Millard in Ashur

Raphael Millard, the younger brother of Cien's adoptive father, was always seen as a kind-hearted uncle throughout Cien's life.

However, that perception drastically changed one day when, under his uncle's orders, a dozen assassins instantly targeted his life.

Cien had a slight suspicion that he might encounter someone from the Millard Family in Ashur. It was Baron Millard's scheduled visit to Ashur around this time.

The relationship between the Millard Family and the Ashur merchants had always been maintained well.

The bond grew even stronger after Cien's father befriended the Lord of Ashur, Duke Bahman.

So Cien wasn't surprised to see the Millard family in Ashur.

He was simply taken aback by their arrival being earlier than expected. And the situation before him exceeded his expectations.

'Is this bullying?'

Cien wondered, trying to deduce the situation from the scene before him.

The two young men at the table seemed to have been doused with alcohol by a young man from the Millard side.

The young man Cien saw looked strikingly familiar...

'Is that Edmond?'

Edmond Millard, Raphael Millard's son. Cien's nephew who, as far as he remembered, used to hide behind his mother and was somewhat crybabyish.

Every time Edmond visited their home, Kirana would always invite him to play.

Seeing them play always brought a smile to Cien's face. The Edmond he remembered was a sweet and spoiled child. But now...

'Where did that crybaby Edmond go? He's so different from what I remember.'

Cien gazed at the scenery there. He heard mockery coming from Edmond's mouth towards two young men, referring to them as shameless outcasts.

The two young men did not stay silent. They launched punches at Edmond. However, the guard behind Edmond immediately reacted, blocking the punches from the young men and retaliating with a kick, causing one of them to stumble to the floor.

Edmond laughed cheerfully, then drew the sword hanging from his hip.

He plunged the sword into the hand of the fallen young man while whispering something into his ear.

The other young man, witnessing this, wanted to help but was held back by Edmond's personal guard.

After finishing his whisper, Edmond released his sword's grip and, along with his guard and father, began to walk away.

"EDMOND!! RETURN CHERRY!!!"

The fallen young man shouted. His voice thundered, startling everyone.

Edmond and Raphael completely ignored the shout, continuing to walk without looking back.

When the Millard group reached the threshold of the door, as the door opened, Cien briefly saw another guard outside. The guard was holding an unconscious girl.

The Millard family exited, and everyone became lively again. They immediately helped the two young men in the corner.

The one uninjured young man chased after Edmond outside. However, he was stopped by the Millard guard who had been standing in front of the bar.

Edmond's faint laughter could still be heard as the door opened, infuriating the young man.

Cien, who witnessed this incident, furrowed his brow.

"Why didn't anyone fight back?"

"Because they are from the Baron Millard Family," the bartender answered after hearing Cien's question.

"So what? He's just a baron from another kingdom, right? Aren't they afraid of angering Duke Bahman?"

"When was the last time you were in Ashur?"

"About ten years ago."

"Ah, no wonder. Things have changed a lot since then. Hmm, about three years ago, Duke Bahman fell ill with a terminal disease. He has been bedridden ever since. All the matters in the Ashur region are now handled by his eldest son, who happens to be engaged to the daughter of Baron Millard," explained the bartender as he picked up Cien's dirty plate.

There was still commotion in the bar, but it seemed that the bartender was accustomed to such situations.

"So they're afraid because of Duke Bahman's influence?"

"Yup, I think so, about two years ago. An adventurer attacked Baron Millard because his wife was forcibly taken. The Ashur Knights Squad was mobilized by Duke Bahman, or maybe his son. As a result, the wife didn't return, and the adventurer lost both of his hands."

Hearing this, Cien was stunned. What Duke Bahman's side did was not something a ruler should do in a territory.

Something was wrong. The Duke Bahman he knew would not commit such acts.

To Cien, Duke Bahman represented a just leader. How could the situation change so drastically?

Was it because of his son? But it seemed unlikely that Duke Bahman would have raised his son to become like this.

"This is strange. The Duke Bahman I know wouldn't act arbitrarily like this."

"That's what everyone in Ashur thinks too."

The bartender approached, continuing in a whisper, "There are rumors circulating that the eldest son of Duke Bahman has actually been influenced by his fiancée. Some even claim that the daughter of Millard herself is using dark magic to control the Bahman Family."

Cien frowned. The situation with the Millard Family seemed far from what he had imagined.

'Fiancée... Millard's daughter, that means... Lilinette?'

Cien recalled the five-year-old girl he had met only a few times. Perhaps three times at most.

Lilinette, the younger sister of Edmond Millard, was still very young back then, and her parents didn't take her along on trips.

Cien had only encountered Lilinette at the annual family gatherings and when the little girl was born.

Currently, what the bartender mentioned was still just a rumor. Cien wouldn't swallow it without question.

He needed to find out for himself. Besides, while Millard was in Ashur, he might as well try to gather information about his wife and daughter.

"Ah, isn't there anyone daring enough to respond to these absurd actions?"

The bartender shook his head. "No. Initially, there were some, but after the incident with the adventurer, everyone chose to remain silent. Besides, these things only happen when Baron Millard visits Ashur. They're only here for a few days, at most a week. As long as we don't stir up trouble during those days, no problems will come our way."

"Hmm... Well then, thank you for the food and drinks, Master. They were delicious."

"Oh! Are you leaving?"

"Yes, I need to rest after a long day of traveling. I have to start my business tomorrow. See you tomorrow."

"Okay, looking forward to your visit. Oh, if possible, please don't bring that large box... it blocks the way!"

Cien could only chuckle dryly, then he paid for his meal and left.

Stepping out of the bar door, he was met with the sight of a battered young man being tended to by a group of adventurers.

The young man was the same person who had been chasing after Edmond but was blocked by the guards.

Cien glanced at the scene briefly before moving on. He left because he felt the gaze of eyes fixed upon him, making him uncomfortable.

Cien didn't leave without purpose; he followed the tracks of the carriage used by the Millard family.

When he arrived at a grand residence, he saw the guards who were at the bar earlier standing guard at the front door of the house.

'What do they want with that girl?'

Cien wondered, not seeing the girl they had kidnapped. In truth, Cien didn't come to rescue the girl at all.

He came to take pictures of his uncle and cousin to eavesdrop on them and learn about his family's situation.

Looking at the mansion, Cien wasn't foolish enough to barge in immediately. He walked around the residence to assess the surroundings.

Ah, it should be noted that he was conducting surveillance without carrying his coffin. He had hidden it in an alley not far from the Millard residence.

After getting a little familiar with the layout of the mansion, Cien left. He retrieved his coffin and returned to the inn.

***

Elsewhere, inside the Millard residence.

Cherry, a seventeen-year-old orphan girl, was one of the children under Ethel's care in Almarin.

This year, as she turned into an adult, Cherry volunteered to work at C-Owl. Like most of the children raised there, they always wanted to serve their orphanage when they grew up.

Ethel couldn't refuse Cherry's request. She proposed several positions that the teenage girl could take on.

Cherry chose to become a nurse at the Ashur branch of C-Owl, also serving as a C-Owl intelligence agent.

For several months living in Ashur, Cherry's work encountered no difficulties. The days went on as usual and peaceful.

But today, when she went to the bar to meet her friends after work, she encountered the last person she wanted to see: the Millard family.

It must be acknowledged that Cherry had a cute and clean appearance, making her the object of desire for many men.

Her perfectly developed figure in all the right places successfully captivated various renowned merchants who visited the orphanage.

Likewise, when Edmond had just gotten off his carriage, he saw Cherry's figure.

Forcefully, he ordered Cherry to accompany him. Of course, the girl refused and ran into the bar, seeking help from her friends.

Unfortunately, the one she was opposing was no ordinary noble. The Millard family was respected in Ashur due to their connections, rendering the young men and women powerless.

Cherry was beaten until she lost consciousness, and the next part of the story is witnessed by Cien.

After that incident, Cherry was taken to the Millard residence in Ashur. She was awakened and instructed by the servants there to clean herself up quickly so she could attend to Edmond.

Cherry rebelled, making it difficult for the servants to prepare the teenage girl.

In the end, a guard arrived and once again made Cherry faint. As Cherry lost consciousness, the servants immediately prepared her body to make her look enchanting and pleasing to her master.

Cherry was ready, and her body was carried to Edmond's room.

Young Master Millard, upon seeing Cherry's body, started to be tempted. Without hesitation, he climbed onto the bed and caressed the girl's body.

Fortunately, before Edmond could strip Cherry's clothes, the girl woke up, and...

Slap!

A hard slap struck Edmond's cheek. It was so forceful that blood started to flow from the man's nose, making him go into a rage and repeatedly slap Cherry's face in return.

Edmond had lost his lustful desires, but now he was filled with anger. For several minutes, the sound of slaps and punches could be heard from the room.

After those few minutes, Edmond emerged with an angry face, leaving behind a room filled with the sobbing cries of a teenage girl.