Duke 131

CHAPTER 131

***

Translator: Rae

“So you made a deal with the High Priest? But how… wasn’t he Duke Russet’s man?”

Elysia looked at the High Priest standing some distance away from them, her face filled with surprise.

She and Iker were waiting with the imperial guards in front of the sealed chamber door for the Duke of Russet’s group to emerge.

“The High Priest accepted Duke Russet’s donations to maintain the temple. But if the temple collapsed, those donations would become meaningless. When I told him about the bombs hidden beneath the chapel, he changed his mind.”

“So that’s why you told me not to worry last night when I wondered why no one was guarding us, you had already reached an agreement? Because you’re the donor now?”

“That’s right. I asked him to withdraw all the priests.”

After hearing the explanation from Iker, she finally understood the situation.

“No wonder… when I refused to do the betrothal vow, the High Priest looked like he had expected it. He already knew the betrothment would fall through.”

“When trouble arises, you need someone to buy time. That way, I can keep my promise to you.”

Though his voice was calm, it sounded inexplicably sweet.

Thinking that this man seemed determined to melt her heart, Elysia asked again.

“But how did you know Duke Russet would use bombs?”

“I assumed he would prepare a final measure in case everything went wrong. Nothing works better than bombs to eliminate important figures all at once.”

“What about the fake explosion? I truly thought it was real.”

“I simply asked Tes to swap the magic embedded in the artifact. Fortunately, the one who made it was from the Mage Tower. We altered only the bomb mechanism and left the one-time teleportation spell intact.”

As she listened to Iker, Elysia recalled what Teslan had said the night before the engagement ceremony.

It was about that very room where Teslan had brought her, the same room the Duke of Russet’s group had just entered.

[“Just as Iker said, it was an amazing room. It even had a rather well-made one-time magic circle inscribed.”]

She hadn’t understood its meaning then, but now she did.

Teslan had already known everything. Regarding the sealed chamber and the bombs.

“Then are those bombs actually placed under this place? Isn’t that dangerous?”

Elysia asked with a worried expression.

Knowing there were bombs beneath where she stood, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“They’ve already been dismantled, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Really? When on earth did you do that?”

“Briefly, before the ceremony began. I went with Nocturne.”

What kind of person does something like this?

Elysia was genuinely impressed.

He had anticipated every move the Duke of Russet would make and prepared ways to stop them.

“I’m truly glad you’re not my enemy.”

At her relieved words, the corners of Iker’s deep, graceful eyes softened.

“That will never happen. Didn’t I tell you? My heart already belongs to you.”

He couldn’t just say things like that here…

Flustered, the tips of Elysia’s ears turning red, she flinched at a voice from right beside her.

"I'm back."

Turning her head, Elysia saw Rashian, who had gone to escort the imperial couple.

Worried that he might have heard Iker’s words, she quickly checked the prince’s expression.

Fortunately, he seemed expressionless, suggesting he hadn’t heard. She asked with a relieved expression.

“Have they both returned to the palace?”

“Yes. Father was quite disappointed that he couldn’t see Duke Russet’s expression. He asked me to observe it carefully on his behalf.”

“As always, His Majesty the Emperor seems deeply devoted. Seeing how he returned immediately when Her Majesty the Empress said she was tired.”

“In my opinion, Master may be even more devoted.”

“Pardon?”

As Elysia tilted her head toward him, Rashian covered his mouth so Iker couldn’t hear and whispered playfully.

“Father has never said such embarrassing things to Her Majesty in front of others.”

“…”

At Rasian’s words, Alicia’s deep violet eyes wavered uncertainly.

Unsure how to respond, she was saved by the sound of the iron door opening.

Alicia flinched and turned her head, and Rashian followed her gaze.

Iker’s low whisper settled softly at her ear.

“Today’s main character finally makes his appearance.”

As everyone held their breath, the Duke of Russet slowly emerged with his escort knights.

The Imperial Consort and Dustin were nowhere to be seen, likely still inside the sealed chamber.

The Duke of Russet wore a satisfied smile, as though the world already belonged to him.

However, the moment he saw the knights’ swords pointed at him, the smile vanished and his face stiffened.

Unlike his usual stance with a calm and relaxed expression every time, his pupils were now trembling in his rattled state.

Meanwhile, the imperial guards and Investigation Bureau agents quickly surrounded the Duke of Russet’s group to prevent their escape.

As the startled imperial guards raised their swords, Iker easily swung his own and placed it against the Duke of Russet’s neck.

“Wouldn’t it be wiser to avoid a fight you have no chance of winning?”

Meeting the fiercely gleaming golden eyes, the Duke of Russet clenched his teeth and turned to look back at his escort knights.

Seeing the look on the Duke’s face, the escort knights lowered the swords they were holding and set them on the ground.

As the Imperial Knights collected their weapons, Iker also sheathed his sword.

“…It didn’t explode?”

When the blade no longer poked near his throat, the Duke of Russet opened his lips that had been tightly pressed into a straight line.

Perhaps because so many emotions were tangled together, his voice was oppressively low and restrained.

"That is correct.”

At Iker’s calm reply, the Duke of Russet’s eyes flashed fiercely.

“So you knew. Ihad planted a bomb.”

“If I hadn’t known, I wouldn’t have been able to stop it.”

“How did you find out? My men aren’t careless enough to let themselves be tailed.”

“There’s no need to tail anyone to know. Waiting was more than enough.”

Upon hearing Iker’s answer, the Duke of Russet’s face stiffened, a low groan slipping from his lips.

“Don’t tell me… you were watching the engineers?”

No answer came, but from the gaze of the young duke standing before him, the Duke of Russet knew it was the truth.

“Then that noise and the shaking were also your doing. It was magic, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Judging by the way you came out, it seems it was convincing enough.”

“Ha!”

The Duke of Russet revealed a hollow laugh, aghast at how thoroughly he had been played in the palm of a ridiculously young man.

Watching him, Rashian stepped forward.

“Duke Russet, you are under arrest for treason. Arrest him.”

At the prince’s command, the imperial guards rushed in and bound the Duke of Russet and his escort knights.

Several imperial guards entered the hidden chamber to arrest Dustin and the Imperial Consort.

As Elysia watched Duke Lasset being tied, she flinched at a sudden call from behind.

"Elly.”

"Har?”

When she turned her head, Har and Joseph came into view, both splattered with blood as if they had just come from battle.

"Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?”

"Yes.”

Har nodded curtly, then turned to Iker, who was standing beside Elysia.

“More importantly, Your Excellency, I have something to report.”

"What is it?”

“The leader of the First Division and three of his subordinates are missing.”

A slight crease formed between Iker’s handsome brows upon hearing Har.

“You didn’t see them in the recent fighting either?”

“No. Even when I spread my senses, I can’t feel them.”

"I see. I’ll check as well.”

Iker immediately spread his senses, scanning not only the chapel but the surroundings of the temple, yet the assassins couldn’t even be detected by his senses.

“Then they must have fled, or perhaps, gone into hiding.”

“They wouldn’t run away. They’re the kind who would give up their lives for Duke Russet. They’re likely hiding nearby, waiting for a chance to rescue him.”

Joseph gritted his teeth. He was infuriated by the wait because he badly wanted to avenge his brother and comrades.

Har patted Joseph’s shoulder as if to calm him, then looked at Iker.

“The leader of the First Unit Division and his three subordinates are among the most skilled of the assassins. If they truly go into hiding, they’ll be hard to find unless they move.”

"Then we’ll have to make them move.”

“That seems to be the only way.”

As Har nodded, Iker turned his head, his gaze settling on the Duke of Russet with both hands tied by rope.

“We happen to have a suitable piece of bait. I’ll lend it to you, so you should be able to hook exactly what you’re looking for.”