T/L Warning: The following chapter contains sexual violence. therefore this chapter is classified as r18. Read at your own risk.
* * *
Tales of Dale, whispered from one connoisseur to another, swelled and expanded like a balloon about to burst, spreading throughout the entire empire.
The eldest son of the Jackson family who stood at the forefront of enemy lines to save one knight from thousands of orcs.
This incredibly embarrassing tale, when told from the perspective of the person involved, nevertheless brought a new wind to the entire Northern Duchy.
* * *
At the early break of dawn, a sword training session with the knights of the Duchy.
"You have arrived, Young master Dale!"
"Welcome!"
"We are honored to see you, Young master!"
Leaving the chilly morning air behind, the knights all knelt and bowed as soon as they saw Dale.
Swish!
They all simultaneously plunged their swords down vertically.
Dale, who usually trains with the knights, including Sir Helmut, without any hesitation, is already beyond the wall between the noble heir of the Duke and the knights, a testament to their trust.
However, since that day, the knights' respect for Dale was unlike anything they had ever seen before.
It was not simply respect stemming from Dale's talent or his status as the heir of the Duke.
The eldest son of the Duke, who willingly rode towards the enemy to save a knight.
Of course, this is not to deny the ruthlessness of Duke Jackson, who had to watch the knight die silently. Rather, the Black Duke was known for his care for his subordinates, and the knights were not unaware of this reality.
In this world, the nobility of one's status holds a meaning beyond what Dale, who came from another world, could imagine.
That's why Dale's actions were all the more special.
'Our House of Jackson never abandons a loyal sword.'
Even if the story was exaggerated by gossipmongers, it could not compare to the awe felt by those who witnessed the situation firsthand.
"Come now, why are you all doing this? It's embarrassing."
Despite this, Dale simply scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hold your head high, Master!"
Sir Helmut, unable to hide his excitement, burst into laughter.
"Now, what are you all doing!"
He then assumed the stern demeanour of a seasoned warrior, gripping his sword tightly.
"For the sake of the future Master, we must sharpen our swords even further!"
"We will obey!"
At Sir Helmut's shout, the knights all struck their spears and raised their swords. As if to prove that Duke Sachsen's worries were unfounded, Dale's kindness would never dull their swords.
With a determination to sharpen their swords even further, the heat of their passion began to warm the dawn.
'They're just so passionate.'
Watching them, Dale was unsure how to respond.
* * *
"Training to hone his combat skills against Sir Helmut, the Continent's Swift Sword, mastering the artifact 'Shadow Cloak', and learning water magic from Sephia. and finally, learning non-attribute magic from the Black Knight.
Dale's training, nearing the completion of the 2nd Circle, was progressing with incredible speed.
His sword and magic training went without saying. But there were countless other things he had to learn as the heir to the Duke's family.
Dale's days were filled with a gruelling schedule that could only be described as 'royal studies'.
Except for that day.
"Young Master, the guests have arrived."
Early in the morning, after finishing his training with the knights, it was the young maid, Eve, who came to greet Dale.
"The Duke has instructed you to go to the Great Hall with Sir Helmut."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
"It's already that time."
And following those words, Sir Helmut, who had been training with Dale, also stopped and sheathed his sword.
Today, a special guest was visiting the Jackson Duchy's castle.
A fallen noble from the Teutonia Knight Kingdom. The young widow of Sir Batal, the Divine Sword, and their young daughter, Arok Sal.
There were countless names used to call 'Batal Orhardt', who was defeated by the hero in the past.
Divine Sword.
One of the top seven swordsmen, and the one who held the title of the First Sword. The last loyal subject of the Teutonia Knight Kingdom, who was defeated by the 'Otherworldly Hero' and lost his life.
After the Teutonia Knight Kingdom was subjugated by the Empire──.
The Orhardt family, once renowned for their martial prowess, was reduced to nothing more than a fallen noble family.
In contrast, the Jackson family remained the greatest noble family on the continent, a family of mages who practiced black magic.
What connected these two families, seemingly without any connection, was the desire of Sir Helmut, who shared the title of The top seven swordsman alongside Sir Batal.
"Thank you again for granting my unreasonable request."
"You said he was the one who led you to the path of knighthood."
The Black Duke quietly nodded towards Sir Helmut, who bowed politely.
"I heard that the mistress of the Orhardt family sent a letter asking for your help?"
Elena, sitting on the left side of the throne prepared for the Duke and Duchess, asked. She held 'Lise', Dale's younger sister, who was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world.
"Yes."
Sir Helmut bowed his head, looking apologetic.
"Even if it was a long time ago, it's not something we can ignore the difficulties of those who helped us."
Elena smiled, as if it wasn't a big deal. But for Dale, who was listening intently to the conversation between the Duke and Duchess and Sir Helmut, it was a very complicated situation.
'I can't believe I'm getting entangled with them again like this.'
Sir Batal, the Divine Sword, was no longer in this world. He was no one, and I, the Imperial hound, was the one who personally ended his life.
After that, the fate of the 'Orhardt family', who lost their country and their family's strength and were subjugated by the Empire, was obvious.
It was surprising that they only asked for help after 9 whole years.
"The guests from the Orhardt family have arrived."
Just then, the Duke's steward appeared from beyond the Great Hall.
"Greet them politely."
"Yes, Your Grace."
The steward bowed and withdrew, and soon reappeared with the two women of the Orhardt family.
A woman dressed in black, her face veiled in a black shroud, and a young daughter, the same age as Dale, silently following her mother.
Both mother and daughter had swords strapped diagonally at their waists, immediately catching Dale's attention.
They were noblewomen's rapiers.
'Even if they are a fallen noble family, to come to the SJackson ducal castle without a single attendant…'
They must have armed themselves with swords, being noblewomen. The fact that there were no others attending them, except for the Jackson family's servants, was proof of that.
"Vanessa Orhardt, humbly greet the Duke of Jackon."
"Welcome."
The woman in black bowed politely.
However, the blonde girl beside her mother, without concealing her hostility, raised her voice.
"Mother, why are you bowing to these people!"
"Sh, Charlotte!"
Vanessa was taken aback by her daughter's attitude and reprimanded her. The girl's shrill voice startled 'Lise', who was asleep in Elena's arms, and she burst into tears.
"The journey must have been difficult. You must have suffered."
But the Duke of Jackson, without any sign of surprise, continued calmly.
"Elena, Lise seems startled. Take her to the bedroom."
"Yes, my lord."
"And Dale."
"Yes, Father."
"Show Lady Charlotte around the castle."
As if he hadn't expected the atmosphere to freeze like this, he quickly dismissed his wife Elena and Dale.
Seluk, the daughter of the Orhardt family, was no exception.
"It is a noble's duty to escort a lady."
"Yes."
'This story seems to be getting complicated.'
However, even at the Duke's words, the blonde girl stubbornly shook her head.
"Who do you think I am, to listen to the words of the Imperial nobles!"
"Charlotte!"
Vanessa's face hardened again. Only then did Charlotte, the girl who had been called, begin to cry.
Tears welled up in her emerald eyes. No matter how hard she tried to hold them back, the tears burst out uncontrollably.
'No matter how strong she pretends to be, she's just a scared little girl in the end.'
A girl who lost her father before she was even born and had to bear the burden of a fallen noble family.
He recalled the memory of the day when the snowstorm raged under the cloak of night. On that day, the wife of Sir Batal, the swordsman, must have already been holding this girl in her arms, just like Dale's mother.
A sense of guilt, the source of which he couldn't understand, gripped Dale's heart.
"...Lady Charlotte."
Thinking that he couldn't let the atmosphere deteriorate any further, Dale quickly stood up.
"Please, this way."
He stood up and led Charlotte, the girl who had been called.
* * *
As they stepped out of the Duke's mansion, a chilling coldness seeped into their lungs.
"….It hurts."
At that moment, Charlotte, who had been silent, choked out a sob.
Only then did Dale realize that he was gripping her wrist tightly. The white and dark winter night. He thought of the girl's father, whose life he had taken with his own hands.
Her wrist was frail, offering no resistance.
"….Dale of Jackson."
Dale hastily pulled back, and the blonde girl, Selek, called out his name.
"People say you're a genius, unmatched in the empire in swordsmanship or magic."
She then spoke of Dale's "exploits," exaggerated by gossipmongers.
"They say you fought off hundreds of orcs, protecting your knight alone."
"….It's a bit of an exaggeration."
"But you're still much stronger than ordinary knights, right?"
Charlotte asked, as if hoping for Dale to affirm his strength.
"Otherwise, how could you have protected your knight against hundreds of orcs?"
"It wasn't hundreds, it was… ."
Just as Dale was about to correct the truth of the exploit,
Swoosh.
The blonde girl, placed her hand on the hilt of her rapier.
"Fight me."
She said it after placing her hand on the hilt.
"Why are you doing this?"
Dale asked. Charlotte quietly bit her lip and remained silent.
"….I'll prove that my swordsmanship is better than the Duke's genius."
Charlotte continued after the silence.
"I'm the proud daughter of the Divine Sword."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I'll prove to my mother that I can protect the Orhardt family from that man."
"That man?"
Charlotte quietly nodded.
"The Holy Swordsman, Count Brandenburgh."
"….!"
After nodding, she uttered a name.
The executioner who had stabbed him in the back with the Divine Sword, targeting him in his past life. A hateful name he could never forget.
* * *
"He… … "He tried to rape my daughter."
Breaking the silence in the great hall, Vanessa opened her mouth.
"It was only after he heard me begging that the child's first period had not yet arrived that he finally stopped raping me."
At those words, Lord Helmut's expression distorts. However, the Duke of Jackson maintained his composure and simply listened to the story in silence.
"As she Is the child who has inherited the blood of the swordmaster, he tried to impregnate her with his seed ──."
"… … You don't need to say anything more."
However, at the words that followed, even the Duke of Jackson could not help but frown.
The desire for eugenics is a desire that anyone can have.
This is even more so in the case of nobles who value continuing the family line more than anything else.
No matter how much that may be, the idea of raping a nine-year-old girl and planting his seed in her 'Shingeom's blood'… … It is that of an animal that has abandoned even the conscience it should have as a human being.
And the meaning of the blood of the Holy swordsman was so light that it did not even care about being reduced to such a beast.
"But in a country that has already fallen into ruin, there is no one else to turn to, and no other place to ask for help… … ."
"You must have gone through a lot of hardship..."
The Duke of Saxony bowed his head, expressing deep condolences.
"Please forgive my daughter's rudeness."
"She has been through such terrible things, It wouldn't be unreasonable to act like that." The Duke of Saxony answered as if he didn't mind.
"I would never expect much from you, Your Excellency."
The Swordmaster's young widow, Vanessa Orhart, continues her trembling words.
"Please don't let that man, the 'Count of Brandenburg', unleash his ugly magic… … ."
Unable to hide her motherly concern for her daughter.
"Please accept my daughter as a maid for the Jackson family."