Chapter 98
oYh5Q“There really is no one.”Hfi
XYcxNorvek looked at the empty entrance to the underground prison as he spoke. At his words, the man let out a short laugh behind the mask.AytKM
5HWUUJ“What’s wrong? Were you expecting them to shout ‘Escape!’ the moment you stepped out and kill you on the spot?”wLYs7
npSTn“I thought there was a slight chance.”4YXmUY
tPNlT“You still don’t understand your situation. Do you really think you’re now someone so dangerous that Lucian Valdeck would have to kill you immediately, even at the cost of staining his honor?”ALK0X5
i4O“…”F9UB
vgxRT36The man’s words made Norvek feel a tight knot in his chest, but he didn’t respond.IP9m
mbwTvMeIn reality, his current situation was no different from that of a fish on the cutting board.JWM
oPHasVAll it took was a little time to slice him up calmly—there was no reason to rush and dirty one’s hands with dishonor.CHf5JJe
aTV“It’s fine to thirst for revenge, but if you become too arrogant, that’s a problem. If you lose control and destroy yourself, it won’t have been worth rescuing you from there.”MEYw
TjVblRe“Damn it, don’t you know how to shut up? We don’t know when someone might show up. Shouldn’t we get moving already?”0BWoI
HTnOd“You’re not wrong, but I already left something prepared.”qD2ToRI
q7y“Prepared?”dAliJRR
RkD“I’ll explain it later. For now, let’s do what you just said and move.”2MQT
YVaVThe man in the black cloak turned around again and moved forward. He seemed to have known the layout of the White Palace for a long time, as there was no hesitation in his steps.J8mFaj
ou31IShortly after, having exited the guard patrol area, they arrived at the base of the western wall.oJFo
BPit“Alright. Now drink this potion.”M9kY
oly“A potion?”fKbi
flNYiuSeeing the small white and suspicious vial offered to him, Norvek frowned. The man continued explaining, as if anticipating his reaction.zcg8
xXMo5Ji“It’s a potion created by an alchemist and a mage working together. After drinking it, your physical strength will greatly increase for a short period.”qH8BhEO
i21“And why are you giving me something like this all of a sudden?”MzQ7c
WGmBT“Why do you think? Because we need to climb up there. Do you think that old body of yours can scale this wall?”zyU
V27NJnQThe man tapped the wall a couple of times, and Norvek then noticed the rope hanging from the top to the ground, seemingly anchored with a hook from above. The problem was the height.76lu
HniDPm“…You’re telling me we’re going to climb this wall?”SxzBFuc
aGe“Exactly. I’ll go up first and secure the rope. Then you’ll tie it around your waist and climb the rest.”SUB7uym
EtqVM4h“You’re insane.”0ER
1Ija0VVThe insult escaped Norvek without thinking. Climbing such a tall wall using only a rope was impossible even for a young and strong man—let alone him.LS5sC
99KP5o“I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. This potion is that effective.”urFOK
2sagW“Are you saying that just drinking a potion lets someone pull off such a feat?”eCfi
kxFK“I climbed this very wall from the other side myself. Of course, without an inside collaborator to place the hook and drop the rope, even that wouldn’t have been possible.”6suZGz
8iUZt“Hmm.”9NA
ClcoEven with the explanation, Norvek’s distrust didn’t fade. On the contrary, it intensified. ‘What if this isn’t a potion, but poison?’j58BM
S9X2Gs4When Norvek kept hesitating, the man’s tone turned impatient.EplMmMi
vYaSi39“What are you doing? Don’t you want to escape?”rw3p
nqxwa“…I want to see you drink it first. If it’s safe, there should be no problem with you taking it right here.”g9o
sn6mBS“Tsk. What a pain.”2HU
KR0The man in the black cloak clicked his tongue and downed the potion in one go.2SP
2gMmbO7His action—so direct and without hesitation—startled Norvek. The man emptied the vial to the last drop, wiped his mouth, and said.2j9V
wko“Are your doubts cleared now? Here, take this identical one. Drink it.”0Z6h
WIM“…”XtQ5pL7
v9kWYxZWithout a valid excuse to refuse, Norvek stared silently at the potion.VUxaU
nMbs03Finally, he uncorked the bottle and poured the entire contents down his throat in one gulp.yWLfSPc
tZcq***q7LH
98y4‘This is… real.’Zt5J
WGWNorvek swallowed hard, holding back his amazement as he looked down from atop the wall.dTiRsqg
vY5yxyEven if he had been hoisted from above, it was hard to believe he had climbed such a height in so little time.Eh2y
SsMjyB“What are you doing? Hurry while the potion’s effect is still active.”vDA6Gq
skJnjM“Y-yes, understood.”qur1vL
hE6At the man’s prompting, Norvek nodded. Unlike before, his tone had grown a bit more respectful.apOn
fp8zsEoIf they had been able to prepare such a potion, infiltrate collaborators, and know the internal layout of the White Palace, they were no ordinary force.VWr
cohc“I’ll hold the rope, so descend by yourself. Don’t forget to tie it tightly around your waist like you did before climbing. It’d be ridiculous to escape prison only to die from falling.”srsLCTZ
hiCqHw6“And what do I do once I’m down?”wRGCw
r9O78“I’ve prepared a horse, clothes, and provisions down there. Mount up immediately and ride to your territory. There are enough supplies to last until you return.”hmo
Y532OWj“…Who are you?”U7mb
hTlaXUTNorvek finally asked something he’d decided not to. He showed no respect for House Calix, yet he knew the White Palace in detail, had potions ready, and even had internal collaborators.8Ej
kMssNo matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t imagine what house could wield such power.0qj
py9HYIThe man let out a dry laugh, as if the question was absurd.CVJ
MvrM3H“You think I’ll tell you?”yX3i7
5B7“No. It was an unnecessary question.”rTbJ5jn
I6qn“That’s enough. Go back and dedicate yourself to your revenge. A life that doesn’t have much time left… at least let it be of use to someone in the end.”dwsU8
2QA1Qe9“…”G3f
GavyjThis time, not even such a direct mockery made Norvek angry. There was useful information hidden in those words.VPd9y
qkGWe‘He’s not from the North.’AbjXam
fDjM6If he were, he would at least want the North’s stability. But the man before him seemed to value obstructing Lucian’s path more, even if it plunged the North into chaos.aWPi3M9
FvvIt wasn’t absolute certainty, but it was enough information.22Zjp8
E1w0If he was an outsider, he wouldn’t interfere with Norvek again.oNA
HQNlOrZ“Take care. We won’t meet again.”Zxj
GSQThe man didn’t respond and simply gestured, hurrying him to go down. Shortly after, Norvek, riding a sturdy horse, was galloping away at full speed.8kGPv9U
mhdOnly when he confirmed that Norvek had disappeared did the man remove his hood and mask.Ja3eD
q5rqkyF“Do your best, old man. Though even so, you won’t be able to lay a finger on His Highness.”v8oi
yJuwTorkel let out a muffled laugh for a moment and put the black hood back on.qeNT3qP
FqtNMIThe mission had been successfully completed—it was time to report.9UnXpL
j8ZL***iMTOf
3FR1IThe next day, the news of Norvek’s escape shook the White Palace. The northern nobles were shocked, yet still nodded, saying it was something perfectly plausible.aEBFG
GorFpCThe palace had only recently been reopened. Not even Lucian, its current owner, fully knew the internal structure, so with internal collaborators, escaping wouldn’t have been too difficult.d1P
YA7efPXHowever, there was one person who couldn’t accept the situation—Glenn.PfzT
tQy“What are you saying?! Norvek Calix escaped?!”KgE
qzo“It seems someone tricked the guards and opened the doors. I don’t know what method they used. I don’t know every corner of the White Palace either.”bzQmWs
8uq8aA“Who the hell would dare…? Ugh!”yx3XPj
OUGEYAt Lucian’s words, Glenn couldn’t argue back and only let out a groan of frustration.TYR2
2m1mHe knew better than anyone how long the palace had remained closed. The lack of personnel meant there were still half-abandoned areas inside.zkhcuhM
86ZCPcNIf someone had used just those places to plan the escape, it wasn’t impossible.sCWqvU
QM2DUR0“Let’s put aside who cooperated. Calix has had roots in the north for centuries. It wouldn’t be strange if one or two collaborators acted on their own. What matters now is what comes next.”sv0
AiMRhp2With a calm expression, Lucian fixed his gaze on the map hanging on the wall.RadE1
bqi2“If Norvek escaped, it’s most likely he’s heading to his territory. Then he’ll gather troops, resist, and proclaim his innocence.”1LQbr
U4j7n“Then… there’ll be war?”6WTz
ZuxEs9“We don’t know. By now, no one’s unaware that House Calix is a sinking ship. If we manage to refute their lies properly, it’ll just be a one-sided punitive campaign.”e58
UCRe8If, on the other hand, his nonsense starts sounding believable, then it would become a real war.PHJ
dmVPdGlenn tightly shut his eyes as he realized where Lucian was going with this.zr6yVO2
ISp‘Damn it. If we move the mage now, it’ll seem like the Empire is betraying Duke Lucian.’laHEy
aNATThe balance of pros and cons regarding the mage’s existence was already delicate, but after Norvek’s escape, the difference had multiplied.Cl6
vYCMnBvAnd yet to transfer him now and dump all the losses onto Lucian? That would be a brutality that, at the very least, would cut the Empire’s debt to him in half.aNO
ko6qW“Even if he escaped, what you must do, Sir Glenn, remains the same. Tomorrow, consult His Majesty about the mage’s fate. I leave it to you.”3K0mQ
phF3“…Yes.”QhL
LdjmAt Lucian’s calm tone, Glenn silently nodded. There was no other possible course than to report to the emperor.Hk2g8WF
H1CSujMShortly after Glenn left the White Palace office, another visitor arrived.QzPUjmC
t4gCS“Your Highness. I have returned after perfectly completing the mission you gave me.”FGOf0
hukwAt Torkel’s brazen words, Lucian let out a mocking laugh.ZGxK5Q4
cc0gE4“Perfectly? Don’t talk nonsense. You said we’d meet during the banquet, and in the end, you came back only after I left for the hundred-day hunt.”7oYG
AnfqJ“Well, that’s… but the job itself, I did it without leaving any loose ends!”wSUq
14Eb“If you miss the deadline, it’s useless. Still, I suppose I can at least acknowledge that you proved your capability.”O5CBa
OShZZAt those lenient words, Torkel let out a sigh of relief. Lucian motioned for him to sit, then asked something that had been on his mind.3tVSwux
gib“Your friend was the third son of House Beor, right? How’s he doing now that he became lord? Still saying he’ll side with me?”yph
9BxN“He has no choice. No matter his right to succession, a rebellion is still a rebellion. To stabilize his base, he desperately needs Your Highness’s recognition.”B3JUuPC
NFE“Then good. I was worried that once seated as head of the family, he might start saying nonsense.”wUBp
J7fgl“More than nonsense, if Your Highness asked, he’d even lick your insides. You’ll see for yourself soon. By the way, about last night…”ivL
GwnLal“Silence.”J8Sk
xlPCBHAt Lucian’s quiet voice, Torkel flinched. At the same time, his instincts gave him a clear warning—if he took one step further, the trust he’d worked so hard to regain would crumble again.Dok
vYNHN“…The moon was very clear last night. I just wanted to say it was a shame we couldn’t admire it together.”CRE6
mv0“There’ll be another opportunity. Anything else you want to say?”ZuSd
QZwBt“No. Whenever Your Highness orders, I will listen.”iOrIdTz
UelH“Good answer. Then, you may go.”8ARN
09Qa0yJust as Torkel stood to leave the office, Lucian added as if he had just remembered.DFV
SenDT“Ah, right. You said you drank that potion, didn’t you? If possible, rest well for three or four days.”ykxLc5
4lU1mA“Huh? Didn’t you say it wasn’t poison?”tw8Ek
RwHDqX“It’s not poison, but it forces the body to extract energy by force. After a day, the fatigue and muscle pain are brutal. If you move too much relying on your strength, you’ll end up writhing in pain.”7CBDg
rMGVcCIn chaotic times, it was an item anyone carried as an emergency lifeline.qNX
Low8It had few side effects and was reliable in dangerous situations. However, if one didn’t rest properly, those minor effects could worsen and harm one’s health.3P9EDmN
gGu“…I’ll keep that in mind.”dyg
N0ltWith his face slightly pale, Torkel closed the door as he left. Lucian watched him and smiled in satisfaction.XJaFxf
IZ1“With a bit more polish, he’ll be quite useful.”MmpR
sWVwFpMaybe because he’d come close to failing miserably, Torkel had matured quite a bit.Lkm5CQ
nOzonDa“To think that old man ended up in such a pitiful situation.”ItKK
k6CFSr6He’d been allowed to escape, but the road back to his territory with an aging body would be harsh.xX9q
zJ9GkRAt first, he’d be overflowing with energy, but soon every part of his body would ache. Returning without rest in that state could only end with him in bed.3Yp9TD4
4yl5lHaving lost his son and the support of those around him—what if, on top of that, his health gave out?n3X
qHQTT7‘Not only will he fail to gather new forces—even the ones he had left will fall apart.’JrQ
IDqPp6tThat’s what it means for a leader to lose trust.Qgv
JGJSiblLucian took a sip of his tea and murmured.A3k
sYq“Please hang on a little longer.”s35zAN
mHBpemAfter all, when he’s no longer of use, Lucian himself will make sure to crush him.35bm
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