TISND Chapter 141

Chapter 141

There was a separate order of knights responsible for investigating and monitoring the embezzlement of nobles—the White Order. However, it was a practically useless institution, and its commander, Salizar, ended up being the main culprit in the very crimes they were supposed to investigate. As a result, the investigation was not carried out by the knights but by dozens of royal guards acting under the direct orders of Crown Prince Raul.

However, most of the skilled knights working in the imperial palace were of commoner origin. Because of this, whenever they visited noble estates to conduct arrests or seizures, they were often turned away at the door. It was illegal for a commoner to lay hands on a noble’s body. Even with the crown prince’s orders, the knights could not act recklessly.

The nobles involved in the crimes had little hope of avoiding punishment. Their best option was to delay the investigation as much as possible and destroy any evidence. Aware of this, many nobles would yell at or threaten the knights who came to their estates.

To speed up the investigation, Crown Prince Raul had no choice but to appoint Duke Frantor as the commander of the operation. He understood the duke’s desire to personally track down Helena and Salizar, but there was no better alternative.

When the news spread that Caligo had taken charge of the investigation, the nobles hiding in their estates scoffed.

“Duke Frantor? The crown prince’s lapdog? We’ve locked our gates—how does that uptight man plan to get in?”

Caligo was known for strictly adhering to rules and never overstepping his authority. He was a man who only supported the crown prince from the shadows and never took direct action. Though he was considered a hero across the empire, he never used his power to his advantage.

A man who never crossed the line or stood at the forefront—that was Duke Frantor.

“He must not want to meet the same tragic fate as the late duke and duchess. He’ll probably just stand outside the gates, making threats, then eventually leave.”

That was what the nobles thought.

But—

“Your Grace, what are your orders?”

The first estate Caligo visited was that of Count Jerios. He was as deeply involved in human trafficking as Count Eskel. As expected, the front gates of the estate were firmly shut.

Noble estates were built to be grand and sturdy, a display of power and prestige. No matter how many knights attempted to force it open, the gates would not yield easily.

“Go ahead, try and break it down if you can,” Count Jerios sneered from inside, watching the knights with folded arms.

“Even with a specialist, it will take considerable time to break through,” one knight reported to Caligo, looking troubled.

“Shall we bring in an expert?”

“No need.”

“…Pardon?”

“Bring the battering ram.”

The battering ram—also known as a siege weapon—was typically used in warfare to break through fortress gates. Such equipment was rare in the capital. However, this investigation was under the command of Duke Frantor.

It seemed they had prepared in advance, as several knights moved to unload a battering ram from a cart. This was not just any siege weapon—it was one crafted by House Frantor, a family renowned for its military prowess.

The battering ram was shaped like a massive black lion, the symbol of House Frantor. Its sheer size was intimidating, and even the knights marveled at its craftsmanship. Despite being a weapon, it looked more like an intricately sculpted metal lion.

“A-Are you mad?!”

Seeing the battering ram positioned at his front gate, Count Jerios panicked.

“Duke Frantor! Have you lost your mind? Are you seriously going to destroy my estate with a weapon meant for war?”

“That’s why I told you to open it—while I’m still asking nicely.”

Caligo’s voice was as calm and emotionless as ever. But today, it carried an eerie weight. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, locked onto Count Jerios. There was only a deep, ominous shadow in them.

Without another word, Caligo bent down and lifted the battering ram himself. A weapon so heavy it usually took multiple men to carry—he lifted it alone, without the slightest sign of strain.

“I’m busy, so I won’t waste any more time.”

“W-What…?”

“I’ll count to three. If you don’t open the gate by then, I’ll break it down myself.”

Caligo spoke.

“One.”

“…….”

“Three.”

Boom!

The moment he finished speaking, Caligo struck the gate with his own hands. With just a single blow, the massive front gate gave way far too easily. It wasn’t just Count Jerios who was dumbfounded—every knight standing behind the duke was just as stunned.

Caligo casually tossed aside the battering ram he had been holding. While everyone else stood there, shocked and confused, he alone remained eerily calm. More than that, he looked utterly fed up with the situation.

“The gate is open. You can handle the rest, can’t you?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Do I have to search the estate myself?”

“N-No, Your Grace!”

“Then I’ll be moving on to the next estate. Carry on.”

He patted the knight on the shoulder and left the mansion with Pedro.

—

Time was running out. Death was closing in on her.

Caligo had always considered patience to be his only talent. Whether it was anger or sorrow, he had spent his entire life suppressing his emotions. He had controlled himself so thoroughly that even he had been deceived by his own restraint.

But now, for the first time, he felt that restraint slipping away.

Death was creeping toward Helena, yet he remained stuck in the capital like a fool. The absurdity of the situation infuriated him. At the same time, he was afraid. Would he arrive too late, only to find her lifeless body? Just the thought of it sent a sharp pain through his chest.

Part of him wanted to abandon everything and leave at once.

That was how desperate he was.

He had to finish this investigation quickly and find her. He had to rescue her from Salizar, who had undoubtedly escaped prison for revenge.

“I already handed over every document in this estate. So why are you still here?”

Helena’s traces were fading. There was no sign of her left in the mansion. Even the backyard, where she used to walk, was now overgrown with weeds. Not even a handkerchief she had used could be found.

“Your Grace, just as the viscount said, there are no documents left in the estate. However, we did find something suspicious—a new grave in the cemetery behind the house. We suspect that evidence has been buried there, but… since it is a grave, we were hesitant to disturb it.”

The most unbearable truth was that he himself had erased her traces with his own hands.

As time passed, every last remnant of her existence would disappear from the world.

Forever.

She would vanish as if she had never existed in the first place.

“That grave belongs to a relative, I tell you!” the viscount shouted, his voice brimming with confidence.

“Duke Frantor! You, of all people, should understand! A man who has fought on the battlefield should know better than anyone that the dead must not be disturbed! And yet, you’re going to desecrate a grave? My relative’s grave? There is nothing here for you to find, so stop this nonsense and leave!”

But Caligo had no intention of letting time slip away any longer.

Even if the sands were slipping through his fingers, he would grasp them again and again.

“Y-Your Grace!”

Ignoring the viscount’s shouts, Caligo picked up a nearby shovel and began digging without hesitation.

Tampering with graves was a severe crime in the empire, punishable by the harshest of laws. And yet, here was Duke Frantor himself, committing such an act.

“What do you think you’re doing?! I told you my relative is buried here!” the viscount cried out, rushing toward him in desperation.

“You think just because the people support you, you can do whatever you want? His Majesty is already wary of you!”

Without a word, Caligo grabbed the viscount by the collar and easily overpowered him.

“I haven’t held back all this time because of you or His Majesty,” he said coldly.

“I did it because there was someone I needed to protect.”

“…!”

“So don’t you dare think you can stand in my way. Get lost.”

He shoved the viscount aside, sending him sprawling to the ground. But the man didn’t even try to get up—he simply trembled, terrified.

Caligo looked utterly unhinged.

And no one dared to stand against a man who had lost his reason.

With unwavering determination, he continued to dig. Soon, he uncovered a coffin.

Too light to contain a body.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Without hesitation, he slammed his foot down on the coffin lid, cracking it open. Papers and documents spilled out—the very evidence they had been searching for.

His clothes were in disarray, covered in dirt. But no one dared to laugh.

No one even dared to breathe.

“Let’s move on to the next location.”

Emerging from the graveyard, Caligo tossed the shovel in the viscount’s direction and walked away without a second glance.

Hey Guys you can read advanced chapters on Patreon
If you liked my work and want to support me then you can visit my page for tips. As I can’t create Kofi because of the unavailability of Paypal in my country, I’ve made this tier which is being updated every week so that you won’t be charged again till you want to donate again by yourself or you can exit the tier after donating 🙂.

Happy Reading 🩷