RGS Volume 6 Part 18

When he finally shouted, the Commander of the Royal Guards, who had barely taken a step forward, retreated again as if fleeing. Then he hid behind a tree that could barely cover half his body and asked with teary eyes.

“Why, why are you angry?!”

“What? Are you asking because you really don’t know? I’ve already heard about the reckless things you did at the Marquis’ mansion!”

At the mention of the Marquis’ mansion, the Commander of the Royal Guards shrank his shoulders, hugging a large bundle that was half his height to his chest. Then he cast a glance at Abel, who was standing behind Ashler with a bewildered expression. He had promised to speak well of him. When the look of resentment reached him, Abel quickly grabbed Ashler’s arm and explained.

“Sir Ashler, it’s not true. It was all my insistence that made us go to the Marquis’ mansion, and it was my short-sightedness that prevented us from finding the wooden pendant first. Moreover, it’s also my fault for not receiving Sir Kin’s letter. The Commander of the Royal Guards went through so much trouble helping me. He absolutely didn’t do anything wrong.”

Ashler responded briefly, not taking his eyes off the Commander of the Royal Guards.

“I know.”

“A-aren’t you going to stop glaring now that you know?”

“No, I won’t.”

Ashler answered firmly, growling as he pushed his foot all the way to the edge of the doorstep.

“Because that’s the one thing I can’t ever forgive.”

What can’t he forgive?

The curiosity that arose was resolved by Ashler’s furious voice as if he were explaining it himself.

“You! How dare you use that name as an alias in the Marquis’ house?! You scoundrel!”

Ashler couldn’t bring himself to utter the name ‘Garasu’, however the Commander of the Royal Guards was different.

“What’s wrong with ‘Garasu’?!”

“What?!”

“How noble of a name that truly expresses my love for His Majesty!”

The situation reversed with the Commander of the Royal Guards’ indignant shout. Ashler, who was so dumbfounded that his breath was blocked, staggered. Although Nani and Abel quickly supported him from the side, his trembling hands couldn’t be stopped. The Commander of the Royal Guards, still hiding behind the tree with only his face sticking out, looked at Ashler. Perhaps feeling a bit guilty, he mumbled.

“This is all because Sir Ashler doesn’t understand my pure heart.”

Ashler’s anger only grew worse.

“Pure? You?”

“Yes. How could I dare harbor any other feelings towards His Majesty? I just wanted to become one with His Majesty, even if only by name.”

As he said “one with,” he twisted his body and blushed, truly appearing genuinely pure. The aura of the pure pervert instantly filled the surroundings.

Flinch.

The perceptive Nani sensed it keenly and trembled.

“Sir Ashler, this is quite creepy.”

Fortunately, Ashler now had an ally, however, his anger did not subside. Seeing the Commander of the Royal Guards standing there, insisting he had done nothing wrong and also not coming even when he was called, Ashler realized this couldn’t continue anymore. He took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind and took a step back.

“Alright. Then listen from there. First of all, you know why we’re trapped here, right?”

The Commander of the Royal Guards nodded with a serious face. Of course, he was still hiding behind the tree with only his head stuck out. Ashler’s fist seemed to tremble again, but he relaxed his strength at the Commander of the Royal Guards’ response.

“There are rumors spreading in the capital that His Majesty is confined in his room and unable to do anything because of the King’s Heart. When I entered the palace, most of the soldiers didn’t recognize me, so I disguised myself as one of your subordinates, Sir Ashler, and they let me through without any trouble.”  

At the mention of not revealing his true identity, Ashler nodded.

“Well done. It’s still not good for the rumor to spread that one of the commanders has entered the palace.”

“Still not good? Do you know when the right time will be?”

“Yes, soon.”

Ashler muttered, then looked down at the bundle the Commander of the Royal Guards was holding tightly as if he remembered something.

“Is that why you came into the palace?”

“Yes,” the Commander of the Royal Guards answered, turning his gaze towards Abel with a bright smile.

“I collected everything, without missing a single one.”

He proudly tried to step forward while carrying the bundle, however, his expression stiffened as soon as he looked at Ashler and he hid behind the tree again. Ashler’s fist also tightened with visible veins once more.

Suppressing his anger, Ashler looked up at the sky and then gave an order to the Commander of the Royal Guards.

“For now, leave the palace.”

Even as he spoke, Ashler didn’t expect the Commander of the Royal Guards to comply easily. It was obvious that he would make a fuss about staying by his beloved Majesty’s side now that he had already entered the palace.

However, even though Ashler waited for a moment, the Commander of the Royal Guards only listened seriously with a stern expression. Instead, Ashler, the one who gave the order, was surprised by this.

“You’re really going to leave the palace right away?”

“You commanded it.”

“I did. But aren’t you worried about His Majesty?”

“Of course, I am worried. But His Majesty didn’t summon me to the palace. Until he needs me, I should help from a distance. It’s just…”

Ashler was momentarily moved by his unexpectedly calm words, thinking that the Commander of the Royal Guards had finally regained his senses. After all, he had expected the Commander of the Royal Guards to be restless about not being able to protect His Majesty within the palace. However, as expected, the Commander of the Royal Guards soon showed signs of unease. However, it was about a completely different person.

“I’m worried about not being able to help Sir Ashler with your tasks. Protecting the Lord Regas, I mean. Ahem.”

Clearing his throat, he glanced at Abel, then hid half his face behind the tree as if embarrassed. That’s why when his ears turned red, it was unnoticed by anyone. Ashler was even more moved by his consideration for him.

“I’m fine. I have subordinates in the palace to help me for now. Instead, if you linger in the palace, the King’s Heart might recognize you and become wary.”

Ashler glanced around as if about to share something important, then lowered his voice.

“Gather your men discreetly in the capital. And…”

“Sir Ashler.”

“Hmm?”

“I can’t hear you well, please speak a bit louder.”

Even Nani, and the usually oblivious Abel, could feel the murderous intent radiating from Ashler’s entire body at that moment. In fact, he even stepped over the end of the doorstep, but then regained his composure and instructed the Commander of the Royal Guards loudly on what he should do, just as he wished. It was a slightly different order from what he initially intended to say.

“Someone will soon arrive at an inn in the capital. Hand over the letter I am giving you to that person.”

“Who will arrive? How will I recognize them?”

“Don’t worry about that. They will recognize you.”

Ashler confirmed with a gentle smile on his face. The smile, which came from his heart, remained even as he wrote the letter he would entrust to the Commander of the Royal Guards.

[To Sir Kin.

The Commander of the Royal Guards dared to use the alias ‘Garasu’ at the Marquis’ mansion.]

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

The first news Truyde heard upon arriving at the palace was about Norhox.

“It seems not even the soldiers could handle it. Some tried to stop him, but Marquis Norhox…”

The reporting subordinate gulped hard as if recalling the scene at that time before continuing his interrupted words.

“He stabbed everyone around him with his sword, so, no one could get close to him.”

“And he screamed like a madman?”

“Yes. And not just that, his eyes looked strange as well.”

Truyde lowered his gaze for a moment, as if deep in thought, and then asked.

“His eyes were strange, how so?”

“That’s…”

His subordinate hesitated to speak as if finding it difficult, however, under Truyde’s cold gaze, he had no choice but to open his mouth.

“According to the witnesses, he seemed to be out of his mind. What was particularly strange was his appearance after he came out of the kitchen. While he went in like a madman, he suddenly looked fine when he came out, almost like a different person, and was smiling eerily, just like…”

“Like?”

“……”

“Speak.”

When the order was given, the subordinate swallowed nervously and repeated exactly what one of the witnesses had said.

“They said it was like looking at the late king.”

The late king who died six years ago?

Truyde’s eyes narrowed instantly. Norhox had been someone he hadn’t paid attention to at all. With Karas, a formidable enemy right in front of him, the weak Norhox who was on the verge of bankruptcy seemed incapable of doing anything significant.

Even if he were to resort to tricks when cornered, he didn’t think it would have much impact. However, this was completely unexpected. No, it was the exact opposite. Rather than some clumsy tricks, the fact that his deteriorating condition itself became a variable was astonishing.

It felt like the wheel of a carriage jolting over an unseen stone while rushing forward. Though Norhox’s presence was no larger than a pebble, if the carriage were to hit even a small stone, it could overturn if unlucky.

Thus, Truyde couldn’t hide his unease about the issue that had sprung up from an unexpected place. Norhox’s symptoms were unmistakably withdrawal symptoms to anyone who saw it.

But that meant he was addicted?

And the fact that he resembled the late king… black potion?

No.

Truyde firmly dismissed that idea. He was the only one who could obtain the ingredients for the black potion.

Then what exactly was it?

When?

How?

And by whom?

Truyde realized why he felt uncomfortable with the last question.

“Did you say Norhox seemed fine after coming out of the kitchen? Which kitchen exactly? Which palace’s food preparation area?”

When he asked him aggressively, the subordinate raised his eyes in panic. His voice grew smaller, like a child fearing further scolding for telling the truth.

“I-I’m sorry. Actually, it’s the place where the food for the Prince’s Palace is prepared….”

Bang!

Truyde cut off his subordinate’s words by slamming his fist on the desk. The Prince’s Palace was where the King’s Heart dined with the emperor every evening. It was obvious if Norhox had recovered after eating that food. Something in the food eaten with the emperor had driven Norhox mad. Then another question arose.

If Norhox went mad, why were others unaffected?

Truyde looked back at his subordinate with cold eyes.

“Has the war profiteer arrived at the palace?”

“I believe he has not arrived yet. However, since there is not much time left for the meal with His Majesty, he should be arriving soon.”

“When he arrives in the palace, tell him to come to me. Assign some people around him so that he never hears any rumors about Norhox. What’s the emperor’s condition right now?”

“He’s no different than he has been the past few days. He just sits there blankly, staring down at his books.”

“Does he have something he is relying on?”                

Could that reliance be related to Norhox’s condition?

Truyde gritted his teeth. If he had not only managed to create an antidote but had even managed to poison the King’s Heart, he almost felt like applauding. Whatever it was, he had to find out and destroy it so thoroughly that it couldn’t be used, forcing him to his knees.

“Add more troops around the Prince’s Palace. Not even an ant should be able to get near, and the emperor must not be able to move a single step outside. And you, take the soldiers and…”

Truyde, who was giving orders quickly, suddenly realized he had forgotten something important and hastily asked.

“Where did Norhox go after that?”

“The next place Norhox was seen after leaving the kitchen was where the priest currently resides. However, we have not yet confirmed his exact destination after leaving there.”

He went to the priest… The fact that the first person he sought out right after regaining his senses was the priest meant the two were working together.

Even if they were both useless fools, if they put their heads together and was able to do something…

“Bring the priest here immediately. And does anyone know Norhox’s whereabouts after that?”

“We lost him because he noticed he was being tailed. However, we know the direction in which he disappeared. Seeing that he headed towards the outskirts of the palace, there are two possible locations.”

“Where?”

“The Dragon Forest or the library.”

As soon as he heard this, Truyde twisted his lips into a smile.

How interesting.

The situation, which was already complicated, had become more entangled with the unexpected news of Norhox he had suddenly heard when he came to the palace. It occurred to him that this might be just a single thread that could perhaps unravel everything.

The reason Truyde came to the palace early was because of Melmond’s servant. However, Norhox headed to the library in an abnormal state right after meeting the priest.

If these two situations were related, how would they react to Norhox’s appearance?

Even though Norhox was supposedly nothing but just an empty shell, his mere presence would be a great threat.

If so, the real Regas would run away… Run away?

Truyde’s expression hardened as he predicted the enemy’s actions a few steps ahead as if he were playing a game.

“Go to the library now, capture Norhox, and check if anyone is missing there. And then mobilize the soldiers to block all their paths.”

“Do you mean the library, Your Grace?”

No, Truyde shook his head firmly and spat out the words.

“The Dragon Forest.”