His men, who had just cheered over a big win, suddenly became solemn, seeing their future in Nathan.

“Hey, should we run?”

“Think that’s possible?”

“Including the crime of insolence, we’d be even deader. Idiot.”

Quick to grasp the situation, his men swiftly dispersed the onlookers.

“Cough… you crazy bastard… stop it…”

Roderick’s clenched fist stopped near Nathan’s face, only aiming at spots that weren’t clearly visible. Nathan’s face was still intact. Enough was enough. It was time to stop.

“Sigh.”

Exhaling languidly, Roderick stood up and threw off his black leather gloves.

Taking out a new pair from his pocket, Roderick kicked the fallen Nathan lightly with his military boot.

“Don’t be such a drama queen.”

“Get lost. You madman. What warrior uses fists instead of a sword.”

In a real fight, you’d use fists, or even gums if you had no sword. Nathan knew he was talking nonsense.

He rolled over and lay sprawled on the ground, forming a “大” shape.

Seemingly having forgotten why he was angry, Roderick lit another stick of tobacco.

“Nathan Beatus. How long has it been since you returned home?”

“Don’t know, bastard. Feels like it’s been more than 5 years since I left that place. Why do you ask?”

So he’s out of touch with family matters. Roderick clicked his tongue softly. He came all this way for nothing.

“Do you keep in touch with Devir Beatus?”

“I cut ties with my brother more than 10 years ago. Speaking of which, Vanessa, our sister, has entered the palace as the future crown princess. She’s a scary one.”

Remembering Vanessa’s snake-like gaze, Nathan shivered.

“Having heard your answer, I’ll be going now.”

“Hey, where are you going!”

“Back to the North.”

Roderick, having asked plenty, didn’t say a word about Diana.

Knowing well that once Roderick closed his mouth, he wouldn’t open it again, Nathan sprang to his feet.

Damn it. Brushing off the dirt, Nathan strode toward the commander overseeing the mock battle.

“Commander, I’m taking leave.”

It was a unilateral declaration, not a request for leave, but a sudden decision to leave right then.

“What?”
“I’m taking leave. There’s no conflict to participate in for a while, anyway. So don’t look for me.”

The middle-aged commander was taken aback, unable to find words. Nathan, known for his whimsical nature, had never left the military camp before.

“Hey, Nathan. What’s this all of a sudden?”

“Ah, whatever. I’ve made myself clear. Don’t look for me. And if anyone tries to follow me, they’ll be dead.”

His threatening glare forced the commander to shut his mouth. Was there anyone capable of tailing him?

Under normal circumstances, desertion would warrant punishment. But Nathan, a celebrated general with many feats, wasn’t someone who could be easily penalized.

Despite his professed contempt and hatred, the backing of the Beatus family played a part in this leniency.

It was a deep night. The knights, who had expected to ride day and night, were forced to take a rest by their lord.

“Hey, wasn’t our commander dumped?”

Idly camping, the knights were once again lost in gossip, glancing at their lord’s mood.

“Must have been dumped. That’s why he came all this way to get approval from her family, right?”

Their faces, flickering in the campfire, looked ominous. Each bore stark blue bruises.

“Didn’t you hear? The lady boldly asked the Duke, ‘Please give your son to me!’”

Thankfully, the knights had managed to keep their betting money from being confiscated during the training, allowing them to chuckle like madmen even as they received a beating.

“Wow, that’s so cool.”

“One of the aides in his office is my brother’s friend’s cousin. He said the Duke’s eyes were terrifying. But the lady didn’t blink and just smiled at him, facing the Duke himself!”

“Yep, she needs that kind of nerve to become our commander’s wife.”

“I’m in favor of this marriage. It might make our commander a bit more lenient…”

“You guys.”

A chilling voice sounded, as if scratching a throat. The hearts of the chattering knights dropped.

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, the knights stiffened. Slowly, like rusted metal, their heads turned toward the source of the voice.

“Say that again.”

In the darkness, a wild wolf with flashing red eyes appeared.

The knights internally screamed. It was terror. Another demon, just like their commander!

“That lady you’re talking about, she’s my sister?”

The warm ambiance around the campfire instantly turned into a chilling atmosphere of bloodlust.

Nathan slowly revealed himself in the light of the fire, smiling wickedly.

The knights were horrified. Why was he here!

“Sir, you’ve heard wrong!”

The knights struggled for their lives.

“Yes, that’s right!”

“We don’t know who you’re talking about. Please, calm down.”

But it was futile.

“Enough. Let’s have a little fight.”

Why! Nathan began to take out his frustration on Roderick’s men.

“Please, spare us!”

“Commander, save us!”

Ignoring his men’s pleas for help, Roderick, sitting on a log and smoking his tobacco, tilted his head back nonchalantly.

“Evade it yourself.”

His indifferent response made the knights tear up.

Such a cold-hearted man. Just stay dumped and live a bachelor’s life forever!

Muttering curses internally, the knights endured Nathan’s one-sided wrath.