Chapter 16
“Grand Duke’s Castle – Regular Council Chamber.”
Those who held key positions in the Luksear Grand Duchy had gathered together, discussing the crisis of this year’s trade supplies being cut in half.
“This is a serious problem. At this rate, administration and security in the duchy will suffer greatly…”
“That miser must have siphoned off the goods beforehand! It’s highly likely the bandits were hired from the start as well!”
“The appearance of bandits itself was probably a lie. Bandits in this freezing winter? Do they think this is the southern region?”
“We may have plenty of suspicion, but without solid evidence, how can we summon the merchant leader and interrogate him to recover the goods?”
With a harsh winter approaching that would last for months, everyone had suddenly been thrown into a supply shortage, leaving them extremely on edge.
“Hmm… At times like this, the Grand Duke’s seat should not be vacant. At such an important moment, where in the world is the Young Grand Duke, and what is he doing…?”
“Watch your words! If someone overheard, they’d think the Young Grand Duke went on a leisure outing instead of a campaign for the North!”
“Indeed. We’ve heard he will return soon.”
“He must return quickly and secure the ducal seat. Only then will lowly merchants like that not dare attempt such tricks.”
“The Grand Duchess has already dispatched knights throughout the territory. Let us remain calm and await news.”
With no clear solution to the situation, silence fell over the room.
At that moment, a young retainer seated at the far end carefully spoke up. He had recently been promoted and was attending the council for the first time.
“Um… This is merely a temporary idea, but… if we fail to resolve the supply crisis in time, how about putting forward the young lord in the annex and requesting aid from the imperial court?”
“…Wh-what!”
“Ahem!”
Gasps and uncomfortable coughs erupted from all around. Everyone cautiously glanced toward the Grand Duchess seated at the head.
‘That fool has lost his mind. To bring up that illegitimate prince in front of Her Grace…’
‘Such a capable man—what a shame. He’ll likely be reassigned soon.’
The dreadful silence dominating the room was finally broken by the Grand Duchess.
“…We will conclude today’s meeting here. Everyone, leave.”
Sensing her foul mood, the elders and retainers quickly exited the chamber.
The Grand Duchess turned to her aide, Jerome, the only one remaining.
“Jerome. What of the surveillance on the merchant leader?”
“Regrettably, there has been no significant progress yet, Your Grace.”
“And the search using knights?”
“We have mobilized all available personnel to search locations where large quantities of goods could be hidden, but it seems the merchant leader planned everything meticulously to avoid leaving any trace.”
“…Use whatever means necessary. If needed, take their families hostage to secure the goods. Before any further unpleasant rumors arise.”
“As you command, Your Grace.”
After Jerome withdrew, the Grand Duchess hurled the wine glass in her hand against the wall.
Crash!
“…How dare they.”
Her violet eyes flashed with cold fury.
My child.’
Ten years ago—
The man who was her husband and the former Grand Duke had brought back a small, filthy, ash-gray-haired child.
Born from the womb of an unknown commoner woman, the child was a disgraceful illegitimate—his very existence nothing more than a stain upon her.
“I should have killed it long ago.”
Yet the bastard child had grown, brazenly proving his noble blood by standing out.
‘The young lord in the annex is remarkably intelligent for his age.’
‘As expected of the former Grand Duke’s blood, he possesses innate talent with the sword.’
‘He will surely become a great asset to the North and the duchy…’
There had been reasons she hadn’t eliminated him.
While the former Grand Duke lived, he protected the child.
After his death, her own son—the rightful heir—showed kindness toward his half-brother.
And there were also those stubborn retainers loyal to the former Grand Duke who watched closely.
Because of this, the Grand Duchess could only act discreetly—without dirtying her own hands.
Such as cutting off supplies to the annex…
Locking him in the dungeon to torment him with the cold…
Publicly humiliating and belittling him…
Yet despite everything, the bastard stubbornly survived.
‘If this supply crisis is not resolved in time, perhaps we should put forward the young lord in the annex and request imperial aid…’
Now, with the winter coming-of-age ceremony approaching, that very bastard had become a threat to her son’s position.
The Grand Duchess ground her teeth.
“I will never allow that bastard to take the ducal seat. No matter what.”
It had been a long journey.
She could not allow everything she had sacrificed to crumble now.
Looking down at her hand stained with wine like blood, she spoke coldly:
“The day I stain these hands with that long-awaited blood is drawing near.”
The time to finish what she had long postponed was finally approaching.
Meanwhile…
“So? Pretty good plan, right?”
After explaining my idea, I puffed out my chest confidently. No matter how I thought about it, it wasn’t a bad plan.
“So in short, we personally raid the location in the letter, recover the goods, and earn recognition for it—is that it?”
At Suon’s neat summary, I nodded.
“Exactly! If it works, it benefits both you and the North—a win-win!”
“Indeed, it’s not a bad proposal, Young Master.”
Garen, who had been listening quietly, nodded in agreement.
“If you personally resolve such a major issue, it will certainly improve your standing in the Grand Duke’s castle.”
“Right! And if we report it too early, you might get falsely accused of colluding with the merchant leader. Plus, there’s always the risk of someone skimming off those supplies along the way.”
Corrupt officials existed everywhere.
And from what I knew, most retainers in the castle were either on the Grand Duchess’s side or too afraid to oppose her.
“Anyway, Suon—handling this ourselves is the fastest and most reliable way.”
Suon fell into thought.
I added the final push:
“By the way, even if you don’t join, I’m going alone.”
He immediately looked at me.
“…What?”
I tightened the hood of my sleepwear and said,
“I can’t waste such a golden opportunity. And now that I know how to recharge my power, I won’t mess up like last time!”
“……”
“Actually, you just stay here safely! Garen and I will go and come back quickly!”
“…I’m going too?” Garen asked, bewildered.
Ignoring him, I flew toward the terrace door.
“We’ll be back once things are settled, so just lock the do—”
Thunk.
Something blocked the door.
It was Suon’s arm.
“…Huh?”
Looking up, I saw him staring down at me expressionlessly.
“So you’re planning to go there alone?”
His tone felt dangerous.
“Uh… not crawling—I’ll fly…”
“Wordplay.”
His blue-gray eyes turned cold.
“Just yesterday, you couldn’t even handle a seven-year-old child and got kidnapped. And now you’re speaking so casually?”
“Well, that’s because my powers—”
I stopped mid-sentence.
Suon’s expression was icy.
…My favorite character was clearly angry.
