Chapter 75

Chapter 75
Tyrian stared at Deus, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.

The man had shattered the office door of the detached palace and marched inside without a moment’s pause, appearing utterly deranged to any onlooker.

Tyrian opened his mouth to speak at once, yet—

“!?”

He quickly understood that any words would be wasted.

The knights, his constant guards, were already lying unconscious before the ruined doorway.

Shocked, Tyrian looked at Deus Macallian with a face full of utter bewilderment.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“I only came to seek an answer.”

“An answer to what?”

“I have heard you are conspiring against Count Palatio. Is this correct?”

Deus’s question was delivered with an icy, penetrating stare, and Tyrian was briefly silenced.

‘This killing intent…! No matter how rebellious his nature, he is still a knight. But this aura isn’t something Deus is forcing—it’s simply a part of him,’ Tyrian realized, his face showing both shock and a faint scowl.

“Well? What of it?”

“I want you to reverse your decision.”

Hearing this, Tyrian looked directly into Deus’s eyes.

“Hah—”

He released a breath of empty laughter.

“And why would I do that?”

“…”

Deus continued to watch Tyrian with unwavering focus.

The faint pressure of his intent to kill pressed down on Tyrian, who soon comprehended the reality of the moment and curled his lip in contempt, as if dismissing the entire affair as ridiculous.

“Is this a threat?”

“I am speaking plainly. I have no desire to start a rebellion or to threaten you. I simply—”

“Simply what?”

“—wished to inform you that the architectural flaws in this detached palace could lead to the heir’s death.”

The words, ‘That is a threat, you fool,’ were on the tip of Tyrian’s tongue, but he found he could not speak them.

Deus’s eyes were clearly those of a man stating a simple fact.

‘He is completely serious…!’

As a chill of sweat ran down his spine, Deus spoke again.

“Will you reconsider your decision?”

“And if I refuse?”

Believing Deus would never commit such an insane act, Tyrian challenged him, but upon hearing his answer, Deus simply muttered, “I see,” with a tone of mild regret.

He then swung his hand in a casual, almost offhand gesture.

Crack!

“!?!”

A purple line shot through the entire structure of the detached palace.

In moments, the interwoven lines spread like a vast spiderweb across the building—

Creeeeak~!!

A dreadful groaning, a sound that should never be heard in a palace of such stature, began to resonate through the air.

“The crack in the 8th pillar, which has been present for 18 years, has just failed under the stress and collapsed.”

“!?”

A voice, calm and instructional, rang out.

Deus looked at Tyrian with a profoundly sorrowful expression and began to clench his fist, as if to signify the end of their discussion.

“Wa-wait—!!!”

“What is it?”

“I’ll retract it! I will retract the decision!”

At Tyrian’s desperate shout, the shuddering palace abruptly grew still, as if nothing had ever been amiss.

“…It appears the issue was not so severe after all.”

Hearing these words, Tyrian, who wore a look of pure disbelief, let out a heavy, relieved sigh.

‘If I can just make it through this alive…!’ he secretly vowed to himself.

However, Deus, his face now returned to its typical detached neutrality, spoke up.

“Then we must agree on the account we will give.”

“What account?”

“The reason I was forced to enter the palace with such violence is because the heir made unwanted advances toward my younger sister.”

Tyrian’s mouth fell open in sheer disbelief at these words.

“Fine, we’ll say that,” he finally agreed with a nod.

After all, he had no intention of truly yielding to Deus’s demands.

‘Once he is gone, I will find a way to handle this…,’ he thought to himself, already scheming to use the situation to ruin Deus after his departure.

A cunning smile began to form on his face, but Deus went on.

“One more thing. If you are entertaining any other plans, I suggest you think again.”

Unfortunately, Tyrian’s malicious scheme was preempted by Deus’s next statement.

“Unless, of course, you wish for rumors to circulate regarding the heir’s significant ties to underground organizations from abroad.”

“…How could you know…!?”

It was a crippling strike.

For Tyrian, who still hungered for the throne, this was a secret that must never reach the royal palace, and especially not the king’s ears.

And with that, Deus delivered his final line.

“I trust you will choose wisely.”

Having said all he came to say, Deus turned and exited the palace.

Tyrian, now alone, could only gaze vacantly at the doorway.

“Arrrgh!!!”

Blind with fury, he seized his office chair and hurled it against the wall.

Roughly a day later, a rumor began to circulate through the royal palace—

The dishonorable prince had accosted the younger sister of Deus Macallian.

***

Meanwhile, in Caliban,

Alon met with Rine in Merd without the troubles of his last journey and finally succeeded in having the insignia appraised, which had been his initial purpose.

“Here it is, godfather.”

“My thanks.”

“I am the one who should be thanking you, godfather.”

“Your happiness is my own.”

Taking the insignia from Rine, Alon noticed her toying lightly with a fountain pen, a subtle smile playing on her lips, and he nodded, content.

‘I would have brought it earlier if I had known it would please her so much.’

Seeing Rine’s faint smile, Alon reflected.

‘Is it my imagination, or does her face show more life than before?’

Perhaps it was her unusually bright mood, but the emotions on her face seemed clearer and more present than during his previous visit.

The thought was brief, however, as Alon remembered a piece of news he had heard earlier.

Yet, he quickly dismissed it.

‘Rine would never do something like that.’

From his point of view, at least, Rine did not seem the type to kill over a simple insult.

‘Surely not, right?’

Abruptly, Alon thought of the son of the Lord of Lartania.

Some time later, Alon rose to his feet.

“I believe we should conclude a little early today.”

“Are you departing already, godfather?”

“Yes, a matter requires my prompt attention.”

Noting that the sun was still well above the horizon, Alon decided to take his leave of Rine sooner than planned.

With the insignia appraisal finished, he had no further reason to remain in Lartania.

As he made ready to go, Alon suddenly said, “Ah.”

“What is it, godfather?”

“Would it be possible to acquire an artifact like this?”

After he described what he was looking for, Rine thought for a moment and then nodded.

“Yes, I believe I can obtain that kind of artifact immediately… Shall I procure it for you?”

“Please.”

She moved with efficiency and soon returned with a box holding the artifact he had asked for.

“Here you are, godfather.”

“Thank you. What is the cost?”

“There is no charge. It was not very expensive to begin with. Please accept it as a gift.”

Hearing this, Alon hesitated for a second before nodding in acceptance.

“Then I will accept it with gratitude.”

“Of course, godfather. Should you require anything else, please do not hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

With that final conversation, Alon concluded his short stay in Lartania and set out once more.

And.

Watching Alon’s carriage slowly vanish into the distance, Rine turned her gaze toward the lord’s castle of Lartania.

“There is not much time remaining.”

She whispered the words under her breath.

***

It was the fifth day since departing Lartania.

With only about a day’s journey left to reach the port city of Raksas…

“…The sea.”

“It’s the sea…”

The ocean came into view outside the carriage window.

As the water gradually revealed itself beyond the trees, Alon stared absently at the sight.

“Stop!”

A man suddenly moved to block the carriage’s path.

Wearing a pointed hat that marked him as a wizard, a blue-haired boy with a supremely haughty expression addressed Evan.

“You, there. Provide me with some food.”

“?”

Evan was bewildered by the boy who had materialized in the forest’s center and begun speaking so familiarly.

Perhaps the boy found Evan’s confused look irritating.

“Are you deaf?”

The boy scowled and raised his voice further.

Hearing the disturbance outside, Alon leaned out the window to see the boy obstructing their path.

“Ah, are you the one in charge? I was having difficulties with the servant, but this is ideal. Can you share some food?”

The boy made his request for provisions as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world, his expression cheerful.

Alon was momentarily stunned by the sheer nerve, but then asked,

“…And you are?”

With a pompous “Hmm!”, the boy put on a self-important face and announced,

“I am Felin, a wizard of the third rank from the Tower of the Blue Wizard!”

He introduced himself with immense theatricality.

Alon was speechless at Felin’s smug demeanor, which only encouraged Felin to act more boldly.

“You must understand that receiving a wizard’s favor is a rare privilege. And now, that valuable chance has been granted to you.”

“…Is that so?”

“Absolutely! Though I say it myself, I am unquestionably a genius, even if not quite the equal of my elder sister.”

‘So you should secure my favor with food!’—Felin declared with audacity.

As Alon considered how to deal with this child…

“Hey, Felin! I told you not to run off ahead!!”

A familiar voice called from a nearby thicket.

Though it had been some time since he last heard it, Alon knew its owner instantly.

Turning toward the bushes, Alon saw Penia step out.

“Are you really going to keep doing whatever you want? I swear, I’m going to knock some manners into you!” she yelled at Felin in exasperation.

But the moment she saw Alon’s face looking out from the carriage window—

“…Huh?”

—her body went completely rigid.

“Don’t fret, elder sister. We’re about to get some food—”

Felin, unaware of the situation, started to speak again.

CRACK!

“Gah!?”

Penia’s eyes flashed as she brought her staff down on Felin’s head with blinding speed.

Felin plummeted face-first to the ground.

Then—

“I-I beg your forgivenessnn!!!”

Penia dropped to the ground, prostrating herself in a deep bow of apology.

“…?”

“…?”

Alon and Evan could only look on in silent astonishment.