The Villain Carries the Holy Sword – Chapter 31.2

Chapter 31.2: Before Our Spring (1)

“It’s not a big deal with other houses, but what Oleciren holds is that ‘Ethelred’. You can’t judge it lightly.”

“Count Edmund died in the dungeon.”

“I became king at seventeen, and Edmund defeated the previous count of Ethelred at seventeen.”

Olivia’s eyes widened.

She quickly realized what Hybolt was implying.

“And coincidentally, Edmund’s son, Cain, is also seventeen, isn’t he?”

Drip━.

King Hybolt broke off the latter of the gray and red flowers blooming in front of him.

The red flower fell toward the ground like blood.

“Of course, it wouldn’t be easy with the Ross bastards or old man McLoud, but you know.”

Clack.

Hybolt broke the remaining gray flower and walked into the royal palace.

Olivia stared blankly at his back. After Hybolt disappeared completely, she moved her lips so that no one could hear.

“And I’m seventeen too.”

🔹🔹🔹

“Abel, it’s time to go back.”

Cain said, turning around.

Abel, who had been following him silently, wiped the sweat off his face with his cloak and said,

“This is the path I’ve chosen.”

“Innocent blood may stain your hands.”

“But it’s something that must be done, isn’t it?”

Abel’s young eyes sparkled.

Seeing them, Cain was reminded of the future, of the hero Abel who would lose those eyes.

“……Yes.”

Cain couldn’t bring himself to lie.

Abel seemed pleased with the answer and smiled brightly.

“Then it doesn’t matter. The more blood that stains my hands, the less it will stain yours, right?”

“……That’s good, but defending Ethelred County is also important.”

“But isn’t Mother enough on her own? We know.”

Abel turned his head and looked back at the group.

Oleciren smiled like a princess for once, and Knight Isoel nodded silently.

Vanderbilt and Asher, the ordinary knight who had followed him, also nodded.

They were all those who had fought on the night Primundi had called.

Cain chuckled and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, I clearly warned you. No matter how much you regret it later, it will be too late.”

“I would regret it more if I didn’t follow.”

Cain shook his head and clenched his fist.

Ssssssshhhhhh━.

The wind created by dozens of people stopped.

The forest was eerily quiet.

The night was so dark that it made Abel’s voice, which had just been ringing, sound like an echo.

Whizz, Whizz━.

Cain made a hand signal.

The Ethelred Knights who were following him split in half and moved to either side.

Cain and his six companions continued straight ahead.

They inhaled the damp, cold air of the forest, walked on the uneven forest path without making a sound, and walked with even more tension.

Their stealth was almost assassin-like.

Woo━.

Cain stopped again at the yellow lanterns visible in the distance.

“Wow, our Lord Count is too scared.”

Three Lamaring soldiers.

They waved their lanterns around the forest perfunctorily.

“I know right. Who would come through this dangerous ‘Sherwood Forest’?”

“I guess they’re worried that the Ethelred family, which has been acting strangely lately, might come.”

“That’s the problem. Lord Baron Moliot said some strange things, but in reality, if Count Edmund wasn’t here, it’s just a paper tiger.”

“And the women there……”

Their conversation made it clear how people from other territories thought of the Ethelred County.

The soldiers were chatting carelessly without any sense of caution.

When Vanderbilt was about to get up, unable to listen any longer, Cain grabbed his shoulder and pressed him down, rolling his eyes.

It was a signal to stay put.

Woo━.

Three steps in front of Cain.

They waved their lanterns.

By chance or by design, the light couldn’t penetrate the darkness that was hiding Cain and his companions.

The soldier holding the lantern turned and said,

“We’ve seen enough, let’s go back.”

“Yeah, yeah. If there’s a problem, the next guys will find out……?!”

Saaaaaaaaaaaat━.

If it were a silver sword, even moonlight would have reflected off it, but Agweska, the black sword Cain drew, absorbed all the light in the world.

The silent trajectory cut through the cold air of the forest.

Thud━.

The head of the soldier closest to him fell to the ground.

“Enemy…….”

Saaa━at━!

Before the other two could finish their words.

Cain shifted his body gracefully and cut the necks of the two soldiers on either side at the same time.

It was a moment in which he took the lives of three people with just two strokes of his sword.

Thud, thud, thud━.

Cain swung his sword toward the forest.

The blood of the soldiers that had stained the blade scattered like raindrops.

“Abel, remember. The best way to win is to strike unprepared enemies while you are prepared.”

The group that had been hiding stood up.

Some looked down at the soldiers who had become corpses with complicated eyes, while Abel picked up the lantern that was rolling on the floor.

“Then we should always be prepared.”

Cain raised the corner of his mouth, pleased with Abel’s answer.

“Correct.”

“Prepare the determination to take someone’s life like this?”

Oleciren asked with a hint of disapproval.

For her, who felt that all the people of the kingdom were her own, the sight of these soldiers dying was not a good one.

Cain glanced at her and turned around.

“Even if you don’t have determination, preparing the power to overcome them is also a way.”

“……Impossible.”

Oleciren hardened her expression and stood behind him.

“Not yet.”

Cain answered briefly without showing any emotion and started walking.

The end of Sherwood Forest was in sight.

It was one of the most lush forests in the Airian Island Kingdom.

While releasing Moliot on purpose and spreading rumors to confuse everyone.

“That’s Lamaring Castle.”

Cain Ethelred arrived at the heart of Lamaring.

“Yes, Lord Ethelred.”

The Ethelred knights, who had beheaded the scouts and brought them back, slowly knelt down on one knee, just like Cain had done, with a chilling sense of familiarity.

The night was only watched over by the moon and stars.

“Let’s go.”

Ethelred walked toward the battlefield.

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