As the illegitimate child of a nobleman, I had the privilege of a leisurely life for 24 years. Though I faced occasional mockery for my status as a mistress’s child, I was spared the hardships of the impoverished and the weighty responsibilities of the powerful.
I believe I had a relatively enjoyable life.
However, my father messed up.
To cut to the chase, he was executed by hanging, and his body was left to rot at the city gate.
Unfortunately, this was not the end of the tragedy, as my stepmother, half-siblings, and other relatives of the family were also sentenced to death.
I was the only one who survived.
Ironically, the position of bastard born to a maid that had been causing me suffering all along—saved my life.
It’s sad to say, but there was no Barton Wolf listed in the family registry of the Sullivan Earldom.
Wolf was my mother’s family name.
My father’s name was Robert Sullivan, Earl of Sullivan, an influential figure in the Britannia Kingdom and one of the most prestigious nobles—or he used to be.
Up until four years ago, this country was relatively unified because of the existence of a demon King who was hostile toward humanity.
However, a brave hero sent from the heavens single-handedly crushed the Demon King and his army.
The hero’s power was said to be immense; it was said that when they swung their sword, mountains crumbled, and when they raised it, the seas parted.
Once peace had been restored, the hero left for the heavens, being bid farewell by the king and his retinue.
With the destruction of the demon King, peace came to humanity. Border lines stabilized, and able-bodied men were no longer conscripted into military service.
Gradually, the country began to recover, and agricultural production increased.
However, human desires proved to be a more formidable monster than the demon King himself. People began to fight each other for status and wealth, and political struggles raged within the court.
Sadly, my father was defeated in that war.
The charges against him amounted to twelve counts, including rebellion, fraud, perjury, and even ra*e.
But since he had forced my mother, who was one of his maids, to become his mistress, then it’ll be appropriate to say that not all of the accusations against him were baseless.
It seemed that he had a reputation for mistreating his female servants.
If he had been like other nobles and taken up with high-class courtesans or become a patron of famous actresses, it would have been fine. But unfortunately, my father had a taste for prostitutes.
However, my father was not inherently evil. My mother and I were not exiled, and we were provided with basic necessities and education. I was even given work within the mansion as a kind of butler and received a decent salary.
Nevertheless, if asked whether there was any parent-child bond between my father and me, I would have to shake my head.
He only spoke to me once or twice a year, saying “Hey” or “How old are you now?” as if he had just suddenly remembered my existence.
My mother had long passed away, and my father was the only blood relative I had left. Yet, when I heard that he had been hanged, I didn’t feel as sad as I did when I lost my mother.
When my father was taken into custody, he was restrained with a magical handcuff called the “Magic Seal” which seals magic. He had the ability to use water magic, although it was so weak that it was often mocked as “Water Seal.”
However, he lacked his usual dignity, and I remember his hunched back looking unusually small. My older brothers and sisters, who used to bully me, were also dragged away, crying and screaming, making a big scene.
Watching all this, I couldn’t help feeling like the end of the Sullivan family had finally come, as if it were someone else’s problem.
But for me, the real ordeal began after that.
“Everyone, pack your things and leave immediately.”
A separate group of soldiers, who had taken my father away, began to drive the servants out of the mansion. We were allowed to take only our personal belongings, so I packed my change of clothes, razor, teapot, cup, feather pen, and my collection of books, which was second only to my life, into a travel bag.
The bag wasn’t enough to hold everything, so I stuffed socks and handkerchiefs into my pockets, and my bulging figure looked quite unsightly.
I had wanted to steal some valuable items from the mansion, but the soldiers were watching, so it wasn’t possible.
The only thing I could do was secretly release Kimberly, the fairy that was kept as a pet.
Fortunately, when the soldiers barged in, I happened to be carrying the basket with Kimberly inside.
Kimberly was only about 10 centimeters tall and weighed as much as a small bird.
She had translucent, glossy wings and was a beautiful fairy with golden hair.
Kimberly and I were close, and we had promised each other to find an opportunity to release her someday.
“Hey there, Barton. Your old man’s getting taken away. Arthur the braggart and that lewd and malicious Mary—they’re all getting arrested, arrested! Oh, and even his little wife got caught. Charged with adultery, huh? She’s been having an affair with Baron Lambert!”
I silenced the foul-mouthed Kimberly and unfastened the latch on her basket.
“Kimberly, I can finally keep my promise to you. Take advantage of the chaos and run away while the soldiers aren’t looking. Get out of here as soon as possible.”
Fairies are rare and valuable creatures. They are worth tens of times more than the brightly colored birds caught in the tropics.
Kimberly happily waved her arms and legs.
“Finally free, huh? I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I really want to burn down the whole town and take revenge on those humans, but I’ll let it slide for your sake, Barton.”
“Don’t waste time talking. Go now, and be safe!”
“Alright, I’m heading back to my hometown in the mountains. I’m sick and tired of this human world anyway.”
As I quietly extended my hand for a farewell handshake, Kimberly hugged my index finger.
“Kimberly…”
“These humans here are all scumbags, but the world is even more full of scumbags, you know. I’m worried about you, Barton.”
“I’ll be fine. I can still manage to get by without getting into trouble.”
“At 24 old, you’re still a virgin, aren’t you?”
“Kimberly!”
“Hahaha, take care, alright?”
Golden bell, silver bell
Ring the bell if you want to see me
In the deep forest of Estabesh
I’ll be playing there
On the grass by the spring
I’ll be playing there.
With a singing voice that sounded like a hard, metallic sound, Kimberly flew away from the window, leaving behind the melody of her song.
Upon arriving at the entrance hall, most of the servants had already gathered. Compared to myself, their personal belongings were much smaller. Seeing this, I realized that even as a bastard child, being the Earl’s son had granted me preferential treatment.
There were even some servants who didn’t carry any bags at all. They stripped the curtains hanging from the windows, wrapped their belongings in them like gift wrap, and slung them over their shoulders.
Damn it, I should have done that too. At least the curtains would fetch a good price if sold, but it’s too late now.
“Come on, hurry up, and get out!”
We were mercilessly prodded out with spears and forced to exit through the main gate.
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