Chapter 58

“I should have looked into it from the moment the Grand Duke said he was going to marry that woman.”

It was strange in itself that Calix Benvito, who had never had a one-night stand, let alone a lover, suddenly decided he was going to get married.

Besides, the marriage was finalized immediately, without even having a proper engagement period.

He didn’t like the fact that he was marrying the eldest daughter of the Chartus family, of all people, but he had no choice.

There were no reasons to oppose the marriage, and by the time the word reached him, the public and the noble class were already rejoicing over the union of the two families.

“I didn’t dare think I’d have to worry about it since she’s a woman who can’t awaken her special powers even after turning eighteen.”

It was the second daughter of Chartus that Fernandez was interested in anyway. He had no interest in the eldest daughter, whom he had already destroyed with his own hands, and no longer had any regrets over.

However, Philip was blinded by money and even sold off the second daughter; an unexpected miscalculation on Fernandez’s part.

“I wondered why he would bring a useless woman as his wife, but this is what he had in mind from the very beginning.”

Social circles and newspapers everywhere labeled the union of the Benvito and Chartus families as a “romantic match”, but Fernandez didn’t believe it.

Like minds tell like minds apart.

If there was anyone in the world who was the farthest from the word love, it was Calix Benvito.

“I should have delayed approving the marriage until the second child was ten years old.”

“…”

“I didn’t expect he would be able to get her that way….”

Having been severely struck on the back, Fernandez tried to suppress his anger. He felt like he wanted to strangle himself with all his might.

“Your Majesty, should I send for the dogs we placed there to return?”

Now that things had come to this, it was highly likely that the Grand Duke was also aware of the existence of dogs sent by the Emperor.

“No, they might come with unnecessary things, so dispose of them.”

If something went wrong, they might grab the attention of the Grand Duke’s side, and things could get ugly. In any case, the Emperor’s dogs were merely replaceable. If they were not enough, they could be replenished, and when they were no longer needed, they could simply be discarded.

“The number of dogs has decreased considerably. Take this opportunity and replenish while you’re at it.”

“…”

“This time, get me something I can use. They’re going to die in a blink of an eye without accomplishing anything for me.”

Of course, many of them were discarded by order of the Emperor, but Duncan did not dare mention that.

“Duncan, are you listening?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

There was a slight pause in Duncan’s answer, but Fernandez did not notice. He asked, rubbing his forehead.

“Okay. What happened to what I ordered the other day?”

“As you instructed, I released them at the entrance to the Kelton Mountain cliff road.”

The road from the capital to the Duchy was relatively good, so it was easy to travel back and forth between the two.

Except for a single fact that you had to cross through Mount Kelton…

There were two ways through Mount Kelton. You could either go around the mountain or pass through a narrow cliff road.

The first method was smoother, but it took more than two weeks. On the contrary, the cliff road was rather rough and steep but could reach the Duchy within five days if one hurried.

Because of this time advantage, many people, including merchants, preferred it.

‘There is no doubt they will use the cliff road.’

Fernandez was confident.

It was Calix Benvito who finished the wedding preparations in just one month. There was no way he would choose a road that would require him to spend more time than needed on the road when he could get back to the Duchy in less than a week, even if they were traveling slowly.

“I heard he departed after sunset. Is that right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. No matter how fast he is, he might be able to reach the start of the cliff road by dawn tomorrow at the latest.”

Fernandez’s cold eyes flashed.

“Are you sure you set the target properly?”

“I’m sure. As soon as they smell it, they will hit right away.”

From the dogs planted at the Chartus house, they managed to retrieve items that were used by Mariel Chartus which they used to set targets.

The demonic beast they had freed would attack her before she could do anything.

It was only then that a satisfactory smile crawled to Fernandez’s face.

“It is a sight to behold.”

People believed that Emperor Fernandez was only a great magician, but in fact, his true nature was something else.

He was a black magician, so powerful that it was difficult to find anyone even remotely comparable to his skills across the continent.

He was particularly skilled in curses and illusions and could summon a demonic beast and, after appropriate brainwashing, turn it into a puppet that would listen only to his commands.

The use of black magic in the Harmenian Empire was absolutely forbidden. If it was used and discovered, it was punishable by death.

Therefore, the fact that the Emperor secretly learned and used black magic was absolutely secret and must never be discovered.

The only people who knew this tremendous truth were Fernandez himself, his loyal servant Duncan, and Empress Veronica. 

TL/N:Veronica open the door please… if u know u know :)))

“Yeah. Come to think of it, isn’t it simple, Duncan?”

Fernandez unleashed the demonic beasts that had been painstakingly saved for this moment.

His cunning eyes widened. His thin lips twisted, and he smiled cruelly.

“Whether she gets married or joins another family.”

“…”

“Isn’t it enough to just kill them all?”

Fernandez grinned as he looked at his loyal servant while Duncan lowered his eyes in silence.

“I hope they get to the cliff quickly.”

At least, before Calix Benvito reaches where his little wife is.

A cruel smile appeared on the Emperor’s face.