TPITT - Chapter 237

It was a bold and provocative tone, as if the pretense of being noble up until now was a lie.

Eve's steps stopped. Antonio felt elated at the fact that his intention had been successful.

“The punitive war is coming soon. It is a time when military power becomes important, as it will change the future political landscape. I am aware, of course, that the Seventh Princess is in control of the Six Knightly Orders. But that is only a political control, not a military one, and it is the opinion of the nobles that you are weaker than the Third Princess in terms of tactics and chain of command.”

Only then did Eve turn to Antonio.

"So?"

Even in the lower room, Antonio didn't care. Instead, he continued talking with a face full of joy as if he was so happy about something.

“Your Highness, if you are so intelligent, you would have guessed what I am about to say.”

“Say it with your own mouth.”

“We, Belteor, can tip the pendulum of this conflict completely to one side. Let your union with me be a sure cause.”

Eve was expressionless. On the contrary, Michael rarely had control over his expression. It was because of the jarring word, union.

The conversation continued a little longer.

“Of course, this is not a suggestion that I have made on my own.”

“Is this a proposal representing the family?”

“Yes.”

“Is it okay to do this to Betty?”

“I was born to be a Prince. I think this answers the question.”

"Ah."

Eve pretended to understand.

It was a reaction that filled Antonio with hope. In fact, he was secretly convinced.

‘Up until now, I have been announcing myself as Brigitte’s fiancée, so the 7th Princess, with her gentle nature, probably would not have thought of taking her sister’s man. However, the 7th princess must have felt sorry for Belteor on the inside. There is no way she would refuse such an attractive offer when the expedition is right around the corner.’

Of course, Eve's thoughts were completely different.

‘It’s obvious. They’ll pretend to switch to my side, but later, they’ll change their words and pretend to be all show. They’ll make excuses like they have to keep pretending to be on the Third Princess’s side to make her let her guard down. Oh my, bats.’

Eve made up her mind. If someone tries to tease you, you have to tease them back with the same amount of teasing.

Eve opened her mouth. With the brightest and most affectionate smile she could muster.

“I’ve heard your attractive offer, Sir.”

Eve approached him, flinching, and whispered to him a vain dream.

“The idea that I and Young Master can work together is really interesting. Let’s think about it. Well, let’s leave now.”

Eve finished speaking, turned around, and walked away. Antonio, who was left behind, was a bit dazed. He stayed in his spot for a long time even after the Princess and the knight’s backs disappeared from his sight.

Michael has been feeling very unwell lately.

Of course, the reason was Antonio Belteor, who was testing his patience.

It had been annoying since the time he constantly tried to win Eve's favor by nagging her. And recently, he had even openly suggested a political marriage, using the power of the Belteor family.

Especially when Michael thinks about the lavender eyes that looked at Eve as if possessed when they broke up, I still feel a surge of anger.

'I'm going to throw it away.'

It was a time when every nerve in his body was sharpened. He felt a strange and unfamiliar atmosphere in the windbreak forest where he was. He was already sensitive, so he instinctively drew his sword.

Sreung!

“Ugh!”

The opponent whose neck was pointed at the blade stepped back in surprise.

"Brother!"

“...What, it was you.”

It was Elijah.

Michael, who had confirmed his opponent, absentmindedly retrieved Nightray.

This windbreak forest was a regular meeting place for the Homunculus Knights' division commanders.

Elijah was so excited to see Michael after such a long time that he almost lost his head. He sighed in relief, cleared his chest, and asked.

“Brother, what’s wrong with your face? You look like you’re going to kill someone.”

“...Sir Elijah.”

“Hey, please call me Eli from now on.”

As he looked at Elijah's face, Michael felt his spirit sink even lower.

Now that he thinks about it, the guy in front of him was once obsessed with Eve. Anyway, the guys on Brigitte's side were the problem.

“Hey, bro? Why are you spewing murderous aura again? It’s making me sweat.”

Then, another homunculus appeared in their sight. It was the long, silver-haired knight, Sylvestian.

“Michael. Lord Halsten. You were here first.”

“Hello, Sir Millard. Long time no see.”

As Sylvestian approached, Elijah held out his fist as if to show his friendliness. Sylvestian looked bewildered but returned the blow. They seemed like close colleagues.

Elijah asked.

“Sir Millard, do you know why my brother is in such a bad mood?”

“Ah, I think he's upset because of the Lord Belteor.”

Michael's eyes trembled slightly at the mere mention of his name.

“Huh? The fiancé of the Third Princess? Why him?”

Sylvestian was a model knight, so he had been speaking kindly of Antonio's behavior.

“I understand that he is trying very hard to catch the eye of Her Highness the 7th Princess.”

“Wow, you’re saying that he's flirting with the 7th Princess without his fiancee's knowledge?”

"Yes."

“Hey, he's as strong-hearted as I am?”

Michael furrowed his brows as he recalled more unpleasant memories in their conversation. A gloomy aura spread from him.

At that moment, Elijah, who had been rubbing his chin, said something inconsiderate.

“Hmm, but bro. While we’re at it, wouldn’t it be a good idea for Her Highness the 7th Princess to pretend not to be able to defeat Belteor and accept it?”

"What?"

“The punitive expedition is coming up soon, so it would be good to control not only the military but also military supplies. Since it is a polyandrous system anyway, there won’t be any burden.”

The mouth of evil opened wide. Fortunately, the appearance of another person brightened the mood.

“Isn’t the King uncomfortable? If you don’t want to suffocate to death from the King’s murderous intent, refrain from speaking, Lord Halsten.”

“Oh, Sir Wint. Come in.”

Elijah also extended his fist to Snorret. Snorret was a loyal knight, so she greeted Michael first.

“Snorret Wint meets the King.”

“Make yourself at home, Sir Wint.”

Only then did Snorret accept Elijah's fist bump and say what she had been left wanting to say.

“Lord Halsten, Belteor is not trying to completely convert to the Seventh Princess’s side. Winning her favor is more like taking out insurance.”

“Hmm, both legs? They’re shallow.”

“Yes. Remember that greed invites trouble.”

“Well, we have our older brother, so there’s no need to drag Belteor into it.”

“Now you’re telling the truth.”

Snorret, who had been praising absentmindedly, looked back at Michael and gave advice.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. No matter how powerful Belteor may be, he cannot compete with the power of the King, who rules over all homunculus.”

“Sir Wint, you are good at flattering.”

“Shut your mouth.”

It was while Snorret and Elijah were arguing. Michael, who had been silently listening to their conversation, opened his mouth.

“Sir Wint.”

"Yes."

“You can call me Sir Agneto like you used to, or you can call me Michael too.”

"Yes?"

It was at that time that Snorret was puzzled by the somewhat out-of-context story.

Srrrrung!

A nightray was pulled out from Michael's waist.

“Someone is eavesdropping.”

Everyone looked surprised. After a while, Elijah said, as if it was nonsense.

“Hey, bro. There are four knight commanders here, so there’s no way no one would sense our presence.”

“When you approached me earlier, I instinctively drew my sword. What I reacted to then wasn’t a simple presence but a wave of mana.”

“Mana Wave? Then surely not..."

Elijah, Snorret, and Sylvestian flinched. Meanwhile, Michael looked around the windbreak. What caught his eye was a thicket of bushes that reached up to his waist.

Michael fixed his gaze and twisted his lips upward.

“There has been a recent distortion in space-time, causing errors in the coordinates of the warp portal. It seems that the distortion that has not been repaired happened to be in this area."

“So you’re saying that someone warped and ended up near here?”

"Yes."

“Distortion interferes not only with time and space but also with existence. If you don’t move a single step from your destination, it’s difficult to feel its presence.”

“Hey, I see. I learned something good!”

Elijah answered cheerfully, but his lemon eyes had an eerie, murderous glint.

It wasn't just that. Snorret and Sylvestian also lowered their eyes darkly as if they sensed what was coming.

Sylvestian was shocked.

“What unlucky guy.”

If Elijah had been nearby when he first appeared, it would mean that he had overheard the entire conversation from beginning to end. The four homunculus were talking openly about politics and treason.

Snorret asked Michael.

“What should we do?”

“...Anyone, I will kill and destroy.”

At that moment, the bushes where the four homunculus were watching rustled loudly. He thought he heard a small ‘Eek!’ gasp.

Michael didn't hesitate any longer.

“Come out, you little rat.”

Shhh!

Nightray parted the brush. Branches and leaves slid along the diagonal cross-section.

“Kwaaaaaaaah!”

The figure who was finally discovered let out a scream of terror. But at that moment, Michael stopped. The other person's vile face was too familiar.

Michael called out to his opponent with a bewildered expression.

“Alben Redmon...?”

“Ah, ah, ah, ag, agni, Lord Agnito...!”

The voice calling Michael was nothing but sobbing.

An awkward silence fell. Alben rolled his eyes. His head was probably spinning at the same speed as his eyes.

After a while, Alben opened his mouth first.

“Are you going to kill me, me, me, you?”

“S-No way, right? Huh? Uh, what kind of person are we..."

“Ah, ah, Agnito, ah...!”

Michael, who had regained his expressionless face after a while of being surprised, opened his mouth.

“Redmon, no, Baron Linus. From now on, answer my questions honestly."

“Oh, honestly? Of course!”

“What did you hear?”

“Everybody's asking the King..."

Sreung!

“Heeeelp!”

Alben lamented his own honest nature, which resembled that of his lord.

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