Entering consecutive chapters to wash away the ignoble name of the Severing Demonic Art.^^
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Kasim became an orphan at the tender age of eleven, losing his parents and siblings. A plague had taken the lives of his entire family except for him. Kasim was left utterly alone overnight. Because the plague had claimed so many lives, there was no one to help the young Kasim.
The one who extended a hand of salvation to such a Kasim was none other than the Lord of Arne. The Lord, who had come out to investigate the damage wrought by the plague, saw Kasim, now alone, and decided to take him in. The Lord of Arne was already widely known among the residents of the territory for his benevolence. Thereafter, Kasim grew up doing chores in the Lord’s mansion.
At that time, the Lord of Arne had a six-year-old only daughter. She was a girl named Matilda, born in the rare year of the Red Scorpion (in Arcadia at the time, the year of the Red Scorpion came once every century. And in that year, people tended not to have children, for they considered it ominous). True to her birth under the Red Scorpion sign that everyone shunned, Matilda possessed a stubbornness beyond words. Because of that, Kasim suffered considerably from a young age. In trying to heed her requests, he would be bitten by snakes or fall from trees and break his leg—such things happened nearly every day.
However, because Matilda was innately kind and affectionate by nature, Kasim thought of her as if she were his own younger sister. Perhaps he thought of her as a replacement for the younger sister who had died to the plague. She, too, followed Kasim without reservation, as though he were her older brother.
“I want to eat honey.”
At those words, Kasim would bring a beehive and present it to young Matilda with a face covered in stings and wounds. To her, he was the most trustworthy person in the world. Kasim refused no request from Matilda. Even if he carried her up and down the watchtower stairs all day long, he showed no sign of fatigue, and whatever she wanted, he would obtain it no matter the cost.
“You’re the best in the world.”
At those words, the young Kasim rejoiced as though he had gained the entire world. The Lord and his wife watched such a sight with exceedingly pleased eyes. It was because Kasim had become an incomparable friend to Matilda, who had no siblings. After Kasim arrived, Matilda grew into an even brighter and more cheerful girl.
But as the two grew older, it became another source of worry. Matilda already believed and followed whatever Kasim said.
“When I grow up, I’m definitely going to marry Kasim.”
Fearing that other emotions might come between the two, the Lord made a difficult decision. On the day Kasim turned fifteen, he was drafted as a guardsman and sent away from the castle. It seemed the Lord believed the matter would resolve itself naturally if the two were separated. Kasim, who possessed a robust physique unthinkable for a fifteen-year-old, became a trainee guard of the Arne territory from that day forth. Digesting the grueling training with his innate stamina, Kasim became a full-fledged guardsman before long. But even so, the matter did not end.
It was because young Matilda secretly slipped out of the castle to meet Kasim. Even in a state of exhaustion from harsh training, Kasim welcomed her gladly. Of course, the Lord had not the slightest inkling of this fact. It was because the clever Matilda deceived her parents with suitable excuses. Though she was young, she already vaguely suspected that her parents were keeping Kasim at a distance.
In this way, the two nurtured the affection that had sprouted since childhood into full bloom. Kasim, who had grown into a robust young man, and Matilda, who had become a lovely young lady, overcame even the disparity in their stations, gradually sublimating their affection into love.
“At that time, I didn’t think of anything. Just being together with Lady Matilda made me feel as though I had gained the entire world.”
The meticulous Matilda hid her relationship with Kasim perfectly. Kasim, too, knowing that theirs was a relationship that must not be revealed, kept it a thorough secret even from his fellow guardsmen. Their love continued precariously, like a tightrope walk. But by a chance opportunity, it was ultimately laid bare in broad daylight.
At that time, the Lord of Arne harbored a considerable worry. It was that he had no son to succeed him. Though he had solidly built his foundation as a benevolent lord, that was limited to his own generation. Without a son to inherit the title, it was clear that when he died, the territory of Arne would revert to the state.
Therefore, the Lord, who had been seeking a solution, finally resolved to settle the matter through a political marriage. He intended to match Matilda with a suitable young noble from the capital who did not possess a territory, thereby resolving the succession issue. As it happened, Matilda had also grown into a blooming seventeen-year-old maiden, so there was nothing to hesitate over. With a firm mind, the Lord called Matilda and subtly broached the subject.
“For various reasons, I am thinking of marrying you off. What do you think?”
Matilda spoke curtly, as if there was nothing to think about.
“If it is not Kasim, I will not marry anyone. Only he is qualified to become my husband.”
Upon hearing those words, the Lord turned pale in shock. To think that Matilda and Kasim had already reached such a relationship… Of course, to the Lord, that was a matter he could never tolerate.
First of all, he could not permit a marriage to Kasim, who was of commoner status, and moreover, if that marriage were to succeed, he could no longer even think of continuing the family line. It was because titles could not be inherited by commoners.
Therefore, the Lord set in motion a second plan to tear the two apart. With the single-minded determination that he must secure an heir, the Lord persistently coaxed Matilda.
“Matilda. Think carefully. You are rendering everything your father has built over his lifetime into nothing. Are you saying you can tolerate the territory of Arne falling into the hands of another noble?”
“I’m sorry, Father. I simply cannot give up on Kasim.”
Matilda’s stubbornness was already notorious. They tried cajoling her and scolding her, but she never bent her will. In the face of her stubbornness, the Lord and his wife had no choice but to give up on persuading her.
“It cannot be helped.”
But that did not mean he had given up on everything. Secretly summoning Kasim to the mansion, the Lord this time began to persuade him.
“I did not know your relationship with Matilda had progressed to such an extent, Kasim.”
“I am sorry. Truly sorry.”
Kasim, frozen stiff, could not even bring himself to raise his head. But he had steeled his heart. He already loved Matilda deeply and was prepared to endure any reproach, even a severe beating, to make it come true.
The wall of status no longer existed between the two. In short, they had become an inseparable couple.
But the clever Lord did not resort to any threats. Instead, the words the Lord quietly uttered became a sharp dagger that ruthlessly pierced Kasim’s heart.
“Do you think Matilda will truly be happy if she marries you?”
“………”
“Of course, I know you treat Matilda incomparably well. But will that child truly be able to endure the life of an ordinary commoner?”
“………”
“From the moment she marries you, Matilda, too, becomes a commoner. And after I die, the territory of Arne will automatically pass into the hands of another noble. If that happens, there will be nothing of my estate that I can bequeath to Matilda. It will all revert to the state.
Then that child will have to live her whole life breaking her back as an ordinary commoner’s wife. Going out to work in the fields all day and spinning thread until her fingers blister in the evening will be the norm, will it not? Of course, without maids and wet nurses, she will have to bear all the housework and child-rearing as well. If it comes to that, will Matilda truly be happy?”
Kasim’s face darkened, unable to utter a single word in response.
“The emotion called love truly passes in an instant. When that time comes, Matilda will bitterly regret marrying you. It will mean she was deprived of the opportunity to live a prosperous life as a noble lady because of you….”
“………”
“Decide after careful thought. Which choice is best for Matilda. I shall expect a wise decision.”
Having said all he needed to say, the Lord rose, leaving Kasim, who could not lift his head. Even after that, Kasim did not move for a long while. Only after a long time did he rise and head straight to his quarters to begin packing his belongings.
Kasim, recalling the past, let out a long sigh.
“The day after that happened, I submitted my resignation to the guard corps. And I left Arne straight away. The Lord’s words were a hundred times right. For Lady Matilda’s happiness, it was best for me to leave, and that feeling has not changed to this day.”
Kasim’s face was flushed red. Seeing the tears welling in his eyes, it seemed the liquor had risen to his chin. None of his companions opened their mouths. They had thought there was some story behind it all, but no one had imagined it was something like that. Shortly after, it was Yuliana who unexpectedly broke the silence.
“Kasim, that was wrong of you.”
“………”
“I do not think material abundance is a necessary condition for happiness. In that regard, I believe you made the wrong choice.”
Kasim silently shook his head.
“Your Highness does not know what the life of a commoner’s wife is like. What I saw from a young age was my mother’s life. My mother lived a truly hard life. It was precisely because of that I resolved to leave.”
“It is fine now. Kasim is now the commander of a mercenary corps that even the mightiest nations cannot ignore. You have more than enough qualifications to take her hand.”
Kasim raised his bloodshot eyes to look at Yuliana.
“Spilled water cannot be gathered back. Her heart has already left me. No, even if that were not the case, I am a mercenary who cannot guarantee his own survival. One who does not know when he will die….”
Yuliana cut Kasim’s words off decisively.
“That is nothing but an excuse. Or perhaps you never truly loved her….”
BANG
Kasim suddenly slammed the table. His fist, clenched so tightly that blood seemed about to seep out, trembled atop the table.
“Not for a single moment until now have I ever forgotten her. To me, she is my everything. Please, never say such things.”
Yuliana closed her mouth. Until now, she had no memory of seeing such an agitated side of Kasim. After a moment, Kasim bowed his head with a dark expression.
“I apologize for my rudeness.”
The group fell silent once more. Shortly after, Yuliana approached Daemon. She looked into Daemon’s face with eyes full of expectation. Unable to endure her gaze, Daemon yelled sharply.
“You brat. What are you staring at?”
“Daemon. I believe you have the ability to resolve this.”
Daemon’s eyes went wide.
“What the hell? Do you think I’m a god?”
“Not a god, but I believe you have drawn near to one. Just as you changed the heart of Kate’s husband, Philip, before, try manipulating Matilda’s heart this time.”
No sooner had those words left her mouth than Kasim let out a thunderous roar. Had a barrier not been erected, it was a shout loud enough to seize the attention of everyone in the tavern.
“That is enough. I shall not tolerate anyone laying a hand upon her.”
So great was his anger that even his bristling beard trembled fiercely. Seeing that, Yuliana quietly closed her mouth. She intuitively realized this was not the place to press further.
Daemon grinned and teased her.
“Girl, you need to know whether it’s your place to step in or not. Your heart is in the right place, but your method is wrong.”
“………”
“Besides, that method isn’t suitable. Listening to Kasim’s circumstances, this seems a problem difficult to resolve even if Matilda’s heart were to change. You’d have to start by changing the hearts of the Lord and his wife, and there’s the already decided wedding as well. And most importantly, I think it comes down to the Commander’s will.”
Having finished speaking, Daemon looked at Mitchell.
“You sleep with that damned dragon tonight. I want to talk with the Commander at length after a long time, so….”
“What the hell?!”
Feeling Katroy’s roar burst right beside his ear, Mitchell formed a bitter smile.
“Understood.”
Daemon rose and approached Kasim.
“Commander, why don’t you sleep with me tonight? You look very tired; wouldn’t it be best to get up now?”
“Very well.”
Kasim obediently rose.