novelraw Chapter 316: Childhood Friends - Marisa
Chapter 316: Childhood Friends - Marisa
315. Childhood Friends - Marisa
“Bart! Step back at once! Lena, are you okay?”
“Honey!”
“They’re enemies! Draw your swords, everyone!!”
Amidst the chaos on the stone bridge, the captain of the escort knights, Tadian Lopero, had fallen from his horse. The soldiers and knights guarding Lady Harie Guidan and Lord Philas Tertan prepared for battle, while the former imperial guards who launched the ambush stood dumbfounded.
Count Herman Forte appeared.
But... isn't he too young? Contrary to what they’d heard, his frame was small.
Still, the shimmering aura blade in his hand was unmistakable. Whoever the boy was, the imperial guards held back in front of him, knowing he must be one of the continent’s greatest knights. They waited for Bart’s orders, but Bart was even more flustered than they were.
Marisa, Bart's wife, shed tears as she stood before her blood-soaked husband, unable to approach recklessly. Bart, too, couldn’t easily find the words to speak to her.
“You... you’re alive. Truly alive.”“...Marisa.”
“Why? Why didn’t you come find us? When you were alive this whole time?”
Marisa covered her face with her hands and burst into tears. What erupted from her was not joy or sorrow, but something closer to anger.
It had been over ten years since her husband left for work one day and never returned.
The capital, Lutetia, had fallen into chaos.
During the turmoil caused by Prince Eric de Yeriel, Marisa had clung to her firstborn's hand and carried her second child on her back as she searched for her husband. Eventually, she learned from the remaining imperial guards at the palace that her husband had fled, taking Prince Lean de Yeriel and Princess Lerialia with him.
She was overwhelmed with fury and disbelief.
“And what about you?” she had asked, filled with bitterness. The imperial guards couldn’t meet her eyes.
They were men who had betrayed their honor.
But Marisa didn’t blame them. She could understand that, in the storm stirred by Prince Eric and Duke Tertan, the imperial guards were just helpless driftwood. They had families to protect too.
However, her own husband’s choice was something she resented even more. What was so important about honor and loyalty that he’d stand against the storm? He had even abandoned their children.
Marisa had stood in shock on the streets teeming with soldiers loyal to Duke Tertan and Prince Eric.
Her husband was a traitor.
She couldn’t return home. The imperial guards had advised her that it wasn’t safe. Her firstborn had asked her,
“Did Dad do something bad?”
“...No. Your dad... he upheld his honor. Let’s go. We’ll have to find him ourselves.”
“Wow! I knew it!” her children had laughed innocently.
Marisa, not knowing if her husband was dead or alive, set off on a long journey with her two young sons.
And now, after ten years, the husband she thought dead was alive. Covered in blood, still obsessed with honor, honor, honor! What was that honor worth? He was still sharpening his sword, clinging to that same ideal.
Marisa’s tear-streaked face looked at her husband with resentment. Bart, gaunt and emaciated, with no flesh left on him, hung his head and lowered his sword.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re truly terrible... sob.”
She had prepared so many things to say to him when they finally met. But how could he be so thin? His hollow cheeks melted her resentment away. The harsh words she had rehearsed vanished.
As she swayed on her feet, it was her now-grown sons who supported her. The younger son glared fiercely at his father, while the elder son looked at him with conflicted eyes.
“Father. It’s been a long time.”
“...You’ve grown a lot.”
The eldest son, who looked just like Bart, had grown into a young man. He was married now and had harbored resentment toward his father. He had so many things he wanted to say when they finally met.
But it felt meaningless now. Unlike his furious younger brother, the elder son could understand his father, at least a little.
After all, he too was now a father. He spoke calmly.
“Father. You’re a grandfather now. My wife... Oh, right. I got married last year. My wife gave birth to a beautiful little princess.”
“...”
“You should come see her, Father. Are you just going to stay like this?”
“...”
Just then, there was a clanking sound as soldiers advanced, having completed their formation.
The tension in the air intensified as the knights of House Tertan, fully prepared, stepped forward. The knight at the forefront shouted,
“They’re rebels! Execute them at once! And isn't that Count Forte of the Kingdom of Bellita? I don’t know what business you have here, but I ask that you identify friend from foe. These men are wanted in our kingdom.”
The reason they hadn’t charged in yet was the sudden appearance of the Swordmaster. After checking Lena’s condition, Rev apologized,
“Are you hurt? I’m sorry I’m late.”
Thankfully, Lena was unharmed aside from a bruise on her neck. Rev turned to Bart first.
“Bart. Drop your sword. If you do, I’ll take care of this.”
“...Who are you? You’re not Count Forte, are you?”
“I’m Rev Bizaine. And I have the authority to give orders to you and your companions. Sir Iron, you should step back as well.”
“How arrogant. There is no one who can give us orders. If anyone could, it would be His Highness Caderyk de Yeriel, so mind your words, young Swordmaster.”
Bart wasn’t frightened in the slightest. Though he didn’t raise his sword, he still held onto it tightly, which irritated Rev.
It must be because they were near the Irotashi River. The memory of how Bart had killed Lena and him in the past resurfaced, making it hard for him to speak kindly.
But thanks to Minseo’s memories and the Beggar Siblings scenario, Rev understood Bart’s situation and his role. Lena placed a calming hand on Rev’s shoulder, allowing him to speak more calmly.
“I bring a message from Prince Lean de Yeriel. Bart, there is something you must do to help me.”
Bart’s eyes flared with passion. Marisa, on the other hand, looked as if her insides were burning with frustration, but this was the one thing Bart couldn’t ignore.
“You speak as if His Highness is still alive... I wonder if your swordsmanship is as impressive as your lies. If you mention His Highness in front of me one more time, I’ll kill you.”
...What? This son of a b****.
“Rev.”
“...Fine. Bart, it seems you don’t believe me. Very well, we’ll see how things unfold.”
Rev abruptly turned around and shouted to the knights of House Tertan.
“Lord Philas and Lady Harie, please come out! I have something to say to you and will clear up your misunderstandings.”
“What? You’re not Count Forte? Who are you? State your identity and status.”
Rev felt frustrated. In the previous run, during the 18th scenario of the Beggar Siblings, Lean revealing his name had been enough to make everything go smoothly. But for Rev, every word he spoke seemed to hit a wall.
This is the difference in status. No matter what Rev did, he couldn’t surpass the authority Lean had. The only reason he was even able to speak now was because of the visible aura blade in his hand. Frustrated, Rev reluctantly revealed his useless name again.
“...I am Rev Bizaine.”
An awkward silence fell over the stone bridge.
Who’s that? Do you know him? Is there even a noble family called Bizaine? The knights murmured among themselves. Rev, feeling both pride and irritation, was about to lose his temper when Lena stepped in.
“Excuse me, let me through. It’s me. Lady Harie Guidan’s maid. Why are you searching for me? I almost died just now.”
After some hassle, Lena managed to push through the tight security. She bowed politely toward Harrie’s carriage.
“Lady Harrie, it’s me.”
“What’s going on? I heard the commotion. Some unknown people attacked, and a mysterious Swordmaster appeared. Do you... know him?”
The door remained firmly closed. Lena spoke with a slight bitterness.
“...Yes, Lady Harie. It seems the time has come for me to ask the favor I once promised.”
“...”
The door opened. Inside, the lavish carriage contrasted sharply with the humble maid standing below. Lena straightened her posture.
“Rev... no, the Swordmaster wishes to mediate this situation. He wants to speak with you and Lord Philas... Do you trust me? Please give him a moment of your time.”
“Lady Harie, it’s dangerous,” a knight interjected from the side.
He was part of the guard assigned to protect Harie, and he was still on edge after the sudden attack. He now understood why Lord Philas had brought along fifteen knights for what was supposed to be just a marriage proposal meeting.
And now, out of nowhere, a mysterious Swordmaster had appeared.
In his view, it wasn’t about getting permission from Duke Rupert Tertan for the marriage. The best course of action was to return home immediately. However, the final decision was Harie’s to make.
“Hmmm...”
Harie stared intently at Lena.
The situation seemed suspicious, but Lena was an utterly harmless girl. Her eyes were clear, without a trace of deceit. Harie made her decision by stepping out of the carriage.
“I should speak with Lord Philas first. Philas, excuse me for a moment.”
“Huh? Harie, it’s improper for an unmarried lady to enter a man’s carriage—”
“He’s not some stranger to me.”
Having recently developed feelings for him, Harie confidently entered the carriage of the boy who was three years her junior.
As they whispered to each other inside, Lena stood outside, glancing worriedly at Rev.
He wasn’t normally like this... Was it because of the incident he saw in his dreams? Rev’s demeanor had grown sharper, almost unfamiliar. His actions weren’t the same as before.
Rev seemed to remember the past much more vividly than Lena did. She felt pity for how much he must have suffered.
‘I’ll have to help him more in the future.’
Lena waved her hand energetically toward Rev, who was also looking over at her with concern.
‘Don’t make that face. Smile!’ She drew dimples on her cheeks with her fingers, prompting a sheepish smile from Rev. Good, that’s better. Lena patted her head, as if patting his in encouragement.
And then...
“...What are you doing?”
“Oh! Nothing at all,” she replied hurriedly.
She returned with Lord Philas and Lady Harie. But merely bringing them over wasn’t the end; it was just the beginning.
Tadian Lopero was dead.
The ones who should be furious were Rev’s group, yet it was Bart and the imperial guards who were glaring with fiery eyes, while the knights of House Tertan were bewildered.
Though young, Lord Philas, as the heir to House Tertan, had a responsibility to demand proper compensation. What made matters worse was that Tadian Lopero had been a member of the Lopero family, a branch of House Tertan.
Moreover, they held the advantage in numbers.
Including the two knights guarding Lady Harie, they had sixteen knights and thirty soldiers. The other side had only seven. Mediation or not, they could easily overpower them—yet the presence of the Swordmaster had complicated things.
Of course, the imperial guards thought the exact opposite. If it weren’t for the Swordmaster, they would have already slaughtered everyone here.
The hatred rooted deeply in their bones left them puzzled as to why anyone would even attempt mediation. Bart crossed his arms, skeptical.
Rev opened his mouth to speak again, reintroducing his (pointless) name.
“My name is Rev Bizaine. This may be an unpleasant meeting, but I want to make something clear. I do not wish for you to fight, and I believe you have no reason to fight.”
“...”
“...”
Bart remained silent, while Philas listened, though cautiously. But soon, Bart found reason to raise his voice.
“First of all, Prince Lean de Yeriel is—”
“I warned you not to mention His Highness in front of me again!”
“He is alive.”
Bart exploded. He was about to draw his sword... but then he noticed something strange. Both Philas and Harie were nodding.
...Could it be? Bart’s face went blank with shock, as Rev continued.
“So, there is no reason for you to continue like this. And as for House Tertan... This is a bit more complicated, but Lady Harie.”
“Yes, are you calling for me?”
“You’ve heard the news that your mother has awoken, haven’t you? Though it’s awkward for me to say, I was the one who healed her. Lady Marisa here can testify to that. Oh, and there’s no need to thank me... In exchange, I’ll take that necklace you’re wearing.”
“This? Why?”
Harie pulled out the necklace nestled between her collarbones. It was a pinkish hue of silver and copper, with a dark red gemstone hanging from the end.
At that moment, Bart felt a chill run through his entire body. He heard a strange, haunting sound in his ears... an irresistible command.
—Destroy it.
Bart, as if entranced, began walking toward them. The knights shouted, “Stop!” but he didn’t.
Bart continued moving forward. When Rev stepped in front of him, Bart even reached for his sword. The one who stopped him was not Rev but—
“Honey! Please. I’m begging you.”
It was his beloved wife, Marisa. Bart’s eyes returned to normal.