Chapter 31: An obedient dog

“Wait a moment, Count Consilus. We are representatives of the Imperial Palace.”

Just in case he was mistaken, Karl emphasized it once more.

That his future and his advancement depended on them.

Consilus patted him on the shoulder, as if pitying him.

“You must have gone through many hardships coming all the way here. And to think that the Empire sends you to do something like this, ruining the lives of innocents.”

“Huh…? W-what do you mean by that…?”

This was not what they had discussed.

It had been Count Consilus himself who previously spoke of Perda as a bastard.

And now he changed his mind?

‘It can’t be…’

Karl’s eyes moved between Perda and Count Consilus.

No. That made no sense.

In the world of nobility, such firm bonds did not exist.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

Perda tilted his head and spoke.

“Hurry up and bring the next witness.”

Perda moved his fingers as if counting.

“There are still many witnesses left. Excluding the late Tesalos Walcher, there are thirteen left. Bring them all and have them testify. If even one says I am guilty, wouldn’t your job be finished?”

Even if ninety-nine said no, if one said yes, that was enough for the Extermination Squad to act.

But Karl knew that even if he called the thirteen, he had no chance.

If Count Consilus, the most influential figure in the Far East, denied it, the others would deny it as well.

“If you can’t bring witnesses, then bring something else.”

“W-what…?”

“The other charges you brought to discredit me and threaten me. Bring them out.”

The situation had completely reversed.

Karl, desperate, tried to resist.

With trembling hands, he pulled something from his chest.

“I-I have heard that you kidnapped this girl.”

It was a portrait of a long-haired girl.

Just by seeing her dull eyes, it was evident that it was Morida.

‘If they are looking for Morida, then it’s Helus Povidas’s doing.’

If Helus Povidas had directly pointed at Perda, it meant they had found the servant.

“I see.”

Of course, that threat had no effect.

Karl knew it.

But his mind was blank, and he had to do something.

“I’m sorry, but I bought that girl. I obtained her consent and transferred her ownership. It cannot be called kidnapping.”

“……”

“If you still want to insist, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to discuss it with the person involved. So, what’s next?”

Karl did not respond.

Everything else he had were insignificant matters.

Attempts to squeeze out a few more coins with empty threats.

He had no cards left.

“Then I will speak.”

Now it was Perda’s turn.

He turned his gaze toward Count Consilus.

“Count Consilus.”

“Yes, speak, my lord regent.”

He responded, bowing his head respectfully.

“This man openly asked me for money.”

“Haha, really? After a long journey, it is normal to at least give them something for expenses.”

“What he asked as expenses was one hundred thousand golden.”

“Haha, that is a considerable sum.”

“What value does that money have?”

“The value depends on each person, so it is difficult to give an exact answer.”

“Then, if we compare it to the money your citizens use, how much would it be?”

“It would be enough for my citizens to live without worrying about food for ten years.”

“I see.”

Perda’s blue eyes shone faintly.

“Then this man tried to take ten years of life from the citizens by himself.”

“That is correct.”

Consilus looked at Karl coldly.

In his eyes, which had been smiling before, there was now clear anger.

“It is an act that cries out to the heavens.”

“Ah… ah…”

Even the cat he had brought to corner a mouse was on their side.

Karl, who had never imagined being in such a situation, began to tremble.

“What do you think? What should we do with this man?”

“Someone who demands money using the name of the Empire. That is not something a mere knight should do.”

“Right? And he even demanded that we treat him as if he were the emperor.”

“Hahaha! Did he really do something like that? How would a mere knight dare compare himself to His Majesty the emperor?”

“And what if that were true?”

“Then he could not complain if he ends up like Tesallos. Didn’t they pierce his forehead?”

“That’s right.”

Faced with that one-sided conversation, Karl could barely breathe.

No words came out, he only shifted his gaze between the two while breaking into a cold sweat.

“But before that, how about we file a formal complaint to the Empire for extortion and impersonation of royalty?”

“It is a good idea. But do you think they will listen to someone so young if he files a complaint?”

“Do not worry. I will take care of it.”

That the Extermination Squad did dirty things was something most nobles knew.

But if it became an open issue, the situation changed.

The words of Count Consilus, who had defended the frontier into old age, could not be ignored.

‘Count Consilus…’

Betrayal appeared in Karl’s eyes.

The one responsible for this trap was that old man who was now laughing calmly.

‘He set a trap for me and the Extermination Squad!’

Consilus and Perda Valdrova had conspired together to provoke this situation.

Karl tried to resist until the end.

“W-we are a direct unit of the Empire. Even if you file a complaint, nothing will change…”

“Do you think so?”

Perda responded coldly.

“What is your value?”

“My value…?”

“What do you think is more convenient? Protecting you or cutting off your head claiming it was an individual deviation?”

There was no need to think about it.

The second option was clearly better.

“And even if you manage to survive, do you think your family will sit still? Your own brothers will probably come to cut off your head.”

“What…?”

“Think about it. Eldest son of the Harvest family. You have two younger brothers, don’t you? Even if you get along, do you think they will stay still knowing that their brother committed corruption?”

They would not stay still.

They had always looked with envy at what Karl had just for being born first.

If they valued the honor of knights, they would kill him for family honor.

If they were opportunists, they would kill him to advance themselves.

For Karl, he was more useful dead than alive.

Amid a situation where everything pressured him, Karl finally understood.

‘The problem was not the dragon.’

The real danger was this regent whom they had despised until a few days ago.

“Speak.”

Perda’s voice pulled him out of his shock.

As always, he asked coldly.

“Now, what do you think I am?”

A cutting coldness, as if a blade of ice were placed before his neck.

If he answered wrong, he felt that blade would cut off his head and tear him apart.

Trembling with fear, Karl answered with difficulty.

“Y-you are the great regent of Valdrova.”

In his voice there was submission.

“That’s right. I am the one who governs the great duchy of Valdrova in the name of the Duchess.”

Perda stood up and placed a hand on Karl’s trembling shoulder.

“And I think you should become the owner of the Extermination Squad.”

A sweet whisper, almost demonic.

“Do you want to become the owner of the Extermination Squad, or do you prefer to die nobly for it?”

It was an absurd question.

There was nothing noble about the Extermination Squad.

Karl bowed his head deeply.

“Please… accept my loyalty.”

Perda shook his head at that answer.

“I don’t need loyalty as weak as yours.”

When Karl’s heart sank to the bottom, Perda added.

“What I need is an obedient dog.”

“A… dog?”

“A dog that does only what it is told, without doing foolish things. That wags its tail for a bone thrown to it from time to time, and that knows how to wait calmly for its master.”

“If you do that, you will be able to make your way. Do you understand?”

Karl nodded.

“Yes… I understand. I will be a dog. I will become the regent’s dog.”

“Good.”

Perda patted him on the shoulder.

“Stay tonight. We have to make you a dog collar.”

“…Yes.”

The color of his face, completely pale, did not seem like it would return.

***

Karl left the reception room.

From now on, he would be dining with the subordinates he had brought.

Of course, for him it was nothing more than his last meal before execution, so he did not even know whether he was eating or not.

Meanwhile, Perda was conversing with Count Consilus.

The count explained in detail how the Extermination Squad had come all the way there.

“So the Extermination Squad came with such confidence because of you.”

Count Consilus lowered his head.

“I have no excuse. I have committed an act for which I deserve to die.”

“It doesn’t matter. And what did you reply in the letter?”

“That he was an upright ruler who watches over the Far East…”

The count smiled faintly.

“I felt that I should not respond in any other way.”

“Why?”

Perda already imagined it, but he asked anyway.

“The Extermination Squad is like a swarm of locusts. When they detect food, they rush in and devour everything before leaving. The Far East is trying to develop. They always attack the weakest first and devour them little by little. Once they set foot, it is already the end.”

It was one of their main strategies.

To slowly isolate the weakest and then devour them.

“But your image was already deteriorated because of the Tesallos Walcher incident.”

From the outside perspective, Perda was already isolated.

It was easy to think that the nobles were waiting for an opportunity to betray him.

If they were given that certainty, they could use it.

“You used me quite well.”

“I regret having caused you concern. It was all my plan. If you wish to punish me, please punish this old man.”

Perda waved his hand.

“It doesn’t matter. After all, you only eliminated some dogs that were roaming the territory looking to take advantage.”

“But does it not bother you that I tested the regent?”

“As long as you are sincere, I do not mind. As long as you are loyal to the Duchess, you may use me however you wish. I did not come here to enjoy the power of a king. I came to serve my queen.”

“Ah…”

Count Consilus, who could see through the appearances of nobles, clearly felt Perda’s sincerity.

“Then tell me. To whom are you loyal?”

“To be honest, until now I have been loyal to the Empire. More than to the Duchess, my heart leaned toward the emperor…”

Consilus smiled bitterly as he confessed.

“When one grows old, one becomes fearful. With time, one forgets why one came this far.”

“And now you have remembered?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, regent, I have opened my eyes.”

Consilus looked out the window.

Not far away stretched the contaminated land, the demonic land.

From his castle, he had never been able to see that landscape.

“From the moment I reached this position, I did so with the conviction to protect the people. I am loyal to the Empire because it protects its citizens, not because it elevated me.”

“You are an admirable noble.”

“I am flattered.”

Consilus let out a laugh.

He was the representative of the Far East.

But in their hearts, there had never been a true flame.

Although soldiers died without cease, all that remained was the wearing down of the soul and fear.

“Count Consilus.”

“Yes.”

“Does that conviction still remain in your heart?”

“Yes.”

Perda extended his hand.

“Then come with me. To protect this east, I need someone like you.”

Consilus opened his eyes in surprise and shook his head.

“No. You should not be the one to say that. I should say it.”

He knelt and took Perda’s hand with both hands.

His hands, hardened from wielding the sword to protect the people, were rough.

“Please, guide this east where there is only death. I will always serve the Duchess and follow the will of the regent.”

***

Karl was destroyed by the hangover.

He had drunk like a madman with the intention of dying, so he could hide the secret he carried.

But instead of dying, he was only met with an unbearable hangover and the morning sunlight.

‘Damn it…’

He wanted to run away.

But he did not have the courage.

So he could only wait, like a pig in the slaughterhouse.

Someone entered the room.

He thought it was Perda, stood up and bowed l

“H-hello?”

But the one who entered was a black-haired woman, gloomy.

‘Who is this woman?’

She was not someone ordinary.

From her clothing, she seemed like a castle administrator.

But from her normal appearance emanated an unsettling presence that made one want to step back.

She raised her hand awkwardly to greet him.

“I… um… will sign the contract as a representative on behalf of the Duchess… and… um…”

Her black eyes scanned Karl’s face.

“He’s not as handsome as I was told.”

She said it in a disappointed tone.

Karl did not even feel like getting annoyed.

“My name is Echidna Philiaz.”

“…Philiaz?”

The hangover disappeared instantly.

‘Philiaz? Does that mean she is a witch of Philiaz?’

Philiaz.

They appear in women who awaken the Red Circle.

If they make a contract, they inevitably become witches.

They deeply hated men and did not cooperate with anyone outside Philiaz.

‘He is using a witch…?’

How?

Karl forcibly held back the scream he wanted to let out.

His evaluation of Perda was completely changing.

“Here… is the contract… do you want to read it calmly?”

“Yes.”

Karl began to review page by page, as if clinging to a lifeline.

‘A flaw… I have to find a flaw…’

But it was impossible.

He did not have enough legal knowledge to review such a long contract.

‘As expected… she is a witch…’

Witches, considered second only to demons in how dirty they are with contracts.

He thought they would use contract magic.

But he did not expect them to use a witch.

After reading only a few pages, Karl gave up and began to sign.

After all, he was going to become a dog anyway.

When he signed the last page, the contract began to glow.

“Ugh.”

A sharp pain ran through his body.

A mark appeared on his wrist.

The contract with the witch was sealed.

“Done. Everything confirmed. From now on… um… you will have to be careful with what you say.”

“Careful with what I say?”

“Well… as expected, you didn’t read it properly… if you do something against the will of the regent or try to imply anything about this contract…”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“Boom! Your head will go flying. So think carefully and speak carefully, okay?”

She spoke awkwardly, but mentioned death without hesitation.

That made it even more terrifying.

Fifth-level contract magic was absolute.

If there were no flaws, breaking the contract was extremely difficult.

‘The level is not what matters…’

Karl had signed with a witch.

If that was discovered, he would be executed in the Empire.

And his brothers could also kill him.

He had to hide it at all costs.

“….”

“Ehehe… I would like you to respond…”

Karl shuddered.

An unsettling presence emanated from her.

Her awkward smile was filled with a madness without killing intent.

And that made her even more terrifying.

“Y-yes, of course!”

“Good, you answered. You may go. Bye bye~.”

Karl ran out.

Echidna smiled and waved him off.

As soon as he stepped out, he breathed in relief…

“The contract ended quickly.”

But in front of him there was another tiger.

That tiger placed a hand on his shoulder.

“As a member of the Extermination Squad and a loyal dog to the great duchy of Valdrova, I will give you your first mission.”

Karl could no longer escape.

“What is the mission?”

Perda answered.

“Helus Povidas.”

The man known as the sage of water.

“Bring him here.”

He also planned to put a collar on him.