chapter_0163

162 – The Bait Has Been Taken

162 – The Bait Has Been Taken

Meanwhile, in the western part of the Empire.

The port city of Lost Bellemont.

“Over here! We can’t waste time, so hurry up even if it’s tough!”

Pereemila, the eldest son of Duke Belvar, shouted back as he turned around.

Currently, Pereemila was responsible not only for his own family but also for his siblings’ families, which weighed heavily on him.

However, the third son of Duke Belvar could not understand why Pereemila was in such a hurry.

“Brother, aren’t you rushing too much? We could go slowly…”

“The broker sensed something was off and moved the schedule up. He felt like someone was watching him.”

“What? Even so, why should we adjust to that lowly one’s schedule? And even if he wasn’t there, can’t we just take a passenger ship or a regular ferry to Bellanos?”

The second son, looking down at his naive younger brother who had grown up in privilege and knew nothing of the world, spoke up.

“You foolish child. We are in a position of fleeing right now. If we use a passenger ship or a regular ferry, all those records will remain. Are you suggesting we advertise for Daniel Steiner to come and capture us?”

“But brother…”

“Shut your mouth. There’s a limit to how foolish one can be. I can’t understand how our father left you the oil company. More importantly, brother, did you know that father was going to start a war?”

At the second son’s question, Pereemila quickly moved his feet while answering.

“I didn’t know. If I had, I wouldn’t have gotten involved in such matters.”

Their father, Belvar, had demanded funds from the eldest son, Pereemila, in the name of the family before starting the war.

Knowing that his father’s power was behind the success of the business, Pereemila handed over a large sum of money to Belvar, considering it as repayment of interest.

Belvar used that money to rally the nobles and bribe the defense commander.

“So in the end…”

The second son continued, his face pale.

“That means you also contributed to the war that father started.”

Pereemila bit his lip.

“I didn’t know! I swear I didn’t! As you know, I have no interest in anything other than my family and the company! Do you want to think that I helped my father to gain power?”

Although Pereemila denied it, the second son did not withdraw his suspicion.

“Brother, even if what you say is true, I doubt Daniel Steiner will believe you. Even if you are innocent, you left clear evidence that you helped father plan the war.”

As the second son spoke calmly, a vein popped on Pereemila’s forehead.

“You bastard! So what do you want me to do? Go back and confess my wrongdoings? Do you think Daniel Steiner would forgive our family?”

“I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Be quiet! We’re in a hurry, so don’t raise your voice with useless talk!”

Since he couldn’t argue with that, the second son nodded without further comment.

After giving the second son a glare, Pereemila sighed and took on the role of a guide.

Relying on the flashlight, after moving through the alleyways, Pereemila was finally able to arrive at the dock.

As he and his family emerged from the alley, the wind blew in, bringing the smell of the sea.

“Here it is.”

Relieved to have arrived on time, Pereemila let out a sigh of relief but then hesitated.

Under the dim light of the dock’s streetlamp, a man was sitting on a folding chair wearing a fedora and fishing.

Although only his back was visible, he exuded an intimidating aura.

‘…Is he the broker?’

It seemed too relaxed for that.

The broker, who had claimed to be watched and moved the schedule up, was now sitting openly under the streetlamp, seemingly unconcerned about being monitored.

“Excuse me. Are you the one who came to help us?”

As Pereemila spoke, the man, who had been looking down at the sea, slowly raised his head.

“You’re mistaken. I’m just enjoying night fishing.”

His deep voice sent a chill down Pereemila’s spine.

It was natural to feel uneasy, as the broker who claimed to be under surveillance had not shown up, and now an unidentified black man was taking his place.

Unconsciously swallowing dry saliva, Pereemila reassured his trembling family before speaking.

“Alright. It seems we took a wrong turn, so we should head back—”

“Fishing is quite mysterious. Why can’t these fish distinguish between bait and food? Most fishermen tend to underestimate the intelligence of fish, but I think differently.”

Just then, the fishing rod’s bobber began to shake, as if a fish had bitten the bait.

However, Hamtal did not lift the rod.

“Perhaps the fish know that the bait is suspicious, yet they are so cornered that they have to eat it. Just like you all.”

“What do you mean…?”

As cold sweat dripped from Pereemila, he stepped back, and one by one, Hamtal’s hidden members emerged from the darkness, silently.

Each held a rifle of unknown origin.

“It would be wise not to run. The guns my men have are not fake.”

Hamtal said this as he lightly tugged on the fishing rod.

Splash—

A fish caught on the hook surfaced, splashing its tail on the water.

“Hm. It looks like a good catch to me.”

Hamtal muttered as he turned around.

“What do you think, children of Duke Belvar?”

Feeling as if Hamtal knew everything, Pereemila felt his legs weaken.

Sinking down, he thought amidst the rising despair.

‘We will never…’

Escape from Daniel Steiner.

–

At the same time, in the upper levels of the Imperial Palace.

At the entrance of the Astronomical Hall.

‘…What is this?’

Leading the Grenadiers to the entrance of the Astronomical Hall, Daniel felt puzzled.

‘Before entering the palace, I clearly ordered Lucy to take a company and open all the passages leading to the top floor, the Golden Rest…’

The door to the Astronomical Hall, which was essential to reach the top floor, was closed, and the soldiers of the company were waiting at the entrance.

“Ah! Colonel Daniel Steiner!”

One of the soldiers on guard saluted.

Daniel casually returned the salute and approached.

“Why are you all waiting here? Where’s my aide?”

“Ah, that is…”

The soldier hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“To explain the situation, it was easy to get here. Perhaps sensing that something was off, the Imperial Guards accepted our words about coming to rescue His Majesty and laid down their weapons. The problem is with the commander of the Imperial Guard.”

“The commander, you mean Johannes?”

“Yes. Even though all the soldiers have left, the commander refuses to bend his will and is guarding the Astronomical Hall. Therefore, Lieutenant Lucy Emilia has entered the hall alone to persuade the commander, and we are waiting here.”

Persuasion. It was clear that it wouldn’t be a verbal persuasion.

Daniel nodded in understanding after hearing the whole story.

“I will go in and check the situation, so you all stay here.”

This command was given to prevent any sudden arrival of soldiers from hindering the persuasion of Johannes.

‘It’s better to keep them alive and extract information than to kill them here.’

Thinking this, Daniel opened the door to the Astronomical Hall and stepped inside.

There, he saw Lucy and Johannes facing each other.

Relieved that a fight had not yet broken out, Daniel quietly closed the door.

Seeing this, Johannes frowned.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner. You’ve finally revealed your true colors.”

As Daniel closed the door, he walked over to stand beside Lucy.

“What do you mean by revealing my true colors?”

“You’ve come leading an army to seize the Imperial City, and now you’re occupying the palace! Damn you! The late Emperor was right! You are indeed a wolf ready to devour the Empire!”

At Johannes’s accusation, Daniel’s expression remained calm.

“I came to eliminate the collaborators lurking within the Empire. After this situation is resolved, even if power concentrates in my hands, I will return all power to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“All traitors always speak convincingly. Just like you.”

“Do you wish to call me a traitor? If that brings you peace of mind, I understand. However, in my view, the true traitor is…”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“The commander of the Imperial Guard, who acted on his own without asking for His Majesty’s intentions.”

Johannes’s eyes widened in shock.

Biting his lip, Johannes, trembling, struggled to maintain his composure as he spoke.

“…It was the late Emperor’s command to stop you. As the commander of the late Emperor’s Imperial Guard, it is my destiny to follow that command.”

Swish! Johannes drew his sword from its sheath.

The sharpened blade gleamed ominously.

“Then I shall kill you here and fulfill my duty.”

He was mistaken. Given his crazed state, persuasion was impossible.

However, Daniel was neither flustered nor anxious.

Because Lucy, standing right next to him, was glaring at Johannes as if she were ready to kill him.

‘What kind of conversation did they have while I was away…?’

Daniel wasn’t sure, but Lucy was clearly angry by her expression.

As Daniel glanced at Lucy, he turned his gaze back to Johannes.

“Commander Johannes Kunz. I won’t say it twice.”

After a brief pause, Daniel continued quietly.

“If you value your life, drop your weapon and surrender right now.”

Johannes thought Daniel was underestimating him, but this was neither a threat nor anything else.

‘Otherwise, you’ll really die…!’

It was simply heartfelt advice given for Johannes’s sake.