Chapter 35 : Powerless Screams

Under Glenn’s pressure, Clemens let out a faint whimper—.

The knights accompanying him drew their swords like lightning.

Clang, clang!

“Release your hand immediately!”

“Step back!”

Watching this, a fiery blaze ignited in Sir Nedian’s eyes.

“Enough!”

Cool and composed as he was analyzing the situation, Nedian suddenly drew his sword and lunged forward.

Responding to him, the other knights drew their swords as well.

It was a moment on the verge of eruption.

Just as the servants were about to scream—

“That’s enough.”

Glenn abruptly doused the tense atmosphere with cold water.

He raised both hands slowly into the air, creating distance as he spoke.

“It was my mistake. I misjudged the man.”

“If you don’t accept my apology, it seems we’ll only wear each other down.”

Clemens’ brow furrowed again.

Was that supposed to be a retort after provoking him so outright?

But Glenn’s expression showed no hint of remorse.

It was the look of someone barely restraining himself from attacking immediately.

“I’m fine.”

“Thank you.”

Tss tss—!

As if to deliberately lighten the mood, the sound of hesitant applause broke out.

“The matter is settled now. Everyone, sheath your swords.”

“…Master.”

Whether shameless or cheeky, Glenn was still barely holding back from snapping.

Regardless of whether he sheathed his sword or not, he began to take a step forward.

His expression remained cold and distant.

“P-Prince—what is this…?”

Saintess Monica caught up with his unhesitating step.

He had done something unforgivable to her.

Glenn took a dry breath and looked back at Monica.

“Sorry for interrupting your pleasant reunion, Saintess.”

“No, it’s not that—”

“I think I’m just tired today. I’ll leave a few knights behind; please stay a while longer.”

“…Are you sure, Prince?”

Her worried expression only deepened his guilt.

Glenn bit his lip once before turning and walking away.

At that moment, Nedian followed him.

“I will keep these two together. Take your time.”

“No—”

Many of the knights seized the opportunity and slipped away from the mansion.

Saintess Monica, uncertain and flustered, called out to Clemens.

“Clemens”

“…Yes.”

A faint flush appeared on his face, but he couldn’t linger.

“There’s much I want to say, but now is not the time. I hope we meet again.”

“Those words…”

“For now, I’ll be staying in this city as well… We will meet again. Until then, stay well.”

Monica hesitated briefly, then quickly left the mansion.

Worry still showed plainly in her expression.

There was no need to wonder who her concern was for.

That fact hurt Glenn more than anything.

More than the throbbing in his hands—

Thunk.

Clemens bit his lip.

“…Damn it.”

His narrowed eyes followed the retreating figure of the woman he longed for.

His gaze lingered there, laden with regret.

***

“Tired, are you?”

That was all he said.

Glenn did not comment further on what had just happened as he left the mansion.

On the way back, he rode in the carriage with Saintess Monica.

This was clearly different from his usual habit of despising carriages and preferring to ride horseback himself.

This unusual emotional display caused even Monica, Nedian, and the others around them to grow more worried.

Glenn rarely showed such vulnerability.

The realization that their little lord was still so fragile struck them all anew.

Inside the carriage, Monica said nothing.

She knew well that comfort from her proud companion would be more of a burden than a help.

So she simply watched Glenn through caring eyes as he closed his own.

Occasionally, his hands trembled slightly—he clenched his fists tightly to hide it.

Monica noticed but said nothing.

Tick-tock—tick-tock.

Everyone was silent.

Only the sounds of the outside world echoed softly for a moment.

“…You saw something you shouldn’t have.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, thanks.”

“Everyone has their hard times.”

“That’s right. Today feels… odd somehow, even to myself.”

“That’s not strange. Just as there must be winter for spring to come, it’s perfectly normal. So don’t worry, Prince.”

Glenn smiled wryly.

He found her sincere consolation surprisingly comforting.

And that fact alone felt unusual.

In the past… during the Reckless Era, he would have just scoffed and drowned it all in drink.

“Thank you for your kind words. As expected, Saintess, you are truly sincere.”

Monica bobbed her head.

“Well then, what did you think of me until now?”

“Ah, I mean—well, that’s just a way of speaking. Anyway, thank you for your concern.”

“…Prince, you always have a habit of adding unnecessary words.”

“Me?”

“Like now. You’re not even a teenager.”

If he had a sister, would it feel like this?

Their chance companionship since the edge of Remt Village had forged this strange bond.

“But that person earlier…”

“Hm?”

Glenn, about to continue, suddenly raised his head.

His sharp gaze shifted outside the carriage.

Then he spoke briskly to the coachman.

“Stop.”

“Huh?”

“Stop the carriage right now!”

Urgency in his voice.

It was rare to see Glenn with such an expression.

This felt different from earlier at the mansion.

“P-Prince.”

Monica, sitting beside him, also looked startled.

The carriage began to slow, but before it could come to a halt, Glenn opened the door and leapt out.

He gave no thought to his own safety—but executed a perfect landing.

“Master.”

Nedian hurried after him, startled.

Glenn’s urgent figure darted toward a back alley.

He drew not his longsword, but the dagger tucked at his side.

He already knew where he was heading.

And shortly after, they arrived—

“Ah, no, let Serin go!”

“Shut up and stay still, you brat!”

“Leave my little sister alone! I saw you take the silver earlier…”

“yyaaa!”

“You damn bastards—”

His anger barely contained, Glenn stepped into the scene.

Smack! Boom—

Bang!

“Ugh, aah!”

“What is this?!”

“Run! It’s the knight!”

Filthy men fell from atop a small girl.

Like giant vermin.

Glenn quickly knocked two unconscious and grabbed a woman by the neck.

He shoved her forcefully against the wall and glared fiercely.

“Is it fun tormenting the weak? Huh? Want me to try?”

“Ku, kuh… p-please, spare me…”

The desperate voice pleading for life stirred a wave of disgust.

“Among all this, is your own life precious? You disgusting insect.”

“Ku ku…”

The emaciated woman whose neck was grasped was actually female.

Her filthy scabbard clung here and there, making it hard to tell.

Sunken eyes and a hollow face.

She looked like a wretched beggar who’d been crawling through the dirt for days.

Glenn let her go, and she immediately fainted.

Alert now, Glenn turned and looked toward a boy nearby.

The boy shook the unconscious girl with a helpless expression.

“Se-Serin? Please wake up!”

Glenn approached the girl, disbelief in his heart.

“What is this…”

“You are a goddess.”

Panting, Nedian and Monica arrived on the scene, stunned.

At the same time, the deputy captain immediately ordered the pursuing knights to give chase.

Regardless, Glenn checked the girl’s breath.

His expression turned grim instantly.

His sharp eyes shifted toward the boy.

“…You damn fool.”

A sudden surge of anger he couldn’t explain.

Grabbing the boy’s collar, Glenn pushed him against the wall.

“O-older brother—can’t you even protect your little sister?”

Was he seeing himself from the past reflected in the boy?

His anger lacked a clear direction.

“Sh-she’s alive, Prince! She’s still okay!”

…Huh? Her breath had stopped just a moment ago?

Ah, Monica was the church’s Saintess.

“Goddess of Spring, grant us your miracle.”

Quickly, a healing spell was cast, and a small beam of light shot toward the girl’s chest.

Gradually, color returned to her pale face.

Monica hurried to check on her.

Glenn and the boy stood frozen, staring at the scene.

After a moment, Monica let out a relieved breath.

“It’s only temporary life restored. She was never very healthy to begin with, so continuous care is necessary.”

…Ha, so she lived.

Glenn released the boy.

“Se-Serin!”

The boy immediately ran to the girl.

Tears welled up in the child’s eyes.

Seeing this, Glenn frowned.

Memories from his past life stirred once more.

…Why am I so emotionally unstable today?

After a short time, the girl weakly regained consciousness.

She mumbled and moved her lips before discovering her bones.

“…Uh, oppa?”

“Serin!”

Though this accident could have ended far worse, it fortunately concluded safely.

Nedian had kept his eyes closed, biting his lip the entire time.

He was the one who had tried to hand over the silver earlier.

“…It’s not your fault.”

Glenn praised the deputy captain quietly.

Then he looked down at the boy.

“What’s your name, boy?”

A cautious gaze returned to him.

Saintess Monica still wore a worried expression.

Glenn stared at the boy with a firm look.

“Are you going to rely on luck again? Tell me your name.”

“…Nedrun.”

“…Good, Nedrun~ Remember my words.”

He approached the boy and met his eyes for a moment.

“You have to protect what’s precious yourself. No one will do it for you. The weak only scream when things are taken from them.”

And cruel people don’t care about those screams.

Glenn knew this all too well from his past life—and hated it.

Slowly, Glenn rose.

“There’s no forcing it.”

He stressed each word clearly, as if to be remembered.

Passing by the boy, he plucked a button off his clothing.

“If you’re willing to die protecting it, come find the Lion Knights. We’ll be in this city for a while.”

If not, you can sell that for a few pieces of bread.

Glenn’s expression remained stern as he brushed past Nedrun.

But it was truly uncanny. Was this just a coincidence?

An Arian by birth, with blue hair, named Nedrun?

No way.

“Ah, Nedrun, did you ever work as a scout before?”

The boy’s eyes widened.

“How… how do you know that?”

And a scout, no less.

Such an absurd coincidence.

An involuntary smile escaped Glenn’s lips.

…Today is just strange, emotionally.

Suddenly, the image of a famous knight from his past life flashed through his mind.

The Wandering Knight called the Courageous Knight.

No, not just any knight, but a Sword Master.

He had his doubts, but he would find out when the time came.

Glenn continued walking without hesitation.

The child’s young, questioning eyes followed his back.