Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World - Chapter 70

Leier’s Past (Part 2)
Anthony carefully carried the little girl to her mother, who was engrossed in a book within the confines of the manor’s small library. Sonia was the third daughter of a minor merchant family and had received a basic education in literature and mathematics, which she used to help with the family’s accountings.

When Anthony walked into the room with Leier in his arms, Sonia lowered the book and looked at him with an inquisitive gaze – “What’s the matter now?” – she helplessly asked.

It wasn’t the first time that Evander came home with a trouble in his hands, becoming a monthly problem for them. Because of that, Sonia convinced Anthony to set aside a portion of their savings to cover her father-in-law’s gambling addiction.

Anthony gently set Leier down and ran his hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing upon him. He took a deep breath and revealed his father’s last accomplishments – “He asked me to retrieve the manor’s ownership deed and the Royal Appraiser’s certificate” – Anthony helplessly explained, his voice sounding tired – “It seems like he put us in a difficult position.”

Upon hearing those words, Sonia’s eyes widened for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her composure. She had already anticipated such a day, but it was still a heavy blow in her mind. She reached into the drawer of the table and retrieved a brown paper document, adorned with a red stamp on it.

She rose from her seat and handed it to Anthony, her voice steady as she spoke – “This mansion is assessed in one thousand and six hundred gold coins. We don’t have enough cash to settle this kind of debt. We have no other option but to relinquish the ownership of the mansion.”

Anthony took it and patted Leier on her head, who looked at him with her innocent blue eyes – “You stay here with your mother, dad needs to take care of some business”.”

-x-

The next morning, Anthony gathered his family and left the mansion in a carriage, accompanied by twenty devoted servants. He had abandoned his dream of climbing the ladders of noble society and chose to go back to the West, where their foundations were still strong enough to support their growth. It would be the best place for them to build a strong foundation for an eventual comeback.

Inside the carriage, Anthony, Sonia, Leier, and Evander sat in a somber silence. The couple looked at the old man without bothering to hide the resentment and anger present in their eyes. On the other side, Evander was also looking at them with dissatisfaction.

“I am the patriarch of this family. Why do you defy my orders?” – Evander grumbled, his voice filled with frustration. His eyes bore into Anthony, as if searching for an explanation. – “If you had only listened to the Viscount, we wouldn’t be in such a difficult position. He offered to marry Leier to his son, a chance to erase our debts and secure our family’s future. It was such a great offer.”

Anthony took a deep breath, suppressing the rising anger and frustration within him. He had grown tired of his father’s egoistical side and his inability to work for the family’s well-being. He had even planned on giving away his only daughter to a cruel man such as the Viscount. If not for his father’s position within the family and the power to gamble away the rest of the family’s wealth, he would have just abandoned him in the capital.

“Father.” – Anthony responded with a hint of anger in his voice – “Viscount Jasper is known for his false promises and his cruel actions. Besides, he has yet to marry a noblewoman and does not have a legitimate heir. If he were to offer his son for Leier’s hand, it would likely be an illegitimate child. If we consider marriage for Leier in the future, I want her to be wed to a noble of true honor and power, someone who can provide genuine protection and security, not just a mere bastard.”

“He is a viscount!” – Evander screamed – “He would neve-”

However, just as he was about to curse out as his son, screams rang out from outside of the carriage as the sound of metal clashing against metal echoed.

“Attack!” “Bandits!” “Protect the lord!”

Inside the cramped confines of the carriage, Anthony and Sonia shared anxious glances, their hearts gripped by fear. Little Leier also nestled her small body in her mother’s embrace, her wide blue eyes reflecting a deep fear as the chaotic sounds outside sent shiver down her spine.

Anthony pulled both of them closer, his protective instincts taking over as he whispered – “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. The guards will take care of everything.”

He had been worried about the recent bandit’s attacks happening on the White Merchant Road and had contracted a mercenary team for the purpose of protecting him and his family. It was expensive, but he had no other way to guarantee their safety on their way to the West region of the Kingdom.

Evander, who had previously been cursing at his son, now trembled in silence, his panicking eyes looking around with each clashing sound. He had even positioned himself away from the carriage walls, afraid that a sword or an arrow would pierce through the wood and kill him without a notice.

The clash of weapons and painful cries kept echoing outside, painting a grim picture inside the mind of each person inside the carriage. Leier could feel her tiny heart wanting to jump out of her mouth.

It took a few minutes for the chaotic noise outside to subside, creating a deafly sound that hung heavy in the air, leaving the family on edge. Evander’s trembling voice was the first one to break that silence – “Anthony, go and see what’s happening. The soldiers must have already dealt with those bandits by now.”

At those words, Anthony’s eyes burned with a mixture of resentment and contempt. This man couldn’t be considered a noble much less a father. His desire to live outset every other single characteristic. He would sacrifice his own son if it meant surviving. There was no other way, he had to be the one to go outside. He exchanged a firm nod with Sonia, untangled himself from their embrace, and cautiously opened the carriage door, peering outside through a small crevice.

As he surveyed the scene, he spotted dozens of lifeless bodies strewn across the ground. However, his attention was quickly drawn to a familiar figure casually walking among the corpses, Viscount Jasper.

“It was easier than I thought.”- Jasper’s words echoed through the air, drowned in a demonic feeling – “We didn’t even have to bring this many people. Now, where’s the girl?”

Anthony quickly closed and locked the door, his desperate eyes meeting Sonia’s as his hand instinctively reached for the ornate sword at his waist. Although they didn’t see the figure, everyone in the carriage had recognized that voice, especially Leier, who still vividly remembered the fear she felt in the presence of that man.

“Is that Viscount Jasper?” – Evander asked, bearing a relieved and happy smile on his lips – “We are saved! He killed the bandits!” – He was about to shout out his gratitude when Anthony swiftly covered his mouth, silencing him.

“Are you crazy? Shut up!” – Anthony hissed, trying to maintain control, but his father forced his hand away.

“What are you doing?” – Evander cursed – “The Viscount has saved our lives and as nobles, we need to properly greet him.” – The old man then stood up, reaching for the doorknob, ready to step out of the carriage.

Without another option, Anthony decided the best course of action to safeguard Sonia and Leier’s well-being.  He drew his sword and swiftly slashed at his father’s throat, who collapsed on the ground while futilely attempting to stop the blood from pouring out of his body. He desperately looked around, settling on Leier’s horrified expression. He helplessly raised his bloodied hand at her, his eyes begging for help, before the light within them finally faded away.

Despite her shock, Sonia maintained her composure, tightening her grip around her trembling daughter, trying to calm her racing little heart down.

Without a single drop of remorse, Anthony turned to Sonia and rapidly whispered – “I will step outside and buy you some time. Take Leier and run as fast as you can. Don’t look back. Lay low in the forest until they are gone. Then, go back to your father, he will help you.”

Sonia briefly locked eyes with her husband before nodding, her heart torn between leaving him and saving their daughter. She knew there was no other choice. – “Alright”- she replied, her voice trembling. She couldn’t bear to abandon Anthony, but she had to protect Leier.

Anthony leaned in, placing his forehead against Sonia’s. He whispered; his voice choked with emotion – “I love you!”.

His gaze then shifted to Leier, his eyes brimming with affection and sorrow. He reached out to hold the scared girl’s cheeks – “Good girl! I love you too. Go with your mother. I will follow right behind.”

Leier’s eyes welled up in tears as she tried to cling to her father, but her mother immediately locked her in place. She wanted to hold her father and take away that never seen sorrowness from his eyes.

Anthony then took a deep breath, steeling his heart before walking out of the carriage, stepping over his father’s lifeless body. He had to buy enough time for his family to escape, even if it meant having his body torn apart by their swords or burned in hell’s fire. As he stepped out and closed the door behind him, Jasper’s voice reached his ears – “Sir Anthony! I have been looking for you! Where is my toy?”

“Viscount Jasper!” – Anthony’s words were carried in anger – “Attacking another noble goes against the Royal Law created by the founder itself. Are you not afraid of retribution?”

Jasper’s lips curled into a wicked smile; his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. He took a step closer, his voice laced with a sinister amusement.

“Retribution?” – Jasper scoffed, opening his arms as his demonic emerald eyes looked at Anthony – “We are in the middle of the forest, there is no Royal Power here, only my own power. I am the king, and you are merely playthings.”

“I don’t want to talk anymore…I want to go back and play with my new doll” – Jasper said and then turned to the dozens of soldiers near him – “Kill him.”

The soldiers, under Viscount Jasper’s command, encircled him like a pack of hungry wolves closing in on their prey. Their swords and spears descending upon Anthony from all directions, striking with cruel precision, each swing and thrust soughing to snuff out any resistance. However, Anthony’s desperate wish to maintain his family safe was like a burning flame that didn’t care to be extinguished.

He stepped forwards and entered further into their attacking range, his sword held high, ready to confront the enemies. With a burst of adrenaline, Anthony lunged towards the nearest soldier, his strike swift and precise as his blade easily sliced through the first enemy, before engaging in a deadly dance with the other adversaries.

He parried the incoming attacks, burning his Mana Circuits with every swing of his sword, which had taken an icy blue aura around it. He was burning his life and blood to gain enough time for Sonia and Leier, without an ounce of regret.

Anthony was like an Orc in the battlefield, not knowing pain or fear. Although the odds were greatly against him, he chose to receive injuries in order to slay another enemy. However, the numbers of enemies were too great for him and he soon found himself losing all strength.

-x-

Leier could hear the metallic sounds echoing through the forest, the last memories of her father, as her mother desperately ran through the forest. They only stopped when they were on top of a tree, waiting for three days and nights without food and sleep.