“Follow me, Rubia.”
As soon as the hunting competition began, Marquis Glever went deep into the forest to avoid people's attention. Rubia, who had been under the Marquis' surveillance since the day before, followed him, almost being dragged away. She curled her lips and asked as she looked at the back of the Marquis who was ahead of her.
'The reason he even bothers taking me away is probably to remind me that I am also an accomplice in the end.'
The wrist that the Marquis was holding throbbed painfully. However, Rubia was being dragged away without showing any signs to avoid provoking the Marquis as much as possible. If the Marquis acts faster due to his rebellion, her plans will go awry.
'...Was the note delivered?'
Of course, Rubia's plan was built on the assumption that Sylvia had delivered her note to Randall.
“Duke Belfort, this is Rubia Glever. To put it bluntly, my father is planning a rebellion by joining hands with the demon Rapold. When my father found out about this, he blocked me from approaching the Duke, so I had to tell the story through the duchess.
When the hunting competition begins, it is expected that two people will summon a monster. So, I ask the Duke to keep his knights and Master Dosler on standby to prevent treason. As a member of the Glever family, I also made a huge mistake in not knowing about this incident in advance and failing to prevent it. We are ready to take responsibility together. I swear on my name and honor that all of this is true.
Hurry up, please. Time is running out."
After the Marquis Glever found out about her treason, he kept an eye on his daughter, fearing that she might try to contact the Duke. So Rubia had no choice but to deliver her note to Sylvia. The Marquis would be much less wary of the Duchess, who is known to be weak, young, and ignorant of worldly affairs. But Rubia wasn't sure if Sylvia had given him the note.
'Well, how many misfortunes have I done so far? She may have thrown away the note without checking it.'
Rubia laughed self-deprecatingly. Aside from her dislike for Sylvia, she was aware that her own behavior had been presumptuous. At their first meeting, she did not hesitate to criticize Sylvia, and from then on she persistently tried to drive her away when she came to see her.
'Well, how many misfortunes have I done so far? She may have thrown away the note without checking it.'
Rubia laughed self-deprecatingly. Aside from her dislike for Sylvia, she was aware that her own behavior had been presumptuous. At their first meeting, she did not hesitate to criticize Sylvia, and from then on she persistently tried to drive her away when she came to see her.
It was surprising to her that Sylvia tolerated her own rudeness. Funnily enough, it wasn't until she was in a situation where she needed Sylvia's help that she really felt that she had cared so much for her.
Rubia wondered if she had been such a hypocrite person and made another arsenic. Meanwhile, Marquis found Rapold waiting for them at the meeting place and greeted him politely.
“Rapold.”
“Ah, Marquis. You came. You also brought your daughter.”
“I was wondering if she might do something foolish.”
“You too are a very toxic person.”
“I will take it as a compliment.”
Marquis Glever let go of Rubia's wrist, which he had been holding with great force and scolded her coldly.
“Don’t think about running away needlessly.”
“...”
Rubia did not respond but kept her mouth shut in protest. After seeing the thorns in his eyes, the little girl clicked her tongue and took out a small jewel from her arms. It was a jewel with a moving magic circle engraved on it, similar to the one used in the banquet hall earlier.
“What about the jewels?”
“Here it is.”
“The signal will come soon so get ready.”
"Yes."
Rubia clenched her fists nervously.
'Even if the news reached the Duke's ears as soon as I delivered the note, time is running out. Please...'
Rubia was hoping that Randall, or at least Auston Dosler, with whom she had a bad relationship, would show up. But to her despair, the surroundings were still quiet. At that time, a red light flashed in the sky. It was a signal that the twist promised with the dark bugs had occurred. Rapold, who was watching the sky closely, shouted in an excited tone.
“Okay, Marquis! Magical power...!”
Wedge-!
“Rapold.”
“Ah, Marquis. You came. You also brought your daughter.”
“I was wondering if she might do something foolish.”
“You too are a very toxic person.”
“I will take it as a compliment.”
Marquis Glever let go of Rubia's wrist, which he had been holding with great force and scolded her coldly.
“Don’t think about running away needlessly.”
“...”
Rubia did not respond but kept her mouth shut in protest. After seeing the thorns in his eyes, the little girl clicked her tongue and took out a small jewel from her arms. It was a jewel with a moving magic circle engraved on it, similar to the one used in the banquet hall earlier.
“What about the jewels?”
“Here it is.”
“The signal will come soon so get ready.”
"Yes."
Rubia clenched her fists nervously.
'Even if the news reached the Duke's ears as soon as I delivered the note, time is running out. Please...'
Rubia was hoping that Randall, or at least Auston Dosler, with whom she had a bad relationship, would show up. But to her despair, the surroundings were still quiet. At that time, a red light flashed in the sky. It was a signal that the twist promised with the dark bugs had occurred. Rapold, who was watching the sky closely, shouted in an excited tone.
“Okay, Marquis! Magical power...!”
Wedge-!
That moment. The arrow that appeared through the air accurately pierced the jewel in Marquis Glever's hand.
“Ugh!”
A sharp bursting sound rang through the air. The Marquis stumbled, narrowly avoiding the arrow that was about to pierce his hand. Rapold was furious as he saw the remains of arrows and jewels rolling on the floor.
"What! What kind of bastard...!”
"Barrier...”
“...What?"
Rapold's face turned pale at the words the Marquis muttered like a groan. He followed the Marquis' gaze and looked up at the sky. A translucent barrier spread from above their heads and covered the forest.
“Ugh!”
A sharp bursting sound rang through the air. The Marquis stumbled, narrowly avoiding the arrow that was about to pierce his hand. Rapold was furious as he saw the remains of arrows and jewels rolling on the floor.
"What! What kind of bastard...!”
"Barrier...”
“...What?"
Rapold's face turned pale at the words the Marquis muttered like a groan. He followed the Marquis' gaze and looked up at the sky. A translucent barrier spread from above their heads and covered the forest.
It was a familiar sight. A barrier that covers the sky. Following that, life becomes closer from all directions. An ominous feeling went through his spine like a thunderbolt. Rapold muttered unconsciously.
"No way...”
“Garnet Glever.”
And that ominous feeling finally became reality and penetrated his ears. The voice is low enough to be heard, but now it is so subdued due to the viciousness of life. Rubia's eyes widened at the voice that sounded like a lie. A huge figure appeared from inside the forest, its cloak flapping.
“From now on, I will regard you as the same as the demons and arrest you for committing treason and attempting to take the lives of countless people.”
He was Randall, with the Knights and Auston at his back.
However, the Marquis, who he thought was entering a bar, exited through the back door and headed into an alley. Randall was puzzled, but he thought he was going to another store, so he quietly followed with Auston.
Randall stood still with his back to Auston. He had been silent ever since Marquis Glever met the man who seemed to be a 'dark bug'. Auston closed his eyes tightly, thinking that Randall would be shocked and that he would be reprimanded for not being able to catch them because of his mistake. But the next moment.
"No. Well done, Auston."
"...Yes?"
"No way...”
“Garnet Glever.”
And that ominous feeling finally became reality and penetrated his ears. The voice is low enough to be heard, but now it is so subdued due to the viciousness of life. Rubia's eyes widened at the voice that sounded like a lie. A huge figure appeared from inside the forest, its cloak flapping.
“From now on, I will regard you as the same as the demons and arrest you for committing treason and attempting to take the lives of countless people.”
He was Randall, with the Knights and Auston at his back.
***
The evening before. After the eve party, Randall sent Sylvia back to the room and held a secret meeting.
“The home of the dark bugs.”
“I haven’t found it yet. I have no shame.”
The knight who had been ordered to search lowered his head with an embarrassed expression. Randall shook his head and patted the knight on the shoulder.
“It’s okay, raise your head. There will definitely be a signal on the day they do their work. Based on that signal, we find out the home base.”
“My Lord.”
“And Auston.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“Your job is to set up a barrier so they can’t escape. I’ll attach a guard to you, so just focus on maintaining the barrier.”
"All right."
Auston bowed his head condescendingly.
“Tomorrow, our goal is to capture Marquis Glever and all those who collaborated in the rebellion. And it doesn’t cause innocent casualties.”
Randall declared with extremely cold eyes.
‘Marquis Glever...'
When he thought of that name, he suddenly felt part of his heart again. Randall quietly closed his eyes and took a deep breath to maintain his composure.
"Because living is so difficult. He was the first man I met on the street, but he offered me a lot of money if I could accomplish this task, so how could I refuse?"
“The home of the dark bugs.”
“I haven’t found it yet. I have no shame.”
The knight who had been ordered to search lowered his head with an embarrassed expression. Randall shook his head and patted the knight on the shoulder.
“It’s okay, raise your head. There will definitely be a signal on the day they do their work. Based on that signal, we find out the home base.”
“My Lord.”
“And Auston.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“Your job is to set up a barrier so they can’t escape. I’ll attach a guard to you, so just focus on maintaining the barrier.”
"All right."
Auston bowed his head condescendingly.
“Tomorrow, our goal is to capture Marquis Glever and all those who collaborated in the rebellion. And it doesn’t cause innocent casualties.”
Randall declared with extremely cold eyes.
‘Marquis Glever...'
When he thought of that name, he suddenly felt part of his heart again. Randall quietly closed his eyes and took a deep breath to maintain his composure.
"Because living is so difficult. He was the first man I met on the street, but he offered me a lot of money if I could accomplish this task, so how could I refuse?"
When they caught the servant who was carrying out the attack in the banquet hall. Randall was convinced that the man the servant had referred to as 'the first man he met on the street' was the Dark Bug. So he interrogated the servant harshly, but he only repeated that he really didn't know anything. In the end, he had no choice but to execute the servant without much benefit. But Randall did not give up and tried to find the man's whereabouts.
"You must pay extra allowance, Sir?"
"How many times do I tell you to put it on? So just focus on your exploration, Auston."
That day was like any other day, wandering the streets with Auston in tow. For several days, they searched the street and surrounding area where the servant had met the man in question. Auston, tired of continuing to work without any income, complained.
"I really can't sleep these days because of this, and it's hard on my body and mind. Of course, the guy who made my wife like that and brought impure things into the castle deserves to be found and killed..."
"Yes, stop..."
"You must pay extra allowance, Sir?"
"How many times do I tell you to put it on? So just focus on your exploration, Auston."
That day was like any other day, wandering the streets with Auston in tow. For several days, they searched the street and surrounding area where the servant had met the man in question. Auston, tired of continuing to work without any income, complained.
"I really can't sleep these days because of this, and it's hard on my body and mind. Of course, the guy who made my wife like that and brought impure things into the castle deserves to be found and killed..."
"Yes, stop..."
"Hmm? Marquis Glever?"
Randall's eyes widened as he pulled away from Auston, who was whining and clinging to him, saying he couldn't walk anymore. In front of a small bar on one side of the street. A middle-aged man got off an unmarked carriage and adjusted his hood. Just as he was adjusting his hood, Randall recognized his exposed face and tilted his head.
"It's strange that the Marquis is in a bar at this hour."
Marquis Glever was famous for being upright and sincere. There were rumors that he did not even drink alcohol or smoke for the sake of his daughter Rubia's education. He can't believe the Marquis of Glever visits a bar in broad daylight. It was very uncharacteristic of him.
Randall's eyes widened as he pulled away from Auston, who was whining and clinging to him, saying he couldn't walk anymore. In front of a small bar on one side of the street. A middle-aged man got off an unmarked carriage and adjusted his hood. Just as he was adjusting his hood, Randall recognized his exposed face and tilted his head.
"It's strange that the Marquis is in a bar at this hour."
Marquis Glever was famous for being upright and sincere. There were rumors that he did not even drink alcohol or smoke for the sake of his daughter Rubia's education. He can't believe the Marquis of Glever visits a bar in broad daylight. It was very uncharacteristic of him.
Randall briefly blamed himself, wondering if he was having a hard time telling his vassal. Marquis Glever was a grateful person who took the lead in persuading others when he almost lost his dukedom. He felt sorry for himself for not being able to notice in advance that such a person had concerns.
"Follow me, Auston."
Randall put on his hood and followed the Marquis, intending to find out what his worries were.
"...Where are he going?"
"Follow me, Auston."
Randall put on his hood and followed the Marquis, intending to find out what his worries were.
"...Where are he going?"
However, the Marquis, who he thought was entering a bar, exited through the back door and headed into an alley. Randall was puzzled, but he thought he was going to another store, so he quietly followed with Auston.
Marquis Glever entered increasingly dark and narrow streets. Around this time, Randall belatedly noticed something strange. He stopped walking when he heard a conversation coming from around the corner.
"Did you cut off the tail?"
"Actually, there is no need to call it a tail. He's just a guy who sold his life for money. Anyway, the Duke himself beheaded the bastard, so this matter will end here."
Randall couldn't believe his ears for a moment. This was not the voice of Marquis Glever, who was usually kind and cheerful. A snake-like voice, full of greed and arrogance. The Marquis's appearance and the content of the conversation were so different from what he knew that he instantly froze as if he had been doused with ice water.
"Did you cut off the tail?"
"Actually, there is no need to call it a tail. He's just a guy who sold his life for money. Anyway, the Duke himself beheaded the bastard, so this matter will end here."
Randall couldn't believe his ears for a moment. This was not the voice of Marquis Glever, who was usually kind and cheerful. A snake-like voice, full of greed and arrogance. The Marquis's appearance and the content of the conversation were so different from what he knew that he instantly froze as if he had been doused with ice water.
The same was true for Auston, who was also listening to their conversation behind Randall's back. Even while the two people were in shock, the conversation continued.
"You are preparing properly for work, right? Where is the hunting competition held?"
"It's a forest to the north of Belfort Castle. It would have been easier if I had the coordinates, but Randall didn't tell me the coordinates, saying they were confidential, even though I had been slandering him so much. Anyway, he seems like a guy with no affection."
Auston instantly gritted his teeth reflexively as if he had been insulted by those words. The Marquis was startled by that small noise and looked around with wary eyes.
"I think I just heard something."
Auston realized his mistake a little too late and quickly put an invisibility barrier over his and Randall's bodies.
"Who is there?"
"...No, there is no one."
Randall and Auston narrowly escaped the Marquis' eyes. However, the Marquis and the man broke off the meeting, saying they would meet again later, perhaps because they felt in danger due to Auston's presence.
"You are preparing properly for work, right? Where is the hunting competition held?"
"It's a forest to the north of Belfort Castle. It would have been easier if I had the coordinates, but Randall didn't tell me the coordinates, saying they were confidential, even though I had been slandering him so much. Anyway, he seems like a guy with no affection."
Auston instantly gritted his teeth reflexively as if he had been insulted by those words. The Marquis was startled by that small noise and looked around with wary eyes.
"I think I just heard something."
Auston realized his mistake a little too late and quickly put an invisibility barrier over his and Randall's bodies.
"Who is there?"
"...No, there is no one."
Randall and Auston narrowly escaped the Marquis' eyes. However, the Marquis and the man broke off the meeting, saying they would meet again later, perhaps because they felt in danger due to Auston's presence.
Auston and Randel remained silent and held their breath, unable to move until the two men disappeared. Only after all the signs of life had finally disappeared did Auston lift the barrier and hesitantly open his mouth.
"...I'm sorry, My Lord."
"..."
"...I'm sorry, My Lord."
"..."
Randall stood still with his back to Auston. He had been silent ever since Marquis Glever met the man who seemed to be a 'dark bug'. Auston closed his eyes tightly, thinking that Randall would be shocked and that he would be reprimanded for not being able to catch them because of his mistake. But the next moment.
"No. Well done, Auston."
"...Yes?"
Auston reflexively opened his eyes wide and jerked his head up. Then, before he knew it, he turned his body and saw Randall's face looking at him. Even after being betrayed by someone he trusted, he tries to hide his wounds and smiles.
"I'm glad I didn't get caught thanks to you. Good job."
"Master."
"The thing about my feelings is an additional issue. What we need to do now is to find out their plan, find evidence, and prevent a disaster. Return to the castle."
With those words, Randall tapped Auston on the shoulder and walked out of the alley. Auston stood there for a moment, staring blankly at his back.
"I'm glad I didn't get caught thanks to you. Good job."
"Master."
"The thing about my feelings is an additional issue. What we need to do now is to find out their plan, find evidence, and prevent a disaster. Return to the castle."
With those words, Randall tapped Auston on the shoulder and walked out of the alley. Auston stood there for a moment, staring blankly at his back.
Randall's back was as wide and hard as when he first met Auston. Like a castle wall that won't collapse even in strong rain and wind.
***
Meanwhile, Marquis Glever and Rapold, who had not known that Randall had been prying into their backs, were embarrassed.
“What is this!”
“Damn it, Marquis! How did this happen! Obviously, that guy doesn't know...!”
“I heard an unpleasant voice coming from somewhere. Were you here, Rapold?”
Randall scoffed coldly and pulled out his sword. At the same time, the knights surrounding them as if they were surrounded also fired. Rubia watched the series of situations blankly and suddenly became curious.
'...For a moment.'
The note she delivered to Sylvia clearly contained information about ‘Rapold’. However, Randall was speaking as if he was surprised to meet Rapold here. The beautiful brow furrowed slightly.
'Then what happened to the Duchess?'
“What is this!”
“Damn it, Marquis! How did this happen! Obviously, that guy doesn't know...!”
“I heard an unpleasant voice coming from somewhere. Were you here, Rapold?”
Randall scoffed coldly and pulled out his sword. At the same time, the knights surrounding them as if they were surrounded also fired. Rubia watched the series of situations blankly and suddenly became curious.
'...For a moment.'
The note she delivered to Sylvia clearly contained information about ‘Rapold’. However, Randall was speaking as if he was surprised to meet Rapold here. The beautiful brow furrowed slightly.
'Then what happened to the Duchess?'
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