Chapter 161: What's In Your Arms?

Chapter 161: What's In Your Arms?

“What on earth is going on?”

“Isn’t that the Duke of Lavaltor’s mansion?”

People were buzzing.

The Duke of Lavaltor’s mansion was not only half destroyed, but a massive storm had enveloped it.

It seemed as though there was some kind of control preventing anyone from approaching.

Even the knights were unable to approach.

“Captain! We can’t break through.”

“The storm is too intense!”

The complexions of the knights in charge of the capital’s defense turned pale.

The winds would tear their bodies apart if they dared to enter.

Some knights bravely attempted to approach but were immediately thrown back.

“What could possibly be happening inside there?”

“Shouldn’t we report to His Majesty first?”

“The messengers have already been dispatched.”

However, that wasn’t the most important matter at the moment.

“W-what is that?”

“Everyone, take cover!”

The problem lay with those attempting to break through the storm.

For some reason, unidentified people around the Duke’s mansion approached the Duke’s mansion.

Their attempt to pierce through the storm clashed with its power, triggering a shockwave that caused nearby rocks to collapse.

Thud!

“Damn it! Falling rocks!”

As the rocks flew towards them, the nearby residents tightly closed their eyes.

They didn’t need to see what happened next; they could tell.

But that’s when it happened.

Bang!

The flying object exploded with a huge explosion.

An incredible aura emanated from a single sword.

“T-That sword... Could it be?”

“It’s the Seventh Prince!”

It was Ian.

Behind him, Galon and Hite also displayed their respective auras.

Crash!

In an instant, the flying rocks crumbled.

The citizens cheered and shouted in excitement.

“Long live Prince Ian!”

However, Ian was focused on the mansion enveloped by the storm rather than the jubilant crowd.

‘What on earth happened inside there?’

Ian asked the knights in charge of defense.

“What exactly happened?”

“Suddenly, a storm erupted from the mansion.”

That’s why it was impossible to approach.

Even Lavaltor’s soldiers couldn’t get in either.

Ian raised an eyebrow.

‘If it’s a storm, it must be the duke’s oath, right?’

“This is a big problem. My sister is inside.”

Upon seeing Ian’s expression, Galon tilted his head.

“Sir Nathan is also inside, isn’t he?”

“Let him fend for himself, live or die. He’s not someone who can be killed no matter where you throw him.”

“That’s right.”

Ian gazed at the storm for a moment.

Since the Duke of Lavaltor was there, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

But he wanted to reunite with his mother and younger sister as soon as possible.

Thus, he had only one choice to make.

“I must go inside.”

“What? Are you serious?”

Hite shouted in disbelief.

The level of the storm indicated that the Duke used his full strength.

“Unless you’re at Sir Galon’s level, you’ll be swept away by the storm. Even if you are, you’ll have to endure a certain amount of damage.”

“I understand that.”

“But why do you intend to go inside?”

“Because I have to.”

Ian’s gaze was firm.

Only Nathan and Galon knew that the saintess was his younger sister, but as a prince and brother, it was something he had to do.

He asked Galon to look after his mother.

“Sir Galon, please take care of my mother.”

“...”

Galon shook his head with a stern expression.

“I’d rather go by myself.”

“No, please protect my mother. I trust you.”

“But...”

“We don’t know what’s happening inside.”

“That’s why I should go.”

“It won’t be just a matter of brute force.”

Ian slowly let go of the hand that Galon was holding.

If Duke Lavaltor turned out to be an enemy...

“If it’s not me, no one else can stop it.”

Faced with Ian’s resolute appearance, Galon had no choice but to step back.

He knew that he couldn’t break his will.

Instead, Galon stood by Lila’s side.

“I will protect your mother with my life.”

“I believe you, Sir Galon.”

“My family members were injured and killed by the hands of the prince’s knight.”

“!”

Ian, taken aback, looked at Nathan, questioning if those words were true.

In response, Nathan chuckled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“No, that’s not it... Yes, it is true. I was the one who killed the servants first. The duke deserves to get angry.”

It seemed awkward to make excuses.

At that moment, Elaira stepped forward.

“No, Sir Nathan was trying to help Duke Lavaltor!”

Ian narrowed his gaze.

“What do you mean by killing the family members to help him?”

“There were enemies among the butlers and servants of the mansion. They tried to blow up this mansion.”

Ian’s eyebrows twitched.

‘So Cesare’s scheming reached this far?’

Even the Duchy of Lavaltor, which was thought to be impenetrable, was a target of their scheme. But what mattered now was that it wasn’t their scheme.

“Do you have any evidence?”

“Check the butler’s arms. There will be explosives.”

At Elaira’s words, Ian searched the butler’s arms.

True enough, explosives were found.

But that wasn’t all.

‘No way... this butler was also a follower of the Holy Empire.’

Ian thrust the explosives at Duke Lavaltor.

“This proves it, doesn’t it? So let’s clear up any misunderstandings.”

However, Duke Lavaltor slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“Misunderstandings or not, I knew from the beginning.”

At his words, everyone’s expressions changed.

Especially Nathan, who was the most surprised.

“You knew, since when?!”

“Since you were killing people?”

Nathan was enraged at those words.

“If you knew, then why did you?!”

“You shed blood in my mansion. Shouldn’t you face the consequences?”

“!”

He never had the intention to kill Nathan in the first place.

He only planned to break a few limbs or arms.

Of course, there were probably other things he didn’t like about Nathan.

Ultimately, when Nathan seemed defeated, Ian, as if saying it was obvious without even looking, spoke.

“Then it’s time to calm down this storm.”

“I cannot do that.”

“What?”

Ian raised an eyebrow.

They had already cleared up any misunderstandings.

They had caught the assassins targeting the mansion and Duke Lavaltor. So why continue?

But the Duke of Lavaltor was firm.

“There are people attempting to infiltrate this place right now. They were probably the ones who targeted me and this mansion.”

“!”

He wasn’t kidding.

And the mention of Nathan’s disapproval was just a deception; perhaps the Duke had intended this from the beginning.

Surprised, Ian checked with Jealousy’ eyes.

Then he could see it.

‘Is that... divine power?’

There was certainly a gaze flowing outside, beyond the massive storm. At the moment, they couldn’t see beyond the storm.

What if there is no storm?

“It seems like they are searching for something.”

It was just as Duke Lavaltor said.

Still, it was fortunate that he pretended to fight Nathan, just to avoid any suspicion.

He almost revealed the presence of the saintess in this place.

That wasn’t all.

‘Could it be that he fought with Nathan from the beginning to block the enemy’s sight and buy time for my arrival?’

From the beginning, it seemed like he was fighting Nathan for this purpose, as if he had summoned the storm.

It was clear that he intended to crush them all.

Indeed, it was Duke Lavaltor.

“I understand. Then what should I do to assist?”

“No assistance is needed. The power of Lavaltor is sufficient. Just watch from there.”

To witness Lavaltor’s wrath.

How they truly treated their enemies.

That was his message.

“I will show you why our family is the Sword of Kaistein.”

It was when Duke Lavaltor’s storm gradually subsided.

People began to appear beyond the storm.

But then...

“Sir...Nathan? Who is that woman?”

Somewhere, a voice filled with shock could be heard.

No, it was closer to anger than shock.

Startle.

At that moment, Nathan, who collapsed, was bleeding, and the saintess, who was holding him tightly to treat him, flinched.

It was inevitable.

“S-Sister?”

It was none other than the First Princess.

Even Ian broke into a cold sweat without realizing it.