Chapter 99

After the news of Norvek’s escape spread, another day passed. It was the day when the fate of Colin would be placed in the emperor’s hands.

Lucian visited Glenn in the morning to make sure he didn’t overlook it.

“Sir Glenn, as we agreed, I ask that you report to His Majesty.”

“…I will. However, if I present the report suddenly in the morning, it might be a burden to His Majesty, so I will do it in the afternoon.”

“Of course. Do it whenever you see fit.”

Lucian smiled at Glenn’s seemingly calm reply.

As long as the result came within the day, a few hours didn’t matter.

He had nothing urgent to do, so he planned to wait patiently. But even when the sun set and the stars appeared, Glenn did not come to his office.

‘Did something happen?’

At that point, more than irritation, he began to feel concern. Glenn was someone who upheld the knightly code flawlessly; unless something serious had occurred, he would not keep him waiting like this. Just when he was about to go in person, even at the risk of seeming discourteous—

“Sir Glenn, stop—!”

Bang!

“Y-Your Highness.”

As if the worry had been for nothing, Glenn burst into the room completely unscathed.

However, unlike his body, his face was pale, as if he might collapse at any moment. Seeing him so different from usual, Lucian frowned.

“What’s going on? The agreed time passed long ago…”

“His Majesty wishes to see you.”

“What?”

“I’ll go to my room… no, I’ll prepare everything here.”

Glenn spoke without waiting for a response and headed to a corner, as if he were going to install a soundproofing magic artifact.

He didn’t even seem to notice that the door was still open—unlike him, who usually avoided exposing magic artifacts.

“My lord, if you give the order, I’ll immediately subdue that rude man.”

“Leave him.”

Lucian shook his head at Felicia’s cold voice. He more or less understood what was going on.

Instead, he calmly closed the door and ordered Felicia to guard it. From now on, no one else was to enter.

“Your Highness, are you ready? We must hurry.”

“I’ve been ready for a while. Begin whenever you wish.”

“Then, I will establish the connection.”

The connection? Before Lucian could ask, Glenn took a red stone from his chest. After rolling it a few times in his hand, a translucent figure appeared in the air along with a flash.

“…Your Majesty?”

— Ah, good. It’s not too late. Thank goodness.

Lucian froze at the sight of the emperor’s face. Not because of the artifact, but because of his deathly paleness and the blood staining his lips.

The emperor seemed to be speaking while lying down, his arms resting on his abdomen.

— Forgive me, but we don’t have time. Let’s skip unnecessary formalities and get straight to the point.

“Majesty, what does this mean…?”

— Sigmund is dead.

Lucian froze. He thought he had misheard.

Who had died? Sigmund? Did he mean Sigmund Valdeck?

“Father?”

— Yes. Your father. My friend. The one I trusted the most. He died this morning.

The emperor spoke quickly, as if he truly didn’t have much time. But no matter how urgently he spoke, emotions didn’t obey.

At the mention of the duke’s death, he pressed his lips together and began to tremble.

— Kugh! Cough Damn it!

“Y-Your Majesty! Please calm yourself. Take care of your health.”

— Can I not grieve or be angry as I wish? This body… cough!

“Your Majesty!”

Seeing the blood spilling from the emperor’s mouth, Glenn shouted. At that shocking sight, Lucian regained his composure after a slight delay.

‘Father… is dead.’

The noblest of nobles. The man he had admired more than anyone.

Perhaps being his son had been his greatest fortune. And now, he was gone.

“What was the cause?”

— A fatal wound from an unexpected attack during the suppression of a rebellion. A common cause.

Even seasoned veterans on the battlefield couldn’t foresee every variable. A small lapse, an unforeseen misfortune, and life could be lost. Even so, Lucian couldn’t understand it.

If Sigmund, the great duke, fell at that time, the one who would suffer the most was the emperor. After showing all the imperial power, had he not even given him a magic artifact to protect his life?

“Majesty, with all due respect, could you tell me exactly how my father died?”

“Now is not the momen—!”

— Enough.

The emperor stopped Glenn, who had raised his voice. Though gravely ill and far away, that single word weighed like a stone.

— Every son has the right to know how his father died. It’s also a courtesy to my old friend, so don’t stop him.

“But…”

— Now that I’ve coughed up the stagnant blood, I feel a little better. I’ll endure for today. It won’t take long.

At the emperor’s firm and calm voice, Glenn bowed his head. The emperor’s face, as he looked at Lucian, seemed a bit more relaxed.

— I didn’t see it with my own eyes. I only received the report from the knight who was with Sigmund…

***

Boom, rumble.

“They’ve collapsed!”

“Damn bastards!”

“They’re all dead!”

Seeing the wall crumble from the impact of the catapults, the soldiers burst into cheers.

Krephelt had tormented the imperial army with all kinds of schemes ever since breaking the Grand Accord.

Poison, assassinations, fake surrenders, and even massacres of prisoners. For the soldiers, blinded by resentment, the long-awaited chance for revenge had finally arrived.

“It’s over…”

Murmured Grand Duke Sigmund, listening to the cheers.

Tristan, who stood beside him, looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“You don’t seem pleased.”

“And you seem happy.”

“Isn’t it natural? It’s time to make the traitors who forgot their human duty pay.”

“Those who didn’t forget will pay too. Do you think their hatred is only directed at the soldiers and the king?”

At Sigmund’s unexpected words, Tristan fell silent. The grand duke, not waiting for a response, sighed and continued.

“Annihilating the enemy and killing the king won’t be enough. The hatred has grown too much. The soldiers will want more blood, and the nobles as well.”

“…From the moment they broke the Grand Accord, they had to assume that risk.”

“Perhaps the king and the nobles. But I doubt the common people were prepared for the same.”

“My lord.”

A third voice joined the conversation. It was Ludwig, sub-commander of the Red Wing Knights.

“I can only admire your insight, and your concern for innocent victims is truly compassionate. However, right now…”

“I know. It’s a rage that can’t be stopped. Pretending to be a wise man now would only lower morale.”

“I’ve spoken out of turn. Forgive me.”

“No. It was a timely counsel.”

With the wall destroyed, the enemy must have realized their defeat. They would no longer fight to win, but to take someone down with them before dying.

Nothing is more terrifying than an enemy willing to die, and demoralizing the troops in front of that would be a mistake.

“Reflections can wait. Sir Ludwig, are the dragon’s fangs ready?”

“Whenever you give the order.”

“Then let’s go. It’s time to cut off Erich’s head.”

“Yes!”

Boom, crash.

Another rock launched by the catapult struck the wall. Already heavily damaged, the entire western wall began to collapse in a chain reaction.

Even the suicide force fell into despair upon seeing that. At that moment, Sigmund and the imperial army burst onto the scene.

“The lion’s banner!”

“It’s Valdeck! Sigmund Valdeck has arrived!”

The rebels, who had already been defeated countless times by Sigmund, panicked at the mere sight of the lion emblem.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Sigmund and the Red Wing Knights advanced unimpeded to the heart of the royal palace.

Slash.

“Where is the traitor Erich? Come out and offer your neck!”

“I’m here, emperor’s lapdog.”

Sigmund, who had just cut down the royal guards, turned his head. Just as he had declared, the king of Krephelt, Erich, watched them with a fierce gaze.

Shaking the blood from his sword, Sigmund spoke.

“It’s over. Stop the useless resistance. Enough people have died. Let it all end with your life.”

“And do you think that will be enough?”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m asking if you really believe everything will end just with my death.”

It wasn’t mockery, but a sincere question. Sigmund fell silent. After coming this far, it was impossible for it all to end just with Erich’s death.

“Heh… at least you’re not lying. The honor of the lion, is it?”

Said Erich, twisting his expression. It wasn’t a laugh, but a strained grimace, as if he were about to cry.

After a long sigh, Erich raised his sword.

“I evacuated the women and children to the west.”

“…”

“Please… don’t touch them.”

“…I’ll do what I can.”

“Does that mean you won’t guarantee it? Hah…”

A vague groan escaped Erich. After choking up for a moment, he stepped forward alone.

Shing.

“Let’s end this.”

Erich pointed his sword at Sigmund. It was a formal challenge, but as a swordsman, he barely met the minimum level of a knight.

To face Sigmund—superior even as an armored warrior—was the same as choosing his own executioner.

“As you wish.”

Sigmund also stepped forward with sword in hand. Just a few steps apart, both took their stances. The result was obvious, so Sigmund intended to end it in a single strike.

At the instant both swords moved at the same time—

Slash.

“…!?”

Everyone present opened their eyes wide. Erich’s sword had cut Sigmund’s neck. Meanwhile, Sigmund hadn’t even managed to swing his own.

Black tentacles had emerged from the shadows, completely restraining him.

Clatter.

“What… what is this…?”

Erich stepped back in horror at what he had just done. At the same time, the tentacles that had bound Sigmund withdrew back into the shadows.

Freed, the runes on the armor—until then dormant—began to glow again.

“Father?”

Tristan, stunned, blinked and reached out toward Sigmund. Despite being a light touch, the runes repelled Tristan to protect their owner.

It was hard to believe that this same armor hadn’t reacted to the black tentacles.

“…Damn bastards.”

“No! It wasn’t me!”

“We were fools to trust you. What could we expect from someone who abandoned human duty?”

“That’s not true! Listen to me!”

No matter how much Erich screamed, no one listened. The only thing dominating the scene was an unrelenting thirst for blood.

Tristan stood up, eyes bloodshot, and fixed his gaze on Erich.

“Today, no traitor will leave this city alive. Die regretting what you’ve done.”