Chapter 377

“Aiden, is it? Aiden...”

Ernheart, who was usually indifferent to most things, showed a rare spark of interest as he looked at Aiden.

It was understandable. Aiden’s presence rivaled that of even the most prominent members of the ducal faction.

“So, you’ve come to assist me?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will be of great service.”

“Do you think the situation here is dire enough to warrant someone like you being sent?”

Though Ernheart wore his customary smile, there was a cutting edge to his words. After all, he didn’t truly need assistance to seize the kingdom.

Aiden responded with his own polite smile.

“Perish the thought that we underestimate Your Highness’s strength. However, certain matters in Luthania must be expedited.”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems we’ll need to advance the timing for opening the ‘Gate.’”

Ernheart raised an intrigued eyebrow.

“Oh? And why is that? The appointed time isn’t far off, is it?”

“Rarely do events go as planned. We have encountered those who are pursuing us.”

“Who?”

“The ‘Saintess of War’ and the ‘Guardian of the World Tree’ appear to have caught on to us. We’ve already clashed with them several times in secret.”

“Hmm... Despite your careful movements, they discovered us sooner than expected.”

“As long as humans are involved, nothing can be perfect. While we have influence across the continent, the more we expand, the higher the likelihood of mistakes. And they’ve been wary of our presence for a long time.”

“Yes, just as we have our mission, they have theirs.”

“And... the situation in the Kingdom of Luthania adds urgency to the matter.”

“Because of this kingdom?”

Aiden lifted his gaze to meet Ernheart’s directly.

“Yes, because of Count Fenris.”

“Count Fenris?”

The name was one Ernheart had been hearing far too often of late.

That man had disrupted Raul’s carefully laid plans to seize the kingdom without much resistance. Now the situation had deteriorated to the point where force was necessary.

But to think that Fenris could influence the timing of their grand plans?

“Explain.”

“It’s because of the Forest of Beasts.”

“The Forest of Beasts?”

“There are rumors that Count Fenris has begun developing the Forest of Beasts. It was one of our final candidates for the location. And... we recently confirmed that the first Guardian who maintained the barrier there has been killed.”

Ernheart leaned forward slightly, his eyes now gleaming with a fervent desire.

“Are you certain about the Forest of Beasts?”

“Absolutely. We’ve already verified all other restricted zones on the continent. Around the time Fenris began his activities there, one of the sacred lights extinguished. Before he can delve deeper into the forest, we must conclude our work in Luthania.”

“Haha! Hahahahaha!”

Ernheart burst into loud, almost manic laughter.

The retainers in the hall couldn’t understand the conversation between Ernheart and Aiden, let alone why their master found it so amusing. Their confusion deepened as Ernheart’s laughter echoed through the chamber.

When the laughter subsided, Ernheart turned to Raul, his eyes alight with a chilling intensity.

“Raul.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Break the neck of the puppet king immediately and clear out the Forest of Beasts.”

From the beginning, the ducal faction had ensured that no one disturbed the Forest of Beasts, suspecting it might hold what they were searching for.

Now that its significance had been confirmed, there was no reason to delay any longer.

Raul bowed his head.

“We are already preparing for war, Your Highness. To minimize losses while taking control of the kingdom—”

Before Raul could finish, Ernheart’s expression grew cold.

“Are you planning to waste more time?”

“Y-Your Highness, I understand, but if the Forest of Beasts is truly what we suspect... taking it will require a substantial force. If we lose too many soldiers, we might not have enough for the battles to come—”

Ernheart’s gaze turned sharper, more menacing than ever before.

“I don’t care if every person in this kingdom dies. Once the kingdom is ours, arm the remaining peasants and throw them into the fray. Do you understand?”

“...I will obey.”

“There must be no mistakes this time.”

As soon as Morris stepped outside, he yelled:

“Where is that bastard?!”

He expected Ghislain to be waiting outside the castle gates, but the area was empty. Confused, he glanced around, only for the same knight to hurry after him and report:

“He’s outside the castle walls, my lord.”

“What?! He dares summon us outside the castle?!”

“Well, you see...”

“Get my carriage—or no, bring my horse! And call the soldiers! We’re going now!”

Too impatient to listen further, Morris charged ahead, determined to teach Ghislain a lesson and put him in his place.

Thud, thud, thud!

The nobles and their retinues of knights and soldiers moved in a massive column, drawing the attention of everyone in the capital.

Citizens looked on with worry, as if war were about to break out.

When they finally reached the castle walls, what greeted their eyes were countless wagons flying the Fenris banner, surrounded by soldiers.

At a glance, there were nearly a thousand men.

Morris yelled again as he approached.

“Look at this madness! That lunatic brought an army to the capital!”

Even Marquis Branford and the other nobles frowned at the sight. The number of soldiers alone far exceeded what one would expect from a merchant caravan.

It was perplexing that such a force had made it this far without being stopped.

As Morris and the knights approached, Ghislain bowed slightly.

“It’s been a while, Marquis McQuarrie.”

“You damned brat! What’s the meaning of this? Bringing so many soldiers near the capital—are you committing treason?!”

Morris’s accusation was met with a calm but curt reply from Ghislain.

“It’s not that many. They’re just here as an escort.”

While it seemed excessive for a caravan, it was far too small to pose any threat to the capital. Even as a Master, Ghislain wouldn’t dare such an act with so few men.

Just as Morris was about to explode again, Marquis Branford intervened, cutting him off with a question.

“So, why have you summoned us here?”

“Marquis, it’s good to see you.”

“Enough pleasantries. Get to the point.”

Unfazed by Branford’s cold demeanor, Ghislain clicked his tongue before responding.

“I’ve brought a gift.”

“What kind of gift warrants such a spectacle?”

Instead of answering directly, Ghislain gestured to his soldiers. As they stepped aside, the wagons behind them came into view.

Hundreds of wagons lined up in a spectacular display.

The nobles stared in stunned silence.

The wagons were loaded with food, weapons, and other military supplies. Even for some of the wealthiest nobles in the kingdom, such a massive stockpile was a rare sight.

As the astonished nobles gawked, Ghislain smirked.

“Provisions, weapons, herbs, and other supplies. A gift to the Crown Prince’s faction. I’m sure they’ll be of great help during the civil war.”

Even Marquis Branford, whose expression rarely changed, widened his eyes in shock.

While the effects of the recent drought had begun to subside, resources were still scarce. Everyone had been forced to conserve what little they had.

And now Ghislain had brought an enormous bounty as a gift. It was almost impossible to believe.

“Is... is this real? You’re truly giving this to us?”

“Marquis, I didn’t think you’d stumble over your words like this.”

“...I asked if this is real.”

“Yes, it is. My, you’ve grown quite suspicious, haven’t you?”

It was hard to believe that the infamous miser who always came to take from them was now offering such an extravagant gift.

Yet, seeing it with their own eyes, the nobles couldn’t help but clutch their chests, trying to calm their pounding hearts.

All eyes turned to Morris, who had just been shouting accusations of treason at Ghislain.

“You... you brat...”

Flustered, Morris dismounted his horse and stomped toward Ghislain.

“What now?” Ghislain asked, still curt in his tone.

Morris hesitated for a moment, then suddenly roared:

“You brat!”

And, as if reuniting with a long-lost family member, Morris grabbed Ghislain and pulled him into a tight embrace.