TISND Chapter 130

Chapter 130

“Damn it! That brat of a duke has started to move!”

Bacchus was both Count Eskel’s greatest shield and his most dangerous weapon. At the same time, it was his deepest secret—one that must never be revealed.

And now, Duke Frantor had begun to take action. He was gathering victims whose families had suddenly gone missing due to loan lending, as well as collecting testimonies and evidence. He must have found a clue related to Bacchus.

Viscount Forzi, who was delivering the report, asked cautiously.

“Is there a traitor revealing our plans?”

They had thought their wall was impenetrable. Yet, somehow, information was leaking. Who could it be? Who could possibly be spreading our secrets?

At that moment, the count’s eyes fell on a young girl—Helena. She was calmly pouring tea as usual, but there was a slight shadow over her expression, as if something had happened.

‘Is it you?’

The child born from a one-night mistake.

That girl… she knew about Bacchus. And even though she had been expelled by Duke Frantor, it could all be a lie. Perhaps she even harbored feelings for him. It wasn’t impossible.

He had sworn never to starve again, never to live a life of watching others’ moods. He had struggled to break free from the label of a fallen noble, only to find himself in this situation.

‘Should I kill you now?’

Had that girl betrayed the benefactor who raised her? Before everything fell apart completely, he might have to kill her. Blood ties meant nothing. Before money and power, blood was worthless.

“Your Excellency.”

A subordinate approached Count Eskel.

“I’ve discovered someone secretly inquiring about Eskel lately.”

“Who is it?”

The count’s eyes widened.

“It’s the York family.”

“The York family?”

“They’re secretly dealing with information guilds, gathering every bit of information they can about Eskel.”

Viscount Forzi, who had been listening, shouted angrily.

“It seems the York family has betrayed us! They must be cutting ties to avoid danger themselves!”

“York, huh…”

So, it wasn’t you.

The sharp gaze the count had directed at Helena softened at once.

Come to think of it, it was thanks to that girl that he had escaped his urgent financial troubles. No child would want to watch their own family fall apart.

Who did she think had fed her all this time?

The count snorted, turning his gaze away from Helena.

“We must strike the York family immediately!”

Viscount Forzi insisted, still fuming.

“Calm yourself. The Yorks are not a family we can strike just because we want to. We need to plan carefully.”

The count sighed and sat down next to Helena.

Her calm eyes finally turned to him, as if the chaos around her had nothing to do with her.

“Did something happen?”

“It’s nothing, my dear. Well, if worrying about how to multiply my assets counts as a concern, then perhaps.”

The count asked Helena,
“My child, are you sure we can’t invest more money?”

“Father, you must stop investing in the trading company.”

Having already gained substantial profits from his investments, the count was desperate for even greater gains.

“Perhaps, if luck is on our side, it could work out well.”

“Many trading companies have already flooded the market, knowing there’s money to be made. Besides, there’s been a rise in pirate attacks and shipwrecks recently. I wouldn’t recommend it, Father.”

Despite Helena’s advice, the count had already made up his mind.

‘Money. Money. Money.’

He was sick of pleasing the emperor and enduring the ridicule of other nobles.

He needed money—money that no one could dare challenge.

Money so vast that not only the empire but the entire continent would have to respect him.

Every big investment came with a bit of risk.

Playing it safe might bring small gains, but not the enormous fortune he craved.

“Don’t worry too much, dear. I’ll handle it.”

The count patted Helena’s back, then rose from the sofa, humming a tune as he headed toward the butler.

Sipping her tea, Helena gave a subtle signal to Jane, who had been waiting by the wall. Jane nodded slightly and quietly left the room.

—

“Attacked by pirates?”

“Y-yes, my lord.”

“Then what about my ship heading to the continent? What about my money?!”

“That… I’m afraid…”

Recently, the count had invested a huge sum into a trading company. Since it was a well-established company, he had no doubt that he would gain a substantial profit this time as well. The trading company, backed by the count’s investment, had secured a sizable ship and set sail for the continent. However, not long after departing, the ship was attacked by pirates, losing all the money and goods on board.

“If they were robbed, then they should recover it! Who the hell did this?”

“We couldn’t identify them. There are just too many pirates lately targeting trading ships.”

“Oh, my head, my head!”

He thought he had finally escaped his financial troubles, only to be struck by a pirate attack!

While the count clutched his aching head, Helena quietly drew a breath that no one could hear. It seemed Bahen had done his job well. The ship loaded with goods and money would now serve to help people escape from Bacchus.

“This won’t do, Helena. Perhaps we should cancel the party?”

“No, Father.”

Helena, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“You should take advantage of this opportunity.”

“Take advantage? How?”

“Since many guests are already gathered, why not hold an auction? Selling rare items from various countries could quickly bring in some cash.”

She added,

“If it’s an auction hosted by someone who just made a fortune in maritime trade, it will draw a lot of attention.”

“What a wonderful idea, my dear!”

Surely, this child couldn’t be a spy. The count smiled in satisfaction.

But this auction was also part of Helena’s plan. The auction was a diversion—a way to shift everyone’s attention elsewhere. With valuable items up for bid and numerous nobles gathered, security would naturally be focused there. Moreover, under the guise of the ‘auction,’ it would seem natural to move the people trapped inside.

She couldn’t simply wait until the ugly truths of the count and the nobles came to light. Before her father could make his move, she needed to help people escape, even if it was bit by bit.

“Let’s hold the most grand and splendid banquet possible!”

“Yes, Father.”

Having received the information, the crown prince and Caligo were already moving quietly behind the scenes, and just as quickly as money had poured in for the count, it was now flowing out. Soon, all the nobles would gather in one place. The time was near, Helena thought.

People would gather, and with all preparations complete, all that was left was to convey this to Caligo.

‘Caligo.’

At the thought of his name, the mask she wore before her father wavered slightly. She had resolved not to be shaken by that name anymore. But time and again, the thought of him tore her heart to shreds. She thought it had already turned into rags, so worn that nothing more could fray. But why did it still ache so deeply?

But this letter would be the last.
Meeting him again would probably never happen after this.

Once everything was resolved, she would likely be gone.

—

‘You don’t need to explain.’
‘It’s not like we’re in that kind of relationship anyway.’
‘Just as Your Grace doesn’t trust my words, I won’t trust yours anymore.’

Her face, as she spoke with resignation, wouldn’t leave his mind. She had shown no intention of truly talking to him. To him, it felt like a complete severance of their relationship. At one point, he had wished for their relationship to be over for good. But now that it seemed to be, his feelings were a mess.

He painfully realized that it wasn’t the name “Eskel” that had blinded Helena’s eyes and ears—it was his own cold gaze and harsh words toward her.

‘I thought bangs would suit you better.’

Come to think of it, there was a time when her eyes often turned to him. Why did he only realize this after losing it?

Then,

“Your Grace, a letter has arrived from ‘Forget-Me-Not.’”

Pedro handed over the letter with a bright face. Finally, a letter from ‘Forget-Me-Not’ had arrived. It contained information about the main hideout, as well as details of the upcoming party. Caligo, hiding his conflicted feelings, gave his orders to Pedro with composure.

“Pedro, go to the location first. Find out who goes in and out, and what they’re doing. Don’t try to act too boldly. Avoid taking risks that could jeopardize the mission.”

“Understood, my lord.”

It was strange. It was as if ‘Forget-Me-Not’ knew exactly how Caligo would move, delivering the party date with perfect timing. Now, with journalists ready and all the right testimonies and witnesses gathered.

‘Did they realize I’d use public opinion?’

Lost in thought, Caligo felt as if he had been struck on the head. Until now, he had only considered ‘Forget-Me-Not’ to be one of the count’s closest associates. He had never considered the opposite possibility.

‘Could it be that ‘Forget-Me-Not’ is someone related to me?’

‘Helena said she had something she absolutely had to do after leaving the mansion.’

Suddenly, Joshua’s words echoed in his mind. Helena, who should have been focusing on her recovery, had stayed in the capital for an urgent purpose. She had been exchanging letters with Bahen for a long time.

“No way.”

Caligo’s eyes widened.

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