Chapter 44
Chapter 44: Just As I Thought. (2)
Vroom!
Gillian’s Axe struck down on the neck of the kneeling knight.
Just before the knight’s head could be severed.
“Wait a moment.”
Ghislaine’s voice echoed, and the axe stopped.
Drip, drip…
The axe halted right in front of the neck, but blood continued to drip from the slightly cut nape.
“Ugh, huff!”
The knight knelt, gasping for air.
‘These crazy bastards!’
If Ghislaine hadn’t interrupted, he would have surely lost his head.
Watching the blood pooling on the floor from his neck, the knight trembled uncontrollably.
‘What the hell…’
He couldn’t comprehend the situation at all.
The Grand Duke was an annoying troublemaker, but certainly not someone to be feared.
But now it was different.
‘This is frightening.’
The overwhelming sense of dominance filled the air.
He could feel the mercenaries here were loyal to him.
‘This isn’t the person I knew. What happened?’
The Grand Duke, lacking both character and skill, could barely manage his own soldiers.
Wasn’t he someone who was subtly mocked and despised even by the lowest of soldiers?
He couldn’t understand why such rough mercenaries would risk their lives for him.
Step, step.
In the meantime, Ghislaine approached leisurely, surveying the surroundings.
The previously frozen soldiers all threw down their weapons and knelt when Ghislaine drew near.
Even those who usually looked down on the Grand Duke were now overwhelmed by the atmosphere, devoid of any defiance.
“Looks like I almost caused a big problem if I hadn’t stopped. Surprised, weren’t you?”
Ghislaine chuckled and lifted the knight to his feet.
Patting the knight’s shoulders, he continued speaking.
“I’m a pacifist, but my boys have been through a lot, so they can be a bit rough. Let’s try to get along from now on.”
“Yes… Yes, sir.”
In short, it meant don’t mess with me.
‘He must have understood that much.’
Though he would clash with others many times in the future, for now, this was enough.
“Anyway, since my father called me, I should go as his offspring. Do you want me to bind you? I don’t have a hobby of enjoying being tied up.”
When Ghislaine extended his arm, the knight shook his head.
Originally, he had intended to bind him completely for humiliation, but he didn’t dare consider that now.
The mercenaries, glaring at him with fierce eyes, made him want to leave the place quickly.
“Good, at least we share the same taste. Prepare a place for the mercenaries to rest as soon as we arrive. And Belinda has suffered serious injuries, so make sure to prepare for her treatment.”
The knight glanced at the unconscious Belinda and the ragged mercenaries for a moment, then nodded.
“Understood. I’ll take care of it immediately.”
As the knight gestured, several soldiers rushed to first pull the wagon carrying Belinda away.
Soon the knight led the way, surrounded by the soldiers guarding Ghislaine.
The mercenaries followed behind, but the sharp momentum they had shown before was already gone.
As Ghislaine and the mercenaries emerged from the forest, a crowd of people, including laborers, gathered.
They had heard through the soldiers that the Lord had commanded the Grand Duke to be brought back.
People whispered as they saw Ghislaine following the knight.
“What’s going on? Did the Grand Duke cause another incident?”
“I heard the Lord ordered not to enter the Forest of Monsters. But the Grand Duke just went in on his own?”
“There are hardly any people left. Not even half are left?”
“Looks like they all died. What the hell was he thinking trying to venture into the forest?”
“Is that a rock over there? It seems like there are monster corpses too… Did they go in just for something like that?”
The crowd of onlookers grew as they all busily commented on Ghislaine and the mercenaries.
It was understandable. The number of mercenaries had significantly diminished compared to before entering the forest, and those who survived looked covered in blood and injured.
Most people thought it was a miracle they returned alive.
As they were taken away by the Lord’s command, people thought that finally, Ghislaine would face severe punishment.
Hearing their whispers, Ghislaine turned to the knight beside him.
“Hmm, I don’t see Skoban among the guards. What happened? Is he on leave?”
“…He was imprisoned for falsely reporting to the Lord. He will soon be stripped of his knighthood.”
“Oh, that’s rather unfortunate. I was hoping it was just a vacation. Seems he’s paying for my mistakes.”
Seeing Ghislaine casually say this, the knight could only twitch his lips.
Skoban had been imprisoned for falsely reporting on Ghislaine and the mercenaries’ whereabouts.
It was never a situation that could be concealed until the end.
Thanks to that, Ghislaine’s group gained some time, but he was probably regretting it deeply in his cell by now.
Ghislaine nodded and made his way directly to the castle with the knight.
Though shabby and pitiful in appearance, he strode confidently toward the great hall.
After giving Gillian a few instructions, Ghislaine opened the door without hesitation.
Boom!
As he entered the great hall, nearly all the retainers were gathered there.
They looked at Ghislaine with furrowed brows.
It was clear that he resembled a defeated soldier who had barely escaped with his life.
But what mattered now wasn’t that.
They had a much larger, graver issue at hand.
“I’ve returned, Father.”
Despite Ghislaine’s greeting, Zvalter merely glared at him with a fierce expression, not responding.
After staring at Ghislaine for a long time, Zvalter spoke in a low, angry voice.
“I distinctly told you that I do not permit the exploration of the Forest of Monsters.”
“I’m sorry. I thought it was absolutely necessary.”
At that response, some of the retainers stepped forward and shouted loudly.
“Disregarding the Lord’s command is a grave crime! How could you be so short-sighted!”
“I told you not to do that! What would you have done if a monster had appeared?”
“Moreover, to manipulate a knight into reporting falsely! Are you in your right mind?”
As the retainers’ voices rose in anger, Zvalter raised his hand to silence them.
“Breach of my command deserves to be punished appropriately. Though I may have been a bit late, you’ve brought it back. But…”
Suppressing his anger, Zvalter glared at Ghislaine.
“What on earth have you done?”
Ghislaine tilted his head, pondering for a moment.
It wasn’t a question about the Forest of Monsters.
He had said that punishment could be given, so he was clearly asking about something else.
Ghislaine wondered if there had been an incident he couldn’t recall and then replied.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
At Ghislaine’s nonchalant response, Homern stepped forward and shouted.
“A lion came from the Raybold Territory a few days ago! They said they’d cut off all support to the Perdium Territory! And it’s all because of the Grand Duke!”
Ghislaine tilted his head, then asked again.
“What was the reason?”
“They said the Grand Duke went to see Princess Amelia and extorted 20,000 gold in the name of support for the territory. Count Raybold found out and, in fury, decided to sever support at the same time as the engagement was called off. They say the Grand Duke took the money in advance!”
Homern was furious. Ghislaine wore an expression of admiration.
The secret that Amelia was secretly growing a merchant group could not be revealed yet.
So, hadn’t she readily given 20,000 gold to keep Ghislaine’s mouth shut?
For her to suddenly make this matter public meant she didn’t care if rumors spread anymore.
‘Amelia, truly an unyielding woman.’
Ghislaine sincerely admired her.
In that short time, Amelia must have taken all the measures necessary to disregard any rumors.
And in turn, she had used this incident to get back at Ghislaine.
Now, she had a justification to cut off support from the Raybold Territory; it would be impossible for her to ignore the bait thrown by Amelia.
As Ghislaine fell silent in thought, Homern grew even more heated.
“What on earth are you thinking! Say something! The Grand Duke has committed a grave crime!”
This time, Treasurer Albert spoke coldly.
“Even if the support is reduced, the Raybold Territory is one of our major supporters. If that support is severed, the territory will not function properly.”
Yet, as Ghislaine remained silent, Randolf could barely contain himself and yelled.
“Ugh! You damned bastard! Brother! Don’t stop me today! I’ll break that braggart in half! No need for a prison! I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson right here!”
As Randolf tried to rush forward, the other retainers and soldiers barely managed to restrain him.
But in the hostile atmosphere, the retainers couldn’t help but chime in.
“This is a serious crime! If it were anyone else, they’d be executed!”
“You claimed you’d explore the Forest of Monsters to save the territory, but instead, you’ve put the territory in peril!”
The retainers were so agitated they couldn’t stop speaking.
Now, to them, Ghislaine’s reckless venture into the Forest of Monsters was no longer the main issue.
Since no monsters had shown up and Ghislaine had returned alive, they believed it would suffice to punish him and throw him in jail.
However, the severance of support from Raybold wouldn’t be resolved by punishing Ghislaine.
They were already on edge managing an impoverished and struggling territory, so now they must be beside themselves with worry.
‘That Amelia really knows how to trap people with money. Ugh, ruthless. Ugh, terrifying.’
Ghislaine clicked his tongue internally, surveying the expressions of the retainers.
Their faces were a mix of anger and anxiety.
It was only natural for them to be concerned about how they would manage the territory going forward.
On the other hand, Homern, seeing Ghislaine’s unruffled expression, was almost dizzy with rage.
‘He doesn’t even understand how big of a mess he’s made! This fool!’
While Ghislaine’s reckless entrance into the Forest of Monsters could be dismissed as just another careless accident, this was undoubtedly the first time he caused a disaster that threatened the territory.
Even amid the retainers’ angry situation, Treasurer Albert was striving to remain calm as he continued calculating.
He needed to recover at least some of the remaining 20,000 gold.
To figure out how to withstand whatever happened next, he would need that money.
“Grand Duke, how much of the 20,000 gold is left?”
At Albert’s frosty question, Ghislaine smiled slightly and replied.
“Most of it has been spent on hiring mercenaries and laborers, as well as the costs for supplies and food at the fortress.”
“You mean… you’ve already spent that huge amount of money?”
“Indeed. I tend to be a bit extravagant. Ha ha ha.”
“Ugh! That bastard… Throw him in prison right now!”
Even Albert, who usually kept his emotions in check, was about to lose control.
This territory was done for.
They had no means to maintain their troops, so they wouldn’t be able to fend off the barbarian onslaught.
If he valued his life, it might be time to escape and abandon the territory.
Homern urgently turned to Zvalter and said.
“Lord! We must immediately escort that brat… No, the Grand Duke to the Raybold Territory to apologize. Otherwise, we’ll all perish. That guy, he’s not even human! What a damned bastard! Oh, forgive me, Lord. I didn’t mean you’re a bastard!”
The retainers were utterly at a loss for how to resolve the situation.
He had extorted money from his fiancee, only to find out that it was support funds from the territory.
And then he had used that entire sum for whatever he wanted.
To the retainers, there was no one crazier than him.
Ghislaine’s antics had now crossed the line.
Zvalter, listening to the complaints of the retainers in silence, glared harshly at Ghislaine.
“Is all this true?”
“It is. There was… another reason for receiving the money, but I doubt any excuses will hold up.”
Upon hearing his son’s reply, Zvalter clenched his eyes shut and leaned back in his chair.
If it were anyone else, he would’ve had them executed on the spot for such a grave crime.
‘I should have raised him more strictly and corrected him sooner. I’m such a fool. A complete fool.’
By often being preoccupied with outside matters and neglecting his children, the consequences had returned as an immense disaster that was hard to resolve.
While Zvalter remained silently lost in disappointment and regret regarding his son, Homern stepped forward and shouted.
“You are no longer a Grand Duke but a criminal! Kneel immediately!”
Ghislaine replied with indifference.
“I can’t kneel; my knees are acting up, so that would be difficult. And besides, it’s not like I did something that serious.”
“Ugh! You damned scoundrel! Do you really not understand the gravity of your actions?”
“How could I not know what I did?”
“Then you’re walking around with your head held high knowing it all! Ugh, my neck!”
Just as Homern was about to collapse from high blood pressure, Ghislaine snapped his fingers and shouted toward the door.
“Bring it in!”
At that moment, Gillian entered from outside, carrying a large box.
Thud!
The box, larger than a person, landed heavily on the floor.
Ghislaine placed his hand on the box and wore a playful grin.
“Now, see. This is how you make an investment.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he flung open the lid of the box.
A brilliant blue light burst forth in all directions.
