Chapter 331

Felix's eyes betrayed a deep sense of urgency and anxiety.

He had witnessed firsthand just how dire the emperor’s situation was today.

The circumstances were so precarious that Felix’s agitation as a loyal servant was entirely justified.

"Hmm."

From Theo’s perspective, however, there wasn’t much benefit in accepting this proposal.

Felix’s words were tantamount to asking Ragnar to shed blood alongside the emperor’s faction.

"If that’s the look you're giving me..."

The gaze of Emperor Horik in the audience chamber earlier flashed through Theo's mind.

It had been a look brimming with greed, as if eyeing prey.

The sensation that he was overlooking something crucial gnawed at him.

From that moment, Theo’s thoughts began to accelerate.

Horik’s gaze.

The current state of the imperial palace.

Felix’s plea.

It didn’t take long for Theo to reach a conclusion.

"They want mutual destruction."

Theo deduced that the emperor’s faction sought a clash between Ragnar and the court nobles.

By letting the two factions deplete each other, the emperor’s faction could preserve their own forces while gaining time to strengthen their position.

It was an infuriatingly calculated ploy.

"It’s infuriating."

The notion that they sought a proxy war rather than sharing in the bloodshed themselves was utterly offensive.

Although it was puzzling that Felix would support such a decision,

Theo could understand if it stemmed from Felix’s loyalty.

Felix was the type of man who would sacrifice his life for even a pitiful emperor.

The atmosphere around Theo grew cold in an instant, sending a chill through the air.

Felix, sensing the icy shift, furrowed his brow ever so slightly.

"…Impressive."

It wasn’t that Felix was intimidated.

It simply meant that Theo had likely already arrived at his conclusion,

a fact that earned Felix’s respect.

"To deduce the answer from such limited information and this brief conversation..."

Who would believe this man was only in his early twenties?

Even seasoned strategists required far more information to discern their opponent's intentions.

Yet Theo had pieced it all together, starting with the brief glint in Horik’s eyes during their audience earlier.

Felix couldn’t help but feel exposed and vulnerable,

as though Theo had stripped him bare.

Still, Felix maintained his composure.

After all, he alone knew Theo’s deductions were accurate.

"How far ahead can he see?"

This was Felix’s dilemma.

If Theo had already reached the correct conclusion, feigning ignorance would only backfire.

However, outright admitting it would cement the truth and make it irreversible.

"I’ve been dragged into a psychological battle."

From the sharp edge of Theo’s presence to the way he conducted himself, everything had been calculated.

"Truly remarkable."

Felix rarely found himself bested in matters of will or psychological warfare, but this moment left a deep impression on him.

“You don’t need to give me an answer right away,” Felix finally said after much deliberation.

“However, should you decide to assist His Majesty, I promise the First Knights will lead the charge and spill the most blood.”

With this response, Felix made it clear that the emperor’s faction would also participate in the fight.

It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best compromise Felix could offer.

"Oh, interesting."

Theo saw through the response immediately.

Felix’s insistence betrayed the fact that the emperor’s faction was banking on mutual destruction from the outset.

Suppressing a smirk, Theo lightly stroked his lips, feigning contemplation before replying,

“This isn’t a decision I can make alone. I’ll discuss it with my retainers and send you a reply.”

This deliberately vague answer was precisely what Felix didn’t want to hear.

The disappointment was evident in Felix’s tightened lips.

He knew better than anyone that invoking noble duty or loyalty to the throne would be pointless here.

“...Very well. I’ll await your favorable response.”

Theo gave a faint smile in response, rising from his seat.

"Is there anything to gain from the imperial family?"

Though he had promised to consult with his retainers, Theo was already weighing potential gains from the emperor’s faction.

"Eliminating the court nobles is a foregone conclusion."

Since the court nobles were already deemed enemies, the emperor’s proposal aligned with Theo’s goals.

Before leaving, Theo turned to Felix with a seemingly offhand question.

“If I were to assist His Majesty, what would be the outcome?”

Felix’s eyes widened in shock at the question.

“I wouldn’t expect you to ask for help without offering something substantial. I’d stake my neck on securing a hefty reward.”

“What if I asked for the imperial airship?” Theo added, his tone playful yet pointed.

The imperial airship, a symbol of the emperor’s military might, was of immense strategic value.

While other treasures might match its significance, none came to mind at the moment.

Unsurprisingly, Felix’s expression faltered, betraying his unease.

“I’ll take my leave now,” Theo said with a subtle smile, turning to walk away without waiting for Felix’s response.

“Hah…”

As Theo’s footsteps faded, Felix let out a dry laugh.

He hadn’t expected Theo to make such an outrageous demand.

Had Theo asked for one of the imperial treasures or relics, Felix could have agreed on the spot.

“Desperate though we are...”

Trading the imperial airship for Ragnar’s full military support?

It might seem like a cheap deal for the imperial family, a transaction undeniably in their favor.

However, Felix doubted the emperor would ever agree.

"The emperor’s illness has worsened."

Horik wasn’t a tyrant, but his declining health and the court nobles’ pressure often clouded his judgment.

Felix worried about the emperor’s ability to make a sound decision.

Still, the faint hope offered by Theo’s words steeled Felix’s resolve.

"I must persuade His Majesty."

Hoping the emperor would make the right choice, Felix adjusted the brooch on his chest,

resuming his role as the loyal lieutenant.

***

At regular intervals along the walls were lanterns and decorated animal skulls.

The floor was lined with a long crimson carpet, leading to a throne-like chair at the far end.

The room bore an uncanny resemblance to an audience chamber.

If anyone else were to see it, accusations of treason would hardly seem out of place.

Sitting on that throne, the Court Duke scowled deeply, chewing on jerky with a ravenous intensity.

"What a headache."

The sudden visit from Ragnar.

Though his informants had given him advance notice, the news had struck like a bolt of lightning.

Had events proceeded as planned without Ragnar’s interference, he could have smoothly absorbed the imperial palace’s power.

But the unexpected arrival of such a powerful faction threw everything into disarray.

Lately, the Court Duke had been plagued by constant headaches, and this intrusion only worsened his already foul mood.

"What’s with the nonsense coming from that room? It doesn’t match the reports at all."

From the moment Theo Ragnar first caught his attention, the Court Duke had been steadily updating his intelligence on the man.

A brilliant mind.

Overwhelming strength.

Unfathomable depth of thought.

As one who bore the name Ragnar, Theo had risen to the very top of the Court Duke’s list of threats.

Yet, comparing the recent reports with public evaluations left him utterly baffled.

Was it all an act? Could he have allied himself with the emperor’s faction? These nagging doubts relentlessly tormented the Court Duke.

In the past few days, the lines on his face had grown visibly deeper.

"Why is he so obsessed with mint chocolate?"

When he first heard the surveillance reports, he almost decapitated his steward, thinking it was a prank.

The detailed records of recent mint chocolate deliveries to the annex were the only thing that stayed his hand.

But reading the reports of Theo passionately discussing the taste of mint chocolate alone in his room?

The Court Duke pressed his forehead, groaning in exasperation as his headache flared.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

As expected, it was time for the daily surveillance and wiretapping reports.

The door opened, and the steward entered with a bundle of documents.

“Today’s surveillance and eavesdropping report.”

“...Just leave it there. It’s bound to be more meaningless drivel. I’ll read it later when I have time.”

Waving dismissively, the Court Duke gulped down his wine.

“Understood.”

The steward bowed, placing the documents on an empty desk before quietly leaving the room.

"The grand plan is so close at hand."

The Court Duke had no idea how long Ragnar intended to linger, but he hoped their stay would be brief.

Rising from his seat, he approached the window and gazed at the full moon hanging high in the night sky.

“A full moon.”

The moonlight pouring through the window was dizzyingly bright.

A chill ran down his spine.

He felt an overwhelming presence behind him.

“You seem to have spared no expense on the wine, even if you’ve neglected other matters.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The voice was cold, devoid of warmth, like the moonlight itself.

The Court Duke slowly turned his head.

Seated in the chair he had vacated moments ago was a dark elf, leisurely swirling a glass of wine.

The Court Duke darted toward the dark elf in a panic.

Crash!

The wine glass in the Court Duke’s hand fell to the floor, shattering as its contents spilled onto the luxurious carpet he so cherished.

Paying no mind to the mess, the Court Duke dropped to his knees, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the floor.

“Y-you’ve arrived!”

As he shouted his greeting, a foot pressed against the back of his head.

“Do you know who I am?”

The Second Apostle’s voice was laced with a sinister amusement as he applied pressure to the Court Duke’s skull.

Crrrk.

The pain was excruciating, as if his head might burst at any moment.

But the Court Duke did not make a sound, instead continuing to speak.

“O-of course! However, this lowly one would never dare sully your esteemed name and title with my wretched tongue. I beg your understanding.”

The Second Apostle chuckled darkly, lifting his foot from the Court Duke’s head.

Boom!

A loud crash echoed as the floor beside the Court Duke’s right ear caved in.

“So, is Ragnar here?”

The question rang out, sharp and icy.