IAVAGVH Chapter 14

Chapter 14

 

 

“This is private property. You cannot enter.”

 

“I’m here to find my wife.”

 

“Even so, I can’t let you in. Please leave.”

 

Theophanes looked at the soldier guarding the gate and sighed softly.

 

Clicking his tongue, he muttered, “No flexibility at all.”

 

Then, he turned to Dante with a playful smile.

 

The soldier, who had no idea who Theophanes was, could only stare at him in confusion.

 

Who is this man, and why is he acting like this?

 

Theophanes rubbed his forehead as if he was thinking.

 

“Master, what are you planning now?” Dante asked.

 

“Oh, I was just deciding whether to sneak in or force my way through,” Theophanes replied casually.

 

The soldier looked at him in disbelief.

 

“Are you serious right now? Leave before I have to use force!”

 

“Hmm… looks like I’ll have to do both,” Theophanes murmured.

 

“What? I gave you a warning, but you won’t listen, huh?”

 

The soldier was starting to get angry.

 

“Hey!” he shouted.

 

At his call, several knights rushed over, surrounding Theophanes and Dante.

 

“I was being polite, you know,” Theophanes said, still smiling.

 

“Enough of this nonsense!”

 

The soldiers, feeling insulted, drew their swords.

 

Despite the tense situation, Theophanes’ face remained calm and amused.

 

Dante, watching this, hesitated.

 

Should I try to stop this?

 

Just then, the door to the mansion opened, and a man stepped out.

 

“What is all this commotion?”

 

“Baron, sir! These men—”

 

Baron?

 

This must be Baron Bruce, the aide to Marquis Himonas.

 

The soldier whispered something to the Baron, explaining the situation.

 

Baron Bruce waved his hand.

 

“Stand down.”

 

At his command, the soldiers immediately sheathed their swords.

 

“What brings you here?” the Baron asked.

 

“As I’ve said multiple times, I’m here to find my wife,” Theophanes replied.

 

“Wife?”

 

“Yes. Daphne Himonas. Well, now she’s Daphne Anaxi.”

 

“Anaxi? You mean…?”

 

Theophanes took out a pocket watch from his coat and held it up for the Baron to see.

 

It had a camellia flower engraved on it—the symbol of his family.

 

Baron Bruce’s eyes widened in shock.

 

The gates to Anaxi had been opened.

 

The Baron hesitated for a moment, then finally said,

 

“Very well. Please, come inside.”

 

If this went on, even in a secluded area, too many people would gather.

 

It was safer to bring them inside.

 

As Theophanes walked in, he muttered, “It would have been better if you let me in earlier.”

 

“My apologies for not recognizing you,” the Baron said.

 

“It’s not your fault. You wouldn’t know my face,” Theophanes replied with a smile.

 

“I’ll take you to the drawing room,” Baron Bruce said, leading the way.

 

After Theophanes and Dante entered, the Baron left to fetch the Marquis.

 

A while later, an older man with graying hair entered the room.

 

So this is Marquis Himonas.

 

He looked nothing like Daphne. It was hard to believe he was her father.

 

“I never expected to meet the Duke of Anaxi in my lifetime. It is an honor,” the Marquis said politely.

 

“You should be thanking your daughter instead,” Theophanes replied immediately.

 

At his words, silence filled the room.

 

“Did I say something wrong, Marquis?”

 

“N-No, of course not.”

 

“You’ve delayed enough. I’d like to see my wife now,” Theophanes said firmly.

 

“My daughter is not here,” the Marquis responded.

 

Theophanes raised an eyebrow.

 

“Oh? Then are you saying my divine beast made a mistake?”

 

“Divine beast?”

 

Dante’s cloak shifted slightly, and a small white creature suddenly popped out.

 

Biiiiiik!

 

It fluttered its wings angrily and settled on Theophanes’ leg.

 

“The beast is quite upset. It’s telling me not to listen to your nonsense,” Theophanes said.

 

“What…? Duke, no matter how powerful you are, this is unacceptable!” the Marquis protested.

 

Baron Bruce also spoke up in a calm yet firm tone, “Do you have proof that this is truly a divine beast?”

 

At that moment, the little bird flew to the door handle and tapped it repeatedly.

 

“If the Marquis insists she isn’t here, then I suppose he wouldn’t mind if I take a look around?”

 

“This is my private estate! I cannot allow that!” the Marquis protested.

 

Just as Theophanes stood up, ready to move, a piercing scream echoed through the mansion.

 

“AAAAAAAH!”

 

The playful smile vanished from Theophanes’ face in an instant.

 

Before anyone could react, he dashed out of the room.

 

The layout of the mansion wasn’t complicated, so it didn’t take long to find the source of the scream.

 

Bang!

 

Theophanes kicked open the door.

 

Inside, Daphne was struggling in a chair, her mouth covered by several men.

 

It all happened in a split second.

 

With a loud crash, the men were slammed against the walls.

 

Gasp!

 

Vines shot up from the floor, writhing aggressively.

 

Daphne blinked in shock, trying to process what had just happened.

 

She worried that Theophanes might kill them, so she quickly whispered,

 

“Duke…”

 

At her quiet voice, Theophanes turned to look at her.

 

“Ah, yes, Daphne?”

 

He sounded flustered, almost as if he had forgotten where he was.

 

She found it odd—she was the one who had been kidnapped, yet he seemed more shaken than her.

 

“Are you alright?” he asked, kneeling beside her.

 

“Yes, I’m fine. But could you untie me first?” she said, shifting to show her bound hands.

 

Theophanes immediately pulled out a dagger and cut the ropes effortlessly.

 

Daphne stretched her arms and rubbed her wrists.

 

“Who hit you?” Theophanes asked suddenly.

 

He had noticed the red mark on her cheek despite the dim lighting.

 

“Was it those bastards?”

 

The vines trembled again as if preparing to attack.

 

“N-No, it wasn’t them,” Daphne quickly said.

 

She pulled Theophanes closer and whispered in his ear,

 

“It was the Marquis. He hit me.”

 

Theophanes let out a deep sigh.

 

Speak of the devil—just then, the Marquis entered the room with his men.

 

Theophanes lifted Daphne into his arms effortlessly.

 

“You told me she wasn’t here,” he said coldly.

 

The Marquis glanced around, quickly assessing the situation.

 

His grip on his cane tightened when he saw the vines creeping toward him.

 

“My apologies for lying, but surely you can understand a father’s concern for his daughter,” the Marquis said smoothly.

 

“Oh? And this is how you show concern?” Theophanes replied sarcastically.

 

Seeing that this conversation wouldn’t be short, the Marquis smiled and said,

 

“It seems we have much to discuss. Shall we return to the mansion for a proper talk?”