25-278

EP.278. [The Person Who Killed Ulysses Schneider.] 

“What did you say?” 

Victoria’s attitude, which had been calm and even slightly relaxed, changed completely the moment Raonjena mentioned her mother Adrienne. Always the one to keep a poker face, Victoria’s expression now hardened—her late mother Adrienne was her one true weak spot. 

[Your reaction is immediate. Are you curious? Or do you want to kill me for mentioning your mother’s name? It’s simple—just accept my proposal. Send your two companions back, and I’ll let you come here and kill me.] 

Victoria’s gaze and voice radiated a murderous intent so intense it seemed she might draw her sword and attack Raonjena at any moment. Raonjena, however, seemed to want exactly that, pressing the negotiation even harder. 

“Don’t do it, Victoria! It’s a trap!” 

“That’s right! Please wait! Our allies outside will find a way once they handle things!” 

Parneze and Vincent, both from noble families and familiar with Victoria’s background, knew how hard it would be for even the rational, unshakable Victoria to resist Raonjena’s provocation. 

“I’ll do as he says.” 

Yet Victoria chose to accept Raonjena’s proposal without hesitation. She made her decision calmly, the earlier rage now replaced by a sense of resolve. 

“There’s no guarantee this standoff will resolve anything.” 

Though her anger had flared up, Victoria, as a leader, knew she couldn’t let it control her judgment. 

“Understood, Victoria.” 

Parneze and Vincent accepted her command. 

[Heh... You’re certainly different from Antoine, who always stabs from the shadows.] 

Raonjena smirked, satisfied. 

[Welcome. You’re about to open Pandora’s box and learn the dirty truth behind the intrigue.] 

With that, Raonjena flipped a switch, lowering a bridge so Victoria could cross the chasm to him. 

“Did the Holy See really make such a secret request to Bishop-Nun Charlotte, Eugene?” 

Grand Duchess Marianne, taking a short break after tending to the people of Bahad, was having tea with her beloved adopted son, Eugene Schneider. When Eugene brought up the Holy See’s request, Marianne’s eyes widened slightly. 

“Yes, Mother. I’ve tried to look into it myself, but haven’t found anything. I thought maybe you’d have some insight, even though I know you’re busy.” 

“Oh, my dear son, how could you say that? I’m always glad to see you.” 

Eugene explained the Holy See’s request to Marianne. With Bahad’s center restored, Marianne was busier than ever caring for the sick and feeding the hungry. Eugene and Charlotte tried not to burden her further, but the Holy See’s suspicious actions made Eugene seek her advice. 

“I can’t really think of anything right now...” Marianne said after a moment’s thought, shaking her head. 

“I see.” 

Eugene nodded, but internally, he was troubled. Marianne, usually so proactive and loving, seemed oddly passive—unlike herself. He wondered if she was hiding some concern. 

“Son...? I hope you won’t misunderstand, but...” 

Marianne hesitated, as if about to confide something. 

“What is it, Mother? Please tell me. I’m your son, Eugene Schneider! I’m always on your side.” 

Eugene smiled warmly, ready to listen to whatever was on her mind. 

“Thank you, son. What I wanted to say is...” 

Marianne seemed reassured by his response and began to speak— 

“Eugene! A letter has arrived from Vivian Pieta! It’s marked urgent!” 

But she was interrupted by Donovan, the deputy commander of the Bahad Defense Force, who rushed in with an emergency letter. 

“An urgent letter from Vivian?” 

Eugene stood up abruptly, knowing Vivian was his best source for information, especially regarding the Imperial Knights’ suspicious movements. 

“If it’s marked urgent...” 

He quickly opened the letter. 

His expression hardened as he read. 

“What does it say, Eugene?” Marianne asked, coming closer. 

“It looks like the imperial family sent a secret rescue request to my cousin, Vivian.” 

This was completely unexpected—the emperor, feeling threatened, had sent a distress signal to Vivian, despite their not being particularly close. 

[You’re only 21, but your self-control is remarkable. I thought you’d draw your sword as soon as you got close.] 

Victoria crossed the bridge Raonjena lowered and stood about five steps away from him, her face unreadable. Raonjena praised her composure. 

“This isn’t the place for a leisurely chat over tea, so let’s get to the point. Tell me—since you knew I might kill you for mentioning my mother, why bring her up?” 

Victoria was tense, waiting for Raonjena’s answer. 

[I’ve done my research on you, Victoria von Bayern.] 

Raonjena began. 

[And I learned you have a deep interest in Ulysses Schneider, the first Jedi of our Sophist Order.] 

Raonjena’s words were meaningful—he’d been watching Victoria closely and knew she’d sought traces of Ulysses in her travels. 

“Bad taste. Yes, the Sword Saint was my father’s close friend. I trusted my father’s judgment and never believed the Sword Demon was his true self.” 

Victoria saw no reason to hide her admiration for Ulysses. 

[Heh... Then you must hate the person before you—the one who betrayed his master, drove him to death, and left him with the disgrace of the Sword Demon.] 

Victoria’s calm admission was met with Raonjena’s mocking response. His knowledge suggested he’d heard the deeper story from Antoine or Konstantin. 

“He was more than a disciple—he was a beloved protégé. I never saw my father angrier than when he heard what happened. He said, ‘How could you betray the man who saved your life, raised you, and taught you the way of the sword?’” 

Victoria didn’t hide the truth. When Ulysses died, she and her father Konstantin were still wandering, but later learned the details from Antoine. 

Crack... 

Suddenly, Raonjena’s previously calm and mocking expression twisted. 

[Don’t be ridiculous... It was because of that snake, Antoine... It was all because I fell into Antoine’s scheme... The real person who killed Ulysses Schneider was that bastard Antoine de Sel Oblaing!!!!!!!!] 

Raonjena’s emotions exploded, revealing her inner turmoil. She claimed that it was not she, but Antoine de Sel Oblaing, who corrupted and killed the Sword Saint Ulysses Schneider.