RGS Volume 6 Part 12

The wooden pendant is in the Dragon Forest.

Although half of it had burned down and had become a barren land, searching through the vast forest would require thousands of people. Moreover, because of the forest’s bad reputation, many were reluctant to enter.

However, no one could refuse the orders of the King’s Heart, who still held power. Eager to find the wooden pendant as soon as possible, Truyde sent soldiers into the forest even before even finding the real Regas’. Hundreds of soldiers began a massive search, but Truyde spent that time facing Karas.

It was completely dark by evening. Even with the room brightly lit by candles, there was always a sense of gloom. The silence, apart from the clinking of dishes, only added to the heavy atmosphere. However, despite having sent away all the attendants, the dinner resumed after almost a week with no difference from before.

Norhox and the war profiteer were too engrossed in their food, heads buried in their plates as they ate. They ate like starving people and didn’t care about the clinking sounds or the mess they were making, food splattering around them as they devoured their meal without even pausing for breath. Norhox had, at some point, become just like the vulgar war profiteer he once despised, but he remained unaware of it.

There was no one around to tell him, “You’re acting strange.” The most suitable person to inform him was Truyde, but he was now focused entirely on watching Karas, having barely touched a third of his own meal.

You’ve been enduring by taking antidotes behind our backs all this time.

That reckless confidence of yours will eventually become your downfall.

Sneering inwardly, Truyde watched Karas silently finish the meal laced with black potion. After a long while, when there was a bit of food left on the plate, Karas looked up. His gray eyes were vacant and unfocused as if his mind had drifted away.

It was unclear whether it was because there was more black potion in the meal than before or because he hadn’t taken Melmond’s antidote, this time, the black potion was undoubtedly taking a toll on him. Leaning against the chair and even slightly shaking his head as if he were drunk, his gaze settled in one place.

“You left some again.”

Truyde knew Karas was referring to his own plate, but he didn’t care. What mattered was that the black potion was finally taking effect. There was no need to pay attention to the nonsense spoken under the influence of the drug. Thus, he responded indifferently, “I have no appetite.”

However, someone else flinched and stopped what they were doing.

It was the war profiteer, who had been sitting quietly as a mouse and unnoticed since the first day they had gathered here. For some reason, he glanced up at Karas’ remark with fearful eyes and began to tremble. Naturally, no one noticed his change this time as well.

Just as the meal seemed to be ending, the door burst open and one of Truyde’s subordinates rushed in with an anxious expression. After respectfully greeting the emperor out of courtesy, he hurried to Truyde’s side.

Being the one in charge of the search in the Dragon Forest, Truyde sharply questioned him.

“Did you find it?”

However, the subordinate’s face was pale and tense, indicating that the news was not what he had hoped for.

“There is a problem.”

“What problem?”

“Those who entered the forest have not returned.”

The subordinate paused for a moment, as if trying to steady his trembling voice, before continuing in a whisper that made Truyde glance fearfully at Karas.

“Those who went in to search for them also haven’t come back.”

He added that there had been no news from the additional search parties that were sent afterward, but Truyde didn’t look away. Instead, he smiled as he watched Karas, who was nodding off under the influence of the drug.

“What secrets does the forest hold?”

Contrary to his smiling face, his question was as cold as a blade. Karas barely lifted his eyes, struggling to maintain control over his rationality while under the influence of the drug. Knowing this, Truyde asked once more with a firm voice.

“Do you know anything about the magic of the forest?”

However, the drug’s effect was too strong, and Karas soon closed his eyes tightly and let his head droop. When he didn’t move for a long time, almost as if he had fallen asleep, Truyde started to rise from his seat. However, as he pushed back his chair, he heard a response.

“Yes.”

Flinch.

Truyde, who had turned his head, glanced back at Karas with sharp eyes, who still had his eyes closed.

“Can you tell me what it is?”

Nod.

Karas slightly moved his drooping head. However, seemingly dizzy, he closed his eyes again before barely opening them halfway. He tried to look at Truyde, who was waiting for an answer, but his unfocused gray eyes wandered aimlessly.

Truyde watched with anticipation, even though Karas seemed so out of it that it was doubtful he understood the question. He knew through his experience with the late king. In such a state, people were the most truthful and obedient. Therefore, whatever Karas was about to say had to be the truth. No matter how nonsensical it sounded.

“You. You are the forest’s greatest secret.”

The dazed gray eyes were fixed on Truyde.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Although the library had been turned into a prison, the soldiers surrounding it didn’t feel like they were guarding a prison. The main reason was the person confined within.

Tap. Tap.

At the sound of small footsteps nearby, several soldiers guarding the back door turned around nervously.

“Who’s there?!”

One of the soldiers drew his sword and asked, but upon seeing the figure emerging from the darkness, he quickly lowered his weapon with a tense expression. It was a man who held a higher rank than the soldiers, though not so high as to prevent them from acting. However, he was one of Ashler’s subordinates, who was locked up inside.

In terms of rank, Ashler was at the top of the army hierarchy, a figure so high that regular soldiers could hardly meet his gaze. Despite being suppressed by the power of the King’s Heart in the palace and even though he was currently imprisoned under charges of treason, he was still not someone to be treated carelessly. Moreover, the charge of treason was not yet confirmed.

What if he was released?

He knew that if he offended this person, he wouldn’t know what kind of punishment awaited him later. The person who appeared seemed aware of this and naturally commanded the soldiers.

“Call Sir Ashler.”

One soldier hesitated but then approached the back door, removed the obstacles that had been blocking it, and went inside. Ashler soon appeared but did not step beyond the half-open door. It seemed he was trying to adhere to Karas’ orders by not stepping out, so the subordinate approached him.

“What is it?”

“There is someone who wishes to see you, Sir.”

With these words, the subordinate glanced back, and the figure hidden in the shadows stepped forward with a rustling sound. The person, with a hood, pulled low to conceal their face, followed Ashler into a small room inside the library and only then seemed to relax enough to reveal themselves.

However, they still looked around nervously, as if afraid of being seen. Ashler observed them quietly for a moment before speaking first.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t need to contact Sir Kin?”

The war profiteer flinched at the sharp question and raised his eyes. His yellowish eyes, which always gave an unpleasant feeling no matter how many times one saw them, had recently become even more bloodshot and cloudy.

“That’s true, but…”

Mumbling inside his mouth, he hesitated for a moment before asking.

“The wooden pendant, can it really reveal the secrets of Duke Truyde’s family? But we need to find the real Regas, right? Do you know anything about the real Regas?”

“Why are you asking that?”

Ashler’s voice grew wary, but the war profiteer seemed lost in his own thoughts, mumbling to himself.

“I made a mistake. No, I didn’t make a mistake. But His Majesty might think I did, and if that happens…”

Ashler detected the fear mixed in his voice.

“Did something happen during dinner with the King’s Heart?”

“It wasn’t my fault. Truyde is acting strange. We need to find out the reason why.”

“Alright, tell me what happened.”

“But before that, what if His Majesty misunderstands?”

Ashler realized it would be difficult to get a proper answer from him. Observing the war profiteer’s restless state, he decided to say something reassuring.

“You’re right. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

For the first time, the war profiteer looked up at Ashler properly.

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

Ashler nodded, adding coldly,

“So, don’t even think about siding with Truyde out of fear.”

Had he hit a nerve?

The war profiteer’s restless body suddenly froze. He averted his gaze, looking to the side as he mumbled an excuse.

“It was just for a moment. That kind of thought. I… I can’t betray His Majesty.”

“Then why did you come to me? Do you want me to tell His Majesty that you didn’t make a mistake?”

But the war profiteer muttered, ‘No,’ and then added,

“If I really did make a mistake, then… then I’d be useless.”

A useless existence.

Ashler realized that with the resumption of dinner, someone had to die in a week.

Was the war profiteer worried that he would be the one to die?

No.

Ashler shook his head internally. The war profiteer was probably anxious for reassurance, just like he was before.

“Sir Kin won’t arrive at the palace within a week.”

The war profiteer’s face turned pale, confirming that he had indeed wanted to see Kin. However, Ashler found the situation advantageous. Unlike before, when the war profiteer had mocked him, he now had a chance to escape from being clueless even while staying by Karas’ side.

“I’ll take care of it instead. I promise to do whatever you want.”

“You?”

“Yes. I’ll protect you with my life. But in return, you must tell me everything you know. What exactly has His Majesty ordered you to do, and what is he planning?”

The war profiteer seemed to stop breathing. But soon, he exhaled a deep breath and turned toward the door. Startled, Ashler grabbed him, but the war profiteer, looking frightened, shook off his hand forcefully and whispered.

“I can’t tell you. You’re different from me.”

“How are we different?”

“Conscience.”

A bitter expression spread across the war profiteer’s cloudy eyes.

“You have a conscience to stop His Majesty’s actions.”

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Where had he seen him before?

Even after a long time had passed since he had fled back to his quarters, the priest’s mind was filled with this question.

Where on earth had he seen him?

It had been enjoyable watching Melmond get beaten by Truyde. Then the emperor had suddenly barged in, turning the atmosphere into one of fear. However, the priest had already stopped laughing even before that.

After Melmond collapsed like a corpse, he happened to turn his eyes and saw him. The servant who strangely caught Truyde’s interest for some reason despite having black hair. His extraordinary beauty was unbelievable for someone who handled odd chores in the library, but that wasn’t what surprised him.

It was a familiar face.

However, he couldn’t remember where he had seen him. No matter how much he wracked his brain, he couldn’t recall, but one thing was clear. He had the feeling that he had seen him at some crucial moment. He sensed that he would be greatly rewarded if he found out, so he paced around his room, furrowing his brow.

Where was it?

Bang!

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door slamming shut, a door he hadn’t even realized was open. Then, heavy footsteps approaching with a thud made him recognize the person without turning around. It was someone who had been highly emotional and unpredictable lately, causing the priest to be always cautious around him. Sometimes, this person would storm out, shouting impatiently as if out of his mind, but this time, the priest’s luck had run out. As soon as he turned his fearful eyes, a large hand struck him.

Whack!

“Ugh, Lord Norhox.”

The priest clutched his bleeding nose with his hand and steadied his staggering body.

“W-What brings you here?”

“You idiot. Have you still not found out anything?”

Norhox’s voice was unusually calm compared to his usual yelling. His tone almost sounded pleasant. As expected, when the priest cautiously raised his head, he saw a lazy expression in Norhox’s eyes. The urgency and irritation were gone, which made it even more unsettling. The priest decided to be even more cautious, sensing the strange atmosphere.

“I-I’m sorry. I’m planning to investigate Melmond and the surrounding area for the treason charges.”

“After Truyde has already revealed everything?”

Wham!

This time, Norhox kicked the priest’s legs out from under him. As the priest collapsed to the floor, Norhox stepped forward and stomped on his curled-up body like a ball.

“Truyde already knows that Melmond made the antidote, so what have you been doing?! You idiot! You useless b*stard!”

After the hurling insults and curses, as he kicked him repeatedly, he finally stepped back, catching his breath. With eyes gleaming with madness, Norhox brushed his disheveled hair back with his hand.

“I could kill a worthless insect like you easily. Why should I keep you alive when you’re useless? Huh?”

The priest, who had been groaning in pain as he heard Norhox’s words, managed to open his mouth.

“I-it’s not just the antidote.”

“What?”

“M-Melmond seemed to be hiding something else besides the antidote.”

His black-haired servant.

The priest thought of him as he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.

“D-Duke Truyde showed interest in M-Melmond’s servant. I definitely remember seeing him somewhere before, at an important event… Ahh! Please, spare me!”

Norhox only took a step closer, and the priest cowered, covering his head with his arms again. However, Norhox paid no attention to his condition and instead showed interest.

“Truyde showed interest in Melmond’s servant?”

“Y-Yes. Although the servant had black hair, so he seemed to have lost interest quickly, but there must be something there. Give me ten days, no, a week, and I’ll definitely find out.”

“Five days. In that time, bring me something useful, whether it’s Melmond’s servant or Truyde’s. If you show any sign of running away, I’ll kill you on the spot.”