CH 43

Chapter 43: Remembrance, Lamentation, and 2

Ernesta couldn’t immediately recognize the figure that had broken through the window.

Return of the Iron-blood Sword Houn...

Glass shards flew around as a warrior’s figure shone and descended. The rain dripped in, wetting the windowsill while fluttering curtains showed the rough weather.

She recognized the black chokha, but it was adorned by a werewolf with shiny golden fur. The man drew a wide sword and directed his sharper gaze into the room.

“Ivan…”

Her trembling lips involuntarily called out his name as soon as their eyes met.

There was no mistaking him. No matter what form he took, no matter the circumstances, the light in his eyes never waned.

For a moment, Ivan’s composure relaxed at the sight of the wolf’s face, but as soon as he realized the situation, he showed a rage that could blow away the heavy rain.

“It’s been a long time, Theodor.”

His eyes were no longer focused on Ernesta, but rather on the friend he had reunited with after nine years. Leight——or rather, Theodor——stood up with a wry smile, causing Ernesta to be forcibly pulled up as well.

“Hey, Ivan. What about the guards outside? I thought we had a decent number of them.”

“I took care of them. Do you expect any other answer?”

“Hmph, as expected of a monster like you.”

While listening to their tense conversation, Ernesta was struggling with a sense of déjà vu that had nothing to do with the situation.

She recognized him. His golden coat and rugged features. However, this was not the time to question what they indicated.

When she listened carefully, she could hear faint orders being shouted from outside. Apparently, Ivan had come here with a small force and managed to take control of the situation perfectly.

“To think you wouldn’t be surprised by this, man. You didn’t even know I was still alive.”

“Yes. ever since I felt someone’s gaze on me on the main street, I’ve had spies infiltrate the castle town to investigate. That’s how I finally found out you were still alive just now.”

Ivan shot Theodor with burning eyes. Ernesta noticed glimpses of sadness behind them.

“Tell me. Why did you keep your survival a secret? Why are you working as the leader of the anti-alliance faction? Of all people, why…!”

His hoarse voice was a cry of despair.

It was evident that he was experiencing bottomless suffering far beyond what Ernesta felt sad about.

“…Right, do you remember? We promised to introduce each other to our lovers towards the end of the war.”

Theodor narrowed his eyes as if reminiscing. His arms, like logs wrapped around his thin neck, remained tense. Ernesta remained in the same position and listened to his story.

“After I broke up with you, I collapsed with life-threatening injuries and was rescued by a pack of wolves. Two weeks passed before I woke up, and by then, the Shenka army had already returned. I was worried about whether you all were safe, but I was quickly informed of the results of the battle when I went to a nearby village. Then, I became equally concerned about Viola.”

It was needless to ask that the name Viola indicated his lover.

Confirming that Ivan’s sharp gaze showed no signs of easing, Theodor continued his story.

“I ran to her village with my battered body. It was terrible. The place was ravaged by Leutravia’s group, and there were bodies scattered everywhere.”

Ernesta gasped once again, having guessed the outcome of his story.

“There were few men left in the village who could fight in the war. No matter how many werewolves there are, women and children are no match for the overwhelming strength of numbers. I entered Viola’s house and…saw hell. Viola was dead in a sea of blood, piled up with her mother.”

At that moment, how desperate was Theodor? Ernesta tried to imagine it, but realized it was impossible.

“Well, that in itself is a common story. Even with deep hatred, you might not betray your family or lord and choose another path. But Veronica was there. She was cowering beside the rotting corpses of her sister and mother, looking like a dead dog.”

Then, Ernesta remembered Veronica’s expression when she grabbed her and vented her intense hatred.

“She said she heard a voice that she couldn’t forget…what do you think she heard?”

In contrast, Theodor’s expression when he asked the question was emotionless, as if it had covered everything. The deep void in his eyes could be seen to fill him.

“A soldier apparently said this. ‘Too bad it wasn’t a werewolf race, I would have raped her anyway…'”

Ernesta felt her vision go red as she heard it.

Theo seemed to have regained his anger, hatred, and grief at that moment. The arm hanging from her neck became tense, and Ernesta held her breath.

“Which is more savage, werewolves or humans? Those guys are just worthless scum who believe that everything except humans are beasts with no hearts. That’s how it seems to me, but I wonder which one of us is really insane.”

Rather than physical pain, the pain in Ernesta’s heart was much worse after hearing what he said.

That was the devil’s work, not seeing the werewolf race as equal. How could anyone say such a thing? How could anyone do such a cruel act that any sentient being would never do?

“Ellie…”

Ivan’s figure calling his own name became hazy.

Hot tears overflowed from the corner of her eyes, wetting his copper-colored fur.

Why is the divide between humans and werewolves so thick?

Among humans, there are those who are not afraid of werewolves and even recognize them as equals, while there are those who do not even recognize them as equals. Among werewolves, there are those who rebel and those who gradually come to compromise, and this is the disparity born from the actions of humans from the past.

It’s so sad. It’s so sad that it’s unbearable. Why do we have to be so different? Why am I…

“Are you crying, My Queen? You’re so kind.”

Suddenly, a calm voice came down, and Ernesta looked up. There was a refreshing copper-colored smile, and she blinked, unable to read the emotions it conveyed.

“I did a bad thing. You and Ivan are a good match. Get along well, okay?”

At that moment, the door behind her was shattered with a deafening roar. Ernesta was pushed into the hollow beyond the broken door without being able to identify the cause.

“My Queen, are you all right?!”

“General Kudera…?!”

Ernesta was easily caught by Silvestor, who had taken on the form of a werewolf.

As the two werewolves faced each other, they swung the swords in their hands at the same time.

A loud metallic sound rang out, and the pressure from the sword strikes scattered the dust in the dimly lit room. The silhouettes of the men facing each other became clear, and Ernesta tried her best to suppress her scream.

“I see you still haven’t recovered from your stupidity. Where are the kidnappers who would give up the hostages?”

“Hey, we’re wasting our time now that the General’s here. Tell him you know when to back off, stiff!”

This time, the sound of metal scraping against metal was heard, and the two men flew backwards at the same time. It seemed that they had both landed a counterattack on each other; Ivan had blood gushing out of his left shoulder, and Theodor had blood spewing from his abdomen.

Before Ernesta’s eyes turned pale, an otherworldly sword technique was unleashed one after another. Every time the intense sound of collision echoed, the two bodies added to their wounds. As she watched the fight helplessly, she felt warmth on the hands that held her from behind.

“My Queen, I will cut the rough rope, so please don’t move.”

Silvestor pulled out his short sword and skillfully untied her bindings. After feeling the liberation of her freedom for the first time in hours, Ernesta clung to the hero’s shoulder.

“General Kudera, please stop those two! Please…!”

It was evident that even her intervention would not change anything. There was only a future of being torn apart.

Although the grey-furred general seemed moved by the queen’s earnest request, he shook his head and showed a wry smile on his wolf face.

“It’s impossible. If I interfere, someone will die.”

“Oh, no!”

Ernesta’s face turned even paler at the outrageous future predictions, but the general calmly laughed and assured her that everything was okay.

“Don’t worry, we should be finishing soon. In my estimation, probably…”

As a particularly loud sound rang out, the intense battle came to an end.