Chapter 99

Chapter 99 – Death Penalty (1)

“......”

It had already been over ten minutes since the subordinates were dismissed. Despite this, a deep, unsettling silence filled the surroundings.

Both Milon and Narakas, who were essentially outsiders in this negotiation, were on the verge of going crazy.

One was a fellow citizen of the Hart Kingdom, and the other was the leader of the Mask of Night, who oversaw the flow of information across the entire continent.

How could they not know the history between Marquis Foltaine and Verdant Veil?

‘It’s been over ten years now.’

Narakas thought, smiling bitterly. At that time, the trade convoy of the Marquis of Foltaine had been ambushed.

Of course, it was a massive incident back then. After all, even the family of a marquis had fallen victim to banditry. Fortunately, everyone in the convoy had made it out alive, but......

‘Later, when it was revealed that the marquis’ eldest son had abandoned the rest of the group and fled, putting his life before theirs, the marquisate became a laughing stock of the entire continent.’

Later, the marquis, swallowing his tears, executed his own son. It was a decision fitting for the head of a family, prioritizing the future of the house over familial ties.

He made it clear that rank held no sway over justice. That even family shouldn’t be complacent. He personally ensured discipline was enforced.

As a result, the other children redoubled their efforts to avoid suffering the same fate, and the family servants took their duties more seriously.

Following the incident, the marquis also doubled the rewards for those who performed well.

Without such decisive action from the marquis, the Foltaine family wouldn’t be where it is today.

‘......In many ways, he’s an extraordinary person.’

Ultimately, that event became a turning point for the Foltaine family, propelling them forward.

But still, who could possibly tell the marquis that he was fortunate?

“How do you intend to compensate?”

The long silence was broken as Marquis Foltaine spoke.

“First of all...... I offer my sincerest apologies.”

Thud!

Krong knelt before him, bowing his head deeply.

“There is...... no excuse I can give for what happened to your child.”

However, to Krong’s surprise, the marquis shook his head quietly at this point.

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“......What do you mean?”

“I’m asking about compensation for my living child, not the one who’s already dead.”

“......!”

Krong’s eyes widened in realization.

“I’ll ask again—how do you intend to compensate?”

“By living child...... do you mean Prince Andrew?”

“Ancelot.”

“......What......?”

“Ancelot de Foltaine. Soon, that will be the name of my child.”

“......”

Krong fell silent, overwhelmed.

‘Now that I think about it, what’s the relationship between those two?’

A prince of the Meeke Principality and a marquis of the Hart Kingdom. In the first place, it didn’t sound like a natural connection.

‘......But the nature of their relationship is not what’s important right now.’

Krong quickly refocused.

“By the way, if that child of mine wishes to pursue a future alongside you, I will gladly forgive you. Of course, adequate compensation must be made.”

“I-Is that true?”

“Of course. But be warned, if the compensation is inadequate, not only will you face an uncertain future, but you will also have to reckon with my wrath.”

“......”

Given the gravity of the situation, Krong realized he needed to approach this with utmost seriousness.

“What is it you want from us?”

“The thirsty man must dig his own well. That’s the basics of any negotiation, isn’t it?”

As expected.

Marquis Foltaine was no easy opponent.

“To be frank...... Currently, we don’t have much to offer. Although I’m not sure you would believe us.”

“Hmm.”

“B-But our desire to improve our relationship is genuine. If you would kindly offer wise advice, we will do our best to consider it.”

The marquis stroked his chin thoughtfully, though his expression remained unimpressed.

Soon after, he spoke again.

“......I’d beg to differ”

“Sorry?”

“I don’t think you have so little to offer. There’s still a very large gift you can give.”

“What do you mean by that......?”

“The dwarves.”

“......!”

Krong’s expression changed drastically.

“......”

Trevor slowly turned his body. And he silently stared at me for a long moment.

“Who...... exactly are you, Prince?”

“I ask the questions.”

“......”

With that response, Trevor clamped his mouth shut, his expression unyielding and unconcerned with life. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“If you don’t answer, I won’t either.”

“You’ll talk when the sword’s at your throat.”

“If anyone’s going to die, it’d be you, Prince.”

I couldn’t help but scoff at his obvious bluff.

“In that state?”

“......Even if my body’s like this......”

“I’m not just talking about your limbs. You’re poisoned, aren’t you?”

“......!”

Trevor’s eyes widened in shock.

“Your fingernails are blue, and your eyebrows are missing. Above all, your eyes have bulging blood vessels, visible even from here.”

“......”

“Those are classic symptoms of poisoning by ‘Wind Flame Poison’, developed by the Poison Master Raven.”

Trevor’s pupils shook violently. Wind Flame Poison wasn’t especially fatal to normal people. But for knights who use mana, it was a different story.

The poison would lay dormant, but if they tried to use their mana, it would cause unbearable pain throughout their entire body.

“And yet, you’re trying to intimidate me?”

“......I’ve always been good at enduring pain.”

In other words, he had no intention of answering.

‘That stubbornness of his hasn’t changed.’

I shook my head, deciding to at least answer his question in return.

“Well, calling myself a successor might explain it.”

“A successor......?”

Trevor’s brow furrowed deeply at that.

“Nonsense!”

“It’s not nonsense.”

“Here’s why that’s ridiculous. First, my lord never went to the Meeke Principality in his life. He didn’t even see his own newborn child properly, spending his entire life on the battlefield with us. I know that for certain.”

“He could’ve gone without you knowing.”

“Second, even if he had gone to Meeke, the man I knew wouldn’t leave something as important as his legacy to a complete stranger. He was always cautious, knowing how dangerous it was to give power to someone unworthy.”

Trevor’s voice was filled with conviction.

“And most importantly, based on your age alone, the timing doesn’t even make sense.”

“......You really admire him, don’t you?”

“What?”

“Despite being called a Great Hero, he was just a fool, used and discarded. Isn’t that what happened to your lord?”

Boom!

In an instant, an overwhelming killing intent filled the air, making even me tense up.

“......Prince. I’ve felt this from the beginning, but you need to watch that mouth of yours.”

“Bluffing again?”

“Even in this state...... Do you think I couldn’t handle a whelp like you?”

His tone shifted, becoming rough.

“Hmm......”

I observed him with a strange expression before shrugging.

“Don’t get too worked up. That’s just what I think.”

“......Third. That right there.”

“Huh?”

“Even if my lord had left a legacy behind, it wouldn’t have gone to an ill-mannered brat like you. He valued respect above all.”

I tilted my head in confusion. I’d never particularly stressed the importance of respect to Trevor.

‘I even smacked around those who didn’t get the message.’

Of course, there was no helping it.

I’d lived my whole life on a battlefield, where a single mistake could cost you everything.

‘It’s going to be tough convincing this guy.’

I stroked my chin thoughtfully.

‘So, what should I do?’

It’s a touching reunion straight out of a novel. The title could be something like, ‘The Miraculous Reunion of a Lord and His Subordinate’.

But explaining everything wasn’t going to be easy.

‘......Aha!’

Suddenly, a brilliant idea came to mind.

***