Chapter 91

Chapter 91

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Chapter 91

Devran, who should have been dead to atone for all his sins, couldn't be allowed to live. The same was true for the people of the Apeto family who had joined hands with him and orchestrated all these events. If it were revealed that Zakail had joined hands with them to seize the Lordship, he could never be forgiven.

Even though he hadn't yet inherited the Lordship, with the success of everything right before his eyes, he didn't anticipate such a turn of events. Although his mind was reeling, only the thought of escaping by any means necessary propelled Zakail to act unabashedly.

"How dare you plot in front of me, the Lord of Hartan? Escape? Report? This is absurd. I will contact His Grace, the Duke of Peletta, your immediate master, right away. I will ask him to grant me permission to execute the person who killed my father and sister and is now roaming around with a calm face...!"

"Did I kill the Lord and the others?"

The one who responded to Zakail's words was Devran. He couldn't help but let out a genuine laugh, as if the suggestion was absurd. However, the laughter that burst from his face, covered in bruises and wounds, looked monstrous, causing Zakail to involuntarily recoil in fear.

"So... so, didn't you! By starting a great fire!"

"Why would I?"

Devran asked back with a twisted smile. His eyes were full of hatred, but his voice was eerily calm, making Zakail shiver even more.

"What?"

"Why would I do that, huh? No matter how much I think about it, there's no reason, right? I left my hometown, joined the Cavalry, received a holy order from the emperor himself, and made a lot of money. I was on the path to success. Why would I risk all that? Doesn't that seem absurd to you, too?"

"How should I know? People like you get a little power and start getting ideas above their station, and perhaps in your arrogance, you started the fire! Because of you, I didn't even hear my father's and sister's last words!"

"So, you're blaming me with lies until the very end."

"So, are you saying that I, who wasn't in Hartan at that time, started the fire?"

"Ha, that's a good point. Let's discuss that, shall we?"

Looking into Devran's piercing eyes, Zakail managed to keep his unease at bay.

'What's this? Does he have some kind of proof? No. These guys don't know anything yet. I left no solid evidence that I was in league with the Apeto family. Even if they heard something when they were caught, words alone can't serve as evidence.'

As Zakail rolled his eyes, Devran opened his mouth.

"The guys who captured me grumbled that taking over a small place like Hartan wouldn't mean much and that they'd done too much for what they got. They even said that without me as a payoff, the deal wouldn't have been worthwhile. That means someone joined hands with them, took Hartan, and handed me over as compensation. Who else could be the culprit if not you, Zakail Hartan, considering the Lord and the heir, Zupiel, have passed?"

"..."

"Or could it be Zachlis, who has already received his knighthood and started a new life? None of them had any reason to do so. But you, Zakail Hartan, you had a reason! Can you swear before God that you didn't commit all these atrocities just to become the Lord of Hartan?"

Devran's resonant voice was so loud that even the guards standing far away could easily hear their conversation. Zakail gritted his teeth as he heard the murmuring voices from afar.

"After the fire, you didn't listen to a word I said. You immediately framed me as the culprit, locked me in prison, then buried me alive in front of the Rock of Death, didn't you?" Devran accused.

"No!"

'He probably won't admit anything without evidence. I suppose I should just do what I need to do before he can further manipulate the situation.'

"Devran. We need to send a letter, let's return to the castle for now."

"Can't we just kill him?"

Despite facing his mortal enemy, Devran, who was unable to lift a finger, muttered with a scowl. At Devran's grumbling, Zakail visibly shrank back, holding his breath.

"Did Yuder say it was okay?"

"No."

"Then don't."

After saying this, Gakane approached Devran and whispered just loudly enough for him to hear.

"When Yuder finishes his work and comes back, that guy's done for. You don't need to soil your hands. Our leader will take care of it. So, bear with it for a little longer. For the sake of your family."

"...All right."

At the mention of his family, Devran, whose face had softened, subdued his fiery temper and exhaled. They took Zakail, who they had apprehended, and returned to Hartan Castle.

The villagers, seeing Zakail caught by the shadow clone and lifted up, wore expressions as though they were about to faint, but were even more surprised when they saw Devran and his family who had returned alive.

"What on earth happened? I thought he was dead?"

"Considering Lord Zakail has been captured, it seems..."

"Goodness, what in the world is happening!"

And their confusion peaked when they entered the castle and came face-to-face with a terrified-looking elderly attendant.

"Lo, Lord Zakail! Not long ago, Lord Za, Za, Zachlis had returned and was waiting...but...what on earth...."

"Zachlis is here?"

On behalf of Zakail, who was gagged by the shadow clone, Devran shouted out loud.

"That's good. Where is he now?"

"In, in, in the parlor..."

"Let's go."

They all rushed to the parlor. The same parlor where, this morning, Yuder and his colleagues had devoured a plethora of food, much to Zakail's annoyance, now had a man dressed in silver armor anxiously pacing.

The man, who had a similar appearance to Zakail but seemed much kinder, was startled by the sudden influx of people. However, upon noticing Devran and Dermilla behind him, his eyes widened in shock.

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