The Countess, always dignified and composed, faced her death without any disarray.

I closed my eyes again. The sound of the dropping floor echoed. I saw my parents’ feet. No! I shuddered.

This is a dream. Even when I close my eyes in a dream, the darkness doesn’t disappear. Please stop, I’m sorry. I’m willing to take any punishment. Despite being a queen, I couldn’t protect my family. How could I sleep peacefully?

The sound of squishing came from my retreating steps. Blood was flowing somewhere. With my eyes closed, I even covered my face with my hands.

But behind my closed eyelids, through the gaps in my hands, I saw the corpses of my family and employees. Their bodies formed mounds, each a tomb for the other.

I woke up screaming, but all that remained were tears. My whole body was covered in cold sweat.

Awake in reality, but this place was the true nightmare.

**

The bed wasn’t uncomfortable. Having a blanket and a place to lean back was luxurious enough. Camping was like breathing, a part of everyday life, yet strangely, sleep eluded me.

Rebel stood up. A short climb from the campsite led to the mountain’s summit. Silently walking, he reached the edge of the cliff.

Perched precariously as if a few steps would send him plummeting, Rebel gazed at the city where the war would unfold.

Below lay the harbor city, faintly visible.

The dark and quiet sea. Were those distant sounds the waves? The lights of fishing boats returning from their catch drew like stars across the black sea.
White smoke rose from the chimneys of homes, and warm lights streamed out from within, creating a peaceful scene. Rebel took in this landscape with his eyes.

Rozen, a city-state proclaiming neutrality, barely escaped the dominion of the Empire. The impending war was more of an invasion. It meant destroying and trampling the everyday lives of its people. Despite carrying out his mission, Rebel always felt a pang of guilt.

Rylo, who had quietly followed him, caught his breath and lightly chided Rebel.

“Commander, why don’t you rest?”

“The squad?”

“They’re tired from the movement, but there are no major issues. The Imperial army will probably join by dawn.”

The Emperor had left the vanguard’s duties to the mercenaries. Their task was to infiltrate Rozen and capture its leaders. Rylo couldn’t hide his unease. He expected movement by dawn but hadn’t mentioned the plan yet.

“Commander, what will you do? By leaders, he means capturing Duke LeRozen alive, right?”

“The Emperor ordered the ‘neutralization’ of the leaders.”

Claudius’s command had many implications. Capture them alive for the Emperor, or kill and throw Duke LeRozen’s head in front of Rozen’s citizens as a message.

“We’re to infiltrate and deal with the Duke. He expects us to declare death to anyone in Rozen for rejecting the Empire.”

“I refuse such methods.”

Rylo shuddered, looking at Rebel. Since Turkel, the previous leader, the mercenary group had changed. Looting in wars was forbidden, as were unjust arson and murder.

Though known as cruel, money-driven mercenaries, they hadn’t lost their humanity. Her words were powerful. Rebel, too, had adhered to this during his years with the Ricus Mercenary Group.

Now the commander, he wouldn’t recklessly harm others. But defying the Emperor’s orders risked unforeseeable consequences. Claudius, a notorious tyrant, could endanger the entire mercenary group.

What choice will our young commander make? Rylo tried to calm his nerves, looking down at the peaceful harbor scene.

“Rylo.”

“Yes, Commander?”

“Don’t we have our way of ‘neutralizing’?”

Rylo quickly turned to Rebel, understanding his intent. They would disarm but not kill, barely qualifying as combat. Rylo’s shoulders lightened a bit.

“That’s like you, Commander.”

“It’s the least we can do.”

Rebel muttered. Letting go of those ordered to be killed. Perhaps it could be a blow to the infamous Emperor. Rylo secretly harbored this hope.

‘After all, we did as ordered, so it’s hard to find fault.’

If Claudius had complaints, he should have given clear orders. Rylo grumbled inwardly, slumping onto a nearby tree stump.

Rozen had maintained neutrality and received military protection from the Empire in exchange for regular taxes. But recently, voices for independence grew inside Rozen. Beyond legislative and administrative autonomy, they sought complete sovereignty.

The current Duke LeRozen supported this, irritating Claudius. Months ago, Claudius first proposed Rozen’s absorption, but Duke LeRozen rejected the Emperor’s demand.
“The Duke. I hope he makes a wise decision.”

Claudius’s words were no different from a declaration of war. Soon, one by one, the Imperial troops began to withdraw, and recently the last unit left.

The citizens of Rozen must have foreseen their future from the moment the army withdrew. The Empire would soon invade.

The faces of the two men, looking at the tranquil night view of the harbor city, were filled with bitterness. It wouldn’t take long to neutralize them.

“Most of them probably haven’t received proper military training. They’ll be no different from a militia.”

“What about the mercenaries contracted with Rozen?”

“Surprisingly, there are none.”

“Unexpected. Duke LeRozen isn’t so financially strained that he can’t afford mercenaries…”

Rebel, trailing off in thought, suddenly clammed up as if realizing something. All the mercenary groups must be watching the Empire’s reaction. Some might have been bought off in advance.

“There probably won’t be any mercenaries contracted with Rozen.”

“I shouldn’t say this, but they’re all just money-grubbers.”

“Everyone has their reasons. Let’s focus on the task at hand. We neutralize the vicinity of the Duke’s mansion before dawn.”

“Yes. Don’t worry. It’s not the first time for us.”

“Still, we mustn’t be complacent.”

The two began to move down, their steps heavy. Throughout the continent, will war ever end? Rylo, maintaining silence on the descent, muttered as if complaining.

“Commander, I don’t think I’ll ever meet Grit in the afterlife.”

“Why?”

“I’m sure I’ll go to hell.”

“Me too.”

He wanted to see her in reality for as long as possible. Closest to him, even if existing only as a shadow from behind. If he couldn’t embrace her, he wanted to keep her in his sight.

Rebel thought of Eilidh, whom he had once held close. Her small and delicate body, the rhythmic breathing, the rapid beating of her heart – he worried she might hear it.

Would that moment ever return? The closest, dreamlike moment they had shared.

Looking at the dim campfire flames at the campsite, Rebel finally closed his eyes. In the encroaching darkness, he thought he saw her figure.

When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman

“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.

Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”

Synopsis:

Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends,  transmigrates to a female-dominated country.

Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?

Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!

Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!

Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.

_____

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