RGS Volume 6 Part 3

Did he mean that now that Abel had returned alive, he would soon crush the King’s Heart and turn this place into a symbol of victory?

Surely, he wasn’t planning to set a trap in the Dragon’s Forest?

Although he felt frustrated, he was somehow relieved that Abel had made him think positively, no matter what he meant.

“Yes, I also believe it will become a place of victory.”

He bowed his head and started to step back, but Karas’ question stopped him.

“What kind of victory?”

“Pardon?”

He asked in surprise, but seeing the certainty in Karas’ languid eyes, he answered confidently.

“Of course, it meant defeating the King’s Heart entirely and establishing the proper order in the nation. A peaceful country where the people are no longer exploited by the corrupt King’s Heart. With minimal sacrifice.”

A peaceful country.

Karas muttered these words to himself, then asked indifferently.

“What if I’m the one to ruin that peace?”

“Your Majesty.”

“Then you would try to stop me.”

Karas’ head tilted to the side out of habit.

“Haven’t you already tried to stop me? Terrified at the words I would eliminate everything, so you hid Abel.”

Ashler found it difficult even to swallow due to the tension. From experience, he knew not to trust his casual, offhanded remarks. Knowing how it was hard to predict what he was thinking or feeling, it was important not to let his guard down. Thus, he feared Karas might suddenly hit the mark and accused him of staging an act with Abel.

Was he just testing him?

Ashler decided to maintain his composure and see the act through to the end.

“How could I possibly dare to stop Your Majesty? And I certainly have not hidden Lord Abel.”

Ashler glanced up at Karas and continued his words clearly and firmly.

“Since he lost his memory, he needed a lot of time. As Your Majesty saw, after losing his memory, he has been wary of everyone. It was so fortunate that he came to the palace and met Your Majesty, which had a positive effect.”

He glanced again. He tried to gauge his reaction, but the half-open, languid eyes revealed nothing. Ashler, waiting for Karas’ response, finally asked first.

“Didn’t it please Your Majesty as well? Even though Lord Abel lost his memory, he responded only to Your Majesty.”

“Yes.”

Although Karas was difficult to predict, he was surprisingly honest at times. Hearing his innocent answer, like that of a child, Ashler’s rising breath finally calmed down. It seemed to have worked. Just as Abel had said, Karas might have needed a direct experience.

“Indeed, Lord Abel must truly like Your Majesty.

He emphasized again with a smile, but Karas shifted his weight to one foot and tilted his head.

“Is that important?”

“Pardon? Of course, it’s important. Didn’t Your Majesty say it pleased you as well?”

“Yes. It felt pleasant.”

Again, a straightforward answer, but the following words erased Ashler’s smile completely.

“Even if it were a lie, it doesn’t matter.”

Ashler hurried to shake his head.

No, it wasn’t a lie. Abel truly likes you.

The frustration of why Karas couldn’t feel it welled up to his throat, and then he recalled Karas’ earlier question.

‘Is that important?’

That question tied in with Karas’ earlier statement about Abel coming to him out of fear. It implied that as long as Abel remained by his side, it didn’t matter if it was all a lie, as long as it made him feel pleased.

Was one act not enough?

As Ashler pondered this, he heard Karas muttering to himself.

“Besides, it was a good opportunity to use it. Even without the snake wine.”

Hearing the word “snake wine,” Ashler wondered what it meant, but Karas was lost in his own thoughts.

“Thus, I’ve returned to the boring reality. To do as you wish, to get rid of the King’s Heart.”

His monotonous voice carried genuine boredom, but to Ashler, it was a relief. He had been worried that after finding Abel, Karas might go on a literal rampage, disregarding the revenge he had been preparing for twelve years. In fact, this lingering, precarious anxiety still remained in him.

Karas, with his expressionless face, seemed always on the verge of falling off a cliff. This time, Abel had barely managed to grab hold of him and bring him back to the mundane reality, however, it felt as if one of his legs was still stepping into the void.

Thus, Ashler feared that if Karas found out Abel had regained his memories, he might laugh and drag Abel off the cliff with him.

How long would it take for him to fully trust Abel?

He hoped it wouldn’t take long, like twelve years ago when the prince had held Abel’s hand tightly after just a few weeks.

“Thank you. When Lord Abel regains his memories, he will surely be happy. Because Your Majesty accepted this boring reality.”

When Ashler spoke calmly, Karas’ lips faintly curled up.

“Don’t be mistaken.”

Ashler swallowed the sudden chill spreading through his chest and asked calmly.

“What am I mistaken about?”

“That I will definitely do something that will make Abel happy.”

Ashler already knew Karas was unlikely to do that. When Ashler couldn’t say anything, Karas stared straight right into his eyes.

“Isn’t that fortunate? Otherwise, everyone would make a fuss trying to use Abel to achieve their own goals. For example, under the excuse of creating a peaceful country.”

When Ashler heard his own words brought up and used as an example, he quickly shook his head.

“Your Majesty, no. I have no intention of using Lord Abel.”

“What if I were to burn down the entire country?”

“……”

Ashler’s eyes widened in shock, and he couldn’t respond and as if expecting this, Karas slowly sneered.

“If I had that kind of power, you would have created a new black potion to stop me.”

“No. Please don’t say such things.”

Ashler denied it in a flustered voice, but Karas as if uninterested, asked back.

“Why? Is it because you want nothing from me?”

When Ashler didn’t respond to his question of confirmation, Karas muttered indifferently.

“Then I suppose I can hand over the wooden pendant to Truyde.”

Flinch.

Ashler’s shoulders twitched.

“Your Majesty. You cannot do that. The wooden pendant is…”

“What is that wooden pendant?”

“……”

“Why does Truyde want it, and why do you all want it too?”

Even if Karas had noticed that Truyde wanted it, it was startling that he also brought up their interest.

“What does Your Majesty mean by saying we want it?”

“When I gave Abel my hair, your expression and those of the others were quite a sight.”

Ashler inwardly cursed himself. They had clearly shown their disappointment when Karas cut his hair instead of giving the wooden pendant, assuming he would naturally hand it over.

“What is that wooden pendant?”

With Karas’ voice turning cold, Ashler bit his lip slightly, trying to give an answer that wouldn’t reveal too much about Abel. He knew he’d have to ask the war profiteer to match their words later. Ashler began with a lie, claiming the information came from the war profiteer, and then explained briefly.

“Even though the treasure the deceased Marquis had was burned, Truyde seems to have discovered what it was. It’ was a wooden pendant engraved with a dragon. And I think Truyde likely learned that Your Majesty possesses a similar item, which is why he suddenly brought up the Regas.”

Watching Karas’ expressionless face, Ashler added firmly.

“So, if Your Majesty’s wooden pendant is indeed the same as the Marquis’ treasure, according to Truyde’s speculation, it should be given to Lord Abel as soon as possible. Then, Lord Abel, the real Regas, will be able to see the past and discover the ingredients for the black potion…”

“No.”

Ashler almost forgot the other person he was speaking to was the emperor and nearly shouted.

No? What on earth does he mean by no?

“Your Majesty, did you just say no? Are you saying Your Majesty refuses to find out the ingredients for the black potion?”

Although he didn’t intend to sound accusing, Ashler’s hurried words came out that way. He didn’t realize it, but the other person listening did, and Karas raised one corner of his mouth again.

“I told you. It’s a boring reality for me.”

Karas blinked his dull gray eyes, reminding Ashler of his earlier words.

“The only worthwhile amusement is my bet with them. Don’t interfere.”

“But Your Majesty! Isn’t that bet putting your life in danger? Starting tomorrow evening, you’ll have to drink the black potion from the King’s Heart again. We should find the ingredients and make an antidote as soon as possible, shouldn’t we?”

“Ashler.”

Karas called his name to stop him and looked straight into his anxious eyes.

“When have I ever had such a long conversation with you?”

Only then did Ashler realize he had been speaking with Karas as if he were talking to someone else. As Karas saw Ashler’s expression harden, he spoke in a monotonous voice.

“If it weren’t for the ridiculous situation of Abel losing his memory, I wouldn’t have restrained myself from doing what I wanted.”

Karas looked around the charred surroundings, indicating what he meant by what he wanted to do.

“The King’s Heart you so desperately want to eliminate would have disappeared in an instant, and all other obstacles would have burned. Of course, including you.”

Ashler was confused. He didn’t understand why Karas’ words didn’t sound like a bluff.

Making the King’s Heart disappear in an instant.

And the mention that he himself was an obstacle reminded Ashler of the hypothetical situation Karas had posed earlier.

‘What if I were to burn down the entire country?’

However, that was impossible. No matter how much power he possessed beyond that of a human, the power of a dragon wasn’t enough to burn down an entire country. So, he must have meant to mobilize the military. In such a worst-case scenario, he and the other commanders would have to stop him. Ashler forced himself to shake off the creeping anxiety that had been crawling up his body.

But to think he would consider starting a civil war…

Could it be that the black potion had made his already strange personality even worse?

D*mn those King’s Heart b*stards.

After getting a glimpse of Karas’ true intentions, the existence of the wooden pendant became even more urgent. They had to deal with the King’s Heart before Karas took action.

“Then even if Lord Abel directly asks for the wooden pendant himself, Your Majesty won’t give it to him? Although Lord Abel worries about Your Majesty’s health,”

Ashler cut off his words as he looked into Karas’ languid eyes.

Ah, right. Karas might actually prefer being worried over.

Whether Abel was trembling in fear or shedding tears out of concern, what mattered to him was getting attention in some way.

He really is twisted.

Ashler barely suppressed a sigh when Karas’ command came.

“Summon the war profiteer tomorrow morning. I am in a very good mood right now, so let’s get rid of the King’s Heart a little sooner.”

Karas spoke slowly, as if bestowing a reward, and turned away. Ashler bowed his head as if expressing gratitude, however, he couldn’t shake off the concern from his face. Karas’ confidence was admirable, but it was too soon to rejoice given the reality that they don’t have an antidote.

Karas must not, out of confidence, hand the wooden pendant over to Truyde.

Would he really refuse to hand it even if Abel asked?

At that moment, Ashler couldn’t help but recall how the King’s Heart had managed to manipulate the emperor.

The Regas always works.

Ashler had no choice but to believe it too. Abel had already succeeded twelve years ago. This time, Abel would change him again. But the problem was time. A plan to strengthen their bond was needed.

“Send a gift.”

When Ashler heard Karas’ voice again, thinking that he had gone into the forest, he snapped out of his thoughts and quickly looked up at him.

A gift?

“Are you perhaps talking about Lord Abel?”

Of course, it must be for Abel. Although Karas didn’t nod, Ashler quickly caught on and asked.

“What kind of gift should I send?”

As he imagined precious jewels or silk, Karas’ reply came.

“Duck eggs.”

“Yes. Duck… eggs? Do you mean actual duck eggs?”

Nod, nod.

Seeing Ashler’s shocked reaction, Karas nodded with his head and, staring into space as if remembering something, added another item in a blunt tone.

“Pomegranate.”

“…Yes. Pomegranate.”

As Ashler cursed the black potion again over the unexpected list of gifts, Karas suddenly turned his head as if he had remembered something.

“Bear.”

A bear? Give a bear as a gift?

Ashler was about to strongly advise against giving a bear, thinking it was highly inappropriate, but Karas’ gaze was strange. His eyes narrowed like blades as he stared intently at Ashler.

“That’s right. You caught a bear in front of Abel.”

Ashler recalled the events that took place in this very spot 12 years ago.

“Yes, that’s right.”

As soon as he acknowledged it in confusion, Karas’ voice turned sinister.

“Now that I think about it, you looked slightly more handsome back then.”

“……”

Although the content was a compliment, Karas’ tone and gaze were as if he were looking at an enemy. Ashler instantly realized that this familiar situation had happened before. Just like in his memories, Karas’ compliments followed the same pattern this time as well. With narrowed eyes, Karas scrutinized him from head to toe.

“Impressive, and even cool.”

“Th-Thank you.”

“Thank you?”

Clack.

As soon as Ashler instinctively took a step back, a chilling voice followed.

“F*ck, it really was you.”

What now?!

Just a slightly handsome, somewhat impressive, and a cool person?

Is this another side effect of the black potion?

As his curse toward the King’s Heart deepened, Karas issued a terrifying warning.

“Don’t ever catch a bear again.”