Duke 121

CHAPTER 121

***

Translator: Rae

“My Ladyship, it’s all done.”

At the maid’s words, Elysia opened her eyes and checked her reflection in the mirror.

It seemed that the repeated instructions to keep it simple had worked, as her makeup and hair were done modestly.

“Thank you for your hard work. I truly appreciate it.”

Elysia praised the maid’s efforts with a satisfied smile and left the room.

When she reached the first floor, she saw Lulien waiting for her. She was dressed neatly in a long blue skirt that reached her ankles and a crisp white blouse.

Normally, Har would have been there too, but he had left early in the morning to cooperate with the Investigation Bureau.

"What's this, wearing a full skirt on a day like today?”

When Elysia approached and asked, Lurien smiled lightly.

"Even if the engagement ceremony might fall apart, the formalities must be observed. That way, they won’t have any suspicions."

"You're right. You're always right. Anyway, you look lovely. It suits you very well.”

"Thank you. You said you’d change at the temple, right?”

"Yes. If I wore this from here, I'd feel uncomfortable. You know how the dress was chosen."

Elysia shook her head as she recalled Dustin and the Imperial Consort who had fought over the dress.

That day, Dustin had won, but after the Imperial Consort’s instructions, some changes were made to the dress, and in the end, the victory eventually came back to square one.

"Still, it seems that the Imperial Consort and the Second Prince are observant. The dress looks really good on you."

“What’s the point of it? I’m not fond of it.”

As Elysia pouted, Lulien chuckled but soon spoke in a serious tone.

"I've been contacted by Count Hammus. It seems that like us, they’ve been ordered to move as soon as the betrothal ceremony starts.”

"They plan to act when everyone's attention is elsewhere."

"Exactly. The count told me not to worry, and that he's already informed the knights."

"What about our knights?”

"They’re preparing for deployment. A knight named Sir Katia is buzzing around, being quite loud."

Even without seeing it, Alicia could almost imagine what Charles Katia was doing, and she chuckled.

"Do you want to go there and take a look at the situation?”

Lulien asked, and Elysia replied by shaking her head.

"No. Seeing them now would stir up emotions. I trust the commander and the knights. They'll do well and come back."

"Yeah, I think so too. Shall we head to the temple now?"

"Yes, we need time to prepare. As much as I'd love to be late,"

"It's not that you want to be late, you just don’t want to go.”

"Exactly. You really know me too well."

"Anyone who understands the situation would know. If they don't, they're foolish."

"Wow, calling me foolish. You really have no mercy."

"Stop talking nonsense and let's get moving. The carriage is waiting outside."

“Alright, no more nagging.”

As they walked towards the carriage, chatting and bickering, the tension of the imminent showdown seemed to ease with their banter.

***

‘It’s 11.50. Almost time to move.’

Lieutenant Blanc checked the time on his pocket and looked at the open gate.

As lunch time approached, there was hardly any people coming or going.

"If it's now, we can pass without causing a commotion."

One of the instructions from the Duke of Russet was to avoid injuring civilians, so the more people there were, the more difficult it would be to handle.

As Lieutenant Blanc turned back and signaled behind him, the hidden soldiers began to rise and gather in one spot.

Leading them, Lieutenant Blanc began to move towards the open gate, advancing steadily.

There was no movement in the castle until it reached just in front of the gate.

There was no movement in the castle until they reached the gate, and only then did Blancky fully relax.

Although he had seen the signal of success yesterday, he had still been worried.

If the advance forces had failed to subdue the captain of the guards and the soldiers, the warning bell would have rung when they approached, and the gate would have closed, with the guards and archers taking position on the walls.

“This is going smoothly.”

Thinking it was too easy, Lieutenant Blanc continued to lead his men forward.

A smile of certainty of victory adorned his face as he successfully passed through the gate.

***

"They’re gathered, just as expected."

Har nodded quietly at Michael's whispering words. He opened his senses to assess the number of people gathered.

They were hiding beside a large tree near the hideout of Veramus.

Veramus was made up of a total of five factions..

The first faction handled assassinations and ambushes, the second handled distribution and business in the back alleys, the third handled threats and violence, the fourth handled private loans, and the fifth faction was responsible for recruiting people.

Only the first and third factions were suited for combat, while the others were not.

Despite this, Veramus had prospered so far because whenever a problem arose, the first and third factions took action and handled the situation.

So, if Har were to take down the first and third factions, it would cripple Veramus’ operations.

That’s why Har aimed to take out those two factions first.

Iker also lent weight to his decision. Under the reason of cooperating with the Investigation Bureau, he assigned his own aide, Michael, along with capable bureau agents, to Har.

Thanks to that, the Helios operatives and the bureau agents lay in wait, surrounding the hideout as they awaited the signal.

“I never once imagined that Sir Teske would be the head of Helios. And to think Helios was created to confront Veramus…”

"159.”

“Padon?”

"There are only 159 of us. What's going on?”

Har brushed past Michael’s words as if they meant nothing, his gaze turning to Joseph.

At the silent demand in his eyes to explain quickly, Joseph replied with a confused frown.

“One hundred fifty-nine? But if you combine the First and Third divisions, there should be two hundred in total…… Just a moment.”

Jackson craned his neck, scanning the gathered operatives. After a brief pause, he looked back at Har with a grave expression.

"I don't see Pringle, the officer of the First Division. It seems he withdrew with the elite members.”

“They must have gone to the Westein Temple.”

“That seems likely. Duke Russet must have summoned them.”

Har and Joseph’s expressions hardened. The fact that the very best personnels were on the move made it inevitable.

Watching them, Michael’s expression grew serious as well. Quick-witted as he was, he grasped the situation from their exchange alone.

"Then what do we do?”

At Michael’s question, Har fixed his eyes on the gathered operatives and answered.

“We proceed as planned. But we’ll have to move up the agenda.”

“Move it up? To when?”

"Right now."

"What?!”

“We go in immediately.”

Har’s hand went to the sword at his waist, and in the next instant, he hurled himself toward the window of the room where the operatives were gathered. With a crash of shattering glass, he vanished inside.

“Seriously! Let’s move together, will you?!”

Irritated at the leader who had suddenly leapt ahead, Joseph pulled something from his pocket and threw it toward where the Helios operatives were waiting, then jumped through the window after Har.

“W-What is that?!”

As the object Joseph had thrown exploded in midair with a loud bang, Michael’s pupils shook as if struck by an earthquake.

At the same time, a thunderous battle cry rang out as the Helios operatives charged in.

Fidgeting in place, Michael soon raised a hand and ran it through his hair.

“Ah, whatever. His Highness told me to support Sir Teske properly.”

Pulling a whistle from his pocket, Michael put it to his lips and blew hard, signaling the bureau agents to advance. Then he immediately followed Har and Joseph inside.

***

The Westein Temple was unusually noisy. Nobles poured in endlessly to attend the betrothal ceremony of the Second Prince and the Marquess of Camellia.

“From here, you will have to proceed on foot.”

Guided by priests and imperial knights, the nobles left their carriages at a distance from the temple and walked toward the chapel inside.

As they walked, several carriages passed by them. These belonged to the imperial family and nobles of ducal rank or higher, who were permitted to enter right up to the chapel.

Dustin also travelled in his carriage all the way to the chapel.

Just as he was about to enter the waiting room, Dustin stopped, frowning. Elysia’s words came back to him.

Dustin, who was about to enter the waiting room immediately, frowned and stopped. It was because Elysia's words came to mind.

[“If you wish for this engagement to proceed without issue, then show me the courtesy due to a fiancé.”]

“D*mn it.”

Cursing under his breath, he spoke to one of the imperial knights standing guard at the door.

“Tell Elly I’ve come by briefly to see her.”

“Understood.”

The knight who went inside soon returned with a young woman of neat and graceful beauty.

If Dustin’s memory served him right, she was Elysia’s aide.

The woman bowed deeply and spoke in proper courtesy.

“I pay my respects to the young sun of the Empire. I regret to inform you that the marchioness is not in a state to receive Your Highness at the moment. She asks that you proceed to the hall first, and says she will follow shortly.”

A crease formed between Dustin’s brows, displeasure flashing in his eyes.