I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 219

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#219

An invasion. Soldiers from the Kingdom of Stella had breached Rahalbha Castle.

“How could such a thing happen… What were the guards on watch doing that there were no reports until Stella Kingdom soldiers invaded the castle?”

“Well, it seems there were spies within the castle.”

“Well, it seems there were spies within the castle.”

The man continued with a pale, ashen face in response to my question.

“It appears there were quite a few of them, not just one or two. They secretly opened the castle gates while avoiding the eyes of other guards. And…”

Boom, crash-!

Another tremendous roar echoed, and the wind carried screams of people and the sound of clashing swords.

As I flinched and looked in that direction, Fillen spoke.

“Now isn’t the time to investigate that. We need to defeat the enemies.”

Right. We couldn’t let the enemies run rampant any longer.

“Where is Count Rahalbah?”

“Well, the Count is currently heavily intoxicated and unconscious.”

“What did you say?”

The castle was under attack by enemies, and the lord was drunk and unconscious.

It made sense since they had been in the middle of a party, but still, I stared at the man in bewilderment at the absurdity.

Count Hiltain was the same, but Fillen remained calm.

“Since Count Rahalbah is unconscious, there’s no choice. I’ll take command.”

“We would be truly grateful if you would.”

The man clasped his hands together in gratitude. Fillen immediately began giving various orders to the man.

“First evacuate the people and gather the troops, then…”

Who would have thought Fillen had such a serious side. It was fascinating.

“I’ll implement this immediately.”

As the man who received the orders hurriedly departed, Fillen turned to Count Hiltain.

“Count Hiltain, there’s something you need to do.”

“Me, sir?”

“Yes. Could you go outside the castle and bring back Rahalbah’s support troops that are heading to Casiwood?”

“Why not send a messenger bird or someone else?”

“Given the situation, messenger birds are difficult to use, and most of the men suitable as messengers are too drunk to ride horses. So I’d like you to take the trouble.”

Count Hiltain pondered for a moment, then refused.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that. I must protect Count Aster.”

“I’ll be fine, so please do as Duke Williot says, Count Hiltain.”

Right now, protecting Rahalbha Castle took priority over my safety.

I would only be safe if Rahalbha Castle was protected.

“I’ll be with Count Art and the other soldiers, so don’t worry and go.”

“They’ve been drinking too.”

“That’s exactly why Count Hiltain needs to go.”

I grasped Count Hiltain’s hands tightly and pleaded.

“There’s no one else who can go but you.”

Count Hiltain nodded as if he had no choice.

“…I understand.”

“If it’s decided, then follow me. We don’t have much time.”

Fillen turned around urgently. I also let go of Count Hiltain’s hands and turned.

“Then I’ll return to the foyer alone.”

“You might encounter spies on the way back, so let’s go together.”

Hmm, is that so? But that man went back alone.

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

Though I found it slightly odd, since I knew nothing about such matters, it seemed best to follow the expert Fillen’s opinion, so I nodded.

“Then let’s go.”

Fillen walked ahead, I followed behind him, and Count Hiltain followed behind me.

Count Hiltain had drawn his sword and was constantly watching the surroundings, ready to cut down any enemy that appeared.

I too was tense, as the sounds of explosions and people’s screams continued to echo from behind.

In contrast, Fillen seemed completely unperturbed, advancing with an indifferent expression. His steps were confident, as if he knew every path in the castle.

Walking a bit further, the stables came into view. Fillen went directly into the stables and brought out a horse.

“By now, the support troops should be resting in the neighboring village. It’s quite a distance, but if you ride at full speed, you should be able to get there within 2 hours.”

“It seems it will take quite some time to bring them back. Will that be alright?”

“We’ll have to hold out. If we give Rahalbah, one of the Empire’s leading commercial cities, to the Kingdom of Stella, the damage will be severe in many ways.”

That’s right. Since autumn was approaching when merchants would be actively moving, losing Rahalbah would be even more devastating.

“You don’t need to look so serious.”

I was contemplating the damage that would occur if Rahalbah was taken by the Kingdom of Stella when Fillen spoke.

“Even if it’s taken, we can just recapture it. The Empire’s soldiers aren’t weak enough to lose to the Kingdom of Stella.”

Is he trying to reassure me now?

Since this was uncharacteristic behavior, I looked at Fillen with slight surprise.

Then Fillen cleared his throat and looked at Count Hiltain.

“If you go that way, there’s a small rear gate used by servants. It’s wide enough for one horse to pass through, so you can go that way. I’m counting on you.”

“I’m also counting on you, Count Hiltain.”

Fillen said we could just recapture it, but still, it would be best not to lose it in the first place.

Besides, countless Empire citizens would die in the process of siege warfare, and I didn’t want that either.

Count Hiltain seemed to share the same thoughts, nodding solemnly before mounting his horse.

“I’ll return as quickly as possible.”

I watched him growing distant, hoping Count Hiltain would return quickly, when Fillen spoke.

“Let’s go too.”

“Yes.”

I thought we’d return the way we came, but instead we continued going inward. The place he headed to was a small tower behind the main castle.

Fillen went down to the basement of the tower. The basement without a single window was so dark and gloomy that I could barely see ahead.

“Ah.”

I was carefully going down the stairs while feeling along the wall, but eventually I missed a step and fell.

“Careful.”

Fillen, who was ahead, lightly caught me. Thanks to him, I avoided the mishap of hitting the floor, but another problem arose of being caught in his arms.

“Th-thank you.”

I was more startled than when I missed the step and pulled away from Fillen.

Fillen extended his hand to me.

“The ground is dark so you might fall again. I’ll hold your hand.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t need to refuse.”

“I’m really fine.”

As I kept refusing while clasping my hands tightly together, Fillen sighed.

“You don’t trust me even in this situation.”

“…”

“You won’t even say you trust me, not even as empty words.”

Fillen smiled bitterly and turned around.

I carefully followed behind Fillen, feeling along the wall again.

Finally, when I finished going down the stairs, I saw a dead end. I couldn’t see any space where we could safely hide.

There were no other people either.

“Why did we come to this place?”

Fillen didn’t answer and pressed several bricks. Then the wall split apart, revealing a hidden secret passage.

“Where does that secret passage lead?”

“I explained earlier. That I would take you to a safe place.”

“You’re not planning to escape from Rahalbha Castle, are you?”

“That’s right.”

I thought he would take me to where the other people were, but he was planning to escape from Rahalbha Castle.

“I won’t go.”

I clasped my hands together again and shook my head.

“Even if I were to go, I would escape together with the others. I absolutely will not go alone.”

“Who said you’d be going alone? I’ll be coming with you too.”

“What do you mean by that? Your Excellency should be defending Rahalbha Castle!”

“More than half the troops have already withdrawn, and now that the enemy has entered the castle, there’s no way to stop them. It’s better to retreat for now and then recapture it later when reinforcements and the Imperial army arrive.”

Fillen’s words made sense. Even to me, who was ignorant about warfare, it seemed like what he was saying was better.

However, I had various doubts about readily doing as he instructed.

“Then why did you tell Count Hiltain earlier that you would hold out? Why didn’t you leave together with him? It would have been faster to exit that way, so why…?”

As I was questioning him, I heard footsteps from above the stairs.

Who is it? Could it be the enemy?

I looked up in alarm, but Fillen remained calm. He seemed to know who was coming.

So it’s an ally? Can I feel relieved?

As I remained on guard with half-doubt, the person revealed themselves.

“You’re still here.”

It was the servant who had brought me champagne earlier. The servant came down without hesitation and spoke to Fillen.

“You must leave quickly. Otherwise, there will be disruptions to the plan.”

“That guy?”

“Taken care of.”

That guy? Who are they talking about?

And what does it mean that there will be disruptions to the plan?

As I looked back and forth between Fillen and the servant at these incomprehensible words, Fillen grabbed my arm.

“Let’s go now.”

“Please answer my question first.”

“What question? Why I didn’t leave together with that bastard? That’s because I was planning to deal with that bastard separately.”

So the person this man just said he took care of… is Count Hiltain?

At these absurd words, I widened my eyes and glared at Fillen.

“Why did you do such a thing to Count Hiltain?”

“The reason is simple. Because I don’t like him.”

Fillen’s lips curved crookedly.

“And without that bastard, there won’t be any interference in taking you away, and it won’t disrupt future plans either.”

What did I just hear?

It was clearly Ryunt language, but I couldn’t understand Fillen’s words as if I were hearing a foreign language.

As I stared blankly, Fillen grabbed the necklace I was wearing and yanked it. Even though it was quite a sturdy cord, it couldn’t withstand his strength and snapped with a pop.

“This should serve as solid evidence.”

“Give it back!”

I reached out to retrieve the necklace he had taken from me, but was easily overpowered.

Fillen, who had lightly blocked both my hands with one of his, smiled and brought his face close to mine.

“I wanted to take you politely, but you brought this on yourself. So don’t resent me.”

“What…!”

Suddenly I felt a strong impact on the back of my neck, and my vision flashed white.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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