Chapter 239

Chapter 239

"... Are you trying to frame me for something?" The Duke’s voice was icy.

Clang—

Simultaneously, Valoy and Palmer drew their swords. Matthias, who had stepped back, also pulled a thin wand from his robe. This was a reaction that could occur even if the Duke was not a corrupted one. Duke Kralen was the ruler of Racliffe, and Ian had casually insulted him.

"...." Charlotte and Thesaya, seated diagonally from Ian, straightened their postures. Both stared expressionlessly at their chosen targets, not blinking. The tension was palpable, as if they might pounce on each other at any moment.

"You will need to provide a reasonable explanation for your statement, saint envoy. Your words could be interpreted as the will of the Platinum Dragon," the Duke said, waving a hand to calm his subordinates.

Though his gaze was as calm as his voice, he still appeared composed. His confidence didn’t seem solely derived from his power. He must have had something to rely on.

However, Ian’s hand remained steady as he picked up his wine glass.

"It is not me who needs to provide an explanation, but you, Duke."

"What...?"

"Personally, I find it incomprehensible. What were you thinking by allowing them to persist? I’m talking about the ones who have turned the West into this state. Your discarded failures."

Ian spoke the last words while looking directly into the Duke’s eyes, then brought the glass to his lips.

As he slowly sipped the wine, the Duke, watching him intently, responded.

"It seems those accursed corrupters have been spreading nonsense. Are you saying that the saint envoy of the Order has been swayed by the manipulations of mere corrupted ones into such disrespect?"

"You misunderstand." Ian chuckled, wiping his lips with the back of his hand holding the glass.

"I’m not blaming you for the failure. However, you should have disposed of the failed experiments."

The Duke’s brow twitched slightly as Ian set the empty glass down and continued.

"This isn’t the frontier. Do you still not realize the danger your negligence has brought? Your unmasking is not the primary issue here, Duke."

Despite his calm tone, Ian’s gaze was sharp, scrutinizing the Duke. It was a look that was literally condemning his mistakes.

"You almost ruined the great cause, Duke. You nearly disrupted the balance and put everyone in danger. What do you think would have happened if I hadn’t been in the West at that time?"

"...." The Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly. Although his expression remained displeased, he likely didn’t feel the same inside. Ian wasn’t merely hinting that he knew about the Duke’s deeds and hidden identity. He presented it as a well-known fact while naturally addressing deeper issues.

Even if some details were inaccurate, it didn’t matter. The Duke was a corrupted one, and the interpretation was up to him. Even if he wasn’t a member of the Round Table, the implication would be enough to confirm the fact.

Indeed, Ian’s intent was hitting its mark.

Could it be? Is this man really...?

The Duke’s mind was filled with a multitude of doubts. Of course, he didn’t show any of these thoughts outwardly.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you have evidence, present it to the Great Church and follow the proper procedures. I will gladly cooperate."

Sitting in front of him was the famous Northern superhuman and the Agent of the Platinum Dragon. Behind him stood two of the Order’s purifiers. The possibility of this all being a trap was still very high.

He spoke calmly, staring intently at Ian for a moment before continuing. "And after that, you will have to take responsibility for your words. Here, in the West. In the heart of this city, which I and my people have defended with our lives."

"Your response is exemplary. Very well, if that’s what you wish, it can be arranged. In fact, there are those who would prefer it that way. It might even teach you a valuable lesson."

Ian smiled. "That there can always be exceptions."

These words were enough to further unsettle the Duke. A fundamental question suddenly crossed his mind.

Was it really a coincidence that the Dragon Slayer of the North had come to the West?

It was a reasonable doubt. This man had no connection to the West, and Tessen, a remote region, was not a place a wanderer would stumble upon by chance. The odds of him being here at the same time the corrupted ones in the West began their rituals were even lower.

Unless someone had orchestrated all of this from the beginning.

Could it be the Platinum Dragon?

The Duke quickly dismissed this thought. That immortal was tightly bound by Church doctrine and laws. While one could exploit loopholes, it was practically impossible. It was more rational to think someone else was behind this—someone who wanted him dead or leashed, someone with significant influence within the Order.

Watching him, the Duke became even more certain that Ian knew all his secrets. But it was too late for that realization.

Damn it.

Despite his boiling anger, the Duke put on a faint smile and looked at Ian, who was raising his glass.

"I’m curious. Were your achievements fabricated from the start? Did you deceive even the Platinum Dragon? Well, it would make you a perfect blade to kill him. After all, having killed a dragon once, what’s stopping you from doing it twice?"

"That’s none of your concern." Ian cut him off.

The Duke’s smile widened. "I’m curious if you have been chosen as the savior to herald a new dawn. If so, we would be inseparably linked."

"... My glass is already half empty. You won’t be able to stop me from leaving this time."

Ian’s gaze was fixed on the Duke as he added dryly,

"And then there will be a vacant seat at the Round Table."

"...Ha." The Duke let out a short laugh.

Ian’s brow furrowed slightly. "What’s so funny?"

Even though it was a very slight display of emotion, it was enough to slightly improve the Duke’s mood. It made him feel as though he was hitting the mark.

With a smile still on his lips, the Duke continued speaking. "I sense your ambition. Yes, it’s clear now... There was no need for further balance. The age of chaos has begun. Many things will change. Go back and tell them that I will stand by the dawn. This is probably the answer you wanted."

Ian, who had placed his glass down, looked at the Duke with apparent displeasure, but the Duke just smiled.

"Don’t be too disappointed. The seat at the Round Table is symbolic; the number isn’t fixed. One day, you might find yourself taking a place there if you continue to perform as you have been."

"Well...." Ian, stroking his glass, suddenly looked back at the Duke, now with a peculiar smile on his face, as if he had never been annoyed.

"I have my eyes on your seat."

"What did you say...?"

Before the Duke could finish his question, Ian’s group leaped into action almost simultaneously.

Crash!

Charlotte was the first to move. Without drawing her sword, she charged straight at Palmer. Before Palmer could respond, she threw herself at him, resulting in a chaotic tumble on the floor.

Thud!

Almost simultaneously, Matthias’ head jerked back as if someone had pulled it from behind. A dagger, its blade halfway embedded, was lodged in the center of his face. His lips twitched convulsively, and the electric charge on his wand dissipated.

Crackle.

And then, Philip, with the magic stones on his plate armor glinting, surged forward right up to Valoy’s face. The pointed edge of his shield flew toward his helmet like a blade. As he threw himself, his robe billowed upward, spreading wide in the air. The golden radiance that followed him had yet to catch up.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye, simultaneously.

Swish!

Ian kicked off his chair and vaulted over the long dining table, charging straight at the Duke. The Purifier’s Truesilver Steel Sword, drawn smoothly from its scabbard, traced a brilliant white arc as it flew toward the Duke.

Crackle—

The magic circuits within the room flared, and a blue force field surged up in front of the wide-eyed Duke.

Shrrr.

The blade slashed across the force field, sending crimson sparks flying as the white blade sawed into the barrier. However, it ultimately failed to reach the Duke in a single stroke.

Beyond the barrier, the Duke, who had been glaring at Ian, spat out his words with disdain. "An ambush? How dishonorable!"

Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly. "I’ll take that as a compliment."