RGS Volume 5 Part 3

“Do you remember when I asked about your future plans?”

Yes, Abel nodded and brought up the story of the otter couple again.

“I realized something when I saw the otters moving their cubs. We just need to do the same.”

“What do you mean, do the same?”

So, it wasn’t just a crazy remark?

Abel answered in a calm voice to the surprised Kin.

“When I disturbed their den, they only moved the cubs further inside, but when a more dangerous bear appeared, they decided to move them entirely. Humans are the same. If a great danger like the bear comes, Marquis Yan will bring out something important. To protect it more safely from that danger. Fortunately, Marquis Norhox sent a fake Regas to create a ruse. So, all I need to do is follow him and watch the situation.”

Kin felt dazed as if his mind had been hit with a hammer. It was a real plan. And it wasn’t even a ridiculous plan at that. He asked with suddenly serious eyes

“Do you think the danger that will move Marquis Yan is Norhox?”

“No. The person Norhox will send is merely a Regas. The Marquis won’t be fooled. However, others might be. Even if they’re not fooled, they will certainly feel threatened.”

“Who?”

“Duke Truyde.”

Truyde? Kin knew he sounded like a fool just asking questions, but he couldn’t help it. Abel’s answers were simple and clear, however, he had no clue until he heard them. Fortunately, Abel understood the questions Kin couldn’t ask and kindly provided answers.

“If Marquis Yan’s secret is fully revealed, who would be the most wary of him?”

“That would be, Truyde… Ah, you think Truyde has already placed a watcher on the Marquis.”

Kin raised his voice with joy at finally catching up with Abel’s thought for the first time.

“Even if the person Norhox sends doesn’t have a big influence on the Marquis, the watcher will definitely perceive it sensitively and report it. Then Truyde will move. And if it becomes a threat to the Marquis…”

“Yes. Marquis Yan will try to move the hidden object.”

“But what if they also notice the marquis is moving it?”

“Let’s hope they don’t. They have something more important right in front of them. The matter of finding His Majesty’s real Regas. Why do you think Norhox is only sending one Regas to the Marquis?”

Well, Kin brought out the only answer he could come up with and looked at Abel as if asking for an explanation. Abel looked into the space as if thinking for a moment as if pondering, then opened his mouth.

“Norhox’s goal is probably just to divert Truyde’s attention to the Marquis. So that he can find the real Regas while avoiding his eyes.”

“……”

“The moment they fight each other is an opportunity for me. I just need to watch that situation and touch that object for a moment while the Marquis is off guard.”

Then he could see the past. The long-desired past of the Truyde household. The moment to know the ingredients of the black potion would come. Kin finally realized why Abel was jumping into a complicated situation. His goal was brief. Just for that brief moment when Abel could touch the Marquis’ object.

The enemies are trying to seize the Marquis’ object, but on the other hand, they also need to find the real Regas who will use that item. Kin suddenly realized how important Abel was. His face was a mess, with bruised dark circles under his eyes and a swollen jaw.

Until recently, he had considered him a useless person who would collapse at the slightest provocation. He thought all Abel did was smile foolishly. However, Abel was someone who could sacrifice the present for the distant future, accurately identifying what needed to be done now by understanding the enemies’ internal conflicts.

My goodness, this person is truly the emperor’s Regas. Kin barely held back his admiration. A true Regas was such a person. Not just someone who received the emperor’s love, but a wise person who aided the emperor in prospering the nation.

This realization hit Kin like a blow to the back of his head.

I am meeting a true Regas who is fulfilling his role properly for the first time in 100 years.

Kin took a deep breath and raised his eyes, only to be startled.

Why is there a suddenly radiant glow around Abel?!

In reality, he was simply standing with the sun behind him. However, to Kin’s eyes, it felt like a noble light.

The usually foolish-looking smile and speech were evidently tactics to hide his wisdom!

But originally, he was indeed a foolish person.

However, Kin, who had already stepped into a world of illusion, had no escape. To think he tried to kill such a person. He swallowed hard as chills ran down his spine. For the first time, Kin sincerely bowed his head.

“Please give me instructions on what I should do, Lord Regas.”

Startled by Kin’s suddenly changed polite attitude, Abel waved both his hands.

“No, it’s fine. Captain Commander Battalion Major Commander, you only need to keep the fact that I’m alive a secret.”

“Please call me Kin.”

In response to Kin’s strong demand, Abel took a step back in fear.

“Yes, Ki, Kin, sir.”

“Please drop the ‘sir’!”

When Kin shouted with eyes blazing with loyalty, Abel’s shoulders shrank. He was scared.

Why was this man suddenly acting like this?

Especially when the title Captain Commander Battalion Major Commander was such a good one.

“Lord Regas.”

“Ah, yes. Ki, Ki, Kin.”

“Please call my name whenever you need me. And I will keep it a secret that you are alive just as you requested.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing! It’s only natural for me.”

Kin stared at Abel with a deep loyalty that was almost burdensome. When a person suddenly changes, it means their death is not far away. Abel cautiously moved aside, worried about Kin’s lifespan. Kin’s piercing eyes quickly followed him. As if asking where he was going. Then, Abel swallowed nervously.

“Oh, I need to leave now. Norhox’s Regas should be on his way to the Marquis’s house by now.”

“To even predict that, you are indeed wise.”

Even a seven-year-old could predict that. Abel carefully suggested, suppressing his rebuttal to Kin’s excessive praise.

“How about seeing a doctor right away?”

“No. Fighting Norhox’s weak subordinate is easier than breathing, so I haven’t suffered any injuries.”

Yet you just dropped your sword, didn’t you?

Abel swallowed his rebuttal and nodded. He was about to suggest Kin return to the unit in good health when Kin spoke first.

“I’m sorry for taking up your time. Now, let’s quickly chase after Norhox’s Regas together.”

Together? Abel raised his eyebrows in confusion.

“You’re going with me?”

Swiftly, Kin turned his eyes, filled with loyalty.

“Of course.”

“But shouldn’t you return to your unit?”

“I can send a letter.”

Just a letter?

“If I send Lord Regas alone to such a dangerous place, how can I face His Majesty later?”

Although his strong will was evident, his excessively twitching eyes from earlier didn’t effectively convey his loyalty. Abel hardened his expression and barely managed to nod his head. He immediately grasped Kin’s changed behavior.

He’s trying to keep an eye on me!

It was clear that he intended to watch Abel from the side to make sure he didn’t make any mistakes. Abel took a step forward, trembling with fear under Kin’s surveillance. Somehow, he felt a foreboding sense that enduring Kin’s presence would be harder than finding the Marquis’s object.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

As the sun set and they received word that Norhox had returned, Ashler hadn’t moved from his spot.

“Marquis Norhox wishes to see His Majesty. He said to tell you he has brought a witness.”

Ashler looked around Karas’s quarters at the soldier’s words. It had gotten dark, however, no light was coming from inside. Thinking of him buried in the encroaching darkness, Ashler couldn’t leave the front of the quarters. As darkness fell and a servant attempted to light a fire and tidy the interior just as he always do, he immediately came back out, frightened. When asked what His Majesty had said, the servant only shook his head.

‘I couldn’t take a single step inside.’

Karas had used to terrify people with his yellow snake-like eyes since childhood. Though he could now hide those eyes, he still instilled fear in people. He spread his mood like an invisible fear. Ashler suppressed a sigh and informed the soldier that he understood before walking into the quarters.

Ashler had thought that Karas had changed to some extent because of Abel’s appearance in the past. Even if nature couldn’t be changed, he believed there would still be some warmth inside his heart because of Abel’s memories.

Did he perhaps rely too much on that aspect?

What if Karas hadn’t grown at all?

Ashler found this silence extremely unsettling.

“Your Majesty, Lord Norhox is requesting an audience.”

It wasn’t difficult to find Karas’ figure in the darkness. Ashler apologized for not yet finding Kin’s whereabouts and informed that Norhox had brought a witness. However, there was no response at all.

Norhox was trying to disperse the army, and he brought a witness, saying that there were traitors within the army. Ashler wanted to know how the emperor planned to respond to this situation, but he couldn’t ask. It felt like invading this silence was committing a great sin.

After waiting for an answer for a long time, the black figure that hadn’t moved like a statue turned its head. At that moment, Ashler barely held back the urge to flee the quarters just like the servant. The gray snake eyes that shone even in the darkness were staring at him. As if foretelling an ominous future, an order was given.

“Bring him.”

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Norhox sat leisurely in his chair, raising a golden goblet. He waited for Ashler while swallowing the fragrant wine.

Soon, he would be so anxious that he would come running himself, right?

“Do you understand? Even if there’s a knife to your throat, you must testify that you saw the 1st Battalion Commander.”

In front of Norhox, his subordinate continued threatening the man they had brought as a witness in a low voice.

“Since you’re going to die anyway for your thievery, sacrifice your life and tell a lie. Then at least your family will live comfortably.”

“Is, Is that true? Will my family really live comfortably?”

The man, who was shaking his legs severely, raised his eyes filled with fear. Then, one of Norhox’s subordinates slapped the man’s face with his palm. The man, who was hit so hard that a loud sound was heard, staggered and fell to the side.

“How dare you lift your head in front of whom?!”

As the subordinate shouted and drew his sword, Norhox stopped him.

“That’s enough. I can confirm it a few times. Listen carefully, your family will live comfortably without lacking anything from now on.”

“Th-thank you.”

“In return, you must clearly point out the 1st Battalion Commander. You’ve already heard about his appearance, right?”

The man nodded his head absentmindedly. Norhox took another drink, looking at the witness who was prepared to die.

Was the 1st Battalion Commander’s name Kin?

He had never met him yet, however, he had heard plenty of rumors. Most described him as a quiet person who’s taciturn and strictly principled.

However, the reason the 1st Battalion Commander was famous was that he always took the lead in battles.

How could someone who charged first at the enemy be considered static?

The usually tight-lipped man’s inner self must be burning more than anyone else’s. Such a person, once enraged, often loses his reason and acts on impulse.

Thus, he was perfect as the trigger to shake the emperor.

How would the prideful man react when pointed out and labeled as a traitor in front of the emperor?

Moreover, what would the emperor’s reaction be?

Just as his anticipation grew uncontrollable, someone came to fetch Norhox. As he expected, Ashler, who came to find him in person, showed himself.

“His Majesty is waiting.”

Hearing his slightly stiff voice, Norhox leisurely stood up from his seat.

Now, shall we go and give a gift to the emperor whom I haven’t seen in 6 years?

 As Norhox stepped out of his quarters, a slight sense of anticipation ran through his mind. After all, it was a familiar face that he hadn’t seen in a long time.

And finally, he faced the emperor. The boy had grown so much in the 6 years that he couldn’t recognize him. He knew that his appearance would have changed. Still, he had expected to see a fragile figure protected by his commanders. However, his expectations were wrong. In reality, it was completely different. Not only had the fragile feeling and innocence disappeared in him.

The 20-year-old Karas emitted a lingering smell of blood that couldn’t be washed away, just like his sword which was soaked up in countless drops of blood. For a brief moment, he felt a chill that could be felt as a sign of caution. Karas only looked at the other person with half-opened sleepy eyes. Norhox carefully observed his impression, which was different from his expectations, with sharp eyes. He greeted him politely with a smile on his lips.

“It’s been a long time, Your Majesty.”

He knelt on one knee, and since there was no command, he raised his head after a long while. The grey eyes he met gave away no thoughts.

Surely, he must have been contemplating how to handle the situation after hearing his words?

Curious about what solution Karas had come up with, Norhox was the first to speak on the main topic.

“Your Majesty, there’s a traitor hiding in this unit who’s deceiving Your Majesty. And it’s a situation where the suspicion falls on the Commander of the 1st Battalion, not just an ordinary lowly soldier.”

Norhox glanced at Ashler, who was standing near the emperor. Ashler strangely looked at Karas instead of Norhox. As if he too was curious about Karas’s answer.

What? He still doesn’t know even though he’s his right-hand man?

It seems he is not very trustworthy.

Norhox looked at Karas again, who showed no reaction and didn’t respond, he then continued to spoke slowly.

“Our King’s Heart wishes for the punishment of those who threaten the nation. This is also for the sake of  Your Majesty’s subjects who tremble in fear because of this person. If you trust the King’s Heart, you must find the traitor immediately.”

“…….”

“Your Majesty. Although it is painful to doubt your subordinates…”

“The witness?”