The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel

It wasn't until late at night that the Knights who had sortied during the day returned.

Wesley immediately reported the situation to Madeline.

“It was Goblins again this time. But their numbers have more than doubled since the last time.”

“Any casualties in the Knight Order?”

“Only a few with minor injuries. Everyone is fine.”

“Thank goodness. But I wonder, why are monsters appearing now when it's been quiet for so long?”

Madeline wore a serious expression.

Wesley observed her reaction and carefully began to speak.

“I think we need to investigate the West Mountain Range. I will lead an investigation team and go myself.”

“Absolutely not. I can't send you to a place where we don't know what dangers might be lurking. If we're sending an investigation team, send Sir Skevin.”

“As the Commander of the Knight Order, he must protect the Count's family. Besides, I must investigate this incident myself to formulate a proper plan for the future.”

“But…”

Wesley approached Madeline and took her hands firmly in his.

“I am not so weak as to be defeated by Goblins. Please, trust me.”

“What if there are other monsters?”

“The Knight Order will be with me, so it will be fine.”

“Haaah…”

Madeline let out a deep sigh.

How could this boy, who looked so much like Count Malcolm, have a personality that was just as identical?

Who could ever win against that stubbornness?

“If you must do it, then leave only a minimal force in the castle and take everyone else with you.”

“I can't do that.”

“Skevin and Millerf will be by my side, and it's not like anyone will invade the territory. Don't worry about things here and just come back as quickly as possible. That is the best way to serve the Count's family and me.”

Faced with Madeline's firm stance, Wesley had no choice but to nod.

“Understood. Then I will depart as soon as preparations are complete.”

Wesley left the office at once and ordered the Knights to form an investigation team.

Meanwhile, the people of the territory trembled in fear at the news of the monster appearance, but they soon regained their vitality when word spread that the Knight Order had wiped them out.

But Arthur was different.

He couldn't shake the grotesque sound he had heard during the day from his mind.

Why did he think of ‘them’?

It was then, as he sat perched on the windowsill, deep in thought.

Knock, knock.

‘Who is it?’

Glancing toward the door, he saw Wesley entering the room.

“What's up? You even came all the way to my room.”

“Hmph.”

Wesley let out a small laugh.

If it were the old Arthur, the boy who had been so terribly afraid of him, he wouldn't have been able to make a peep.

But now, not only was there no trace of that fear, he even seemed rather insolent.

However, since he could no longer see any trace of the foolish, childish boy he used to be, he didn't feel bad about it.

“Tomorrow, I'm leading an investigation team to the West Mountain Range.”

“And?”

Arthur looked out the window as if uninterested.

Wesley paid his reaction no mind and continued.

“If, by any chance, something happens to me, I'm entrusting Mother to you.”

Only then did Arthur look at him.

“Why are you telling me that? There's Aild, too.”

Aild was Arthur's second older brother.

If something were to happen to Wesley, it was only natural that Aild, the second son, would take his place.

Wesley gave a meaningful smile.

“Of course, I've told Aild as well. But looking at you these days, I feel a strange sense of reassurance. I wonder why that is.”

“How would I know?”

“True.”

Wesley chuckled and turned around.

Then, before leaving the room, he added one more thing.

“If, and this is a big if, something unfortunate happens to me and you need someone's help, go find the village blacksmith, Van. He will be a great help to you.”

“With so many worries, will you even be able to do your job properly?”

“You've got a point.”

Wesley left with a bitter smile.

Left alone, Arthur looked up at the moon, which seemed three times larger than Earth's, and shook his head.

“Tsk, tsk, a man about to go to the battlefield…”

        *        *        *

The next day.

Wesley led the Knight Order and headed for the West Mountain Range early in the morning.

Arthur decided the monstrous cry he'd heard yesterday was a pointless worry and shook it from his mind.

He then went up to the castle wall and looked at the surrounding scenery.

“How long do you think this peace will last?”

Andrew was flustered by the sudden question.

“Young Master, what do you mean by that…?”

“I was just curious.”

“My wish is that it continues forever.”

“I hope so, too.”

Arthur gave a meaningful smile.

“It is now time for you to go see Her Ladyship.”

“Hmph.”

Arthur wore a displeased expression but went down without another word.

Andrew watched the greatly changed boy and smiled faintly.

***

Madeline was having a busy day, reviewing various administrative documents.

Knock, knock.

With a knock, Arthur entered.

Madeline stopped what she was doing and welcomed him.

“Welcome!”

As always, she patted the seat next to her.

Just as Arthur routinely took the seat beside Madeline, she stroked his head and asked.

“How are you today?”

“I'm fine.”

“You always say that.”

Madeline looked disappointed.

Arthur found her reaction too burdensome.

For him, memories of a mother consisted only of being berated and abused.

The being he hated most in the world.

Because of that, at first, Madeline's concern and affection had felt disgusting.

It had gotten a little better as time went on, but he couldn't help but feel burdened.

If this kept piling up, he was bound to explode someday.

Arthur pondered for a moment, then spoke firmly, as if he had made up his mind.

“I'm all better now.”

“But your memories haven't all returned.”

“They'll come back when the time is right. Starting tomorrow, I'll come when I want to.”

“Arthur…”

“Well then, I'll be going back.”

It was then, as Arthur stood up from his seat.

Madeline grabbed his hand.

“No matter what anyone says, you are my beloved son. Always remember that.”

‘Beloved son?’

The words sparked a strong sense of rejection within him.

But from Arthur's memories and from what he had seen of Madeline so far, he could feel just how dearly she thought of her son and how proud she was of him.

He couldn't bring himself to deny it.

He silently bowed his head and went outside.

As Andrew approached his side, he could faintly hear her sobbing from beyond the door.

‘Damn it!’

She was a complete stranger to him.

So why did he feel so damn rotten?

And why did his chest ache so much?

Was it because of her love and concern, something he had never received in his life?

As all sorts of thoughts, speculations, and subtle emotions flooded in, he felt like his head was about to burst.

“Prepare a horse.”

Arthur's brow furrowed as he walked away.

        *        *        *

“Huh? He looks perfectly fine, doesn't he?”

“It's obvious Sir Millerf must have healed him.”

“Using a noble mage to heal that scoundrel, it really feels like shit.”

“What can you do? The noble blood of the House of Count Julius flows in that bastard's body.”

“Noble blood my ass. Tell everyone to be careful, the scoundrel is out.”

“Got it.”

The group that had been watching Arthur scattered.

As he toured the territory on horseback, Arthur glanced toward the alley where they had been hiding.

Even when he was Kang Tae-soo, his senses were so exceptional they were second to none.

Thanks to that, he had returned alive from the brink of death more times than he could count.

While it couldn't be compared to his past life, Arthur's senses were still decent enough.

“Hmph.”

Arthur laughed as if finding it pathetic.

At the same time, one person came to mind.

He had been planning to meet him someday, and it seemed today was that day.

He pulled the horse's reins and moved toward a certain location.

Seeing the direction he was heading, Andrew's face darkened rapidly.

“D-don't tell me his memory has…”

***

A moment later.

The place Arthur arrived at was a tavern mainly used by the violent thugs of the territory.

The boisterous place fell silent the moment Arthur entered.

After a few seconds had passed.

From the farthest corner, someone came trudging over.

“Well, look who it is.”

A man with the build of a bear and the look of a bandit—Kenlak, the ruler of Grada's back alleys.

He was such a vicious character with a large following that even the Knights wouldn't touch him unless he caused a major problem.

It wasn't that they feared him, but that they considered dealing with him a stain on a Knight's honor.

On the other hand, Arthur, being a noble, had been on familiar terms with him, as Kenlak provided whatever he needed as long as he paid.

Kenlak looked Arthur up and down with a sneering gaze.

“You're lucky to be alive.”

“Did you want me dead?”

“If you had died, there probably would have been a festival in the village.”

Kenlak flashed a foul smile.

Arthur had high hopes for this man, who had been an interesting character in his memories, but seeing him in person was a disappointment.

“A scoundrel and a punk…”

“What are you talking about?”

“You're not very quick on the uptake.”

At Arthur's words, which sounded like a provocation, Kenlak snorted as if it was pathetic.

“Hey, had a near-death experience and lost all your fear, huh?”

“Maybe.”

Arthur nodded and approached the tavern owner.

“Give me a glass of the usual.”

“Ah, yes.”

The owner quickly poured a glass of White Shagger.

After downing the White Shagger, which was no different from vodka, Arthur turned his head to Kenlak.

“That pill you gave me back then.”

“How was your trip to hell?”

Kenlak sneered.

“Did you give it to me hoping I'd drop dead?”

“You just figured that out? I'm pretty sure I warned you. Don't ever think of ripping me off. If you don't want to die, give me the money you promised.”

“Is that so.”

Arthur's lips curled up as he grabbed a nearby bottle and brought it down on Kenlak's head.

CRACK!

The bottle shattered.

Blood trickled down from Kenlak's head.

But as if he felt no impact at all, his lips curled up into an eerie smile.

“Are you begging me to kill you?”

“This is the price for messing with me.”

Arthur mercilessly kicked Kenlak in the groin.

THWACK!

“Keuk.”

This time, as if he felt the impact, Kenlak's face contorted grotesquely, and he dropped to his knees with a thud.

“Krrgh…”

Kenlak ground his teeth and glared at Arthur.

“Now we're finally at eye level.”

“You scoundrel bastard…”

“That look in your eyes, I don't like it.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he jabbed his fingers into one of Kenlak's eyes.

“Aaargh!”

Kenlak screamed and rolled on the floor.

His violent thrashing sent tables and chairs flying, turning the hall into a complete mess.

The men with him only growled, unable to rush forward, crushed by Arthur's terrifying aura.

‘What the hell is that bastard?’

‘Are those the eyes of a human? That's a killer's gaze.’

‘Did he go completely insane after almost dying?’

Arthur leisurely wiped the blood from his fingers with a handkerchief.

“Next time, it won't be your eye, but your neck.”

He was about to turn away when a thought seemed to strike him, and he tossed a gold coin to the owner.

The owner caught the gold coin and tilted his head.

“W-what is this?”

“For the drink. The rest is for my outstanding tab.”

“What?”

The unimaginable had happened.

The man who had never once paid for a drink was now paying for his drink and even his tab.

The shock was brief.

‘What do I do with this? Could he have some other ulterior motive? Should I just give it back? What if he throws a fit, saying I ignored his goodwill? This is driving me crazy.’

Worry piled up on the owner's face.

Arthur received the heated gazes of everyone, but he calmly walked outside as if nothing had happened.

As soon as the door closed, everyone's jaw dropped.

“What the hell just happened?”

“Shit! I thought my heart was going to explode.”

“Is that really the same bastard we knew?”

It felt as if they were dreaming.

But seeing Kenlak collapsed on the floor, groaning in pain, they had no choice but to accept the situation.

“Ugh, my eye…”