Epilogue (Part 1)

The third child between Anthus and Yuliana, Javelos, was born. With Javelos’s birth, Anthus made a resolution.

‘No more children.’

The joy of a child’s birth was unparalleled, but Yuliana had given birth to three children in the five years since becoming a Duchess. Because of this, Anthus gained the nickname “beast” in the social circles, surpassing his previous nicknames of “viper” and “cold-blooded man.”

<My dream is to have a third child.>

The one who had pleaded for a third was Anthus himself. He was grateful to Yuliana for accepting.

However, unlike when Noelis and Michaelis were born, Yuliana went through much hardship.

She struggled with morning sickness until the last month, and when labor began, she experienced a really difficult moment during the long labor.

“Gaaah. Gaaah.”

“Yes, Javelos.”

Anthus held Javelos skillfully in his arms, making a funny face as he rocked him.

“I heard Erzen is quitting mercenary work, Yan.”

Yuliana, smiling at Anthus, asked.

“Who did you hear that from?”

“Luda told me. To give up mercenary work as the Mercenary King… Erzen made a big decision. Won’t he regret it?”

“It’s a choice to be by the side of the one he loves. He won’t regret it.”

Just like me.

“Luda was also worried, not knowing how to handle her relationship with Erzen.”

“Since it’s a love gained by giving up everything, Erzen will truly cherish and love Luda, Lia.”

Erzen was head over heels for Luda.

Luda didn’t dislike Erzen either. She liked him.

<I received a confession, but I cleanly rejected it. He’s a mercenary, after all. Dating someone who can’t settle down is a bit… I hope Erzen meets someone who understands his situation. And I have no plans to leave your side Miss, no, Madam.>

To Yuliana, it seemed Luda had feelings for Erzen but was giving up due to various circumstances. Among those circumstances, she was included.

Having someone like you is a blessed happiness, yet Luda gave up that happiness.

Yuliana felt sorry for Luda. And she felt guilty.

In the midst of this, she couldn’t help but be happy hearing from Anthus about Erzen’s decision to settle down.

“Still, it must have been hard to give up the title of Mercenary King.”

“He values Luda more than the title of Mercenary King.”

Anthus recalled his conversation with Erzen. He was drinking, despite not being able to handle alcohol, suffering from the pain of unrequited love.

<Yan, you’re amazing. How did you achieve a nine-year-long unrequited love! Teach me! I want to achieve love with Luda too.>

<It’s simple but difficult.>

<What is it? Is it harder than catching a basilisk? Hiccup.>

<It’s different from catching monsters and winning love, Erzen.>

<I don’t know about that, what’s the method?>

<Don’t give up on love.>

<Who doesn’t know that? Luda told me to meet a nice woman. I confessed, but I keep getting rejected!>

<So will you give up because you keep getting rejected?>

<No, even if I give up mercenary life, I can’t give up on Luda.>

Anthus made a suggestion to Erzen, who said he would give up the title of Mercenary King for Luda.

<Join the Rockbellion family.>

<Join the family? What do you mean, Yan?>

<I want you to take the position of captain of the knights of the Rockbellion family.>

Erzen didn’t understand Anthus’s proposal. He had already earned enough money. He didn’t see the need to join the knights of the family.

<Think about it, Erzen.>

<About what?>

<If, after marrying Luda, a child born between you two resembles you and has a talent for swordsmanship.>

<If the child resembles me, that could happen.>

Erzen blushed, imagining a future with Luda.

<I’ll be the swordsmanship teacher for your child. And I’ll talk to His Majesty Cloud to give you a suitable noble family name.>

<Indeed, having a noble family name is convenient in many ways.>

<As a sword master, you could receive an earldom if you want, but Luda wouldn’t want the life of a countess. Luda wants to stay by Lia’s side no matter what. A baron’s title would be just right.>

Erzen nodded at Anthus’s words.

<If Luda accepts your proposal, I’ll change her to a commuting job. Think about it. The image of a knight captain and a future head maid commuting together. And a cute child resembling Luda.>

Erzen didn’t think long. He judged that listening to Anthus was the best for the future.

Erzen immediately gave up mercenary life and confessed to Luda again. Luda, feeling responsible for making him give up his beloved mercenary work, accepted Erzen’s confession, grateful that he stayed by her side.

Anthus looked at Javelos with a broad smile. If the first child, Noelis, resembled Anthus, the second, Michael, and the third, Javelos, resembled Yuliana.

“I’m thinking of appointing Erzen as the captain of the 8th Knights of Rockbellion.”

“It’s good news for us, but the mercenaries following him might be disappointed.”

Erzen held the title of Mercenary King. Many mercenaries followed him. But suddenly, he gave up mercenary life and was appointed as the captain of the Rockbellion family knights, making people curious.

<What did Anthus Rockbellion propose to Erzen?>

The mercenaries following Mercenary King Erzen opposed him quitting mercenary work. But Erzen told them he wanted to settle down for love.

“Thanks to that, we’ve secured a good swordsmanship teacher for Michael and Javelos.”

“Swordsmanship teacher?”

Yuliana looked at Anthus, tilting her head.

“Erzen has agreed to be the swordsmanship teacher for Michael and Javelos.”

“Can’t you teach Michael and Javelos directly, Yan?”

“Swordsmanship should be taught by someone else.”

Anthus looked at Javelos, lying in the cradle, smiling brightly. He didn’t have the confidence to strictly teach his sons, Michael and Javelos, who resembled Yuliana.

So he entrusted Erzen with the position of knight captain, asking him to be the children’s swordsmanship teacher in the future.

Of course, he told Erzen that if a child born between him and Luda needed a swordsmanship teacher, he would take on that role.

“Erzen gladly agreed to be the children’s swordsmanship teacher.”

“I hope Erzen, who made a difficult choice, marries Luda and lives happily.”

“A man in love will do anything. Just like I did.”

Anthus smiled, recalling the first time he met Yuliana.

* * *

At fifteen, he stepped onto the battlefield for the first time, following Philip.

Among the knights seasoned in war, Anthus, who still bore the traces of boyhood, was quite young. In his eyes, a young girl who seemed much younger than him caught his attention.

He wasn’t usually interested in others, but strangely, she drew his gaze. Perhaps it was because she seemed out of place on the battlefield, sparking his curiosity.

“Father, why is that girl here?”

At Anthus’s question, Philip opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“This is the first time, Anthus.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s the first time you’ve asked about someone else out of curiosity.”

“Isn’t it strange not to be curious when there’s such a young girl in a war zone?”

“The girl you’re curious about is Lady Yuliana of the Loengrin family.”

“Why is the Earl’s young lady in a war zone?”

Philip found Anthus’s barrage of questions unusual. His son was never curious about others.

“Anthus, you might not know. Lady Loengrin can summon the water spirit. The water spirit not only heals bruises but also solves the problem of scarce drinking water, so she was ordered by His Majesty Rezeph to accompany the war. This is her first expedition.”

“I’ve heard of a young lady who can summon spirits. So it was Lady Loengrin.”

Anthus shrugged. Having satisfied his curiosity, he looked at Philip with a face that seemed uninterested. But in Philip’s eyes, he could see Anthus’s interest in Yuliana.

“Why don’t you go and say hello, thinking of her as a cute younger sister?”

“No. Is there a need to greet her on purpose?”

“But wouldn’t it be nice to get along?”

“No need, Father.”

Philip looked at Yuliana, who, despite her young age, was participating in the war with a mature demeanor, with a bitter expression.

<A descendant of Saint Rosaline and a spirit summoner! Lady Loengrin is a special child. It’s fortunate that Earl Loengrin took the saint. It almost feels like a blessing… Her name was Yuliana, right?>

The filthy gaze of Rezeph, who seemed to view Yuliana romantically, filled him with disgust. Above all, her engagement was led by Rezeph.

<An engagement can always be broken, and if it is, she’ll have a blemish, leaving no man to take her.>

A woman who has been broken off from an engagement is viewed like a flawed jewel. Rezeph spoke as if he would definitely take her as his concubine if she reached a suitable age and the engagement was broken.

Recalling Rezeph’s disgusting words, Philip’s face darkened rapidly.

“Father, how long do you think this war will last?”

“I don’t know. We’ll need your help again.”

“Looking at the map and geography here, utilizing the high ground seems to be the key, Father.”

“Alright. I’ll count on you.”

Sighing, Philip’s face showed a different expression than usual, making Anthus want to ask what was wrong, but he held back. In fact, more than Philip’s serious expression, his attention and interest were drawn to Yuliana, who was distributing water to people here and there.

Anthus kept his eyes on Yuliana, following her. Her appearance, with blonde hair fluttering among the rugged knights, seemed like a yellow chick chirping and walking, making him unconsciously chuckle.

‘Is it because her hair is golden? She looks like a chick.’

Anthus wanted to talk to Yuliana. But uncharacteristically, he kept hesitating. He couldn’t understand why he felt this way.

He kept watching Yuliana, trying to find an opportunity to speak to her. He thought there was no need to suddenly approach and speak to her while she was busy filling buckets with water, healing people, and moving around busily. As the heir of Rockbellion, approaching her suddenly might surprise or burden her. And it might be rude to speak to someone busy, so he held back.

‘Why should I hold back?’

Anthus wasn’t one to care about others’ opinions. He couldn’t understand why he was even considering whether it would be rude to Yuliana. And truthfully, he wanted to speak to her.