RGS Volume 6 Part 4

The priest had been restlessly pacing the room for hours.

What should he do?

What could he do?

His heart felt like it was going to burst from anxiety and anger.

D*mn Norhox.

It was all his fault.

Because he got fooled by him, he lost the chance to gain Truyde’s trust.

Well, not yet, but the fear of being caught was making him this anxious. After all, he was the one who set fire to Truyde’s room. The priest bit his lip, recalling his meeting with Norhox a few days ago.

‘Do you know the current situation in the palace? Since two of the King’s Heart have died, the sly ones are already trying to side with the emperor. The very ones who have been living off the King’s Heart’s influence. But Truyde is only focused on his battle with the emperor and isn’t paying any attention to the traitors within. They are already trying to grab what they can before the King’s Heart falls, amassing wealth through the temple.’

The priest had heard this too. Since Truyde really wasn’t paying attention to the temple, those associated with the King’s Heart had been conspiring with the temple to squeeze the already struggling populace in order for their own gain. Moreover, these actions were spurred on by rumors circulating recently.

There were stories of people being cured by holy relics from the temple. Initially, it was a rumor that started in the capital about a month ago, but now it seems to have spread throughout the country in an instant. Whether due to the power of these rumors or actual testimonies of healing, witnesses claiming to have been healed were appearing everywhere. Thus, despite loathing the temple’s extortion, people flocked there even more.

On top of that, greedy individuals trying to make one last profit were aiding in this exploitation. While it seemed that the patience of the people might snap in an instant once it was revealed that the holy relics were ineffective, this worst-case situation wasn’t what the priest was most worried about.

He only regretted that he couldn’t be part of it. No, it felt like they were taking the money he should have secured, and it made him feel bitter. Thus, he couldn’t help but listen to Norhox’s words.

‘But I can’t just sit by and watch the discipline crumble. If Truyde can’t see beyond the emperor, we need to use that to make him come to his senses. We just have to make him feel a sense of crisis.’

How so? Norhox’s bloodshot eyes gleamed in response to the question.

‘By setting his room on fire.’

‘What? But how?’

‘Just set the fire with fragrance oil to make it seem like the emperor’s doing, and it’s done. Then he’ll realize he’s being made a fool of and will come to his senses. It’s nothing major, just a warning.’

However, the priest wasn’t easily swayed by these words alone. Knowing this, Norhox gave him something.

The green jewel now in the priest’s hand.

The moment the priest saw its radiant light, he was captivated and couldn’t refuse Norhox’s request. Just like Norhox said, the emperor would take the blame.

However, the situation didn’t end with Truyde’s room burning down. When Truyde, who was furious, said that the black potion had become useless due to the fire, the priest finally realized Norhox’s true intention. Norhox, who might become the next victim, was trying to extend his life.

And if Truyde found out about this, not only would the trust he had barely regained would disappear, but the priest’s life would also be at risk. The real problem was Norhox, who visited afterward. When the priest, in a fit of rage, threatened to reveal everything to Truyde, he just responded with a mocking laugh.

‘Go ahead and tell him. Then I’ll say you’re framing me. Who do you think Truyde will believe, you or me?’

As the priest trembled with anger and couldn’t say a word, Norhox revealed the real purpose of his visit with a terrifying expression. What he wanted was simple. To find out why Truyde was suddenly sending the Regas to the emperor and about the wooden pendant the emperor possessed. When the priest flinched, Norhox sharply noticed and pressed him.

‘You know something. What is it?’

Norhox held another jewel in his hand as he pressed him.

Fine, I’ll at least get that jewel.

With that thought, the priest briefly hesitated and then told him everything he knew. A crazed light gleamed in Norhox’s eyes after receiving the information.

‘Keep an eye on the emperor. Inform me of anything before Truyde does.”

Recalling Norhox’s orders, the priest made up his mind and headed toward the door. With things as they were, he had no choice but to get as much as he could before he died. Holding the jewel close to his chest, the priest headed towards the Prince’s Palace.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Kin received the message just as he was wrapping up his work and preparing to return to the capital.

“Sir Ashler’s subordinate has come here after searching everywhere to find Sir Kin. He says it’s very urgent and asks you to contact him immediately.”

Urgent matter? What could it be?

He wondered, but what bothered him more was something else. The part about searching everywhere just to find him.

Why?

If they had contacted the Commander of the Royal Guards, wouldn’t they have known right away that he had gone to the lord who makes the fragrance oil?

As the question came to his mind, an ominous feeling rose up like waves.

Surely, the Commander of the Royal Guards wouldn’t have dared to use ‘Garasu’ so fearlessly?

Kin instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword but quickly calmed himself.

No, there must have been a misunderstanding.

No matter how reckless the Commander of the Royal Guards might be, he wouldn’t have ignored his orders so blatantly.

Yes, that must be it.

He reassured himself inwardly, but the veins stood out on the back of his hand as he gripped his sword tightly. Dark clouds loomed over the Commander of the Royal Guards’ future.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Ashler, after taking some time late in the evening to visit the library, was warmly greeted by the four.

“Euhahaha ― Sir Ashler, welcome!”

“Haha! Why did you just arrive now? We almost started a celebration party without you, right?”

“Hehehe, did it take time to calm down His Majesty, who is in such a good mood?”

After the three people asked happily, Abel smiled shyly and pointed to the table. On top of it, there were piles of duck eggs and pomegranates.

“We received the gifts from His Majesty. Hehe, as expected, the prince is kind, so our act was a perfect success…”

“There’s still a long way to go.”

“Yes, there’s a long way to go before it succeeds… What?”

Abel, surprised, asked again, and the other three, who were chuckling, also looked at him as if to ask what he meant.

“Sir Ashler, didn’t you see the emperor’s reaction when he softened in front of Abel earlier? And he immediately gave us these gifts. Isn’t this a great success?”

Melmond looked at him as if he had misunderstood. Ashler didn’t want to spoil the festive mood but he had to tell them the truth.

“I told His Majesty that the wooden pendant might be similar to the Marquis’ treasure. Of course, I didn’t mention that it was Abel who found out.”

“Since His Majesty now knows the truth, he will give us the wooden pendant right away. Isn’t that so?”

Melmond, puzzled, began to respond but trailed off upon seeing Ashler’s stern expression.

Could it be?

“No, it’s not.”

Ashler nodded and looked back calmly at the four of them.

“His Majesty said no.”

The four of them froze with their mouths agape, as if on cue.

No…why?

“He said it would interfere with his rather entertaining bet with Truyde.”

Ashler’s voice carried a sigh, while the faces of those listening were the very embodiment of despair.

What on earth is this?

In a situation where his life was on the line, he didn’t want his amusement reduced?

Shock soon turned to horror. And a common conclusion arose in everyone’s mind.

The black potion has made him crazy!

Even Abel, now alarmed, hurriedly spoke up.

“H-However, if I were to ask, wouldn’t he give it to me? The act was a success, and now the misunderstanding that I dislike His Majesty has been cleared up.”

As he nervously asked in a trembling voice, the rest of them stared at Ashler with a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

Yes, the act was a success after all!

“He still has a deep misunderstanding.”

They failed.

The sound of people falling to the ground in disappointment echoed throughout. Especially the three people who believed that their enthusiastic praise had turned the tide but still couldn’t accept reality.

Hadn’t their praise been so moving it could even change the heavens?

It was the praise that was the problem. Ashler calmly comforted those who were in despair, perhaps feeling sorry for them.

“Still, it’s a significant achievement that His Majesty’s previously fierce atmosphere has diminished.”

Ashler then turned to Abel with a plea in his eyes and added.

“Lord Abel will need to put in a bit more effort. Until His Majesty can completely trust you.”

And just like twelve years ago, you can succeed this time as well.

Although Ashler had faith in him, Abel still couldn’t erase his worries.

“But we don’t have much time, do we? He’s going to start taking the black potion again starting tomorrow.”

“Yes, that’s my concern as well. We don’t have the luxury of time to slowly change His Majesty. So, is there any other way? Something more powerful to gain His Majesty’s trust?”

They looked at Abel, expecting an answer just as always, but this time Abel shook his head.

“I don’t know. To me, His Majesty is still the same prince from 12 years ago. I believe he hasn’t changed. So, approaching him like I used to might work, but that will take time.”

Would a different approach be necessary for the grown-up prince?

‘I’m sorry,’ Abel muttered, his shoulders slumping.

Ashler felt a heaviness in his heart, realizing he had done nothing over the past 12 years. Regret washed over him again, just as it had when he saw the blackened forest.

What if he had managed to protect the two who were running away and get them out safely 12 years ago?

“No. The fact that you’ve returned, Lord Abel, is why we’ve achieved this much. His Majesty even gave gifts, something he’s never done before…”

Ashler tried to soften the mood, but the memory of Karas’ murderous gaze came to mind, causing the smile that was about to appear on his face to vanish.

Who would have thought he’d be in trouble for being handsome, impressive, and cool? Was his charm something the Emperor found threatening?

“Sir Ashler?”

Abel’s voice snapped Ashler out of his thoughts, and he quickly turned back.

“It’s nothing. Besides, there’s not only bad news. We’ve found Sir Kin, who had been missing.”

Abel’s expression darkened in response to his words. However, Ashler, not noticing, tilted his head in confusion.

“Sir Kin isn’t the kind of person who would disappear so irresponsibly without saying a word, so I don’t understand why he didn’t contact us. He only sent a message to get in touch with someone named Tom. By the way, you said he went with the Marquis’ household with you, didn’t you? Did he say anything unusual at that time?”

He did.

Especially the stern instructions he had given to the Commander of the Royal Guards.

“Please, listen to what I’m about to say without getting too angry. So, about Tom…”

In a lowered voice, Abel explained how the Commander of the Royal Guards had changed his alias from Tom to something else, the cause of it being Abel himself, and how this led the Commander of the Royal Guards to go to Truyde’s household to atone. Ashler’s eyebrows twitched a few times due to Abel’s guilt-ridden tone, but he eventually sighed instead of getting angry.

“Hah, the Commander of the Royal Guards has really caused trouble. Alright, since he went to a dangerous place on purpose because of it, I won’t get too angry.”

“Thank you.”

As expected, Ashler was a kind person. He was reasonable and possessed a broad tolerance that knew how to forgive. As Abel sighed in relief and smiled, Ashler suddenly remembered something and asked casually.

“By the way, what alias did the Commander of the Royal Guards want so badly that he dared to abandon the name Sir Kin gave him?”

“Ah, he said it was a name he had cherished deep in his heart for a long time.”

Smiling innocently at the kind-hearted Ashler, Abel revealed the alias.

“It’s ‘Garasu’…”

Bang!

Shring―

Before Abel could finish, the broad-minded Ashler kicked his chair back and drew his sword.

“That b*stard Commander of the Royal Guards! I’ll kill him with my own hands!!”