My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 207

207. Gale Mercenary Company (1)

A heavy silence fell upon the reception room.

A weighty atmosphere pressed down.

Roswell didn’t move.

As if struck by a petrification spell, she sat motionless.

Only her eyes, slightly trembling, were fixed on Cyan.

And it wasn’t just Roswell.

Clunk.

Stiffly.

Nathan and Holant.

Their movements had also ceased.

Their flushed faces had hardened.

Their restless fidgeting had stopped.

In the silence where no one moved.

Sip.

Only Cyan lightly lifted his teacup.

He slowly looked around.

Roswell, Nathan, and Holant, all frozen stiff.

From their appearances, Cyan could confirm two things.

First.

‘As expected, Holant knew too.’

Holant was also aware of the facts.

That Elantur’s slush fund existed and Soren had run away with the Brahe Trading Company’s funds in the past.

Holant knew everything and had hidden Soren.

And second.

‘They really came because of the slush fund.’

The reason Roswell and Nathan were here was none other than the slush fund.

To be precise, it seemed they were here in connection with Soren.

It was obvious they were related.

Indeed, it was strange for those two to be here.

At this time, of all times.

There was no reason for them to be at the Aven family.

Cyan lightly set down the teacup he was holding.

The sound of the cup hitting the saucer echoed through the silent reception room.

And after a moment.

“What… what are you talking about?”

Roswell slowly opened her mouth.

Had she regained her composure so quickly?

Roswell’s expression had returned to normal.

“Just as I said. Where is Soren now?”

But Roswell’s expression hardened again at Cyan’s words.

At the same time, her gaze towards Cyan changed subtly.

As if she was trying to figure out what Cyan knew.

‘Does this bastard know something? What does he know?’

‘No, how does this bastard know that name…?’

Roswell’s eyes held such complex and bewildered emotions.

She had never imagined it.

She could never have imagined that the name Soren would come out of Cyan’s mouth.

But the name that came out of Cyan’s mouth was definitely Soren.

And it was here, in the Aven family’s estate, where Soren was hiding.

That meant he knew some of the truth.

But how?

No, let’s say he knows.

But why is he asking so openly?

Roswell couldn’t hide her bewildered feelings.

But only for a moment.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

Roswell quickly regained her composure and replied.

She didn’t know how he knew.

But Cyan knew something.

But not completely.

Because that was a truth that should never be known.

Roswell lightly raised her teacup.

At the same time, she savored the aroma of the tea with an expression that she really didn’t know anything.

And Cyan watched Roswell.

‘You’re going to pretend you don’t know?’

Cyan chuckled inwardly.

“Don’t you know the name, Elder Sister?”

“I don’t. And I don’t know why you’re looking for him here, but you’ve got the wrong person.”

“I only asked where he is. I didn’t ask if he was here, though?”

“…”

Roswell was momentarily stunned.

But only for a moment.

“Isn’t that the same thing? Are you trying to play games with me?”

Roswell frowned and said.

Cyan waved his hand slightly and replied.

“Of course not. I was just wondering if you knew anything about it.”

“No.”

Roswell shook her head firmly.

Cyan tilted his head once and asked Nathan and Holant.

“What about you, Elder Brother and Grandfather?”

“… No.”

“… No.”

Nathan and Holant spat out the words.

At their answers, Cyan made a strange expression and said.

“Hmm… that’s strange. According to the information I found, Soren is definitely here, in the Aven family’s estate.”

At that, not only Roswell but also Nathan and Holant’s eyes widened simultaneously.

As if to say, how do you know that…?

Cyan pretended not to notice their reaction and slowly opened his mouth.

“If it’s not too much trouble, can I take a look at the people in this estate?”

At Cyan’s words, Holant’s expression twisted.

Cyan continued to speak, still pretending not to know.

“I’d feel uneasy just leaving like this. I think it’s better to be sure before leaving…”

“Of course not ─.”

“I’ll talk to Grandfather about it.”

Roswell’s voice cut off Holant’s words.

Holant looked at Roswell with surprised eyes.

Roswell gave Holant a strange look and said to Cyan.

“I’m fine with it, but my grandfather is the owner of this estate. Searching the estate requires my grandfather’s permission in many ways. Isn’t that right, Grandfather?”

“Y, yes, that’s right.”

At Roswell’s words, Holant reluctantly nodded.

Cyan chuckled at the sight.

A grandfather who is controlled by his granddaughter.

Well, it wasn’t different from the Holant that Cyan remembered.

“So wait here for a moment.”

Roswell slowly got up from her seat.

He wondered why she was suddenly acting like this.

It seemed like she was trying to talk about the situation without Cyan present.

In other words, it seemed like they were trying to plot something.

Roswell’s expression was unreadable.

What should he do…? But.

“I understand.”

Cyan nodded.

#

Holant’s office in the Aven family’s estate.

Thump!

“How the hell does that bastard know about Soren?!”

Nathan shouted, slamming the table.

His face was flushed and distorted with anger.

“I don’t know. And shut up, it’s annoying.”

Roswell coldly replied to Nathan.

She was already troubled enough with her complicated thoughts.

His noisy behavior only irritated her.

Roswell quietly pondered as Nathan shut his mouth.

In the past, the Brahe Trading Company and Elantur’s slush fund…

Soren was connected to all of those things.

But that was now an unknowable truth.

It had happened years ago.

All the truth was covered up.

And all the people involved were dead.

But how could Cyan know the name Soren?

It wasn’t just probing.

In the first place, it didn’t make sense to probe the name Soren.

Above all, he couldn’t even know that Elantur had a slush fund.

In other words, he couldn’t know that the slush fund was here, in the Aven family.

That was impossible unless he investigated all of Elantur’s ledgers.

But that was literally ‘impossible’.

Therefore, Cyan shouldn’t know anything.

That Soren was hiding here, in the estate.

That Elantur’s slush fund was here, in the Aven family.

Cyan couldn’t know any of those facts.

Of course, it wasn’t certain if Cyan really knew.

Cyan had only uttered the name ‘Soren’.

But.

“Grandfather. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

It was a problem that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

“I, I don’t know either… How does that guy know Soren…?”

Holant answered with a confused expression.

Holant also didn’t seem to know anything.

But the situation that had come was a clear reality.

“He definitely knows something.”

So Roswell accepted it as a given that Cyan knew something.

Of course, it could be a simple coincidence.

But at this point, it couldn’t be dismissed as a coincidence.

Cyan knew the related facts.

And how he knew wasn’t important now.

“Sister! Can’t we just go and kill him? He doesn’t seem to be armed ─.”

“Will you please shut up!”

Roswell frowned and shouted.

Of course, Roswell also wanted to kill Cyan if she could.

Cyan had brazenly walked into the heart of the enemy camp on his own two feet.

She could have cut off his head right now.

But not now.

At least not here, inside the estate.

Because that would give the imperial family a reason to intervene.

Ruben and Elantur.

The imperial family shouldn’t get involved between those two.

But to be honest, she could just ignore that.

It didn’t matter if the imperial family intervened.

Of course, no matter how much it was Elantur.

They couldn’t do anything against the imperial family.

But it would be different if they could catch Cyan.

If they could catch Cyan, Ruben would be finished.

The imperial family’s intervention could be resolved with apologies, atonement, and punishment.

The punishment wouldn’t be light.

But it was worth it if they could catch Cyan.

It wasn’t that Roswell hadn’t thought about it.

But it wasn’t a problem to think about so simply.

“Do you think that bastard came without any countermeasures?”

There was no way Cyan would have come like that without thinking.

Cyan had completely deceived Durak and Isabel.

As a result, Cyan had given Elantur a huge blow to the back of the head.

Cyan had brazenly done what no one else in the empire could do.

Would such a Cyan come here without any countermeasures?

Cyan couldn’t not know that this place, the Aven family, was Isabel’s territory.

Cyan didn’t not know that it was the heart of the enemy camp.

Even so, Cyan had confidently walked to the front gate.

As if to say, try me if you dare.

He must have made some preparations and defenses.

He must have done some groundwork in an unimaginable way.

If they touched him carelessly, they could be the ones who would be harmed.

Of course, the truth was that he really came without any countermeasures.

And Cyan didn’t even know that Roswell and Nathan were here.

But based on Cyan’s previous actions, Roswell couldn’t think that way.

“Then what should we do? We can’t just leave him alone. And if that bastard finds Soren…”

Then everything would be over.

Nathan clenched his fists and trembled.

But Roswell wasn’t too worried.

“It’s okay. Even if that bastard finds Soren, there’s no problem.”

“What do you mean… Ah.”

“The slush fund can’t be found unless you’re a descendant of Elantur.”

That’s because it wasn’t enough to just find Soren.

The numerous devices that hid the slush fund.

Isabel had thoroughly concealed the slush fund.

She had predicted and designed all cases and all variables.

She had thought about all the situations and blocked the variables.

Kai, Roswell, Nathan.

She had made it so that the slush fund could be found even if only one of these three survived in the distant future.

Of course, the existence of Soren played an important role.

But decisively, it was made so that it could not be found unless it was a ‘descendant of Elantur’.

The reason why Roswell and Nathan came here directly was because of that.

So even if Cyan finds Soren.

In the end, it couldn’t be found unless it was a descendant of Elantur.

Unless it was a descendant of Elantur…

Unless it was a descendant of Elantur…

“Unless it was a descendant of Elantur…?”

Roswell muttered without realizing it.

The meaning of the descendant of Elantur was simple.

Durak’s blood, not Isabel’s.

It didn’t matter whether he was Isabel’s child or not.

Durak Elantur, the head of Elantur.

It was a matter of whether he had inherited that blood or not.

And Cyan.

Cyan didn’t share a single drop of blood with Isabel.

But that wasn’t the case with Durak.

Biologically, Cyan was Durak’s son.

And nominally, he was recorded as a descendant of Elantur.

Of course, Cyan had abandoned the name of Elantur when he received the title of Count.

So it was difficult to call him a descendant of Elantur.

But the formal investiture ceremony had not yet taken place.

He had received the title of Count, but Cyan recorded under the imperial law was not yet a Count.

He had the authority and status of a Count, but it was only a practical effect.

Formally, he was not yet a Count.

As a result, Cyan had no new surname.

He had no surname other than Elantur.

That is to say.

Currently, Cyan’s name is ‘Cyan Elantur’.

Under imperial law, Cyan was exerting his power as a descendant of Elantur.

“…!!”

At that moment, a chilling thought flashed through Roswell’s mind.

Her eyes widened.

“W, where is Soren now!”

Roswell urgently shouted to Holant.

#

“Troops are moving inside the estate right now.”

People’s eyes widened at Grayson’s report.

“Judging by the fact that they are moving carefully without leaving any traces, it seems that Soren is moving.”

And Grayson continued.

Although Grayson ended his words with ‘it seems’.

If Grayson, a master of tracking, said that, it was certain.

“This… it seems that Count Cyan has stirred things up properly.”

“What the hell did you do?”

Hugo and Bonita muttered with admiring expressions.

How long had it been since Cyan entered the estate, and they were already moving?

They thought it would take at least a day.

To be exact, they were secretly thinking that it was impossible.

“If this is the case, there’s no need to camp out.”

Hugo shook his head.

Behind Hugo, Hans slowly got up from his seat.

“What is the size of the force?”

“It is estimated to be about 30 people. And their attire was that of soldiers, but… judging by their behavior, they seem to be quite well-trained. Perhaps… they are knights.”

Hans pondered for a moment at Grayson’s report.

30 knights.

Honestly, it was a force that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

It wasn’t just easily dismissed, it was a formidable force.

30 soldiers would be one thing, but 30 knights couldn’t be taken lightly.

Moreover, they weren’t ordinary knights.

The knights of the Aven family, a prestigious noble family in the south and Isabel’s main family.

They wouldn’t be as good as Elantur’s White Wolf Knights.

But they were high-level knights that could not be ignored.

If they could have brought Ruben’s knights.

If they had even Ruben’s soldiers, there would have been no problem.

Even if they were the knights of the Aven family.

They were one step behind Ruben’s soldiers.

But Ruben’s soldiers were not here now.

The force on this side was only 7 people.

If Amelia was excluded, it was 6 people.

Even that was all 5 old men and 1 hunter.

Considering protecting Amelia, there were only 5 people who could actually fight.

It was woefully inadequate to face 30 knights.

But they couldn’t miss this golden opportunity.

“Everyone, get ready. We’re leaving right away.”

Hans said to his colleagues who were looking at him.

#

An area not far from the Aven family’s estate.

A deserted mountain near Amsberg.

“Haa…! Haa…!”

A fat man breathing heavily.

“Damn it… damn it!”

Soren spat out the words.

His whole body was soaked with sweat.

Normally, he should be lying comfortably in the estate right now.

In the safest place in the estate.

In a room where everything was top-notch.

He should be enjoying pleasure while hugging beautiful women.

“Haa…! Haa…!”

There was no reason to be on this rugged mountain road.

Soren panted and climbed the mountain road.

His thick belly swayed and sticky sweat dripped down.

“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”

Numerous curses were naturally uttered from Soren’s mouth.

He wanted to rest, but he couldn’t.

He had to get away from that bastard who had suddenly barged into the estate as soon as possible.

“Haa…! Haa…! Damn it!”

Soren panted and climbed the rugged mountain road.

At that moment.

Stop.

The soldier in front of Soren suddenly stopped walking.

Thump.

As a result, Soren bumped into the soldier’s back and fell to the ground.

He was out of his mind due to the limit of his stamina, so he couldn’t react.

He had no time or strength to regain his balance.

“What!”

Soren frowned without realizing it.

It was already terrible, what was this?

Soren gritted his teeth and shouted at the soldier in front.

“Why did you suddenly stop ─”

And just then.

Thud ─!

A dull sound of a crossbow being drawn echoed.

The sound of a crossbow being drawn…? Before that question could even arise.

Swaek ─!

A stream of arrows flew towards Soren, cutting through the wind.

Soren couldn’t react to the arrow that looked like a dot.

Clang!

And the sound of metal was heard again.

Looking at that place, the soldier in front was blocking Soren.

The soldier seemed to have knocked down the flying arrow, and the weakened arrow was bouncing out of sight.

It seemed that the reason why the soldier suddenly stopped was because of this arrow.

The soldier not only sensed the presence.

The soldier deflected the suddenly flying arrow.

It was an appearance that could never be thought of as an ordinary soldier.

“Enemy attack!”

The soldier who deflected the arrow shouted loudly.

At the same time, the soldiers around Soren drew their weapons.

They could have been embarrassed by the sudden situation.

But the soldiers were not embarrassed at all and formed ranks in an orderly manner.

Soon, they turned their eyes to the direction from which the arrow had flown.

Looking at that place.

A series of people revealed themselves, cutting through the darkness of the forest.

“Old men…?”

They were some old men.

Their faces were wrinkled.

The muscles were buried in time and their strength was lost.

There were a total of 5 such old men.

And each of them was holding a distinctive weapon of a long sword, axe, dagger, sledgehammer, and mace.

Gulp.

Soren swallowed without realizing it at the sight.

The appearance they showed was that of old men.

All old men who had flowed through time.

But the momentum that was felt was not at all like that.

Even an old and weak ogre is still an ogre.

Such momentum was felt from the 5 old men now.

Soon, an old man stepped forward.

“Grayson. I ask for rear support.”

“I understand.”

Along with the old man’s words, a low voice was heard from the darkness of the forest.

It seemed that there was someone else besides the 5 old men.

But it couldn’t be seen.

The voice could be heard, but the presence was not felt at all.

“Shall we have some fun!”

“To be able to fight with this member again before I die.”

“Kuhahahat! Old memories are coming back to me!”

Soon, the old men’s boisterous voices were heard.

Hans, the old man at the very front, slowly gripped his sword.

In the past, there was no request that the Gale Mercenary Company could not solve.

The Gale Mercenary Company, which wrote legendary stories in the mercenary world.

Hans was the leader of such a Gale Mercenary Company, but that was only in the past.

Now he is an administrator of Ruben.

Unlike his other colleagues, Hans had put down his sword for far too long.

The years he had not trained were also far too long.

Over the long years, the light had faded.

But.

“Hugo. We couldn’t solve Baron Brahe’s request in the past.”

A legend is a legend because it is a legend.

“Yes. It tarnished the reputation of the Gale Mercenary Company.”

Hans calmly gripped his sword at the sight of Hugo smiling.

It was really the first time he had held a sword in a long time.

And he thought he would never hold it again.

The feeling of old memories felt in his hand.

“That request. The Gale Mercenary Company will continue to carry it out.”

That feeling didn’t feel so awkward.