Chapter 233
R0JkBPvWhile the Mercenary King was meeting with the regent of the Kingdom of Linelt and resting in the annex palace assigned to him, Fernan, accompanied by Hyde, was heading to one of the capital’s mansions.sJw
T8BIt was early in the afternoon, and the sun was already setting as dozens of carriages entered in a row. The different crests engraved on their coaches made it clear how many nobles were present.VCY0
wyTVY0“What luxury.”M0bNb
iI89v4v“It’s a banquet organized by the First Princess of the kingdom, what did you expect?”qSO
KRXrFernan had dyed his hair brown, styled it differently than usual, and partly covered his forehead. It was a way to disguise himself and conceal his identity to get close to the princess.O5yAaH
wJbxH“Hyde.”Ibyx
keUL“……”FveQy4
N0G“Hyde.”TD4R
UMRJ50D“……”PwrdTz2
fEkSd9“Lycaon.”QK4HzE
R6JD“Yes, young master.”Xwx
AOyqTgHyde finally responded.TeS
R0j“Who am I?”prtQ
0GNH“The second son of Viscount Dressel, young Ediz Dressel.”Dsmt7p
GgfzH7The Dressel family was a noble house that Pellenberg had established some time ago.yMa
KtmIt truly existed, and the second son was of similar age and eye color to Fernan.WLLTwHb
OEmS9CeIt wasn’t a perfect alibi, but it would suffice for this occasion.afE
bgnZ“Let’s go, Lycaon.”QgrDp
16ZliFernan put on the masquerade mask that covered his face. Just then the carriage stopped, and he stepped down.5ZjorA
4pPff“Yes, young Ediz.”OqP
dJgAfter all, that night’s banquet was a masquerade ball.WKxA
Qe7r***rbrfkZ
q0otThe ballroom was enormous, as if the entire mansion had been dedicated to the event. The turnout was large—nobles, their attendants, knights, and wealthy merchants.NoFvI
CM1sAll of them exuded an air of luxury and wealth, and as he observed them, Fernan couldn’t help but swallow.NuNl
CGfa“Lycaon, this is a gold mine.”3l0ANfX
4vKIt was almost certain that more than half of the Kingdom of Linelt’s key figures were gathered there.CSHxDid
CYfWfn“But they’re wearing masks. Can you recognize them anyway?”KQYAnq
mlTMlmY“A mask that covers half a face isn’t enough to conceal an identity.”llF
0htyaFrom their attire, gestures, and even the small visible details, he could deduce quite a bit. Some didn’t even try to hide—they wore rings with their family emblems.u9NLvN
bW9JP“It’s a shame I can’t talk business openly with them.”LYu43
jXj7JikHad he attended as Fernan Pellenberg, he could have discussed trade freely, but Ediz Dressel was just a carefree young noble with no interest in family affairs.NmN3I
AUCSekCFernan took a glass from a servant and moved to a corner of the hall.TgqoB7w
szxve“The princess hasn’t appeared yet.”1Fsr92k
IeGkN7Even while masked, someone of renown was always recognizable. So far, there had been no sign of her.y5KFKz
xmGuThen the herald’s voice rang out.PXbAd4N
DkjNq“Her Highness, the First Princess of Linelt, Lady of Harzen and Baroness of Belune, Yuli Linelt, makes her entrance!”kyscRv
u6A4kThe doors opened, and all eyes turned to her.Awan65W
wbNa3c“Wasn’t this a masquerade ball where identities were hidden?”qTMx
X37“Seems the hostess is the exception.”mqUpmF
ibyDLRWith skin so pale it was almost white, long platinum-blonde hair down to her waist, bright lilac eyes, and a matching dress that radiated elegance, Yuli Linelt was undeniably beautiful.nHObj3T
jWqgihKEven the mask couldn’t conceal her allure.YFwWV2
yLb2O7FAnnouncing her name while wearing a mask might’ve seemed comical, but within seconds she had captivated the entire hall.UFuqf
ok5O“Princess!”PftQe8
7d7XOC“As radiant as ever…!”4bpln
HqaEShe hadn’t taken more than a few steps before being surrounded by people. Meanwhile, Fernan calmly took a sip of his drink.Gem2u
p2m7NNL“Luina is more beautiful.”FPS
fSjki7j“You’re not even trying to hide it anymore, are you?”qZ0Yvqk
j8XP“What did you say?”qMkK
AIcA“That it’ll be difficult to approach her.”Tjp
ZYpS“Of course it’ll be difficult.”I0bc
gfmGjaEvery banquet had a main attraction—the one with the highest rank, the most wealth, or the greatest renown.hjYuf
BRHyThe evening was essentially a place for political networking, and the crowd always swarmed the most coveted figure.Z7S
lJxuVJNaturally, the princess would rarely be alone until the very end of the banquet.kJmKD
rLhPvEIBut events like this were long. Between drinks, conversations, snubs, and scandals, there always came a fleeting moment when opportunity presented itself.jyHVl80
YRkWUtc“Lycaon.”EK1
wN71“Yes, young master.”fZli
hYMFernan spotted someone among the guests. He didn’t know him in person, but he had seen that face more than once in the reports.a89cWvO
E9jaA man of striking appearance wore a mask, but the small scar on his cheek was unmistakable.Ct1e6
nqfW0j5“That’s the guy?”QA2zPTY
dwdSBa“Yes, he appears to be Viscount Kyren Excel.”NgfPJJP
I4xivbROne of the second prince’s trusted men, according to the Black Turtle’s report.k7FDJk
0dPwFA thirty-one-year-old young noble who had risen quickly to the rank of viscount.3Ivq4Lb
RLYJSince the princess had appeared, his gaze had been fixed on her.E2OlM
w9aSeFernan knew that expression well—greed. The same gleam he saw in merchants hungry for gold.fLGG
7kKBZ“What nerve. Staring at the princess like that at a masked ball?”CAO
U42Ak3Others would have at least pretended—but not him.kAQV1ve
w1i7bS“Yes, he lives just as he looks.”R0MP1
tg5“Let’s go.”58vfoj
yAM7“What do you plan to do?”XRYFxxA
U2qF2“One of the three is a corrupt. That’s my verdict.”jSy2NL2
kojiSo they had to investigate each of them.RrX6la
1pxOL7And find out which was the true enemy.0nNXm7
eeCBeeR***0ZwGMD
rBOZNNight had fully fallen and the moon had risen.iNu0fh
swpaiAcThe warm air gradually turned cooler.Tv7m
9985eYuli Linelt stepped out onto the terrace to escape the stifling banquet hall.7eN
5h10dpThe cold air brushed her skin, and the heat of the alcohol began to fade.qqQgtRT
d6BA“Fuu.”gdjj
LG6ho3She signaled to her guardian knight, who bowed and blocked the terrace entrance.exPR
fIuNoShe had felt overwhelmed the entire evening and wanted a moment of peace alone.bwvsETK
O6qCd7V“How much longer must I keep doing this…?”KvLQGtm
uFTHow many times had it been now?Ue0
aDDCShe hosted at least two banquets per week—so many she’d lost count.FugQg5
hGhAnd those endless parties were slowly devouring everything she had built.dYN
6FnQIn front of her, they laughed and praised her, but behind her back, they called her “the princess blinded by vanity,” “the princess crazy for luxury and pleasure.”NnKld6
ynI2r9With the king sick and demons and cultists spreading chaos across the continent, the rumors only grew.YrMj
pppEEven so, Yuli couldn’t stop. Just as none of it had started by her own will, she couldn’t end it by her will either.Ig85
2PbEJ“Then whose will is it?”Z9B
6IwC8A sudden voice made her shiver and turn around.8kJ
gq6quThere were three men.ZuZ2B
bfykOne with brown hair and red eyes.3iC5
X9PAnother with blue hair and brown eyes.ufSS4n7
dux4And the last with blue hair and black eyes.Sv3KzB
F2WAll three wore masquerade masks, but Yuli immediately recognized one.AW9Oq
SkQBG6G“Viscount Kyren Excel?”N7R
XHFaC“The viscount is resting a bit. He drank too much.”JBpce78
AeA5zSzThe brown-haired man calmly settled the dazed Kyren in a corner of the terrace, which only made the princess more nervous.6q1jwO
oSxPD“Gua—”LVLJVaS
CqCYe“I beg you not to call your guard and cause a scene. Technically, we were already here. Your Highness entered afterward.”XSFhjsY
yBMSkfHe wasn’t wrong.M12no
1cxH“Hiding like rats in silence?”9YKZiu3
6pndC“Let’s say we were having a secret conversation with the viscount. Though, with how drunk he is, who knows if he’ll remember any of it tomorrow.”uzkiacf
4ELR2W“Who are you?”MqWb
lpcvm6n“Allow me to introduce myself formally.”nUFi
NDpVWThe man bowed his head.KouT
I3s“I am Ediz Dressel, second son of Viscount Dressel. And this is my servant and most trusted guard.”nk7KzrN
yDYON0The supposed Ediz smiled, but to the princess, that smile was pure falsehood.01lsA0
nsS“That’s a lie.”Vrz
s8bShe knew instantly—that man was lying.lJEQw5
oGnxVU4“And if it were?”clGM1
4TySYw“I’ve already met Ediz Dressel. And his voice wasn’t this.”aYYDnm
7avUhA“I am he.”WRpKV3V
SauVf2“Then show me your face. I remember it well.”q4S66n1
N4hIN“Your Highness is very distrustful.”EHi
7OiBThe man sighed.vymJdRU
u8atCW“Didn’t I tell you it didn’t match? I should’ve forced my voice more.”Q6ax
VZmsc“How could I lower it any further? I’d sound like a golem.”Quo
e9wAY“Acting is never easy.”KJh
YKwfR“True. Nothing is simple. Everything is done for money, and there’s nothing harder than earning it.”CFq
NX9j6o9The sudden exchange made Yuli frown.jpe
KXgCUZM“…What are you doing?”G0Os
t6lDQd0“My apologies.”Ovcm
LVFThe man bowed again.L1nRps1
iHDbXsl“But first, would you make me a promise?”PbF
b6uwilTHe paused before finishing the gesture.UMl
yEhMZ“What kind?”W622A
HSYXLj“That you won’t reveal my identity to anyone.”b9Nj3
m6G1“And why should I?”DaPQD
7OMYF“Because…”UXzHN
FphHv96Their eyes met, and Yuli felt as if she were being stripped bare. It was a gaze that saw everything.VwKyxvU
yqN“Because only then will you be able to achieve what you desire most.”Ba8Irfh
zR9HA“……!”Zbaae8
Pv8FA chill ran down her spine.EBhkB
Vuefw“…Who are you really?”jxzQ0zJ
kfd“I’ll take that as a yes, and introduce myself properly, Your Highness.”H4nxry
4RoWNmAHis brown hair slowly turned black.zHZgjD
poKNF“I am Fernan Pellenberg.”wCSdUm2
YBA“Fernan… Pellenberg?”teIea0
RPpYuli’s eyes widened.8adyYaN
Ya94How could she not know that name?ZF7
wq6zFnEven before the demons rose, that house was already famous.2xc2
Q6fhXb1Now, fighting cultists and demons, its renown had grown to the point that many considered Fernan, alongside Aint, one of the most feared men by humanity’s enemies.nYudFT
RZjHt“What is Fernan Pellenberg doing here…?”ssODui5
8ucVZX“It’s a long story.”rTd4
A1QvD“……”CaR8b8
ua5PFVWThe princess was confused.Lqpi5S
pDGsobWas this truly Fernan Pellenberg?IzhzP6
vxIfWhy had he come looking for her?N77Z
6cGVTjBut amid that confusion, she clung to a thread of hope.8xce0
J5x“Only then will you be able to achieve what you desire most.”AMeX3
nCmTThat gaze that pierced through everything. That man claimed with certainty that he could fulfill her wish.HMXc1
L0f4Then, if it were true—xUxkwP
F3TAPN“Allow me to introduce myself as well. I am Yuli Linelt, First Princess of the Kingdom of Linelt.”2Ur
juS6wqsShe lowered her head slightly.Xcy
mvRpOFor a moment, Fernan hesitated.STT2Bw9
b7RYVxThere was a brief silence, and receiving no reply, Yuli looked up in confusion.L1tjM
FdD“An honor to meet you, Your Highness.”oPD0oic
G2EJHe finally responded.O8yxgx8
9IB5e6t“And the reason I sought you out is one alone.”EzYQks
UBdMxHis face seemed a bit paler—was it just her imagination?OJozV
QDbZRB“To eradicate the corrupt who have infiltrated the Kingdom of Linelt.”obk1Q
6sZYuli wasn’t surprised.t5eqIhA
8Sx6That was exactly what she most wanted to hear.7Eeoy7p
Zra***5hFSyF
9JMNThe world turned upside down.RSrkmq
w3ES[“I am Yuli Linelt.”]Z2HzG2m
LKwWith her long platinum hair, snow-white skin, and bright lilac eyes, Yuli Linelt was dazzling.tyU20
M49DIb9But her eyes were dead.3ptOYP4
nidBOMNot even a rotting fish looked so hollow.kOC
qwMR8y[“The princess of the Kingdom of Linelt…?”Y21aF
8dgIi“That kingdom no longer exists. It fell to blood. Aint Armian, they say you’re a hero. And your appearance confirms it.”9Mw
o9R7Qtf“That title is too grand for me.”5kaAo
zHIWK“False modesty is just another form of arrogance.”]vzrfYR
UtZdrso‘Aint Armian?’p88Fjnl
kwTB4uAint stood before her. More mature, stronger than he was now.LJ4a
GniJMh3[“The 62nd demon, Valac, has descended. The palace fell first, and the kingdom was bathed in blood. There is no longer anything called Linelt on this continent.”X8w2
nutfT“…I’ve heard the news. It’s regrettable…”TEK
Iu6nYm“I don’t need comfort. It means nothing.”]sxxIA
YeNPGShe cut him off, shaking her head.HGQvO
c4spUG[“I heard Armian is breaking a hundred-year seal to gather troops and fight the demons.”0g3oHC
oKbV7“That’s right.”PrP7
XdbD2B“I firmly believe that one day you will exterminate them all. I believe in Armian’s fame as the natural enemies of demons.”]j4e
KZ1ZJYuli’s eyes gleamed with blind faith. As if depending on it to go on living.cejk6wX
8Vjn[“Yes. We will succeed. This world belongs to humanity.”k9uB6n4
QRS“I am weak. I know nothing of swords or magic. I could only run while my parents and brother died to the demons.”lJ92rG
6ooBut—VtM
CMR“I will not sit idly by.”]Bd1E0Px
47KbBlood-tears ran down her cheeks. Her clenched fists also bled.zNb9Eyq
YCpcR4u[“There’s a secret royal vault in a foreign land. Full of gold and jewels.”hM2
pdHyIhAll of it—Q78Sg5
xoK“I will invest in Armian. I ask for only one thing.”]YdT5
o4WxYuli Linelt’s words were poison.QQA8
gLFDND[“The death of demon number 62, Valac. And the head of Count Patrick Pirandello, the corrupt who led the Kingdom of Linelt to ruin.”]0aVe5s7
BXvVAoGThe prophetic vision ended there.Uo9
Caj“Ugh… my head! As if everything didn’t already hurt…”SoMdu
liGbpUWhen Gismond returned to reality, he was rolling across the floor of the training hall.U8Z
n230s“Are you all right, senior? You suddenly spaced out.”EGPy
0pZAint Armian, who had knocked him down, was holding out a hand.9z2P
mLaLiq“It’s nothing.”FRWON
ezKFThe pain of the prophecy was such that even Aint’s blows felt like relief.disM
sFUff‘Fernan met with Yuli Linelt…’KPr
PUwncqThey had already introduced themselves, just like with Ahgrot.L2kjH
iNQwb‘And that secret royal treasure…’VkFIB
mTpThere was no doubt—Fernan would never let that prize go.WkLD
hrXDBrpGismond fell silent, praying for the soul of Linelt’s royal bloodline, soon to be stripped down to its last coin.X27d
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