Chapter 144

“Uhhh…”

A blonde-haired girl wobbled slightly, her head nodding forward as her body tilted to one side.

Her eyes were half-closed, a clear sign that sleep was overtaking her. Her face looked as if she might drift off at any moment.

Perhaps it was the heavy meal causing drowsiness, or maybe she simply had a tendency to nap during the day. However, judging by the hazy look in her eyes, neither seemed to be the case.

Thud.

Before the girl could fully topple over, the waiting maids swiftly and carefully supported her, guiding her away with gentle hands.

“Mnmm…”

[Arina, you’re so embarrassing…]

The girl drooled in her sleep, completely unbothered, while the ghostly figure of another girl nearby covered her face with both hands, as though wishing she could vanish into a hole.

And so, the girl exited the scene, leaving Ihan blinking at the pitiful sight of the beautiful maiden sleeping soundly, drool and all.

What’s up with her acting like she has narcolepsy all of a sudden?

Before long…

“…What did you do?”

He began to suspect what he had eaten.

The duke, showing no inclination to hide it, casually replied.

“I simply gave her a little medicine. No need to worry—it’s an herbal remedy that invigorates the body after a good rest.”

“…I feel like the part about administering medicine might be a little wrong.”

“It couldn’t be helped. I didn’t want her overhearing this conversation.”

“For reference, did I also consume this so-called herbal remedy?”

“In fact, you had an excessive amount. I didn’t expect you to devour an entire cake, but you seem perfectly fine.”

“…So that’s why you didn’t touch it yourself.”

For the record, Ihan had polished off enough dessert for ten people.

One might worry about him developing diabetes, but ever since consuming an elixir, Ihan’s organs—including his heart and liver—had become unusually robust. No matter how much sugar he consumed, diabetes was no longer a concern, and with his incredible detoxification capabilities, even the most potent herbs or poisons were no different from mere weeds to him.

…Though obesity might still be an issue.

“Don’t misunderstand. I had no intention of harming you. If anything, such vitality-enhancing herbs are beneficial for a knight as strong as you.”

“Is it expensive?”

“Nothing of note. Merely one of the ten longevity herbs favored by the Sultan.”

“…You really took the long way around to say it’s priceless.”

“Did it sound that way?”

Already feeling burdened by the lavish hospitality he’d received, Ihan now felt even more weighed down.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

But for now, he set that aside.

Because:

‘I’m the one with the leverage here!’

Ihan decided to act confidently. The other party wanted something from him and was treating him well to get it. There was no need to feel intimidated.

…At least, that should have been the case.

“My adopted daughter must not hear what I’m about to say. That’s why I put her to sleep. So I trust you’ll keep this secret.”

“…In that case, I’d rather not listen either.”

“No, you must listen. Only then will you agree to hand over that Inquisitor girl.”

“……”

Hmm…

‘Am I really the one with leverage here?’

Despite his previous resolve, Ihan couldn’t shake the feeling that the balance of power wasn’t in his favor. Sweat trickled down his forehead.

“You’re aware, of course, that my wife has already passed away.”

“……”

“If so, this conversation should be straightforward.”

“Ahem…”

The duke didn’t hold back, starting with a heavy topic right out of the gate.

What is this? Trying to make me choke on what I just ate?

Thanks to his excellent digestion, he managed to keep his composure, but if not for that, his stomach might have turned at the subject. Ihan didn’t want to hear any more, but Duke Blake pressed on.

“Then you must also know that there were many suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.”

“…That part I didn’t know.”

“Then consider yourself informed. My wife was a fairy—a rare kind, one who had taken on a human form.”

“Th-That’s… impressive?”

“It’s uncommon, to say the least.”

Ihan didn’t fully grasp the significance, but fairies of the natural world were akin to spirits and often held power comparable to that of land deities.

Natural fairies were once worshiped as gods and, even in the current era dominated by organized religions, some regions still venerated them.

Particularly in the Pendragon Kingdom, fairies had played a significant role in its founding, making their status in the southern continent considerable.

Marrying such a fairy had been a monumental achievement for Duke Blake, and her death was nothing short of a historic tragedy.

“Fairies have always been prime targets. Their mysteries remain largely unsolved, and many rulers and power-hungry individuals still covet their secrets for immortality or other supernatural benefits. A certain magician, for instance, targeted my wife under the pretense of research.”

“…What happened to that magician?”

“He’s currently enjoying the hospitality of the Galahad family’s dungeon. His resilience is quite remarkable.”

“……”

“As I was saying, there were many suspicious circumstances surrounding my wife’s death.”

“…I’d heard it was an accident?”

“So it was said. But think about it—does it make sense for the mistress of the Galahad household to die in an ‘accident’?”

“……”

“She was guarded by countless protectors, all of whom I personally selected from among the elite. And yet…”

“……”

…Ihan could already guess what the duke was about to say next.

‘And yet, she died. Meaning her death was likely no accident.’

It seemed there was more to the story than what was publicly known.

Sure enough:

“As you’ve likely deduced, my wife was harmed by certain individuals. They incapacitated her guards and… killed her.”

Bang!

“……”

For a moment, the duke’s fury seemed to erupt like an explosion.

Rumble…

The sheer force of his aura rippled outward.

This was a manifestation of pure energy, a level of mastery that only knights of a certain caliber could achieve, akin to bloodlust or killing intent made tangible.

Depending on how such energy was used, it could surpass even the utility of sword resonance and boasted incredible destructive power.

And right now, the duke’s aura…

‘Just by releasing it, he’s shattering marble?’

Ha…

This was a completely different league.

If ordinary knights’ energy was akin to gunpowder, the duke’s was pure nitroglycerin. The aura alone stung like a burn, leaving one’s skin tingling uncomfortably.

It was almost laughable.

‘I had my suspicions, but…’

This man was absurdly strong.

The title of the kingdom’s greatest swordsman was no empty boast, and Ihan briefly wondered if the duke’s power might even rival that of an Aura Master.

And this formidable figure, still radiating his overwhelming presence, continued.

“I don’t know how many were involved in her death. But identifying those responsible wasn’t impossible.”

“With the full power of the Galahad family!”

The duke’s ominous declaration sent chills down Ihan’s spine. A group stronger than the royal family itself had been fully mobilized to uncover the truth.

“And finally, we managed to narrow down the ones responsible for her death.”

Tap.

“……”

“They were a group who claimed to follow an [angel].”

“Hm…”

The duke produced a bloodstained cross. Not just any cross, but an inverted one—a sinister, unsettling symbol that Ihan recognized immediately.

“As a knight who collapsed the underground tunnels, you’re no stranger to these fanatics, are you?”

“…How much do you even know?”

“It would be quicker to ask what I don’t know.”

“……”

The Blood Cross Army.

They were suspected of summoning the demon lord the previous day, controlling the underground tunnels, and even being linked to the Black Moon—the assassin group that had kidnapped Ihan in his childhood.

Now, learning that this very group had been responsible for the duke’s wife’s death made Ihan close his eyes in frustration.

‘…A romance fantasy is still a romance fantasy.’

One of the genre’s most predictable tropes had reared its head: shadowy organizations targeting the beloved wives of dukes, grand dukes, or emperors.

And these organizations often had one thing in common:

‘They’re usually backed by either the church or the royal family.’

It was a cliché as old as time, and Ihan could only sigh at the realization that this world had fallen prey to it too.

…And if this cliché followed its usual course, then…

‘Don’t tell me he’s about to—’

Before Ihan could finish the thought, the duke’s next words dashed any hope he had of avoiding the trope.

“Do you know what my adopted daughter, Irene Windler, and the Heretic Inquisitor, Judea Pierre, have in common?”

“…What is it?”

“They both carry the ‘traces of a fairy.’”

“……”

…Suspicions about his own daughter.

One of the worst romance fantasy clichés had just dropped, leaving Ihan feeling stifled despite having already digested his meal.

Regardless of Ihan’s wishes, the duke continued to lay out his case.

“Irene Windler exhibits a clear ‘affinity with nature,’ while Judea Pierre exudes an aura of ‘divine love.’ Both are traits exclusive to fairies.”

“…Are you referring to magic and divine power?”

“Sharp as always.”

“And… does that make sense to you?”

An affinity with nature likely referred to dual-element magic, while divine love sounded like holy power.

But it all seemed like overthinking or exaggeration to Ihan.

Irene’s talents were exceptional, but not unheard of. As for divine power, it was something anyone could wield if they were devout enough.

To Ihan, it all seemed like an elaborate delusion, but the duke pressed on.

“However, it’s rare for two young women of this generation to possess such exceptional talents.”

“……”

The duke wasn’t done voicing his suspicions.

“Not only that, but Irene Windler reportedly underwent a personality shift as a teenager in the orphanage. She went from arrogant and selfish to gentle and nurturing, taking care of the other children.”

“…Maybe she just matured late.”

“Perhaps. But what about this? Judea Pierre was a mere vagabond until Cardinal Raphael took pity on her, bringing her into the temple where she quickly excelled and became an Inquisitor. Yet despite her achievements, she has been hiding her age and gender. Does that seem like a coincidence to you?”

“Hmm…”

“It’s as though she’s desperate to conceal something.”

“……”

The duke’s suspicions, while far-fetched, weren’t entirely baseless.

After his wife’s death, two young women of the same age as her passing had suddenly appeared, both with extraordinary talents and fairy-like characteristics.

Not to mention their stunning beauty.

It would be foolish not to harbor doubts.

“That’s why I want her. Judea Pierre. She’s highly suspicious, and my investigation revealed connections between her and this fanatical group. All that remains is to question her directly. Rest assured, as long as she cooperates, I have no intention of treating her harshly. So I ask you to hand her over.”

“……”

“It’s not a bad deal. I’ll compensate you generously, if you so desire—”

“You’ve completely lost it, haven’t you?”

“……?”

For a moment, the entire room seemed to freeze.

It was as if the air itself had been sucked out, leaving a stifling silence.

[[………]]

Have you ever experienced the concentrated stares of over a hundred people at once?

If not, count yourself lucky.

It’s the kind of thing that leaves scars.

But Ihan…

“Ah, I was just thinking out loud…”

…responded with an awkward grin, feigning nonchalance.

And since the situation was already thoroughly messed up, he decided to go all in.

“Hey, old man. Maybe drink some cold water and come to your senses. At your age, don’t you think it’s time to stop with these bizarre antics?”

“……”

“I mean, really. What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“…Excuse me?”

Ihan doubled down, determined to drive the point home.

This exasperating old man needed to learn a thing or two about facts.