If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 214

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Cain furrowed his brow deeper at the thought of how many lives must have been drained to fund such ostentation.

With a nod from Cain, Aleini and the knights surged forward, tearing the door open with brutal force.

“Can…can I go now?”

“No. Until everything here is settled, no one leaves the manor.”

The door burst open with a deafening crash, releasing a foul stench that twisted their faces involuntarily.

“A disgusting smell.”

“It’s candles made from burning herbs called Herbas. They cause hallucinations…”

Aleini covered his nose with his sleeve.

Herbas was a herb banned by imperial law. Even small amounts caused hallucinations, making it a common tool for human trafficking and abuse. In large doses, it could be fatal.

“They seem to have broken every taboo.”

“Indeed. Such vile man…”

Ignoring the stench, Aleini’s eyes widened as the scene beyond the door came into view.

It was as if all the depraved aromas of the world were gathered here. Glittering jewels and half-naked women filled the space—an absolutely unorthodox bedroom.

Over ten women, barely clothed, swayed unsteadily, unable to stand. They muttered nonsense into the air, pupils dilated, bodies staggering. It was a question if they were even here of their own will.

“Commander…”

Aleini glanced sideways, unable to speak. Cain’s expression was the harshest yet, veins bulging on his forehead, bloodshot eyes almost appearing soaked in blood.

Four women collapsed on the bedroom floor unable to support themselves, two more reclined against the bed, and five or six others writhed naked on the floor. All had brown hair.

At that moment, Cain thought of his mother.

And also of the brown-haired woman he had seen in the square days ago.

“Damn crazy bastard…”

Not only did these women have brown hair, but their faces were all similar. Cain’s fists trembled with rage.

A bitter metallic taste filled his clenched lips.

<She was a slave gifted from somewhere, but the Count who usually quickly grew tired of a slave after one night, yet strangely kept her in his bedroom.>

<Where is that slave now?>

<She is already dead. After keeping her close for so long, she was suddenly killed overnight.>

The Count, who once favored Cain’s mother, had suddenly killed and burned her.

These women were mere substitutes for his mother…

Finishing this thought, Cain strode toward the trembling Count, who was crammed awkwardly into a corner. A mocking smile escaped him.

“Count Schuck.”

The Count, clutching his head and collapsed, flinched at the voice.

“Come out and pay your due.”

Only then did the Count slowly raise his head, drenched in sweat and bloodshot eyes filled with terror.

“You…”

The Count’s face was struck with shock when he recognized the intruder.

“Watch your tongue. You do not speak his name lightly.”

Aleini drew his sword and aimed it at the Count’s chin, forcing a startled gasp.

“Wh-why would His Grace…”

“Drag him out.”

“Yes, sir.”

He didn’t even want to touch him with his own hands. Cain’s icy voice chilled the Count further. With Cain’s command, the knights grabbed the Count by the collar and began dragging him out of the bedroom.

“Wh-why are you doing this? Even if you are the Marquis, you have no right over me… Ah!”

No one here was inclined to listen kindly to his words. The Count’s resistance only brought swift punishment from the knights.

Dragged across the floor, kicks rained down mercilessly on his back.

“Ugh… uh…”

After only a few blows, the Count’s face lost all color. Probably the first real pain he’d ever known. Unable to clutch his aching stomach, he was dragged out in a slumped posture as Cain watched coldly.

That filthy body… and my mother…

Cain wanted no more thoughts but kept recalling his poor mother, who had lost country and family and was thoroughly violated by this disgusting man.

“Face down.”