Chapter 113

Episode 113

“My Lady, I bring news of victory. We have captured Baron Roman and seized Gerard Castle.”

The Lady rose from her seat. She slowly approached me and took my hands in hers.

“I heard the news. Congratulations, Aubrey. I knew you would win, but hearing it directly feels different, doesn’t it?”

“I feel the same way. It’s all thanks to your consideration.”

It wasn’t flattery.

Most of the low-ranking knights who had performed so well in our knight order were soldiers sent by the Lady.

Those soldiers had blossomed under the excellent leadership of Knight Selendis. Come to think of it, Selendis was also someone the Lady had assigned to me, so I had indeed received her help.

At first, it felt like a small organization, but now it was taking shape.

“Do you remember the Inspection Unit’s sixth mission?”

“Of course. He will be executed soon. I didn’t take his head on the battlefield because there were some things I wanted to confirm. I’ll interrogate him myself.”

“What are you concerned about?”

“I believe he’s running a secret society.”

I told her about “Eclipse.”

The very organization that Viscountess Rosalyn had once called the “land of opportunity.” Its true nature had finally surfaced.

“Jericho and the investigators are working together to decipher the code. It’s difficult to estimate how long it will take, but Jericho will figure it out soon.”

“Eclipse. It’s a good name. What kind of organization do you think it is?”

“I’m certain it’s a secret organization related to the succession issue of the Dukedom.”

A sharp glint flashed in the Lady’s clear eyes.

“If things continue as they are, my brother will naturally inherit the family. Are you saying they’re trying to expedite the process?”

Depending on the situation, it could be considered treason.

But it was also a common occurrence in this era. There were countless noble families, and it was rare for the succession process to be smooth in every family.

The meme “Currently inheriting the throne” wasn’t just a joke. It was something I had seen often throughout history.

House Kalisto was relatively peaceful in comparison.

The difference in standing between the first and second sons was clear, and the number of vassals who supported them also differed significantly.

‘There’s only one variable: Lady Lucia.’

She could change everything.

Whether she was the protagonist of “The Legend of Aldebaran” wasn’t important right now. The priority was to solidify her position.

“I believe so. I apologize for saying this in front of you, my Lady, but Grand Duke Hylix’s ambition is excessive. His association with Roman speaks for itself.”

“That’s true. It’s quite unfortunate at times.”

“But that doesn’t mean we can directly do anything to Grand Duke Hylix. Even if his wrongdoings are exposed, it’ll just end with a slap on the wrist. And everything related to Eclipse is coded. Even if we decipher it, I doubt we’ll be able to identify the people behind it.”

The Lady smiled, reading my thoughts.

“You have another plan, don’t you?”

“I’m planning to use this opportunity to eliminate everyone around Grand Duke Hylix. The secret ledger will be the key.”

“So, you’re planning to support Sir Romero?”

“No. I’m going to make you the successor of House Kalisto.”

The Lady’s expression was unreadable.

I didn’t press the matter further.

“But there’s something I’m curious about. My Lady, may I ask you a question?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“It’s about the sommelier who manages the Lucius Club. I’m intrigued. What kind of person is he?”

“That’s a rather random question.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I kept putting it off. I’ve been a bit preoccupied lately.”

“He’s a very special person.”

This was unexpected.

I thought she would just give a vague answer, like when she introduced Jericho and Selendis. But she had called him a “special person.”

It meant he was one of her closest confidants.

“We’ve known each other for a long time. He’s one of the few people I can rely on.”

As I suspected.

The fact that my “Mind’s Eye” couldn’t penetrate his mind meant that he was far more powerful than me.

Who was he?

“Are you jealous? Because I seem to favor the sommelier?”

“Of course not. I’m still struggling to repay your kindness.”

“Don’t say that. You’ve always exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Aubrey.”

Her words of gratitude sounded sweet.

“Then, I’ll take my leave. Please rest well.”

Selendis was waiting for me outside the room. As the Knight Captain, she could have pretended to be busy, but she was always consistent.

“It’s time to pay Roman a visit. Prepare for the interrogation. I’ll be conducting it myself.”

“As you command.”

By sunset, I received a report that everything was ready. I changed into comfortable clothes and descended to the dungeon.

A foul smell, heavy with mildew, assaulted my senses.

It wasn’t a place I wanted to stay for long.

“You look pathetic.”

Roman was alone in the torture chamber, bound. He kept his eyes closed, ignoring me.

I glanced around.

Various torture devices were scattered throughout the room. Some were so grotesque that I couldn’t even imagine their purpose.

This world was based on a medieval setting, so the human rights of those being tortured didn’t exist. Many of the devices were rusty, and some were caked with dried blood.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Roman himself had installed this torture chamber and these devices.

“How does it feel? To be dragged into this place, filled with the souls of those you wronged, and be tortured?”

“…”

“Silence won’t change reality. You should reconsider your options. The situation isn’t looking good for you.”

I wasn’t going to make empty promises like “I’ll spare your life if you tell me everything you know.” I never made promises I couldn’t keep.

Selendis brought me a chair. Unlike the other furniture, it was clean, so I didn’t have to worry about my clothes.

I crossed my legs and spoke again.

“I’ll only ask you each question once. I won’t repeat myself, so answer carefully.”

I immediately activated “Mind’s Eye.”

A strange light flickered in Roman’s eyes.

“You’ve committed unforgivable sins against countless residents in this war. Do you admit your guilt?”

“…”

As expected, he remained silent.

It was an intentional question, and it wasn’t important. It was just a setup.

I had other things I wanted to know.

“The Gerard territory has been completely pacified. I’ve reported the victory to His Grace and informed him that House Walker will rule the Gerard territory as well. Any objections?”

“…”

“I apologize. I ruined the mood by taking your spot.”

I gestured to a soldier. He took out a red-hot branding iron and pressed it against Roman’s thigh.

“Aaargh!”

Roman screamed.

It was a pain he had never experienced before. And he was probably under the influence of some drug, so his nerves were on high alert. The pain must have been twice as intense as it would be for an ordinary person.

“O’Brien, you bastard! I’ll make sure you disappear from this world!”

“How? You’re bound, and the people who could have helped you have already abandoned you. You have no allies left on this continent.”

“Aaargh!”

I gestured for the soldier to remove the branding iron. Hot smoke rose from the wound.

This wouldn’t be enough to satisfy the residents.

I ordered them to prepare the next torture.

The soldier brought a small metal device. It was a finger crusher, with a screw that could crush a finger.

I had seen medieval torture devices before, and this one was known to inflict excruciating pain.

“You still don’t want to answer? The next one will hurt. So, think carefully.”

“Shut your filthy mouth! Just kill me! Kill me!”

It was time to ask the real question.

“What is Eclipse?”

“…”

He remained silent, but it was different this time. He seemed caught off guard.

“I know that a group called Eclipse met in the Gerard territory. What is their purpose?”

Roman didn’t answer.

The important thing was not to break my own rule by asking the question twice.

I already had a hunch about what Eclipse was, and its true nature would be revealed soon.

The last question was the one I really wanted to know.

“Last question. We’ve secured all the secret documents and materials that were stored in Gerard Castle. Are there any other locations where you’ve hidden things?”

“Hehehe… Do you think that’s all? My secrets are scattered all over the world. Do you think you can find them all? Don’t make me laugh!”

A murky black light flickered in his eyes. It meant he was lying.

“I see. That’s how it was.”

I laughed heartily, surprising even Selendis.

It was all over.

My only concern had been that the evidence of Hylix’s secrets might be scattered throughout the Gerard territory. But now that I knew it was all in Gerard Castle, I could focus my efforts.

If I hadn’t known, I might have had to search the entire Gerard territory, which would have been a waste of time and resources.

I didn’t like leaving loose ends.

“The prisoner will be executed in the central plaza tomorrow. Don’t prepare a guillotine. Make it painful. That’s the only way the residents will find solace.”

“As you command, my lord.”

Selendis and I left the dungeon. Once we were alone, she asked, “Shouldn’t we interrogate him further? We haven’t obtained much information.”

“No, it’s enough. We got what we needed. Let’s leave the rest to Jericho. He’ll definitely bring us good news.”

“Understood.”

The next day, the execution was held in the central plaza.

“You crazy bastards! Just behead me! Behead me!”

Roman screamed. But the executioner just stared down at him with a cold expression.

The soldiers tied Roman’s limbs to ropes and secured them to swift horses. They were preparing for a gruesome execution by dismemberment.

The residents cheered. No one mourned the condemned man.

They demanded that the execution be carried out swiftly.

I looked at Selendis and said, “Proceed with the execution.”

“Yes, my lord. Executioner, begin!”

Great men often uttered famous last words, but all Roman could manage was a two-word curse.

The remaining prisoners were then punished.

Roman’s immediate family members were enslaved and sent to a distant land. They would experience the hardships of the commoners firsthand.

The prisoners of war were released. The soldiers returned to their homes and resumed their lives.

The knights were demoted to commoners. I promised those who were innocent that they would be reinstated as knights if they pledged their loyalty to my family.

As things were being settled, Duke Kalisto sent a messenger.

“I bring a personal letter from Duke Kalisto. Show some respect.”