Chapter 130
“Yes? But I’m currently in the middle of an investigation…”
“What is the creed of Orhelin’s duty?”
In response to Mikhail’s question, the knights stood at attention immediately.
“The resolve of Orhelin! We are noble knights who faithfully serve the Empire and the Royal Family…”
“Very well. Then I trust you understand how to act upon my words.”
Mikhail’s tone was affectionate yet subtly threatening.
Sophia was surprised to see this side of him.
The knights straightened up and opened the door leading to the underground prison after saluting Mikhail.
Mikhail entered first, followed closely by Sophia.
However, the knights stopped Sophia.
“Young Lady…”
“She’s with me.”
Mikhail turned to the knights and said. The two knights exchanged glances and stepped aside.
“Please come, Lady Sophia.”
Wary that the knights might block her again, Sophia stayed close behind Mikhail.
Ian followed them inside as if guarding their backs.
The knights of Orhel initially tried to restrict Ian’s entry again, but he silenced them with a glance.
“He’s accompanying His Highness, Prince Ian, after all…”
Having allowed the Prince and Sophia to pass, they couldn’t stop Ian either.
Inside the old stone building, there was an unpleasant smell.
It was a mix of something burning, dust, and stale odor.
In the cramped interior, a staircase descended immediately.
Since no sunlight reached underground, Mikhail picked up a torch hanging on the wall.
“Watch your step, Sophia.”
Though there were sporadic torches on the walls, they didn’t fully illuminate the staircase.
Mikhail descended, ensuring the path was well-lit for Sophia.
Gripping her skirt tightly, Sophia carefully followed, her tension mounting with the deepening darkness.
Her legs were already trembling, feeling weak from nervousness.
As she gingerly descended, leaning against the wall for support, Sophia staggered, but Ian quickly grabbed her arm.
“I told you to be careful. Do you want to twist your ankle again?”
At Ian’s words, Sophia steadied herself and continued down the stairs.
The footsteps of the three echoed in the confined underground space.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of a bell from below, possibly signaling someone’s descent.
There were sounds like something dragging, the closing of iron grates, and faint moans.
In the soundproof environment, every noise echoed sharply in their sensitive ears.
And all those sounds only added to her fear.
A few footsteps were heard, and a shadow emerged swiftly down the stairs.
Dressed in Orhel’s uniform with a black apron-like garment over it, he checked Mikhail and Sophia before retreating inside.
Mikhail, sensing the atmosphere, quickened his pace.
When the three reached the basement level, two individuals who appeared to be Orhel’s knights stood at attention near the entrance.
Fortunately, the underground prison where they stood was brighter than the staircase descent.
However, other than that, nothing else was fortunate.
Sophia froze in place at the foot of the stairs.
This is because she realized that this fishy, musky smell that she had never smelled in her life came from the human body.
The first thing that caught her eye was the tools of violence.
Neatly arranged objects felt more terrifying due to the recent signs of use.
Sophia’s trembling eyes scanned the surroundings.
Objects hastily covered with towels or the like were scattered around, but the deep crimson stains splattered across the floor seemed irremovable.
And from deeper within, a light flickered and seeped out.
Traces of blood were emerging from there.
Sophia’s spine chilled.
“What the hell is this…”
Ian muttered in a perplexed tone, and Mikhail too shook his head in shock.
“By what means… have you come to this humble place, Your Highness.”
The tense voices of the two knights greeting Mikhail continued.
Their expressions conveyed that this was not a place one should visit.
“For Killian…”
Just as Mikhail was about to explain the reason for his visit, Sophia couldn’t wait any longer and rushed inside.
As she passed through the disgusting-smelling entrance and around the corner, a thick iron bar blocked her path.
And beyond those bars, a figure was visible.
As Sophia recognized that figure, it felt like her breath was being sucked away.
“…Killian.”
Sophia covered her mouth with both hands.
Chains hanging from the ceiling pulleys, and beneath them, a person tied and suspended like a dead animal.
His body was covered in all sorts of wounds as if a child had scribbled all over him with injuries.
Blood and pus flowed from various places, making it difficult to discern his original skin color.
With his head hanging limply, wet strands of hair obscured his face from view.
Sophia gripped the rusty iron bars with trembling hands.
Is he still breathing? Did I… arrive too late?
“Killi… an.”
Sophia tried to call his name, but her voice barely came out.
Perhaps because her voice was too faint, Killian showed no signs of movement.
Sophia wanted to call his name again, but she couldn’t muster the courage.
What if, even if I shout his name loudly, he doesn’t respond? What then?
“You can’t just barge in here like this, milady!”
A knight who had entered belatedly pulled Sophia roughly away from the bars.
However, the knight paused when he met Sophia’s defiant gaze.
“Is this Orhel’s idea of an investigation?”
“I had no choice but to investigate.”
“It’s not an investigation, it’s manipulation!”
Sophia shouted at the knight, who was a head taller than her. Mikhail and Ian, who had entered belatedly, also witnessed the scene.
“What in the world…”
It was a scene where Killian, suspended on pulleys like a hunted animal, bore terrible marks on his body, surrounded by a brazier, an anvil, hooks attached to a whip, and a water jug…
Even without explanation, it painted a picture of what had transpired over the past day.
At that moment, Mikhail realized how complacent he had been, escaping from reality.
When Killian was said to be under investigation, he initially thought it would be okay.
Even upon hearing that he had been taken here, he swallowed his anxiety, believing it would be fine.
After all, considering the values Killian had upheld among people, he would be treated accordingly.
An investigation would just involve asking a few questions, gathering evidence, and a simple meeting for interrogation. Even if they went to the underground prison… it would be okay because it was Killian.
He forced himself to close his eyes and hypnotize himself.
Knowing full well he was turning a blind eye. (T/L: Brother, then you should have come here.. dang)
“Sigh… Is this why you asked me to leave?”
Ian muttered in disbelief as well.
It had only been a day. During that time, Orhel had treated Killian like an animal, hanging him in some butcher shop.
His body soaked in blood was entirely red, making it impossible to find unharmed skin.
Anyone seeing this might have thought such acts had been going on for over a week.
“Fair investigation? Was this Orhel’s idea of a fair investigation?”
Ian demanded angrily, glaring at Orhel’s knights.
He had expected questions about evidence, inquiries into alibis, and the collection of additional evidence for the investigation.
But he had been too naive in his expectations.
Ian was seething with anger.
It wasn’t because he felt sorry for Killian or was angry at defending him.
To him, the Black Moon incident was a kind of challenge.
And when he found out Killian was the Black Moon, he wanted to strangle the life out of him more perfectly than anyone else and end the matter.
But Orhel ruined everything by using such despicable measures.
What credibility could there be in doing something like this, even if Killian confessed?
There must have been other ways, but to resort to such crude and ignorant methods…
“If you’ve taken my job, you should at least do it better than I do. Don’t you think?”
Ian’s words made Orhel’s knights exchange looks with each other.
“That, he did not confess…”
“If he confessed after doing all this, is that a confession? It’s threatening!”
Sophia, who had been listening nearby, couldn’t contain her growing anger and shouted at the knight.
But despite her sharp tone, she looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.
“The lady has no right to interfere with this…” (T/L: My blood is rising …..uk.)
“… Open it.”
“Yes?”
Just as Orhel’s knight was about to threaten Sophia, Mikhail’s voice cut in.
The knights were surprised and looked at him, and Mikhail stared back with cold eyes.
“Open the door.”
The knights were bewildered by Mikhail’s command.
They probably received strict orders from the Empress to strictly prohibit outsiders from entering.
At that moment, Mikhail stepped closer to the knight.
“Can you not hear me, Sir Reuter Graham?”
The eyes of the knight, whose name had been called, widened.
He hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to remember his face and name, just a typical Orhel knight.
If the Crown Prince remembered his name in such a situation, it would be troublesome in the future. Especially if Mikhail ascended to the throne after the Emperor’s passing.
😭😭😭🤧🤧killian