Ch.136The Declining Imperial Family (7)

On the pristine white bed lay a blood-covered clone.

Though his wounds had been healed by Ruide’s magic, he remained unconscious.

“Ella. How is Colon’s condition?”

“It’s the same as Sophia’s. He’s alive, but unconscious.”

“Any solutions?”

“…I’m sorry. I’ve been researching diligently, but even with The 5th Magic, it’s difficult to reverse the time of a soul.”

Ruide noted Ella’s use of the word “difficult.”

When speaking about Sophia, she had used the word “impossible.”

‘So there’s a possibility.’

Ella observed Ruide’s completely unsmiling expression.

She had never seen him look like this before.

As Ella suspected, Ruide was different from his usual self.

‘It’s my fault.’

He had slept as usual.

During such a critical time, he hadn’t suspected for a moment that they would harm Colon.

Why was that?

Ruide clenched his fist.

He loathed his own complacency.

“Lord Ruide…”

“Is there no way to save Colon?”

Ella gave the most positive answer she could.

“The principles of life are difficult for mages to understand. But perhaps the Saintess might know something.”

It was the same answer Ruide had been thinking.

‘So that’s the only way after all.’

Lydia was on the island.

As the Saintess, she couldn’t leave the island for long periods.

“Yes. Thank you, Ella. Please take good care of Colon.”

Ruide put on the thick coat hanging on the chair and headed outside.

He left the laboratory with rather quick steps. As soon as he stepped outside, the cold hit him, causing white breath to escape his lips. His pupils had lost their focus.

‘…I was too careless.’

Colon’s death was entirely his fault.

Therefore—he would definitely bring him back.

But before that, there was something he needed to do.

“I will never forgive them.”

He needed to catch those rat bastards who dared to sneak in and act beyond their station.

If they had fled, he would follow and kill them.

For the first time, Ruide was consumed by the desire to “murder” someone.

**

“Hehehe, once this is over, I’ll have gambling money for a month.”

“Nolan. Stop gambling. It’s ruining the reputation of the Imperial Knights.”

Two members of the Garter Knights were standing in line.

At the front, knights wearing Windsor’s brilliant armor were checking each bundle one by one.

Everyone in line was mercenaries from other regions, receiving compensation based on the number of monsters they had killed.

They typically verify by cutting off parts like monster ears. The compensation is quite generous.

The Windsor Duchy might not have food, but they have money to burn.

“Why are you being so stiff? Even you, Captain, are here to make money.”

List frowned with a cigarette in his mouth.

“It’s different, youngster. We’re mercenaries here. If there were mercenaries in the North who didn’t hunt monsters, they would be suspicious, so we’re just participating in the request.”

“Ah, right! That’s true.”

“…”

The gambling addict Nolan wasn’t interested in such things; his attention was solely focused on the gold coins.

But despite appearances, Nolan is a great mage. He’s quite intelligent. He pointed out List’s contradiction.

“You must really like that Northern tobacco? Haha. This is serious. I heard it’s quite an expensive luxury. Need to earn a lot of money?”

“…”

List narrowed his brow and exhaled his cigarette deeply.

“What kind of habit is that, Nolan.”

Then he threw his finished cigarette on the ground.

At that moment, a passing Northerner pointed at the cigarette butt.

“You shouldn’t litter anywhere.”

“Ah, ah, I’m sorry.”

List hurriedly picked up the butt in embarrassment.

Nolan burst into laughter at the sight.

“To think the mighty captain would be scared of a woman who barely reaches his chest.”

“Shut up- I just don’t want to draw attention.”

List put the cigarette butt in his pocket and scanned the surroundings.

“Besides, did you see it? The skill of the Windsor Knights. No, the skill of Amelia Windsor.”

“Ah, I saw it.”

Nolan was a Pure-type mage.

Specializing in launching large spells from the far rear, he had observed the situation at a glance.

“I’d heard rumors that Northern nobles always lead the front lines in battle. I didn’t expect such a romantic tale to actually exist.”

Typically, hired mercenaries are placed at the most dangerous front lines.

But the Windsor Duchy was different. They positioned their most important figures at the front lines and left the mercenaries in the rear.

“Moreover, I never imagined that young lady would possess such power.”

“Have you fought her before?”

“Not me, but my colleagues. From what I’ve heard, she wasn’t at an unmanageable level. But what I saw of her today…”

“It was impressive. She killed more monsters than you, a Pure-type.”

When facing monsters, Amelia’s true value emerged.

Wherever her giant sword’s slash passed, nothing remained.

Amelia wielded such tremendous slashes as easily as breathing.

It was an unbelievable sight. Any other knight would struggle to replicate even one such slash.

“With that kind of power, yet she was pushed back by Karon.”

“Yes. Strange, isn’t it? Even if she specializes in killing monsters.”

“Youngster, do you know what that means?”

“Huh?”

“It means she has a human heart.”

List lowered his voice as he watched the line gradually shorten.

“Therefore, she hesitates to cut down fellow humans, and she appears weaker because she seals her specialty to avoid causing damage elsewhere.”

“Interesting. Windsor never seemed human to me.”

“At least she’s different. I now understand why His Majesty wanted her to become a duchess. It was worth taking such a risk.”

“A duchess… Well, Irene Windsor is an excessively dangerous person. What about that young master?”

List just smiled faintly.

“He’s like a blank white sheet.”

Nolan immediately disagreed.

“Come on, Captain. I checked that young master’s magical power last time and had to empty my stomach for 10 minutes.”

“That’s why he’s dangerous.”

“What do you mean? Explain so even a drug addict can understand.”

List looked up at the sky for a moment.

“What paint would soak best into a white blank sheet?”

“Intense colors. Red or black.”

“That’s why he might be the most frightening person. Because we don’t know how he’ll change. But one thing’s for certain—nothing is scarier than a child with power.”

The conversation didn’t continue after that.

The line had shortened, and a Windsor knight was visible right in front.

Of course, they could have spoken without being noticed, but they were on a secret mission.

They had to refrain from any actions that might reveal their identity.

“Show me your evidence.”

“Here it is.”

The knight took out the pouch received from List and placed each item on the table.

“50 gold. Any objections?”

“No, how could there be? Haha.”

Nolan received the gold pouch, almost drooling. List gave him a reproachful look.

“Thank you for your dedication, visitors from afar.”

“May blessings always be upon Windsor’s future.”

List, now familiar with Northern greetings, said this and left the line.

“How about a team dinner tonight?”

“Nolan. As I said earlier, we’re not here to play in the North.”

“Tch, this much is fine, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not. Besides, I’m worried whether the others are doing their jobs well.”

“They’ll be fine.”

Nolan spoke seriously.

“I don’t know about Galahad and Shearer, but Judith has the ability to handle things flexibly.”

List’s expression turned somewhat bitter at the mention of Shearer.

“Has Shearer’s madness not improved?”

“That’s harsh. You don’t need to call it madness, Captain.”

“…Isn’t it true? He’s been on the edge since losing Karon.”

“Captain, what will you do if Shearer crosses the line?”

Nolan asked out of the blue, but List didn’t mind.

“I’ll reform him. Same goes for this mission.”

“The downfall of a genius boy who became number one at the youngest age. How sad.”

The two headed toward the inn after turning a corner.

They planned to compile information and discuss the next plan.

Just as they were about to exit the narrow alley.

“Found you.”

A robed woman catching her breath appeared.

“Judith?”

“Captain. This is no time for pleasantries.”

Judith’s face was drenched in sweat.

“Soon, Windsor will declare war on the Empire. We must prepare.”

“What?”

Nolan was so shocked he almost dropped his precious money pouch.

“Let’s withdraw quickly. If that’s true, it’s only a matter of time before our infiltration is discovered…”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“…!”

It was the voice of a young boy.

A familiar voice they had definitely heard before.

Judith slowly turned her head.

Right behind her stood Ruide with his hands in his pockets.

“It’s already too late to run.”

“Judith!”

Nolan shouted loudly.

Judith looked down with a blank expression.

Winter, the Sword of Winter, was embedded in her stomach.

“All of you will die here.”

Ruide’s heterochromatic eyes gleamed coldly.

**

At the First Defense Line Command Post.

Rosalie prostrated herself before Irene.

“I’ve strictly warned Ruby. She won’t interfere until the plan is complete.”

“How admirable. But won’t the head of the family notice?”

Irene spoke while scribbling something with a bored expression.

Rosalie slowly shook her head.

“Irene’s plan is perfect. Making the Garter Knights attack Colon and naturally leaking information that Windsor is preparing for war—there’s no trace of artifice in any of this.”

The only person within the Windsor family capable of seeing through this plan is Ruby.

Victoria has insight, but that’s limited to observing battle situations. Windsor is vulnerable in many ways to the underworld.

Irene exploited that point.

“Don’t forget to let a few escape so they can send word to the Empire. Of course, our Rui mustn’t notice.”

Rosalie answered as if it were obvious.

“I plan to let Shearer and Galahad from the Garter Knights escape.”

Irene’s pen stopped.

On the paper was a drawing of Ruide’s face. Irene quietly smiled and caressed it lovingly.

“It won’t be long now. The day when my brother’s power will be fully utilized. Whatever form it takes—”

Irene’s face flushed red.

Seeing that ecstatic expression, Rosalie unconsciously thought, ‘What a disgusting person.’

“It will surely be the most adorable thing in the world.”

But she didn’t show it. Rosalie simply bowed her head as if in agreement.

After all, if they could use Ruide Christopher’s power, it would be possible to eradicate every monster in this world.

As long as her own wish was fulfilled, she didn’t care what happened to anything else.