Chapter 241

Aint and the Black Turtle men returned safely to the refuge.

With them also came the First Prince, who was still not in stable condition, neither physically nor mentally. He was unconscious and was immediately placed in a special room.

Aint and one of the Black Turtle men entered to report to Fernan.

“Senior, we’re back.”

“Come in.”

Fernan was going over a pile of documents on the table.

“And the First Prince?”

“We rescued him.”

“Good. Anything unusual?”

“In fact, we have much to report about that.”

Fernan’s expression hardened upon hearing the report.

“…You’re saying another demon contractor appeared?”

“Yes, young master.”

A contractor. Not just a pawn manipulated by demons, but someone who forged a contract with them on equal terms.

Gardner Alfenparsen, the first Royal Knight, had already said that only the Colomo bloodline could seal such contracts.

That’s why they were considered extremely dangerous enemies, and it was believed they’d be few.

But to encounter a second contractor so soon—this wasn’t something that could be overlooked.

“What was he like?”

“In terms of power…”

After finishing his report, the Black Turtle man withdrew. Fernan was left deep in thought.

An adversary of that level… What could he be compared to? A Royal Knight?

“And what do you think, Aint?”

There was no need to speculate alone when he had the fighter who faced him directly.

“He was strong. The strongest I’ve fought alone.”

“…That much?”

“Yes. In fact, if it weren’t for the help you gave me, I would’ve definitely lost.”

Fernan felt satisfied with that response.

Investment was always more satisfying when it yielded returns. And Aint was a product worth investing in.

‘The strongest he’s faced so far…’

Since he said “alone,” the demons were excluded from comparison. Fernan reviewed in his mind the enemies Aint had faced solo before.

“What do you think would happen if Luina fought him?”

At that question, Luina flinched slightly.

“I’m not sure. He said Armian’s light worked weaker against him than against other corrupt and demons, but it wasn’t entirely ineffective.”

Also, Luina didn’t have Armian’s power. That difference would be crucial.

“But I can’t imagine him defeating you, senior.”

That was unexpected. Fernan had thought there would only be guards from the Second Prince—but to find such a monster hidden away.

And now that he was dead, how would Pirandello react?

Whether or not he was truly of Colomo’s lineage, a contractor was a being of another category, vastly different from the corrupt that Garrett Schreiner was eliminating with the Red Wolves at the Second Prince’s request.

That man was dead, and the First Prince had been freed.

Given previous experience, it wouldn’t be strange for Pirandello to make a drastic decision immediately.

And so it happened.

Thanks to the information Wooden was constantly sending, Fernan knew that Pirandello was trying to meet with the Second Prince.

And with Garrett at his side, the outcome was obvious a disaster.

“Wooden.”

Fernan decided to act according to the changed situation.

“Take them all down. Leave not a single one.”

— Kyuung.

“And the shield?”

“It’ll be ready soon.”

— Kyu!

Wooden left surveillance and headed toward the six mansions.

Fernan stood up.

“Hyde, how’s the First Prince?”

“I just finished a preliminary check, but after years of being under drugs and corrupt magic, his condition is not good.”

The drugs, corruption, and malnutrition had wreaked havoc on his body.

“For now, we’re feeding him well and have a healing mage working on him.”

“And the corrupt magic?”

“Same, young master.”

“Then let’s go see him. We’ll check his condition, and then I need to head to the meeting with the Mercenary King.”

Count Pirandello and the Second Prince had agreed to meet at a villa near the capital.

It was best to observe directly to decide what to do.

In the worst case, maybe he’d have to flee with Garrett. It might be a blow to his pride, but if Pirandello proved as dangerous as the contractor Aint had defeated, they couldn’t underestimate him.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

And what they found upon going to see the First Prince was—

“…Is it really necessary to do it this way?”

“There’s no other way to purge the corrupt magic.”

“If Aria or Verian saw this, they’d insist on doing it themselves.”

“There’s no safer method. It’s been proven many times.”

“How awful.”

“Ggghhhruuuuhhh…!”

The First Prince was being forcibly submerged in holy water, with his head held beneath the sacred liquid.

***

At the royal villa near the capital.

“Your Highness Regent, Count Pirandello has arrived.”

Gerlan Linelt, Second Prince and regent of the Kingdom of Linelt, fiddled with an empty cup.

Though he had already drunk two, his lips still felt dry.

“Let him in.”

He took a deep breath and nodded. Moments later, the door opened.

A man with dark blue hair and black eyes entered. His muscular build resembled that of a seasoned warrior.

“Your Highness Regent.”

“Count Pirandello, take a seat.”

“Yes.”

“What would you like to drink? Coffee? Black tea? Green tea?”

“Black tea with milk, please.”

A cup with milk already mixed in was promptly served. Count Pirandello sipped it calmly.

“Was everything well in your domain?”

“Not quite. But thanks to Your Highness’s consideration, at least I returned.”

There were thorns in those words, but Gerlan pretended not to notice. After another sip, the Count spoke.

“Do you remember the first time we met, Your Highness?”

“I do. About six years ago, right?”

“Yes, exactly. It was six years ago, in summer. An unbearably hot summer.”

That day, the sun was blazing. The royal banquet was being held at the palace, and that was when the Second Prince met Patrick Pirandello, who was not yet a count.

“I remember Your Highness did not look pleased at the time. You had many complaints against His Majesty the King and your brother, the First Prince.”

Why should a less capable heir get the throne just because he was the eldest?

The Second Prince could not accept it, but the King would not yield to his complaints.

It was in that context that he met Patrick Pirandello.

“Your Highness said you wanted to become king, and I responded that I would follow you. That I would make you king no matter what. Do you remember what you said to me then?”

“I don’t remember.”

“No, that’s not true.”

Count Pirandello shook his head.

“You remember it well. Come on, answer me.”

“I told you, I don’t know.”

“Then I’ll say it. Your words were, ‘If you make me king, I’ll do whatever you want.’”

“……”

Gerlan fell silent, lips pressed tightly. His eyes locked onto Pirandello’s, filled with unease.

“But tell me something.”

The Count placed the empty cup on the table with a sharp clink. His aura turned ominous.

“Why are you lying?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said the method didn’t matter. That if I could make you king, you trusted me and would be grateful. That I could do anything to help you get the throne.”

“I never said that.”

“Then why?”

Crack—. His pale fingers pierced the thick wooden table.

“Did you change your mind?”

His fingers went completely through the surface.

“Is it because His Majesty shows no signs of recovery, and the First Prince is already finished? Am I in your way now?”

As much as people change their minds, this was too much.

“Are you threatening me? I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Just as Your Highness knows I’m a contractor, I also know perfectly well what you’ve been doing.”

“So it’s true. You really are corrupt.”

The corrupt called themselves “demon contractors.” That was practically a confession.

“You knew already, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t! If I had known you were corrupt, I would’ve never worked with you.”

“Sure, believe whatever you want. You’re the one who made your father sick and drove your brother insane.”

But it was Your Highness who chose it.

“You accepted when I told you I could drive the First Prince mad. You also accepted when I proposed making the King sick.”

“That’s slander. So you’re saying you did all of it yourself?”

The Second Prince growled in anger, but Pirandello let out a short laugh.

“Who is it?”

“What?”

“Who’s the one who planted those ideas in your head?”

“Nonsense…”

“I told you already. Just as you know me, I know you.”

Gerlan Linelt was someone who never moved without being sure there was a chance.

That’s why he had waited patiently until a real opportunity to aim for the throne appeared.

And in his current state, the Second Prince didn’t have enough power to eliminate Pirandello and his followers.

The fact that he was acting anyway meant someone had convinced him.

Someone had whispered in his ear and pushed him to move.

“So stop beating around the bush and tell me who it was.”

His voice changed, his tone too.

“I can’t keep putting up with this.”

At that low and sharp warning, the Second Prince’s face turned pale.

“A corrupt dares to threaten me? I won’t yield!”

He shouted at the top of his lungs.

“You’ve crossed the line. Way too far. Galberts may have been clumsy, but at least he was loyal.”

“What nonsense is that? You’re the one who crossed the line. I gave you too much freedom, and now you’ve lost all sense. I’m a prince of the realm—regent, no less—and you’re nothing but a pest wearing the face of the real Patrick Pirandello.”

“Oh? So you figured it out? Impressive. And yet you didn’t hesitate to poison your father and drive your brother mad. I’m not the corrupt one. You are.”

“Guards!”

The Prince shouted. The door burst open and knights and soldiers stormed in.

Pirandello crossed his arms, watching calmly, as if curious to see how far this would go.

“A corrupt has infiltrated the kingdom! Kill that man!”

“Is it you?”

Even with dozens of spears and swords pointed at him, Pirandello’s eyes locked onto a single man.

Among them was one whose face was covered by a helmet and whose weapon was different—a spear.

“Are you the one who planted those ideas in the Prince’s head?”

“Not exactly. Honestly, this complicates things a lot. I only came because someone asked for help for a moment, but I wasn’t expecting this kind of mess.”

“Who are you? Someone like you must have a known name.”

“When you ask someone else’s name, it’s only right to give yours first, disgusting corrupt.”

“That tone, that spear… I know who you are.”

The Mercenary King.

“So you came after killing Kimaris.”

The Mercenary King removed his helmet.

“That’s right. And I find it curious how someone like you isn’t more well-known.”

“Because I’m not interested in titles or glory fabricated by that filthy empire.”

“Your Highness Regent.”

“W-What?”

The Second Prince, now hiding behind Garrett, responded, trembling.

“This will cost more.”

The numbers didn’t add up.

“I didn’t expect to have to face someone with Royal Knight strength who’s not a demon.”

Garrett tightened his grip on his spear.

“Everyone, get out if you want to live.”

──!

Garrett’s spear shot toward Patrick Pirandello’s head.

And from the Count’s back, a surge of black magic erupted.

──!