Chapter 61: Fate or Destiny

“Ugh!”

“Grandmother?!”

“Grandmother! Wake up!!”

That was the beginning of this damned life.

It was just a coincidence that I got my fortune told by the shaman grandmother. I hadn’t done anything, but when she screamed and scrambled away from me, I was so surprised.

And coincidentally, after that day, my grandmother went senile. It was also the beginning of misfortune.

Dan still remembers what she said.

“A powerful supporter of disaster, or a henchman, was it?”

How could I forget? After that, the villagers whispered about it and avoided me.

In this small village, rumors spread like wildfire.

The villagers shunned Dan, and even Ran, the grandmother’s granddaughter, couldn’t stop it. Rather, the negative feelings grew, and ‘shunning’ turned into ‘ostracization’.

I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t adapt at all.

I couldn’t possibly accept the fact that people who had been laughing and talking with me just a while ago were now ostracizing me.

But during the moments when no one spoke to me all day long.

During the moments when I had to spend the village festival night alone.

During the moments when all sorts of filth started appearing in front of my house.

Dan had no choice but to admit it.

‘All because of one prophecy.’

How primitive is this?

A hollow laugh burst out. But unlike the laughter, his eyes were bloodshot red, as if the blood vessels would burst at any moment.

Am I suppressing tears or anger right now?

What have I been doing with these people until now?

It’s only natural that the life of someone ostracized in a tiny village becomes harsh.

I’m old enough, and leaving this outdated village for the city wouldn’t be a bad idea, but Dan persevered.

‘She said she saw disaster in me.’

She said it was connected to me in the future.

Then, if I just stay here, won’t that ‘disaster’ come this way?

Of course, since fate is involved, I might meet it even if I go to the city. But if that’s the case, isn’t it more likely that I won’t recognize the ‘disaster’?

Let’s wait here.

Even if she’s senile, her skills won’t disappear, so Grandmother will recognize the ‘disaster’ instantly. Judging by her current personality, she’ll try to ostracize it right away.

If I side with the disaster then, I can easily gain favor and trust.

It’s already too much to try and avoid being involved with disaster, so Dan’s reason for deliberately siding with it was simple.

‘They’re so sure I’ll side with the disaster, so I’ll have to meet their expectations.’

Dan isn’t a pushover who gets taken advantage of. Especially if it’s not his fault.

Isn’t it too unfair to be ostracized before even doing anything?

And so, after persevering and persevering, the moment he finally saw the face of ‘disaster’, he couldn’t help but laugh.

‘It was you?’

What is this thing called fate?

White hair and red eyes. No matter how much time had passed, there was no way he could easily forget that striking appearance.

“Suddenly asking to be taken along is absurd. Who would take in someone as suspicious as you….”

“Stop.”

The man, who had been wary, interrupted the guard and slowly approached. His bright red eyes scanned me up and down with strange interest.

Dan swallowed hard and straightened his posture at the completely changed atmosphere. Even while tense, he didn’t avoid the gaze that seemed to dissect him.

Even though Dan had only lived in a remote mountain village, he knew the identity of the man before him. There was no way he wouldn’t.

Ten years ago, when the Eight Years’ War broke out, a name that suddenly became famous: Deon Hart.

‘During the war, he was famous as the ‘bloodthirsty vanguard’ and the ‘master of the Killer Squad’.’

After the war ended, he was famous as the last companion of the last Hero and a hero of the Empire.

Dan, recalling his numerous titles, thought of the most impressive one.

‘The Vampire Count.’

Yes, the Vampire Count.

A title perfectly fitting for a disaster.

Thinking that far, Dan grinned.

Deon’s eyes sparkled as he saw it.

He opened his mouth slowly.

***

Walking aimlessly, I arrived at the mansion before I knew it.

I looked up to check the sunset sky.

It must be around 5 PM. There’s no point in dragging out the time, so it’s best to finish the task today.

…But.

‘Why did you come along?’

What’s with the guy who was peeking at me from afar suddenly being naturally part of the group?

“Sir Lien. That man is….”

“Ah, are you referring to Dan? I still don’t trust him, but… my lord personally decided to bring him, so continuing to object would be disloyal. I will correct my behavior.”

He even exchanged names already?! No, when exactly?

Listening to Lien, it seems like I was the one who decided to bring him… but I don’t remember at all.

Rather than worrying deeply about this, I decided to think optimistically.

I’m already stressed with so many things to worry about. If something else is added here, it’ll be a headache.

‘There must have been a reason!’

At least I brought him because he’s useful somewhere.

For example, he’s good at fighting, or he knows a lot….

“My knowledge is lacking due to a lack of learning, and my combat skills are not at a level that my master, the hero, would be satisfied with.”

“……”

Why did I bring him? And why did he follow so readily? And what’s with that ‘master’ title?

I have a lot to say, but nothing I can say out loud. I looked at Dan with a complex expression before turning my gaze to the shaman.

This is definitely not avoiding reality. It’s just that there’s something more important to put it off for.

“I’m planning to leave right after a quick preparation. Is that alright with you?”

“There is no problem. However, may I bring up one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Are you planning to take the lives of innocent people as well as the instigators?”

“Innocent people, you say?”

“Including those who are simply deluded by the instigators.”

I was about to answer without thinking but paused for a moment, sensing something strange.

‘Did I say I was going to the Salvation Church…?’

I don’t need any separate proof. This person is definitely a shaman. There’s no way she isn’t. Ugh, I got goosebumps all over my body.

I rubbed my bumpy arms and nodded. I don’t want to lie to someone like this, and even if I did, she’d find out soon enough.

I plan to kill all the ordinary members of the Salvation Church.

‘Can those who are deluded by a false religion really be called innocent people?’

The shaman might think so, but I don’t.

People obsessed with religion are truly reckless. There’s a reason they’re called fanatics.

If their religion collapses, they will probably go crazy in various ways.

They might try to kill the person who destroyed their religion, or they might create a second Salvation Church.

Being so frustrated that they take their own lives is a reaction that can be considered mild.

So, it’s better to just kill them all without leaving any unpleasant loose ends.

The shaman Ran’s expression hardened.

“There’s no need to shed so much blood so early.”

The nuance is subtle.

I expected her to stop me by saying that I shouldn’t harm innocent citizens of the Empire, that lives are precious, or by talking about karma, which shamans often mention, but ‘so early’ implies that more blood will be shed in the future.

Doesn’t this sound like there will be more bloodshed later?

“…Do you know something?”

“I cannot answer. But this is also for your benefit. Please spare those who are merely deluded. If you refuse, I will not assist you.”

Judging by her expression, she wouldn’t answer even if a knife was at her throat.

This leaves me no choice.

In the end, I sighed deeply and nodded.

“I’ll have to increase the number of people I’m taking.”

If I’m not killing everyone, but choosing people to kill, it would be easier to bring more people.

“Thank you for accepting my unreasonable request.”

“No, well… by the way, you are….”

As soon as my gaze reached him, the man answered in an extremely polite tone.

“Please, call me Dan.”

“Okay, Dan….”

“May I come with you?”

“No.”

His face fell gloomily. I was rather dumbfounded.

Come along where? You said you can’t fight. Didn’t you hear the word ‘kill’?

“For now… wait at the mansion. I’ll tell Rememver, so there won’t be any problems.”

If someone who can’t fight comes along, they’ll only be a burden.

Of course, it’s not my place to say… but our statuses are different, right? I have guards, but he doesn’t. Even if I order them to protect him, there will be limits.

For example, when he and I are in danger at the same time.

Whatever reason I brought this guy for, I’m not planning on letting him go to waste like that.

So, no.

“It’s because I’ll be a burden.”

“……”

He knows it well.

I closed my mouth. He read the affirmation in that silence and lowered his eyes, thinking deeply.

Then, as if having made up his mind, he raised his head and looked straight at me.

“Could you teach me swordsmanship?”

“…Me?”

“I wouldn’t dare trouble the master. If you could just assign someone to teach me basic swordsmanship, I promise I won’t disappoint you.”

It’s not like he’s asking for the family’s swordsmanship – although I don’t have one in the first place – it’s not an unreasonable request.

Does he want to follow me that badly?

I’ll let him go this time, but I can feel his determination to follow me next time, so I subtly averted my gaze and nodded.

I could even see a fiery welcome in his eyes, so I couldn’t refuse.

It feels like I’ve gained a huge stalker, but it’s just my imagination.

‘…But.’

Suddenly a question popped up in my mind, and I rolled my eyes to look at him again.

A question I can’t understand myself.

Why am I trusting this guy so easily?

He looks suspicious in every way, but why?

‘I should have a one-on-one consultation with him soon.’

I need to find out his purpose for sure.

I’m busy now, so I can talk to him as soon as I get back from work.

Thinking that, I simply introduced Dan to Rememver, who was waiting for me, and said.

“He’ll be staying with us from now on, so please give him a suitable room.”

“Understood.”

“And aren’t there a lot of knights playing around in the mansion right now?”

“There are a lot.”

“Good. Tell a suitable one among them to teach Dan swordsmanship.”

“Yes, I understand.”

That should be enough for now.

“And Sir Lien.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“How long will it take to select about ten of the more normal guys among the knights who are playing around?”

“It won’t take long. If you wait while enjoying a cup of tea, I will finish it within that time.”

“Then I’ll wait.”

***

Clatter.

I looked down at the teacup placed in front of me with a sullen look.

It’s that tea again. That damn tea that tormented me to the bathroom every time I drank it. Is there still some left?

How much did the Crown Prince send, anyway? I want to burn it all, but I can’t carelessly treat something the Crown Prince gave me.

What’s more concerning is Dan.

I told them to assign a suitable knight, but the knights playing around in this mansion are just mad dogs.

‘It would be a relief if they didn’t offer him drugs….’

…No, wait a minute. They might actually offer him?

Those guys are capable of it. My face turned pale, and I jumped up.

“Lo, Lord Count?”

“…Go and tell Rememver right now. Tell the knights to only teach Dan swordsmanship.”

To not teach him unnecessary things.

For example, drugs, or drugs, or drugs.

I don’t want more crazy people around me.

‘There are enough crazy people already.’