novelraw Chapter 144 : Chapter 144
Chapter 144 : Chapter 144
Chapter 144: The Traitor of the Empire (1)
Mikhail Reverk.
Evan’s past life, the name of the great commander who once ruled the Empire.
But his final days were utterly tragic.
Framed as a traitor by the Emperor’s schemes, he ultimately lost his life to Robern’s sword.
Now, over a century later, someone bearing his surname had appeared out of nowhere.
“What was the name again?”
“Rotman Reverk, I said.”
“You’re absolutely sure? You didn’t get it wrong?”
Naturally, Evan couldn’t help but doubt Mei’s words.
To him, this situation was utterly absurd and shocking.
“What do you take me for? Viper may fail to gather information, but we never deliver distorted intel. It’s certain.”
Mei frowned slightly at his reaction.
“No way…”
Mei’s firm attitude plunged Evan into confusion.
‘The only people in this world with the Reverk surname were me and that child. But she died.’
Mikhail,
or rather Evan, was originally an orphan with no surname.
As a soldier known only as “Mikhail,” he rose through countless victories in the Empire’s battles.
The Emperor granted him a title, a small, nominal fief, and a surname.
That surname was “Reverk.”
But in the desolate border fief, no noblewoman would marry a man with a hollow title.
Moreover, as he was always on the battlefield, he couldn’t even maintain his estate.
‘I had no family. None, except for Selena.’
Back then, Mikhail’s estate was little more than a temporary lodging for soldiers after battles.
Naturally, it was in a remote area where finding servants was difficult.
Then, by chance, he met a young girl named Selena.
Like Mikhail, she was an orphan, living on the streets without a proper name or surname.
Seeing her, Mikhail was reminded of his own past, and he gave her a place to stay under the pretext of managing the estate.
What began as mere compassion gradually led him to adopt her as his foster daughter, officially granting her the “Reverk” surname.
Thus, the “Reverk” surname belonged only to him and her.
Yet now, out of the blue, an Imperial with that surname had appeared.
‘After my reincarnation, I searched for any chance that she might still be alive. But everyone even remotely connected to me was purged by the Emperor.’
Selena Reverk.
The only family to whom he’d passed his surname.
The possibility that she might have left descendants couldn’t be entirely ruled out.
But the Emperor of that era was thorough.
Even without dirtying his own hands, he eradicated everyone connected to Mikhail, down to their associates.
There was no way he’d have spared a variable like Selena, and indeed, he hadn’t.
So, whose “Reverk” was this that Mei spoke of now?
“…Where is he now?”
No matter how much he racked his brain, the answers were limited.
The only way to know was to hear it directly from the person.
“Should I say it’s fortunate or that he underestimates the kingdom? He’s staying near the capital. I’ll bring him myself. Of course, it’ll cost extra.”
Mei smiled brightly.
In contrast, the shadow on Evan’s face grew darker.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll pay handsomely, so bring him to me alive as fast as you can.”
“You’re a man who gets it.”
Mei left the library with a satisfied smile.
***
Mei had confidently taken on the request.
But when she reappeared, her expression was markedly different, tinged with embarrassment.
“Well, you see…”
“No need to say it. You failed to bring him, didn’t you? Or rather, failed to capture him alive.”
Even before she spoke, the outcome was clear.
Her usual bold confidence was gone, replaced by a hesitant demeanor that said it all.
Finally, Mei bowed her head, admitting defeat.
“You hit the nail on the head. Yes, we failed. The resistance was fierce. We sent a significant number, but… only one came back alive.”
Knowing Viper’s capabilities firsthand, Evan couldn’t take this result lightly.
“Oh? Was that the extent of Viper’s strength? Or did I take out all the competent ones that day?”
Mei shook her head bitterly.
“No, that’s not it. Honestly, we sent some of our elites too. Even I’m shocked by this outcome.”
“You got careless. Someone bold enough to cross the sea and pull this off wouldn’t send an ordinary person.”
Evan’s words hit the mark, and Mei nodded with an agreeing look.
“Yes, we were careless. More than that… the sole survivor mentioned something that’s been bothering me.”
After a brief pause, Mei continued cautiously.
“That man from the Empire, he wields all sorts of weapons freely. Like you, Duke.”
“Like me?”
“Yes. The survivor saw you fight in the sewers. He said this man gave off a very similar vibe to you.”
“His skill?”
“Your skill is superior, but… he said it felt familiar.”
Evan fell silent for a moment.
But his eyes flickered with deeper doubt and tension.
‘Like me? And with the Reverk surname… There’s too much here to call it a coincidence.’
The idea of someone mimicking him and bearing his surname made Evan all the more curious about this man’s identity.
At the same time, he realized it was time to confront this issue himself.
“…Guide me to where he is. I’ll handle this personally.”
“Alright. After this humiliation, I’ve no grounds to ask for another chance.”
Thus, guided by Mei, Evan set out to face the mysterious Imperial with unknown prowess.
To uncover the truth behind this strange and unsettling feeling.
***
On the outskirts of the capital city Kaien, in an old, abandoned farmhouse now reduced to ruins, devoid of human warmth, Mei led Evan to the location.
“Just a bit further, and one of our members will meet us.”
“Around here? I thought he’d have fled far after that fight.”
Evan glanced back.
They were walking not far from the capital, where the city walls were still visible to the naked eye.
“I thought so too, but whether he has unfinished business in the capital or he’s underestimating our organization, he’s stayed nearby.”
“Or he trusts his own skills.”
Contrary to Mei’s expectations, the Imperial man, Rotman, had boldly remained despite knowing others were coming for him.
It was as if he was daring them to come.
‘This behavior is similar to mine too. I also relied solely on my skill, ready to face anyone head-on.’
But no matter how many times he thought it over, Evan had never left room for a child.
This made him even more curious.
Why was this man from the Empire using his surname?
Fortunately, resolving this mystery wouldn’t take much longer.
“There’s our member keeping watch.”
Mei pointed to a dense forest.
At the edge of the woods near the farmhouse, a Viper member greeted them.
“This way. Since entering that ruin, he hasn’t come out once.”
“Good work.”
After a brief explanation from the member, Mei gazed at the farmhouse from a distance.
“Hmm.”
The dilapidated roof with fallen tiles, the collapsed fence—
a faint, subtle presence emanated from within.
“You feel it, right? It’s very faint, but there’s definitely a presence inside.”
The aura wasn’t concealed; rather, it spread like a warning.
As if signaling that a being of such skill resided here, an implicit pressure discouraging reckless approach.
“Indeed. Just the way he controls his aura shows he’s a skilled fighter, as reported.”
“Are you sure about going in alone? I can join you, no extra charge.”
Mei’s offer was, for someone as money-driven as her, an act of great generosity.
Normally, Evan might have accepted, but right now, he wanted no interruptions.
“No, I’ll go alone. Wait here. Don’t get involved.”
“Worrying too much.”
Mei crossed her arms and plopped down in the grass, while Evan silently walked toward the farmhouse.
―Crunch, crunch.
He neither muffled his footsteps nor hid his presence.
It was as if he was daring the opponent to come out.
But the farmhouse remained silent.
‘Fine. Don’t come out. We’ll talk inside.’
Reaching the farmhouse, Evan gently pushed the rickety door.
―Creak.
The old door opened roughly, the sound of aged wood echoing through the space.
In the dim interior, a man sat leaning against the wall.
‘That’s him. Definitely not ordinary. It’s not just his appearance. He’s at least a Sword Expert or higher.’
His face was obscured by a deep hood, and he sat crouched like a wanderer, using his sword as a prop.
“…Get lost.”
Without even glancing at Evan, the man spat out the words irritably, as if shooing away a pesky insect.
“Are you Rotman Reverk?”
As expected, there was no response.
“…”
Evan silently drew a dagger from his waist and threw it at the mysterious man.
―Thud!
The dagger embedded deeply into the wall, right beside the man’s head.
‘Ho?’
But the man didn’t flinch.
As if he knew from the start that Evan wasn’t aiming to hit him.
“…Do people here only snap out of it when they’re dead?”
Only then did the man slowly reach out, pulling the dagger from the wall.
Gripping the sword he’d propped beside him, he finally stood.
“If you don’t value your life, I’ll gladly take it.”
The man’s overbearing attitude pushed Evan’s patience to the brink.
“Arrogant bastard. Looks like I’ll need to subdue you before we can talk.”
Rising from the shadows, his movements were slow but menacing.
Finally, the two Reverks faced each other.
“No use begging now.”
“You’re stealing my lines, Imperial outsider.”
And without either making the first move, they charged simultaneously.