Whooooo

Whoooooo

The sharp wind from a blade grazed my cheeks as it passed by, but it didn't hurt.

I turned my head left and right, seeing clouds and birds.

I quickly realized I was flying in the sky.

...It had to be a dream.

I remembered having a dream where I flew in the air after using [Overrun].

Looking down, I saw the familiar landscape of a city.

It was Polaris, the city with Waldeurk Castle.

'Even the place is the same.'

Since I had come here again, I might as well look around.

'Last time, the dream ended with Theo entering the castle from the backyard.'

I lowered my altitude and headed straight for the castle's backyard.

There, as expected, was Theo, laughing with veins popping out on his face.

Similarly, near him was a stone the size of a child's face, with blood-red letters swirling around it.

...Wait and watch as you die. You vermin who disregarded me. I will expel every single one of you.

This time too, Theo moved towards the back door of Waldeurk Castle, spouting lines befitting a third-rate villain.

'It seems I'm invisible.'

I immediately followed him into the castle.

After entering Waldeurk Castle, Theo walked endlessly.

Thud, thud, thud

His steps were relentless.

Watching him, Theo's destination became clear.

'...The Waldeurk family head's room.'

As I suspected, Theo stopped in front of the entrance to the Waldeurk family head's room.

"......"

After hesitating for a moment in front of the door, Theo fiercely pushed it open.

He approached a man sitting in front of a large desk.

Then he uttered something unbelievable.

...The worthless bastard has finally become a human, Father. What do you think?

The man identified as the father was Robert Lyn Waldeurk, the head of the Waldeurk family and Theo's father.

Like Theo, Robert, with his silver hair and red eyes, stood up with a dignified posture and replied.

You've become someone who needs to be killed immediately. ...You've crossed a line you shouldn't have, you fool.

Where is the line not to be crossed, and where is the line that must be crossed? If you approach it that way, the first to cross that line were the household members, especially the knights, those bastards. I will not leave a single one of them alone.

Despite his son's explosive statement, Robert remained calm.

Haven't I always told you? They are to be cared for within the large fence of Waldeurk, as they are members of our household, and you, Theo, should be the fence for them. If you truly are a noble, you should first equip yourself with the appropriate attitude.

Theo shouted with a grim expression.

I don't want to be a fence for those bastards! The one who was most saddened by Mother's death was none other than me! How could they be so cruel to me? Every day, every minute, and every second was agony!

Robert looked at Theo, sighed briefly, and then sat down again before speaking.

That's all because you lack ability. If you lack ability, you should grow it. Moreover, don't look for the cause outside; find it in yourself.

That's the way of the nobility.

...I've told you this time and again.

Theo, perhaps even more infuriated by Robert's calm demeanor, roared out his words.

Is it really my fault that Mother died?! Tell me, Father. Is it really my fault! Why does everyone only curse me!

Shut up now. No matter how angry you are, where do you get off acting so disgracefully? I did not raise you to be...

A fool.

With that scolding, Robert stood up.

Wait here silently. I will return you to your original state first, then decide what to do with you.

Click.

Robert closed the door quietly as he left the room.

Theo, with his head bowed, clenched his fists and trembled.

I, I, I...!

Then, bang! bang! bang!

He punched the desk Robert had just been at furiously.

The solid, thick desk split in half. It was not the strength of a human.

...

That was the last scene I saw.

I woke up from the dream.

[You have cleared a Hidden Quest. As a reward, you have obtained 10 gold coins for the shop.]

: Win a duel against an overwhelming opponent (Non-repeating)

[Total Rewards: 10 shop gold coins]

As soon as I opened my eyes, what I saw was the quest completion window.

The 'victory' mentioned in this Hidden Quest implied killing an overwhelming opponent.

The standard for 'overwhelming' was somewhat vague, but well... it was a one-time, non-repeating quest, so there was no need to delve too deeply into it.

Anyway, when I slightly turned my head to look around, I found myself in a rather spacious and luxurious room.

[Twisted Noble's Dignity] seemed to resonate with emotion.

Soon after, I realized that I was in a medical room attached to Waldeurk Castle.

'Well, Theo's tastes must be genetic.'

Had it not been for the presence of hospital beds and various medical tools, the space could have been mistaken for the bedroom of a high noble.

Then, something rustled at my feet.

"Uh, um, ah... sleepy... Oh? Theo!"

It was Aisha.

She hurriedly turned away, took out a handkerchief from her bosom, and wiped near her eyes and mouth.

Then, turning back towards me, Aisha said,

"How's your body? You suddenly collapsed; I was so worried!"

I wanted to respond, but no voice came out.

Only my mouth flapped open and closed like a fish; that was the limit.

I tried to move my fingers and toes.

'Ugh!'

They didn't budge.

A sharp pain surged up. But not even a groan could escape my lips.

'The consequences are much greater than when I used [Overrun] alone.'

When used alone, at least my voice would come out, and my fingers and toes could wiggle.

Let's think positively.

Pain is a kind of instinctual defensive action that the body takes to protect life.

Not feeling any pain at all is truly dangerous. It means the body's defense system has stopped working.

'I'll get better with some rest.'

How many minutes had passed?

I wanted to know the current time and to exchange feedback with Nay.

Given that Nay hasn't spoken to me, it means the [Demon Sword] is somewhere away from me...

'No choice then.'

If there are no teeth, one must make do with gums.

Creak.

Amy returned with a freshly washed towel.

Her eyes widened.

"Young master!"

Theo was awake.

It had been a full 24 hours since he had passed out.

Having taken care of Theo several times before, this was the first time he hadn't woken up for so long.

"......"

Theo's condition was grave.

Unable to move even a finger, he just lay in bed with his eyes open.

According to Taylor's diagnosis, rest should normalize his condition.

Of course, he added that it would take quite some time since all the muscles in his body had been squeezed out, and his body was weak.

Amy approached Theo with swift but silent steps and looked down at his face carefully.

Theo's lips were moving slightly.

He had something to convey, but no voice came out.

Amy placed the towel on Theo's forehead and focused on his lips.

His lips moved weakly, making it hard to understand what he was saying.

However, Amy did not take her eyes off his lips.

Eventually, she understood the message Theo wanted to convey.

'Bring, my, sword, to, me...'

Amy took the [Demon Sword] that was placed beside the bed in her hand.

As soon as she held it, a strangely disjointed voice was heard.

Bring... me... to... the... child...

A chill ran through her body instantaneously. She almost dropped the sword.

Amy carefully placed the sword beside Theo.

Then, she looked at Theo with a heavy heart.

'To fight on, enduring such horrific sounds every moment...'

How painful it must be.

Why is he fighting to such an extent?

What does he want to achieve?

Many thoughts crossed her mind, but Amy shook them off.

After all, what she could do best and was capable of doing was supporting Theo.

It didn't matter which path he chose or how he walked it.

She would just silently support him from behind, ensuring he could stand up again every time he fell.

That's the way of a secretary.

Amy quietly sat down on a chair near the bed and began to watch over Theo again.