This Time, I Became the Fiance of a Duke’s Daughter. But She is Rumored to have Bad Personality, and Ten Years Older – Chapter 82

Jared reached the target building and, holding his breath, observed from the shadows of the trees.

As Emilia had advised, there were two adventurers in front of the building: a swordsman and a magician.

However, the adventurers were simply leaning against the wall with a bored expression, not appearing to be guarding the area. Jared suspected a trap, but concluded they were just unmotivated. He didn’t understand why Rosa had hired such adventurers, but it was convenient for him.

Jared sprinted, keeping low to the ground, and knocked out the adventurers with surprise blows.

According to Emilia’s words, Yeny was being held on the second floor. He kicked off the wall, leaped onto the roof, and peered inside from the outside. There, he found Yeny sitting on the bed, head bowed.

He tapped lightly on the window, and Yeny looked up, noticing him.

“Older Brother?”

“Quiet. Open the window.”

Yeny covered her mouth with her hand, nodded, approached the window, and unlocked it.

Once Jared successfully infiltrated the room, Yeny rushed into his arms.

“Older Brother, you came to save me.”

“I’m sorry for getting you involved because of me. Are you hurt?”

“No. Fortunately, nothing happened to me. I was restrained at first, but Emilia Alway freed me, so it wasn’t inconvenient.”

“That’s good then.”

Having confirmed his cousin’s safety, Jared took her hand to leave through the window.

However,

“It seems you’ve fallen right into my trap, Jared Murphy.”

“—!”

Startled by the sudden female voice, Jared didn’t look back but hugged Yeny and leaped out the window.

But heat and pain shot through his back, causing him to fail the landing and crash to the ground.

“Older Brother! Ah, no, a knife in your back…”

“Yeny, you run.”

“But!”

“Just run!”

Jared wasn’t incapacitated, but he needed to hold off the attacker to let Yeny escape.

There was no guarantee they would both escape if they ran together, so he had to buy time, even if it meant fighting Rosa.

He wished he could have ensured Yeny’s escape, but he had no other choice.

“I didn’t expect you to focus solely on escaping. But it’s the right decision. Since you have no chance of winning against me in your weakened state, escaping with the hostage is the best course of action. I commend you, Jared Murphy.”

“That’s wonderful…”

Clad in red combat uniform, a red-haired woman—Rosa Roen—descended behind him with a defiant smile.

She held a sword in her hand, making it clear that she had no intention of letting them escape.

“I never imagined you’d be found so easily. I also didn’t anticipate Yeny Daum being taken so readily—or so you thought?”

“Whoa, no way… you’re kidding, right?”

Jared stood up, shielding Yeny behind him, slowly creating distance from Rosa.

“I know Emilia Alway used Pfeil to inform you of this location. Rather, she was manipulated into doing so.”

“So, my actions were all foreseen?”

“No, in my estimation, you were supposed to attack me immediately. That part was unexpected.”

“So, I was completely in your grasp…”

“There’s no need to be ashamed. Not just you, but Emilia Alway and Pfeil all acted according to my will. By deliberately keeping my subordinates away and hiring incompetent adventurers, I lulled Emilia into a false sense of security. She was completely fooled. After all, she’s just a young lady skilled only in cunning.”

Rosa approached step by step, gradually closing the distance like a predator cornering its prey.

“Give up. My victory was decided before the fight even began. Listen carefully: if you resist even slightly, I will target Yeny Daum instead of you.”

“…Understood. I won’t resist.”

“Older Brother! Please don’t worry about me—”

“Be quiet. It is Jared Murphy and I who are speaking now.”

Pierced by her sharp gaze, Yeny faltered. To ensure her safety, there was no choice but to obey Rosa. Jared raised both hands, indicating no intent to resist.

“I expected you to resist more. You’re surprisingly calm. Very well, let’s return to the mansion. Jared Murphy, I have many things I want to ask you. Come along.”

“Wait, I’ll comply. I don’t care if you take my life. So, just let Yeny go.”

“No. If Yeny Daum isn’t with you, you’ll resist, won’t you?”

“Then, I can incapacitate myself now. After that, I’ll answer your questions, so please!”

“Is this girl that important to you? Then swear—that you will never get involved with Olivier Alway and Hannelore Alway again, and that you will not obstruct us.”

“That…”

It was a promise he could never keep. Even if he lied to get by, he could be found out, which would be dangerous.

“I know you cannot betray Olivier Alway and the others. Therefore, there is only one option. Obey me, and do not anger me too much.”

“Understood! I’ll comply!”

Yeny answered in place of Jared, who was unable to speak, and went toward Rosa.

“Cousin is quite understanding. Now, follow me.”

Jared was helpless. Yeny, realizing this, decided to follow Rosa to avoid worsening the situation.

“Older Brother…”

Called by Yeny, Jared bit his lip so hard it hurt, and listlessly moved his feet without a word.

Rosa kicked the unconscious adventurers awake and guided Jared and Yeny into the building.

Jared and Yeny were led into a spacious hall just inside the entrance.

“Jared Murphy, kneel on the floor. Yeny Daum, sit in that chair.”

As commanded, Jared knelt on the floor.

Gazing up at Rosa, Jared could only glare. He desperately racked his brain for a way out, but thinking of Yeny being imprisoned again, he realized he had no choice but to strike and defeat Rosa. However, Rosa herself showed no openings, and failure could put the hostage in danger, so he couldn’t act without a guaranteed chance.

“Now, this is finally the situation I envisioned. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time, Jared Murphy?”

“Why?”

“You have no right to ask me. Only I can ask questions. So, let’s get straight to it.”

Rosa’s smile disappeared, replaced by a blank expression. She pointed the tip of her sword at Yeny and asked Jared,

“Why is your fighting style similar to ours at Waalthe?”

“…What do you mean? My fighting resembles yours?”

Jared was flustered, never having expected such a question. Yeny, with the sword tip against her, seemed equally surprised, her eyes widening.

“You’re unaware? Do you remember the knife you used to destroy Drew Zimmer’s head today? Explain what kind of magic it was.”

“It wasn’t anything as complex as magic. I simply flowed more magic into the magic activation device embedded in the knife than it could handle, causing it to overload.”

“Yes, precisely. Strictly speaking, it’s a technique rather than magic. Therefore, we at Waalthe use it. No, it’s one of the techniques developed by my father, Wahash, the leader of Waalthe.”

“No! That can’t be right!”

“I of course know you’ve never belonged to Waalthe. While it’s just a technique, it requires magic control, so not everyone can use it easily. However, I’ve confirmed you can wield it. So, let me rephrase the question. Who taught you combat, including magic?”

Jared remained silent.

“Do you not understand your position?”

The sword tip, which had been aimed at Yeny, moved closer, touching her neck.

“Stop!”

“Then answer me! I investigated your background, but there’s a point I couldn’t understand. I know you were forcibly placed in a containment facility by your father at twelve. But you escaped the facility in three months. After that, for over a year until you emerged as a magician, where were you and what were you doing?”