Chapter 147: I don’t owe you anything – 2

Knock knock knock.

“Your Majesty, a guest has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

The King of Delrum Kingdom prepared to greet the scheduled guest.

As the door opened, a man quietly entered.

His white robe dragged on the floor, his hair whiter than snow, and deep, stubborn wrinkles marred his face.

His eyes, clouded with age, glinted with madness.

The King recalled the last time he had seen him: two years ago, at the Archbishop’s enthronement ceremony.

He had seemed like a fanatic back then… but now, it was worse.

The high-ranking member of the Las Order, the Archbishop, had arrived.

The Archbishop slowly bowed in greeting.

The King sighed inwardly.

“Your Majesty, I greet you.”

“…Alright.”

“I heard you were looking for me.”

The King gave a slight smile.

“I assume you know the reason, don’t you?”

With a gesture, the Archbishop quietly sat in the prepared seat.

It took some time for him to adjust his flowing robes.

“Is it because of Vivian Rondor?”

“That’s certainly part of it.”

“…? Is there another reason? I, being ignorant, can hardly understand.”

The King didn’t waste time with unnecessary words.

“The Las Order has been causing too much trouble lately.”

Archbishop Rockpen’s face stiffened at this.

The King continued.

“Is it certain that Vivian Rondor is a witch? Even if it’s you all, I’m starting to think you might be biting off more than you can chew.”

The Archbishop answered in a whisper.

His soft voice always seemed strangely irritating.

“It’s certain. The talisman rang.”

The King furrowed his brow.

“…The talisman is something only the Las Order believes in. To ordinary people, it’s just an ominous trinket. A trinket that swings life and death. And if that talisman were truly omnipotent, why has the Las Order been plagued by the reputation of killing innocent people?”

Instead of a lengthy explanation, the Archbishop repeated himself.

“…She is a witch.”

The Archbishop hissed with contempt.

“A witch of tremendous power… A very dangerous witch.”

There was no glimmer of understanding in their exchange.

The King finally sighed and steeled himself.

“…Yeah, Vivian Rondor is probably someone who could disappear without much consequence. Such a person poses a threat to the royal family.”

She had gained power far too quickly.

It was not just that the region of Loctana had become prosperous, but the people flocking there, and the Corrode Trading Company she had gained through war… along with the territories near the Corrode family, and finally Nerumport.

If the ruler who held onto all this disappeared, there was no need for the King to take action.

But…

“…Archbishop.”

The King spoke slowly.

“My father once told me something, and I’ve kept that advice with me. I think it might be helpful for you as well. Would you like to hear it?”

“…Please speak.”

“It’s the rule of war. A strong knight can endure the cold. He can endure hunger. He can go without sleep. But… he can only endure one thing at a time. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Capturing the witch is fine. Even if it extends to Vivian Rondor, that’s acceptable. But… going after Kailo Alan of the Eastern Kingdom? Isn’t that too much? Especially when I’m trying to establish peace with the Eastern Kingdom.”

“That man has protected Vivian Rondor for years, risking his life. I’ve heard they are very close. He could not have been unaware of her true nature.”

The King quietly but firmly slammed his hand on the table.

Thud.

“…Do you really not understand what I’m saying?”

Silence.

“Whether Kailo Alan was protecting the witch or not, just let go. Why try to bite off more than you can swallow?”

The Archbishop gazed at the King with his unfocused eyes.

It was then that the King faltered first, shaken by that unnerving look.

“…We do not compromise.”

To hide his moment of weakness, the King raised his voice.

“Has the power of the Las Order been granted in anyone’s name but mine?”

“Will you only understand my words if I take back that name?”

The Archbishop shook his head.

He didn’t flinch.

“…The same goes for us. We do not compromise.”

At that resolute determination, even the king was left speechless.

He could not understand what had driven them to be like this.

As if reading his question, the Archbishop answered.

“…Your Majesty, if you were to experience what we have with the witch, you would understand.”

This was not just determination, but a belief.

To others, they might seem like fanatics, but to them, there appeared to be a sense of mission they could not give up.

“If you do not approve of our actions, then destroy us.”

“…Is it appropriate for you, Archbishop, to speak like this?”

“This is not my will, but the will of our order. Everyone shares my conviction.”

The king relaxed his body.

He felt that no matter what he did, he could not break their resolve.

“Kill them all. Even if it takes that to stop us, do it. If not… we will chase the witch until our last breath…”

***

As a result of Kayla’s persistent efforts, we were able to find Lyel the Scholar.

As the saying goes, “it’s darkest under the lamp,” it turned out he wasn’t far at all.

He was staying as a physician at the Million family, which was located to the east of our family, a full day’s journey away.

“I’ve already given the order, brother. The Million family will listen.”

The Million family was one of the vassal families that had sworn allegiance to us.

I nodded briefly at Kayla’s words, but then, a thought came to me, and I changed my response.

“I’ll go meet him myself. Just send a letter telling him to stay there.”

Vivian’s execution by burning at the stake was probably not far off.

Maybe that was why I couldn’t remain still.

Kayla didn’t try to stop me.

She knew my current state wasn’t normal.

Kayla too was shaken by the news of Vivian’s execution.

She seemed to understand my feelings, even without me saying much.

***

That was yesterday.

I ran alone and reached the Million family.

At the foot of a steep, towering mountain, there stood a small noble family.

It was a small town with fewer than a thousand inhabitants, quietly settled in that location.

The lord of the estate, Sander Million, must have seen our bear emblem from afar, as he came out of the town to greet me.

“Lord Alan, welcome. I can’t tell you how nervous I was when I heard you would come personally.”

As expected, the noble customs didn’t sit well with me.

In my complicated mood, I didn’t even try to follow the formalities.

I simply nodded in response and shifted my gaze to his back, speaking.

“I’m sorry, but I need to meet the scholar right away. Is Lyel the scholar here?”

“Y-Yes, he is. He has always been a loyal and dedicated retainer to us. Is there something wrong with him?”

“No, I just have some questions.”

Without waiting for an answer, I pressed forward.

The people of the Million family followed my lead.

-Please… anyone…ugh…

The day the enormous fire engulfed Rondor Castle, Vivian had pleaded like that.

Even knowing death was approaching, she had crumbled in fear, quietly asking for help.

When I saw her crying, I found her state so pitiful.

…And how fortunate I was to have found her.

Whenever I closed my eyes, I could still clearly see that image.

The girl who had been in the same position as me, begging so desperately.

Maybe that’s why.

Last night, I had another nightmare.

She was tied to the execution stake, tears falling as she was burned alive.

-Help me, Kailo!

Bang!!

In the midst of those thoughts, I lost control of my strength and slammed the door open.

The retinue of the Million family following behind me grew uneasy.

Inside the room, there was a man waiting for me.

He looked younger than I had expected.

“Are you Lyel the scholar?”

He nodded.

“Yes, I am.”

I took a book from my coat and gently tossed it to him.

Thud.

Lyle looked at the book and then back at me.

“That book. Did you write it?”

He gave a slightly awkward laugh.

“…Haha… this…”

He said, looking at me,

“I expected it, but… Yes, it’s me.”

I could feel a gulp as the saliva traveled down my throat.

I apologized to the knights of the Million family who followed me, as well as to Sander Million.

“I’m sorry, but from here, it’s just us…”

“Oh, yes! Of course!”

I nodded in gratitude, then gently closed the door.

Thud.

Although the door was closed, I couldn’t let go of the doorknob.

I tried to hide it, but my heart was pounding.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous, even when facing an enemy.

It seems that I wasn’t even as afraid of death.

However, the story of Vivian always made it difficult for me.

She had been so deeply engraved in my heart.

I didn’t want to admit it, but maybe it was because she had been the closest to me during my hardest times.

“…Take it slow.”

Lyle whispered as if he understood everything.

“Normally, people who meet a witch find it hard to stay calm. They always end up doubting themselves, you see. I wonder if I have lived my life being controlled by a witch… Is my life truly mine to control? Am I just a puppet… Are my feelings truly mine? Isn’t it all just scary?”

I took a deep breath, then turned my head.

I sat down at the table prepared in front of him.

“…If you were in the southern lands, it would have been a big problem. I was in a hurry.”

“Haha, with the Las Order clearly present in the south, how could I have stayed? They execute anyone associated with witches. I, too, am running for my life, having written this book.”

“…They’re already searching for me you know.”

Lyle quietly asked.

“…For being involved with Vivian Rondor?”

Vivian’s name had been echoing loudly across the continent.

“It’s just a guess. It might not be wrong, though.”

There was no need to hide it.

“Yeah. For being involved with Vivian.”

TL Note:

I cant. Author. You need to think more deeply about these chapters. You are rushing the story. This doesn’t make any sense.

Author said the King was wise? but looks like he is dumb. You cant just execute a High Noble like that.

Same with the Archduke. This is dumb.

What are the Knights of Rondor doing?

What are the retainers of the Rondor Family doing?

What about the sworn vassals of the House of Rondor?

What about the common people who support Vivian Rondor?

You think the Rondors will like their Duchy being dismantled and losing their power?

What about other nobles of the Delrum Kingdom? Will they just sit and wait for their turn to get executed by the Las Order?

And how is a peace still possible with the Eastern Kingdom if you want to execute the heir of the Alans.

This mere act could trigger a Civil War and a Invasion from the Eastern Kingdom if events were realistically thought.