I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 88
Located on the southern borders of the Hevania Kingdom was the barony of Inferna.
A commotion broke out at the Inferna mansion when a giant bird flew over.
Edel, Rufus’s younger brother who was solving arithmetic problems, ran to Baroness Inferna in shock.
“Grandmother! There’s an incredibly huge bird flying around!”
Edel wasn’t the only one startled. The mansion’s servants buzzed with excitement as they watched the bird roaming outside the window.
“How can there be such a bird?”
“Look at those feathers. If we pluck them and make pens, they’ll sell well.”
“Its body looks so sturdy, it might taste good if roasted.”
The servants whispered among themselves, marveling at the sight of the giant bird they had never seen before.
“……”
Baroness Inferna, with narrowed eyes, quietly observed the hawk.
The butler approached Baroness Inferna.
“Baroness, shall we chase it away?”
“No, open the window.”
“What? But what if it attacks you…”
“The butler seems unaware, having never left the Inferna territory. That’s not a real bird.”
Saying so, Baroness Inferna placed a hand on Edel’s shoulder.
“Edel, do you see the golden engraving embedded in the bird’s heart?”
“Oh, really?”
Edel blinked. He was too shocked by the bird’s size to notice before. Indeed, as the Baroness said, a golden pattern could be seen on the bird’s chest.
“That’s created by magic. And judging by that engraving, it seems to be the work of the royal magicians.”
With a creak, the rusty window latch opened. The bird, flapping its wings, flew into the mansion.
The slightly frightened servants stepped back. Edel hid behind his grandmother.
Baroness Inferna extended one hand.
After circling inside the mansion for a moment, the bird turned towards Baroness Inferna’s hand. As if recognizing her scent, the bird floating in the air turned its head towards Baroness Inferna and closed its eyes.
Boom!
Suddenly, the bird’s form split into brilliant beams of light, scattering in all directions like fireworks. The golden beams fell to the floor and disappeared.
“Oh, ohh.”
The astonished servants hugged each other, trembling. Having lived their entire lives in the rural area of Inferna, they were not accustomed to such magic.
Baroness Inferna looked at her hand with a calm expression. Where the bird had disappeared, a letter lay limply.
“Is it a spell that turns a bird into a letter?”
Finally, Edel, peeking out from behind his grandmother, asked.
“To be precise, it’s a spell where a fake bird delivers a letter and then vanishes. Let’s see… it’s from your older brother.”
The servants’ faces lit up at the Baroness’s words.
“From Lord Rufus?”
“Is the eldest lord safe?”
Baroness Inferna settled on the living room sofa with Edel, followed by a flurry of servants trailing behind them.
She quickly tore open the letter and scanned its contents. Shortly after, she burst into hearty laughter.
“Yes, that’s my grandson for you!”
Holding the letter, the Baroness laughed heartily, leaving the curious servants hanging.
“Baroness, what does it say?”
“What happened?”
Despite the servants’ pressing, the Baroness couldn’t respond for a while, continuing to laugh uncontrollably.
The letter Baroness Inferna received read as follows:
Dear Baroness Inferna,
I hope you’ve been well.
First, I apologize for taking a few bottles of wine from the mansion without your permission. Please forgive me.
However, Iruel of the Eustice Viscounty says the wine is really terrible. If that drunkard says it’s bad, it must truly be terrible. It seems it’s time to develop a new specialty product for the Inferna territory.
As commanded, I have beheaded the Demon King.
Now, I’m heading to the capital. Please do not come up to the capital. I will come down to the territory.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
May the glory of the Inferna family endure,
Rufus Inferna
***
Bells signaling the end of war rang throughout the Kingdom of Hevania. Soldiers who had gone to the borders for the demon subjugation returned in lines to the capital.
Blue flags signaling the end of the war fluttered in the streets, and temporary monuments were erected to commemorate the victory of the subjugation army.
Yet, no one cheered.
It was starkly different from before. It wasn’t a scene filled with cheers and joy. The streets were filled with people not in celebratory attire but dressed in black from head to toe. In their hands were red flowers for remembrance. Everyone who welcomed the subjugation army bowed their heads in solemn respect.
There were no feasts, rewards, or medals to comfort the hardworking soldiers.
Nothing at all.
Because Prince Tarek, the king’s third son, did not return from the campaign.
“Wow, the atmosphere is really cold.”
Iruel, following behind Rufus, whispered to the other squad members.
“We come back after killing the Demon King, and this is what we get?”
The other squad members agreed with Iruel, nodding in agreement.
“It’s too much. We risked our lives to protect the country, and we’re treated like this?”
“That’s because Prince Tarek’s whereabouts are unknown. What can we do?”
“But still, this isn’t right, is it? Isn’t Prince Tarek the only one who matters? Many soldiers died too.”
“Right. But there’s nothing to commemorate the soldiers, only Prince Tarek…”
Rufus quietly listened to his squad members’ conversation.
It was perfect.
Iruel truly was a master of creating disturbances. To sway public opinion so easily with that sharp tongue of his.
