Chapter 47

He didn’t understand what was happening, but he instinctively realized his life was in danger.

He had never seen such a threatening force before.

However, Carson shot him a hateful glare.

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, get out of my mercenary group. From this moment, you’re expelled.”

“What?”

Carson glared at the mercenary blocking his way, then turned away.

He couldn’t tolerate such ridiculous talk right before an important mission.

Facing forward, Carson nearly had his heart drop to the ground.

“……!”

A person was standing in front of him.

The other mercenaries also recoiled in surprise or muttered curses under their breath.

The silhouette alone, dark and imposing, was intimidating.

‘Who the hell is that…?’

Carson squinted his eyes, staring at the figure.

When did he appear?

For someone like Carson, who had keen instincts and was sensitive to presences, not noticing him until now was unsettling.

Then the man took a step forward and spoke.

“Do we know each other?”

“……?”

Carson furrowed his brow.

As the man approached, his high nose glinted momentarily in the moonlight.

And his eyes, colder than the water of a winter lake, shone.

Suddenly, Carson realized he recognized that face and grimaced.

He never thought he would face him again in this way.

Carson’s gaze darkened.

Alec Myers.

The fallen duke…?

“That, that man! He killed all our members!”

The voice of the earlier mercenary shouted from behind.

Only then did the other mercenaries show puzzled expressions.

“……What?”

Carson, doubting his ears, briefly glanced back with a sharp look before focusing on Alec again.

Who killed whom?

Alec stared at the mercenary trembling in fear.

No wonder the count was off; it seemed someone had fled earlier.

Although he hadn’t killed the mercenaries, he thought this witness might help end things quickly.

But Carson dismissed it outright.

“Stop talking nonsense. Who died? Does that even make sense?”

Carson clearly didn’t believe a word, but the other mercenaries were uneasy.

“Carson Martin.”

Alec approached, not bothering to correct Carson’s misunderstanding.

His voice was calm to the point of indifference, yet it carried an overwhelming pressure.

“You will never succeed in this mission. Because you can’t defeat me.”

“What the hell is this-“

What’s going on?

Carson couldn’t understand how Alec knew he was going to attack and came to meet him.

Was there a traitor inside?

It didn’t matter anyway.

Here, he would capture Alec, and the scattered mercenaries would infiltrate the mansion and seize the duchess.

Carson reignited his fighting spirit, grabbing the hilt of the sword at his waist.

“Alright. If that’s how it is, let’s see-“

But Carson couldn’t finish his sentence.

Something swiftly brushed past him like the wind.

He had experienced this extraordinary movement once before.

His heart felt like it would shrink.

Sensing the greatest crisis of his life, he glanced sideways at the direction something had passed.

He saw flashing lights.

And then, the dull thuds of bodies hitting the ground.

More than one or two people fell.

“…….”

He didn’t need to look back to know what had happened.

Carson swallowed dryly without realizing it.

He didn’t want to be like this. As the leader of the Grave Mercenary, he shouldn’t be so scared—!

He was even recognized by the Emperor of the Rilt Empire as a mercenary leader!

Thud, thud.

Soon, footsteps approached from behind.

They were impassive and light, as if unconcerned with anything in the world, and fearless.

It was the first time Carson had heard such footsteps.

Instinctively, Carson felt his defeat.

Yet, he gritted his teeth, determined to fight. He couldn’t die like this.

It was at that moment, as he was about to summon all his resolve.

“This is the last time I’ll let you go. I never give a third chance.”

“…….”

“It would be wise to tell Marcel to build a new textile factory with the money instead of wasting it on a hopeless mission.”

“-!”

Carson opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.

“Skill: Beginner Husband’s Tickle.”

Patter-pat.

A bright light flashed from Alec’s fingertips.

Carson’s body collapsed as if crumbling.

Ding.

[Experience increased by 5!]

[Congratulations!]

[You have completed the surprise quest.]

[~Defeat the Grave Mercenaries and gain experience(2)!~]

[Quest Reward]

[Total experience increased by 300.]

[Reputation increased by 100.]

[An additional 3000 bonus experience points have been awarded for successfully completing the explosive surprise quest!]

***

“Ugh.”

On a refreshing morning,

I stretched my arms up and yawned.

I felt energetic, as if all my fatigue had melted away after a good night’s sleep.

As I got out of bed, the hem of my nightgown fluttered below my knees.

I reached out to pull the bell cord and paused.

I still hadn’t shaken off the habits from my time as a duchess.

I looked at my awkwardly floating hand and slowly clenched it.

Usually, when I woke up, I would pull the bell cord first to summon the servants.

They would bring warm tea and washbasins, and I would wash my face, brush my teeth, and then enjoy the hot tea.

That was how I always started my well-prepared day.

But now, I drew the curtains myself and opened the window.

Leaning on the railing, I breathed in the fresh, cool air and looked out at the bright scenery.

Everything was peaceful and quiet.

Maybe because I had dreamed of Cathy recently?

I suddenly thought of the servants.

They had taken care of all my daily needs but had played an even more important role.

They were always bustling around me, making me feel less lonely in my daily life.

From the moment I woke up until I went to bed, the servants were always there.

Their presence gave me great strength.

“Phew…”

I took a deep breath and turned away from the window.

If I had known it would be like this, I would have treated them better when we were together.

As if every day was the last.

But when I went down to the drawing room, it seemed my sister-in-law and mother-in-law were suffering from even greater loneliness.

“Oh, I feel like I’m going crazy from boredom.”

“Eloise, you should learn to play the piano.”

“…….”

Mother-in-law was still engrossed in playing the piano, and Eloise was rolling around on the sofa, hugging a cushion.

Shaking my head, I passed through the hall and went outside.

I intended to check on the sheep.

Then I noticed an envelope lying under the front door.

What is this?

Picking it up, I saw it was made of high-quality paper, usually used in social circles.

Feeling suspicious, I opened the envelope.

[To Duke Brent and the Duchess,

How have you been?

It’s been a while since we last spoke. I recently found out where you are and wanted to send my regards.

Even though you have left the social circle, we haven’t forgotten you for a single day.

The bonds of our Rilt Empire’s social circle aren’t so thin.

We genuinely miss you both.

Since your departure, the atmosphere in the social circle has unfortunately diminished.

In times like these, our bonds will only strengthen if we support each other.

If you have the time, we hope you will attend the upcoming masquerade ball.

Sincerely, the ladies who miss Duke and Duchess Brent.]

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories