Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 338 - 337: Whose Neck Is in the Noose?

"If hanging the ignorant could correct all mistakes, then this world would be too kind," Gawain heard Ropeni’s words and couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile, "They’re just accomplices incited by others or enticed by gains."

"But they are more hateful than the principal offenders," Ropeni Gran said coldly, "My husband fought against tradition and rules for their sake, giving those who would have spent their whole lives wallowing in mud a chance to live a decent life. But they were deceived by mere lies or bought off by a little money, and suddenly turned into mobs, looting the castle’s wealth, attacking their leader!"

Amber, hearing this, could no longer hold back. She stared at Gawain and Ropeni in shock: "Wait, do you mean most of the mob that attacked the castle were the very people Viscount Roman helped back then?!"

"Of course, that’s my deduction based on your investigation," Gawain nodded, "And it’s about what I expected from the start. After learning about Viscount Roman’s specific actions and the subsequent mob attack on the castle, I knew it was bound to develop this way."

Ropeni looked at Gawain with suspicion, now somewhat calmed down from the excitement of reopening old wounds, and couldn’t help but begin to suspect Gawain’s real purpose today: "Why do you say that?"

Gawain did not directly answer Lady Ropeni’s question but instead posed a new question: "Do you want to know why your husband failed?"

Ropeni was stunned for a moment and slowly took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the conversation: "Why should I discuss these past matters with you?"

"If you understood the laws currently being implemented in the Cecil Clan, you probably wouldn’t ask that," Amber interjected, "The Cecil... is also gradually emancipating serfs and slaves, and land distribution is being carried out simultaneously..."

"My husband has already failed once in this regard, I didn’t expect others to do the same," Ropeni Gran stared at Gawain, "Now that you’ve learned about the events that occurred here years ago, it would be wise to withdraw in time from such heretical actions..."

"These heretical actions themselves are not wrong; your husband’s failure was because he made three other mistakes," Gawain shook his head, directly interrupting Ropeni’s words, "First, he was too hasty; second, his strength was inadequate; third, he allowed the populace to remain ignorant."

As he spoke, he turned towards the wall behind the desk, looking at the portrait of Viscount Roman Gran, who was faintly smiling on the wall.

"He was a pioneer, a reform-minded pioneer, but like many pioneers, he made serious errors. He tried to correct the current Anzu regime’s flaws, to unleash the power of the people, but he didn’t make a proper plan. He undertook all reforms simultaneously without considering the interrelations and interactions between these decrees, nor the gradual nature of social transformation, thus causing chaos in order—if I’m not mistaken, those serfs and slaves who suddenly gained freedom sparked turmoil initially, because they had neither land nor property. Thus, your husband had to hastily implement land distribution, leading to even greater confusion.

"Secondly, he didn’t have enough power to resist the rebound forces. He didn’t ensure he had his own armed force first, nor did he think carefully about how strongly the traditional aristocrats he influenced would react when their interests were compromised.

"Finally, and most fatally—he didn’t explain to those who gained freedom and land the ’why’ behind it all."

Here, Gawain paused, turning his gaze to Ropeni Gran: "The pride of the aristocracy still bound his vision, so he never truly looked closely at those at the bottom, never understood their mindset, knowledge, or logic, but presumed they would understand this great cause as he did. His intention in giving land and rights to the people was for them to have good lives, but to the commoners, it was simply another ’charity’ act by the high and mighty aristocracy—if the leader can give, so can others; if the leader’s benefits can be taken, so too can others.’

Ropeni murmured: "...How could they think that way..."

"Why wouldn’t they think that way? Haven’t they lived under such conditions for hundreds of years? Thunder and rain are all the grace of the aristocracy, and commoners need not think, only silently endure. This aristocratically ruled society has taught them that for centuries," Gawain snorted slightly, "So I’m sure, when they were deceived and stormed the castle, they didn’t feel even a shred of guilt—and when you pass judgment on them, sending them to the gallows, they won’t feel any injustice!"

The study fell silent, and for a long time, Ropeni, Gawain, and Amber said nothing.

It wasn’t until several minutes later that Lady Ropeni broke the silence: "So, you came here to discuss this with me? To help me understand how a disaster that erupted years ago actually happened?"

Gawain smiled faintly, shaking his head slightly: "I’m just here to see a friend I’ve never met."

He was referring to Patty, but Ropeni Gran would obviously interpret it as Viscount Roman, though that was not important.

Once again, Gawain turned his attention to scrutinize the image of Viscount Roman Gran who was smiling in the painting.

Just as he had previously thought, this world does not revolve around him, a transmigrator.

There will always be people awakening, always people doing rebellious things, just like the wild mages studying the essence of magic decades ago, or like Viscount Roman Gran who initiated reforms ten years ago.

That reform failed, due to a lack of experience, limited vision, and mental constraints. Roman Gran’s new policy was declared a failure after only a few short years. He himself was marked negatively, becoming a typical example cursed by the devil. If it weren’t for the aristocratic system preserving its face, Viscount Roman’s end might have been worse—and his brief reform became a romantic idealist’s solo performance, neither understood nor recorded by anyone.

But ultimately, the Pioneer did exist. Long before Gawain emerged from the coffin, there had indeed been such a Pioneer.

That’s why Gawain had to come here and say so much to Ropeni Gran.

His initial purpose was only to confirm the existence of Patty Gran, to verify whether this land was also tainted by the Eternal Sleepers, but after Amber investigated the events that happened in the Gran Territory years ago, he temporarily adjusted his plans.

He withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly to Lady Ropeni: "Lady, if you truly want to hang those who killed your husband, then you should keep the noose ready until the right moment comes to place it around the right person’s neck."

Lady Ropeni quietly looked into Gawain’s eyes: "But I’m afraid I don’t have such a noose."

Gawain met her gaze for a moment, his mouth curling up slightly: "That’s perfect, because I do."

Without waiting for Ropeni’s response, he continued, "May I visit Patty?"

"Of course," Ropeni Gran nodded, "She’s always admired you."

"Well, I must not keep my little admirer waiting too long," Gawain chuckled, "Lead the way."

With the Lady leading, Gawain and Amber arrived at the door of the young girl Patty’s room.

"Her spirits haven’t been great these past few days, but she’s had a sudden improvement recently," Ropeni said as she opened the door, "Perhaps she’s delighted to hear you’re coming... When my husband was still alive, he often told Patty stories about you."

The wooden door, adorned with yellow and white tassels, swung open, and Gawain stepped into the room. He saw Patty’s chair in the center, the little girl entranced by the view outside—a vast expanse of starlight visible through a large crystal window.

This house had several large windows, and it was evident that this section of the castle wall had been extensively remodeled—near the ceiling, Gawain even noticed a skylight rarely seen in traditional castles, allowing the midday sun to effortlessly fill the room.

"The doctors say she needs more sunlight—the magic contained in the sunlight eases the itch and pain of her skin," Ropeni said softly.

Gawain recalled what Patty had told him in the dream city: she needed to enter the dream realm to sleep well because her body itched and hurt.

There is no sunlight at night.

At this time, Patty finally heard the commotion by the door. The little girl’s head turned shakily towards the door, and then a radiant smile broke across her face: "Uncle Gawain!"

Ropeni quickly stepped forward, while turning Patty’s chair, correcting her: "It’s Duke Gawain."

"Uncle works just as well, it makes me feel over seven hundred years younger," Gawain waved his hand with a smile, indicating he didn’t mind, then approached Patty, "See, just as promised, I’ve come to see you."

The little girl blinked her eyes happily: "Mm!"

Then she curiously asked, "Uncle, did you really come back to life? I heard the maids say the heroic founder rose from the grave..."

Gawain turned his head, giving Amber a knowing smirk, then nodded to Patty: "Of course."

"You really can come back to life!" Patty was delighted, "Then can Dad too? Dad loved telling your stories! I’m sure he would love to meet you too..."

At the edge of Gawain’s vision, Ropeni Gran’s fingers gripping the chair back suddenly turned white from the pressure.

"I don’t know if your father can come back like I did, but we will all meet somewhere someday," Gawain gently patted Patty’s head, "If he knew you’d seen me so soon, he’d be so envious of you."