RGS Volume 6 Part 11

“Your Majesty, they should be sent to the prison immediately…”

“For what reason?”

When Karas asked a question so obvious that even a fool would understand, irritation replaced Truyde’s eyes which were filled with amusement.

“Well, it’s only natural to imprison those who have committed crimes.”

“Then let’s make this place a prison.”

“……”

“I cannot treat those who have threatened my life like ordinary criminals.”

Karas then began to walk forward, looking around the soldiers who had occupied the room.

“Guard them from outside.”

Following his not-so-loud command, an irritating noise scratched everyone’s ears.

Anyone familiar with Karas would recognize this eerily familiar sound.

Clatter.

Why are we hearing this sound?

As Ashler and Abel’s group were struck with confusion, the familiar noise resonated in their ears.

Slash. Thud! Crash!

A soldier standing close to Karas was beheaded in an instant. The soldier’s head, still with eyes wide open, rolled on the floor, seemingly unaware of Karas’ sword even in his final moments. Everyone tensed up at Karas’ sudden killing, but only Truyde narrowed his eyes.

What on earth is he planning to do?

He makes them lower their guard with his childish, absurd questions, then suddenly puts them on edge with such unexpected actions. He has been caught off guard several times because he can’t predict his changes, and yet he falls for it every time.

Whether Karas noticed Truyde’s sharp gaze or not, he dragged his sword along the floor, making that grating noise once again, and took a few steps forward. As he slowly examined the faces of the soldiers one by one, he then opened his mouth.

“If even one of them disappears…”

“Ahh! Y-Your Majesty…”

Thud. Thump!

The sword, having pierced the heart precisely, twisted and sprayed blood like rain over the surroundings. This time, the red blood spattered everywhere as if to replace the scream that couldn’t escape from the dead soldier’s mouth, covering those around him. However, no one could move from their spots.

Abel, especially, who had been held by the dead soldier earlier, stood with wide eyes open unable to move. He still felt the grip of the soldier who had held his arm so tightly. The warm, wet liquid that covered his face, still retaining its body heat, didn’t even register in his mind as blood.

All he could do, like the others, was watch the only person moving in the room. His hazy gray eyes slowly scanned the remaining soldiers. As each soldier met his gaze, their faces turned as pale as corpses.

“You will all disappear.”

The light warning rang like thunder in the soldiers’ ears. Having said all he needed to say, Karas turned away, leaving the room in silence so deep that no breathing seemed to be heard. The silence was heightened by the sound that accompanied his steps as he returned to his original spot.

Drag, drag.

The sword in Karas’ hand, dragging on the ground as if it were a bother, left a snake-like trail of blood on the floor. The slithering red snake stopped in front of Truyde.

“Well done.”

The praise from Karas’ expressionless face made Truyde’s eyes grow colder. However, he couldn’t read any thoughts in Karas’ cloudy eyes, dulled by the potion.

Wasn’t he desperate to hide something, running all the way here in such a hurry?

Is he trying to end things like this?

I won’t let that happen.

Truyde’s eyes remained cold even as a smile spread across his lips.

“Thank you.  However, Your Majesty, I am concerned about the effects of the poison that Melmond is presumed to have secretly given you. There might also be other accomplices.”

Let’s take this opportunity to get rid of all the nuisances.

Truyde was about to point towards his target with his eyes. However, Karas spoke the name before him.

“Ashler.”

Without taking his eyes off Truyde, Karas asked Ashler, who had approached him from the side.

“Who brought Melmond to the palace?”

“It was me.”

Ashler’s voice, though he suppressed his confusion, sounded stiff. Instead, the unease he couldn’t express was apparent to Truyde, who narrowed his eyes beside him.

He’s asking a question he shouldn’t even need to ask?

But Karas even went further, giving an order to the soldiers.

“Lock Ashler up with them.”

“Your Majesty!”

Startled, Ashler stepped forward, shouting in a low voice.

“This is a conspiracy by Duke Truyde. Melmond never made any poison that could harm Your Majesty. Of course, he never put any poison in your food.”

It was such an obvious fact that it was hardly worth mentioning. Karas knew this better than anyone, so Ashler thought he was just putting on an act to get through the situation. However, the unexpected command left Ashler no choice but to step forward.

But then Karas refuted Ashler’s words.

“Then he must have put something else in.”

“!”

Whose side are you on?

Ashler was so stunned by this outrageous accusation that he was left speechless. His eyes trembled as he silently asked ‘why?’ but Karas, seemingly uninterested in answering, turned his gaze back to Truyde. The smile had now vanished from Truyde’s face as he stared intently at Karas and asked for confirmation.

“Are you sure it’s alright to cast aside a close aide who has served Your Majesty for twelve years?”

“So what? I’m taking this as an opportunity to get rid of nuisances.”

Ashler, who had suddenly become a nuisance found himself at a loss for words, and even Truyde fell silent.

What on earth is he up to?

Karas, reading the clear question in Truyde’s eyes, added an explanation as if he were annoyed.

“This way, you won’t whine.”

“Me?”

As Truyde smiled, Karas tilted his head to the side.

“The bet is nearly over. It would be troublesome if you tried to run away, wouldn’t it?”

“…”

Truyde continued to smile as he looked at Karas, but he couldn’t speak immediately. He seemed to be suppressing laughter, twitching his lips a few times before lowering his head.

Was it just youthful arrogance?

The belief that he could overcome the effects of the black potion without any help of medicine?

Despite sensing that something was being concealed, Truyde quickly arrived at a simple conclusion. The mere fact that Karas had come to the palace was proof of his reckless confidence, so this might be no different.

“With Your Majesty resolving this matter, I promise I will never complain or try to run away. Until we see this through to the end.”

He promised with a grin and then added shamelessly.

“So, will Your Majesty keep the promise you made before? The promise you made to give me the wooden pendant so that I could find Your Majesty’s Regas.”

Ashler, who was still frozen, quickly turned to Karas.

That’s something we must never hand over to them.

His eyes pleaded with Karas, but once again, his hope was shattered.

“Alright. Take it.”

The rest of the group, except for the fallen Melmond, were collectively shocked, but Truyde’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Where is it?”

“Where is the Regas?”

When Karas checked first, Truyde bared his teeth as if it were nothing.

“Hundreds, thousands of Regas’ are already prepared and waiting. Among them, there will surely be Your Majesty’s real Regas who has been reincarnated. The one who will recognize the wooden pendant belonging to Your Majesty.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Karas, with a face that showed no anticipation at all, spat out the words and turned towards the door. Forgetting the others left behind, Truyde quickly followed after Karas to hear his response.

“Your Majesty, where is the wooden pendant?”

He asked again in a soft voice, however, Karas only spoke once they were completely out of the library.

“Dragons Forest.”

Tap.

The sound of Truyde halting his steps was heard from behind, but Karas continued walking slowly.

“If he is the real Regas, he will know where it is hidden.”

“……”

“You must be looking forward to it too. To see if that wooden pendant truly reveals the secrets of the black potion from the past.”

Tap.

Karas finally stopped and turned to look at Truyde. Confirming the murderous intent in Truyde’s eyes, he spoke again, annoyed.

“I told you not to whine. I’m doing everything you want.”

“…Yes.”

Truyde clenched his teeth and forced a smile.

“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness, the reason for which I do not know.”

“You don’t know the reason?”

Karas twisted the corner of his lips as if he didn’t understand.

“Why else would I? If you’re at too much of a disadvantage, it’s no fun.”

Then, as if truly annoyed, he approached him with his arms relaxed. Dragging his sword with a scraping noise.

“Or do you want to die right now?”

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

‘Bang!’

The loud sound of the door slamming shut echoed inside as the soldiers rushed out. However, the silence was brief, replaced by the loud hammering of nails echoing everywhere as the doors and entrances were sealed shut. The soldiers who had come to catch Abel’s group, thoroughly frightened by Karas’ warning, surrounded the library so tightly that not even an ant could get through.

In a way, it had become a ridiculous situation where they were suddenly under the protection of their captors. However, none of them had the luxury to think about the guards Karas had provided. Melmond’s condition was severe. The butler had performed basic first aid, but his nose was crushed, and he was bleeding heavily, making it difficult for him to regain consciousness.

However, there was nothing more those who were inside could do. Everyone’s faces were filled with worry, but one person in particular, was noticeably downcast. The butler, having stood up from Melmond’s side, sighed and glanced subtly at that person.

Abel stood motionless, looking down at Melmond, appearing more burdened by guilt as time passed. Throughout their journey together, the butler realized that Abel was far more thoughtful and warm-hearted than his young master. Perhaps it was this nature that prevented him from getting angry about his young master’s body being taken.

“It’s not your fault, Young Master.”

The butler spoke softly, but Abel’s gaze remained fixed only on Melmond.

“But I owe him a debt.”

At first, the butler couldn’t understand the mumbled words, but the following voice came out clearly.

“Until a few months ago, Melmond was just my master’s disciple to me. He wanted to live a humble life as a librarian, not getting involved in dangerous things as much as possible. However, in just a few months, Melmond has risked everything without hesitation in order to help me despite the twelve years he spent where I couldn’t be with him. Melmond, and everyone else, I owe all of them twelve years.”

Abel stopped talking and looked up at the butler as if to reassure him.

“I won’t do anything foolish. This is the chance Melmond had protected.”

The butler wanted to say that wasn’t what he meant, but Ashler’s call came first.

“Butler.”

Ashler, who had been talking with Nani from a distance, came closer and asked.

“How is Melmond?”

The butler shook his head, indicating that there was nothing more they could do. Ashler looked down at Melmond with a serious expression and muttered.

“Haah, then we need a doctor.”

However, with orders that no one could leave or enter, they couldn’t take Melmond out, nor could they call a doctor. Even if Karas’ intention was to protect Abel by locking everyone here, sealing the place off like this was excessive. Or perhaps he just wanted to truly rid himself of nuisances altogether.

Somehow, the bitter thought that this was more likely spread through him. It was absurd to be suddenly accused as traitors without warning, but he was more worried about Karas. To protect Abel from Truyde, Karas had abandoned all the surrounding help around him.

Even if they hadn’t been of much help, at least Melmond’s potions had kept him going until now. It felt like Karas had created this situation not because he had another plan but because he didn’t want to lose to Truyde, which made his worry grow even more. In any case, their immediate concern right now was Melmond.

“I think we need to get a doctor.”

At Abel’s suggestion, Ashler turned to look at him. Abel, without taking his eyes off Melmond, continued.

“If this goes on, his wounds will cause a severe fever, but we don’t have any medicine here.”

“I can get the medicine. Nani is currently threatening, ahem, persuading some of the soldiers, so bringing things in shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Just then, Nani returned from the window with a triumphant look, as if he had just successfully threatened someone.

“There’s nothing to worry about now anymore. I told them I would run away if they didn’t cooperate, and now they’re willing to do anything.”

Nani, who had been grinning widely as he spoke, looked at Melmond and his expression hardened once again. However, he soon hurriedly whispered something important to Ashler.

“There’s chaos outside because of the wooden pendant.”

“Did His Majesty hand it over to the King’s Heart?”

No, Nani shook his head and explained.

Karas had hidden it in a place only the real Regas could find.

Where could that be?

The question was evident in everyone’s eyes as Nani glanced at Abel.

“They said it’s in the Dragon’s Forest.”

All eyes turned to Abel. After a brief silence, Ashler spoke on behalf of everyone.

“Do you have any idea where it might be?”

Abel looked into the space for a moment as if thinking and then replied, “A few places, yes.” Ashler nodded in relief.

“That’s good. If you tell us the locations, I’ll send my men to find the wooden pendant. Since we can’t give Sir Melmond his medicine, uncovering the secret of the black potion with the pendant is all that we can do.”

Abel wanted to say he’d go himself, but he suppressed the thought. He couldn’t let his greed cause another person to be sacrificed.

“I’ll draw you a map. But more importantly, we need to call a doctor here. If we bring a doctor who has no choice but to enter, wouldn’t that be fine, right?”

Everyone looked puzzled, but they all nodded after hearing his explanation that followed. Ashler immediately called his subordinate and gave him several instructions. A while later, just as Abel had suggested, a doctor who had no choice but to come inside appeared, shouting indignantly as he was dragged by the soldiers.

“Ah! I didn’t make any poison! I’m just a doctor!”

The falsely accused doctor began treating Melmond, resolving that issue for the time being, however, not everything went as planned. The subordinate who had gone to find the wooden pendant returned with a grave expression and reported,

“There is a problem in the forest.”