Chapter 152
Crepin Subjugation Battle (3)
A flower has bloomed in the Ross Taylor family.
All the influential nobles who watched the childhood of the duke’s daughter, Arwen Rothtaylor, unanimously said that.
Crepin Rosstaylor’s accomplishments in elevating the Rosstaylor family to the ranks of the most powerful on the continent were amazing, but even he ran into the same problems that those who reach the top face.
It is good to occupy a position of great power, but the question is how long that prestige can last.
This issue ultimately boils down to whether a good successor can be found.
Arwen was beautiful, wise, and affectionate. At the same time, he tried to live up to the name Ross Taylor and faithfully followed his father Crepin’s wishes.
Anyone could see that he was fully capable of taking over the next generation of the Ross Taylor family. After Arwen came into the world, concerns about succession seemed to have come to an end.
The fact that there was a great successor, as if drawn from a picture, aroused the envy of many powerful figures, and the future of the Ross-Taylor family seemed like a long, smooth road.
Arwen Rothtaylor has always been a shining pioneer for her younger brother, Ed Rothtaylor, who is 3 years older than her, and her youngest sister, Tanya Rothtaylor, who is 5 years older.
Even before her first baptism, she had acquired a wealth of knowledge not only about swordsmanship, magic, and alchemy, but also sociology, kingship, territory, management, and politics.
On the day of my first baptism, I was given a congratulatory gift called ‘Daybreak’, a magic greatsword that wields the power of the elements, and on the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, I received ‘Condemn’, one of the eight swords used by the first swordsman Luden, from Emperor Cloel. It was granted.
The whole world was blessing her.
Until Crepin Rosstaylor reached out to the power of the evil god.
– ‘sister.’
It feels like just yesterday, but now it seems like a long time has passed and it has become a thing of the past.
The location is the large terrace attached to Arwen Rothtaylor’s room. It is a great place where you can see the lively landscape of the estate during the day and the beautiful starry sky at night.
The moonlight was softly shining on the table on the terrace.
A bright table next to the chair where Arwen was sitting. There is only a book of poetry written by a famous poet from the Pulan region, simple refreshments, and a chessboard with a few pieces lying on it.
Arwen, who was sitting quietly next to her and just looking at the sky, was approached by her precious younger brother, Ed Rothtaylor, and spoke to her.
– ‘Do you know where I found this book?’
Ed Rosstaylor threw down a book, sat down on a chair across from the table, and looked up at the sky.
Arwen looked at the table out of the corner of her eye.
It was a history book about ‘Mebula’, the evil god of hatred and anger in the mythical era. This book is banned by the imperial family.
Even the book is full of traces of research on the descent and power of evil spirits. It was heavily underlined and presented many hypotheses in the handwriting of a middle-aged man.
– ‘Did you find it in your father’s study?’
– ‘no. I found it in my sister’s secret library. As expected, this is a book that was originally in my father’s study.’
Just like that, Arwen turned her head towards Ed and her eyes trembled for a moment.
Behind Ed, Tanya was standing, holding his collar as if to hide herself. Because he was still too young to understand the world of adult politics, he was loved only as the Duke’s cute youngest child.
Ed, the only male among the three siblings and relatively hard-headed, grew up faster than expected. However, the cute youngest child was still at an age where he should live in his dreams.
― ‘Tanya… why…’
― ‘….’
Tanya is not yet clear-headed enough to understand the whole situation, but she is still a party to this.
The power of evil spirits comes with a bloody price. It often comes at the cost of the blood, body, and spirit of one’s own flesh and blood.
The more noble, powerful, and prestigious the sacrifice, the more greedy the evil spirit salivates.
Therefore, Arwen Rothtaylor will be the first target.
– ‘I came to ask why you don’t go to confront your father.’
– ‘Ed. ‘My dear little brother.’
Arwen looked at Ed with vague yet complicated eyes.
― ‘Not everyone lives by chasing the right answer. And sometimes the path that seems like the wrong answer has its own meaning or is a process for a bigger goal.’
― ‘Father, you are going down the wrong path now. Are you saying you agree to that?’
― ‘It always seems like the wrong answer, but as time goes by, it was often the right answer. Leading a group, leading a family, and walking the path of a monarch means fighting against such opposition.’
Arwen had a faint look on her face. It seemed like he already sensed that he wouldn’t be able to persuade him.
―’And trusting someone means not losing faith even in the face of all the criticism and adversity.’
– ‘sister.’
― ‘If you say that this is also a process of finding a better path, I will never lose trust. ‘My father sometimes wandered or took a wrong turn, but in the end, he always lived in the direction of progress.’
Ed was speechless at those words.
Not losing trust in Crepin.
For Arwen, who had lived her entire life as the daughter of the Rosstaylor family, Crepin was that kind of person.
That is why he was able to become the most powerful successor and the right person to carry on the name of Ross Taylor.
– ‘I don’t understand. What is the meaning of the power and authority gained by selling one’s own flesh and blood in this way?’
― ‘Ed… I won’t force my opinion on you. Just… don’t set up a confrontation with your father.’
Here at Ross Taylor Mansion, everything runs under Crepin’s control. No one knows what will happen the moment you rebel against him.
The mansion was like a cradle that always embraced Ed, but now it feels like nothing more than a large coffin.
If the evil spirit cannot descend on Arwen, will he reach out to Ed and then Tanya?
So what is the use of this luxurious mansion and high prestige? What meaning is there to a life like this? It would be better to be a beggar wandering around the slums. They… can hope and even dream about a future that never comes.
Ed’s expression is not visible as he bends his back and lowers his head.
– ‘Oh… Brother…?’
Tanya, who didn’t know why the atmosphere was so serious, hesitated and looked at Ed and Arwen’s faces alternately.
It’s very sad to see people just staring at me without knowing what to say.
– ‘Can I ask one question, sister?’
– ‘Ask me anything.’
– ‘How much are you willing to sacrifice? Even if I were asked to give up one arm, would you still laugh and cut it off?’
At those words, Arwen Rothtaylor had a faint look on her face.
Edda respected Arwen more than anyone else. But as soon as I saw that face shining brightly in the starlight, I couldn’t help but ask.
– ‘sister. ‘Why do you go to such lengths?’
Ed’s next words left him breathless.
― ‘Because we are family.’
― ‘….’
― ‘She raised me with care, passed on the glory of this great family, and loved me as a daughter.’
Ed and Arwen exchanged personal letters and cherished each other as a family.
However, for the first time in his life, Ed felt repulsed by Arwen, who was perfect in everything.
If you feel like you’re going down a wrong path, whether it’s a friend or a family member, you have to walk away.
What is the meaning of holding on, believing and trusting and thinking that we will find the right direction? How foolish it is to portray a person who believes and waits in such a beautiful way by packaging it up in the name of family love.
The shadow of emotion that blooms in Ed’s heart widens the gap between the siblings.
A strange aura surrounds Ed, who sits with his arms folded and his head bowed. The first to notice and react was Tanya.
― ‘Oh… Brother…’
― ‘I understand, Sister Arwen.’
Ed stood up and walked toward the exit of the terrace. Then suddenly I looked back.
I see Arwen looking down at her knees with a sad expression and Tanya looking scared without knowing anything.
Suddenly Ed opened his mouth and spoke to Tanya.
– ‘Tanya.’
Tanya’s shoulders trembled and she looked towards Ed. It’s darker and scarier than usual. In the darkness of the room, with burning eyes and clenched teeth, Edgar calls out to Tanya, killing his emotions.
– ‘Don’t stay there, come this way.’
Arwen is sitting quietly on the terrace in the moonlight, and Ed is glaring quietly in the darkness of the room.
Tanya, who stood between them, was trembling… and eventually went to Arwen and hugged her.
― ‘I… I’ll be there later…’
― ‘…’
― ‘Oh brother… I’m scared. I want to stay with my sister.’
Ed bows his head. I said I understood and turned around and left Arwen’s room.
I grit my teeth as I walk down the hallway. A poison gradually forms in my eyes, and my tightly closed lips curl up.
The expression on his face as he walked down the hallway with a pale expression no longer resembled the old Ed.
Little Tanya just shivered while being held by Arwen. I was still at an age where I didn’t know anything.
― ‘I’m scared of you, sister… Why are you doing this…? It wasn’t like that until you just started playing with me…’
―…a lot of things are going to change, Tanya.’
Arwen stroked Tanya’s face and spoke sadly.
– ‘Be strong.’
* * *
―Kugung Boom!
A banquet hall filled with loud noises. The door was kicked down and a group of soldiers came in.
The sound of clanking weapons that did not fit the luxurious and elegant banquet hall filled the hall.
Standing in front of him was ‘Brown Bear Knight’ Nox, Crepin Rosstaylor’s close associate and most loyal vassal.
Nox appeared with his gigantic figure, pushed through Crepin’s soldiers lined up, and spoke loudly to the distinguished guests.
“Currently, there seems to be some kind of anomaly inside the mansion. It would be dangerous for the VIPs to make any hasty moves, so we will gather here and escort them. For now, please refrain from going out of the hall.”
Several shakings continued even after the large explosion just moments ago. The VIPs were overcome with anxiety, but the gathered soldiers calmed them down.
“….”
Clarice was also sitting in the center of the hall with an anxious face. It didn’t feel good to hear explosions continuously.
I was afraid that the building might collapse, so I wanted to wait outside the building, but the soldiers steadfastly stopped the VIPs from leaving.
“Please call the cathedral knights. I have a personal guard. They will probably be waiting outside the mansion.”
“We are unable to contact you.”
“What…? Is it true that you contacted them…? They are not the kind of people who would sit still in a situation like this…”
Clarice looked up at Nox with her head tilted. The sight of it standing tall like Mount Tai seems to say that no matter who comes, it will not get out of the way.
Many VIPs, including Clarice, pointed out their position and told them to get out of the way immediately, but the soldiers instead started thrusting their spears at them.
“What?!”
“Are you crazy now?! Do you think we are who are we and are you pointing weapons at us?!”
“Do you know what will happen if this becomes public?! What are you all doing?! Don’t you get out of the way?!”
Nevertheless, Nox’s stance was firm.
“As I said, it’s all for your safety. Not a single person is allowed to leave this hall.”
Clarisse quietly looked around among the VIPs who were starting to chatter. I
don’t know all the nobles well, but I know quite a few people. Nevertheless, there are a few faces that must be here. I can’t see them.
I knew they were Ed and Crepin, but even Princess Selaha, who was standing next to the terrace just a moment ago, can’t be seen either.
Clarisse glanced her head and was deep in thought. If
she was to make up her mind and get through the private soldiers, she would have to go out. It is possible. However, it is difficult to judge what kind of conflict it will lead to. Other VIPs seemed to be thinking similarly.
One thing is certain: something is happening in this mansion.
* * *
―Quaang! Boom! A secret laboratory in the basement of
the Quagang! Mansion.
It is probably the place where Crepin Rothtaylor studied the advent of the evil god Mebula. Traces of it were clearly left and filled everywhere. There were
also enough objects that could be used as evidence of his evil deeds. At best, it was so overflowing that I could just grab any research journal and run out.
But right now, I couldn’t move that quickly.
-Kwang! Kang! Kang!
The sound of explosions continued to be heard.
Apparently, Crepin broke through the entrance that Lucy was guarding. It will be the sound that is made. Even if all the available magic, magical engineering supplies, weapons, and manpower are mobilized, the entrance will not be able to be breached.
If Lucy Mayril decides to protect it, the entrance will never be breached.
However, from Lucy’s perspective, there is no way to counterattack. It would be difficult to do.
Unless there is a guarantee that the most conclusive evidence that can send Crepin Rosstaylor to the abyss has been obtained, it is difficult for Lucy to respond actively. Simply blocking the path and attacking with the intention of completely suppressing him are the same. The nature of the crime is on a different level.
So, you are probably waiting for news from me.
“How was your life as a student at Sylvania? Was it worth it?”
“Now… I guess it’s not the time to ask that.”
“Haha… It’s just Saddam trying to relieve tension… I guess he was very surprised.”
Arwen opened one eye and her appearance was terrifying. It’s a state of affairs.
It’s impossible to guess how far she went to participate in Crepin’s research. Arwen’s condition was beyond words.
Despite this, Arwen continues the story without a care
in the world. While the catastrophe is approaching this level, Arwen is also doing nothing. It wouldn’t have been without thought. It wouldn’t have happened in a single moment.
It would have been the result of research that had been carried out little by little over a long period of time. The reason she was able to remain so calm was also because she had gradually accepted the changes in her body. That’s probably because.
It’s a very difficult sight to see with both eyes open. I
raised my head and looked at the great sword that pierced Arwen’s body. It was the great sword ‘Daybreak of Dawn’ that was given as a gift at her first baptism.
All kinds of magic. A magic greatsword that can be engraved. Elemental magic is best integrated, but in this case, all kinds of healing magic that sustains life seem to have been engraved in it. Is the
reason why people are standing pierced by the greatsword because that’s how they can survive?
Greatsword If the magic was engraved in it, there would be no need for manpower for maintenance and the supply of magic power would be easy.
What gives me goosebumps more than anything else is that it is an ending that Arwen herself chose.
“Since the day you left the terrace, we have each taken different paths. I went there.”
“….”
“I don’t know if your path is right or not, but at least this is the end of my path.”
The corners of Arwen’s mouth slowly turned up. Surprisingly, she does not regret this choice.
“It looks very good. It’s not like that, and I think it would be heartbreaking for you… but I still wanted to meet you at least once. Ed.”
With those words, all the puzzles fall into place.
Chapter 1, Act 1 of Sylvania’s Failed Sword Saint.
A third-rate villain who forcibly fights with Tailley and disappears after being beaten and excommunicated. Ed Rosstaylor.
He must have been walking from the Rosstaylor mansion. The flow of the road is imprinted in my mind and slowly stretches out.
A blond man walks down the road. The prestige of his family and the heavy fate given to him may be sacrificed.
The enemy called Crepin is too powerful to deal with. But there is no place to run to. No.
He must have sat at the desk in his room every night, agony and looking back on his life with a dying look on his face. He tried
to persuade his father, fought with him, and eventually went astray little by little, becoming a complete mess… It is not difficult to picture him.
Arwen accepted the stray Crepin, because they were family.
Ed denied the stray Crepin, because he did not want to die. Tanya, who
had been wandering between the crossroads without knowing why, had no choice but to follow in Arwen’s footsteps in the end. Because it seemed to her that Ed had gone astray.
Tanya did not hold his hand. So Ed Rosstaylor walked alone.
He wandered alone, trying to find a way to escape from this Rosstaylor mansion, which looked like a huge coffin.
Han became a beggar and was starving on the streets. Even if he had, he could not proceed steadily towards his predestined death.
First, he had to get away from this mansion. So, even though he had no talent for magic, he forced himself to enroll in the Ministry of Magic in Sylvania. He joined the Ofilis Hall and moved away from the Rosstaylor estate. And
the family name engraved in this cursed blood line had to be erased.
About a year after Ed entered Sylvania, when the Rosstaylor Mansion gradually stabilized without Ed… Sword Saint Tailley caught Ed’s eyes. comes in. Princess Fenia, who cannot tolerate injustice, also catches his eye.
After that, everything goes smoothly.
– ‘I will no longer recognize you as the legitimate son of the Rosstaylor family. The sin of making frivolous insults in the presence of the glorious Princess Fenia is sacred. The crime of illegally interfering in Sylvania Academy’s entrance exam. The crime of neglecting dignity and being blinded by jealousy, thus tarnishing the family’s name. These are all things that cannot be taken lightly.’
The letter from the matriarch that I read for the first time after coming to this world.
The blond man who received the letter, sitting alone in his room in the Ofilis Building, must have bowed his head.
I lived my whole life under the glory of Ross Taylor.
A man who gave up everything on his own, was kicked out of the dormitory, and was now completely thrown into this harsh world with his bare body.
What did he feel? Was it relief, fear, or endless emptiness?
What kind of expression would he have made in the dark room of Ofilis Hall where no one came?
It’s impossible to know at this point.
However, there were a few things that could be inferred.
Even though he was a bachelor who ran away, he didn’t care how bad his evaluation was.
For a nobleman, the baggage that Belle Maia carried was simple. In other words, even though he lived a luxurious life his whole life, he hardly had any belongings of his own.
There was no plan for what to do after being excommunicated.
That’s why, when he opens the window of the Ofilis building… his face looks down at the inky landscape while holding the letter from the head of the household in one hand… more than anyone else’s. It would have been empty.
That is the life of Ed Rosstaylor.
He ran away, but there was no place for him on Aken Island.
No, no matter where you go in the world, there will be no place for him.
The fact felt horribly real, and Ed Rothtaylor was looking down at the bachelor with an empty face.
* * *
―Kwakagagak! Sigh!
I have used all kinds of elemental magic and even the power of the evil god, but I have no intention of breaking through the entrance guarded by Lucy Mayril.
Lucy’s expression didn’t move at all. He was just glaring at the crepin, quietly chewing beef jerky with a dazed look on his face as if he was about to fall asleep.
“Yes, I have no choice but to admit it.”
Crepin put down the sword he was holding and slowly concentrated his strength on the evil spirit’s imprint.
“I can’t break through you with normal methods.”
Slowly, very slowly… a heavy energy rises.
The size of the engraving increases along with an unpleasant crunching sound. The ground began to shake as the imprints slowly consumed his body, eventually covering half of his upper body.
―Kugugung! Coogung!
The screams of employees and VIPs could be heard from all over the mansion.
Nevertheless, Crepin gathered his strength without hesitation. It was strange.
Crepin is the kind of old wolf who never shows political weakness no matter what happens.
If he were to unleash the power of the evil spirit beyond his limits in a gathering of such distinguished guests, he would most likely be finished politically or socially.
Nevertheless, Crepin paid no heed and began to gather strength.
―Kwakagak! Sigh!
An unpleasant tentacle was pulled out from the bottom. More than ten tentacles began to flutter and dance.
The energy was unusual, so Lucy spat out the beef jerky and glared at Craffin with her eyes strained.
The reason why Lucy does not use more force than necessary against Crepin is because of his political influence and the prestige of his family. However, if it turns out like this, it is a different story.
Evil god Mebula.
If she were to fully manifest, no matter how much Lucy was, she would have to be quite serious.