Episode 125
It would have been a proclamation that the royal family of Zeno was breaking ties with Breio.
“How is Duke Breio’s health?”
“I heard that he lost his danjeon, but I’m not sure. Pope Haryan himself has stepped in, but there are rumors that it’s difficult to treat.”
If it ended with the destruction of the danjeon, it would have been better. The Duke of Braio had a plan to deal with this. The amount of aura would be greatly reduced, but the Duke of Braio would still have an absolute advantage in a one-on-one fight.
“What about Adolf?”
“They said I’d have to live my whole life as a cripple. I lost a precious knight, tsk tsk!”
It is true that the Braio family was hit by a series of misfortunes, but Adolf was still alive. Braio also had a second son who was known as a genius wizard.
However, the royal family’s actions were extremely harsh. Even though King Zeno was a madman who valued royal authority, it was impossible for him to make such a decision without thinking.
‘There is someone who is instigating this. The person in power who will benefit the most from this… … .’
Several figures came to mind, but they were all erased. There were not many people or families with the courage to challenge the world-famous Duke of Braio.
“… … This is the Duke of Cyrus.”
There were two dukes in the kingdom of Zeno. Originally there were three, including Sardia, but now only Breio and Cyrus remain.
Duke Cyrus’ nickname was ‘The Shadow Duke’. He ran the Cyrus Academy quietly. Although the Academy produced great talent, he did not keep them in the Cyrus Dukedom, but tried to send them to the royal family.
Even though he was called a shadow peacock, a peacock was still a peacock.
It meant that he had the territory and military power to match.
“What does that mean?”
“If we look at who benefits the most from this situation, the answer becomes clear.”
“Duke Cyrus is a loyal subject. It is only natural that Your Majesty would cherish him.”
Gaius was also of royal blood after all.
He looked at the world through royal eyes. From his perspective, it was natural to favor Cyrus over Braio.
‘Well, even if we give power to Duke Cyrus, he won’t grow to the point where he can keep the royal family in check. Rather, he’ll be the perfect force to use as a loyal dog.’
King Zeno created the best possible environment for the crown prince to pass on the throne.
‘But there will be considerable opposition from the knights because of this. Duke Breyo, who risked his life to fight, will be reprimanded, and Cyrus, who was enjoying a party while staying in his territory, will be rewarded.’
Of course, that was fine. I could suppress it with a strong royal authority. But I couldn’t shake off my uneasy feelings. I couldn’t believe that the Duke of Braiot could be crushed so easily. No, it was really stupid to believe that.
‘The Breo Dukes prepared for the worst. They prepared for the future, even considering the death of the Lord and the next Lord. They wouldn’t collapse like this. No, there’s something strange about the current situation. There’s no way the Breo Dukes wouldn’t know about the royal decision, so why are they just sitting back and watching?’
It was clear that the order had been given by the head of the Breyo Duke family. When I realized this, goosebumps ran through my body. Perhaps the situation had deteriorated even further than I had expected.
“What if, by some chance, Duke Breyo hadn’t lost his dantian?”
“Of course, you will oppose Your Majesty’s will. The Zenon royal family will face their worst opponent. Did you see it with your own eyes? Was the Duke of Breyo still alive?”
“No, it’s just a feeling. Even if he lost his dantian, Duke Breyo is a swordsman. Even if the Royal Knights rush in, they won’t be able to do anything to him.”
“Is that it?”
I nodded with confidence.
He was stronger than any knight I’ve ever met.
“If such a situation were to occur, the royal family would be forced to make an unprecedented handshake. In order to prepare for such a situation, we must refrain from putting the Duke of Braio in a difficult position.”
“It’s already been decided.”
“At least the marriage between Your Majesty and Lady Ruby must be protected.”
“Is that your judgment?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Gaius let out a deep sigh.
If he was going to do as I said, he had to offend the king.
He could have easily been demoted.
“I will trust you. I will go see His Majesty right now.”
“You must do it.”
I followed Gaius.
As I stood beside him, Gaius asked me in surprise.
“Are you going too?”
“Isn’t it time we met His Majesty?”
“You are the commander-in-chief leading a large army. If you move lightly like this… … . You are planning to check on the health of Duke Breyo.”
I nodded. Finding out about Duke Breio’s illness was far more important than leading a large army back. Besides, with Gaius’ bracelet and the help of the royal wizard, I could easily go to and from the battlefield on my own.
“Zenon’s future depends on his condition.”
‘And my future depends on it, Your Majesty.’
* * *
We teleported to the palace with Gaius. We were curious about the Duke’s condition, but we had to see His Majesty the King first.
The King’s complexion has improved significantly since he was freed from his addiction to magic. The fall of the Duke of Breyot, who had threatened his royal authority, may have also helped to stabilize his mind and body.
The King accepted my treatment with a broad smile. He did not suffer as much as before. Sometimes he would groan, but instead he would laugh.
‘It’s gotten better, but it’s hard to last more than 5 years.’
I had no power to extend the king’s life any longer. All I could do was help him live out the rest of his life in good health. His body was full of cracks, and his Aura Rod had long since been broken. I had never heard of anyone who had lasted more than a dozen years in this condition.
“My body feels much lighter. It is thanks to the Count’s great contribution.”
“I will serve Zeno.”
“Is it still three years?”
I told the king that three years was the minimum period he could live to maintain his health. That was the most I could guarantee.
“It’s up to heaven.”
“These days, I feel like I can live another 10 years.”
“Your Majesty’s wish will come true.”
“Can I believe that?”
“I will serve Zeno.”
“… … You are doing politics in front of me.”
King Zeno showed his discomfort, and I had no choice but to open my three-wheeled eyes. As my mind worked faster, I also realized what I had to say.
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“It’s been seven years.”
Even if all of Brecha’s wisdom was mobilized, seven years was absolutely impossible.
“Good!”
The king laughed heartily. He summoned his minister and had him present me with gold and silver treasures.
‘As expected… … He is not a king who would step down like this.’
I saw the spark of desire rekindled in the king’s eyes. He was a king. He said he lived for the royal family, but he was convinced that he was the royal family of Zenon.
His lifespan, which he thought was three years, had been extended to seven years, so he was starting to get greedy. He would want to sit on the throne for at least five more years before stepping down. I encouraged that desire.
“I am studying the wisdom that Brecha has bestowed upon me. I hope that one day I will be able to bring you good news, Your Majesty.”
The king was filled with hope that he might live for more than seven years. He gripped the handle of the throne tightly and shouted for wine and meat.
‘Your Majesty, please buy me time. It takes time to establish a king for the people.’
* * *
Gaius led me into one of the many rooms of the palace. He stood by the window and looked out. I frowned and asked Gaius.
“Where is the Duke of Breo?”
“It’s in the Haryan Temple, but you can’t see it?”
There was a Haryan temple outside the window. I opened the three-wheeled eyeglasses to look inside, but I couldn’t see inside the building. It was because an unprecedented energy had blackened my vision.
“The Duke has an artifact that blocks the Three-Run Eye. It seems to be a powerful defensive artifact, and it seems that the Duke of Braio is holding it.”
“If it’s a defensive artifact… … . Are you talking about that red jewel necklace? Judging by its appearance, I think it might be the Hongyeon Kalbram.”
“I’ve heard of it too.”
It was known to the outside world that the Hongyeon’s Kalbram was a defensive artifact, but at the same time, it had the effect of increasing the wearer’s healing power. In the Duke’s second-level confidential document, it was also written that the Hongyeon’s Kalbram was excellent at preventing curses.
‘Could it be that he was cursed? What if the Duke was not simply hypnotized, but cursed the moment he collided with the true-blooded vampire? … … ?’
It seemed that he knew why Pope Haryan was sweating profusely. It was still too early to be certain. The most certain thing was to meet the Duke of Breio in person and examine his condition.
“Please let me meet the Duke.”
“I’ll try my best, but it won’t be easy.”
Just as I was about to enter the Haryan Temple with Gaius, I caught sight of a busy movement inside. A crowd of people was leaving the temple, carrying someone on a stretcher. He was covered with a white cloth.
I opened my Samryunan and looked beyond the white cloth. The red flame’s Kalbram hindered my abilities, but it could not prevent me from seeing what was clearly visible.
The Duke’s vassals moved quickly. They moved Duke Breyo to the magic tower, and from there, they used a magic circle to teleport to the Duke’s territory.
‘Ah, no… … . That can’t be happening.’
I had no idea how to judge what I saw.
I saw the body. It was a body that would not have been strange if it had been pronounced dead, but it was lying on a stretcher, stiff and solid.
‘No. Duke Braiot is not dead. I confirmed that his fingers are moving. He is not dead yet. That is why I am going to move him to the Duke’s residence. There must be a way there… a way to bring Duke Braiot back to life… .’
Then someone approached me. His voice sounded familiar to my ears as he greeted Gaius. I looked up and was reunited with my little brother after more than a dozen years.
Cliff de Braiot. The second son of the Duke of Braiot, he was a genius magician who was designated as the next Lord of the Magic Tower.
“I heard that the Commander-in-Chief has avenged my father. I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of Braio.
“Hello, Light of the Tower. I am Count Louis de Hebron.”
“I hope to see you again sometime in the future.”
Cliff took my hand, shook it, and hurried away. I looked back and forth between the magic circle where he had disappeared and the small note in my hand. The note was concise, so I burned it with the flames of Inferno.
“I too must return to the battlefield now, Your Majesty.”
“I have high expectations for you. Please lead the 100,000-strong army well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With the help of the royal wizard, I was able to return to the battlefield. There, I moved my 94,000 soldiers as planned. I slowly advanced toward Zeno and set up camp at the border.
“We will stay here for the time being. The situation in Kyle is not good. We must defend this land so that they do not overtake Zenon.”
As soon as my order was given, Commander of the Knights of Breyo came to see me.
“I request the return of the Knights of Breo.”
“Not allowed.”
“I beg you.”
“Not allowed.”
The captain glared at me.
He was ready to kneel, but I turned my back on him. Right now, I needed the Knights of Braiot.
The next morning, a letter from Hebron arrived at my barracks. The note on the letter’s ankle was the worst message I could imagine.
-Duke Breo dies
