IBACM Chapter 66

Chapter 66

“Huh?”

I hadn’t expected him to answer so easily, so I was stunned.

“H-He actually answered!”

It seemed like he was in a good mood today. I decided to take this chance to get more information from him.

“If the wardrobe leaves the ducal castle, will I disappear too?”

He shook his head slightly.

Overcome with excitement, I covered my mouth with both hands and started hopping in place.

“Wow! That means I can leave the ducal castle too!”

Of course, moving the wardrobe right away wasn’t an option.

If I moved it without proper preparation, the duchess might notice and find an excuse to cause trouble.

‘She might sense something is off the moment the wardrobe is taken outside and do whatever it takes to track it down.’

Besides, there was no one on Dedrick’s side in the ducal castle, so he couldn’t move it alone.

So, moving the wardrobe would have to wait until I became an adult.

For now, I was just happy to know that I could leave the castle someday.

I quickly asked my next question.

“Then, do you know who I really am?”

This time, he neither nodded nor shook his head.

No matter how many questions I asked, he remained silent.

“Am I not a monster but another race instead?”

“……”

His lips stayed firmly shut.

I mumbled, feeling a little down.

“I guess I have to figure it out myself.”

“……”

“Anyway, thanks for the answers you did give, mister.”

Before he could flick my forehead, I quickly ran over to stand beside Dedrick.

Since I had warned him in advance that the duke could see me, Dedrick wasn’t particularly surprised.

I whispered mischievously.

“Should I go back and smack that old man’s butt? He’s such a meanie, ignoring you like that!”

“Pfft.”

Dedrick let out a small laugh before clearing his throat.

Somerset, who had been waiting for a chance, sneered.

“You idiot. What’s so funny?”

Even after all these years, that guy still hadn’t changed.

“I should just kick Somerset.”

I rolled up my sleeves, ready to charge at him—

But suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves filled the air.

A group of knights in silver armor, marked with the emblem of a black hawk, rode in, kicking up dust.

I stopped in my tracks and turned to look.

The air was thick with dust and the scent of blood, but everyone watched them with admiration.

Soon, a large black horse stopped right in front of us.

A towering figure dismounted—Hogan.

His black cape fluttered as he walked up to the duke and knelt on one knee, placing a hand over his chest.

“I have successfully completed my mission and returned safely, my lord.”

“Well done.”

The duke welcomed him with an indifferent tone.

When the duke gestured for him to rise, Hogan stood up.

“There will be a banquet tonight to celebrate the return of the Black Hawk Knights. Rest well and enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you for your consideration, my lord. But more than that, I’d like to have a private conversation with you.”

Hogan smirked, trying to charm the duke.

What a character.

The duke, as expected, showed no change in expression and turned away.

Despite the blatant rejection, Hogan burst into laughter.

“Haha! Our lord! As cold as ever, even after all this time!”

Hogan was probably the only one who could talk to the duke like that.

Before following the duke, Hogan also greeted the duchess.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

“Welcome back, Sir Hogan. I’ve prepared a banquet with care, so please enjoy yourself.”

“Oh, I’ll definitely enjoy it. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

After exchanging a brief greeting with Delani, Hogan turned to his knights.

“Rest well, everyone! See you all tonight!”

“Yes, Captain!”

Just as quickly as the crowd had gathered, it dispersed.

I looked around, trying to spot Jacob, but he was nowhere to be seen.

I glanced at Dedrick and cautiously spoke.

“Looks like Jacob didn’t come back.”

“……”

“Let’s head inside.”

Just as Dedrick was about to turn, Somerset blocked his path.

The childish face was gone, replaced by a smirk full of malice.

He glared at Dedrick with a sneer.

“What do you think you’re doing out here?”

“I apologize for coming out.”

Dedrick calmly apologized and tried to walk past him, but Somerset didn’t budge.

“Give up.”

“……”

“Give up on the duel with the Black Hawk Knights.”

“Why should I?”

“I’m giving you a warning before you embarrass yourself. Do you really think you can win?”

“What are you talking about? Did you already forget that Dedrick ranked first in the swordsmanship evaluation? Wow, I swear, Somerset’s brain is just decoration.”

Dedrick pressed his lips together, fighting a smile.

Somerset pushed his shoulder, his tone turning threatening.

“Axel was too scared to do it. You’re a coward too, right? Just say you can’t do it. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do to you.”

“Alright.”

“Huh?!”

“What?”

Somerset and I spoke at the same time, equally shocked.

I stared at Dedrick, my eyes wide.

“Wait… no, you can’t…”

I felt uneasy.

Gaining the Black Hawk Knights’ trust was incredibly difficult.

The duke had personally arranged this opportunity, and refusing to duel would make it seem like Dedrick was running away.

Even if he lost, just participating in the duel would earn him points!

If the Black Hawk Knights saw him as a coward, it would be nearly impossible to change their opinion.

Even if Delani tried to undermine him, this was his chance to prove himself.

“If you’re done talking, I’ll be going now.”

Somerset was too stunned to stop him.

I quickly followed behind Dedrick.

Once we entered the castle, walked down the hallway, and reached his room, I finally blocked his path and spoke firmly.

“Dedrick, you have to duel!”

“Yeah, I will.”

“Huh? But you just said you wouldn’t…”

Dedrick chuckled, pinching my cheek.

“I just didn’t want to argue with him. Somerset won’t believe I actually backed down, so he’ll come back soon, angry that I was playing with him.”

And sure enough, Dedrick’s prediction was spot on.

BAM!

“You bastard!”

Somerset stormed in, throwing a fit, but Dedrick, having endured his bullying for four years, remained completely unfazed.

Honestly, that was impressive in its own way…

***

Three days after the banquet celebrating the Black Hawk Knights’ return, Dedrick, Somerset, and Axel headed to the training grounds.

“They sure have stamina. It hasn’t even been a week, and they’re already dueling.”

I grumbled but quickly forgot my complaints when I caught the scent of flowers.

Looking around, I saw colorful blossoms blooming along the path.

Excited, I chatted away.

“The ducal castle is so big. The flowers change every season, so even though I’ve walked this path before, it always feels new.”

After admiring the scenery, I turned to Dedrick.

His face was tense with nerves.

I encouraged him.

“Dedrick, just do what you always do.”

He took a deep breath and nodded slightly.

As we neared the training grounds, the grass disappeared, replaced by dirt.

When we arrived, the duke and duchess were already seated in a special area, surrounded by the Black Hawk Knights.

On the raised platform, Hogan was stretching.

When his eyes met Dedrick’s, he grinned.

I turned pale.

“W-Wait… he’s not dueling Hogan, is he?”

“How can anyone beat that bear?!”

The only one who could defeat Hogan was the Grand Duke Blackwood, who had reached another level of swordsmanship.

I was shocked for a moment, but I quickly shook my head and tried to think positively.

“No, maybe it’s actually lucky that it’s Hogan.”

No one would expect the three brothers to defeat him.

So maybe, as long as they put up a decent fight, they’d still get a good score?

“Didi, you got this!”

He gave me a gentle smile before stepping onto the stage. Axel and Somerset followed behind him.