Chapter 10: Just Before the Cold is Healed, the Pain is at Its Worst

The test firing was a success.

Dozens of scarecrow straw bundles, standing 30 meters ahead, were pierced by countless arrows.

There had only been ‘two’ shots.

However, the number of arrows stuck in the straw was easily estimated to be over fifty.

Moreover, not just the straw, but the nearby dirt was also littered with arrows.

Rosell approached with a satisfied smile.

Up close, the arrows lodged in the straw and the ground looked more like thick nails than arrows.

They had feathers like arrows and tips, but they were actually thin metal spikes, crafted by molding thin metal into sharp points.

And these spikes were deeply embedded in the armored straw with immense destructive power.

“Every time we conduct a test firing, I am struck by how extraordinary the lord’s ideas are. How did you even come up with such a weapon?”

Durraten praised his lord, Rosell.

For someone who had traveled across the continent, even Durraten was astonished by the brilliance of this siege weapon.

What Rosell had named [High-Precision Shells]

Its overall appearance resembled an arrow, but unlike the thin shafts of arrows, it used thick cylindrical tubes.

Inside a 40 cm diameter wooden tube, there were thirty metal spikes, and the tail of the shell was loaded with gunpowder.

In other words, by lighting the gunpowder fuse, the shell could be fired using a large crossbow, and once it reached its range, the gunpowder would explode, scattering the metal spikes in all directions.

This was a weapon more suited for defense than offense, capable of causing hundreds or even thousands of casualties in a single shot when fired at an advancing army.

It was a weapon of immense cruelty, one that Rosell had personally designed and was now preparing for mass production in the workshop.

Gellion, with wide eyes, could hardly believe it.

Such a ruthless weapon was something he had never even imagined.

“It’s impressive. We should begin mass production. Durraten, you’ve done well.”

Durraten, praised for his hard work, smiled proudly as he shook hands with Rosell. Rosell turned to Gellion.

“Gellion, please assist Durraten in securing the necessary materials for mass production.”

“Ah, yes, yes… I will. But, lord…”

“Yes?”

This weapon, with its devastating killing power, was being developed and prepared for mass production, even though Rosell’s territory wasn’t at war or under threat.

It was as if he were preparing for war.

“Why are you mass-producing such a weapon when we are not at war?”

“For the defense of the territory. Danger doesn’t announce its arrival.”

“That may be true, but…”

Even though Rosell’s answer seemed logical, Gellion found it hard to accept.

But Rosell’s determination was firm.

The amount of money invested in defending the territory already surpassed the capital, and the accumulated weapons were just as significant.

Still, he was focusing more on firepower.

This wasn’t for the upcoming visit from King Brikal or to conquer any troublesome forces.

Rosell was cautious, and he knew that the salvation of Esil required the downfall of the royal family.

However, it wasn’t the right time yet.

It was too early.

The salvation of Esil must happen in one swift motion when the time comes.

Any premature attempts would harm not only his territory but also the people close to him, like Celia and the citizens.

So Rosell was proceeding with extreme caution, and this weapon was merely a preparation for territorial expansion.

A few days later, he planned to inform the king about the development of the Eraser.

And with it, he intended to claim the western basin of the capital as a gift, where he would build a second Rosell territory.

The analysis for this persuasion was already complete.

This “High-Precision Shell” was just the first step in the preparation for the construction of the second Rosell territory.

To build the second territory, many laborers would be needed.

And soon, the remnants of the Demon King’s army would advance toward the territory as they were already gathering, as reported by scouts.

The betraying forces who joined in the fall of the Hero numbered at least three families.

To confront the royal family and its inner circle, it was still too early to show their fangs.

To exact a brutal revenge, thorough preparation was required.

And while it would eventually be recorded as a ‘revolution’ in history, what Rosell was preparing was, in fact, ‘treason.’

To win at the game of treason, one must make everyone, except the opponent, their ally, so there was still much to prepare.

Of course, the ‘beginning’ starts now.

And everything has its order.

The conspirators were Brikal and Saint Yuria, but the priority was to crush the three conspirators who carried out the plan.

It was essential to destroy them from the bottom, so they would never sprout again.

“Then let’s head back, Gellion.”

Having finished the satisfactory demonstration of the weapon, Rosell immediately began to head back to the mansion.

The wind of chaos slowly blew behind him, pushing him forward.

– Hahaha! Did you really think I cherished you?

– What? What do you mean…

– How foolish. After experiencing it once, you still believed in me? How utterly naive. Esil.

– M-Master…?

– Yes, I am your master. So why aren’t you undressing yet?

– This isn’t who you are…!

– What? Do you think I spent five hundred gold coins on you just to play pretend games? Tch tch. You must be living in a fool’s paradise. Take it off.

– N-No!

– You insolent slave! After making me wait this long, you should have already spread your legs!

– M-Master! Please, don’t do this…!!

– Hah! Stay still! I’ve already shown mercy to a traitor like you! As your master, I’ve done my duty! Today, I’ll teach you what respect truly means!

– Aaaah! Is there anyone there? Help me!

– Hahaha! Here, I am the king! As a sex slave, why aren’t you spreading your legs for your master?

– M-Master! Please…! Please…!

Rip! Tear!

– Ah, the way this fabric tears is exquisite, hahaha! It was worth spending so much on you to make you wear this! Now, show me those tempting breasts!

Rip!

– Aaah! Aaaahhh!

“Ahhh!”

On the quiet night when the evening frost had settled.

At the time when everyone was asleep, trying to relieve their fatigue, an unexpected scream echoed.

The source of the voice was Esil.

Ha… ha… ha…

Esil, drenched in cold sweat, shivered from the cold air pressing against her back.

Breathing heavily, she quickly scanned her surroundings with terrified eyes.

But all was silent, and Mila in her cage flapped her wings in surprise at the sound.

Ha… ha… ha…

It had been a dreadful nightmare.

The figure in her dream had been cruel and merciless. The laughter they shared, the mocking eyes, the mouth ridiculing her betrayal—

They all had transformed into the same faces.

Though Esil knew that it was only an illusion caused by her own wounds.

But the figure in the dream was so vivid.

He had transformed into someone else, tearing her clothes to greedily examine her body with lustful eyes.

Ha… ha… Why, why that dream…?

It was born from distrust and fear of the nobility.

The shock of being betrayed had triggered a defense mechanism so extreme that it tore open the already healing wounds.

Wounds that heal and tear again only get worse.

Ha… ha…

Her startled chest refused to calm.

She thought maybe it had healed a little, but it seemed like that was an illusion.

Or perhaps, like the worst pain just before a cold heals, the wound was briefly reopening before fully healing.

Yes, that must be it.

But everywhere the darkness settled, it felt like Viella, Dartan, and Gleon were hiding, mocking her.

It must be a hallucination.

It must be an auditory illusion.

They were just phantoms trying to stop her recovery.

Though she tried to dismiss it, the presences in the darkness fueled Esil’s fear.

To hide from the mockery, Esil hugged her knees and buried her head.

“Go… all of you, go away…”

At that moment, someone knocked loudly on the door.

– Esil! Are you alright!?

It was Rosell, who had rushed in after hearing the scream.

Because the mansion had a “ㄷ”-shaped layout, Esil’s scream had immediately reached Rosell’s bedroom.

Without even tying his sleep gown properly, he rushed over.

Fearing that something had happened to her, he urgently knocked on the door.

– Esil! Answer me!

Bang, bang, bang!

Rosell, unable to bring the key in his haste, knocked relentlessly.

The door shook as if it would break, and in the turmoil, an instinctive fear was reflected in Esil’s eyes.

– Esil! Wait a moment! I’ll get the key!

But why?

As the door seemed about to break, it felt as though a master with greed in his eyes would invade.

She knew it wouldn’t happen, but there was this strange feeling that it would.

With every knock, Esil felt her heart would burst from fear, and finally, she plugged her ears and screamed.

“Please! Please…! Everyone, go away! Please! Leave me alone!”

Was it a prophetic dream?

The exact same desperate scream from the nightmare escaped her lips.

Bang, bang…

Rosell stopped his hand from hitting the door.

Esil’s voice from beyond the door was unmistakably terrified.

Though his concern was genuine, unnecessary worry only breeds resentment, so he stood still.

‘As long as she’s not hurt…’

It was probably just a nightmare.

He had optimistically thought she might be feeling better now, but it seemed that the deeply ingrained wounds would need more time to heal.

Of course, he had prepared for this, so with a calm expression, Rosell sat against Esil’s door and waited.

“…Then I will stay outside, so if you need help, just let me know.”

…

No answer came, but Rosell wasn’t anxious. He trusted her.

This was just part of her recovery process.

Even if Esil criticized and rejected his dedication and effort, even if it took a lifetime,

Rosell had no intention of giving up, and therefore, he was not bothered by such a reaction.

The only thing that pained him was not being able to share in Esil’s wounds.

So, Rosell sat there leaning against the door, waiting endlessly.

[Master…]

[Master…]

“Ugh?!”

Rosell was startled by the buzzing sound in his ear, as if submerged in water, and he quickly lifted his head.

*Bang!*

And then, he hit the back of his head on the door. The sharp pain spread, and he rubbed his head, glancing around.

‘What… what happened? Did I fall asleep?’

Seeing the drool at the corner of his mouth and the stains on his nightgown, he realized there was no need for further questions.

He hastily wiped his mouth and spoke through the door.

“Are you… calm now?”

-…I’m sorry. It’s because of me…

How much time had passed?

It seemed that the fatigue from not sleeping properly for several days had caught up with him. The duke had fallen asleep sprawled out on the floor.

Anyway, fortunately, it seemed Esil had calmed down.

Her voice was still trembling slightly.

“I’m really sorry. Are you feeling better now?”

-Yes… yes… I’m sorry for having such a nightmare…

“If you’re truly sorry, then tell me about it. I want to hear what kind of nightmare it was. Is it a dream worth waking me up for in the middle of the night?”

“Hey.”

Rosell intentionally spoke in a commanding tone.

If he could understand the nightmare Esil had, it might help guide the healing process.

Human dreams often reflect one’s mental state.

Good dreams typically reflect current hopes, while nightmares often reflect present anxieties.

Thus, if he could remove the source of the anxiety, it could slightly improve her condition.

For Esil’s sake, Rosell needed to hear about the nightmare.

-Do I really have to tell you…?

“I’ve waited this long for my slave. I should get something out of this, or else I won’t leave.”

-Oh… that…

“Speak freely. Consider it psychological counseling. Though I have no qualifications, do you know? It could help your wounds heal.”

-That… that…

“Come on, you won’t get another chance like this. Hurry up.”

Rosell urged her as if pleading.

After a brief silence that grew tiresome, Esil finally spoke.

-Actually, m-master… you tried to tear my clothes off and… assault me… I was so… scared…