“Shouldn’t we start a search immediately, Duke?”
At her words, Duke Findlay turned to look at Rebecca. He curled his lips into a smile devoid of warmth. It was a snake-like grin. “Do you think so?”
“…Pardon?” Rebecca frowned slightly at the incomprehensible question.
Duke Findlay turned his gaze forward again and spoke in a cold tone. “I think we should wait at least another day.”
“…”
“Even if the monster they faced initially was strong, it’s still just a mid-level monster. If the elite knights of Valhanas, who represent the continent, lose their lives to such a creature, then it would be their fate.”
Listening to his voice felt like being enveloped in shadows despite the sunlight. Rebecca unconsciously raised her hand to rub the goosebumps on her arm.
Duke Findlay added belatedly. His words were full of sarcasm. “Well, the knights of the Fourth Order are skilled, so that shouldn’t happen.”
“…”
Rebecca clenched her fists tightly and turned her head away. She gritted her teeth, glaring at the entrance to the northern forest where Duke Findlay’s gaze lingered.
…What am I even trying to do?
It was clear from the situation that Duke Findlay had schemed something against the Fourth Order. Yet, for Rebecca, it would be beneficial if Kayden and the rest of the Fourth Order were all killed, as it would help cover up the Duke’s actions.
If Ludwig had known about the rift that had formed between Duke Findlay and Rebecca, he would have said the same thing. If they couldn’t stop Duke Findlay, it would be wiser to hope that his plot resulted in the death of all their enemies.
Yes, thinking logically, that made sense. But what was this growing sense of rebellion in her heart? Rebecca bit her lip hard enough to draw blood as if trying to rid herself of any unnecessary emotions.
In the meantime, the sunset faded, and dusk began to settle. Duke Findlay clicked his tongue and turned away. “It seems they won’t return today either. We will assemble a search party at dawn. You should return as well, Your Highness.”
“…”
“Your Highness First Princess.”
Even though Duke Findlay was certain she had heard him, he shook his head as he watched Rebecca stubbornly staring straight ahead. Just as he was about to return to his tent with his cold expression.
Step.
“…!”
Both Rebecca and Duke Findlay stiffened at the same time. The duke, sensing something unlikely, widened his eyes and turned around.
It was from the dark forest beyond. At first, the faint sound of footsteps echoed, and then tiny lights began to appear one by one. What started as a single person’s footsteps soon multiplied until they shook the ground.
“W-What is that?”
“Could it be…?”
Sensing the presence, the knights began to spill out of the barracks one by one, all looking toward the entrance of the northern forest. Some sighed in relief, while others stood in place with uncomfortable curiosity.
Duke Findlay clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. How…?! As he swallowed the scream he couldn’t let out, Kayden and the knights of the Fourth Order stood before the camp, their faces emotionless. Their appearance was beyond words. Their uniforms were soaked in blood, so much so that their original color was unrecognizable, and they were torn in places.
“What on earth happened…”
The knights murmured amongst themselves, unable to contain their astonishment. But even those murmurs disappeared when Kayden stepped forward and stood before Rebecca and Duke Findlay.
A deathly silence descended upon the camp. Kayden flung the sack he was carrying over his shoulder at Duke Findlay’s feet.
Thud! Some knights instinctively reached for their swords, fearing that a monster might leap out of the sack and attack the duke, but the duke didn’t even flinch.
Kayden looked at the Duke and laughed savagely. “I shall report.”
“…”
“A new type of mutant monster was discovered in the northern forest. It was difficult to handle because it kept dividing when injured, which delayed our return. The contents of the sack are part of that monster’s corpse.”
“What?”
“Di-Dividing? How could that…?”
The knights whispered amongst themselves, shocked by the idea of a monster that multiplied when wounded. Until now, many mutated monsters had appeared, but they had only been stronger and more grotesque than regular ones. If what Kayden said was true, this was an unprecedented catastrophe-level mutant monster.
Even in the midst of all this, Duke Findlay met Kayden’s gaze without a trace of emotion. Rather…
…Is he smiling? Kayden frowned as he noticed the corners of Duke Findlay’s lips slowly rising.
“The day before the hunting competition and before the subjugation, the duke and first princess had an argument. The duke seems to be plotting something fatal to the first princess on his own and hiding it. And that’s probably…”
Mutant monsters.
Duke Findlay was creating mutant monsters artificially. That was the conclusion Kayden and Diana had reached. They hadn’t yet figured out how it was possible.
In any case, Kayden would never forget how the duke had nearly wiped out the entire Fourth Order. Moreover, Kayden no longer had any need to hide his hostility. He and the knights of the Fourth Order openly showed their intent to kill the duke. Considering they had returned alive when they should have died, even a cold-blooded man like the duke should have been shaken. But the duke laughed.
“…Duke?”
Duke Findlay was known for his expressionless demeanor. Even the occasional smiles he wore lacked any humanity. But now, he was smiling with a bizarre amount of delight.
Rebecca, forgetting herself in front of the knights, let out a startled sound at the sight of the duke’s unfamiliar expression. Everyone held their breath, watching the Duke carefully.
With the corners of his lips raised nearly to his ears, the duke slowly opened his mouth. “This is…”
“…”
“Utterly delightful.”
For a moment, Kayden was taken aback by the madness in his voice, but he gritted his teeth and held his ground.
The duke stepped over the sack at his feet and approached Kayden, patting him on the shoulder. “This old man was worried that something bad had happened to Your Highness and the Fourth Order, but it seems you’re safe. That’s truly a relief.”
“…You speak as if you were certain something unexpected would happen, Duke.”
“How could that be?”
Kayden’s tone was sarcastic, but the duke’s smile remained unwavering.
Staring intently at Kayden’s face, the duke suddenly turned and shouted to the knights. “Move the wounded to the medical tents and bring out fresh uniforms!”
“Y-Yes, Sir!”
The knights, snapping back to their senses, hurried to lead the Fourth Order into the camp.
Kayden reluctantly followed behind Patrasche, who was being supported by other knights, but he stopped beside the duke. He turned his head slightly. Duke Findlay met his gaze, his black eyes gleaming ominously.
“If you ever toy with my men’s lives again…”
“…”
“I will take your head. Consider this a warning, Duke.”
“If possible, I’d like you to cut it with the same sword that took down the mutant monster.”
“… You’re out of your mind,” Kayden muttered in disgust and brushed past the duke.
Rebecca, watching them both, also returned to her tent. Meanwhile, the Duke remained, clenching his fist tightly. For once, his cold eyes shimmered with desire.
…It’s real.
It exists.
It truly exists!
“Valter.”
At his soft call, a subordinate behind him silently bowed his head.
The duke’s voice, filled with cold excitement, echoed like a whisper.
“Increase surveillance around the Third Prince. They must be nearby…”
His icy blue eyes turned toward the forest, now swallowed by darkness. They gleamed like a wolf that had found its prey.
“…There’s an elementalist with the darkness attribute.”
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