One day has passed since Wahash, the head of Waalthe, declared his intention to kill Annette Paggio. It is already late afternoon. Even though it is the sixth month, the early summer heat makes wearing a combat uniform uncomfortable.
Prioritizing measures against the heat and ease of movement, Jared is dressed in a form-fitting, elastic shirt and pants, along with boots, which don’t look like combat attire at first glance.
Two knives are sheathed on each side of his waist belt. Unlike when he faced Pfeil before, he is not carrying a short sword.
Jared’s objective is not to kill Wahash, but solely to protect Annette and the others.
He had expected Annette and the others to flee, but unexpectedly, they chose to remain at the mansion. Perhaps they felt reassured by Johan’s declaration that he would protect them. In any case, it is better than them leaving on their own.
He asked Olivier to keep an eye on Annette and the others to ensure they didn’t do anything strange. Roik and Karina are with her. He decided to keep the three people he didn’t want to involve together. Olivier is proactive, and there’s a possibility she might come to him out of concern. That is not what Jared desires.
Standing with his back to the mansion, Jared is joined by his father, Johan, who wears a combat uniform and carries a greatsword. They have an agreement that Johan will not interfere, but he has also stated that he would step in if something were to happen.
However, only Jared will be fighting Wahash.
They cannot fight together. Even though his father is a skilled knight, he wanted to avoid a hastily formed alliance with an opponent whose combat style he had not yet grasped.
“—It seems I’ve kept you waiting.”
The man who appeared silently before Jared and the others was none other than Wahash. He is the head of Waalthe and claims to be the father of Jared’s mother, Liz Murphy.
His closely cropped hair is streaked with gray. His body is well-trained. Clad in a deep indigo combat uniform, he appears to be a seasoned warrior. At the same time, he possesses the demeanor of a king.
He appears to be around fifty years old, but his true age is unknown. Jared has heard him speak in a way that suggests he has lived for a very long time. This makes him nervous. If he has lived for a long time, his combat experience is likely insurmountable.
His combat style is unknown, and the only thing Jared knows for sure is that Wahash’s succession required several individuals, including Pfeil and Rosa. It required several individuals with Pfeil’s level of skill. In other words—there is no chance of victory.
“No, there was no specific time set. It’s fine. I was just drinking tea and taking a nap with Olivier-sama’s head on my lap.”
Of course, that’s a lie. He’s just putting on a brave face to show some semblance of composure.
“I see. Then, to allow my dear grandson to spend time affectionately with his fiancée—let’s finish this quickly.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Exchanging light banter, Jared quieted his breathing and focused all his senses on Wahash’s every movement.
Missing even the slightest movement could lead to instant defeat.
It’s not a premonition. It is a certainty. The first time he met Wahash at Olivier’s mansion, when he appeared at this mansion yesterday, and even at this very moment—he didn’t know where or when Wahash would appear.
He was ready to attack at any moment, without needing a signal, if Wahash made even the slightest move.
“You don’t need to be so tense.”
“What—”
“I can tell your muscles are tensed. You already know you can’t win against me. It’s true that a combatant isn’t truly skilled if they can’t read their opponent’s strength, but you’re quite good at it. However, precisely because of that, you fear me, believing there’s no way you can win.”
“You have a lot of nerve. In that case, come at me quickly. I’ll show you whether I fear you or not.”
Jared felt a flicker of impatience at being seen through.
Who would have thought he could discern the tension in someone’s muscles? This man’s very existence is outside the norm.
“If possible, I didn’t want to face you in this manner. However, it’s not too late—back down.”
“I refuse.”
“Why do you go this far?”
“Before that, read this. We can talk afterward.”
Without waiting for a reply, he threw his mother’s diary to Wahash.
“This is my mother’s hidden diary. I don’t think reading it will change your mind, but if you call my mother your daughter, then please read what she left behind.”
“…Understood. Give me a moment.”
“It’s too late for that. Please read it at your leisure.”
Olivier mentioned the possibility that Wahash might cease his revenge upon reading his mother’s diary, but Jared didn’t believe he would change his mind so easily. On the contrary, he predicted that his anger towards Annette would only intensify.
The sound of the diary pages turning could be heard clearly.
For now, the oppressive aura from Wahash had also disappeared. It seemed he was completely absorbed in the diary.
“—Thank you. I never imagined I would be able to know my daughter’s true feelings. However, precisely because I have read this diary, I cannot rest until I have killed the entire Paggio clan, who were the cause of her brief life.”
“I knew you’d say that. Here, give me back the diary.”
Jared took the diary from Wahash and handed it to his father, who stood behind him.
“Jared, you don’t have to fight.”
“I know. But I chose this, so it’s fine.”
He felt grateful that his father, who he still couldn’t call “father,” was concerned for him.
The grandfather spoke to his grandson, who was once again facing him.
“I cannot understand why you would protect the one who is the enemy of your mother.”
“If you had said you would only kill Annette, I would have accepted that. But don’t involve my siblings.”
“Because you are siblings, I see.”
“Yes. Whether you hate me or look down on me, we are siblings. It is an older brother’s duty to protect them.”
“I understand well that you value blood ties. —But, is it truly alright?”
Jared tilted his head, unable to comprehend the question.
“What do you mean… What are you trying to say?”
“Are you going to make your blood-related grandfather your enemy for the sake of those who are not your true brothers?”
“Don’t say something so idiotic. If you think I’ll be swayed by such a lie, you’re underestimating me quite a bit.”
“Then I shall call a witness.”
As Wahash said this, he snapped his fingers.
