Balt’s shadow fell over Illeon’s head as he was reading the Bible.
“If you read the Bible, do you get answers that weren’t there before?”
Balt sneered.
“What’s going on, Balt?”
Illeon asked slowly, without taking his eyes off the Bible.
“Today’s newspaper.”
Thump.
Balt took the newspaper out of his bosom and threw it down on the Bible.
Illeon looked at the newspaper.
[The New Emperor’s Shocking Secret!]
It was the headline on the front page.
Illeon’s eyes narrowed at this.
Under the headline, there was the massacre that had been carried out in the Great Temple in the name of a ritual offered to the Gods, and the fact that Illeon was the one who ruined the Crown Prince’s face with poison. The newspaper contained detailed information about Illeon’s actions, including raising executioners in the basement of the Great Temple and using them as sacrifices to the Gods.
“What should I do? You’re not the only one who owns a newspaper company.”
“...”
“Didn’t you know that Dietrich, who didn’t even own a single territory, would buy a newspaper company? And it wasn’t even under his name, but under someone else’s name.”
Instead of getting angry, Illeon laughed at the newspaper.
“He was the one who came to destroy Abelon from the beginning, so I figured it wouldn’t be strange if he did something behind the scenes. It’s so predictable that I’m not even surprised.”
Balt, who had expected Illeon to respond, was unusually quiet today. The only sound in the boutique, where the traces of the mistress’s hands that had died at Illeon’s hands were still intact, was the sound of Illeon turning the pages of the Bible.
Balt’s lips finally opened after a long time.
“I mean... Illeon.”
Balt took something out of his bosom and thrust it in front of Illeon’s eyes.
What Balt had brought was a scrapbook containing various incidents that Illeon had been doing behind the scenes.
“When you became Emperor, something seemed strange, so I looked into it separately.”
The scrapbook contained much more information than what was in the newspaper.
“The ingredients for the poison that melted Jeremy’s face were grown only in the southern region, where the climate is warm all year round... Isn’t that really strange? As far as I know, the ruler of the southern region is Illeon Gregrick.”
Balt stroked his chin.
He pointed to a red-berryed plant in the scrapbook with his hand.
“It’s called Aquinep. It’s a strong anesthetic used on humans who were sacrificed. They say even elephants can’t wake up after smelling it.”
Illeon pulled his lips together and smiled. His eyes weren’t smiling, unlike his lips.
“...I don’t know what you’re trying to say right now.”
“You really don’t? How can someone as smart as you do not know what I know?”
As Illeon tried to look at the scrapbook, Balt quickly put it in his bosom.
Balt tilted his head toward Illeon.
“Do you know why I let you out of prison?”
Illeon looked at Balt’s words. There was clear disgust in Balt’s dark gray eyes as he looked at Illeon.
“You didn’t say anything, but I enjoyed playing chess with you. Aside from the fact that we were both from the same Third Duke, I didn’t want to believe that you would do something so trashy.”
“...”
“If you had shown even a little bit of remorse for what you did, I might have helped you raise an army. I would have helped Abelon as much as I could so that it wouldn’t be destroyed.”
Illeon immediately understood Balt’s intention.
“...You’re one of the pillars of Abelon, and you’re going to stand by and watch its destruction, right?”
Illeon’s eyes turned cold.
Balt looked around the boutique, ignoring Illeon’s cold gaze.
Dresses that showed off the craftsmanship of the dead mistress and fabrics that were obviously of good quality were hanging here and there in the store.
“Do you know? The proprietress of this boutique was innocent. She was widowed early and her only family was her daughter.”
“So. Are you asking me to apologize for killing her now?”
“...You really are a piece of shit.”
Balt shook his head as if he was completely fed up.
“As long as people like you exist, there is no future for Abelon.”
“Balt.”
Illeon’s cold voice settled into Balt’s ear.
“Do you think you can protect Abelon with nobility alone? As the guardian of Abelon, I just shoulder all the burden and work hard. On the other hand, what on earth are you doing for Abelon?”
Balt crossed his arms and yawned.
He seemed completely at peace as if he had nothing to do with the situation.
“Don’t rationalize it as being for Abelon, Illeon. You’re just acting according to your own desires.”
At Balt’s words, Illeon felt as if his entire life had been denied.
“Don’t expect my help. I won’t get involved in this dirty mud fight anymore.”
Balt looked at Illeon with a face devoid of even a shred of regret. The tendons on Illeon’s chin stood out as he looked at Balt.
“Are you saying that it’s okay for this Abelon to fall? You of all people?”
“...Hey. Your Majesty the Great Emperor. There’s something you don’t know.”
Balt, who was sulking, raised the corner of his mouth while resting one arm on the table.
“I don’t really care if this Abelon falls. If a new dynasty is established, wouldn’t that be great? I’ll be the first to contribute to the establishment of the new dynasty.”
Illeon laughed at Balt’s words.
“...Are you really crazy? You, the Third Duke, are you saying such things?”
“Seeing the trash you’ve done, I also feel like I desperately want to repent to God.”
Balt exaggeratedly brought both hands to his chest and closed his eyes, as if in a prayer pose.
Balt opened his closed eyes and answered.
“God just responded and said that He will forgive me with great generosity.”
“...”
“But what should I do? He said He will forgive me, not you.”
Balt stood up as if he had finished talking.
Balt turned around and started walking. After a few steps, he heard Illeon’s cold voice behind him.
“You trust those guys more than me, who you have been in contact with for a long time. Or, like so many men, have you also given your heart to the Princess?”
Balt ignored Illeon’s words and moved his legs.
“Or, are you afraid of the ‘supernatural ability’ that the Princess possesses?”
Balt stopped walking at Illeon’s provocation.
Balt turned his head to the side and replied with a sly laugh.
“You’re the one who’s scared, Illeon.”
“...”
“I didn’t do anything to that guy that I wouldn’t do, so I’m not scared, but you aren’t?”
Balt smiled, tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Illeon clicked his tongue as if he felt sorry for him and said.
“You don’t trust me at all.”
“Hey, Illeon. Think about it logically. There’s no way I’d trust you, who turned his only sister into food for a monster, right?”
“...”
Illeon remained silent. He didn’t think Balt would figure that out.
Illeon’s lips opened slowly.
“You’ve gotten pretty smart. But every decision you make is just as foolish.”
Balt shrugged his shoulders and replied nonchalantly.
“You told me once. Your brain doesn’t need to be made of muscle.”
“...”
“And I don’t think my judgment is that foolish.”
Illeon asked Balt one last question.
“Wouldn’t you regret it? If I win this fight, you’ll die by my hand.”
“Who killed whom? You, me?”
Balt laughed, tilting his head back.
“I’ll be looking forward to the day you kill me. I don’t know if that day will ever come.”
Balt leisurely left the boutique with a brisk gait. Illeon stared at Balt’s back with cold eyes. As soon as Balt disappeared, Illeon’s subordinate who had been hiding with bated breath appeared.
“Master, I think it would be a good idea to deal with the Duke of Portman as well.”
The subordinate cautiously suggested while looking at Illeon with a dark expression. The subordinate was also the one who dealt with Ben, Illeon’s loyal confidant and Erphia’s escort knight.
Thanks to him sending him out of the castle and making him a spy long before Illeon was imprisoned, he was spared from Dietrich’s blade and the punishment.
Illeon rested his chin on one hand and played the table with his fingers.
“...Annoying.”
It is difficult to overturn public opinion that has already been formed with a single newspaper.
However, the scrapbook in Balt’s arms clearly contained almost everything Illeon had done.
“I thought we were on the same side, but we’re in trouble.”
Illeon’s stone eyes turned to his subordinate.
“Just watch for a while. The important thing is not Balt, but the two people in the palace.”
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