I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 134

Nox quietly watched the seemingly unperturbed Esterion, then turned his attention to the documents. Esterion’s composure indicated he was accustomed to such situations, which was not a bad thing.

Nox had much to prepare for. With the Knights returning, he needed to secure their budget. Thankfully, the original members were returning, so he wouldn’t have to teach them the entire system anew.

‘Five of them are traitors, though…’

While Angela’s report was coming, Nox silently began to identify those five himself. He couldn’t read minds, but the Rainerio Knights, in the past, had hundreds of applicants for just ten positions, testing not only swordsmanship and stamina but also their character as knights. Nox wasn’t doubting the character or integrity of his former knights now. He was simply trying to recall who among them might have had desperate reasons to betray him.

“I think I know who they are…” Nox agonized. Perhaps the very fact that some of his loyal knights had betrayed him and sided with the Emperor was distressing. On one hand, he could understand them. Serving a lord whose honor had fallen into ruin was nothing short of dishonor for them. However,

“If you betrayed me, you’ll pay the price,” Nox whispered resolutely. If they chose to go to the very person who ruined him, he wouldn’t stop them. But just as the choice was theirs, so too would be the regret.

Nox couldn’t sleep, remaining seated at his desk, constantly thinking. He pondered why they had no choice but to betray him and why he didn’t need to sympathize with them. They were long-standing acquaintances; cutting them off wouldn’t be easy. But as he was now, Nox had to.

Ah, life is agonizing, he muttered habitually to himself. He forgot to wake the sleeping Esterion, agonizing until dawn.

The soft light of dawn slowly seeped through the curtains. As the light hit Nox’s dark eyes, a faint green shimmer appeared. The light illuminated half his face, yet Nox stared directly at the rising sun, seemingly unfazed.

There’s no room for lingering attachment.

He made a firm resolution, settling his mind. It was fine. Easier than he’d thought.

Early that morning, Angela arrived. Using the excuse of tidying the bedding, she entered Nox’s room and provided him with information on the five individuals who had betrayed him and sided with the Emperor. It matched Nox’s expectations. Nox smiled, and Angela, seeing his expression, said, “You look sad.”

“Do I?”

“A little.”

“It’s alright. Now.”

“Then that’s good,” Angela replied, waking Esterion, who lay comfortably on the bed as if it were his own. The sound of her slapping his bare skin was loud. Esterion groaned, then, seeing the sun was up, slowly rose.

“Come out so I can make the bed.”

“Ah. Hmm. Right…” Esterion yawned, covering his mouth, and asked Nox, “You don’t seem to have slept well.”

“Just focus on your aide duties today. I’ll probably be at the knight quarters all day.”

“Understood.”

Esterion Launder left the room, and Angela began to tidy the bedroom. After a long moment of sitting in his chair, Nox rose and spoke to Angela, who had finished making the bed.

“There’s a uniform in the dressing room.”

“Yes.”

“Bring it.”

“Understood.”

Angela lightly bowed, then went to the dressing room and found the black uniform. It was a garment Angela knew well: the formal uniform tailored for knights officially inducted into the Rainerio family. Angela quietly looked at the uniform, then brought it to Nox’s room.

Nox was nowhere in sight, having presumably gone to bathe. Angela quietly hung the uniform in a corner of the room, then left. A short while after Angela disappeared down the hallway, Nox emerged from the bathroom, wiping himself dry.

He looked at the uniform Angela had hung and recalled the past. He closed and opened his eyes. Yes, there’s no good in retreating. His past self had been weak, foolish, and naive.

Nox still considered himself foolish, but he no longer wished to retreat. Nox reached out, took the uniform, and slowly put it on, buttoning it as if performing a ritual. The sturdy uniform on his firm body finally seemed to find its rightful place, carrying an air of authority.

“…”

Nox sighed, looking at his reflection in the mirror. When he stepped out, servants followed him. Nox glanced back and commanded them, “I’ll be at the training grounds all day today, so don’t look for me.”

“Understood.”

“If something needs to be reported, have Esterion Launder do it.”

“Understood.”

Nox headed straight for the training grounds, and the servants dispersed. The sword the Emperor had bestowed upon him earlier hung at Nox’s hip. It wasn’t that he didn’t have his own sword. He simply wanted to keep the Emperor’s by his side, to remember.

To remember what he had achieved with it, and what else he would cut down in the future.

Upon reaching the training grounds, Nox paused.

“…You always surprise me.”

“Well, it is morning training time, isn’t it?”

It was shortly after sunrise. But Nox paused, clutching his head at the sight of the training ground packed with people. If ever there was a time to be moved, this was it.

“But…”

“Yes,” Demetri replied.

“How on earth did you get in?”

“We climbed over the wall.”

“…”

“We weren’t caught.”

“…Whose idea was that?”

“Mine.”

“…You still have your knight’s emblem, don’t you?”

“Yes, we do.”

“I’ll tell them to let you in through the main gate next time. Properly.”

“Yes.”

“And the mansion’s security needs to be tightened.”

Nox massaged his temples, then stood before them, lined up in formation. As he ascended the platform, all eyes turned to him. Nox gazed at them and slowly began to speak.

“There’s only one thing I can promise you.”

Nox narrowed his eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips. “Those of you who chose me will survive.”

Despite the unsettling words, they remained silent, their gazes fixed on Nox, unwavering. Seeing their steadfastness, a strange feeling washed over him. Perhaps his past wasn’t entirely in vain. Nox, who had felt his life was suffocating, let out a long breath for the first time in a long while.

And amidst those resolute eyes, he discerned subtle wavers—the individuals he had anticipated, the names on Angela’s report. Nox deliberately avoided their gaze, simply smiling.

“You are the swords of Rainerio.”

“YES!”

Their collective roar echoed, and from that day forward, the news of the Rainerio Knight Order’s re-establishment swept through the Empire like a wave.

“A knight order whose master’s honor has been dragged through the mud, you say?” someone scoffed.

“All the official knights have gathered, they say.”

“Duke Rainerio must have had excellent character, wouldn’t you agree?”

Some began to show positive curiosity toward Nox. Slowly, Nox was regaining his footing. Perhaps a glimmer of light was finally appearing. At the news that Nox Rainerio might solidify his position as Duke once more, the nobles began to watch him, assessing the situation.

But they didn’t know. They didn’t know what Nox was truly aiming for, or how far he intended to go.

***

The Hunting Festival Looms

Months passed, and the hot season arrived. The Imperial Palace began its grand preparations to commemorate the Emperor’s first anniversary, inviting nobles and royalty from other nations. The days grew hotter, and one sweltering night, Khalid gazed upon the creatures confined in his mansion’s silent basement.

Grrr… Snarl! The wolves, baring their teeth and showing hostility toward him, were all significantly larger than the wolves of the Empire.

Clang, clang!

The twelve wolves gnashed their teeth, unable to stay still for a moment.

“I’ve acquired them, but what will you use them for?” Khalid’s aide asked. Khalid, without a moment’s thought, flipped the invitation in his hand and replied, “I just think the hunting festival might be a bit too dull.”

Khalid then exited the basement room. He walked down the corridor, thinking. This hunting festival would likely be recorded as the worst day for the Emperor. Of that, he was certain.

***

Imperial Anniversary and Whispers

Thus, the day of the Emperor’s first ascension anniversary dawned.

The Imperial Palace shone dazzlingly under the sunlight. Foreign envoys, nobles, and royalty began to arrive one after another. As it marked one year since Peltion’s ascension to the throne, it was clear that the celebration would be more extravagant than ever before.

Furthermore, among the foreign dignitaries, Duke Rainerio’s restoration was undeniably the talk of the town.

“They say that the former slave has been reinstated as a Duke. How should we treat him then? Oh, and I heard rumors that the Duke is to receive some of the Imperial Palace’s diamonds. Ah, yes, and…”

“They say he’s even re-established his knight order?”

“And his businesses are apparently thriving.”

The position of a Duke in the Empire is not one easily gained or held lightly. That’s why the news of someone who had fallen to slavery then rising back to his rightful place had sent shockwaves across the continent. But if he was successfully re-establishing himself, he became a tempting target worth eyeing.

“But isn’t he a sodomite?”

“Even a sodomite needs an heir, you know.”