Chapter 31

“I’m coming out!”

When they reached the mine entrance, a person who’d been lingering on the other side shouted urgently.

The commotion outside grew, and the murmurs flowed into the mine.

“It seems everyone has gathered.”

When Hamel said that matter-of-factly, Daniel spoke up with concern.

“Hamel. I’ll say it again: the lord’s authority is, for all intents, its life.”

“I suppose so.”

Hamel nodded as if he understood.

After all, he was the child of a noble.

He knew well that you couldn’t treat the people of the territory with mercy and tolerance alone.

That kind of attitude was closer to what clergy who serve the god should maintain.

Hamel did not confuse the two.

Of course.

“My authority is very weak right now.”

Hamel had not yet formally become the lord, nor was he officially the heir.

Moreover, the Gilmore family was not welcomed by the people of the territory.

There were no riders left to raise sword and banner for them.

The magic that was the source of the family’s power had died out.

“…You know that well. But why won’t you establish authority?”

Daniel, who had been listening silently, tilted his head in puzzlement.

Hamel replied calmly.

“The authority you speak of, Mr. Daniel, would be one of fear.”

Overwhelming power and fear help establish authority.

Hamel, who had no foundation, had none of that to rely on.

But Hamel had no intention of doing that.

No, rather than that.

“I’d rather give up the lordship than rule them by fear.”

Daniel was momentarily speechless at Hamel’s firm words.

Daniel had seen many who would give up wealth, life, even their lives to obtain a man who would so easily renounce his position.

Such was the power of aristocratic rank.

Thinking Hamel was unique in that way, Daniel asked something else.

“Then the mansion…”

“It will work out. If I forfeit the lordship and only ask to keep the family’s mansion, the crown wouldn’t refuse.”

Daniel pondered briefly and then nodded.

Indeed, from the crown’s perspective, it was a deal with no downside.

Hamel recited scripture reverently.

“The Lord Jan said: ‘A leader should serve wholeheartedly where he is needed, but if he is no longer needed, do not cling, depart without regret.’”

“…Was there such a verse?”

“It’s not in the modern scriptures.”

That passage could be seen as a challenge to the social system of classes and royal authority.

That line could only be found in scriptures from the ancient republican era.

“…So the wording of scripture changes due to human circumstances.”

“That’s how it is.”

Hamel looked at Daniel calmly.

There was not a trace of lingering attachment in his eyes.

Daniel let out a short laugh.

“That’s like you.”

“Is that so?”

Hamel merely nodded.

Step, step.

The two headed out of the mine without hesitation.

Dozens of people stood there, tense.

They stood with weapons at the ready, afraid a monster might leap out.

When Hamel and Daniel appeared, some breathed a sigh of relief while others still kept their suspicion and tension.

It was natural.

It had been only a short time since they had learned never to be deceived by appearances.

It was then.

A man appeared among the people.

“Mr. Hamel… is that you?”

“It is. Dain.”

Hamel showed the signet ring to the knight who had once served him and his family.

Dain recognized it and immediately dropped to his knees.

“Please take me with you.”

“I don’t know what you mean all of a sudden.”

When Hamel asked in puzzlement, Dain kept his head bowed and said:

“I’ve confessed all my sins to everyone. I’m no longer worthy to stay here.”

“…”

Hamel looked over the territory’s inhabitants around him.

They subtly avoided his gaze.

‘So that’s it.’

Dain had awakened and trained the Doppelgangers.

It was only natural that the villagers’ resentment was directed at him.

He was no longer the village headman nor their neighbor.

“I stepped down long ago, but I’ll serve as a retainer or a soldier—please let me serve you again.”

“I’m not in a position to pay you well, though.”

“I will serve.”

“…I look forward to your service.”

Hamel nodded lightly.

There was no reason or justification to force away someone who wanted to serve.

‘Leaving him here would be unforgivable…’

When Hamel agreed, Dain’s expression brightened.

He rose and stood behind Hamel.

Dain’s elderly father simply bowed as if to entrust his son to him.

Meanwhile, the villagers hesitated but opened a path.

There was no courtesy toward the territory’s heir, nor gratitude toward the one who saved the village.

They simply avoided and feared Hamel of the Gilmore family.

The three slowly passed through the crowd and headed to where the horses were tied.

“…”

Daniel gripped his scabbard so hard it creaked; he disliked the situation.

But mindful of his conversation with Hamel, he held his tongue.

“I’m sorry.”

Hamel offered an awkward apology at the sight.

“Even if I don’t mind, Sir Daniel doesn’t deserve this treatment.”

“Enough.”

Daniel waved off Hamel’s apology, losing some of his tension.

The three were about to leave.

“Please… wait.”

A child approached them.

Hamel recognized the child and blinked in mild surprise.

“It’s Den.”

Den, the son of the deceased Aaron family.

Den’s eyes were red and swollen; he staggered as he spoke.

“…Uncle Dain. I’m sorry.”

“No! Why would you be—what are you apologizing for!”

Dain answered urgently, almost shouting.

His face twisted in pain.

“It’s my fault… because of me… this happened…”

Dain bit his lip, unable to continue.

Den shook his head.

“I don’t really understand that. But I lied.”

“…?”

“The truth is… I knew.”

“Huh? Knew what…?”

Dain’s eyes widened.

Hamel and Daniel were the same.

The boy continued, sobbing.

“I knew. Mom and d-dad…”

“…”

“But I didn’t want it to be true… I’m sorry, I’m sorry… boohoo…”

Everyone was left speechless.

The child had known.

That his parents were dead.

That the ones who protected him were monsters.

Even so, he had wanted to deny reality.

To the child, his parents were his whole world.

“…No, no!”

Dain rushed forward and hugged Den tightly.

Then he cried like a child beside Den and apologized.

“I’m sorry! If I hadn’t been so stupid!”

Dain’s voice cracked like rough metal.

He cursed his past and swore to the god.

“Give me another chance. I’ll protect you. Even if I must give my life.”

The boy nodded, sobbing as if releasing every held-back tear.

Dain hugged the boy tightly as if he had been saved.

After crying for a long time, the child finally looked to Hamel, approached, and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for saving us.”

“…”

The boy knew it was Hamel who avenged his parents and saved him.

Hamel didn’t know what to say when the boy—whom he expected to resent him—thanked him.

Hamel simply stroked the child’s head gently.

“…Well.”

Then one of the villagers spoke up with difficulty.

His pupils trembled with anxiety, but he had mustered courage.

“W-well… thank you for saving my husband!”

Hamel remembered the woman pacing uneasily in front of the mine.

“…It seems your husband is safe. That’s a relief.”

Hamel nodded.

The next moment.

One by one, the villagers began to approach Hamel.

They approached Hamel and Daniel individually to express their thanks.

Some wept, others smiled joyfully.

“…This is a bit sudden.”

Daniel muttered as if he didn’t understand, but Hamel somehow seemed to know why.

They were simply afraid.

Of a newly appearing authority figure from the Gilmore family.

In a world where saviors could instantly become thieves who seize everything.

Hamel understood their anxiety and nodded.

That alone was enough.

The faces of the territory’s people kept bright smiles, and the clear blue sky now poured warm sunlight.

“Please lead us.”

Dain’s father, the old man, bowed deeply.

All the villagers bowed to Hamel.

“…What kind of magic did you use?”

“…”

Daniel still asked as if he didn’t understand.

But this time Hamel didn’t know the answer either.

Hamel, Daniel, Dain, and Den mounted their horses to head to the mansion.

They were bewildered as they saw the territory’s people gathered at the mine village entrance.

Frankly, Hamel had no real attachment to the power of the lordship.

Rather, the fact that there were people he would have to be responsible for while he had to travel for revenge felt like a burden.

Yet Hamel tended to quietly fulfill the roles given to him.

He had entered the clergy for revenge, but he had never neglected a priest’s duties.

Though he hadn’t wanted the lordship, he intended to meet the people’s expectations this time as well.

So there was only one thing Hamel could say to them.

“…I will come to see you again after I am formally inaugurated as the lord.”

“…!”

The people’s eyes widened.

After a short silence.

“That’s enough!”

Someone raised both hands and shouted.

Only then did the people break into bright smiles and raise their hands.

“Long live Lord Hamel! Long live Haidern!”

“Hooray!”

As the old man led the chant, the villagers echoed and the blessings for Hamel poured out.

In that festive atmosphere Hamel bowed in daze and then urged his horse.

“Feels like we’re haunted.”

At Daniel’s remark, Hamel nodded calmly.

“I am lacking, but it must mean there remains work for me to do.”

“By the will of God?”

“Yes, by the will of God.”

The two exchanged glances and gave a short laugh.

They had endured an unexpected crisis but survived once more.

If all was by God’s will, then there was still work left for the two of them.

Daniel wasn’t an ardent believer, but he liked Hamel’s interpretation.

They rode on for a while.

Thinking of the tired Den and Dain, they rode slowly yet still reached the mansion before sunset.

Clop clop clop

The mansion stirred at the sight of Hamel and his party returning.

By the time they entered the mansion, Bishop Arsen, the Holy Order Knights, and court nobles with their guards had come out to greet them.

“We’re back.”

At Hamel’s greeting, the court noble sneered and spoke.

“Back already. Did you visit the mine?”

“Yes. We did. As expected, there was a demon.”

“I see. But what if you simply return? You won’t tell us you can’t do it now, will you?”

The bishop’s expression darkened at his mocking tone.

Just as the bishop was about to speak in a cold, controlled voice.

“It’s been resolved.”

“…What?”

“I said it’s been resolved.”

Hamel looked down at the noble from his horse and said calmly.

Bishop Arsen, who had alternated between the stunned noble and Hamel, finally burst into a broad smile.

“As I thought—Hamel!”