Chapter 66

Chapter 66 – A Stab in the Back (2)

“......”

A heavy silence settled over the room.

“Tell me. Did you really decide to become a puppet of the Empire?”

Narakas did not reply. He was an extraordinary kid. He wouldn’t say such things without reason. However,

‘......Even knowing this, I can’t help but ask myself.’

Did it catch me off guard? It would be a lie to say my heart didn’t skip a beat, but it’s in moments like these that you have to stay shameless.

‘Above all, my pride is on the line.’

Narakas now felt a hint of competitiveness. Some may think he’s crazy but it couldn’t be helped. He had spent his life deceiving others.

Just as knights took pride in their swordsmanship, he had immense confidence in these psychological battles.

‘This is a duel, kid.’

At this moment, Narakas decided to test his opponent once more.

“What are you talking about? Me, a puppet of the Empire?”

Narakas’s eyes gleamed sharply as he calmly questioned back. As if trying to see through everything about his opponent. If there was a lie, he would spot it immediately.

But then,

“Someone came and told me.”

“......?”

Narakas’s calm demeanor quickly shattered.

“What......?”

“Oh, and don’t ask me for proof. It burned up as soon as I read it. That’s common, though, isn’t it?”

“......”

Narakas straightened up after a moment of silence.

“......So, to summarize, in the dead of night, someone snuck into the heavily guarded royal palace, where royal knights are stationed, handed a note to you alone, then quietly slipped away?”

“That’s exactly what happened.”

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“You’re being unlike yourself.”

“What?”

“Don’t believe me. Believe in yourself, like you usually do.”

“......!”

Narakas’s eyes widened.

“This reaction right now. That’s the second reason I know you’re a puppet of the Empire. You’re far too agitated, unlike the Narakas I know.”

“......”

Narakas’s eyes darkened. As expected of a worthy opponent. Sweat beaded in his palms. Even his heart began to race.

Yes.

It was pathetic to watch ignorant swordsmen swing their blades to the death. True power lay in those who controlled the world from the shadows.

The ones who manipulated even those swordsmen. The monsters who could command people with just a word, without shedding a drop of their own blood. To Narakas, a strong person was such an individual.

“......Ridiculous. Something like that’s your second reason? Then, is the first reason that stranger’s slander? Do you trust that faceless, nameless person more than me?”

“No?”

Narakas sneered.

“So you’re just going to deny it?”

“No, I mean that the slander isn’t the first reason.”

“What?”

“I never believe what others say. I only believe what I see and hear with my own eyes.”

The voice that had stabbed Narakas in the back continued.

“And I believe in you.”

“......!”

“You said it yourself, didn’t you? ‘Thanks for recognizing that.’”

“......”

“I know you’re a warm-hearted guy. But would that warm leader, who cares for his subordinates, gamble with their lives?”

Those connected to the great hero are the Empire’s top targets. Of course, if a leader were to protect such a person, the entire organization would suffer.

As the conversation continued, memories of the past flooded Narakas’s mind. His emotions welled up even more. Especially since the one speaking to him was the successor of that great hero.

“......Ha......”

Narakas now had no choice but to admit it. He had lost.

Completely.

And now, he was certain. He had not chosen wrong.

“......I can’t beat you in an argument, you damned brat.”

Narakas scratched his head, his usual sly grin returning.

“So, what’s your answer to my question?”

“Fine, I’ll give you the answer you want. I haven’t betrayed you. The Mask of Night follows its code no matter what. Even under threat, be it from another person or organization, once trust is broken, it’s as good as dead.”

“Then that’s enough.”

The infuriating guy nodded with a smile.

‘How frustrating.’

Did he decide to trust him that easily, from just a simple answer?

‘No.’

There wasn’t any concrete evidence, but his logic was flawless. That’s why Narakas couldn’t make a proper rebuttal.

‘For now, it seems I have no choice but to rely on this bastard.’

It was a resignation, rather than a thought.

“What’s with you? Why are you suddenly grinning to yourself?”

But why?

The moment he made that decision, he found himself smiling.

“Tsk. I still can’t stand you.”

Narakas clicked his tongue and then remembered his original purpose.

Thud.

He pulled an item from his coat and placed it on the table.

“Open it after I leave.”

“What is it? A gift to commemorate our truce?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Narakas shuddered at Ancelot’s nonchalant tone, and explained.

“It’s not from me. It’s a gift from the Empire to you.”

On a night bathed softly in moonlight, in the darkness where everyone else slept.

Step, step, step.

I made my way to the training grounds used by the royal knights. Perhaps it was because of my status as a foreign prince?

Fortunately, as long as I stayed within certain boundaries, no one tried to stop me from moving freely.

However,

“Good evening.”

There was already another visitor at the training grounds, my destination. A handsome man with a striking scar running across his right cheek greeted me immediately.

“You must be Count Kaiman.”

It wasn’t surprising. Every building within the palace is meticulously designed with specific purposes in mind.

As such, the outer palace, where foreign dignitaries stay, is located directly across from the royal knights’ quarters. This is so they can quickly protect the guests in case of an emergency.

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Luxiu Bel Kaiman.”

The moment I saw him, I knew.

‘He’s strong.’

Stronger than anyone I’ve encountered until now. Perhaps even stronger than the Masters of this nation.

“......I appreciate the gift.”

Shaking off my thoughts, I held up the item I had brought with me. One was the box I had received from Narakas.

“But I can’t help but ask what exactly this means.”

In my other hand, clenched in a fist, was a handful of black powder, now reduced to ashes.

Whoosh.

I blew the ashes away with a breath, revealing a grin.

“It was you, wasn’t it? The bastard who orchestrated this whole mess.”

***