Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood.

A mountain built from my corpses, a sea formed from my blood.
How many more times must I die?

I stopped thinking.
If I looked back, even for a moment, I felt like I would collapse completely.

Only one instinct remained—to somehow kill just one more person.

‘If I get even a little distance away, the mages on the walls start casting spells.’

So I deliberately stayed close to the imperial soldiers.
That way, they couldn’t use their magic.

The knights of the Empire tried desperately to block me,
but each time, I widened the distance again.

Ironically, the imperial soldiers had become my shields.

"Lord! We’ll fight with you!!"

"Huh? Uh… fine, do as you wish."

"Soldiers of Count Sandwi’s territory! Raise your swords and fight once more!!!"

I thought I would have to fight alone to the end again.
But this time, someone stepped in.

It was a familiar face—Captain Thomas, whom I had met at the gate before.

Thomas and the hundred guards under his command suddenly turned to our side.

"R-reinforcements! The enemy has reinforcements!!"

"There are men on the walls too!!"

"Damn it…!!"

Thanks to that, the Empire’s already faltering morale completely collapsed.

The guards launched surprise attacks—not only below the walls but even atop them.

"Retreat!! Retreat!!!"

The Empire was forced to abandon the supplies they had stockpiled in the territory and withdraw.

As soon as the soldiers started fleeing, a victorious roar spread across the battlefield.

But the battle wasn’t over yet—there was still one beast left to hunt.

"My lord! We’ve won!!"

"Once the Empire retreats completely, lock the gates and stand by."

"What?"

"I’m going to hunt the beast."

Whether it was fortune or misfortune, Baron Dermus hadn’t managed to escape with the imperial army.

Failing to flee in time, the baron began to run, and I chased after him.

Ridiculously enough, the place he fled to in the end was a familiar warehouse.

"H-how did you even know about this place…?!"

"…"

"Now, now, my lord—let’s be reasonable. We’re both nobles here. According to the laws of the kingdom, a nobleman has the right to a fair trial—"

My blood boiled.
He dared speak of a fair trial after what he’d done—unspeakable crimes.

Part of me wanted to kill him on the spot.
But could something like that possibly be enough?

After what he did?
No—that would be far too merciful.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I swung my fist without hesitation.

Thud!!

With a satisfying sound, the baron collapsed to the ground.
I hadn’t killed him—yet.

"Seems you already have an appointment. Unfortunate for you, but I’ll have to yield this one."

I hoisted the unconscious baron over my shoulder like a sack and made my way back.

There, I was met by familiar faces.
The soldiers and townsfolk alike were cheering wildly.

Watching them, I realized something—Count Sandwi had been a far better lord than I ever imagined.

"My lord, forgive me for asking, but the man on your shoulder…"

Thomas recognized the baron immediately.
I nodded and replied.

"Baron Dermus. I hear he betrayed Count Sandwi and opened the gate for the Empire?"

"…Yes, that’s true. But since he’s a noble, we should prepare a proper trial—"

"What did you just say?"

"Sir?"

I set the baron down on the ground and answered.

"The battle against the Empire was too fierce, and in the process, I had no choice but to execute the traitor, Baron Dermus."

"…!!"

"Do you understand what I mean?"

"…Thank you, truly… thank you."

Thomas and his men’s expressions turned terrifying.
Even I flinched for a moment.

The guards swiftly took the baron into custody and disappeared with him.

Even as he left, Thomas kept bowing to me until he was out of sight.

‘It’s better this way. Let those with deeper grudges settle it among themselves.’

I had my doubts at first, but when I saw their eyes, I knew I’d made the right choice.

The battle was over.
The imperial forces had been completely repelled, and the Count’s territory reclaimed.

But the work wasn’t done yet.
The refugees had to be brought back, and Count Sandwi’s remains needed to be recovered and buried properly.

"…Come to think of it, they said there’s a noble who remained loyal to Count Sandwi imprisoned here."

I should meet him.

Splash!

"Huahhh?!"

The moment cold water splashed over him, Baron Dermus screamed and came to his senses.

The first thing he saw upon waking were his bound hands and feet.

"Wh-where am I?!"

"You slept for quite a long time, my lord."

"Thomas…?"

"Yes, that’s me. I must apologize for my rudeness earlier. I had much to do, you see."

Thomas bowed deeply in exaggerated politeness.
But anyone with half a brain could tell it wasn’t an apology—it was mockery.

Of course, Baron Dermus wasn’t stupid enough to miss that.

"You dare insult a noble?! Release me at once before I have you punished for treason!"

"It seems the baron isn’t ready for a civil conversation yet?"

Thud!

"Guuhk?!"

A pained groan escaped the baron’s lips.
A trained soldier’s fist had buried itself deep in his gut.

His face contorted with agony, while Thomas smiled faintly in satisfaction.

"You think you’ll get away with this? You filthy commoner—how dare you lay a hand on a noble?!"

"During the battle to reclaim the fortress, the fighting grew too intense, and in the process, we had no choice but to execute the traitor, Baron Dermus…"

"…?!?!"

"That’s the story Lord Blackguard told us. How does it sound? Not bad, right?"

Realizing what he meant, Baron Dermus’s face turned pale with horror.

Before he could answer, the soldiers spoke up instead.

"I think it’s the best story I’ve ever heard, Captain."

"I’ve never heard something so inspiring and satisfying."

"W-wait, listen! I—I have a lot of money hidden away! I can pay you!"

"Ha… money. Always money."

Thomas chuckled bitterly.
There had been a time when he too believed that money was everything.

Back then, he’d done anything for coin—bullying, beating, extorting.

He’d caused so much trouble that even Count Sandwi had to personally visit him.

[You’re too capable to waste your life as a thug. Have you ever considered serving me?]

[Are you serious? You’d make me your man after all the crimes I’ve committed?]

[Don’t worry. It won’t be easy. And besides…]

[Besides what?]

[You should be the one to clean up your own mess.]

The count’s words weren’t empty.
His lessons were harsh—unforgiving.

Whenever Thomas acted out, the count personally beat him down in the name of correction.

Once, he even tried to run away—but was quickly caught and dragged back.

[You’re a count. Why bother wasting time on a thug like me?]

[Because you’re my subject. Even if you’re a disgrace now, you’re still one of my people.]

[…]

[If I can’t change even one of my people, how could I ever claim to serve my country?]

Thomas had never left this land,
but it didn’t take long for him to realize the count was no ordinary lord.

He’d stopped leeching off others and, for the first time, lived sincerely.

A life his parents had given up on—and he himself had too—he finally began to live it again.

The thug Thomas had become Captain Thomas, respected by all.

If not for Count Sandwi, he’d still be the same worthless scum as before.

[You may surrender. You are not obligated to die here.]

[No, my lord. We will fight with you to the end.]

[Still so stubborn, aren’t you.]

Even when the betrayal happened, Thomas had planned to fight to the death.

If not for the count knocking him out and taking his weapon, he surely would have.

[Keep your heart burning, but your head cool. Did I not teach you that?]

[My lord… why?]

[If you live, there will come another chance. I believe in this kingdom—and its people.]

When he awoke again, everything was already over.
The count was dead, and the territory had fallen to the Empire.

Surprisingly, the Empire didn’t disarm them.

They had witnessed his loyalty firsthand.

[I saw your devotion clearly. You and your men may keep your arms and your posts.]

[What if we betray you?]

[The war is already decided. The east will soon fall to the Empire, and the capital will follow.]

[…]

[The Empire has need of men like you. Take this as a chance—and do not waste the life your lord spared for you.]

Arrogance and mercy—both blended in that warning.
It pierced Thomas’s heart.

The count’s lands had fallen in an instant.
The east was lost.

And no reinforcements came from the capital.
That could only mean one thing—they were abandoned.

If not, then the kingdom simply had no strength left.

So what would happen if he rebelled with a mere hundred men?

They’d be crushed—and die meaningless deaths.

‘My lord… it’s time to wake from the dream we shared.’

He had dreamed of protecting this land and turning it into a place of peace.

It was a dream far too grand for a former thug like him.

And now that dream was over.

Reality was too cold, too cruel to face.

"Captain! Look! Over there!"

"What’s the commotion?"

"The gate! Someone’s coming—alone!!"

"…What?"

And in that moment, just before he surrendered to despair, he saw him.

A lone man standing tall, wielding the late count’s greatsword.

And in that figure, he saw the reflection of the man he once swore to follow—Count Sandwi.

"I am Cain Blackguard. Who will test their blade against mine?"

That moment snapped Thomas back to life.

Since the fall of the count’s lands, he had waited, burning with vengeance every day.

And now, the enemy he had cursed and dreamed of killing stood before him.

Thomas drew his dagger and slowly sliced off Baron Dermus’s ear.

"Uaaaaaagh!!!"

"You’re being dramatic. Don’t worry—there’s a herbalist and an executioner waiting outside."

"Kill me! Just kill me already!"

"You think it’s that easy? You killed a man loved by all—so you’ll die hated by all."

At that moment, a familiar voice whispered faintly by the baron’s ear.

[My old friend.]

I pity you.

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