TFR 22

chapter 22

As soon as they arrived at the Aventurine Mansion, the reconnaissance team dispersed. Monterno gathered all kinds of painkillers and medicines in his room and headed to the underground prison, while the accompanying knights immediately joined their comrades who were preparing.

Cesario went straight to Baron Aventurine and, looking over the map, confirmed the shortest route to the Terzes Kingdom army’s hideout. Everything was moving quickly.

In just an hour or two, Cesario found Dantes’ room. He already had everything ready—from strategies to maps.

“It seems the Terzes Kingdom has deliberately formed an elite force. Judging by the fact that they didn’t even hide the clothes with their insignia, they’re willing to go to war. They probably thought this raid would succeed. Their total number is around five to six hundred, so they can’t move all at once. They’ve surely been moving in increments since we departed.”

Dantes looked at Cesario with a stern expression.

“So it’s confirmed—someone inside the royal court leaked information about this expedition.”

“Yes.”

Cesario drew a route on the map as he spoke.

“After confirming with Baron Aventurine, there’s another path to the Terzes army’s garrison. We took this one. It would be best to proceed with the third strategy devised by Gunter—attack all at once, leaving only the wounded and minimum personnel behind.”

“The probability of a traitor being here isn’t low either. The fact that the underground prison was poorly secured is suspicious. If they were skilled enough to deal that much damage to Fort, that strategy could be dangerous.”

“Most likely, the damage was calculated with Roberto’s abilities in mind. Gathering that level of mercenaries was impressive, but everyone who entered the Aventurine family is dead. There shouldn’t be any more elite mercenaries. If it’s on par with the Terzes elite force, the numbers won’t be a major problem.”

“Do you think the top-tier mercenaries have turned against us?”

Cesario nodded. No matter how good the suggestion, all the top mercenaries were dead—beaten by Roberto, who was shackled and handcuffed, unable to defend himself. None survived Gunter’s hammer.

Dantes agreed with Cesario’s assessment. Yet, as a cautious ruler, he still checked every possible scenario, even when his allies’ abilities were far superior.

“Let’s depart immediately. I’ll take the lead as well.”

“Are you sure?”

“If we don’t deal with them now, they’ll keep pestering us like flies until we reach Senreita. It’s better to handle them all at once.”

Dantes’ injuries were severe, but it was better to let them fully open and then return quickly to the palace for treatment rather than constantly aggravating them.

He also thought about Roberto’s condition. While focusing on Cesario’s strategy, Dantes’ mind kept drifting back to him.

Monterno, that rookie, could probably only induce mild hallucinations. He couldn’t fully heal those tattered hands.

Dantes recalled the sensation still lingering in his own palms. Even though he had wiped away all the blood and pus, traces of Roberto’s suffering remained in his hands.

Dantes looked down at his palms, then at Cesario.

“Now, I can swing my sword better than before I was injured.”

Cesario immediately sensed the anger in his eyes. According to Marco, Roberto’s condition was serious. Dantes wanted to call a doctor, but Roberto refused again.

Stubborn as always, Dantes only listened when Roberto pleaded. Cesario was simply grateful that Roberto was reasonable—willing to sacrifice himself for the Empire of Delion and Dantes. The exact reason for his escape was probably tied to this.

Cesario didn’t dwell on it. It was unnecessary. It was a matter between Dantes and Roberto.

“Then let’s move immediately.”

Dantes nodded silently.

“Ugh! Doesn’t it hurt? Ugh, ugh!”

Monterno applied the sticky medicine to Rosellina’s hands and feet. Despite being scared, she couldn’t stop shouting “Ugh!”

Rosellina was temporarily free from her shackles and cuffs. Her wrists and ankles were the worst—scraped and swollen from the thick iron. Monterno finished treatment with a nearly tearful expression and leaned exhaustedly against the wall.

“You really don’t make a sound, even though it must hurt?”

Rosellina did feel pain. But she had no strength to even groan. The painkillers Monterno prescribed were stronger than what ordinary doctors used, made from potent herbs—but it didn’t matter. They eased her suffering quickly.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t answer my questions, only say what you want.”

“…”

Rosellina had nothing to say. She was never talkative and didn’t know how to respond.

“Is it really enough to treat just your hands and feet? Lord Griffin said you have injuries elsewhere too…”

Rosellina shook her head. She wanted to avoid exposing her body. Monterno sighed, clearly puzzled.

“Then why did you want to die?”

“…”

“You asked me if I could kill you last time. I wanted to let you escape, thinking you didn’t really want to die… but you revealed my identity to the emperor.”

Monterno sounded genuinely disappointed. Rosellina slowly opened and closed her eyes.

No matter how skilled, she was still a young boy in essence. Rosellina sifted through her complicated thoughts. Between Dantes and herself were stories she couldn’t explain—mixed feelings of love, hate, and guilt, like the unknown sticky medicine on her hands and feet.

After a few minutes, she finally spoke.

“They’ll catch me again anyway. And then, you’ll bear the punishment with me.”

“What? You mean… because you’re worried about me?”

“This is a burden I must carry alone.”

Rosellina was wary of Monterno, but had no other emotions. She hated causing trouble for others. Thinking someone might be harmed because of her always brought her master’s face to mind.

Her duty as a knight. Even as a nameless mercenary, she recalled it constantly. Doing so made her feel she might regain some measure of honor when she died.

“At least if I meet my master in death, I can face him more proudly.”

Her master was special to her. He had recognized her as a girl first but kept her secret to the end. Bathing and solo actions were allowed only with his consent.

He died after leading a ridiculous battle to victory and being used in the royal factional disputes. It was only a year after Dantes and the Four Musketeers began their apprenticeship.

“I will create a country where righteous knights don’t die needlessly.”

For the first time, Dantes cried heavily. Seeing his master die due to his father’s incompetence and the ambitions of powerful nobles, he sobbed uncontrollably.

At that time, Rosellina believed she could stay by his side, support his determination, and sacrifice her life for the grieving emperor who mourned the knight’s death.

That feeling remained. She wasn’t as great as her master and wouldn’t die honorably. Yet she wanted to die for Dantes. That death would atone for her secret sins. Whoever held the blade didn’t matter.

But that blade must not point at Dantes. Some might find Rosellina complicated, but she was always clear.

Protecting Dantes for the Empire of Delion was paramount. The best way to do that was to wield her sword as a knight. It had once been her dream.

Her only dream for the future. When she could no longer do it, she resolved to leave Dantes’ side to protect him, thinking only of Delion and Dantes. She could find no other reason to live.

Dantes became her entire world, even if hidden under the name Roberto Brida.

“Monterno! Are you done with the treatment?”

Gunter entered the underground prison, swinging his hammer enthusiastically. Excited for the expedition, Monterno’s spirits plummeted just seeing him, and he hunched his shoulders nervously.

“Uh? Yes, all done… why?”

“Why? Because it’s time to depart. Hey, Roberto! Are you alright? You look a mess.”

Gunter clicked his tongue but seemed confident that Roberto could handle the injuries. Monterno looked flustered.

“Do I… go too?”

“Of course. How can you guide us if you don’t? Those hawks are yours anyway. Baron Aventurine doesn’t listen to anyone else.”

“I could just stay here and help…”

“Eh? Scared, huh, boy?”

Gunter laughed loudly, then said to Monterno:

“I, Gunter Butler, will make sure not a single hair on your head is harmed. Don’t worry.”

“I think I’ll get hit by Lord Butler…”

“Shut it! Get moving. I’m itching to fight!”

“I really can’t fight!”

“I know! You’re just a burden anyway.”

“Then why bring me!”

Monterno was nearly in tears.

“Dantes said to bring you if we leave! I’m just following orders!”

Gunter spoke as if he had no other thoughts. Monterno’s face went pale.