RGS Volume 5 Part 4

For the first time, Karas let out a deep, low sound. As if he had been waiting for this response, Norhox pointed outside.

“The witness is waiting right outside. However, if you wish, we can hear the 1st Battalion Commander’s explanation first.”

“Call the witness.”

The dry and short command cut off Norhox’s words. Norhox raised one eyebrow in confusion at Karas’ quick decision.

What is he thinking?

However, even when he looked at the other person with suspicious eyes, Karas’ expressionless face only showed boredom instead. As if truly annoyed, he also commanded Ashler.

“Bring them in.”

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Despite the short distance, it took a long time as they walked along the darkened forest path, relying on a single lantern. Although he followed Kin since have a horse, Abel felt uneasy. The reason was simple. Kin, who was ahead, suddenly stopped and drew his sword. Then, extending his other hand back, he blocked Abel as if to protect him.

“Stay behind me.”

He had been behind him all along. However, Kin was busy exuding a murderous atmosphere as if the rustling sound from the front was from tens of thousands of enemy soldiers.

“Whose b*stard is there?!”

Snap!

The branches cut by Kin’s sword fell to the ground. And the cause of the sound was revealed in front of him. It was a small and cute squirrel. The squirrel froze in shock, not only because its branches were cut right in front of its nose, but also because its escape route also disappeared. However, Kin did not forget to give the squirrel a fierce glare as if it had shot a poisonous arrow and then turned his head to Abel.

“Now it’s safe.”

Instead, the safety of the squirrel was shattered. This was already the umpteenth time he had been on guard, swinging his sword at even the slightest sound. Abel barely opened his mouth, and a trembling smile spread on his lips.

“It seems like we’ve shaken off all the people who were chasing us.”

So now they didn’t have to be so vigilant. Fortunately, Kin understood Abel’s underlying meaning, however, he immediately refuted it.

“They are not the problem. The forest is dangerous itself.”

Kin was the most dangerous. He looked around with fierce eyes spreading murderous intent in the otherwise peaceful forest and surveyed the surroundings with sharp eyes. Abel, having committed no crime, shivered and pulled himself together. He had passed through the forest before during their travels.

At that time, Melmond and the butler had guarded Abel from both sides, even using their hands to fend off each branch. Abel still remembered how Kin had looked at the three of them with pitiful eyes. However, now, he was even more extreme than the butler and Melmond.

Abel could only interpret Kin’s actions in one way. Surely, it must be to monitor him more thoroughly. It seemed that he still didn’t trust him yet. Well, although he called it a plan, it was all quite vague. Abel realized that it was important to gain Kin’s trust.

“Um, so, it’s about sneaking inside the Marquis’ mansion. I’ve thought about it, and I’m thinking of disguising myself and going in as the Marquis’s servant. Norhox’s Regas knows my face, but if I change my appearance a little, he won’t recognize me. No one really pays attention to a servant’s face. So, you don’t have to worry.”

Kin, who was about to move ahead, turned his expressionless face toward Abel at his words. For a moment, Abel worried that Kin might oppose, but surprisingly, he agreed.

“You are right. There are no nobles who properly look at a servant’s face.”

“Yes, so if I become the Marquis’ servant, you can rest assured and go to His Majesty first…”

“But you cannot do that, Lord Abel. Being the Marquis’ servant is very dangerous.”

You just said it was the right thing to do earlier, didn’t you?

Abel felt frustrated but quickly changed his mind at Kin’s following words.

“Please follow me as my servant. I will go in as a knight. They will probably be recruiting knights to guard against Truyde and Norhox.”

It was a good idea, but somehow his frustration doubled. However, Kin seemed to think his plan was too perfect.

“If you disguise yourself as my servant, the King’s Heart will never find out that you are the noble Lord Regas. Ah, who’s there?!”

While speaking, Kin swung his sword fiercely at a branch swaying in the wind. However, he was not satisfied and only after turning a lush tree into a bare trunk with his bare hands did he finally turn his head to Abel, seemingly relieved.

“It’s now safe, Lord Regas.”

Disguising himself seemed like it would be exposed even on the first day. Abel desperately wished to escape this forest first, suppressing an unknown sense of an ominous feeling. At this rate, it was obvious they wouldn’t reach their destination unless Kin cut down the entire forest. Fortunately, they soon found Kin’s horse. However, it wasn’t just the horse that was there.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

‘Bring them in.’’

When Karas issued this order, Ashler unconsciously asked again, “Who are you referring to?”

The tension from the coldness he exuded made him forget even the matters he reported about Norhox. Only after asking the question again did he finally realize his mistake. It was, of course, Norhox. He was about to apologize immediately, however, Karas’ answer was unexpected.

‘Kin.’

Kin?

Didn’t he say he hadn’t found him yet? He was about to report again, thinking he might not have heard correctly. However, Ashler barely stopped the words that had come to the tip of his tongue. The moment he saw Karas return to his original gray eyes, he realized.

He knew everything and yet gave such an order.

Then, to bring Kin… does that mean someone disguised as Kin?

As if confirming his speculation, Karas added another command.

‘Three.’

Three Kins. Ashler prepared three people in front of Norhox, not knowing what Karas was thinking. He had chosen soldiers with similar appearances just in case, but their tense faces in front of the emperor and Norhox looked like nothing more than ordinary soldiers to anyone who saw them.

Norhox glanced suspiciously at Ashler as he looked at the three soldiers.

What trick are you playing?

His gaze was chilling, but Ashler had nothing to say. He really didn’t know. He couldn’t predict how things would unfold from now on. Norhox had no choice but to turn his gaze to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, who are these people?”

“Witnesses?”

When Norhox’s question was ignored, he gritted his teeth but soon brought the witness to his side. The trembling witness, who seemed like a criminal, bowed his head deeply. Karas looked at him and tilted his head as he asked a question.

“You. Did you see the 1st Battalion Commander?”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty.”

The witness answered in a trembling voice while bowing. Karas then pointed at the three soldiers standing before him.

“Among them, who did you see?”

Ah. The witness looked up with a startled expression, shaking his shoulders. In his eyes, which were looking at the three people, there was a mixture of recognizable confusion and fear that anyone else could see. Only then did Norhox finally realize that something was wrong. However, before he could think further, the witness raised his trembling hand.

“That, that’s him.”

The person he pointed to was a man in his 40s who most resembled Kin. The man he pointed to was just as bewildered as the witness. Norhox finally realized that there’s no real 1st Battalion Commander among the three. None of them displayed the dignity of a commander.

However, he himself didn’t know what the 1st Battalion Commander looked like.

D*mn it, was this it?

They were trying to deceive him, knowing he couldn’t step forward even if the witness pointed out a fake. And using the fake as an excuse, the emperor would claim there was no traitor. Moreover, it was clear that his purpose was to find fault with the dissolution of the army.

How cunning for such a young person.

Norhox cursed inwardly and stared at Karas with an unpleasant look. If they were going to play this way, he would continue to present fake witnesses until he was satisfied.

Karas might think that he could get through this once, but he will show him that this was just the beginning. Since he had made up his mind, he intended to make a move. He stepped forward in front of the witness and shouted loudly.

“Can’t you point out properly? This is not about catching a thief in some marketplace. It’s about finding a traitor of the country! But why did you casually raise your hand without even looking at them carefully!”

The witness looked up at Norhox with a face as pale as a sheet. He had chosen the person with the most similar appearance, but did he make a mistake? Could it be another person who was the 1st Battalion Commander? Norhox turned the witness to face the three people again.

“Now, look carefully once more. Among them, which one did you really see…”

“Shut up.”

Karas’ bored tone cut off Norhox’s loud voice. Although it was just a murmuring voice and it wasn’t that loud, it was enough to make everyone turn their gaze to Karas. Norhox, not hiding his displeased look, turned to see Karas rising from his seat. He then pointed at the soldier identified by the witness and said.

“That’s right. That guy is the 1st Battalion Commander.”

What?

Norhox, along with Ashler, looked at Karas with astonished eyes.

What is this nonsense?

The question that everyone simultaneously thought of was soon revealed. As Karas took a step forward, there was a sound that followed.

Rattle, rattle.

Only Ashler, who knew the meaning of that sound, stiffened his expression. Karas stood in front of the soldier identified by the witness and looked back at Norhox. Then, he threw out an unexpected compliment.

“Well done.”

Swoosh.

Thud, thump!

In the blink of an eye, the sword cut through the air and severed the soldier’s neck. Only when the soldier’s head rolled on the ground did people realize what Karas had done. Karas, half-covered in the soldier’s blood, continued to stare at Norhox. The fact that he beheaded someone without looking wasn’t important. What mattered was the words directed at Norhox that reached everyone’s ears.

“To even find a traitor. As expected of the King’s Heart.”

However, Norhox wasn’t one to be pleased with such a compliment.

What could he be thinking?

Norhox quickly calculated, looking at the spreading red blood on the floor. Could it be that the emperor, contrary to what he thought, intended to handle this matter more simply? By dealing with the traitor, claiming everything was resolved, and sparing the real 1st Battalion Commander’s life?

D*mn it.

“Thank you for trusting us. However, Your Majesty…”

Norhox raised his sharp eyes.

“Is the person you just executed really the 1st Battalion Commander?”

Karas, with one side of his face drenched in blood, turned completely to face Norhox. The sight was eerie as if he were wearing a red mask on his expressionless face. As Norhox furrowed his brows, a slow question came.

“Is that so?”

Rattle, rattle.

Karas moved forward to the trembling witness. He brought the tip of his sword against the witness’ neck and stared at Norhox.

“Norhox. I trusted the witness you brought.”

Yet, you dare to doubt me? The question was clear even without hearing the rest. Norhox glanced at the witness, realizing he was in no position to argue. He had raised his voice about trusting the King’s Heart, but here he was doubting the Emperor himself. Norhox glanced at the soldiers and Ashler watching him, clicking his tongue internally.

Tsk, there’s nothing I can do.

He took a step back and bowed his head.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I only wanted to be cautious in capturing the traitor since it’s a matter which threatens Your Majesty’s safety.”

Norhox glanced at the corpse on the floor and then at Ashler, continuing firmly.

“However, it is certain that there are still remnants or collaborators of the traitor somewhere here. Please keep this in mind, Your Majesty. The only ones who prioritize Your Majesty’s safety above all else are us, the King’s Heart.”

So, he looked with the intention of saying that it was absurd to think that killing the fake 1st Battalion Commander would prevent the dissolution of the army. The problem was that he couldn’t read Karas’ intentions at all. The blood-soaked face, like a red mask, remained expressionless.

What is he planning?

As Norhox furrowed his brows involuntarily, Karas slowly responded.

“Yes. The ones who care the most about me are indeed you, the King’s Heart.”

His dry voice flowed as if reading a book. Norhox couldn’t fully grasp Karas’ words since his voice also revealed nothing.

Was he mocking him?

At that moment, Karas turned his gaze to Ashler. This time, a voice filled with boredom gave an order.

“Disperse this army filled with traitors immediately.”