Chapter 164: Oh Shit

Roderic made his way through the city streets, heading straight for the manor.

Although the battle had ended, the streets were still filled with activity.

Makeshift medical stations had been set up left and right, with doctors treating patient after patient.

But it wasn’t just soldiers and knights roaming the streets.

Civilians had started leaving their houses, helping out wherever needed.

Whether it was bandaging the wounded, picking up fallen equipment, or cleaning up the streets, they were there, helping one another.

And despite everything that had happened, many had warm, comforting smiles on their faces.

Roderic couldn’t help but smile faintly.

’It’ll always be a strange sight,’ he thought. ’It’s when people face the greatest dangers that they seem to grow closest.’

Occasionally, cheers would erupt whenever a group of soldiers passed by.

Some civilians offered them food and drinks, while others simply thanked them for protecting their homes.

Of course, not everyone was celebrating.

Here and there, he could still hear the cries of families who’d lost their loved ones.

But overall, the atmosphere was one of relief and joy.

After all, they’d just survived what many had believed to be an impossible battle.

Roderic glanced around one more time before turning to the manor.

’I’ll be out helping soon enough,’ he thought. ’Still need to speak with my retainers as well.’

He paused for a moment.

’But first, I’ll have to see what that psychopath has been up to.’

As Roderic walked to the training grounds beside the manor, his mind wandered back to before the siege.

He’d met with Finn and given him one important task.

Go to the enemy camp and cause as much chaos as possible while the siege went on.

’I’d expected him to, at most, burn their supplies or tents,’ he thought. ’But with practically all the knights gone, he must’ve been free to do what he liked.’

Only a minute later, Roderic finally arrived at his retainers’ quarters beside the training ground.

Pushing open the door, he stepped inside.

’’Finn?’’ he called out.

No response came back.

Roderic glanced around the room with a raised eyebrow.

’Huh?’ he thought. ’He’s not here yet?’

Walking over towards a nearby chair, he pulled it back and sat down.

He swung his legs onto the table before letting out a tired sigh.

For a moment, a troubling possibility crossed his mind.

’That psychopath wouldn’t get caught so easily, right?’

A small frown began forming on his face.

It’d be a complete waste of Finn’s talent if that’d happened.

’’Hello, young master!’’

A voice suddenly rang out behind him, sending a shiver down his spine.

’’Fuck!’’ Roderic cursed, practically jumping out of his chair.

His gaze snapped back, finding a blood-covered Finn standing only a few meters away.

Despite the blood, an unsettlingly cheerful smile was plastered across his face.

Roderic’s brows twitched.

’’Couldn’t you have said something earlier?!’’ he snapped, clutching his chest.

Finn tilted his head faintly.

’’But I did say something, young master,’’ he replied innocently.

Roderic raised a clenched fist.

’’That’s not what I meant, you bastard!’’

Finn blinked like a confused puppy.

’’My apologies, young master,’’ he said dejectedly. ’’I’ll do better next time.’’

’’...’’

Roderic stared at him for a moment.

’This...’ he thought speechlessly.

Shaking his head, he let out a sigh.

’’Whatever,’’ he said. ’’At least you got back in one piece.’’

His gaze slowly moved over Finn’s bloodstained clothes.

’’Judging by your appearance, you’ve been quite busy as well.’’

Finn’s smile instantly widened.

’’Yes, young master!’’ he said joyfully. ’’I had a really fun day!’’

He raised a large brown bag and placed it on the table.

The bottom of the bag was stained red from blood, while several round shapes clearly sat inside.

’...’

Roderic could tell its contents at first glance.

He slowly looked back up at Finn.

’’Let me guess, those are severed heads?’’ he asked.

Finn nodded enthusiastically.

’’Souvenirs, young master!’’ he replied joyfully. ’’I wanted to commemorate my second mission with something, and what better than these!’’

For a moment, silence fell inside the room.

Roderic didn’t know what to say or even think.

’Fucking psychopath...’ he thought, slowly rubbing his forehead.

Not particularly eager to spend any more time staring at the bloodstained bag, Roderic decided to get it over with.

’’Alright,’’ he said. ’’Let’s see what you’ve brought me.’’

Finn’s eyes practically lit up.

’’Of course, young master!’’ he shouted.

Without wasting another second, he opened the bag.

Then, much to Roderic’s disbelief, he began pulling out severed heads one after another.

THUD!

THUD!

THUD!

Roderic stared at the growing collection on the table.

’How many people did he kill?’ he thought, swallowing hard.

’’This one was an officer responsible for guarding their supplies,’’ Finn explained cheerfully, pointing toward the first head.

He then gestured toward another.

’’And this one was a one-seal knight who happened to spot me sneaking around.’’

Roderic’s eyes widened.

Unbeknownst to him, Finn still had one big surprise waiting for him.

’’The rest were mostly guards that got in my way,’’ he said, waving them off dismissively.

The word ’mostly’ repeated in Roderic’s mind.

Even so, he decided not to question that particular choice of words.

Instead, he glanced towards the bag.

’’Was that everything?’’ he asked, wishing to get it over with.

Finn shook his head right away.

’’Not quite, young master,’’ he replied. ’’I’ve saved the best one for last!’’

As the blond boy began rummaging through the bag, his cheerful smile only grew wider.

Roderic hesitantly leaned forward, his interest piqued.

’’The best one?’’ he repeated slowly.

’’Yes! I believe you’ll be super pleased with this one!’’ Finn replied. ’’In fact, when I discovered this person, I immediately thought of you, young master!’’

Roderic frowned slightly.

’Huh?’ he thought. ’Someone who reminded him of me?’

For some reason, an uneasy feeling began creeping into his chest.

’Don’t tell me...’

Before he could finish that thought, Finn pulled out the final head.

And placed it directly in front of him.

THUD!

Roderic froze.

His eyes slowly began widening.

’’Oh... shit.’’

The face was pale, its expression twisted in absolute terror.

But even in death, there was absolutely no mistaking those features.

’’Finn...’’ he said, slowly raising his hand. ’’Is that...’’

Finn nodded enthusiastically.

’’It’s the former Baroness herself!’’ he said proudly. ’’Lady Margaret Deres!’’