The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 107: The History of Kurogane – Time

Chapter 107: The History of Kurogane – Time

Heavy rain, shattered castle gates, collapsed houses, countless bodies, countless corpses, and in the midst of it all, past Ragna stood alone.

“―Damn it,” muttered Hero Ragna.

My ancestor stood alone with a sorrowful expression in what was clearly the aftermath of a war.

“This is too sudden of a twist, what is going on?”

Just a moment ago, everything was going great, but the contrast is overwhelming.

“Well, it’s probably not a memory you’d want to watch.”

“Then let’s move on.”

I needed to figure out how to revive quickly.

It’s fine, we know the result anyway. It’s about saving time.

“No, that won’t do.”

―Snap

Sebas snapped his fingers, and the scene rewound.

“Secrets are forbidden, as per our contract. It’s also important to pass down the will engraved in your bloodline.”

“There’s not a shred of privacy.”

“Indeed, your life with Alicia will be fully exposed.”

“There’s really not a single shred!”

Sebas’s words were no joke.

From now on, Sebas will be there at all times, no matter what.

I’ll always feel like he’s watching me.

“Well, that’s after you die.”

“Then, I guess it’s fine.”

It didn’t really matter.

“But, young master.”

“Hmm?”

“If things continue like this, you’ll end up dead with your head ripped off.”

A harsh reality.

“Personally, I’m curious about what your life with Alicia is like, but we need to save what lives we can.”

“I still don’t understand how to come back to life from being decapitated.”

The current situation is unsettling because it only deals with flashbacks and doesn’t touch on the crucial part.

Coming back from complete decapitation is practically demonic.

If I were to imagine, it would be like Jelasis turning into a demon.

“Does that mean becoming immortal by making a contract with a demon like you?”

“The Brave family cannot make contracts with demons.”

“But you were talking about contracts and bloodlines.”

Gotcha.

“You don’t understand, young master. If there was a contract, the first generation wouldn’t have died in the first place. Do you think you’ve won the argument? Not quite, young master.”

“Ugh, the story isn’t progressing, so just move on.”

I wondered if a day would come when I could win an argument with Sebas.

It didn’t seem likely.

“Young master, don’t rush.”

With a somewhat gentle tone, Sebas snapped his fingers again.

“If you keep watching, you’ll understand everything.”

My consciousness focused on the scene.

I was drawn into the memories etched in the blood flowing through my body.

“It’s no use anymore. Lady Patricia, you can’t push yourself any further.”

“Don’t speak. I will definitely save you.”

Patricia cried beside the soldier, who was mortally wounded near the collapsed castle wall.

The soldier, trapped under the rubble, was shedding large tears but shook his head as he watched Patricia encourage him through gritted teeth.

“More people are waiting for you than for a dying man like me…”

“Be quiet.”

His lower body was already crushed, and it was a miracle he was still alive. Yet Patricia did not give up.

“It’s because you stayed behind and called for evacuation until the end, and held back the monsters, that the damage was contained at the castle gate.”

And why is that? Because she saw it.

“The lives of those injured are not in danger. More than that, I want to save you, who are on the brink of death.”

“Lady Patricia…”

“In times like these, we need people like you to survive as much as possible. I don’t know if you’ll be able to walk again, but please don’t give up.”

Patricia wanted to break through this situation.

It’s not good for people willing to sacrifice themselves to disappear.

That’s why you must survive, Patricia said.

Otherwise, the tension would snap.

The country was in such a precarious state that even a small act of giving up could lead to its complete downfall.

If anyone gave up, it wouldn’t just be the castle walls that would collapse; the country itself could be lost.

“That’s why you have to live. No matter the state or situation, we all need to live. The country is working to find the cause and fix it, so hang in there.”

“Yes…”

The soldier knew exactly what the situation was like.

Patricia’s words struck deep into his heart, and he accepted treatment while shedding tears.

No one knows if their generation will solve this problem. However, the sentiment was clear.

Before that, people must not get used to sacrifices. If they did, heroes would not emerge.

“I can’t protect anyone with my own body like you do.”

“Lady Patricia…”

“But I can keep the flame alive for those who stand up against hardships like you. So, don’t give up on living.”

“Yes…”

“Soon, he will come with the dragon to help everyone…”

Hearing Patricia’s words, the injured soldier closed his eyes peacefully.

“What we need is not false power… but the real thing.”

As the rain started to fall, Patricia, exhausted and drenched in sweat from using her magic, murmured.

At that moment, a carriage appeared before her.

Two men in ornate noble attire and Edward descended from the carriage.

“―What did you say!!”

Upon hearing something from Edward, Patricia’s previously compassionate expression turned into one of fury as she glared at him.

The rain gradually intensified.

“―This is Lady Patricia’s true sentiment.”

“Wow, it cut off at such an interesting part!”

It felt like a TV show abruptly switching to commercials at a crucial moment.

Patricia was very different back then compared to now.

She was genuinely kind, worthy of being called a saint.

A question popped into my mind.

“Wait, why is there a scene of Patricia and a soldier in the bloodline memory?”

Hero Ragna wasn’t present at all.

If it were a blood memory, maybe someone like the present me was watching from somewhere.

“It’s simple. I am the root of all the evil that plagued the country.”

“Oh, I see.”

Apparently, he added it to make the scene more dramatic.

If that’s the case, then it’s fine… or is it?

Calling himself the root of all evil sounded a bit off.

“But if it’s not clear, the true meaning won’t be conveyed.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“As you wish.”

With Sebas’s explanation, the scene started playing again.

Near the collapsed castle gate where Patricia was helping with rescue efforts, Edward appeared with his retainers.

“Edward! What did you just say?”

Patricia’s voice was filled with anger.

Facing Patricia’s intense glare, Edward responded with a somewhat business-like expression.

“The decision has been made to abandon the castle town. I’ve come to take you back.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s no time.”

“If you don’t explain, I won’t take a single step from here.”

“We’ll discuss the details at the castle.”

“No, tell me here. I’m not moving until you do.”

Edward sighed slightly and signaled his subordinates with his eyes.

“What!? Let go of me!”

Patricia, now unable to move with her arms restrained, was forcibly taken to the carriage.

“It’s a royal decree. Patricia von Ocean, you must come to the castle.”

“Edward…!”

Even someone called a saint couldn’t defy a royal order.

Even though there was no king left in this country.

Pushed into the prepared carriage, Patricia and Edward left the collapsed castle gate behind.

Inside the carriage, Patricia bit her lip and looked down.

Edward watched her with a slightly sad expression and then began to speak.

“I have bad news and good news. Which do you want to hear first?”

“Talk about whatever you want.”

“Alright, we have confirmed the source behind the increased activity and proliferation of the monsters.”

According to Edward, forbidden demon summoning books were found among the relics of the old royal family, whose bloodline had been thought extinct.

“It’s like a curse from the past. With your strong holy attributes, you must have had some inkling of this.”

“…Is that the bad news?”

“Unfortunately, that’s the good news.”

Edward took a deep breath and delivered the bad news.

“We have confirmed that other countries are taking advantage of the rampant monsters to invade.”

“…I know.”

Patricia understood that the collapse of the castle gate wasn’t due to monster attacks but rather siege magic bombardment from another country.

“It’s truly a cursed legacy.”

Edward continued.

“This country became a great power through the old royal family’s acts of aggression. Behind the conqueror was an evil presence, and now we’re facing the consequences.”

Edward, unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, continued speaking.

“And now, the four families trying to unify the country have decided to summon demons again to resist the invaders.”

“!? That’s insane!”

Dealing with demons is a forbidden act, no matter the era. Doing it again is unthinkable.

“Don’t tell me you don’t understand what kind of situation this country is in because of this!”

“Of course, I understand.”

“Then why?!”

“It’s precisely because we know that the current situation is the result of a powerless path to domination that this decision was made.”

“You’re planning to repeat the same mistake?!”

“I know! But we don’t intend to repeat it!”

Edward’s voice rose to match Patricia’s desperate shout.

“That’s why we’ve decided to temporarily use the souls of some commoners as a sacrifice.”

“Edward… are you serious about this…?”

“It’s the only way to deal with the miasma spreading throughout the country…”

Edward’s face showed his pain.

It was natural.

He didn’t want to discuss such a matter with someone he cared about.

With a comrade who stood up to save the country.

With someone who always thought of the people, never lost their smile, and worked harder than anyone else.

With someone who struggled to save everyone without making a choice, how could he deliver such cruel words?

“The military has been fully mobilized to deal with the monsters, barely keeping the supply routes open. This country is just hanging on by a thread.”

Until now, neighboring countries had refrained from interfering due to fear of secondary monster attacks.

However, interference had begun from distant countries with grievances against this country and from those with buffer zones.

“Just enduring won’t guarantee a future.”

“Edward, there is a future. If we hold on a little longer, Ragna will come with the dragon to cleanse the evil.”

Hearing Patricia’s words, Edward sighed softly.

“…We ran out of time.”

“Edward…”

Facing threats beyond the monsters, the other three families couldn’t accept the hope of relying on an ordinary commoner and waiting a little longer.

In chaotic times, heroes emerge, but it is the leaders who move the country.

It’s harsh.

No matter how powerful the hero is, it doesn’t change anything.

“The cause lies in the past. Once I discovered the cause, it was possible the other three families would take such measures.”

Edward covered his face with his hands and let out a deep breath.

“I couldn’t deny their actions.”

In moments where you have to choose one side over the other, silence can lead to ruin.

Edward, in a position where he had to choose, felt helpless.

“As you said, it’s just postponing the problem. But, we can at least minimize the damage.”

If the cause of the monster proliferation and their immense power could be cut off, with Ragna and Patricia there, they could do it.

A hero capable of fighting a thousand enemies and a saint who heals all.

This would serve as a diplomatic card and a deterrent against other nations.

“I know it’s cruel to tell you this, but I…”

Even though he was part of the privileged class, Edward often went outside and interacted with the common people, much like Patricia did.

Because of this, he deeply felt the responsibility of making a decision that would involve the people and burdening his two friends who were fighting desperately, causing his voice to tremble.

“Edward, calm down.”

“Patricia…”

Patricia gently hugged the weakening Edward.

“I understand that you want to protect everyone. I’m sorry if my words were too harsh.”

“This is something I should bear alone. I shouldn’t have told you…”

“Stand tall, you’re a man. It’s okay. You’re not alone in this.”

Patricia cupped Edward’s face with her hands and turned him to face her, smiling slightly.

“Fufu, your eyes are all red. Crybaby.”

“I was seriously worried…”

“Don’t cry. One of your best qualities is your stubbornness, never giving up no matter what. I like that about you.”

“P-Patricia…? Are you confessing your love to me? That’s so sudden…”

“Maybe it’s a bit early to make a decision like that, don’t you think?”

“No, let’s get married right now! Before I bear the disgrace of relying on demons, I want to be yours!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I’m serious!”

“It’s enough that you’re feeling better. Edward, before anything else, there’s something we need to do. Will you come with me?”

While they were having this back-and-forth, the carriage arrived at the castle.

The rain was still falling, but at that moment, it felt as if a light was shining between them.

Edward got off the carriage, led by Patricia. It was a scene that made one wonder who the real Prince was.

Patricia watched Edward, who was smiling despite his red eyes, and said with satisfaction, 

“I entrust my body to you.”

“Wha… it’s still daytime, this is too sudden, and I mean, shouldn’t we have some modesty…?”

At that point, the scene abruptly cut off and shifted.

In the audience chamber, Patricia, holding Edward’s hand firmly, faced three elderly men standing next to the empty throne without hesitation and said,

“Please use my power. With the magic of a saint, I can purify the evil magic spread throughout this country. If you’ve decided to sacrifice many lives, then one life of a saint should be enough.”