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Oregano was the trading hub of the Noza domain and also a port city. Industrial goods, including dried cod produced in northern cities, were transported to this city via coastal navigation and then distributed to various places. It was considered the jewel of the Noza domain, showing exceptional prosperity within the territory. Thin walls lined the ridges of the mountains surrounding Oregano, with stone keeps standing at intervals along the long wall, making it difficult to invade. A splendid gate was set up at the only entrance.

Borafra Noza was prepared to abandon all of this.

“Are you surrendering?” (Ores)

His wife, Ores Noza, asked.

“Yes. They promise reasonable treatment upon surrender. However, we won’t be able to continue as a General household.” (Borafura)

“So, what will we do from now on?” (Ores)

“We’ll be granted land on Aisa Island and relocate with our treasure. That level of concession should be acceptable to that man.” (Borafura)

“Is that…?” (Ores)

His wife seemed to resist the idea of giving up their current life.

“It’s not such a bad deal. Anyway, the Crusaders will come soon… It’s best to consider their odds of winning as less than fifty-fifty. Given that, having the opportunity to escape to Aisa Island through the Hou Household’s arrangement is quite fortunate.” (Borafura)

“Father, this is too much…” (Thomas)

Borafura’s son, Thomas Noza, spoke.

He was a young man just turned thirty-two, cherishing ideals as a Knight.

“There’s no need to fight. Probably, Yuri Hou will handle things better with our troops.” (Borafura)

“If only Father hadn’t made such a secret agreement…” (Thomas)

“Don’t say that, Thomas. It’s too late for everything.” (Borafura)

From Borafura’s perspective, what couldn’t be countered by two nations couldn’t be countered by one, but Yuri Hou managed to capture the royal capital in a little over a month and even destroyed the Boff Household. Though he said less than fifty-fifty, that was an assessment of Yuri Hou’s unfathomable abilities to pull something off against unknown odds, still thinking the chances of winning were slim.

“Anyway, we will surrender.” (Borafura)

“Father, from their perspective, they may not need to keep their promises.” (Thomas)

“No, Kien Rube will come as well. He’s a man of honor. Besides, for them, breaking such promises isn’t significant. Maintaining a favorable public reputation is more important.” (Borafura)

This was a distorted reasoning in Borafura’s mind. The unhealthy habit of overlooking inconvenient aspects in analysis to maintain one’s own normalcy was manifesting even in this situation. The process occurring in Borafura’s mind was akin to when he interpreted the realization of a Witch’s whispers as a feasible possibility and agreed to them.

“Father, I will stay.” (Minuet)

These words came from Minuet Noza, his only daughter.

Borafra had a son and a daughter. Minuet was the younger, a twenty-five-year-old who graduated from the School of Liberal Arts last year.

“Why? In any case, I cannot allow that.” (Borafura)

“I have a fiancé, Vilan Tomin-sama.” (Minuet)

“That’s not the situation. We are leaving this country.” (Borafura)

In the first place, since they would no longer be a noble household, talk of engagements would disappear entirely. As one side’s value vanished in a political marriage, it was inevitable.

“Vilan-sama and I truly love each other. Please, leave us be.” (Minuet)

“No.” (Borafura)

“…I understand. Very well, then. I will give up.” (Minuet)

“Yes. It goes without saying, but what we discussed here must not be spoken of elsewhere. Despite considering the nation’s welfare, facing criticism for receiving special treatment alone is not out of the question.” (Borafura)

“I understand.” (Minuet)

Minuee Noza was the first to speak.

—

“Is Minuet not back yet?” (Borafura)

Around the candlelit dining table, the Noza Household, minus Minuet, was having a meal.

“Is she saying her goodbyes?” (Ores)

Ores asked.

Life in the Noza Household was simple. Only a modest meal was laid out on the table. Tonight’s dinner was roast venison.

The table was a plain, unvarnished piece with prominent knots, and the ceiling lacked a chandelier. It was kept modest because ostentation might invite jealousy from commoners and feudal lords.

“She lacks discretion, which worries me.” (Thomas)

Thomas Noza remarked.

“Don’t say such things. She’s at the age where too much restraint would be cruel.” (Borafura)

“But she’s been too influenced by life in the royal capital. Will she endure life on Aisa Island?” (Thomas)

“I’ve heard Aisa Island has become lively lately. It’s a picturesque place with hot springs, so boredom shouldn’t be an issue.” (Borafura)

While chewing on a small piece of deer thigh, Borafura spoke. He had little knowledge about the Att Household, who ruled Aisa Island, so there was some anxiety. However, it was a fact that most things in the world could be solved with money. While perpetual ownership of land was something money couldn’t easily buy, for those who lived not as rulers but as affluent commoners, most things could be resolved with money.

“Hot springs… Not really to my liking. Instead, shouldn’t I stay here and fight, even as a soldier, to leave my mark?” (Thomas)

“No… You are the heir to the Noza Household. You must not let the lineage of the Noza Household, which has continued since the time of the Great Empire, die out.” (Borafura)

Saying this, Borafura felt pleased to have a son with the heart of a Knight. Such feelings had long since disappeared from Borafura’s heart. Ruling a General household was tiresome. Rather than gathering strong men for battle, Borafura’s ideal life was to fulfill his daily duties as a ruler, earning the respect of the people. He was weary of war. When he went to fight the Crusaders, he ended up with a broken body from the daily life of living in a tent while on the move.

“From now on, you must discard your spear and live on. It may be difficult for you, but you must make the switch.” (Borafura)

Just then, as Borafura spoke, the dining hall door swung open vigorously.

“Ah, were you in the midst of a family gathering?” (Vilan)

The person who said that was Vilan Tomin. He was the son of a feudal lord. Beside him, he held a heavily intoxicated Minuet.

“Vilan Tomin, what’s the meaning of this?” (Borafura)

“Oh, welllllll…” (Vilan)

Saying it strongly and for a long time, Vilan slammed the door shut behind him.

*Bam!*

A loud noise echoed.

“Eek!” (Ores)

His wife, Ores, let out a short scream.

“Borafura-sama, surrendering is not acceptable!” (Vilan)

Borafura felt like burying his head in his hands. He had blurted it out too soon. He should have just confined this man without any regard for family ties.

“You! This is the main residence of the Noza Household. Show some respect!” (Thomas)

Thomas Noza retorted.

“Huh? I thought you had already quit being a Knight? If that’s the case, then this isn’t your home anymore.” (Vilan)

Vilan countered with logic.

“I-I will remain a Knight until I retire!” (Thomas)

“Ugh, just shut up already, young man.” (Vilan)

“You should be the one to shut up!” (Thomas)

“Hah!” (Minuet)

Vilan released Minuet from his side and walked over to Thomas.

“W-What are you…” (Thomas)

“Take this!” (Vilan)

“Guh!” (Thomas)

A fist exploded into Thomas’s face, causing him to tumble out of his chair.

“Aaaah!” (Ores)

Ores screamed.

“You! What are you doing?!” (Borafura)

Borafura stood up from his chair and shouted.

Looking at Thomas, it seemed he had taken a heavy blow to the head and was sprawled out on the floor.

“That’s my line, Borafura-sama. Don’t you think it’s unfair for you to take the money and run while we’re left to fend for ourselves? What are we supposed to do?” (Vilan)

“Well, that’s-…” (Borafura)

“Are you going to ask Yuri Hou for help? So, we can continue as we have been? From what I hear, that’s not going to happen.” (Vilan_

“Hey, guards! Isn’t anyone here?” (Borafura)

Borafura called out loudly.

“They’re not coming. My toughest guy is blocking the way. Your weak soldiers won’t get through.” (Vilan)

“Argh…” (Borafura)

” Borafura-san, just give me the title. Then I’ll help you.” (Vilan)

“You fool! The title of nobility is granted by the Queen. It’s not something to be handed over!” (Borafura)

In reality, the conferment of a noble title was decided by the General households through a council, and while it was indeed a form of ennoblement after the investiture ceremony, the Queen merely gave her posthumous approval. But Borafura’s desire not to relinquish the title of nobility was what prompted him to say that.

“Enough! You’re just trying to get me to step down as leader and hand it over to you. Send that message to the entire kingdom!” (Vilan)

“Even if you did that, who would follow you? Everyone would just surrender to the Hou Household!” (Borafura)

“Oh, yeah, you’re right.” (Vilan)

Vilan scratched his head. Then, he casually picked up the hand axe that was hanging at his hip and threw it.

“Uwaaah!” (Thomas)

Thomas, who had been unconscious on the floor, let out a strange cry as the hatchet split his skull.

“We have to show strength to make them obey. This might be faster.” (Vilan)

“Noooo!!!” (Ores)

A moment later, the anguished cry of a mother echoed through the dining hall.

“Thomas! Thomas!” (Ores)

Ores rushed to Thomas’s body, kneeling beside it on the floor, afraid to touch the axe.

“Shut up!” (Vilan)

Vilan forcefully kicked Ores’s neck.

“Ugh!” (Ores)

Ores’s neck snapped unnaturally as Vilan’s foot came down on it. She collapsed onto Thomas’s body, completely still. Vilan turned to the bodies of the mother and son, then picked up the hatchet that had been lodged in Thomas’s skull and returned it to his hip.

“Hah! Onii-sama got what was coming to him. Always acting so high and mighty.” (Minuet)

Minuet said while looking down at her family’s bodies with an expression Borafura had never seen before. He couldn’t keep up with what was happening. His beloved daughter seemed completely different from when she was at home, now casting adoring glances at Vilan.

“Father, you should have just handed over the household estate to Vilan-sama long ago. Then we could have survived.” (Minuet)

Minuet curled up and snuggled up to Vilan.

“Let go, you pig!” (Vilan)

And with that, Vilan pushed her away.

“What—” (Minuet)

“You’ve got too much meat on you. You’re all wet and disgusting. I put up with you because you’re from the Noza Household, but without that, you’re just a pig.” (Vilan)

“Come on, stop joking around. Vilan-sama, you’re kidding, right?” (Minuet)

“I’m not kidding!” (Vilan)

Vilan kicked Minuet ‘s stomach.

“You’ve been annoying me for so long. Making disgusting noises and pushing your flabby belly around.” (Vilan)

“Stop it! What are you saying!? You didn’t like that I was overweight?! I’ll lose weight for you!” (Minuet)

“Everything about you is disgusting. Just die already.” (Vilan)

Vilan picked up a butcher knife from the table and threw it towards Minuet. The knife bounced on the wooden floor and rolled to a stop near Minuet’s knees.

“If I cut your neck with this, you’ll die, so die here and now. Please die for me if you love me, you pig.” (Vilan)

“No… it’s not true…” (Minuet)

“It’s not a lie. Just die already, you idiot.” (Vilan)

Vilan’s eyes, looking down at Minuet, were no longer those of a fiancé. They were eyes that saw her like maggots crawling on rotten flesh.

“No, no, no! It’s not true, right!? Tell me it’s a lie!” (Minuet)

“Ugh… so annoying…” (Vilan)

With a violent glint in his eyes, Vilan approached Minuet.

“Stop!” (Borafura)

Borafura, finally coming to his senses, raised her voice.

Vilan briefly turned towards him, and then—

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!” (Minuet)

Minuet screamed as she rushed forward with the knife, her movements unsteady. Vilan didn’t even try to dodge as the knife plunged into his abdomen.

“You idiot. What are you trying to accomplish with that blunt knife?” (Vilan)

Vilan grabbed Minuet’s arm that held the knife, gripping her elbow and arm, forcefully bending them in the opposite direction.

“Ahhhh!” (Minuet)

As her joints snapped and excruciating pain shot through her, the sensation of impending agony was suddenly replaced by the feeling of tendons tearing apart.

“Ahh, ahhh, it hurts!!!” (Minuet)

Vilan, using brute force, continued to break her elbow, then grabbed the collar of Minuet’s thick clothing.

“You’re going to feel a lot more pain from now on.” (Vilan)

Swinging his arm, he delivered a powerful punch.

“Arghh!” (Minuet)

Not stopping at just one blow, Vilan began to mercilessly pummel her.

“Ah, stop, please, it hurts, it’s too much, too much!” (Minuet)

“All the psychological pain I’ve endured from having to hold a pig like you. Just die!” (Vilan)

It continued for about five minutes. When Vilan began to feel tired in his arm and stopped punching, Minuet’s face was in such a state that it was difficult to find an area with normal skin color.

The left side of her face, conveniently within reach of Vilan’s right arm, had been particularly targeted, with her cheekbone to nose bridge area fractured and swollen.

“Ugh…” (Borafura)

Vilan looked at Borafura.

“Your wife and son were killed, and your daughter is being beaten like this, and you’re just standing there doing nothing? Do you even have any balls…?” (Vilan)

With a deep sense of disdain, Vilan then looked at the woman who had been his fiancé. He grabbed her collar, pulled her hair from behind, and forcefully twisted his clenched fists together.

*Crack!*

Her neck bent in an impossible direction, and Minuet’s head turned towards her back. As her body went limp, Vilan let go of her collar as if to show off.

*Thud.*

She fell to the ground with a sickening sound.

Borafura, witnessing this, couldn’t move. During the act, he was frozen in place, and afterward, he slumped into his chair, overwhelmed by a sense of complete emptiness.

‘Is this how it ends?’

“I can’t believe it. This is the head of the General household… I can’t stand it anymore.” (Vilan)

Vilan said mockingly.

Borafura had no strength left to retort. He didn’t even have the will to grasp the dagger he had concealed in his bosom.

“Die, old man.” (Vilan)

Vilan raised the hatchet, and Borafura’s consciousness faded away.