Chapter 152
Chapter 152. Town of the Defeated
I don't know how long I stayed like that.
Suddenly called out to, I turned around to find a wrinkled old man standing in the dark alley.
His face bore an astonished expression as he looked me up and down.
"Could it be... young master?"
It was Nord, the gardener.
A smile rose to my face at the sight of this familiar visage.
"It's been too long. You look well."
"Truly the young master? But that appearance..."
"Just a bit of disguise." When I released [Beast Form], Nord's eyes widened further.
Then he hastily checked our surroundings and pulled me deeper into the shadows.
"You mustn't be here! Don't you know the town's situation?"
"I just returned. I know nothing. More importantly, could you wait a moment? We'll save the long stories for later."
As I began walking, Nord tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
"Young master, what are you—"
"I must quickly take Father and the others down from there."
"You mustn't!!"
Startled by his own outburst, Nord hurriedly covered his mouth.
"I understand your feelings. But please, escape now."
"You tell me to run when they suffer such humiliation?"
"It's already too late, they're already—"
Cutting himself off, Nord shifted his gaze.
Following his look, I reactivated [Beast Form], my beastman hearing catching fragments of conversation.
The patrol I killed must have been discovered.
Perhaps alerted by the commotion, the square was growing restless too.
Well, no matter how much noise they make, soldiers of that caliber are easily dealt with.
As I moved toward the square regardless, my arm was grabbed.
Turning back, I saw Nord wearing a stern expression.
"Release me."
"I won't."
Irritation welled up in me.
Just as I prepared to forcibly break free, Nord hurriedly continued:
"There are too many people now. If you must do this, please at least wait until late night."
He pleaded with me like this.
I looked up at the dark sky, then back toward the square.
I wouldn't struggle, but it might be troublesome if they keep coming in droves.
"Understood. I'll wait until then."
When I agreed, Nord immediately began pulling me by the arm.
Offering no resistance, I let him lead me through the night streets.
Before long, we entered a familiar alley.
It seemed he intended to take me home.
Now that I think of it, he once washed this path clean as some form of apology.
When was that again...
As I vaguely traced my memories, we arrived at the familiar house.
Nord restrained his startled wife, pushed me into the back room, then hastily exited.
I sat down on a chair and decided to wait for nightfall.
Through the wall, I could hear the elderly couple talking.
He seemed to be explaining who I was and where they'd met.
This was only the second time I'd encountered Nord's wife up close—the first being during that path-washing.
To suddenly bring me here—ah, right, I'm in beastman form now.
In any case, she must have been quite shocked.
When the voices stopped, Nord returned holding simple clothes and hot water.
With an apologetic air, he offered the garments.
"It's all we have, but please change if you'd like."
I thought it an odd request until I saw my own appearance.
My clothes were tattered from the spears and cackle attacks.
The bloodstains had left terrible marks too.
I stripped off my ruined clothes and changed into Nord's.
Then taking the hot water, I sat properly and absentmindedly peered into the cup.
The beastman boy reflected in the water's surface looked fierce, his hair now black instead of gold.
Though nearly unrecognizable, something about him faintly resembled Yuneck.
As I stared, I suddenly noticed something off.
I touched my cheek, running fingers over it.
Nothing particularly strange—just different facial features and hair color.
Yet unable to shake the discomfort, I kept touching until suddenly meeting my own eyes.
Ah, I see.
My eyes... they're dead.
"Young master?"
Nord called out anxiously.
I raised my gaze and forced a smile.
"Even looking like this, you recognized me."
"I'd never mistake the young master. No matter your disguise."
"A gardener's keen eye. Impressive."
Shaking my head as I spoke, I let the smile fade.
"So then—what happened?"
At my question, Nord's expression darkened.
Then haltingly, he began to speak.
Reedwald came under attack four days prior.
He'd finished work at the merchant house's villa and was returning home.
Passing near the manor, he suddenly heard uproar from within.
At first he thought they might be training in the garden, but it seemed too chaotic.
When he approached to investigate, intense shouts and screams came from the main street ahead, with people fleeing toward him.
Only then did he realize something terrible was happening.
Within half a day, Reedwald had fallen.
It was all too sudden, all too effortless, he said.
Residents farther from the main gates and center didn't even realize they'd fallen until later.
Having said this much, Nord hung his head.
Four days ago—not long after I was stabbed.
No coincidence there. Viscount Kelten was colluding with Baromatt.
His reward being the southern villages.
Perhaps other villages were similarly "protected"—meaning occupied.
As I pondered this, Nord continued with head still bowed.
"There was nothing I could do. At most, I could hide those who fled the manor—"
"You hid them?"
"Yes. Though Steward Graham and many others perished, I protected the escaped servants through the Gardeners' Guild. Meredi is safe too."
"I see. She survived."
Remembering the listless maid, my cheeks relaxed slightly.
But it had been dangerous. They could have easily killed all the servants.
When I asked about this, his wrinkled face darkened further.
"The Gardeners' Guild is small, but we have deep ties with the Merchants', Blacksmiths' and other guilds. They couldn't act rashly. With everyone's help, most escaped north to Narsel."
"Meredi's family was from Narsel, wasn't it? What of Roland and the other knights?"
"That..."
Nord hesitated, then shook his head resignedly.
"I don't know details. The knight commander was outside town then. From what I heard, he fought Baromatt and was slain... The others either fell in battle or disappeared."
The faint hope kindled by Meredi's survival was easily crushed.
Feeling formless emotional turbulence, I forced out another question:
"Who else... who else survived...?"
Nord lowered his gaze, speaking with visible difficulty:
"The former squires—those three appear to be alive."
"Lanz and them? Taken prisoner?"
"No... I couldn't say."
Hearing his evasive answer, I felt my heart grow cold.
So that's why Reedwald fell so easily.
"Where are they now?"
"Young master, you should flee—"
"Answer me, Nord."
When I commanded without room for refusal, Nord muttered "At the manor" while looking down.
◇◇◇◇
Standing in shadows with [Stealth] masking my presence.
The manor wall before me, the square ahead to my left.
Still twelve guards—more alert now after finding the dead patrol.
I bowed toward Father and the others.
"Please wait a little longer. I'll return once my business is done."
Turning toward the manor, I scanned for presences inside.
Countless signals, mostly near entrances or indoors.
Using [Leap Hare], I cleared the wall and landed near a grove.
No signs of detection.
Comparing a decade's worth of memories to the current presences while holding my breath.
Even potential entry points had soldiers stationed.
The few moving inside were likely patrols, the rest being civilians.
Then a somewhat strong presence near the office—but not enough to trouble me.
Breaking through would be simple regardless—but Nord didn't witness this firsthand.
I'll decide after hearing their account. Causing commotion prematurely would be unwise.
While searching for entry points, my room came into view.
The wooden window was shut tight, no light leaking through.
With fewer guards on the second floor, minor noises might go unnoticed.
Though I doubted it'd be unlocked.
Hopping to the windowsill, I tried pulling it open—still locked.
Other rooms might work, but they'd likely be secured too.
After brief hesitation, I moved to a corner.
Placing a hand on the wall, I cast [Operate Soil] using the stone as catalyst.
Fierce resistance, but additional mana forced it through.
The transformed wall section scattered into the garden as I widened the hole enough to enter.
Inside, I activated [Night Vision].
For a moment I thought I'd chosen the wrong room.
Nearly all my belongings were gone, the open closet now holding adult clothing.
Even a half-finished liquor bottle sat on the central table.
Someone was using my room.
Father would never permit this.
Someone must have moved in during the few days since the fall.
Frowning at the discomfort welling up, my beastman hearing caught footsteps.
Simultaneously, voices—matching the presences approaching.
Former squires Lanz, Nesark, and Vilsas were coming this way.
My eyes darted to the desk, grabbing a letter opener before moving to a corner.
Blocking the entry hole with my body, I held my breath.
Soon enough, the three brusquely entered my room.
Lanz set a lantern on the table and immediately reached for the liquor bottle.
Drinking straight from it without a glass.
Nesark looked exasperated but spoke up once Lanz finally came up for air.
"Can't you calm down a little?"
"Calm down!? How can you be so composed!"
Lanz violently rebuffed Nesark's attempts to placate him.
"Do you know how many days it's been? Still not a single word from Count Lisrant!"
"He's busy with governance. Sir Siegas said as much, didn't he?"
At this, Lanz's face turned crimson.
"Siegas...! You saw it too—that condescending look! Who does he think secured Reedwald for them!"
"We know, we know. But look ahead. We'll become the Emperor's knights. Equal to Sir Siegas."
"So we just endure until then!?"
As Lanz's rage showed no signs of abating, Nesark glanced helplessly at Vilsas for support.
But intimidated by Lanz's intensity, Vilsas couldn't speak up.
A flash of contempt crossed Nesark's face before he schooled his expression.
"Just don't cause trouble. I'm begging you."
After this warning, Nesark left with Vilsas in tow.
The remaining Lanz raised the bottle as if to smash it, but restrained himself at the last moment.
Instead, he violently sat down and punched the table.
Having vented some anger, he seemed slightly calmer.
Suddenly shuddering, he glanced at the window.
Confirming it was shut, he moved toward the fireplace, pulling an easy-flint from his pocket.
The short rod's sparks lit the kindling he tossed in.
Just as he reached for firewood—
"—!?"
His mouth covered by me, Lanz froze.
He struggled violently, but the letter opener at his back kept him still.
"Making yourself at home in my room, I see. Quite the promotion."
Realization seemed to dawn on him.
Even through my hand, I felt his shock.
"You must have your reasons. But I don't care to hear them. Die first."
I increased pressure on both my hand and the letter opener.
Lanz tried resisting, but the blade pierced his heart first.
Holding his convulsing form, I confirmed his death with [Appraisal].
Then laying him on the floor, I looked down at Lanz.
Just as Nord said. Foolish of me to hope otherwise.
I'd even missed my chance with all three present.
No matter. They likely wouldn't leave the manor now. I'll deal with them in order.
As I focused on [Presence Detection] to locate Nesark and Vilsas, another presence approached.
Someone was coming upstairs.
A weak presence—female, judging by the fabric sounds.
Servants' quarters were on this floor too—but she was heading here.
I dragged Lanz into the bed's shadow and hid again.
Moments later, the presence stopped outside.
Knocks echoed, but I remained still even after they faded.
When no response came, the door opened.
"I've brought your drink."
A maid entered.
Glancing at Lanz's sword, I reached for it while casting [Appraisal] on the woman.
Instantly, information flooded my mind.
Damn—this sword's a magic tool!?
When awareness returned, the woman had vanished.
A gust swept along the floor as a kick lashed out.
I barely dodged, but the blade hidden in her shoe grazed my chin, drawing blood.
The maid's heavy skirt flared as she flowed into a knifehand strike.
Twisting away, I deflected the follow-up elbow strike.
As I stepped forward to counter, she effortlessly backflipped away.
Too naive.
I reached her landing point before she did.
Her momentary shock gave way to a heel drop, which I dodged while hammering [Stone Blow] with [Multi-Cast].
Her body bent sharply backward as life left her.
[Appraisal] confirmed her shoe blade had no poison or magic.
Only then did I exhale, looking down at her.
Who was she?
Distracted by the magic sword, but still took a hit.
Clearly high-level [Martial Arts], but soldiers wouldn't wear maid uniforms, and her style was unusual. Didn't feel like an adventurer either.
Her presence had been faint until the end too. Highly skilled in [Stealth].
Wait—if so—
I cast [Presence Detection] throughout the manor.
Countless signals rapidly approaching.
All faint, indistinguishable from civilians or low-rank soldiers.
Snatching Lanz's sword, I kicked through the window into open air.
Upon landing, I immediately swung backward.
The deflected slender knife glittered as it stuck into the garden.
Turning, I found a butler-uniformed man standing below the window.
Eyes colder than his attire suggested.
In my childhood home's garden, I faced this mysterious man.