Chapter 252

Chapter 252. Landmine Swordmaster

The Bankrupt General, Janine Clive.
As the youngest daughter of three sons and one daughter in a knight family, no one expected her to become a knight.
However, she began to operate aura while watching the duels of her brothers, who were much older than her.
At 9 years old, she defeated her own master; at 15, she defeated her older brother, who had reached the rank of Sword Expert.
And at 20 years old, she reached the realm of Swordmaster, faithfully serving as King Hudret’s subordinate for 12 years.
The term One-Man Army was not an exaggeration for the Swift Swordswoman Janine Clive; she was also the ideal of swordsmen.
— Jed Swallowww!!!
That woman was now shouting a man’s name in front of someone else’s castle.
It was nothing less than a horror.
Isabella, who had been observing the situation, hurriedly came out to greet Ferda.
— I pay my respects to the Regent-nim, and… Sir Jed has also come.
Disgust towards Jed flickered in Isabella’s eyes.
— Haha, greetings, Administrator-nim. Today you are also remarkably smart and beauti—.
— Shut up. Are you saying that even after seeing what you’ve done?
— My apologies.
Jed closed his mouth silently and adopted a repentant expression.
Ferda asked Isabella.
— The Bankrupt General should be famous, why didn’t you let her in?
— Due to the Doppler Incident, anxiety about demons has intensified in this unsettling situation. The order was given that we must not carelessly admit outsiders, especially uninvited nobles, so we are carrying out the entry procedures thoroughly. And…
— And?
— Before the report even reached my ears, you had already done something like that.
A look that said she didn’t like it.
Janine’s eyes also showed incredible disgust, but what was even more unpleasant was Jed.
— We will handle this here, so you go back.
— Understood. Resolving this quickly will be good for your well-being, Sir Jed.
— Yes.
Jed climbed up the castle wall upon hearing those words.
However, apparently unable to show his face, he hesitated several times before seeking out his companion.
— Pepe. What does that woman’s expression look like?
— Check it yourself. Why are you making me do it?
— The Bankrupt General is a tremendous beauty.
Like a dog hearing the dinner bell, he poked his head out drooling.
— She’s not my type, but for a swordswoman over 30, does she look incredibly young?
— I said describe her expression, you crazy bitch.
— She looks like a tigress who has had about four of her nose hairs plucked out.
— We’re doomed.
Jed covered his face.
Ferda looked with pity at Jed, who was hesitating so much.
— Shouldn’t you take responsibility?
— What responsibility are you talking about?
— Seeing a Swordmaster come all the way here demanding responsibility, isn’t that the price for playing poorly with your lower half? Having your first child as an illegitimate child is not a pleasant thing.
— Hah? Wait a minute. Do I look like an idiot who goes around getting women pregnant without responsibility?
— Aren’t you?
— Ha, how little do you think of me?
Jed spoke with an expression denoting his wounded pride.
It was absurd, but Ferda could tell that he was that confident.
Master Thief, Jed Swallow.
Thanks to his physical attractiveness and audacious exploits, over hundreds of women had claimed to be his lovers.
And the same number of women had claimed to be expecting Jed’s child.
«All lies, though».
What those lovers didn’t know was that Jed was of the Red Eye Tribe.
Those of the Red Eye Tribe bloodline possess eyes that distort the flow of mana, but illegitimate children did not have such abilities.
It was a truly mysterious thing.
He played so much with his lower half, and even so, not a single person got pregnant.
Anyway, if the responsibility wasn’t of that type, then what responsibility was the Bankrupt General, Janine Clive, claiming?
— That’s not important.
Jed tried to get out of that responsibility somehow.
— Let’s do this.
Jed scratched the stone floor as he explained the outline of the operation.
— First, I’ll go out and talk to her, leave her stunned and dazed. At that moment, Regent-nim, you immobilize her at once with that secret shadow of yours! That way we can buy a few seconds, right? And Pepe, you jump in immediately and erase that woman’s memory. Perfect, isn’t it?
— W-w-w-what?! You want me to grab that crazy woman’s head?
— The Regent-nim will hold her tight. You will, won’t you?
— Don’t include me like it’s obvious.
He really was an absurd bastard.
— And do you think a Swordmaster like that would easily fall for the memory erasure of a third-rate demon? The Bankrupt General has fought against mages dozens of times.
— What?! Are you saying my magic is trash?! Are you looking down on me?!
— Then are you going to jump in?
— I am a third-rate demon, trash. I bow to the great judgment of Regent-nim, woof woof!
Wanting to play it safe, Penelope clung to Ferda.
— Then… I suppose we seduce that witch and somehow—.
— Jed Swallowww!!
First, I need to stop that eardrum-bursting howl.
Ferda leaned against the castle wall and showed himself.
— Lady Clive. A request: could you stop shouting now?
When Ferda asked politely, Janine placed a hand on her chest and gave him a polite greeting.
— I pay my respects to the Regent of the Grand Duchy of Valdrova! Regent Ferda! I am Janine Clive, a knight of the Hudret Kingdom! Please forgive the discourtesy of stepping on foreign territory!
The volume of her voice had certainly decreased since she was shouting, but it still pierced directly into Ferda’s ears.
By her tone, one could measure how high a realm she had reached.
— There was an altercation with the sentinels who said they couldn’t carelessly admit outsiders. I respect the relationship between the Hudret Kingdom and the Far East, and I wish to resolve this matter amicably!
— What wrong could you have done? Bankrupt General, I am sure you are not to blame.
Ferda looked at Jed.
A cold contempt flickered in his eyes.
— Jed Swallow! I know you are there! Show yourself immediately! If you are a knight, face me like a knight!
Jed tried to sneak away.
No way.
Ferda moved his fingers, binding Jed’s feet with a shadow and wrapping his entire body.
Jed made a bewildered expression at his rigid body.
Ferda forced him to stand up without giving him a chance to respond.
Then something surprising happened.
The moment his face was visible, Janine’s attitude completely changed.
The face that looked like it was going to kill disappeared, replaced by that of a shameless playboy.
— Did you call me, Janine?
— Jed…!
It wasn’t just Jed who changed.
The moment she saw Jed’s face, the anger on her face melted softly, transforming into a face dripping with honey.
Jed made a melancholic expression and spoke to her.
— Janine, I’m sorry… I couldn’t face you, that’s why I kept hesitating. Will you forgive me?
— I, I understand. I want to see you up close, could you come down here and talk?
— That might be difficult.
— Why…?
— I am also a knight, aren’t I? I belong to Regent Ferda, and Regent-nim is currently in very poor condition. It’s dangerous for you if I am not by his side.
Ferda thought.
“Should I just get rid of this bastard?”
— So, please, accept that we talk here.
— Alright, I understand.
She nodded as if that absurd demand was fine.
— Why didn’t you reply to my letters?
— Letters… you say?
— Yes. Didn’t I constantly send you letters? Why didn’t you reply immediately?
Jed replied with a face trying to hide his astonishment.
— Janine… a letter takes at least three days to arrive, even if it is sent.
— Why didn’t you hire an Express Courier? I sent Express Couriers every day, so why didn’t you send them to me!?
Express Couriers were the fastest messengers, charging over 50 times the regular mail fee.
For Jed, who saved money as if his life depended on it, there was no way he would use them, and Ferda didn’t use them either unless absolutely necessary.
Above all, it had only been a week since they parted.
— Did you not want to see me that much?
— It’s not that.
— Don’t lie! Didn’t you say you would become my pillar?!
Janine was furious, and Ferda looked at Jed with his eyes.
“Asking what the hell that was about.”
— Well, that is…
— You are truly vigorous. You are on a different level from men who just talk for the sake of talking.
— What are you talking about? Do you not feel this final flame trying not to miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
— What once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
— I wanted to have the name not of a man who embraced the Bankrupt General, but of a man who satisfied her.
— Hmph, you speak well with mocking words. If you weren’t decent, your head would have flown off by now.
— I am honored that you say that. I didn’t know the Swordmaster who governs discipline so strictly had such a maiden-like side.
— W-what nonsense? Maiden-like? Don’t mock me with those words!
— It’s fine. You can show me anytime. For this moment, I will become your pillar.
— Hmph, I don’t think so. Pure male sweet talk. If you really love me, come at me with all your strength again.
— That’s how it happened.
— …….
— No, you said you didn’t believe it, so why did you believe it?! Isn’t that right?
— There’s no need to convince me.
Ferda gestured downwards with his eyes, indicating the target to convince.
With every moment the conversation failed to continue, Janine’s face became tinged with anxiety.
— My love, no, Janine, no no, Sir Clive.
Jed drew a line.
— The events of that night were deeply meaningful to both of us. However, wasn’t it you, Sir Clive, who proposed we end it as a one-night stand? I also respected that intention.
— Didn’t you say you loved me?! Was that a lie?!
— It’s not that, my love! No, Sir Clive!
“Ugh, this mouth!”
The swallow’s instinct reflexively tried to grab his ankle.
Janine’s face increasingly filled with madness and malice.
— Look! Are you also saying you love me?! How long will you deceive yourself? How long will you play with this maiden’s heart, Jed Swallow?!
— Pfft-hahaha! 32 years old and calls herself a maiden. I guess she has no conscience.
Penelope’s voice echoed strangely loud, and silence fell.
“Two mouths that brought ruin.”
“It’s freezing cold.”
It felt as if this entire castle was going to blow up at any moment.
Looking at Janine’s face, her face was bright red as she screamed.
— Which bitch is it?! Which bitch dares to insult a knight of King Hudret?!
— Sir Clive! The name of that rude guy who just shouted is Penelope! If the knight’s anger subsides a bit, I will gladly throw this damn bitch at you!
— Aaaaaah! What are you doing?! Crazy bastard! Let me go! Let me go! Kyaaaaak!
Penelope flailed like a pig being dragged to a slaughterhouse.
Ferda didn’t care; he just wanted this situation to end quickly.
— I heard something happened, but… what on earth is going on?
The one who appeared in the midst of the chaos was Garnet.
She climbed up the castle wall, took a quick look, and nodded.
— Understood.
— Really?
— In short, the problem is Sir Jed’s lower half, isn’t it?
Correct answer.
As expected from the information processing ability of the Black Bandana Leader.
Garnet looked at Jed as if he were an insect.
— Well, that was an intelligence operation…
— Shut your mouth.
At Garnet’s words, Jed closed his mouth.
Garnet let out a long sigh and bowed her head to Ferda.
— I will take care of Sir Jed’s matter, so please set aside any anger you might have.
— It was something that was bound to happen sooner or later, what is there to be angry about?
There is nothing more foolish than getting angry over something that will inevitably happen.
— I am only grateful for your understanding.
— But, how do you plan to resolve it?
— I will go down and try to talk. It seems it will end well if we speak nicely to the Bankrupt General.
Will it really turn out well?
Ferda was also worried, but Garnet was the only one he could fully trust.
Garnet, now an envoy, went out through the castle gate and began to talk to Janine.
It looked as if she was going to touch a wild tiger with her bare hands, so no one could relax.
— Garnet-unni, won’t she die like that?
It was an unfortunate thing to say, but Ferda was also worried inside.
The conversation continued for about 10 minutes.
Just when it seemed like it was going to end, something surprising happened.
Janine hugged Garnet.
Then she silently wiped her tears and looked up at the castle wall.
— Regent Ferda! I will leave now. Please forgive the disturbance I caused in your territory.
What could Ferda do if he didn’t forgive? He raised his hand to indicate that it was fine.
Janine’s polite tone twisted viciously as she cursed Jed.
— You idiotic and despicable bastard! Don’t live like that!
Janine showed her middle finger to Jed and turned her horse around.
The moment an inevitable catastrophe ended with three inches of tongue.
Garnet returned with a tired face and said this.
— There will be no more friction with the Bankrupt General.
Her face seemed to radiate a halo like that of a savior.