DYBAR - Chapter 150 < Shaky Territory and The Beginning of War (2) >
Do Your Best And Regret
“...If it’s a kidnapping, does that mean Olivia isn’t in the imperial palace?”
The moment he heard the Duke's words, Dean unconsciously grabbed both of his hands. And he found and gave thanks to the God he had never believed in.
The Lady is safe.
There was no doubt that he and Bethanny had escaped the imperial palace safely.
Otherwise, there was no need for the Prince, who was so excited to get engaged right away, to use the word 'kidnapping' and plot war.
A sense of anticipation arose.
Moreover, if someone came into the imperial palace with enough force to mention 'kidnapping', Jade Madeleine should have already gone out to protect the imperial palace.
As expected, the Young Lady would have escaped safely on her own.
In that case, there was only one place for the Young Lady and Bethany to head.
Grand Duke Vikander.
“That was rude.”
Winster said politely. There was a slight hint of excitement in his dry voice. As if he was thinking the same thing at the same time, even Howard's eyes became bright.
“Can you please give me a servant’s uniform without a pattern and three horses? With the honor of the Grand Dukedom at stake, I will repay you twice and more for this matter,”
“Olivia! Is she no longer here?”
An unstable, trembling shout cut off Winster's words. It was Jade Madeleine. Pain and impatience instantly flashed across the goldfish-like face of the guy who was only pouting his lips.
“You begged me to go back to Vikander territory with Olivia. You even swore to that girl!”
“I’m saying I’m leaving because I have a rough idea of where they’ve gone. Lord Madeleine.”
“Somewhere there!”
Giovanni had no idea such a heartbreaking sound would come out of his mouth. However, Winster Calter paid no heed to that and smiled slowly instead of answering.
The silence was too heavy to bear. After what seemed like eons, Winster smiled and spoke.
“...Thank you again for your help, Duke. However, please understand that we cannot reveal the Young Lady’s whereabouts. However, we will soon let you know that the Young Lady has safely returned to Vikander Castle. Anyway..."
Winster trailed off his words and looked toward one side of the bedroom. The insignia above the emblem of the Madeleine duchy was gold and navy blue, a symbol of the imperial palace.
While someone was making loud noises, Winster looked at the Duke again with an expression asking for understanding.
“...Whether it's coming to the Duke's house to say thank you or to ruin an alliance meeting that didn't work out. I don’t know what comes first, but I think I’ll be going through the system again soon.”
“So you’re going to leave the system now? The guards have just left. Do you think the castle gate is safe?”
“A delegation from the allies is secretly entering the palace and preparing for war. Even if it is the imperial family, does it have the power to even care about us?”
Despite Jade's rebuttal, Winster responded indifferently. And he quirked his eyebrows.
After making it clear that no more questions would be asked, Winster looked at the sofa. Jürgen, who seemed to be hiding away from this atmosphere, seemed to have recovered quite a bit over the night.
Jürgen, who received attention, stood up trembling. Although she was still sore all over, she had a strong understanding.
“Oh, I know. I also have to pay for my life. What do you need first?”
Allies were likely to side with the Empire, the length of time it would take to arrive, and the date of negotiations.
But instead of answering, Winster gave a slight bow to Duke Madeleine. So did Dean and Howard. Even though he had received help, he did not believe that the Duke would continue to silence him.
It was then.
“...I would have requested envoys from all of the Empire’s allies except Auslan.”
The knights, including Winster, stopped walking.
“It takes approximately three to four days for the delegation to arrive, so negotiations on alliance requests are usually scheduled five days later. If you need anything else...”
What the Little Duke was reciting was the information that Winster desperately needed.
Winster was embarrassed. The Duke and the Little Duke always lived with only eyes on the Emperor and the imperial palace. They were showing more goodwill than necessary to those who could become enemies at any moment.
If it's really because of the Young Lady, it's information he can trust.
In that case, there was only one place for the Young Lady and Bethany to head.
Grand Duke Vikander.
“That was rude.”
Winster said politely. There was a slight hint of excitement in his dry voice. As if he was thinking the same thing at the same time, even Howard's eyes became bright.
“Can you please give me a servant’s uniform without a pattern and three horses? With the honor of the Grand Dukedom at stake, I will repay you twice and more for this matter,”
“Olivia! Is she no longer here?”
An unstable, trembling shout cut off Winster's words. It was Jade Madeleine. Pain and impatience instantly flashed across the goldfish-like face of the guy who was only pouting his lips.
“You begged me to go back to Vikander territory with Olivia. You even swore to that girl!”
“I’m saying I’m leaving because I have a rough idea of where they’ve gone. Lord Madeleine.”
“Somewhere there!”
Giovanni had no idea such a heartbreaking sound would come out of his mouth. However, Winster Calter paid no heed to that and smiled slowly instead of answering.
The silence was too heavy to bear. After what seemed like eons, Winster smiled and spoke.
“...Thank you again for your help, Duke. However, please understand that we cannot reveal the Young Lady’s whereabouts. However, we will soon let you know that the Young Lady has safely returned to Vikander Castle. Anyway..."
Winster trailed off his words and looked toward one side of the bedroom. The insignia above the emblem of the Madeleine duchy was gold and navy blue, a symbol of the imperial palace.
While someone was making loud noises, Winster looked at the Duke again with an expression asking for understanding.
“...Whether it's coming to the Duke's house to say thank you or to ruin an alliance meeting that didn't work out. I don’t know what comes first, but I think I’ll be going through the system again soon.”
“So you’re going to leave the system now? The guards have just left. Do you think the castle gate is safe?”
“A delegation from the allies is secretly entering the palace and preparing for war. Even if it is the imperial family, does it have the power to even care about us?”
Despite Jade's rebuttal, Winster responded indifferently. And he quirked his eyebrows.
After making it clear that no more questions would be asked, Winster looked at the sofa. Jürgen, who seemed to be hiding away from this atmosphere, seemed to have recovered quite a bit over the night.
Jürgen, who received attention, stood up trembling. Although she was still sore all over, she had a strong understanding.
“Oh, I know. I also have to pay for my life. What do you need first?”
Allies were likely to side with the Empire, the length of time it would take to arrive, and the date of negotiations.
But instead of answering, Winster gave a slight bow to Duke Madeleine. So did Dean and Howard. Even though he had received help, he did not believe that the Duke would continue to silence him.
It was then.
“...I would have requested envoys from all of the Empire’s allies except Auslan.”
The knights, including Winster, stopped walking.
“It takes approximately three to four days for the delegation to arrive, so negotiations on alliance requests are usually scheduled five days later. If you need anything else...”
What the Little Duke was reciting was the information that Winster desperately needed.
Winster was embarrassed. The Duke and the Little Duke always lived with only eyes on the Emperor and the imperial palace. They were showing more goodwill than necessary to those who could become enemies at any moment.
If it's really because of the Young Lady, it's information he can trust.
Winster looked at the Duke with wide eyes, as if waiting for an answer.
“...I said I would repay you double, risking the honor of the Grand Duchy.”
At this moment, Giovanni Madeleine felt unfamiliar with the voice he had heard his whole life. Maybe it was because he decided to carry a new weight instead of the weight he had been carrying his whole life.
He slowly raised his eyebrows. And he slowly took in his eyes the family emblem and the gold and navy blue insignia above it.
One of the two pillars of the empire. He has always been dignified and ran for Madeleine's pride and honor. And the dignified Franz, to whom Madeleine was loyal.
The pride he wanted to hold on to for the rest of his life wasn't actually about that badge.
“In that case, please accompany Jade.”
His family is in his arms. The power to protect Madeleine. Even if he dares to go against the empire, there is...
“At least that kid... Let us see that she is safe and allow her to return to the Duke’s house.”
Olivia, he wishes he had that kid.
Duke Madeleine smiled faintly and looked at Vikander's knights. And he made a request as if driving a wedge.
“That will be double or more in return.”
The sound of horse hooves running powerfully on the dirt floor rang out.
Winster gritted his teeth. He took painkillers at the Duke of Madeleine, but the pain that vibrated throughout his body every time his horse ran continued to torment him.
But now it was barely near Katanta. If he keeps running without stopping, he will barely be able to reach the Great Sage at dawn the day after tomorrow.
Through the hazy dust, Winster constantly thought of things to do.
After confirming the Young Lady's appearance, he sent Jade Madeleine, who was running right next to him, to the island. Then, if he goes on a campaign...
“...I said I would repay you double, risking the honor of the Grand Duchy.”
At this moment, Giovanni Madeleine felt unfamiliar with the voice he had heard his whole life. Maybe it was because he decided to carry a new weight instead of the weight he had been carrying his whole life.
He slowly raised his eyebrows. And he slowly took in his eyes the family emblem and the gold and navy blue insignia above it.
One of the two pillars of the empire. He has always been dignified and ran for Madeleine's pride and honor. And the dignified Franz, to whom Madeleine was loyal.
The pride he wanted to hold on to for the rest of his life wasn't actually about that badge.
“In that case, please accompany Jade.”
His family is in his arms. The power to protect Madeleine. Even if he dares to go against the empire, there is...
“At least that kid... Let us see that she is safe and allow her to return to the Duke’s house.”
Olivia, he wishes he had that kid.
Duke Madeleine smiled faintly and looked at Vikander's knights. And he made a request as if driving a wedge.
“That will be double or more in return.”
***
The sound of horse hooves running powerfully on the dirt floor rang out.
Winster gritted his teeth. He took painkillers at the Duke of Madeleine, but the pain that vibrated throughout his body every time his horse ran continued to torment him.
But now it was barely near Katanta. If he keeps running without stopping, he will barely be able to reach the Great Sage at dawn the day after tomorrow.
Through the hazy dust, Winster constantly thought of things to do.
After confirming the Young Lady's appearance, he sent Jade Madeleine, who was running right next to him, to the island. Then, if he goes on a campaign...
“Everyone stop!”
At Dean's shout, Winster pulled the reins. It was a sudden stop, but the horse quickly stopped in place under the skillful hand of the knight. Winster, Howard, and even Jade immediately got off their horses and looked around.
However, Dean, who told them to stop, pursed his lips. Winster asked, lowering his voice.
"What? What's the matter?"
“Well, that... Don’t you think we should go to Katanta?”
For a moment, Winster was speechless at the question that came to an end. However, Dean spoke again strongly, as if he had been convinced by his own question.
“We must go to Katanta. There now..."
This is definitely the power he felt in Senua’s Valley. The friendly and innocent energy felt after the Young Lady fell off the cliff. That feeling was calling to Dean himself now.
“The Lady is here! If she's not a Young Lady, Bethanny is waiting for us!”
“What do you mean!”
Jade got angry. However, Dean hurriedly turned the reins and shouted without even looking at Jade.
“I will go and explain it to you. Come quickly, quickly!”
***
“...With the help of the Duke and Lord Madeleine, we stayed the night at the Duke's residence. So I accompanied Lord Madeleine to the Viscounty of Katanta. When I set out here, I was left behind by the owner.”
Winster's voice spread across the sparkling tunnel. Even as he was reporting, the colorful light continued to catch Winster's attention.
The Grand Duke, the Young Lady, and even Bethanny in front of him were all smiling as if it were unreal.
Everything happened in an instant.
"Also, I thought Dean would feel it if you were him. Just now, the Prince's side had sent someone, and I was completely dissatisfied...! No. Let’s heal both of us first.”
There really was Bethanny at Viscount Katanta's house. After dissipating her energy, Bethanny said something incomprehensible and immediately cast a healing spell on Winster and Howard.
Winster was well aware of Bethanny's magical abilities. Simple healing, flashy flames, or just enough weight to float in the air. So when Bethanny cast his spell, he stopped her. Bethanny would try to heal them until she was too tired.
However, healing was completed within seconds. Winster couldn't believe it. Bethany laughed a little, as the bruises on the Young Lady's wrists had taken quite some time to heal.
“Now let’s talk as we go. It's a bit far from Katanta to the mine, so let's use a carriage. His Highness is waiting.”
In it, Bethanny told an even more unbelievable story.
Bethanny's magic became stronger as if there were no restrictions, the true nature of the White Crystal Mine, which she wanted to recover only because it was a relic of Lowell, and the story of His Highness the previous Grand Duke who came back alive.
It took a day and a half to get to the mine like that.
Even though Winster had seen Bethanny's magic himself, he could not believe the story of His Highness the previous Grand Duke that he had come back alive. Then Dean agreed dozens of times and told the story of Lowell's priest.
Priests.
At that one word, Winster suddenly thought about his duty.
The girl's mother said she was a priest when she called the grandmother.
Even in the midst of enormous events, Winster tried hard to stay centered. So, when he entered the mine, which looked like any other day on the outside, the Grand Duke and the Young Lady inside the sparkling mine smiled weakly at him.
Winster started with a report. Because that was how he maintained himself so that he could accept this situation.
Even when Howard's eyes turned red and Dean swallowed his tears, as Vikander's knight, he had to tell his Master what he found out.
It was about halfway through the report that everything started to hit reality.
The flash of the tunnel he started visiting after the barrier magic was lifted was unfamiliar, and the gently blowing wind was friendly. Bethanny smiled trustingly, the Young Lady looking at him with affection...
Above all...
“I don’t want to go to the imperial palace.”
“...Now that I think about it, you probably don’t want to go.”
“But not as much as it used to be.”
"Sure. Aren’t we all ready now? How strong has the Grand Duchy become? As long as we get back the former Grand Duchess’s White Crystal Mine, anything you wish will be done.”
The moment Winster met the slowly smiling red eyes, the jokes they used to share as a habit came to mind.
It really came. Today was the beginning of 'the day when anything can be done', which he had guessed ever since it was known that the owner of the mine was a Young Lady.
Contrary to the blurring vision, the corners of the lips continued to rise.
But the report isn't over yet.
“Through information from the Duke of Madeleine, I heard that among the friendly allies of the Empire, Lady Maria Ethel has sent a request to all allies except the Kingdom of Oslan, which has become the Prince's mistress, to attend war negotiations.”
“...”
“Negotiations are scheduled to take place in five days, and even if we enter into an all-out war, as soon as we go to war...”
For a moment, the gentle wind in the magic stone mine stopped. Winster's voice spread low through the suffocating wind, enough to give him goosebumps.
“...It can decide whether we win or lose.”
The hatred and resentment built up so badly. Edwin walked towards his knights, looking at the red-hot emotions rising under Winster's brown eyes.
“I’m happy to say that it can determine victory or defeat, but...”
The three people were cleansed thanks to Bethanny's healing magic. But Edwin knew the hardships they must have gone through.
The girl's mother said she was a priest when she called the grandmother.
Even in the midst of enormous events, Winster tried hard to stay centered. So, when he entered the mine, which looked like any other day on the outside, the Grand Duke and the Young Lady inside the sparkling mine smiled weakly at him.
Winster started with a report. Because that was how he maintained himself so that he could accept this situation.
Even when Howard's eyes turned red and Dean swallowed his tears, as Vikander's knight, he had to tell his Master what he found out.
It was about halfway through the report that everything started to hit reality.
The flash of the tunnel he started visiting after the barrier magic was lifted was unfamiliar, and the gently blowing wind was friendly. Bethanny smiled trustingly, the Young Lady looking at him with affection...
Above all...
“I don’t want to go to the imperial palace.”
“...Now that I think about it, you probably don’t want to go.”
“But not as much as it used to be.”
"Sure. Aren’t we all ready now? How strong has the Grand Duchy become? As long as we get back the former Grand Duchess’s White Crystal Mine, anything you wish will be done.”
The moment Winster met the slowly smiling red eyes, the jokes they used to share as a habit came to mind.
It really came. Today was the beginning of 'the day when anything can be done', which he had guessed ever since it was known that the owner of the mine was a Young Lady.
Contrary to the blurring vision, the corners of the lips continued to rise.
But the report isn't over yet.
“Through information from the Duke of Madeleine, I heard that among the friendly allies of the Empire, Lady Maria Ethel has sent a request to all allies except the Kingdom of Oslan, which has become the Prince's mistress, to attend war negotiations.”
“...”
“Negotiations are scheduled to take place in five days, and even if we enter into an all-out war, as soon as we go to war...”
For a moment, the gentle wind in the magic stone mine stopped. Winster's voice spread low through the suffocating wind, enough to give him goosebumps.
“...It can decide whether we win or lose.”
The hatred and resentment built up so badly. Edwin walked towards his knights, looking at the red-hot emotions rising under Winster's brown eyes.
“I’m happy to say that it can determine victory or defeat, but...”
The three people were cleansed thanks to Bethanny's healing magic. But Edwin knew the hardships they must have gone through.
As long as ten years, as short as five years. The years of being injured while wandering around the battlefield with a leash tied to the Emperor unfolded and disappeared in an instant.
So Edwin spread his arms and smiled slowly.
"....For now, I just have to enjoy the safe return of my knights, even if only for a moment.”
The sound of trembling breathing hit the wall of the tunnel and disappeared.
“You had a hard time.”
Incalculable emotions were tightly packed in those simple words. The knights bit their lips and waited in silence for the Grand Duke's next words. Soon, the Grand Duke's words continued along with the sparkle of the magic stone.
“The toast for all of this will be after the expedition is over. It will be a very grand event.”.
But that night, when the moon was at its highest.
Vikander's knights had to sleep in the great siege instead of going on a campaign. It was a long night when everyone in the Grand Duchy could not sleep.
It was because of something the previous Grand Duke said at the departure ceremony.
The words of the previous Grand Duke further inflamed the anger of the majestic knights of Vikander, and at the same time made them wait a little longer for the time for their long-awaited expedition.
“Before the war, there is something I wish had come first..."
So Edwin spread his arms and smiled slowly.
"....For now, I just have to enjoy the safe return of my knights, even if only for a moment.”
The sound of trembling breathing hit the wall of the tunnel and disappeared.
“You had a hard time.”
Incalculable emotions were tightly packed in those simple words. The knights bit their lips and waited in silence for the Grand Duke's next words. Soon, the Grand Duke's words continued along with the sparkle of the magic stone.
“The toast for all of this will be after the expedition is over. It will be a very grand event.”.
***
But that night, when the moon was at its highest.
Vikander's knights had to sleep in the great siege instead of going on a campaign. It was a long night when everyone in the Grand Duchy could not sleep.
It was because of something the previous Grand Duke said at the departure ceremony.
The words of the previous Grand Duke further inflamed the anger of the majestic knights of Vikander, and at the same time made them wait a little longer for the time for their long-awaited expedition.
“Before the war, there is something I wish had come first..."
"...I’ll do it.”
Immediately after hearing those words, Edwin requested a private meeting with the previous Grand Duke. And he never came out.
Olivia pondered the words of the previous Grand Duke alone. Then she suddenly remembered what Dean had said.
“...If you allow me, I would like to send someone to Viscount Katanta's residence. Lord Jade Madeleine will probably not go and will want to make sure that the Young Lady is safe.”
Edwin's mouth felt numb. He didn't know if it was because he was up all night, or because he could barely believe things he would not have believed before.
The darkest hour of the night has passed. At some point, dawn began to dawn beyond the horizon. The night was long, but the morning was brighter.
And eventually, after a long conversation, Edwin decided to follow the words of the previous Grand Duke. That was the ending that he, Bethanny, and everyone else in the Grand Siege had predicted.
That morning, the only thing leaving the strong siege was a carriage carrying a letter to the kingdom of Oslan.
“I know because I’ve been through it for over ten years, but what are you doing except me? I feel very bad.”
Edwin added something while looking at the carriage.
“...It’s to the point where I want to turn it over every time they put me in it.”
Watching the corners of Olivia's mouth turn up like a villain, he smiled to himself.
“...If you allow me, I would like to send someone to Viscount Katanta's residence. Lord Jade Madeleine will probably not go and will want to make sure that the Young Lady is safe.”
Edwin's mouth felt numb. He didn't know if it was because he was up all night, or because he could barely believe things he would not have believed before.
The darkest hour of the night has passed. At some point, dawn began to dawn beyond the horizon. The night was long, but the morning was brighter.
And eventually, after a long conversation, Edwin decided to follow the words of the previous Grand Duke. That was the ending that he, Bethanny, and everyone else in the Grand Siege had predicted.
That morning, the only thing leaving the strong siege was a carriage carrying a letter to the kingdom of Oslan.
“I know because I’ve been through it for over ten years, but what are you doing except me? I feel very bad.”
Edwin added something while looking at the carriage.
“...It’s to the point where I want to turn it over every time they put me in it.”
Watching the corners of Olivia's mouth turn up like a villain, he smiled to himself.
Assuring that the recipient of the letter would definitely feel the same way.
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