~Chapter 27~
The Pure Love of a Rogue Knight
Ernheart Egbert was born as the illegitimate son of a reckless noble.
He was raised among a wandering band with his gypsy mother, having no fixed home, and became a lowly mercenary.
Blessed with talent and natural aptitude for combat, he earned the title of Mercenary King at a young age.
One day, he fell in love with the daughter of the family that hired him, and after countless trials, he became part of the family as a son-in-law.
But that was not the end.
He faced constant scorn, mockery, and prejudice borne of biased eyes.
Yet he persevered and rose to become a respectable duke.
A mercenary who once lived recklessly bent and molded himself solely for the one he loved.
His wife, Mari Egbert, was a noblewoman raised within the Egbert family, noble and pure.
A wise woman with an exceptional mind, she was devoted and faithful to the family’s strict codes.
She was a graceful and beautiful woman who upheld the Egbert family’s preference for male heirs and pure bloodlines.
Yet, throughout her life of obedience, she broke the family’s code but once.
She fell into a fierce love with a man no one acknowledged.
Wracked with guilt, she journeyed to the land of dragons and forged a solemn pact.
As long as she lived, she vowed never to break any rule again.
She pledged to eternally engrave the Egbert family’s name into history.
Ernheart and Mari Egbert lived by the code even in breath, strictly raising their children and enhancing the family’s prestige.
But a stain befell them, shattering the pact.
Mari Egbert collapsed as punishment for breaking the vow.
Like consuming a poisoned apple, she fell into a deep slumber—neither truly alive nor dead.
To Ernheart, Mari was his entire life.
He wished to pass on his title and prepare for his end.
But with no suitable heir, he merely held his place.
His death would disgrace the Egbert family’s honor.
Mari’s soul was bound to the earth forever, and Ernheart was no freer.
He regarded you as a troublesome problem not easily dealt with.
Remember, you are a grievous blemish born when you should never have been.
Esther read the parchment piercingly, as if plunging daggers.
“Black…”
Indeed, nothing was simple.
She hadn’t anticipated the involvement of a dragon’s pact.
Nor such dire circumstances.
The blood-bonded oath forged in the dragon’s land was a powerful restraint.
Breaking it demanded a heavy price.
Yet there was one way to break the pact—
Simply put, if a higher being stronger than the dragon sought to shatter it.
“Well, that’s easy.”
Because I am the great Demon King.
Still, in her current state, it was impossible—likely only achievable after summoning a demon.
“But awakening her for a moment? That’s quite doable.”
Moreover, the fact Mari Egbert was not dead was a good omen.
“Harabuji.”
“…What is it, you tiny thing?”
“Do you miss Grandma?”
When Esther unexpectedly uttered the name, Ernheart’s eyes widened markedly.
“What? You—who exactly are you?”
“Shall I let you see her again? Grandma.”
“How dare you utter that name…!”
He stiffened to shout but silenced himself upon seeing Esther’s small form.
“I am a genius saint. I can break the pact.”
“…!”
His steps halted at her words, stunned beyond expectation.
“How do you know of that?”
The secret of the pact was known to none.
He had never spoken of it, not even to his own children or his longest-serving retainers.
Yet it escaped the lips of this little child, whom he deemed the root of all evil.
“I will help you, Harabuji.”
If Mari Egbert was truly his everything, he would offer a fitting price.
When Esther smiled faintly, Ernheart’s gaze softened.
“You say you can awaken one who has lain for five years?”
“Yes! I am a genius!”
“…”
Her lighthearted reply earned a frown.
He had made a pact with her—her life in exchange for living solely for the family.
“Ern, you are my first and last sin.”
“Once you enter this house, I will live only for the family. I shall make the Egbert stronger than any head of house before me.”
“I will never break the family’s code again. You must swear to live only for the family if any trouble befalls me.”
“…I swear before the gods to always protect you and support your wishes.”
She became his sin to claim her life.
In truth, the pact was what she had desired—a restriction laid upon herself as insurance against betrayal.
Did he have the right to break it?
“Harabuji.”
Sensing his hesitation, Esther’s voice softened.
“Once lost, it cannot be undone. Death means nothing. Nothing.”
He gazed into the golden eyes of the child before him.
Could this truly be a child? How could one so small understand such truths?
She was right.
Regret after loss changes nothing.
He knew well—once gone, there was no return.
Better to endure a lifetime of hatred than lose her.
“…What do you wish for?”
It is better that you live.
“Give me your best and most precious things, Harabuji!”
That should suffice for a house and a fortune to live comfortably forever.
He remained silent a long while.
“…Very well. If only I can see her again.”
Finally, he replied with a grim resolve.
Perhaps Esther should have anticipated this moment—should have demanded a house outright.
But she did not expect it.
Nor could she imagine he would offer such an absurd price.
“Ugh.”
Only after driving Ernheart Egbert away and securely locking the door could Esther climb onto the spacious bed.
The child gazed silently upon the beautiful woman, lost in a deathlike slumber.
Her appearance defied belief—she looked hardly fifty years old.
‘Grandpa’s face is surprisingly youthful.’
Yet, it made sense.
“Of course.”
She had expected the pact to be broken midway.
Meaning, Mari herself hesitated, failing to complete the vow.
A pact was no trifling matter—it was life itself.
Had it been broken, death should have followed instantly.
Her survival implied an incomplete vow.
‘This makes things simple.’
No need for complex formulas—merely awakening her was within reach.
Though annulment required a journey to the dragon’s land or aid from a powerful entity, which would take time.
Esther gathered mana at her fingertip, sharpening it into a blade.
Cutting her right finger lightly, a red line appeared, beads of blood welling forth.
Her eyes glowed crimson.
Drops of her mana-infused blood trickled between Mari Egbert’s slightly parted lips.
Her Adam’s apple twitched reflexively.
Just as Esther, poised atop her, moved to withdraw—
Long-closed eyelids fluttered.
At last, the hidden eyes opened.
Beautiful golden irises shone forth.
For a moment, it seemed as if a sleeping doll had awakened.
With a dazed expression, she blinked several times before glaring sharply and reaching toward Esther.
“How dare you—where do you think you are… cough!”
Her hoarse voice rasped, strained by forced effort.
“Ern…!”
The marionette-like arm, seemingly broken by severed strings, was raised to clutch her neck as Mari muttered faintly.
Suddenly, loud commotion echoed outside, and the firmly closed door was flung open violently.
Esther’s carefully secured lock soared through the air, the door half-shattered.
“…”
Crash! Bang!
Dust billowed as the entrance lay exposed.
Grasping her wild hair, Esther cried out,
“Mari…!”
“Ern…!”
They beheld the heart-wrenching reunion with cold, tearless eyes.
A fragment of the lock clattered against Esther’s foot.
