A Famous Traitor and Treacherous Genius

32 – Children of the Canyon (2)

The treason certainly did not end well.

His mother committed suicide, and his father was executed by the emperor.

Noir died of syphilis.

I-

‘If that is called death, did I die more cruelly?’

He was crushed to death by the collapsing rocks of the canyon due to the bombardment of the Imperial Army led by the Emperor in the center of the Gibraltar Gorge.

The person next to me at the moment of death was Princess Naria.

‘Personally, it’s the worst death, but I don’t think it’s as bad as Lettar.’

There may be differing opinions depending on the person, but personally, Letard was killed in the most brutal way.

If we were to summarize her cause of death in one line, we could say that she was killed by her pet dog.

Lettar had a cruel temperament.

The surrounding environment did not suppress such anger, but rather stimulated it to explode.

Daughter of a traitor.

A person who sells his country and enjoys wealth and fame.

The second-class subjects of the empire insulted the seemingly easy-going young Letard, and Letard mercilessly tortured those who insulted him.

-Brother. Buy me this.

-…What are you trying to do?

-No, isn’t it okay to do whatever you want with slaves?

I knew.

How will Letard deal with those who are not second-class subjects but ‘slaves’, that is, those who have been demoted in status for resisting the empire?

‘If they ask me to buy whips and torture devices, then how can I not know?’

It’s not like we’re going to make a museum out of it.

– Do it in moderation.

Permission was granted. She had no reason to stop her, and she didn’t think there was a need to stop her.

Although he became a traitor, Gibraltar was on the rise, and he thought that those who pointed their fingers at Gibraltar should have their hands and tongues cut off.

Sometimes, there were times when I was actually thankful.

There were people who attacked the count’s mansion or committed terrorism, claiming to be revolutionary forces.

-Throw this guy to Lettar. No. Should he ask me to come and take him away?

Among them, there was no need for me to test the lethality of the new musket for those with fairly fair faces.

A few years later.

I think it was about a year before Letard died.

-To Lethar….

-Cha, please shoot me and kill me! Count, last mercy!!

-Well, me too! Please behead me! Please, please!

Lettar’s notoriety grew to the extent that it spread not only to the colonies but also to the entire empire.

The captured revolutionary army wanted to die by my hands instead of Lettar.

To top it all off, President Morgania personally sent me a letter telling me to ‘do it in moderation’.

At that time, I thought, ‘What are they going to do with me?’

The handling of those sentenced to death according to imperial law was simply handled through a division of labor.

In the process, I was just able to satisfy some of my personal desires.

– Gray Margrave.

-Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor.

-The princess said that. Her sister was quite scared.

-……If it is His Majesty’s order.

Although it was incomprehensible in many ways, I eventually decided to let Lettar take care of himself due to pressure from many places.

-Raise a strong dog rather than killing it recklessly. If it dies, replace it.

If there is controversy over brutally killing several people, wouldn’t the uproar be quieted if one person is tortured for a long time?

Thinking about it now, that may have been the indirect cause of Lettar’s death.

As it happens, the boy in front of us was brought in to satisfy Letard’s sadistic desires-

“What’s your name?”

“…Ethan Cesar.”

This is Ethan Cesar, the wolf-like orphan with silver hair.

“Cesar.”

I know it well.

“I definitely remember him as a western baron.”

“…….”

“Ah. It fell.”

Writer Baron César.

“I read in a book that his grandfather was probably put on trial for having five warships taken by pirates.”

The last Baron Cesar sat in an important position in the navy.

And he was stripped of his title because the fleet he was leading was captured by none other than pirates.

“But now you’re using a nobleman’s last name even though you’re not a nobleman?”

Cracking.

He clenches his fists and grits his teeth.

Anyone can see that it was an act of trying to suppress anger.

“You, you…! How dare you open your eyes to the master like that!”

I did the insult, but the people around me immediately raised their voices towards Ethan.

“I apologize…! Ethan, you were wrong…!”

“Yeah, right! I’m sorry! Master! Ethan didn’t know much…!”

Gisu’s children, who had decided to go to the orphanage together, make a fuss, fearing that Ethan will spark a fire in them.

“Apology. I was just asking?”

I wouldn’t have known it before, but now I can understand their anxiety and fear.

“I was just asking out of curiosity. Is there anyone among these people who is of noble bloodline like Ethan?”

When I casually asked the others, the other children hesitated and looked at each other.

“I see. Then it’s just you.”

“Uh….”

The poison in Ethan’s eyes slowly dissipates.

“Rest assured. Gibraltar does not discriminate between fallen nobles and commoners. This place, [Angel’s Canyon], Will take care of you until you become adults.”

If you want to know why the orphanage is called Angel’s Canyon, you should go to Mrs. Charlotte Gibraltar and ask her.

“I’m rather glad to see you. Do you know the etiquette of nobles?”

“Ah, that, yes.”

“Then, you should teach it to other children. It costs quite a bit of money to call a royal etiquette teacher.”

“…….”

Ethan’s face turned red, and then she lowered her head and nodded slightly.

‘Troublesome guy.’

Future master and revolutionary hero who killed Bloody White?

First of all, right now, I am an orphan, a fallen nobleman who can’t even think about what to do.

Aren’t little kids quick to get upset even if their weaknesses are touched just a little bit?

Differences in status.

‘You must have realized it.’

I don’t even pay attention to my own situation.

I asked only with a pure question.

Do you really know?

‘The leader of this rider will be Ethan. ‘Everyone is already looking at me with envy.’

I supported him even by placing a political burden on a nobleman who had been stripped of his title, treating him differently from a commoner.

“Usually, your mother would come and take you to the orphanage, but today I will do it.”

“Hee, hee hee…?”

The guide maid who came directly from the orphanage becomes a place of contemplation.

“Why. Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no! Do as you wish…!”

She is a woman who looks well over 30 and is scared of me.

‘The kids were all scared.’

It seems wrong to receive positive attention from children entering orphanages like this.

“Hey, brother.”

The only person who looks at me favorably and without prejudice is Lettar.

“Is he a nobleman?”

“Not nobles. Right now.”

“Why?”

“That child’s grandfather committed a great crime against the country.”

“Then his grandfather did something wrong, didn’t he do anything wrong?”

Lettar tilts his head and asks.

“Um, sure.”

The following answer would be correct: ‘You are now directly challenging the Nostrum Kingdom’s solemn national decree, the punishment of defeated soldiers, and the long-standing customary law of guilt by association.’

“It’s not his fault.”

I held back those words and patted Letard on the back.

“Go in and sleep early. Say hello to your mother.”

“Uh, yes!”

“Why do you care?”

“Uh, that’s….”

Lettar blushes.

Perhaps it was a twist of fate, but before I spoke, the two looked at each other for a long time, unable to speak.

‘This, this.’

You can tell just by looking at it.

Moreover, since I have seen the future, I can feel it better.

‘Maybe it’s because we met when we were young, but we fell in love with each other like this.’

It is time for Letard to become interested in the opposite s*x.

I feel sorry for the children at the orphanage, but Ethan seems to have the most potential among the children who have come in so far, perhaps because his talent and appearance are proportional.

“…….”

“Uh, brother?”

“As expected, go to your mother. Tell her that I will take the children to Angel’s Canyon instead. You can do that, right?”

“Uh, yes…!”

Lettar nodded his head, turned his body, and—

“Ha, you can’t kick me out carelessly…!”

He whispered those words in my ear and quietly left.

‘Guy.’

In the future, they dragged that guy around like a dog, and this time, they’re trying to pretend to be their owner since they were young.

“Let’s go first. And Ethan Cesar?”

“Yes, master…?”

“That title is enough. Let’s talk a little while we go. Um, this is a personal question.”

I sneakily walked next to Ethan Cesar and placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Huh?!”

The others screamed in vain behind me, but I just ignored them and secretly whispered to Ethan.

“Love at first sight, first love. Do you think something like that will ever come true?”

“……!!”

“Personally, I tend to support that kind of thing.”

“Yes…?”

“Because.”

Most of the time.

“Because it’s not an easy thing to accomplish.”

Because first love never comes true.

* * *

There is one major superstition in Nostrum.

-If someone suddenly tries to hire you without any knowledge or basis, show your loyalty to that person.

This is a superstition related to an interesting story that came out of the life story of the Nostrum royal family.

When the country is in difficult times, a hero always appears.

And in the midst of such difficulties, the Nostrum royal family found heroes who could solve those difficulties like ghosts.

Taejo of Nostrum described this ability as ‘divine eye.’

He wore an eyepatch over his left eye, and when he saw someone, he took it off and looked at the person, and it is said that those who were selected in that way all showed outstanding talent.

Whether it’s swordsmanship, command, magic, or politics.

As such an atmosphere spread throughout the kingdom, this proverb also arose.

-People are loyal to those who recognize them.

At some point, such an atmosphere became stronger in the kingdom.

A court wizard who was discriminated against during the academy because he was a commoner, but became a close friend of the king and developed the kingdom’s magic.

The Crown Prince visited the slum and hired him personally to raise him after he was dying of starvation in the slum.

The sword master queen who swept away the contaminated area full of monsters and married the king of the time.

All of them have been chosen for no reason by members of the royal family who are said to have the eyes of God throughout the Kingdom of Nostrum.

In that sense, it is not strange that an ordinary new maid named ‘Marylee’ became the director of Gibraltar Orphanage in just three years.

-He was promoted after making a good cup of tea and grilling a steak well in a dangerous situation.

There are still many people who disparage him, but ‘he’ believed in him and left him in charge of this orphanage.

So, you have to do well.

To Gibraltar’s ‘real power’, who can only be seen accurately if you look inside Gibraltar, especially from the deepest place.

“Phew. The new children’s rooms have been cleaned up…”

There should be no mistakes.

He just drinks tea and looks down on Master Noir, who is sweating profusely in the training hall, but he knows everything that goes on inside the mansion.

“As for leading the children… Oops. Your wife is having trouble moving around right now. Will Deacon Malcolm want to lead the children…?”

“Look, the director of the orphanage–!!”

A young maid with pigtails and glasses rushed over to her.

“Hey, Cecil. You’re being reckless in the hallway-“

“Young master is coming!!”

“……!!”

Marylee suddenly got up from her seat.

“Mo, all the daycare maids are at home haaap!!”

5 Minutes later.

In front of the main gate of the orphanage, Marylee, including the director of the orphanage, came out together with other daycare staff.

And they saw.

Jeopuk, Jeopuk.

A boy with gray hair walks at a very leisurely pace.

“Hmm.”

Now, she has a physique similar to that of a normal female adult, so it would not be strange to say that she is a young adult.

“I feel this every time, but it’s nice to be built in a place with good wind.”

However, only a very small number of people, including Deaconess Marylina Malcolm, know about it.

That boy, walking backwards as if he had just walked out of the orphanage, bringing the daycare staff and 10 children from the new orphanage behind him, is truly a dangerous person in this family.

“Hmm.”

Look.

“Why are you all here to meet me?”

Just looking at his attitude, he takes it for granted that he came and all the servants are there.

-Miss Marylee. I think Count Crimson is trying to raise them separately.

Deacon Malcolm, who was stabbed but miraculously survived, secretly told that story.

-For Master Noir, a sword called force. And I entrusted the sword of ‘politics’ to Master Gray.

Political successor of the Margrave of Gibraltar.

-Well, then what happens to the kids who gave in to Master Noir?

-I don’t know. sh*t. I don’t know what to do either. Oh really. Having to work while paying attention to the opinions of people who are not even adults…

For the servants working in the family, there is no situation more terrible than this.

“Marylee.”

“Yes!”

“I want to check out ‘Hwawon’ for a moment.”

“…….”

“Why are you doing that? Are you in a bad state right now?”

A capable servant must be able to understand the master’s tendencies and be ready to give whatever the master wants at any time.

“It has been thoroughly cleaned, and some of the children are currently taking care of ‘the flower.’ Shall we call the children as well?”

“No, leave the living room empty. I’ll go up right after I take a look at the condition of the plants.”

“Yes…! Ah, master.”

“What?”

Could it be that I have crossed a line?

Mary Lee swallowed her saliva for a moment.

“Can we process the last group of children from the orphanage who followed us right away?”

“…Ah.”

Luckily, I didn’t cross the line.

“Okay. I forgot for a moment that I was thinking of seeing the flowers first. Go through the formalities.”

“I will follow your instructions.”

“Thank you, Marylee.”

“Yes!”

Mary Lee bowed her waist vigorously.

For this boy, Gray Gibraltar, ‘having his name remembered’ is also proof that he was chosen by him.

“So, everyone?”

Marylee smiled brightly at the children who were somewhat nervous.

“Welcome to Angel’s Canyon.”

She did her best to imitate the smile of the master she had decided to follow.

* * *

‘As expected, he’s quick-witted.’

Whether you are a servant or an employee, you must have a head for work.

Or maybe he was quick to notice.

‘He has a desire for promotion, so even if people around him are jealous, he will prove it with his abilities.’

In that sense, Mary Lee passed.

Although she was never employed by the future Nana House of Gibraltar-

‘It’s quicker to trust my eyes than to trust that kind of information.’

It is better to make a judgment based on my experience and perspective as a margrave.

Look.

“Young master, you can come this way. The basement is here.”

“What is your name?”

“Se, it’s Cecil!”

“Yes, Cecil.”

Before she knew it, Mary Lee had assigned me a maid who seemed to be her right hand man.

“Do you know what the flowers growing in this basement are?”

I picked up a white flower placed at the entrance to the basement.

“It’s a flower called Somnus!”

“That’s right. That’s the correct answer.”

I don’t know about it because I’m a maid, but it’s a fairly common flower.

A pretty flower that could be used as an illustration in children’s storybooks.

“…….”

The white petals that are divided into five branches and the light purple color in the center are truly beautiful.

“Well, master. I’m really curious. Why are you growing this separately underground?”

“Why? That’s right.”

I handed the maid a flower that had no scent.

“Because it’s pretty.”

No one knows yet.

The result of alchemy is created the moment the juice squeezed from this common white flower grown underground meets a certain substance.

White silver.

Among them, the one responsible for ‘white’ is this somnus flower.

“I use this flower.”

3 Years.

“I’m going to open a flower shop in the capital. And I’m going to sell it. I’m going to make a lot of money.”

“…….”

“Just like the tulips that were popular in those islands.”

I succeeded in mass cultivating somnus flowers in my basement.

“This makes money. Obviously.”

What is being sold will not be flowers, but white pollen.