t get it, do you? I’m talking to Baron Gordon . ]

[Are you kidding me! This is my house . If you do things as you like, you will . . ]

Looking at the situation, Ares sighed and muttered without hearing what the other side was trying to say .

[Shut up!]

At the same time as Ares said that, the son’s hand danced in the air .

At the same time as Ares said that, the son’s hand danced in the air .

[GaaaaaaaaAAAAAAA!!!??]

The baron’s son screamed crazily .

I held my breath in shock .

[My hand! My haaaaand!?]

[That’s why I told you to shut up . ]

Right after Ares said so, the son’s head flew this time . The head flew out the window, making a bloody arch along the way .

[Hiiiiiiii!]

Baron Gordon screamed and fell on his butt .

I couldn’t see the sword slashーーAres probably used the sword he had on his right hand, but I didn’t see him move that sword .

[Well, even if he listened to me, I didn’t plan to let him alive anyways . ]

Ares turned toward Baron Gordon after saying so . He talked to the baron who was still stunned after seeing what had just happened before him .

[This matter has been brought into Emperor’s attention through Archduke Schwarzer’s report . Let me tell you the Emperor’s judgment . ]

After taking a breath, Ares gave an extraordinary smile to Baron Gordon .

When I saw that, just like Baron Gordon, I was unable to move even an inch of my body due to the pressure .

ーーscaryーー

Is thisーーstill the Ares I know? The one who would listen calmly to everything I saidーー?

[Gordon Barony is to be crushed . Its territory will be reinstated to Archduke Schwarzer’s territory and its lord is to executed . ]

[I, impossible!!]

[It’s not a lie, you know? Or do you want to see the written order from the Emperor himself that I bring with me?]

[You… . how did you appear here all of a sudden!?]

[Ah, I haven’t introduced myself . I am Ares Schwarzer . The heir of Archduke Schwarzer . As a matter of fact, soldiers are supposed to be sent from our territory shortly . But since Sharon, my childhood friend over there is being involved, I just bid my time and came in advance . ]

[Do you think I’ll believe those nonsense!]

His loud voice echoed throughout the room .

His loud voice echoed throughout the room .

[Do you think how long will it take for them to get here… . how far the distance they will have to travel to get here… . ]

The baron trembled .

[Get this little twerp!! Anyone!]

After the Baron cried out… . . several people who appeared to be mercenaries entered from the room next door . Probably hired bouncers . But I actually recognized one of them .

(Could that be……the『The Crimson Reaper』!?)

A slim bodied, expressionless person appeared from behind the incoming mercenaries . The scarlet crescent-moon necklace hanging on that person chest became evident .

(Why is the famous assassin of the Empire is here too!!?)

Gordon screamed .

[Ki…kill… . . kill him already!]

[Is it alright? He is an aristocrat, isn’t he?]

[Doesn’t matter . He can’t be allowed to live . Do it already!]

Listening to the order, the men shouted .

[Yosh, kill this boy . What about that girl over there… . ?]

At that moment… .

The head of those men separated from their body and soared high in the air .

[What a bother… . now rest there… . . ]

What on earth had happened……both the baron and I thought of the same thing .

When Ares slashed his sword… . . all of the mercenaries were decapitated… . except for one .

Every and each one of the mercenaries died except the『Crimson Reaper』 . But even the assassin looked shocked .

Ares simply turned around to face the『Crimson Reaper』, and said .

[And apparently you are… . someone that is hard to handle, aren’t you?]

Ares brandished his sword slowly… . . and laughed after saying so .