Chapter 98

Chapter 98
## Chapter 98

“He truly is nowhere to be found.”

Norbeck whispered to himself as his eyes swept over the deserted mouth of the dark dungeon.

Upon hearing those words, the cloaked figure standing behind him let out a brief, derisive snort.

“What did you expect? That he’d be standing guard just to strike you down the moment you stepped toward freedom, screaming about your breakout?”

“I considered it a distinct possibility, however slight.”

“You still fail to grasp your own insignificance. Do you honestly believe you pose such a threat right now? That Lucian Valdek would gamble with his reputation just to end your life a few days early?”

“….”

Norbeck felt a surge of anger at the stranger’s bluntness, yet no defense came to mind.

In reality, Norbeck’s current state was comparable to a fish laid out on a butcher’s block. Lucian had the luxury of time to dismantle him whenever he saw fit; there was absolutely no incentive for him to act prematurely and risk public scandal.

“It is fine to nurse your grudge, but do not let it blind you with conceit. It would be a pointless endeavor to rescue you if you simply go and ruin yourself because you are ignorant of your own constraints.”

“Blast it, will you hold your tongue? We have no idea when a patrol might stumble upon us. Shouldn’t we be moving?”

“Your point is taken, but I have already seen to the necessary arrangements.”

“Arrangements?”

“I will explain in due time. For the moment, let us follow your suggestion and depart.”

The figure draped in the dark cowl turned and began to guide the way. His stride was certain and practiced, suggesting he had meticulously mapped out the corridors of the White Palace.

Eventually, they managed to evade the sentries’ rounds and arrived at the foot of the high western rampart.

“Excellent. Now, consume this elixir.”

“An elixir?”

Norbeck scowled as a dubious pale vial was pressed toward him. Noting his obvious suspicion, the man offered an explanation.

“It is a collaborative work between a skilled alchemist and a specific sorcerer. Drinking this will provide you with a temporary, massive surge in physical power.”

“Why are you handing me this now?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Because we must scale this. Do you truly believe you can conquer this fortification with that withered frame of yours?”

The man rapped his knuckles against a segment of the stone, and only then did Norbeck spot a cord dangling from the summit to the earth. It seemed to have been anchored by a climbing hook, but the sheer verticality was daunting.

“…You intend for me to climb this wall?”

“Precisely. To be more specific, I shall ascend first to secure the line for you. Fasten the end around your midsection and make your way up.”

“You are out of your mind.”

The insult slipped from Norbeck’s lips before he could restrain it. To scale such a towering wall with nothing but a single rope? Such a feat would be grueling for a youth in his prime, let alone a man of his years.

“I am aware of your doubts, but remain calm. This elixir is genuinely that potent.”

“You claim such a miracle is possible through a single draught?”

“That is how I gained entry from the exterior. Though even that would have been a struggle if a mole on the inside hadn’t secured the hook and tossed the rope down for me.”

“Hmm.”

Despite the reasoning, Norbeck’s distrust lingered. If anything, his skepticism deepened. What if this was a toxin masquerading as medicine?

As Norbeck wavered, a sharp edge of irritation entered the man’s tone.

“What is the delay? Do you have no desire to be free?”

“…I wish to see you partake first. If it is a harmless brew, you should have no qualms about drinking it here and now, correct?”

“Tsk, what a tedious man.”

The figure in the black hood clicked his tongue and swallowed the liquid without a moment’s pause. His total lack of doubt actually caught Norbeck off guard, despite having made the request himself.

After finishing every drop in the vial, the man wiped his lips and spoke.

“Is your paranoia satisfied now? Here, take an identical one. Drink up.”

“….”

Left without a reason to decline, Norbeck glared at the vial for a heartbeat. Then, he pulled the stopper and gulped the contents in one motion.

This… this is the real thing.

Norbeck suppressed his shock as he peered down from the crest of the wall. Even with the other man assisting from above, it was nearly inconceivable that he had conquered this height in such a short window of time.

“Why are you idling? Move quickly while the potency remains.”

“I—I see.”

Norbeck gave a stiff nod at the man’s command. His manner had grown noticeably more respectful. A force capable of synthesizing such draughts and infiltrating the White Palace with spies was no trivial power.

“I will steady the rope, but you must descend on your own. Ensure it is tied tightly around your waist, just as we did during the ascent. It would be a pathetic end to perish in a fall after finally escaping your cell.”

“What am I to do once I reach the ground?”

“I have situated a mount, garments, and rations below. Mount the horse at once and ride for your ancestral lands. I have provided ample supplies, so they should sustain you until your arrival.”

“…Who are you, truly?”

Norbeck finally voiced the inquiry he had been struggling to keep buried. This individual displayed no deference toward the House of Calix, yet they were intimately familiar with the White Palace and possessed elite resources. No matter how he analyzed it, he could not identify which noble family held such influence.

The man let out a dry, mirthless chuckle, as if Norbeck’s curiosity was laughable.

“Do you honestly suspect I would reveal that to you?”

“I suppose not. It was a foolish question.”

“As long as you realize it. Just return home and dedicate yourself to your vengeance. Your days are numbered regardless; you might as well serve a purpose for someone else at the end of your life.”

“….”

Despite the overt mockery, Norbeck did not feel the sting of insult this time. The taunt itself held a vital clue.

He is not of the North.

If he were a man of the North, he would have sought regional stability. But this stranger seemed focused solely on obstructing Lucian’s path, even if it plunged the entire territory into turmoil. It wasn’t a complete answer, but it was a sufficient lead. If he was an outsider, he likely wouldn’t trouble Norbeck further.

“Farewell. I suspect our paths will not cross again.”

The man gave no verbal reply, merely waving him toward the descent.

A brief moment later, the silhouette of Norbeck galloping into the distance on a powerful horse came into focus. Only when he was certain Norbeck had vanished did the man pull back his hood and remove the mask.

“Give it your best effort, old fool. Not that you could ever hope to harm a single hair on His Highness’s head anyway.”

Thorkel laughed quietly for a long time before pulling the dark fabric back over his face. His objective was achieved; it was time to give his report.

The following morning, the report of Norbeck’s flight sent shockwaves through the White Palace.

While the Northern aristocracy was startled, they also found the news plausible. The White Palace had only been functional for a short time. Even Lucian, the sovereign of the estate, was not yet acquainted with every hidden passage. With the help of an internal traitor, a getaway would be relatively straightforward.

However, there was one individual who found the situation utterly intolerable: Glen.

“What is the meaning of this?! Norbeck Calix has vanished?!”

“It appears an accomplice tricked the guard and unlocked the cell. I am uncertain of the exact tactics used. I myself am not familiar with every dark corner of the White Palace.”

“No, who would have the audacity… Ugh!”

Faced with Lucian’s explanation, Glen could only let out a frustrated groan, unable to find further words. He understood better than anyone how long the White Palace had remained shuttered. With a drastic shortage of staff, many wings of the palace were practically derelict. If the plotters had utilized those empty spaces to coordinate, it was entirely feasible.

“Let us put aside the identity of the traitors for now. The House of Calix has been a fixture of the North for centuries. It is not shocking that a few loyalists would emerge. What truly matters is our next move.”

Lucian contemplated the map pinned to the wall with a serene look.

“Since Norbeck has fled, he is undoubtedly racing toward his own domain. Once there, he will mobilize his forces to defy us while proclaiming his innocence.”

“You are suggesting a civil war is imminent.”

“I wouldn’t be so certain. By this point, everyone recognizes that the House of Calix is a foundering vessel. If we can effectively debunk his lies, it will be a simple, one-sided crackdown.”

On the other hand, if his fabrications gained any traction, it would escalate into a genuine conflict. Glen grasped Lucian’s subtext and squeezed his eyes shut in frustration.

This is infuriating. If we move to relocate the mage now, it will look as though the Imperial family is betraying Lord Lucian.

The arguments regarding the mage’s presence had been weighed before, but with Norbeck at large, the danger had spiked. And now they were to whisk the mage away and leave Lucian to deal with the wreckage? It was a scandal that would justify immediately wiping away half the debts they had burdened him with.

“Even with his escape, your objective remains unchanged, Sir Glen. Tomorrow, you will simply request His Majesty’s verdict concerning the mage. I am relying on you.”

“…Understood.”

Glen gave a somber nod at Lucian’s composed tone. As the Lord said, there was no other path for him than to relay the news to the Emperor.

Shortly after Glen exited the study, another guest arrived.

“Your Highness. I have returned, having fulfilled the task you entrusted to me to perfection.”

Lucian gave a sharp snort at Thorkel’s bold claim.

“Perfection? Hardly. You promised to meet me at the feast, but you didn’t resurface until I had already departed for the Hundred-Day Hunt.”

“Well, that was… but I still executed the plan flawlessly!”

“Results matter little if the timing is wrong. Still, I suppose there is some merit in the fact that you have proven your utility.”

Thorkel let out a breath of relief at Lucian’s words, which felt like an unofficial pardon. Lucian signaled for Thorkel to take a seat before posing a question of interest.

“Your companion… the third son of the Beor family, was it? How does he fare now that he is the lord? Does he still claim to be my ally?”

“He has no other choice. Regardless of his bloodline or rights, a coup is still a coup. He is desperate for Your Highness’s endorsement to secure his position.”

“That is a comfort then. I was concerned his loyalty might waver once he occupied the seat of the family patriarch.”

“Waver? He would bow at your feet if you commanded it. You will see for yourself soon enough. But concerning yesterday….”

“Silence.”

Thorkel recoiled at the sudden drop in Lucian’s voice. At the same time, his survival instincts flared. If he pushed any further, the trust he had just clawed back would shatter once more.

“…The moon was exceptionally bright last night. I merely intended to say it was a pity we couldn’t appreciate it together.”

“The chance will come in time. Do you have anything further to report?”

“No. Instead, I shall listen closely whenever Your Highness speaks.”

“A wise response. You are dismissed.”

Just as Thorkel turned to leave the office, Lucian added a final thought as if it were an afterthought.

“Oh, you mentioned you drank that elixir, correct? You would be wise to take a thorough rest for the next few days.”

“Pardon? You claimed it wasn’t a toxin.”

“It is no poison, but because it forcefully extracts your latent vitality, the exhaustion and physical ache the following day are quite severe. If you overexert yourself simply because you feel energetic now, you will end up bedridden and miserable.”

In this age, it might be viewed as junk, but during a campaign, soldiers carried one as a final lifeline. It possessed almost no lasting side effects and was remarkably efficient in a crisis. However, without proper recuperation, those minor stresses could spiral into genuine health issues.

“…I will take that to heart.”

Thorkel exited the chamber with a slightly ashen face. Watching him depart, Lucian let out a soft laugh.

“He will be quite an asset with a bit more refinement.”

Perhaps because he had come so close to failure once, Thorkel had matured significantly. He had mastered the art of taming his temper and masking his feelings; all he lacked now was seasoning.

“Regardless, that old man is in for a wretched experience.”

He had allowed him his freedom, but the trek back to his lands would be grueling for an aged body. Initially, he would be overflowing with vigor, but later, every joint would scream in pain. If he reached his territory in that condition without the chance to recover, he was destined to break.

He had buried his son, ruined his name, and if his physical strength failed him as well, what would be left?

Instead of gathering allies, even his remaining supporters will scatter.

Such was the destiny of a leader who could no longer be trusted. Lucian took a sip of his tea and spoke softly to the empty room.

“Please, just cling to life a little longer.”

Because once I am finished with you, I will be the one to end you with my own hands.