Chapter 70 Leier's Past (Part 2)

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.

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.

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.