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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Villainess's Reason for Holding a Sword
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Karon knew Raymond well.
‘Mother ordered him to protect Erin, but he just left without a word?’
Moreover, even if it wasn't an official Extermination Squad, it was unlike him to abandon his post in the middle of it.
He might have a clear reason, but currently, Raymond couldn't possibly have any other duty besides protecting Erin.
However, the members of the Extermination Squad didn't seem to have any intention of looking for Raymond.
Especially to Karon, Ferdin also seemed to be one of those who were pleased by Raymond's disappearance.
Still, perhaps intending to make a show of searching out of courtesy, Ferdin called a knight and gave an order.
"Go and check if Sir Raymond went to the Marquis's estate."
Karon had no intention of defying the will of the final decision-maker. He himself had also been thinking Raymond's recent behavior was a bit odd.
Perhaps Raymond had sensed the Extermination Squad's reluctance towards him and quietly left.
Karon simply believed that nothing could have happened to Raymond, an Advanced Knight.
‘I guess I can ask him why later, when the extermination is over and we meet back at the Marquis's estate.’
But Karon was certain he wouldn't be able to meet Raymond.
Even if he returned after the extermination was finished, Raymond wouldn't be at the Marquis's estate.
* * *
Reaching the Werewolf Tribe's territory was a long, arduous journey.
After ten days, the Extermination Squad was bound to be exhausted. Constantly crossing rugged mountain ranges was not easy.
Even well-trained knights couldn't help but be physically drained.
Still, the knights were better off. Some of the academy students were on the verge of collapsing.
But now, there wasn't much left. A little more and they would reach the Werewolf Tribe's territory.
But Amon, even knowing that fact, felt like lying down right where he was.
Even for him, who had often undertaken difficult missions, it was an exhausting forced march.
From the start, it was an incredibly tough mission, sent by the Emperor specifically to torment Ferdin.
The Emperor would often give Ferdin ridiculous deadlines and badger him to complete missions.
It was on a completely different level from the easy missions given to Ditrion.
‘Maybe that's why the knight, Raymond, ran away.’
Neither he nor Ferdin trusted Raymond.
Even putting aside the slimy, dirty gaze he directed at Erin... Amon found it difficult to trust the people of the Marquis's family.
He still couldn't forget the marks on Erin's back.
He had no idea what she had endured at the Marquis's estate. But even a fool could tell that whatever Erin had suffered was abnormal.
Amon gritted his teeth, thinking that.
Perhaps with the keen intuition of an Advanced Knight, he had judged that some conspiracy lurked within this mission.
That might also be why Ferdin wasn't looking for Raymond.
An Advanced Knight was certainly an important asset. But what good was someone they couldn't trust?
He might stab them in the back at a crucial moment. It was better for him to leave now.
"Agh!"
At the sudden scream, Amon turned his gaze to Erin.
She was facing off against what seemed like muscle-brained idiots, scattering beads of sweat.
Amon was astounded by this bizarre phenomenon that had been occurring for the past few days.
"Erin, die!"
"No... Philip, isn't telling me to die a bit too much, no matter what?"
"It's my turn, Philip! Move aside! You already sparred earlier!"
"You're the one who should get lost!"
The aspiring knights each let out strange battle cries as they lunged their swords at Erin.
The fierce momentum was so intense it sent shivers down one's spine, as if they truly intended to cut Erin down.
Those bastards were truly serious. They were doing their utmost to cut her down, no matter what.
And Erin was parrying all their swords, even counterattacking occasionally.
Even Amon, who had diligently practiced his sword after sparring with her, didn't have the confidence to join them.
It was hard enough just walking; who came up with the idea of sparring whenever there was a break?
The other academy students watched them with pale faces.
In a situation where it was hard to even breathe, the aspiring knights relentlessly swinging their swords couldn't possibly seem normal.
‘Rumors really can't be trusted.’
Amon recalled one of the malicious rumors about Erin.
"Erin Resus is lazy and doesn't practice her sword."
But she's been swinging her sword all day?
"She dislikes difficult tasks..."
Who's sparring with those muscle-brained idiots over there?
Erin's breathing quickened. Amon watched her, captivated.
As she thrust her sword quickly, Philip was seen recoiling in shock. But the sparring didn't end there.
Two other aspiring knights next to Philip launched a pincer attack, striking into the gap. Swords rushed towards Erin's arms and legs.
She then pulled her body back and simultaneously blocked the sword thrusting towards her leg. And with movements close to acrobatics, she evaded the sword coming towards her arm.
The other knights watching held their breath. A faint surprise settled in their eyes.
The ten days journeying towards the Werewolf Tribe's territory had been enough time to see Erin Resus in a new light.
‘Beautiful.’
Amon was feeling the same emotions he had felt when sparring with her last time.
His cheeks flushed red. Amon felt an inexplicable warmth spreading through him.
To have such impure thoughts again. He pinched his thigh as if to punish himself.
Erin was in the middle of a spar. Proving one's strength with clashing swords was a sacred act.
It was not right to feel such emotions while watching such a sight. At least, that's what Amon thought.
Philip, who had been sparring frantically for a while, seemed to realize something and held back the other students charging at Erin.
"Hey, stop now."
Even the great 'genius' Erin had a weakness: her stamina was weaker than others'.
At Philip's words, the other knights also shrewdly sheathed their swords. They bowed their heads and exclaimed.
"It was an honorable spar, Sir Erin."
‘Honorable spar, my foot. All three of them ganged up on her.’
Amon thought that and approached Erin, offering her a handkerchief. Erin's face stiffened at the handkerchief he offered.
It was a kindness she couldn't get used to, no matter how many times she experienced it.
Erin took the handkerchief and wiped her forehead. Watching her, Amon smiled, looking pleased.
* * *
Derek was also watching Erin's spar from a slightly distant position.
He shook his head in awe at the incredible three-on-one spar and spoke to Ferdin.
"Wow, that's really amazing. It's surprising enough that Erin Resus's skill is at that level... but did you see Amon handing her a handkerchief? What made him change like that? He's been weird ever since the last monster extermination."
However, Ferdin didn't seem to be listening to Derek.
Derek asked him, puzzled.
"Ferdin, what are you staring at so intently?"
He was staring intently at one spot. Derek's gaze followed Ferdin's.
Ferdin's eyes were fixed precisely on Amon's handkerchief. Derek couldn't hide his bewilderment.
‘What's so special about that handkerchief that he's staring at it like that...?’
Curiosity arose, but he couldn't bring himself to ask Ferdin.
For some reason, Ferdin seemed to be in a very uncomfortable mood.
* * *
Corelia was in a deep sleep.
In her dream, she was sitting on the spire of the Marquis's estate. It was a day like any other.
The maids tried to curry favor with her, and others did the same.
She always played the role of a strict but kind Marquis's Wife.
But sometimes she would show a vulnerable side. That way, people would be more devoted to the Marquis's new mistress.
A scene where she shed tears of sorrow, unable to stop her daughter's outrageous behavior, would be enough.
‘Foolish humans.’
Corelia thought that and looked down from atop the Marquis's estate at the knights' training ground.
A girl was swinging a sword. The momentum in her sword was fierce.
Once, twice, thrice. While she swung her sword dozens of times, Corelia couldn't take her eyes off it.
Anyone who wielded a sword would immediately recognize that the girl's skill was extraordinary.
Corelia found the girl's back familiar.
‘Erin Resus...?’
The girl was Erin.
But for Erin's sword to be so sharp? Even if it was a dream, wasn't it ridiculous?
Corelia's hand trembled slightly.
Erin, who had been swinging her sword, slowly raised her head. She looked directly at Corelia.
That was strange.
Corelia was aware that this place was a dream. She sometimes had such dreams.
Each time, mostly peaceful things would happen in the dream before she woke up.
But this time, something was different.
Erin had difficulty even making eye contact with her. And such an Erin was staring intently at her...?
At that moment, Erin spoke to her.
Despite the long distance, Corelia could immediately understand what she was saying.
"No matter how much you want it... you can't have it."
Corelia's face twisted fiercely.
