DYBAR - Chapter 153 < The Price of Stealing Ten Years from Vikander >
Do Your Best And Regret
The hall was eerily quiet.
The shocked nobles and envoys stared blankly at one place.
An extremely high throne. The white-haired man who dared to ascend to that noble position overwhelmed his aura with a presence even stronger than that of the Emperor.
Are you really saying that the man is Vikander’s ancestral Grand Duke?!
“Shut up!”
In a situation where everyone became distant, a fierce sound rang out. It was a Leopold.
“Is it possible that the previous Grand Duke, who has been known to be dead for ten years, has now appeared at such an opportune time?”
He glared fiercely at the nobles and shouted at the top of his voice. The nobles' confused expressions were clearly revealed through the broken silence.
Leopold squinted at the throne. The Emperor was just sitting on that supreme throne with a bloodless face as if he had seen a ghost.
In this way, insisting that he was the previous Grand Duke only added strength to the author's argument. The more this happened, the more the Crown Prince had to come to his senses. He raised his voice even higher.
“I don’t know where the lookalike was brought in, but the hair color has nothing to do with Vikander’s color...!”
“Is there anyone among these people who doesn’t know me?”
The low voice that echoed through the room was quite close. Leopold turned around and was startled. For a split second, the red eyes of the person who claimed to be the previous Grand Duke were terrifying.
But he casually turned his gaze to the nobles.
“There is no answer, Count Comode.”
Count Comode, who was nominated by the previous Grand Duke, was very surprised. To get out of this situation, he had to deny whatever the person asked.
But the moment he meets the red gaze.
“Tell me. Who am I?”
“This is Grand Duke Vikander.”
Count Comode answered as if he were possessed. Fear overwhelmed him. Those red eyes were as ferocious as the spirit of the current Grand Duke, known as the Demon of Murder.
“You have to say it right away. The Grand Duke is over there.”
“Sir, you are the former Grand Duke!”
After Count Comode, the white-haired man asked the same question to an older, high-ranking nobleman. The answer that came back was the same. Only after the third nobleman's answer came out, did the white-haired man look back at Leopold.
The way he slowly raised the corners of his mouth and shrugged his shoulders was exactly the same as that of his son, the Grand Duke.
“It seems like the only one who doesn’t know me is Your Highness.”
His mouth was dry. Even in this situation where he was cornered, Leopold had to blame the predecessor, the Grand Duke.
“...Even if it is true, it is still true that you, a warmonger, caused the deaths of many knights.”
He was a criminal of the empire who caused the death of countless knights.
Leopold regained his momentum and glared at the former Grand Duke. The previous Grand Duke muttered.
“...What a warmonger. Is that the reason for my death?”
“If you’re not a warmonger, then what does it mean to take part in a war that you’re going to lose anyway?”
Hahaha-!
A sharp laugh resounded throughout the hall as if cutting the prince's back. Leopold, who was furious at the humiliating situation, was unable to continue speaking the moment his gaze became entangled with him and only blinked.
“Who said it was I who decided to participate in the war? Do you think I was the one who pushed Vikander into a battle that seemed reckless at first glance and promised enormous support, and then held me responsible!”
A deep hatred flickered above the bright red eyes that flashed brightly. The nobles who heard his roar looked into each other's eyes.
The only one who could advise the Grand Duke to take the lead in war. A noble person who can promise enormous support.
As more and more eyes turned to the Emperor, Leopold shouted urgently.
“Well, it’s a lie! Who are you scheming?”
“Unless we knew in advance that it was a war we were bound to lose, how could the word spread that it was a war we would lose anyway even though knights from the strongest Empire on the continent participated? How dare!"
A frost-like reprimand hit Leopold.
The Empire's nobles and envoys also had blank expressions, as if they had been stabbed in the back.
Meanwhile, the previous Grand Duke shouted sharply.
“There is no way a war will be lost to the knights of the strongest empire on the continent.”
A warmonger who jumped into a losing war anyway.
Those words have been used to discuss the foolishness of the predecessor, Vikander. The moment he said those words, things like how strong the previous Grand Duke Vikander was and why he fought in the war became unclear.
Then...!
In the quiet hall, the former Grand Duke closed his eyes for a moment. His chest, which had been rising and falling rapidly due to his heavy breathing, slowed down a bit.
It's not over yet. His body was shaking not long after he woke up, but the previous Grand Duke gave strength to his legs.
And as he looked at the Emperor sitting on the throne, he pressed his left breast hard. To whom he once swore allegiance and devotion.
“But it’s not enough for the empire to criticize me, the commander-in-chief of the war, as an irresponsible warmonger.”
The Emperor finally came to his senses and faced the previous Grand Duke.
The hateful face that drove him to death. Anger and emotions mixed together surged in his heart.
Even as he was out of breath, the former Grand Duke remembered his final greeting from the group of green lights. That greeting clearly reminded him of what his loved ones had to go through during the days he was gone.
“I will impose a huge burden of compensation on the rest of my family.”
On a night when everyone was crying, the Grand Duchess, who could not cry, eventually climbed into the carriage carrying the white crystal mine documents to protect Vikander.
“Not only did you send my son to war from a young age.”
The young boy, who always smiled brightly with red cheeks, lost his smile and shamelessly killed people on the battlefield.
And finally.
The previous Grand Duke shouted as if his anger was spreading red.
“The proud Grand Duchess... You made the Grand Duchess of Vikander, who was supposed to protect the Grand Duke’s family, die in this imperial palace!”
“....”
“Are you trying to bring down Vikander’s reputation by giving reasons that aren’t enough? Do you really want to destroy me?”
“Your argument has no proof.”
“I am the proof myself!”
The Prince, who tried to clumsily intervene in his desperate voice as if he was vomiting blood, shut his mouth.
The previous Grand Duke looked at the Crown Prince.
The person seen beyond the bloodshot eyes was a foolish, and arrogant person who had grown up peacefully under the Emperor's shadow.
...The guy who coveted and stole what belonged to his son in that peace of mind. Now it was his turn to take everything from those hands and give it to his son.
“The Prince dares to continue talking about vain favors about something he did not personally experience.”
The words he spat out were terrifying.
While the Crown Prince hesitated due to the fierceness of his life, the previous Grand Duke turned around and looked at the nobles and envoys. Numerous faces tensed and stared at the former Grand Duke.
“That’s why I can’t stand it.”
Unexpectedly, the Grand Duke's voice was hollow. Beneath the vanity where everything was torn to shreds, the Grand Duke spoke quietly.
“My family, my peace, Vikander’s faith, love, and justice were all shattered, leaving those I love to live in pain.”
“....”
“Are you sure the same thing won’t happen to you?”
At that moment, the Duke of Kiwal had goosebumps all over his body. What the previous Grand Duke said was right. How can he trust an empire that puts even its own subjects at risk?
Regardless of their relationship as allies, the Empire may declare war on Heferti again at any time.
The Duke of Kiwal bit his lip hard as he remembered the pain of having cruelly clawed at his own land.
“Among you who remain as eternal allies of the Empire...”
He could feel the miserable years in his wide-open eyes. The warning voice was frightening.
A mockery towards oneself and a determination not to be deprived of anything more. The eyes of the previous Grand Duke who embraced those two things became sharp as if they could pierce through.
“And who will be my enemy?”
“Heferti....”
The Duke of Kiwal took a step forward. He looked at the previous Grand Duke, Edwin, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince. Amidst eyes with different expectations, the Duke of Kiwal declared for his country.
“I want a positive interaction with Vikander.”
That was a positive sign for Vikander. At the same time, it was the beginning of a terrible nightmare for the empire. In an instant, four more kingdoms joined Vikander.
A total of five kingdoms sided with Vikander. Leopold instinctively looked at Maria Ethel.
“Auslan...”
No. Leopold pursed his lips. A sorrowful look overflowed from his handsome face. Feeling his gaze, Maria paused for a moment, looking at Leopold's face.
The time spent walking the tightrope between hope and despair was excruciatingly long. But Leopold did not give up hope.
Those eyes clearly belonged to Maria Ethel. It's not the last name of a foreign noble whose name is difficult to name, but Maria, who loved him...
“We are very pleased with the return of His Highness, the late Grand Duke Vikander.”
Leopold blinked his eyes. What the loud voice said was the exact opposite of what he wanted.
Leopold's face began to turn pale. The moment she saw that face, Maria Tepils felt a tingle in her hand, which had been injured in the Queen's room a long time ago.
The misery and humiliation that remained in the place where the wound seemed to have healed, and the filth-like emotions that had enveloped him, were volatilizing. She smiled brightly.
And she was very happy, lowering herself in front of the previous Grand Duke.
“I hope to have friendly exchanges with Vikander.”
The majority of allies joined the Vikander Grand Duchy.
The Emperor looked at the conference hall with a heavy heart. They were divided into two groups, standing on either side, as if they had split sides. What was driving the Emperor crazy were the hesitating allies on his side.
The Emperor exhaled at the sight of the kingdoms looking at each other as if they were hoping to interact with Vikander at any time.
In this unbelievable reality, there was only one thing I had to say.
“...What do you want?”
It was dangerous to lose anymore. He wanted to call it a day by giving Vikander whatever they wanted. However, the Grand Duke's reply, twisting his lips, took the Emperor's breath away once again.
“Can I get my lost ten years back?”
The shocked nobles and envoys stared blankly at one place.
An extremely high throne. The white-haired man who dared to ascend to that noble position overwhelmed his aura with a presence even stronger than that of the Emperor.
Are you really saying that the man is Vikander’s ancestral Grand Duke?!
“Shut up!”
In a situation where everyone became distant, a fierce sound rang out. It was a Leopold.
“Is it possible that the previous Grand Duke, who has been known to be dead for ten years, has now appeared at such an opportune time?”
He glared fiercely at the nobles and shouted at the top of his voice. The nobles' confused expressions were clearly revealed through the broken silence.
Leopold squinted at the throne. The Emperor was just sitting on that supreme throne with a bloodless face as if he had seen a ghost.
In this way, insisting that he was the previous Grand Duke only added strength to the author's argument. The more this happened, the more the Crown Prince had to come to his senses. He raised his voice even higher.
“I don’t know where the lookalike was brought in, but the hair color has nothing to do with Vikander’s color...!”
“Is there anyone among these people who doesn’t know me?”
The low voice that echoed through the room was quite close. Leopold turned around and was startled. For a split second, the red eyes of the person who claimed to be the previous Grand Duke were terrifying.
But he casually turned his gaze to the nobles.
“There is no answer, Count Comode.”
Count Comode, who was nominated by the previous Grand Duke, was very surprised. To get out of this situation, he had to deny whatever the person asked.
But the moment he meets the red gaze.
“Tell me. Who am I?”
“This is Grand Duke Vikander.”
Count Comode answered as if he were possessed. Fear overwhelmed him. Those red eyes were as ferocious as the spirit of the current Grand Duke, known as the Demon of Murder.
“You have to say it right away. The Grand Duke is over there.”
“Sir, you are the former Grand Duke!”
After Count Comode, the white-haired man asked the same question to an older, high-ranking nobleman. The answer that came back was the same. Only after the third nobleman's answer came out, did the white-haired man look back at Leopold.
The way he slowly raised the corners of his mouth and shrugged his shoulders was exactly the same as that of his son, the Grand Duke.
“It seems like the only one who doesn’t know me is Your Highness.”
His mouth was dry. Even in this situation where he was cornered, Leopold had to blame the predecessor, the Grand Duke.
“...Even if it is true, it is still true that you, a warmonger, caused the deaths of many knights.”
He was a criminal of the empire who caused the death of countless knights.
Leopold regained his momentum and glared at the former Grand Duke. The previous Grand Duke muttered.
“...What a warmonger. Is that the reason for my death?”
“If you’re not a warmonger, then what does it mean to take part in a war that you’re going to lose anyway?”
Hahaha-!
A sharp laugh resounded throughout the hall as if cutting the prince's back. Leopold, who was furious at the humiliating situation, was unable to continue speaking the moment his gaze became entangled with him and only blinked.
“Who said it was I who decided to participate in the war? Do you think I was the one who pushed Vikander into a battle that seemed reckless at first glance and promised enormous support, and then held me responsible!”
A deep hatred flickered above the bright red eyes that flashed brightly. The nobles who heard his roar looked into each other's eyes.
The only one who could advise the Grand Duke to take the lead in war. A noble person who can promise enormous support.
As more and more eyes turned to the Emperor, Leopold shouted urgently.
“Well, it’s a lie! Who are you scheming?”
“Unless we knew in advance that it was a war we were bound to lose, how could the word spread that it was a war we would lose anyway even though knights from the strongest Empire on the continent participated? How dare!"
A frost-like reprimand hit Leopold.
The Empire's nobles and envoys also had blank expressions, as if they had been stabbed in the back.
Meanwhile, the previous Grand Duke shouted sharply.
“There is no way a war will be lost to the knights of the strongest empire on the continent.”
A warmonger who jumped into a losing war anyway.
Those words have been used to discuss the foolishness of the predecessor, Vikander. The moment he said those words, things like how strong the previous Grand Duke Vikander was and why he fought in the war became unclear.
Then...!
The expressions of the nobles and envoys who suddenly raised their heads were astonished.
To that face that said no way, no way, the previous Grand Duke quietly told them the terrible truth they suspected.
“But if the purpose of that war was me, things would be different.”
Looking at each of those faces, the previous Grand Duke defined the last, miserable war as if he were chewing it over.
“... The support the Emperor had promised, the additional troops, and even the second-in-command who was supposed to assist me. Everyone pushed me into Senua's Valley...”
“ ...”
“Only me. A war targeting knights who were loyal to the empire.”
The Emperor personally drove his knight to death. A horribly obvious causal relationship was established.
There was only one person who maintained the same expression in a shocking situation where it was impossible to even exhale.
Edwin Lowell Vikander.
He bit down hard on the flesh inside his mouth.
There was a metallic smell in his mouth, but he did not feel any pain. Even though pitch black spread before his eyes, he had to persevere. And he repeated what his father had said.
“Before the war, there is something I would like to see done first.”
In order not to kill the Emperor at once.
“I was robbed of the ten years I should have lived because of the Emperor. And, unbelievably, in the meantime, you, who were young, became adults, and my wife...”
In order not to kill the fetus too easily.
“...So I want to receive in return for what I have been deprived of by taking what they are least willing to give. So, I will let you know just a little bit how precious and valuable those stolen ten years were to me.”
Even though he made a promise to his father, his eyes were blinking. Every time Edwin was out of breath, the line holding him was so tight that it felt like it might break.
Suddenly, a small warmth grabbed his hand. The pain slowly spread through his palm through the gentle temperature. He was clenching his fists so hard that his fingers were numb.
“Not yet, Edwin.”
A small voice addressed Edwin. At some point, while holding onto Edwin, whose body was leaning in front of her, Olivia once again reminded him of the words of his ancestor, the Grand Duke.
“Now, this is the war of His Highness the previous Grand Duke.”
To that face that said no way, no way, the previous Grand Duke quietly told them the terrible truth they suspected.
“But if the purpose of that war was me, things would be different.”
Looking at each of those faces, the previous Grand Duke defined the last, miserable war as if he were chewing it over.
“... The support the Emperor had promised, the additional troops, and even the second-in-command who was supposed to assist me. Everyone pushed me into Senua's Valley...”
“ ...”
“Only me. A war targeting knights who were loyal to the empire.”
The Emperor personally drove his knight to death. A horribly obvious causal relationship was established.
There was only one person who maintained the same expression in a shocking situation where it was impossible to even exhale.
Edwin Lowell Vikander.
He bit down hard on the flesh inside his mouth.
There was a metallic smell in his mouth, but he did not feel any pain. Even though pitch black spread before his eyes, he had to persevere. And he repeated what his father had said.
“Before the war, there is something I would like to see done first.”
In order not to kill the Emperor at once.
“I was robbed of the ten years I should have lived because of the Emperor. And, unbelievably, in the meantime, you, who were young, became adults, and my wife...”
In order not to kill the fetus too easily.
“...So I want to receive in return for what I have been deprived of by taking what they are least willing to give. So, I will let you know just a little bit how precious and valuable those stolen ten years were to me.”
Even though he made a promise to his father, his eyes were blinking. Every time Edwin was out of breath, the line holding him was so tight that it felt like it might break.
Suddenly, a small warmth grabbed his hand. The pain slowly spread through his palm through the gentle temperature. He was clenching his fists so hard that his fingers were numb.
“Not yet, Edwin.”
A small voice addressed Edwin. At some point, while holding onto Edwin, whose body was leaning in front of her, Olivia once again reminded him of the words of his ancestor, the Grand Duke.
“Now, this is the war of His Highness the previous Grand Duke.”
***
In the quiet hall, the former Grand Duke closed his eyes for a moment. His chest, which had been rising and falling rapidly due to his heavy breathing, slowed down a bit.
It's not over yet. His body was shaking not long after he woke up, but the previous Grand Duke gave strength to his legs.
And as he looked at the Emperor sitting on the throne, he pressed his left breast hard. To whom he once swore allegiance and devotion.
“But it’s not enough for the empire to criticize me, the commander-in-chief of the war, as an irresponsible warmonger.”
The Emperor finally came to his senses and faced the previous Grand Duke.
The hateful face that drove him to death. Anger and emotions mixed together surged in his heart.
Even as he was out of breath, the former Grand Duke remembered his final greeting from the group of green lights. That greeting clearly reminded him of what his loved ones had to go through during the days he was gone.
“I will impose a huge burden of compensation on the rest of my family.”
On a night when everyone was crying, the Grand Duchess, who could not cry, eventually climbed into the carriage carrying the white crystal mine documents to protect Vikander.
“Not only did you send my son to war from a young age.”
The young boy, who always smiled brightly with red cheeks, lost his smile and shamelessly killed people on the battlefield.
And finally.
The previous Grand Duke shouted as if his anger was spreading red.
“The proud Grand Duchess... You made the Grand Duchess of Vikander, who was supposed to protect the Grand Duke’s family, die in this imperial palace!”
“....”
“Are you trying to bring down Vikander’s reputation by giving reasons that aren’t enough? Do you really want to destroy me?”
“Your argument has no proof.”
“I am the proof myself!”
The Prince, who tried to clumsily intervene in his desperate voice as if he was vomiting blood, shut his mouth.
The previous Grand Duke looked at the Crown Prince.
The person seen beyond the bloodshot eyes was a foolish, and arrogant person who had grown up peacefully under the Emperor's shadow.
...The guy who coveted and stole what belonged to his son in that peace of mind. Now it was his turn to take everything from those hands and give it to his son.
“The Prince dares to continue talking about vain favors about something he did not personally experience.”
The words he spat out were terrifying.
While the Crown Prince hesitated due to the fierceness of his life, the previous Grand Duke turned around and looked at the nobles and envoys. Numerous faces tensed and stared at the former Grand Duke.
“That’s why I can’t stand it.”
Unexpectedly, the Grand Duke's voice was hollow. Beneath the vanity where everything was torn to shreds, the Grand Duke spoke quietly.
“My family, my peace, Vikander’s faith, love, and justice were all shattered, leaving those I love to live in pain.”
“....”
“Are you sure the same thing won’t happen to you?”
At that moment, the Duke of Kiwal had goosebumps all over his body. What the previous Grand Duke said was right. How can he trust an empire that puts even its own subjects at risk?
Regardless of their relationship as allies, the Empire may declare war on Heferti again at any time.
The Duke of Kiwal bit his lip hard as he remembered the pain of having cruelly clawed at his own land.
“Among you who remain as eternal allies of the Empire...”
He could feel the miserable years in his wide-open eyes. The warning voice was frightening.
A mockery towards oneself and a determination not to be deprived of anything more. The eyes of the previous Grand Duke who embraced those two things became sharp as if they could pierce through.
“And who will be my enemy?”
“Heferti....”
The Duke of Kiwal took a step forward. He looked at the previous Grand Duke, Edwin, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince. Amidst eyes with different expectations, the Duke of Kiwal declared for his country.
“I want a positive interaction with Vikander.”
That was a positive sign for Vikander. At the same time, it was the beginning of a terrible nightmare for the empire. In an instant, four more kingdoms joined Vikander.
A total of five kingdoms sided with Vikander. Leopold instinctively looked at Maria Ethel.
“Auslan...”
No. Leopold pursed his lips. A sorrowful look overflowed from his handsome face. Feeling his gaze, Maria paused for a moment, looking at Leopold's face.
The time spent walking the tightrope between hope and despair was excruciatingly long. But Leopold did not give up hope.
Those eyes clearly belonged to Maria Ethel. It's not the last name of a foreign noble whose name is difficult to name, but Maria, who loved him...
“We are very pleased with the return of His Highness, the late Grand Duke Vikander.”
Leopold blinked his eyes. What the loud voice said was the exact opposite of what he wanted.
Leopold's face began to turn pale. The moment she saw that face, Maria Tepils felt a tingle in her hand, which had been injured in the Queen's room a long time ago.
The misery and humiliation that remained in the place where the wound seemed to have healed, and the filth-like emotions that had enveloped him, were volatilizing. She smiled brightly.
And she was very happy, lowering herself in front of the previous Grand Duke.
“I hope to have friendly exchanges with Vikander.”
***
The majority of allies joined the Vikander Grand Duchy.
The Emperor looked at the conference hall with a heavy heart. They were divided into two groups, standing on either side, as if they had split sides. What was driving the Emperor crazy were the hesitating allies on his side.
The Emperor exhaled at the sight of the kingdoms looking at each other as if they were hoping to interact with Vikander at any time.
In this unbelievable reality, there was only one thing I had to say.
“...What do you want?”
It was dangerous to lose anymore. He wanted to call it a day by giving Vikander whatever they wanted. However, the Grand Duke's reply, twisting his lips, took the Emperor's breath away once again.
“Can I get my lost ten years back?”
💕 You tell them papa Duke. Nothing can make up for your lost wife and child growing up so painfully. The years you lost 🥹🥺
ReplyDeleteTbh I’m glad Maria got her lick. Leo-TARD did her dirty.
ReplyDeleteThe Emperor and PM are happy to ruin other people's lives, and look now they swallow his karma by suffocating. What a refreshing picture
ReplyDelete