“This isn’t just poison, it’s an alchemist’s concoction. Made for a special purpose.”
“An alchemist’s concoction?”
Ashika and Nile looked like they didn’t understand.
“It’s also known as ‘Puppet Sorcery,’ and it turns people into the living dead. Awake but not awake, unable to control their own bodies, they can’t live without help.”
Iben moved away, looking over his tools. Meanwhile, Rine brought a broom to sweep up the broken glass and clean the area.
“Then, is it life-threatening?”
“It won’t kill you right away, but what will eventually happen to someone who can’t even control their own body?”
A concoction that doesn’t threaten life but makes it impossible to do anything alone. A chill ran down Ashika’s spine.
‘Someone is targeting Talion.’
It’s not just about taking his life. If it were, they wouldn’t have created such a complicated situation.
‘Who on earth? Why would they do this?’
The person who would benefit from being close to Drushia. The first person that came to mind was always his aide, Kalf, who was like a shadow.
‘I heard that Duke Talion has worked with him the longest.’
But she soon shook her head. If Drushia is unable to perform his duties, the aide will take control of the situation.
However, that was only temporary authority.
Because the former Duke, Neoren, is still alive, in the end, all authority returns to Neoren.
Although there is a succession issue, it wasn’t a problem while Neoren was alive.
The next person she thought of was Shafri.
Shafri Maiheller, a close friend and fiancée from Talion Territory.
‘No. They’ll be married within a year or two at the latest, why would she do this?’
If Drushia couldn’t get up in their unmarried state, Shafri would have to find another marriage partner.
However, there was no better marriage prospect than the Talion Duchy within the empire.
‘There’s nothing to gain from just harming one person. Why?’
Ashika clenched her trembling hands.
‘Think, try to think.’
The nightmare that had persistently tormented her for the past two months. There were only two survivors in that dream.
Ashika and Drushia, the sole survivors from both families. And now, someone was targeting Drushia.
Something that seemed to be caught slipped away into the hazy mist.
“What did you say is Duke Talion’s current condition?”
“I heard that he was on the verge of death but recently regained consciousness. But it’s only temporary, and he’s mostly unconscious. Is that part of the treatment process?”
A bitter smile appeared on Iben’s lips.
“Don’t tell me. This concoction has no middle ground. If he was cured, he would have gotten up already. It looks like he’s barely clinging to life, but no one knows how long that will last.”
“So, can you make an antidote?”
“It’s possible.”
“Ah…”
Ashika let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
“I’ll pay you any amount of money.”
“To hand over such a rare antidote for a few coins?”
“Then, is there something else you want?”
“Instead of making the medicine, I have two conditions.”
Ashika waited with a nervous face for his next words. Iben’s requests were quite unexpected.
“First, I’d like you to hand over some of the distribution rights of the trading company that Igraine manages.”
“Oh, you’re running a trading company?”
Ashika’s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.
“Of course. Look at the items in this shop. They are hard to find unless you go out and search for them yourself. And Igraine’s trading company has the most extensive distribution rights. There’s probably no place in the empire they can’t go?”
It was a condition that could be big or small depending on the specifics. She thought he would make a more difficult request, but it felt easier than expected.
“Alright. That much is possible with my authority. Let’s discuss the details later and draw up a contract. Then, what’s the second condition?”
Iben opened his mouth with a strange smile.
“Lady Igraine, how about granting me your name?”
“What do you mean?”
Ashika asked back with a puzzled look.
“Ashika is a very pretty name. But there probably aren’t many people who call you by that name. Please allow me to use that name.”
“Ah…”
Even if they are both nobles, there is a world of difference between Iben and Ashika’s positions. Allowing someone to use your name meant they were very close, and that alone would allow Iben to show off a considerable backing in social circles.
Ashika understood and nodded.
“Alright. Then, when can I pick up the medicine?”
“Please wait for a day. I’ll send someone to the Igraine Mansion as soon as it’s ready.”
Iben smiled gently and answered readily.
The smile looked quite warm, and Ashika became dazed.
Her blood had been drying up ever since she heard the news about Drushia.
Days filled with unknown anxiety. She couldn’t eat properly or sleep, so she wandered around the Duke’s residence alone every night.
Suddenly, all the strength drained from Ashika’s body.
“My lady!”
Nile grabbed Ashika’s swaying arm.
“No, I’m okay. Let’s go back for now. She told us to wait.”
They had barely overcome one obstacle, but there were still problems to be solved.
They had to find a way to get the antidote to Drushia.
****
At dawn, when the fog was thick, and even the sound of insects faded away, the area around the residence was silent.
Only the patrolling knights occasionally walked through the damp fog.
Clang.
Breaking the eerie silence, the clear sound of metal shattering rang out.
“Intruders!”
At someone’s shout, the dark residence lit up all at once. Aegonite and the sleeping knights in their qusrters also rushed out with their swords.
“Which way!”
“It’s the north annex.”
“How many?”
“I can’t tell. They disappeared right after being spotted.”
Aegonite’s face hardened at the knight’s report.
“Squad 3, come with me to check the source of the sound, Squad 1, head to the Duke’s bedroom. The rest of you, divide and search the entire residence as assigned.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Aegonite quickly organized the situation and ran into the darkness. Meanwhile, a shadow slipped into the main building.
“There’s an intruder in the main building too!”
The entire residence was turned upside down. Assassins in black attire who appeared from nowhere clashed with the knights heading to Drushia’s bedroom. At the same time, a battle was taking place in front of Drushia’s bedroom door.
“Damn it! Why aren’t the others coming!”
The two guard knights were facing six opponents.
The two knights barely managed to block the attacks, but they were at a disadvantage. They were pushed back, one knight was struck by a sword and collapsed, and the other fell from the 3rd-floor balcony.
“Aaaagh!”
“Protect the Duke’s bedroom!”
Two knights from another floor rushed in, but they were too late. Due to the numerical difference, they were also driven to the end of the hallway.
“You bastards! Who sent you!”
Despite the knight’s desperate shouts, the opponents silently wielded their swords.
The knight became desperate, seeing the attackers rushing towards Drushia’s bedroom door. He barely managed to block the sword, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold out.
He was so focused on blocking the enemy in front of him that he didn’t notice the sword coming from behind. In that moment, he felt the cold touch of death on the back of his neck.
Clang.
“Are you trying to die? Who are you pointing your blade at?”
A sword suddenly appeared and deflected the attack from behind. The intruders, surprised by the sudden appearance of the uninvited guest, hesitated.
“What’s going on? The ones in uniform are knights, and who are these guys?”
“Who are you!”
The Talion knights, who were holding on, were confused by the appearance of someone who was neither a knight nor an assassin. Nile fiercely swung his sword at an assassin who was off guard and retorted.
“Ah, I’m just a guest. But what should I do with these guys? Is it okay to kill them?”
His demeanor was so relaxed that the knight was speechless.
“If you don’t answer, it’s going to be difficult for me too.”
“Kuh-ugh.”
Nile struck the assassin’s shoulder with his sword and simultaneously kicked the opponent away. He blocked the sword coming from behind and kicked the head of the fallen one again.
Nile’s sword moved so fast that it was hard to follow with the eye. While the assassins were in disarray, the knights also joined in and pushed forward. The situation quickly reversed.
Three collapsed, and the remaining three hurriedly left the scene.
“Don’t chase them. Protecting this place is the priority!”
One of the knights shouted as he watched the assassins run towards the first floor. The knights, who had barely escaped the crisis, looked back at Nile without lowering their swords.
“Who are you? Who are you to be in this residence at this hour?”
Despite receiving help, the knight didn’t let his guard down. Nile sheathed his sword and shrugged his shoulders.
“Me? I told you, I’m a guest.”
“The only guests we know of are the ones from the Maiheller family. We haven’t been informed of anyone else.”
“I helped you, but you’re being awfully picky.”
“Please identify yourself.”
“Well, that’s a bit difficult.”
The moment Nile, who had been answering nonchalantly, reached for his sword hilt, the knights instinctively reacted.
The knight’s sword and Nile’s sword hilt collided, and sparks flew. At the same time, he wrapped around the knight’s sword like a snake and thrust it into his vital point.
“Kuh…”
It was impossible to understand what had happened. Nile, who had been helping the knights just a moment ago, changed his attitude in an instant.
Seeing his comrade fall, the remaining knight lunged forward. However, before he could even swing his sword, a flash of light burst before his eyes.
“You, what is this… Kuh!”
The knight lost consciousness and collapsed.
“Hoo. Why is it so complicated?”
Nile checked that the fallen were unconscious and walked further into the hallway.
“My lady, it’s taken care of. Come out.”
At Nile’s voice, Ashika appeared from inside the passage for servants. She was wearing a hooded cloak that covered her face and simple pants, and she was frozen stiff.
Her gaze was fixed on the people lying on the floor. The sight of them sprawled out like corpses, whether dead or alive, made her heart clench. But she gritted her teeth and looked away.
“We chose the wrong day. Who would have thought there would be such daring bastards attacking the Talion residence? Thanks to that, I don’t know if things have become easier or more difficult. You know how much I’m suffering because of you, my lady?”
Nile grumbled on and on.
“Just let me do it. There’s no need for you to be directly involved in this kind of thing.”
Even though she said that, the truth was that she wanted to see Drushia’s face directly.
It was an absurd reason, but she was so desperate that she couldn’t think straight.
“Is this the Duke’s bedroom?”
Ashika hesitated for a moment in front of the large brown door.
“We don’t have much time.”
At Nile’s urging, Ashika nodded and grabbed the doorknob.
