RGS Volume 5 Part 7

Note: The attendant will be called Priest from now on.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Kin’s gaze naturally turned to Abel. He was now looking up at the sky. However, there was no resentment towards him. In fact, the fear in Kin’s heart was something else.

What if the emperor had not suddenly changed his plan, but had intended this all along?

For six years, he believed he was going to confront the King’s Heart in the proper way, but what if that was not the case? What if the outcome the emperor had in mind from the start was entirely different? In fact, what if the wars over the years were merely to alleviate the emperor’s boredom, and just like stretching after a long nap, he was now beginning to unleash his hidden malice?

There was no way to stop such thoughts.

To Karas, the King’s Heart was prey that had been cornered over twelve years of effort. Having witnessed his ancestors and father being toyed with by the King’s Heart, he wouldn’t kill them easily. No, he must not kill them easily. Even now, they were an opponent who’s still threatening him with a black potion. The greatest thrill of eliminating such an enemy came after enduring and persevering.

Like a child who, after tearing off the wings of a captured insect one by one, watched it struggle for a long time before finally crushing it with his last fingernail. Therefore, he would not reveal his power all at once as he entered the palace alone.

What matters is the outcome. It would be nice if it wasn’t a simple method of killing everyone in the end. Although the emperor appeared more fearsome than the King’s Heart he would face in the future, Kin struggled to suppress this feeling. Abel, who had been looking up at the sky, turned his gaze as if he had noticed Kin’s stare.

Having listened to everything and having pondered over it, Abel must have had a lot on his mind, however, his green eyes were calm enough to put those who looked at him at ease. As if to comfort him saying, “It’s okay because I’m here.” Abel’s voice echoed in his ear.

“If you’re not too tired, shall we depart for the Marquisate now? We need to find it as soon as possible.”

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Although he had not slept properly for over two days, Ashler could not close his eyes. He sat motionless in the darkness of his quarters until it was bathed in the light of dawn. If it hadn’t been for the unexpected visitor who arrived early in the morning, he wouldn’t have realized that time had passed.

“Please take good care of His Majesty.”

Roster, who had prepared to leave, entered the tent without turning on the light. When Ashler lifted his head at his voice, Roster teased him playfully.

“It’s a pity the women couldn’t see your face over the past few days. If it’s now, I might claim the title of the best-looking man in the army.”

Normally, Ashler’s snorting sound would be heard at this point, but a heavy silence took its place instead. Roster wiped the smile off his face and approached him.

“How pathetic. You’re about to escort His Majesty to the palace, and here you are, looking so miserable. If you’re afraid of going to the palace, just say so. I’ll go instead.”

Perhaps his stern tone had some effect, as Ashler finally opened his mouth. Having not spoken for a long time, his hoarse voice brought forth the question that had tormented his mind.

“We have to believe in His Majesty unconditionally, right?”

Roster didn’t give an immediate answer but soon shrugged his shoulders.

“Of course. He is our emperor.”

“Even if he leads everyone to destruction?”

“….”

Roster took a step back and looked down at Ashler, who was sitting with his shoulders hunched.

“Were you very startled by yesterday’s fire? You have always been aware of His Majesty’s special power. It’s a pity that we revealed that power to the King’s Heart’s first, but if it’s His Majesty, who has wisely dealt with them so far, he will handle it well. He wouldn’t have expanded the territory and increased his power without reason.”

Don’t worry.

Although Roster reassured him, the darkness in Ashler’s eyes did not fade. Roster added one more thing to Ashler.

“So, if things go wrong, it won’t be too late to worry then. For now, I will follow His Majesty’s orders.”

After a while, Roster left the quarters. Watching him leave on Karas’ command, Ashler also slowly got up from his seat. As if he had made up his mind, he stepped out to prepare for the disbanding of the army. He had to leave for the palace with the emperor in the morning, so there was much to do beforehand.

That’s right, it’s okay. Even if Lord Abel is dead, His Majesty will be fine.

Ashler called his subordinates in a loud voice and began giving orders, returning to his usual strict superior demeanor as if nothing had happened. Returning to the palace after six years. His heart trembled with tension rather than anticipation.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

The servant who had stayed up all night to bring Norhox’s letter handed it directly to Truyde and only then retreated, feeling relieved. Without turning the lights, Truyde approached the window, which was still dark, and unfolded the letter. The content was very simple.

[The emperor is not poisoned at all.]

Although the content was just a short line, it implied a lot. Truyde stared at it for a long time before pulling the string to call a servant. The fact that the Emperor was not poisoned implied that he had shown evidence of it. If Norhox had sent the letter in such a hurry, it must have been the power of the dragon. Truyde turned his gaze and looked out the dim window where the sun was about to rise.

The emperor would arrive at the palace in the evening. If he had shown them such a surprising performance, shouldn’t they give him a suitable gift in return? And Truyde knew what the appropriate gift was. Even if he was arrogant, it was a gift that would make him retreat the moment he saw it.

Click.

As the servant entered with the sound of the door, Truyde gave him an order.

“Bring the priest.”

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Erei’s carriage, which had been running all night, reached the Marquis’ mansion at dawn. However, before entering the mansion, Erei met a subordinate who had rushed there under Norhox’s orders.

“This is the letter you should deliver to the Marquis.”

The horse’s mouth was foaming, showing how urgently he had been running. Erei received the letter handed to him from inside the carriage and gave the letter he was originally supposed to give to the Marquis.

What on earth is going on?

The desire to open and read Norhox’s letter was overwhelming, but the subordinate’s additional words made him swallow nervously.

“This is a message from Marquis Norhox. He said the task must be completed as soon as possible. And if you fail, Marquis Norhox will personally cut off Lord Regas’ head.”

Watching him ride away again, Erei licked his dry lips with his tongue. There must have been some unexpected variable. When Norhox sent him off, his expression was relaxed as if there were other options even if he failed, but now he said he would behead him himself if he failed. Erei ordered the stopped carriage to move again and gnawed at his fingernails. He had a bad feeling. The Marquis’ object must be found. No matter what.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Due to the thick fog trapping the morning sunlight, it felt like it was still dawn. Ashler, upon hearing that the emperor was awake, entered his quarters.

“Your Majesty, we are ready to depart.”

After waiting for a while without receiving a response, he finally looked up. Karas was looking down at his arm with his sleeves rolled up.

What’s going on?

Ashler closely observed Karas’ arm that he was looking at but saw nothing unusual. It was just the same scar he had since childhood. The child who had always stained his body with his own and others’ blood was no longer there but seeing the scar dampened Ashler’s mood.

“Your Majesty.”

He called him again out of unease, Karas slowly lifted his eyes. His emotionless doll eyes overlapped with those of a yellow snake. Without realizing it, Ashler took a step forward.

“You won’t get hurt anymore. I will definitely protect you.”

Karas twisted his lips slightly in response to Ashler’s words. Though it was just a very subtle, one corner of his mouth lifted. However, Ashler felt a chill and held his breath.

Karas muttered to him in a dry voice.

“I don’t like you.”

Ashler’s eyes shook and widened, but Karas lowered his gaze back to his arm.

Red blood.

People always reacted to it. Perhaps that was why. The one he most desired had reappeared before his eyes. Thanks to the many people he had killed and the blood he had shed over the past six years.

He had known since then. When the nanny, who first paid attention to him in his childhood, had been startled by the sight of blood and treated him more kindly. So now, he must go further.  In a short time, he just needs to stain the surroundings with more people’s blood.

Then perhaps he will come back again.

This time, he will spill his own blood too.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

The Commander of the Royal Guards did not like this plan No, he didn’t like Kin’s eagerness, who was trying to execute the plan immediately. Clearly, there were tasks ordered by the emperor, but for some reason, Kin insisted this matter was more urgent. Of course, listening to the story, it seemed that way, but still, they can’t put off the emperor’s order.

Thinking it was unacceptable, he approached Kin, who was standing guard near the stream. He was watching over the surroundings while his servant was doing something by the stream.

No, where in the world does a servant do something while the master watches over the surroundings for him?

“What is Kin’s servant doing?”

He asked with full dissatisfaction, and Kin answered without even looking.

“You don’t need to know.”

“I need to know.”

Perhaps because of his rebellious tone, Kin only turned his eyes away. However, the Commander of the Royal Guards did not back down and glared his eyes as he continued.

“What on earth has Sir Kin been getting from the village since dawn? What are you preparing in front of the Marquis’s mansion? If it’s something you must first do before His Majesty’s orders, shouldn’t we charge in immediately? Huh?”

The much younger Commander of the Royal Guards continued to press, saying, “Huh? Huh?” The warm-hearted impudence that reminded Kin of a child he hadn’t seen in six years touched him.

“Should I shove a sword into your mouth and charge in?”

The Commander of the Royal Guards flinched at the gentle warning. However, since he showed no intention of moving before hearing an answer, Kin presented a condition.

“Alright. I will tell you. In return.”

In return?

The Commander of the Royal Guards leaned in to listen intently and Kin gently persuaded him.

“You go.”

“Sir Kin, now is not the time to joke with me.”

Swish.

Kin drew his sword, conveying his sincerity with his entire body. Only then did the Commander of the Royal Guards realize that Kin was angry and took a step back.

“Do you really want me to go?”

“Yes.”

“But…”

“You go and follow His Majesty’s orders on my behalf.”

Kin calmly explained as he sheathed the sword he had half-drawn in threat.

“If both tasks are important, then why not proceed with them simultaneously? I will take care of things here.”

The Commander of the Royal Guards blinked in surprise at Kin’s words and asked again as if to confirm his sincerity.

“If it’s His Majesty’s order, are you saying I should monitor the war profiteer alone?”

“Monitoring? No. You are to assist him. Didn’t His Majesty instruct you to pressure the temple funds together with him? Anyway, right now, the King’s Heart is desperately trying to gather money due to their internal conflicts. Thus, they will somehow try to create more money from the temple, their main source of income by squeezing the people. Then, the trust in the King’s Heart will gradually be broken little by little.”

However, it will take a long time.

The Commander of the Royal Guards had also predicted a similar outcome to Kin when he received that order from the emperor. If the temple’s tyranny worsens, the King’s Heart’s support base will weaken. It was a good method, but since the temple had already been oppressive before, his was nothing new.

People believe in the King’s Heart, but they also dislike it just as much.

What if they just endure the pain again this time, suppressing it?

Unless a significant event occurs that makes them completely turn their backs on the King’s Heart, that is.

The Commander of the Royal Guards, deep in thought, soon shook his head.

Surely, His Majesty, as wise as he is, must have another plan.

Hadn’t he always been amazed whenever the emperor’s hidden intentions were revealed? More than that, something else was bothering him. He didn’t like how Kin had become serious when he mentioned surveilling the war profiteer as if he was protecting him.

“Sir Kin. In fact, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while, but I think you trust the war profiteer too much. Isn’t that why you’re looking for the Marquis’s object first? He will do well even without Sir Kin’s monitoring.”

“Yes.”

The Commander of the Royal Guards spoke with concern, but Kin’s reply came too easily. Then, as if there was truly nothing to worry about, he casually added.

“Thanks to His Majesty, he has risen to this position and managed to infiltrate the King’s Heart. So, he won’t betray His Majesty.”

“But Sir Kin, his eyes are not good. They are very cloudy. It’s unpleasant as if the greed he holds is overflowing through his eyes. How can you be sure he doesn’t have other schemes? That’s why, as per His Majesty’s orders, we need to monitor, no, assist him while keeping an eye on him.”

Kin looked at him for a moment, realizing that the Commander of the Royal Guards’ words were serious, and then slowly opened his mouth.

“I have known him well since he was young. He does have a lot of greed, as you say. That’s why he is the most suitable person for this task. Fighting in the capital where he can earn money is more suitable for him than fighting on the battlefield. If you are worried, I will guarantee it. He will not betray us.”

Kin’s blind faith made the Commander of the Royal Guards’ heart feel suffocated. Due to his upright nature, Kin never easily changes once he has given his heart. Even on the battlefield, if a subordinate made a mistake, he would punish them harshly, to the point of seeming cruel, but he would never abandon them. He would punish them, correct their mistakes, and embrace them to the end. Although he couldn’t voice these thoughts that tickled his tongue, Kin added as if persuading him.

“I will write the letter to the war profiteer, so you can disguise yourself as his knight and stay by his side. Then you might get a chance to enter the palace and see His Majesty.”

As expected, the Commander of the Royal Guards’ eyes sparkled at the mention of His Majesty.

“I will go right away.”

“…….”

“Please write the letter quickly. Please.”

“…….”

“Why are you frowning?”

“Just…”

Because I feel uneasy.

Even though it was his own suggestion, he wanted to retract it. Kin resolved to make sure to include in the letter the request to never bring the Commander of the Royal Guards to the palace.

“And when you go, I will tell you something important about the war profiteer, so you can stop doubting him.”