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On July 18th, Ash and Elaine succeeded in tracking down Talos Asgar, secured new provisions and departed for Killiard the next day. The return trip took less time as they no longer had to follow the compass, and they set foot in the duchy exactly three days later.
Ash explained the results of their mission to Hilaire and Lowell, who came out to greet them. He first placed Talos under surveillance and confined him. After that, he called for the two vice-captains and Elaine and moved to the office.
He had a story to tell them.
What he’d learned at the end of their chase.
The truth of what happened to Seveka, and the tragedy surrounding it.
* * *
“”Oh, my God…”
It was dark, the night air seeping in through the tightly closed windows shrouded the room. The four of them sat on a sofa around a large table.
Lowell balled his fists and raised his voice.
“I can’t believe it was the King who caused Seveka’s tragedy, what kind of madman…!”
Harsh profanities spewed from his mouth. It was the first time they’d ever seen the usually friendly man lose his smile.
“You mean to tell me that he’s been living this shamelessly after doing such a thing? And all the hardships you’ve suffered because of that incident…!”
When Lowell and Hillaire heard the story, they were naturally furious. Lowell’s face clearly showed his anger, and Hilaire’s expression was even colder. This may be a shocking fact to anyone, but those who served Ash most closely couldn’t help but feel even deeper resentment.
“I can’t believe it; how could he kill his people… even his own flesh and blood?”
The two looked angry and in disbelief.
It hadn’t been only for a day or two that the king disrespected Ash, despised him, and treated him poorly. They knew he didn’t have any good feelings toward Ash, but they had no idea he would be so intertwined with the Seveka incident.
Above all, their master’s mother, who was labeled as a monster, was simply cursed. It was something they never could’ve imagined. They’d never once assumed that the witch was innocent. Regardless of the fact that they were Ash’s people, the fact that the witch destroyed Seveka was a very clearly recorded event in history for the people of the kingdom.
“It was all a cover-up…”
Hilaire muttered in a groaning voice. When she heard the truth about Seveka’s incident and the news of Walter’s death, she was momentarily stunned. But she had been expecting this outcome for some time, even if she held onto a sliver of hope, she took it all in stride with a calm expression.
To Ash, along with Hilaire, the king was no different from an enemy. Ash, who was facing her, calmly spoke.
“I have no intention of letting the king get away with this. I will make him pay for his sins.”
“… Are you going to expose the truth?”
“Yes.”
“But without evidence, revealing the truth would be useless. Do you have a plan?”
Hilaire asked, followed by Lowell. The words made Ash look at Elaine, who, at his glance, pulled a handful of documents from a bag beside her.
“The evidence is here. One is a document recording the witch hunt plan, and this one…”
In addition to the record of the witch-hunting plan, there was one more piece of evidence handed over by Talos Asgar.
After the events of Seveka, Talos went into seclusion and focused on one thing. The strange symbols that Chelsea’s wizard had added to the curse circle when they drew it. Analyzing it.
The original curse was simply a spell to control the target. This pattern that was added was a technique that twisted magic to leave behind only murderous intent, that is, causing one to run wild. This was conclusive evidence that Chelsea had intentionally destroyed Seveka.
“And Talos Asghar said he would be a witness if necessary.”
“If we reveal the king’s evil deeds with this evidence, it may even be possible to remove him from the throne.”
Many people would become angry and turn their backs on the king. If that happens, it would be impossible to avoid dethronement. Ash and Elaine had talked for some time on the way back. Lowell, who heard their words, spoke with a grim expression.
” But… will the king abdicate so easily?”
“He’s shed so much blood to ascend the throne. He’ll never step down from it willingly.”
“If the assassins who appeared in Noire were sent by the king, news would’ve reached his ears by now. Now that Talos is in your custody, he must’ve realized that you’ve already learned his secret. He’ll do whatever it takes to prevent the truth from being revealed.”
“Then can’t we reveal it right away before he resorts to any trickery?”
“I can’t reveal it without preparation. Once I accuse him of evil, the king will claim I’m making it up. He’s been accusing a witch this whole time, I’m trying to clear my mother’s sins and put the blame on the rightful owner.”
“Even though you have evidence?”
“He would say that the evidence was also fabricated. Since I’m the son of a witch, the evidence will lose its reliability.”
The king, who’d stabilized the country in the wake of Seveka and ruled unchallenged for twenty years, and the son of a witch, who’d been believed to be a mass murderer all along.
No matter how solid the evidence they provided was, not many people would readily believe Ash’s words. Even if it was reasonable evidence, it loses objectivity and credibility the moment it’s spoken from his mouth. A hint of cynicism crosses Ash’s lips at the ridiculousness of it all.
“That’s why we need support. Once I formally accuse the king, war will be inevitable. I plan to gather forces to join me.”
War. The three of them grew more serious at the word’s heavy implications. Hilaire spoke.
“It will require … a lot of preparation.”
“Yes. It will not be an easy fight. We may even have to risk our lives, so I have no intention of forcing anyone to join this fight. If someone doesn’t want to, they can leave…”
“What are you saying, sir?”
Lowell jumped up and shouted.
“We will join you even if you say no. How can you think of leaving us out?”
“We are knights who’ve sworn our loyalty to you. If this is the path our lord has chosen, it is only natural we follow.”
Lowell said, his face brimming with frustration, and Hilaire, who nodded in agreement, looked at him with a serious gaze.
Ash paused at their reaction, then looked at Elaine sitting next to him.
Another person who’d said she’d join him no matter what. She was looking at him with a small smile on her face. As if she knew this would happen.
“Please, let me be your strength.”
A ray of moonlight seeped in through the curtains cutting through the darkened room. The light was as clear and crisp as her voice and their loyalty.
Ash gazed at his knights and smiled. He spoke in an unwavering tone.
“I will make sure none of you will regret this decision.”
Now they knew for certain who their enemy was.
They will no longer suffer in the dark.
It was time to bring the blade of judgment upon the enemy who’d caused this tragedy.
* * *
“…You failed your mission?”
A spacious room filled with luxurious things: gold-embroidered tapestries and ebony wood cabinets. Chelsea’s hand that was tipping a clear crystal glass stopped.
The henchman standing in front of him spoke with his head lowered.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. We tracked the target as ordered, but Duke Killiard was one step ahead of us.”
“…”
“The assassins attacked in order to eliminate the target, but were wiped out by the duke and his party…”
“So.”
Suddenly, Chelsea cut him off and spoke.
“That wizard was taken away by the duke?”
The voice was flat, but the question was enough to send a chill down his spine. Cold, iron-like eyes fell upon the henchman. The suffocating air made his back damp with cold sweat. He bowed his head deeply and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Please give me any punishment you see fit.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Chelsea’s grip tightened. He’d failed. The wizard had been taken from him by Ash. The goblet cracked like a spider’s web at the force of his grip. Crimson blood dripped from his hand.
“Your Majesty! Okche- Ugh!”
The henchman suddenly let out a short moan. The glass that Chelsea threw hit his head and fell to the floor. The glass shattered with an ear-piercing noise. Sharp fragments flew everywhere.
“Useless bastard.”
Chelsea looked down at the henchman who was bleeding from his forehead and spoke through clenched teeth. Dark anger flickered over his usually impassive face. He slammed his bloody fist down, shattering the table.
After learning that Ash had requested something from the Magic Tower, Chelsea had someone steal the results of the request and he learned that Ash was looking for Talos Asgar.
Talos Asgar.
A royal wizard who was mobilized for the witch-hunt 20 years ago.
Chelsea planned to kill his father and twin brother in order to ascend the throne and not leave behind a single trace of evidence.
Everyone involved in the plan was present when the curse was carried out. They were all destined to die at the hands of the witch. Every single piece of documentation should’ve been burned to ashes in the fires of the mad witch.
‘At least, that’s how it should’ve been.’
There was one who survived. When he became aware of the wizard’s presence, he realized that there was a hole in the plan he’d thought was perfect.
Wasn’t his name Walter Lister? The person he’d tried to contact who was Ash’s escort at the time.
He’d always been obsessively watching the witch’s son and his surroundings, and when he realized there was a wizard who’d survived the curse, he wanted to kill him at all costs.
But the wizard fled like a rat once again. He scoured the continent, but still couldn’t catch him…
Bang!
Chelsea swept one arm across the table. He threw everything he could get his hands on, the expensive items shattering with a piercing noise.
An unspeakable rage swept through his body. Unable to calm down, he continued throwing and breaking things to vent his emotions. Only when he’d destroyed everything around him did he stop his rampage.
He caught his breath and clenched his blood-soaked fist again. His voice sounded like he was chewing his words.
“Obviously, he knows everything.”
Even 10 years ago, the wizard tried to reveal the truth about the Seveka incident.
If he’d fallen into Ash’s hands, he would’ve definitely told him everything.
Anxiety and impatience slowly began to build up in his anger-filled mind. Soon, he began pacing around the room anxiously.
“I can’t… It can’t go on like this.”
It was obvious how everything would turn out.
Once the secret was revealed, everything would be over.
How did everything get to this point? He’d earned this seat by killing his father and brothers and sacrificing countless other lives. He couldn’t give it all up now.
“How… There must be a way…”
Chelsea thought frantically.
If Ash exposes his secret, he could just claim it’s nonsense. However, as long as he has evidence, and as long as he doesn’t give up and persists, there’s only so much he could do to stop him.
“Then… Is there really nothing I can do?”
Suddenly, a plausible idea flashed through Chelsea’s mind. His pacing came to a screeching halt, a sinister gleam in his eyes.
He’d found out a secret he wasn’t supposed to know.
Those who touch the hidden truth must pay the price.
The king spoke coldly.
“You brought this upon yourself.”
It was Ash’s fault for forcing him to use this last resort.
If he’d just lived quietly like a rat, there would’ve been nothing to regret.
The king turned to his henchman.
“I’ll give you one last chance.”
If he were to do this, no matter how strong Duke Killiard was, he’d never be able to survive.
A twisted smile appeared on Chelsea’s mouth as he slowly opened his lips.
