Chapter 172
Beniti.
One of the Three Great Ducal Houses of the Empire, and the iron-blooded Guardians who ruled the Snowfield.
They were also Loyal Subjects who had long protected the Northern Region.
Perhaps it was not strange for them to possess such pride.
For they had achieved immense merit in the [Great War] six years prior.
The Former Family Head of Beniti was exceptionally brilliant.
"Everyone, stand behind me." "Today, I shall lose no one on this battlefield."
A hero.
A person befitting that short, yet profound, title.
The twins' father was such a man.
Emilia and Ruska naturally received much influence from their father.
They also came to admire him.
"Emilia." "You may forget all other words, but you must live remembering this one thing." "Light... only truly holds value when there is someone to shine it upon."
The girl chased the light of the stars.
"Ruska.""You shall become a guiding star.""Let the weak hide in your shadow, and the strong find their direction in your light."
The boy yearned for the ideal of a star.
A great being in everyone's eyes.
The era led by such a grand figure seemed destined to shine eternally for Beniti.
However, tragedy, as it often does, arrived at an unforeseen moment.
The noble star that had graced the night fell too fleetingly.
The twins were barely fifteen at the time.
The Ducal couple has passed away. The cause is still unknown, but investigations suggest a carriage accident...
Those who were known as the Lord of the Snowfield.
The death of the Ducal couple left a great shock throughout the Empire.
All sorts of conspiracy theories circulated, speaking of assassination or a staged event, but the incident ultimately concluded as a simple accidental death.
This was because nothing particularly unusual was found, even with the Imperial Family's intervention and a thorough investigation.
The twins, too, harbored no particular suspicions.
They merely felt an unsettling unease.
However, even such sentiments were washed away by tears.
For they were too young to bear such a profound sense of loss.
Do not worry.
This Uncle will take care of the complicated Family matters...
You two simply mourn your Elder Brother.
As the twins were too young to lead the Family at the time, their Uncle instead assumed the position of Interim Family Head.
Their Uncle, with whom they had always maintained a special relationship. Thus, the children trusted the adult.
Unaware of what consequences that choice would bring.
The world of adults was utterly vile.
Trust your Uncle.
It's all for your sake, you see.
In the years that followed.
The atmosphere within the House Beniti grew increasingly ominous.
Those who had been loyal to the Former Family Head gradually left, or were purged for various offenses.
Only those who treated the twins coldly remained in the Ducal House.
Only then did the children feel a sense of alienation.
Surely, Uncle...?
But.
By the time the twins realized, everything had already gone awry.
Only those loyal to the Uncle remained in the Family.
For the Loyal Subjects who truly cared for Beniti had been expelled, either to the outside world or to the afterlife.
The Elders had already colluded with the Uncle, and even 'The Awl', the direct Assassination Squad, had been reorganized, transforming into the perfect blades of Traitors.
As a result, Emilia and Ruska lost their standing within Beniti.
Moreover, a powerful contract had been placed upon the younger brother's heart.
Swear upon your mana, Ruska.
This contract is absolutely necessary for your Uncle to protect you.
There will be no ill consequences, so won't you trust your Uncle?
Mana's Oath.
It was a contract the Uncle had requested of Ruska on the very day he assumed the position of Interim Family Head.
The boy, deeply immersed in the grief of losing his parents.
He simply nodded, trusting only his Uncle.
Unaware that he had fallen into a vile trap.
So you've finally realized. That you were deceived from the start.
But... what can you two do, even if you have?
The Family is already in my hands.
And with your lives entrusted to me, do you dare to defy me?
Stay quiet. If you wish to preserve your lives, that is.
The Uncle crushed the children.
In a meticulously crafted scheme, the twins were forced to play an unfair game.
The Uncle's failure to eliminate them was merely a facade.
If the successor were to die less than three years after the Former Family Head's accident, it would surely arouse the Imperial Family's suspicion this time.
To avoid such a situation, it was necessary to present Ruska and Emilia as unharmed.
Even while slowly gnawing away at them from within.
Mana's Oath.
The reason I bothered with such a troublesome contract was for this.
While I was taking control of this Family... I thought you two might try something foolish.
So, don't even think about having other ideas.
For I will kill you without hesitation.
The oath was a leash.
A means to restrain the twins until his plans were realized.
Perhaps they were merely pawns to be discarded once their usefulness ran out.
Don't worry about later.
I've recently met some people, and our interests align quite well.
The Demon Worshippers, that is.
Heretic Cult.
The Uncle had allied himself with them.
He had colluded with those against whom they had fought bloody battles in the last war, simply for the sake of his own greed.
Ruska and Emilia were furious, but there was no other way to overthrow him.
They could only follow obediently.
Soon, those fellows will overturn the world... and when the Imperial Family collapses.
Then a new Emperor will be born in the Empire.
My Elder Brother said our homeland was the Snowfield... but that's a foolish notion.
This time, the name of Beniti will truly dominate the Continent.
In short, to make Beniti great.
The Uncle intended to overthrow the Empire.
More directly, a coup d'état.
If he could only sit on the shining imperial throne, the means to achieve it seemed utterly irrelevant to him.
Furthermore, the Uncle sought to use the twins for his own purposes.
Ruska.
From now on, you'll have to help me in various ways.
The Uncle chose the younger brother.
He had chosen the taciturn Ruska over Emilia, who was inherently flamboyant and drew much attention.
Additionally, Ruska himself had volunteered to be his Minion.
Pleading that at least his Lady be left untouched.
Very well, I will respect your wishes.
A line will be added to our contract.
The Uncle accepted the condition.
Thereafter.
Ruska, as Beniti's Minion, contributed to various tasks.
Such as submitting regular reports from the Academy, or investigating the structure of various buildings.
During the last attack, this information was even utilized.
Because of this, the boy constantly struggled in torment.
*What am I, truly...?*
It was clearly for his Lady, yet he was slowly losing himself.
His childhood dream of being a hero now felt like a profound disconnect.
His present self, tainted by the adults, was pathetic even in his own eyes.
Ruska had agonized through every dawn.
And then.
What's wrong?
The prolonged agony. Finally.
Did you really think I'd dance to your tune until the very end?
It made him break free from his shell.
It made his submissive, shattered heart rise again.
The boy aimed Frost Spikes with his breath.
A subtle white snow followed behind him.
***
Alley overflowing a darkness.
Ruska stood with his back to the moonlight.
......
Opposite him were the Traitors who had betrayed the Family.
Only an eerie bloodlust swirled around them.
The Assassins, deprived of their prey, glared with flashing eyes.
They sneered slightly.
What... what kind of stunt is this?
To think the Young Master would dream of betrayal.
"How do you plan to deal with the aftermath, you bastard?"
Things have gotten complicated. It seems the target realized the danger too.
Should one call it a complaint?
At the voices, Ruska let out a short scoff.
Because he had always wanted to see their distorted expressions.
The boy had intended this from the start.
Well... call it a change of heart, perhaps.
He answered deliberately, unhurriedly.
To make the opponents feel even more wretched.
Isn't it the fault of the one who was deceived?
Mana's Oath... I heard you made a contract with the Family Head, can you just break it?
Now, I don't care anymore. What's a mere price like that?
For a 'mere price,' your heart will soon be crushed.
Indeed.
Ruska intended to die here.
Therefore, he had neither called for any help nor left himself any means of escape.
The reason was simple.
*Now... it's time to end everything.*
Emilia Beniti.
The only reason she had remained in the Family until now was Ruska.
Because his Uncle held that lifeline. She had worried that if she were to escape, her younger brother would be in danger.
As long as Ruska lived... Emilia, too, could not escape Beniti.
The boy's resolve was to break those shackles.
Someone must carry on the Beniti lineage.
It just wouldn't be him.
Ruska intended to die here and free his Sister.
So that she would no longer be bound by any adult.
They can go to hell.
Perhaps it was the last card he had saved.
Not a trace of tremor was in the boy's eyes.
Besides.
Yuda Snaekers.
If that fellow watched over Emilia, he felt he could be somewhat at ease.
The unwavering voice was clear in Ruska's ears.
I will be a source of strength by her side. For I, like countless others, admire her.
He could trust that fellow.
Because his Lady trusted him.
He didn't particularly like him, but... he had connections with the Imperial Family, a broad standing as Faculty, and as the Eldest Son of a Comital House, he was a fellow who would wield significant influence in the future.
At the very least, he would be capable enough to protect Emilia.
Ruska revealed the meticulously planned end.
It was time to break free.
My heart... will explode in 30 minutes.
The price for violating the oath.
Yet, even in such a situation, the boy remained composed.
His dark blue hair fluttered in the spring breeze.
Haven't you considered that you'll be torn apart by us before those 30 minutes are up?
Perhaps.
Ruska was tired.
The disconnect from being a hero, and the admiration he couldn't bring himself to abandon.
He couldn't completely turn away from a certain dawn.
Ultimately, he decided to turn his back on reality and walk towards the ideal he had so yearned for.
He had concocted this scheme because he wanted to land one last blow, since he was going to die anyway.
Against the Uncle who had manipulated him.
I'll take at least one more of you with me as a companion on the road.
Frost swirled around him.
The boy aimed the tip of his sword.
Towards the world of adults with whom he could never compromise.
The blue ice cut swiftly.
A heavy foot leaped from the ground.
*CRASH!*
Kuh...!
Ruska clashed with one of the Robed Figures.
Frost formed on the clashing swords.
A chilling, solidifying storm.
Behind the boy was the Academy.
And today, he intended to lose no one.
A blizzard raged.