A Sorrowful Tale from the Imperial Palace

The eldest son of the Lyaird family was a member of the rebel group, and he met his death at the hands of his younger brother.

It was truly a massive piece of news, enough to shake the empire, and it spread like wildfire.

The fact that he committed the act in the Imperial Palace, the very heart and pillar of the empire, made the shock even greater.

Kyle and Sylvia, both involved and victims of this incident, had to quickly head to the Emperor.

Originally, Vermillion could also be considered a party involved in this incident, but he still had to operate while avoiding the family and the Eyes of Dawn, so Kyle covered up what he had done.

It wasn’t that difficult.

In the first place, all he did was eliminate the assassin who came for Sylvia, so Kyle could just claim that he had set up a magic trap in advance.

,I’ve heard the story. A terrible thing happened in the middle of the night that’s hard to even talk about.”

“……”

“As the ruler of this country, as the owner of the Imperial Palace, I am sorry that you had to experience such a painful accident. I, the Emperor, apologize on behalf of everyone.”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“How could it be Your Majesty’s fault?”

The two bowed their heads to the Emperor, Oswell, who offered his apology with a somber expression.

However, despite their consolation, Emperor Oswell’s complexion did not seem to improve much.

Originally, he was a hardliner who wanted to wipe out the Eyes of Dawn, so perhaps that was why, but the fact that they were trying to come and go from the imperial family’s chambers as if it were their own home was shameful and infuriating.

“I will personally take charge of the investigation into this matter. In the process, I will inevitably cause some trouble for you, but I apologize in advance for that as well.”

“No, it would be our pleasure to be of assistance.”

“I appreciate you thinking that way.”

While speaking nonchalantly, Oswell sensed that Kyle’s complexion was not good and gave him a pitiful look.

Even if he was a rebel who tried to revolt against the empire, he had killed his own brother with his own hands.

It would be strange if he wasn’t feeling disturbed.

“I heard that you had foreseen their plan to some extent.”

“That’s right.”

“But why didn’t you tell me or the other ministers?”

However, even in this situation, there were things that needed to be addressed.

Oswell’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Kyle.

Knowing the movements of the Eyes of Dawn in advance and not telling anyone could easily be misinterpreted as him being in league with them, or having an equivalent intelligence network without giving even a hint.

This was something that Oswell, who was desperately trying to find more information about the Eyes of Dawn, could not overlook.

Kyle replied calmly.

“Because there was no concrete evidence.”

“No concrete evidence? So, you only had suspicions?”

“Yes. In fact, on the day we arrived in Artas, we were attacked by someone who appeared to be a member of their group.”

“I heard something about that. So, you were predicting that they might target you again based on that incident?”

“Something like that. Of course, even I didn’t think my brother would be involved….”

That’s a lie. Of course, Kyle knew. It was information he had heard from Vermillion, no less.

However, the reason he didn’t mention that point here was to hide the intelligence network of Vermillion as much as possible.

After all, if he brought up that point, it would be like denying his own statement that ‘there was no concrete evidence.’

It’s more reasonable to pretend that it was a coincidence here as much as possible.

In order to reduce the possibility of getting caught up in more difficult situations later.

“I understand. To think that a blood-related brother was one of the henchmen gnawing at the empire. Even I wouldn’t have dared to imagine it.”

Fortunately, that tactic worked quite well, and Oswell seemed to be convinced.

In fact, if you only listened to Kyle’s words, there were some ambiguous aspects, but it wasn’t to the point where you couldn’t understand.

There was already a foreshadowing that he was attacked on the day he arrived in the capital, and above all, Kyle had already experienced the incident where enemies had invaded the family’s main estate where he resided.

In that case, it wouldn’t be strange if he had taken thorough precautions more than ever.

The fact that he didn’t bother to inform Oswell or others about that was to avoid stirring up trouble, so it was understandable enough.

“I apologize for trying to question you with my limited knowledge.”

“No, I think you are welcome to do so since it is for the sake of the empire.”

Kyle shook his head with a bitter smile, feeling that he was experiencing a lot of rare things, like hearing the Emperor’s apology today.

In the first place, it would be strange not to be suspicious.

In the worst case, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable for him to be misunderstood as originally being a member of the Eyes of Dawn, but when things didn’t go well, he killed his brother and betrayed them, trying to cling to the empire.

If that were the case, Sylvia would have been suspected of being an accomplice as well.

This was a much better outcome than Kyle had expected.

“And your brother, Hassel, was it? After investigating the sword he had, it turned out to be a demonic sword that was sealed in the Demon Realm in the past.”

“I thought so. I thought it was an unusual sword.”

“So, I’m going to go through the sealing process and put it deep underground. If they value that object, they’ll come looking for it, so we can use it as bait instead.”

That’s a good choice.

In the first place, even if the power that a demonic sword brings is strong, Kyle wasn’t crazy enough to covet it after seeing how broken Hassel was.

He originally intended to entrust the demonic sword to the Emperor.

However, there was one thing he wanted to ask for besides the demonic sword.

“Your Majesty, may I dare to ask you for one thing?”

“What is it? Tell me.”

“I would be grateful if you would allow my brother, Hassel’s, body to be buried in the Lyaird family’s territory.”

“That is not allowed!”

As Kyle’s words continued, one of the ministers who was listening to the story next to him stood up and shouted.

“Originally, it has been customary since ancient times to make an example of those who have committed treason, even if they have died, by beheading them or something similar. But how can you enshrine a mere traitor in a tomb….”

“No, I allow it.”

“Your Majesty…!?”

However, before his words could finish, Oswell, who had interrupted, opened his mouth with his eyes closed, and everyone in the audience chamber was surprised at once.

Kyle was also surprised because he knew that it was a request that might not be accepted, but he had thrown out the words as a test.

Oswell added, scanning the audience with a sorrowful look.

“Vincent. It was this friend who defeated that man. And they were brothers. Even if he is a traitor, he defeats his only brother without hesitation for the sake of the empire. Would you be able to do that?”

“……”

“No, you wouldn’t be able to. Even I, who always say that I worry about the safety of the empire, might not be able to draw my sword if that situation arose. That’s what family is.”

Of course, Oswell had also heard bits and pieces of the complicated story between Hassel and Kyle, so he knew that they were not very close brothers.

However, family, brothers, it’s not a matter of whether they get along well or not, but there is a sense of bond that only that word gives.

“But this friend did it. He must have been sadder than anyone at that moment, but he did it for the sake of the empire. How can I coldly refuse such a hero who says he wants to see off his brother’s last moments as he leaves?”

“…I didn’t foresee Your Majesty’s broad intentions. I will tell the captain of the guard to hand over the head immediately.”

“Please do that.”

With those words, Oswell dismissed the two as if there was nothing more to ask.

In fact, there were many things he wanted to say, and there were many more things he wanted to ask, but he couldn’t do so.

He thought that giving that young man a moment of rest was the duty he had to fulfill as an emperor, rather than grilling the two of them and digging up information.

Anyway, there are also the remnants of the Eyes of Dawn who were caught last night, so he can extract as much information as possible through them.

＊＊＊

The next day, thanks to Oswell’s consideration, Kyle and Sylvia were able to travel directly from the Imperial Palace to the Lyaird family’s territory through a dimension stone that only the imperial family could use.

“……!”

“Kyle!”

The Lyaird couple ran out barefoot to greet the two in the carriage that arrived in front of the castle.

Because it was such urgent news, the news had spread throughout the Lyaird family in just one day.

It was so hard to believe that it felt like a dream, but soon they heard the news that they had arrived in just one day, and they could sense it.

That it was the truth.

Tobeok. Tobeok.

Kyle, who got out of the carriage, silently carried Hassel’s body and approached them.

Sylvia, who followed behind him, had already changed into a black dress.

“…I’m sorry. Father, Mother.”

As Kyle opened his mouth with a somber expression, Dver and Roxanne approached with disbelieving expressions.

Then, they slightly lifted the cloth and discovered Hassel’s cold face hidden inside.

The two people’s figures collapsed at the same time.

“Ah, aah…!”

“Hassel, you foolish bastard…!”

Anger at how he could betray the family and cling to those bastards, grief over why he fell into the wrong path, and helplessness at not being able to stop it. All those emotions are mixed and flow out.

Seeing his father’s tears for the first time in his life, the tears of a father who had always been strong, Kyle felt something boiling inside him and cast a comforting gaze, trying not to face it.

Hudududuk.

As if waiting for that moment, it started to rain.