SOWD Chapter 112

Chapter 112

“By the way, how is Ian doing?”

“Ian? Sigh… That kid has been getting on my nerves lately.”

“Oh? Did something happen?”

“Not particularly, but it feels like his mind is always elsewhere, no matter what he’s doing.”

Count Talon clicked his tongue and took a sip of his tea.

“He’s always been calm and sharp, so my eldest son even suggested giving him a rather large estate. But judging by how he’s been acting these days…”

If one were to take his words at face value, it sounded like he was about to disown his second son and send him off as an ordinary noble. However, Laszlo quickly caught the underlying meaning.

“You say that as if you already know the reason.”

“Haha, of course not.”

“Really? Because I do.”

As expected, an old fox like him was impossible to outmaneuver.

“If Ian isn’t the only one, then there’s another fool in my house who’s been just as absentminded lately. I’ll have that matter sorted out within the next year as well.”

“Next year… That’s sooner than I expected. But shouldn’t you take care of your own matters first?”

“That… I’ll handle myself.”

Laszlo downed the rest of his tea in one go and stood up.

“Apologies for disturbing your valuable rest time. Next time, I’ll be sure to host you properly.”

“I feel like I’ve gained quite a lot from just one cup of tea. I’ll be looking forward to it. Haha!”

As Laszlo stood up much lighter than when he had entered, Count Talon followed suit. Then, just as Laszlo was about to leave the room, the count added a word of advice.

“His Majesty cares for you far more than you think. So don’t be too hesitant and just ask him.”

Laszlo paused for a brief moment at those words, but that was all.

Without responding, he simply left the room, while Count Talon watched his retreating figure with a gentle smile.

---

After leaving the room, Laszlo pondered for a moment but soon reached a conclusion—there was no reason to hesitate once he had already made up his mind.

If, by any chance, His Majesty refuses the pardon, I need to find a solution for that as soon as possible.

Determined, Laszlo immediately sought out Dimarcus to settle the matter.

But as luck would have it, today’s imperial guard on duty was Edmund.

“Oh? Sir Chrysis, you’re off duty today, aren’t you? What brings you here at this hour?”

Edmund asked with a curious expression.

He’s definitely going to report this to Marquis Winblair.

Since Winblair was backing Canyon, and it was also his influence that helped Edmund rise to vice-captain of the Imperial Guard, Laszlo found the whole situation displeasing.

However, that wasn’t a reason to hesitate.

“I need to see His Majesty for a moment. Could you relay my request?”

“Huh? But as you know, to have a private audience with His Majesty, one must submit a request several days in advance.”

“I’m aware. It’s fine if I get rejected, just ask him for me.”

Edmund looked extremely curious about the reason for Laszlo’s visit but didn’t dare to pry further. He left to inform Dimarcus, and when he returned shortly after, his expression was quite complicated.

“You’re in luck, Sir! His Majesty has granted you an audience!”

Laszlo simply smiled at Edmund. He had already expected Dimarcus to be waiting for him. The Emperor wouldn’t sit idly by while the Canyon family, backed by Marquis Winblair, continued to rise unchecked.

However, when he finally faced Dimarcus, the Emperor’s expression was much brighter than expected—almost as if he was enjoying himself.

“You’re finally here. You took longer than I thought. I assume you had a lot to think about?”

He didn’t even bother asking why Laszlo had come.

Instead of answering, Laszlo poured himself a glass of water from the decanter on the tea table and drank it down in one gulp.

Then, as he set the cup down, he got straight to the point.

“Would you grant a pardon to Idel Lancaster?”

Dimarcus leisurely took a sip of his tea, deliberately drawing out the moment. He knew full well that Laszlo was burning with impatience.

“Hm, a pardon, huh? And why do you ask for it?”

“No matter what I try to do, it’s difficult while she remains a criminal.”

“A pardon itself isn’t difficult. But if I grant it, she’ll no longer be a criminal or a war trophy. Count Canyon will come running immediately.”

“I will find a way to handle that.”

Dimarcus met Laszlo’s unwavering gaze and realized just how serious he was.

A chuckle nearly escaped him, but he quickly covered his mouth with his teacup to avoid misunderstanding.

“Well, fine. She’s your prisoner anyway, so I should respect your wishes. I’ll add her name to the list of pardons.”

Laszlo clenched his fist at the unexpectedly easy approval and asked again.

“And what do you want in return?”

“Hm? A price?”

Dimarcus’ eyes gleamed with interest.

Does he truly believe that obtaining Idel Lancaster’s pardon requires him to pay a price? Interesting…

He recalled a time when he had wondered whether Idel could ignite a fire in Laszlo’s heart.

Is this just a spark? Or has the flame already begun to burn?

Wiping the relaxed smile off his face, Dimarcus looked at Laszlo intently and answered.

“If I must name a price, then… for you to be happy.”

Watching Laszlo’s stunned expression was quite amusing.

“May I say something extremely disrespectful?”

“As a subject, or as my younger brother?”

“…Just this once, I’ll be your younger brother.”

“Go ahead.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

At that, Dimarcus burst into laughter.

In his entire life, no one had ever spoken to him in such a crude manner. And yet, it was absurdly entertaining.

Even as Dimarcus laughed so hard that he nearly choked, Laszlo frowned in annoyance.

“I wasn’t joking, Your Majesty. I don’t want any vague debts lingering between us.”

“Ah, it really has been a long time since I laughed like this. But, Laszlo, my dear brother!”

Laszlo shot him a suspicious glare, but Dimarcus didn’t mind.

“You’re requesting this pardon to keep Count Canyon from taking Idel Lancaster, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“That benefits me as well. So why would I ask you for anything in return? Just make sure you keep her out of the Canyon family’s hands. That would be quite the headache.”

“Have you ever seen me let something that’s mine be taken from me?”

Dimarcus smiled.

“Good. That’s all I need. If you need more help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I was planning to.”

Just as Laszlo was about to leave, Dimarcus stopped him.

“Wait, wait! I was going to summon you anyway. My informants captured someone who was saying something… quite interesting last night.”

Although he called it “interesting,” his expression was far from amused.

“He was drunk at a tavern, rambling about a carriage accident in Norwich 16 years ago.”

Laszlo’s eyes widened. Norwich—the place where his parents had died in a carriage accident 16 years ago.

Dimarcus’ smile vanished completely as he continued.

“He claimed they were hired by a high-ranking noble to attack the carriage and stage it as an accident. He took the money and ran immediately after, but his accomplices all died soon after.”

“Did he reveal who hired them?”

“The imperial interrogation specialists are quite skilled. A little scare, and he spilled everything.”

“Who was it?”

Laszlo’s voice was cold, barely restraining his fury.

Dimarcus sighed lightly before answering.

“Winblair.”

Laszlo clenched his jaw so hard it made a grinding noise.

His parents’ deaths had always seemed suspicious, but now…

“Marquis Winblair…”

“The mastermind behind this unrest and Count Canyon’s backer—also Winblair.”

Laszlo let out a cold chuckle.

“So this is fate? It seems I’ll be the one to put an end to the Winblair family myself.”

Dimarcus, watching Laszlo’s dark smile, shrugged.

“Well, lucky for me, we share the same enemy.”

 

And for that, he was genuinely grateful to Isaac Winblair.