Tears continued falling from my eyes as the words spilled out of my mouth.
The man sitting before me never interrupted.
He simply listened.
Quietly.
Calmly.
After I finished—
silence filled the room.
Then he suddenly asked:
"So… what do you want now?"
I looked at him blankly.
"If you still want the girl, Reinam," he said casually, "I can hand her over to you."
My eyes widened.
"You defeated my son fairly. By the rules of strength, your claim is greater than his now."
For one brief moment—
my heart shook.
Images surfaced instantly.
Reinam smiling.
Laughing beside me in the orphanage.
Waiting for me.
But then—
other images followed.
Her protecting him.
Holding him.
Looking at me like I was the one destroying her life.
I slowly exhaled.
"No."
The word surprised even me.
"She moved on."
"And maybe… I should too."
My gaze lowered slightly.
"I stayed trapped in the past for too long."
"Forcing something already gone only destroys what's left."
The man stared at me for a second—
then burst into laughter.
A loud, genuine laugh.
He slapped his knee while laughing.
Interesting…
That was the expression in his eyes.
Then he leaned forward slightly.
"Work for me."
I blinked.
"I invaded my manor."
"Crippled your son."
"And nearly caused chaos inside House Pathaneon."
Yet instead of anger—
he looked amused.
"You heard our family name before?"
I shook my head.
"We are called the Swords of the Emperor."
"When the Emperor wishes for blood to flow—he calls us."
There was no pride in his voice.
Only fact.
Then he extended his hand toward me.
"Join House Pathaneon."
"Become one of my knights."
"If you perform well, I'll even make you branch head someday."
I stared at his hand silently.
Power.
Status.
Protection.
Everything I never had.
But after a long moment—
I shook my head.
"I'll work under you…"
"…but only as a mercenary."
His eyebrow rose slightly.
"Two years."
"That's all."
"I spent too much of my life inside the forest."
"I want to experience the outside world properly before deciding anything else."
My voice became quieter.
"And one day… I plan to return."
"To the forest."
I lowered my head respectfully.
"So please forgive me."
"I don't want to tie myself permanently to anyone."
For a few seconds—
the room stayed silent.
Then Robert laughed even harder than before.
"You truly are insane."
"Do you understand how many people would crawl across broken glass for an offer from House Pathaneon?"
"You refuse it because you want freedom?"
He shook his head while grinning.
"I like you even more now."
"Fine."
"Mercenary knight."
"No issue."
Then he stood and extended his hand again.
"My name is Robert Revan Pathaneon."
"Remember it."
"You may call me Robert or Ron."
"Never 'sir.'"
"That privilege belongs only to those I do not respect."
I looked at him for a moment—
then accepted the handshake.
And for the first time in years—
I felt like I was speaking to someone who truly saw me.
The following days passed peacefully.
Servants treated my wounds.
I rested inside the manor.
And spent most of my time reading books from the Pathaneon library.
During that time, I learned more about Robert's family.
He had five children.
His first two sons were considered geniuses among knights.
Talented.
Ruthless.
Much like him.
His eldest daughter disliked knight training and instead became a magician known as the Windful Gale.
The fourth son—
the one whose arm I severed—
was considered average compared to the others.
And the youngest son avoided combat entirely.
According to rumors, he once said:
"With siblings like mine, someone in this family needs to use their brain."
So he entered government service instead.
Oddly enough—
those days inside the manor were peaceful.
Almost warm.
When my injuries finally healed, I visited Robert.
He sat behind a desk covered in documents.
Behind him stood his first two sons.
The atmosphere alone felt heavy.
"So," Robert said, "you've decided to remain a mercenary?"
"Yes."
He nodded once.
Then spoke without turning.
"Daniel."
One of the sons stepped forward.
Daniel Revan Pathaneon.
The eldest son.
Fire affinity.
His presence alone felt sharp like a drawn blade.
He tossed a sword toward me.
I caught it instinctively.
The balance—
perfect.
The grip—
comfortable.
Far superior to my old weapon.
Robert looked directly into my eyes.
"In the Pathaneon family…"
"The stronger opponent you defeat…"
"…the stronger the blade you earn."
"Do not disgrace that sword."
I tightened my grip silently.
And just like that—
two years passed.
Monster hunts.
Caravan escorts.
Border skirmishes.
Wars.
I fought through all of them under Robert's banner.
Scars accumulated across my body.
My sword became chipped and worn countless times.
But during all those years—
I never truly forgot the forest.
Or the silence inside it.
Sometimes I saw Reinam within the manor.
Sometimes the fourth son glared at me with hatred.
But neither of them approached.
The fourth son held little authority within the family anyway.
Robert valued strength above emotions.
And weakness earned little attention in House Pathaneon.
Eventually—
the day came.
I stood before Robert one final time before leaving for the Dark Forest again.
He tried to stop me.
But I only smiled.
"This life was good," I told him honestly.
"But the forest…"
I looked toward the distant horizon.
"…is still where I belong."