SWWYV CHAPTER 159

Chapter 159

The knights nearby shrank back, watching the scene unfold.

“Why is he like that these days?”

“Maybe it’s because he was excluded from the beast hunt.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you mess with Orhelin…”

Recently, Ian Fraus had been noticeably irritable, and no one in Ruchtainer dared to provoke him.

But then.

“Sir Ian, are you here?”

Zenon asked the knights on the training grounds.

Behind Zenon stood Crown Prince Mikhail.

The knights, who had not noticed them earlier, hurriedly stepped aside and bowed, making way for them.

As the knights moved aside, Ian Fraus came into view, swinging his sword in the middle of the training ground.

“Sir Ian Fraus.”

Zenon called out formally, causing Ian to lower his sword and turn around.

“Commander. And… Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Ian, moving irritably, straightened up and showed proper respect.

However, Ian was not pleased with Mikhail’s visit. He knew why he had come.

“It’s been hard to see you, Sir Ian.”

Mikhail smiled warmly at the bowing Ian.

Recently, Mikhail had been investigating the Black Moon and had requested Ian’s cooperation several times.

Having seen the Black Moon firsthand, Ian fought with them and even unmasked them, had much to share.

However, Ian always responded, “I’m too busy, forgive me.”

Ruchtainer was busy preparing for the upcoming beast hunt, but that wasn’t a sufficient reason to reject the Crown Prince’s summons multiple times.

‘He is definitely avoiding this…’

Stubborn Ian had finally driven Mikhail to come here personally.

“I wanted to discuss the Black Moon, but since you’re so busy, I had to come to you.”

“The Black Moon case has now been handed over to Orhelin.”

Ian turned his head, implying he had nothing more to say.

“I know. I’ve already been informed and received the documents.”

“Then you have no reason to ask me anything.”

“On the contrary, there is a reason, which is why I came.”

Ian’s stubbornness was useless against Mikhail’s smile.

Ultimately, Ian had no choice but to accompany Mikhail to the reception room in Ruchtainer.

While the squire and servants tidied up the room and brought in some simple refreshments, Ian tapped his foot lightly, as if counting the seconds.

“So, what do you wish to ask, Your Highness?”

Ian sat upright, but his tone suggested he would rather be crossing his legs and folding his arms.

“I thought you’d be quite interested in the Black Moon case, Sir Ian. But it seems I was wrong.”

Mikhail said.

He had expected Ian to be keenly interested in such a skilled opponent.

Especially after narrowly missing capturing the Black Moon once, Mikhail thought Ian would be more tenacious in pursuing the case.

However, Ian had completely withdrawn from the Black Moon investigation after the incident, leaving it all to Orhelin.

Mikhail was convinced that Ian’s unusual behaviour had a reason behind it.

“The Black Moon case isn’t my domain anyway.”

“Is your pride wounded because of what the Black Moon did to you?”

Mikhail subtly provoked Ian, knowing his personality well.

Ian merely frowned slightly at the provocation.

“If you’ve come to question me about that, you’ve come to the wrong person.”

Ian’s answer was calm.

The Ian Mikhail knew wouldn’t just sit quietly if his skills were questioned or if he was compared unfavourably to a mere murderer.

‘There’s something going on…’

Mikhail suspected that this “something” could be a crucial clue about the Black Moon.

“Unlike the Orhelin knights, you’ve seen the Black Moon directly and even fought with them. So, I thought you might have more to tell.”

Mikhail did not back down, and Ian’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

He did not want to discuss the event where he had provided false testimony.

He was already very nervous about Sophia and Killian’s wedding, and now he has to talk about that day.

“I heard you were injured that day, Sir Ian. With your skills, you must have gathered some insight about the Black Moon just by crossing swords with them.”

Mikhail’s question was sharp.

As he said, someone like Ian could guess not only his opponent’s skill but also his personality just by using his sword.

Recognising Killian as the Black Moon during their duel was for this very reason.

The form of swordsmanship and movement is clearly passed down from master to disciple, like a bloodline.

Even if a disciple learns new skills, he cannot deny his roots.

So Mikhail also wants to get an answer from him.

“The military police officers would know better. I heard they also encountered the Black Moon, like Sir Nicholas…”

Mikhail silently observed Ian, who was trying to avoid answering.

“Sir Nicholas said he couldn’t provide an answer. As you know, his comrade, Sir Liam, was killed by the Black Moon that day.”

Nicholas had shared some details about his encounter with the Black Moon but could recall little more.

The trauma of losing Liam made it difficult for him to think clearly about the event. Mikhail could not press Nicholas further, given his loss.

Ian responded brazenly.

“Unfortunately, I was also quite shocked that day.”

“Excuse me?”

“The only thing I can tell you is that he was tall man. For example, someone like Grand Duke Killian.”

If you have any sense, you’ll realise Killian is the Black Moon.

Ian’s blatant hint was met with a serious expression from Mikhail.

“But Killian couldn’t have been there at that time…”

“…”

This was why Ian didn’t want to waste time.

Ian watched Mikhail, who couldn’t even consider Killian a suspect, and wished he would just leave.

However, Mikhail seemed reluctant to give up on Ian just yet.

“You must have heard about the chandelier incident at the recent party?”

“I left early that day, so I don’t know the details, but yes, I heard about it.”

Ian had only heard bits and pieces.

He knew that after he left the party, a chandelier had fallen, causing quite a commotion.

He didn’t pay much attention to the gossip about the party where Sophia announced her engagement, as he had no interest in it.

But why was Mikhail bringing it up now?

“I suspect that the chandelier’s fall was the work of the Black Moon.”

Ian frowned at Mikhail’s suggestion.

From what he knew, the incident had been blamed on the manager and was considered settled.

“I saw someone above the party hall just after the chandelier fell.”

“But causing a chandelier to fall isn’t the Black Moon’s modus operandi.”

Ian shook his head.

Until now, the Black Moon preferred to attack people covertly, avoiding public places with many eyes and never using structures like chandeliers.

They used poisons like Rosarphi or blades to kill their targets.

“But that chandelier was aimed at Lady Estelle.”

“Estelle Niore, you mean?”

But what did that have to do with anything?

Seeing Ian’s confused expression, Mikhail continued.

“Last time, when Sir Ian encountered the Black Moon, Sir Estelle was also attacked. I believe the Black Moon is now targeting Sir Estelle.”

Ian almost laughed out loud at Mikhail’s words.

The last time the Black Moon supposedly targeted Estelle?

It was actually Sophia who had harmed Estelle that day.

Sophia had involved her close friend Estelle in her schemes.

‘The idea that the Black Moon is targeting Estelle is absurd.’

However, Ian had to keep silent even about this truth.

And he could hardly bear staying silent while knowing everything.

“Is there any reason the Black Moon would target Lady Estelle?”

“You know the Black Moon doesn’t need reasons to choose their targets. There’s no commonality among the victims.”

“Well, they’re all nobles, so maybe it’s a commoner or pauper with a hatred for the nobility.”

Ian spoke cynically.

Mikhail, frustrated by Ian’s uncooperative attitude, said,

“Lady Sophia was almost hurt that day too, wasn’t she? If it were you, Sir Ian…”

“Sophia was almost hurt?”

Ian’s usually indifferent expression changed.

“…You didn’t know? It’s been days since it happened.”

“…”

Sophia had said nothing to him.

Even after returning from the party that day.

‘Damn it.’

That day, Ian had urged Sophia not to get married and had confronted her about his feelings.

‘Please, Ian. I had such a tough day today.’

Only now did he understand what Sophia meant.

‘Why didn’t she tell me anything?’

If she had told him about such an incident right away.

Since then, he hadn’t heard a word about the party from anyone.

He didn’t have many friends in social circles, and he was too preoccupied with Sophia deliberately avoiding him.

If people started talking about the party, he would leave or focus on training alone. His parents only ever talked about Sophia’s engagement…

“So, you’re saying the Black Moon deliberately made the chandelier fall that day?”