Side Story - Chapter 12

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The nobles had to receive the best, so they knew that the goods were managed differently from those generally delivered. And Baron Jennet was said to be in and out of here often. It was exactly the kind of place that was run on the upper levels under the command of Viscount Leunet.

“If you’re a very suspicious person, and a member of a family that colludes with such a person, you either have a bond that connects you to both, or you’re an associate.”

Albert told him exactly what he had thought, which meant that his guess was correct. Deciding to follow him once more, Ver was very pleased with his choice. After feeling more rage rise in him, Ralph retreated again. He knew that Ver was a capable knight, and he was also a man who had reached the bottom of the slippery slope. It was true that Ralph’s fighting ability was no joke, it had developed massively through battles.

But Ver was even better. Ralph stepped back, away from him. Instinct came first. Facing him head-on, he would definitely lose. The sudden appearance of Ver started to turn Ralph’s brain wheels again.

Ver was not the kind of person who would escort anyone. He had no reason to. But for one person it was different. Ralph felt something after seeing the figures of Ver and Prillance. Prillance’s brown hair fluttered and shone under the sun.

If Ver Grant had a lady to protect, it was Prillance Weiand, the only flower of Marquis Weiand.

“Ha,” he said, a laugh escaping his lips.

His guesses were all wrong. Ver was neither a commoner nor a low nobleman.

“How long can you laugh?” Ralph’s laugh offended Ver, as though it was directed at him. He was ready to face him properly.

“Calm down. I’m not stupid enough to fight you.”

Ver raised his eyebrows at those words. Ralph knew him. But he did not know Ralph well. That made him feel uncomfortable again.

“It’s not for you to decide.”

Ver, with his sword, swung as soon as he had finished speaking. Ralph barely managed to dodge it. Really barely. His shirt ripped open. And there was blood on his chest where the sword had grazed. The moment he noticed it, the attack continued. Ver cut his arms and his side. Needless to say, his clothes were torn and blood dripped. Several times he used the cane he had brought with him, but it was quickly cut in half by Ver’s sword. The sword that had cut the cane in half also nicked Ralph’s face. Ralph thought he was a natural at fighting, but in front of Ver, he was helplessly beaten. He needed a chance to escape. He was already covered with wounds. He had never felt so helpless in his life. Ver’s swinging blade made a terrible noise. Each time, Ralph’s body became more vulnerable, and the clothes he wore became a little more torn.

“It’s no use running away. Baron Ralph Jennet.” Ver said, moving his sword for a moment. It was a kind of warning. Ralph already knew that, so even if he could leave now doesn’t mean he’s safe.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” He choked while laughing. Even Ralph, who was laughing so much, didn’t know why he was being like this. It was the first time he had felt anything other than defeated. It was new to him.

Ver had never once neglected Prillance’s protection while attacking him.

From the beginning, he was no match for Ver alone. Ralph rubbed his thumb and middle finger together, making a gritting sound. He could feel the small presence of guards. There were several of them.

“You’re the ones who got caught this time.”

There were quite a few opponents. If Ver was alone, those guys would be nothing, but today, the safety of Prillance came first.

“Let’s not see each other again,” said Ralph, who had noticed Ver’s movements and quickly disappeared.

Ver’s face was deliberately blank, but when he turned his head back, Prillance looked infinitely stiff.

“Are you all right?”

Prillance answered him with a small nod.

“I’m glad I’m not late,” Ver said, his face was gradually soured. It was disturbing.

“What did I say? Didn’t I say there’s no better fighter than me?”

As Vere said this he examined Prillance’s arm. The wrist that Ralph had held earlier was slightly red. Prillance was speechless.

“Wherever you go from now on, you must go with me. I don’t feel at ease,” said Ver, as he sighed deeply. The hand that covered her red wrist was warm.

“How did you get here?”

It was a cautious question from Prillance. It was inevitable. It was because she was worried that it might seem strange to meet someone who had offered him a job as Minippi manager.

“I happened to see it,” Ver pretended not to know as he read the worry in her eyes.

“How did you come to know him?”

Ver was curious. Why was she meeting a man who was a mystery to him everywhere he looked? Even the escort was beaten by him.

“That’s ….”, she tried to think of an answer, but her mind had long since turned white at the sight of Ver’s haunting gaze.

“My Lady, are you alright?”

At that moment, the escort came belatedly. He was surprised to see Ver with Prillance.

“I’m sorry,” The escort, Rhein apologised immediately.

The first priority of the escort was the safety of the object of protection. No matter how many enemies there were, they had to be the first to find them. Even if the protection was covert, it had to be the first priority.

“Are there any injuries?”

“No,” said Ver with a small sigh, “but your head is not safe.”

“Go back to the mansion.”

“Yes,” said Rhein, knowing he would be reprimanded on his return.

Ver did not get to hear Prillance’s reply. She didn’t wish to answer either.

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