"This is hell. Worse than before."
A month later, stepping into Tren, I surveyed the chaos. A wave of helplessness washed over me.
Sometimes I wondered if letting Alto crown himself king was a mistake.
After all, Tren’s turmoil stemmed largely from rebellious neighboring territories—and I was one of those rebels.
But these rotting roots had always lurked in shadows. Now they surfaced, laying bare the tragedies for all to see.
Even without me, this nation would’ve crumbled someday.
Shaking off the gloom, I sought the treasurer to finalize the deal.
He approved it swiftly. After reporting upward, his superiors were thrilled—the royal coffers were empty.
*Grain?*
Had Tren’s nobles even calculated this?
When I accepted the 700 tons of grain, I smiled on the surface. Inwardly, I despised them.
A single gold coin could sustain a commoner for over a year—worth over ten thousand yuan.
Five thousand coins? Tens of millions.
Such reckless trade… what could I even say?
*Fine. Their folly is our gain. Everyone wins.*
After the transaction, I ordered the convoy to stay in Tren for a day—guards fully armed.
I had personal business: going home.
Six months since I last returned. How was that diligent old butler?
My heart pounded as I approached my former house.
Only ruins greeted me.
Shattered glass. A missing door. Filthy walls layered with cobwebs.
My hands trembled.
Inside, utter devastation.
The parlor where the butler and I chatted—every piece of furniture destroyed.
Gloom pressed down on my chest.
A faint trace of blood lingered in the air.
I followed the scent.
Dark, dried bloodstains stained the floor.
My face drained of color. I couldn’t bear to imagine further.
I wandered the house, searching for anything to soothe my soul.
Found nothing.
I stood frozen outside a neighbor’s door.
*Creak.*
A girl opened it.
"Um… can I help you?"
"Close it! Don’t invite trouble!" a voice hissed from inside.
"B-But he’s been standing there so long—"
She tried to retreat, but I caught her wrist.
"What happened to that house?" I pointed to my ruins.
"Oh… months ago, soldiers purged a traitor’s family. This house was tied to them. They ransacked it."
"And the old man who lived there?"
"That kind grandfather…" She trailed off.
"Is he… gone?"
"Yeah. He fought to protect his young master’s home. To the end."
"What were his last words?"
My breath hitched. The fairy tale in my memory was melting.
"He… didn’t speak. When they found him, he’d already… passed on."
She’d guessed my identity. Her words were gentle.
Without warning, I collapsed to my knees. Tears flooded out—held back for so long, now unstoppable.
The butler was my only family.
Now I had none.
*If only I’d returned sooner…*
—*A boy, bursting with excitement, rushing to welcome the old man to the home he’d built piece by piece. He wanted the elder to be happy. How much the old man had given—far beyond his meager silver coins. He’d seen the boy as family. In his final breath, he’d whispered: "Is the young master… well?"*
"Why… *why*?!"
My ragged sobs shattered the street’s silence.
The girl stood helpless, watching a heart tear itself apart.
I covered my face, forcing calm.
"Where is his grave?"
"We… cremated him. Kept the ashes, hoping kin would claim them. But no one came."
"Give them to me."
No grave… but at least his ashes remained.
"Wait here."
She rushed inside. Rustling sounds, then quiet.
The door opened again.
"Here. Please take it."
"Thank you."
I bowed deeply, trembling hands solemnly accepting the urn.
"Wait—please take this." I stopped her as she turned away, pressing a gold coin into her palm.
"This?! Too much! I can’t—"
"If it were several, I wouldn’t offer. But one coin? No one will bother you over it."
I had more gold. I wanted to give it all. But I wouldn’t bring disaster upon them.
"…Okay. Goodbye. Leave soon—this place isn’t safe."
The door closed.
I stood there until my breathing steadied. Then walked away, heavy steps echoing on the broken street.
