Chapter 66

“He won’t be coming. Or rather, he can’t come,” Russell stated.

“May I ask why?” Duke Hetchen inquired.

The heads of the Glorious Houses were deeply concerned for each other’s well-being and acted swiftly in the face of any problems. Their power was exceptional, and they regarded each other’s safety as their own.

Given this long-standing tradition, several of them naturally questioned Erez’s absence.

“I heard that he went to his estate to mark his first birthday since his grandfather’s death.”

“The timing of his absence is suspiciously perfect,” Duke Hetchen commented, and everyone nodded in agreement.

They were all aware that Erez harbored an inexplicable animosity towards Aneta and that his actions had been suspect for some time.

Even those unaware of the details began to harbor doubts.

“I suspect Erez Bauter of kidnapping Marquis Adenauer, Viscount Raphaeli, and Baroness Deven. To explain why, I need to reveal some previously undisclosed facts,” Russell began.

He disclosed that Erez’s power was a lie, that he had poisoned his grandfather, and usurped the title.

He then revealed that Erez had been the one to control their powers during the attack at the banquet, leaving everyone in shock.

“This is unbelievable…”

“I had suspected something about his powers since the banquet, but murdering kin and stripping them of their titles—is this even possible?”

Their initial shock gave way to anger. As they expressed their outrage, they noticed Carlos’s silence, realizing this was not the time to vent their emotions, and managed to calm down.

“If what His Majesty says is true, then we can sentence Erez Bauter to death,” Duke Clorin said, breaking his silence.

His words were unprecedented, causing everyone to hold their breath. In the history of the Empire, no head of a Glorious House had ever been executed, despite members of the houses being subject to punishment.

They had always cooperated with the Emperor to preserve the power and glory they enjoyed as the masters of the Glorious Houses.

Executing the head of a house creates numerous problems, the most significant being the issue of succession.

In Erez Bauter’s case, the situation was even more complicated. Since his grandfather’s death, he has been the only one bearing the Bauter name.

Without a direct heir, even having power would be useless. Despite this, Duke Chlorin did not waver.

“Executing the Marquis would raise issues regarding the future of his power, but he is a criminal who has committed numerous irreversible crimes, Your Majesty. I believe leniency is not an option.”

The reasons were more than sufficient: murdering his grandfather, deceiving them about his powers, and kidnapping three heads of noble houses. His crimes were severe.

As Duke Chlorin strongly insisted on execution, Russell nodded.

“I agree with you. If Erez Bauter is indeed the perpetrator, I intend to order his immediate execution without trial. If anyone objects, raise your hand.”

Unsurprisingly, no one opposed the Emperor’s decision.

“Unanimous, then,” Russell concluded.

Satisfied, Russell finalized the decision regarding Erez’s punishment.

At that moment, the chief chamberlain of the Imperial Palace entered, pushed open the unlocked door, and entered. His impatient steps halted in front of the table where they sat.

When Russell gave him a questioning glance, the chamberlain bowed deeply and announced the news.

“Your Majesty, the Viscount of Kainer has arrived at the palace.”

“He must have valuable information. Bring him in immediately,” Russell ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Their conversation was brief. The chamberlain bowed and exited, and Tereza showed interest in the name mentioned.

“Isn’t Viscount Kainer supposed to be in the Kingdom of Luthivon for trade negotiations? Has he returned already?”

“Yes. I had him gather information as soon as I heard he had arrived at the capital.”

Despite the grueling journey and the shocking news he received, Vernon was the most suitable person for the job.

Hearing footsteps echoing down the hall, Russell gestured towards the door.

“Here he comes now.”
Having been given advance notice, Vernon entered without delay.

Carlos, who had been anxiously waiting, was the first to speak.

“Did you find anything?”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

Vernon replied, sensing the urgency and desperation in Carlos’s golden eyes.

Feeling the same way, he immediately turned his gaze to Russell and began reporting the information gathered by his informants.

“I report, Your Majesty. Early this morning, a wagon of unknown purpose left the capital. However, the guards on duty at the checkpoint were bribed, so there are no records of their identities or movements,” Vernon reported.

He further revealed that the guards had voluntarily taken the night patrol, which everyone had been trying to avoid. A fact that only fueled Carlos’s rage, leading him to slam the table with a forceful thud.

The loud noise reverberated through the room, but no one complained about Carlos’s actions. It was the only way he could express his anger at that moment. The heads of the houses could only empathize with the turmoil he was experiencing.

Carlos clenched his hand, stiff as a dry winter branch, around the blood-stained ornament, which only intensified his anxiety. Despite efforts to control the entry and exit of the capital and search the surrounding areas, it was all in vain. He ran a hand over his face, turning to Vernon with desperate eyes.

“Is there any information about their whereabouts?”

Russell, understanding Carlos’s urgent need without asking, directed the question to Vernon.

“Erez Bauter was introduced to an abandoned villa in the mountains near Dianta by a guild. The suspicious wagon was last seen near that villa, so it must have gone there.”

Erez had tried to be discreet, but he overlooked one crucial factor: the guild leader’s loose lips in the face of a hefty purse. Vernon had pretended to spend a large sum to get this information, and the guild leader had confessed to arranging both the remote location and mercenaries for Erez.

But Vernon wasn’t satisfied. Suspecting there was more to the story, he sent his knights to subdue the guildmaster and discovered additional information from their records.
This was why Russell had sent Vernon. He had a knack for this sort of thing.

“Additionally, the guild provided Erez Bauter with a poison called ‘Minoshi.'”

“Minoshi…” Carlos muttered, recognizing the name.

Minoshi, a highly concentrated poison derived from a toxic plant, caused mild pain at first, but the intensity grew over time, eventually melting the internal organs slowly and excruciatingly. It was primarily used for torture rather than assassination.

It was obvious who the poison was intended for. With Aneta’s whereabouts and the mention of Minoshi, Carlos could no longer afford to delay. He sprang to his feet.

“Vernon, the antidote. I assume you brought the antidote, didn’t you? “

“Do you think I’m that unprepared? Here it is,” Vernon replied, pulling a small brown bottle from his bag and handing it to Carlos.

Carlos carefully tucked the bottle into his clothes and turned to the head of the table.

“Your Majesty, we can’t waste any more time here. I will head to Dianta immediately.”

He had waited and endured enough. Carlos was determined to leave to rescue Aneta, even if Russell tried to stop him.

“I grant permission. I will leave the vanguard to the Duke of Baltimor. Lady Lopelac, will lead your knights at once and set out in the rear. Catch up as quickly as you can.”

“At once, Your Majesty.”

Fortunately, Russell allowed Carlos to leave first. Anticipating her name to be called, Tereza grabbed her bow.

It was unusual for her, a hero of the battlefield, to be involved in a non-combat mission, but Tereza’s eyes gleamed with determination as if it were only natural for her to participate.

Carlos and Tereza, both sharing the common goal of safely bringing back Aneta and the others, exchanged a brief, understanding look before nodding to each other.

Carlos, unwilling to waste even the time it took to walk out the door, stepped onto the nearest windowsill in front of the Emperor.

“I’ll take my leave, then.”

“Good luck,” Russell replied.

With the Emperor’s words, Carlos transformed into a black eagle and soared into the sky.

“I will gather my knights and depart immediately.”

Time was of the essence, and they needed to be armed and on their way as quickly as possible. As Carlos hurried to Dianta, Tereza prepared to leave as well.

“Your Majesty, I would like to go with the rear guard.”

Just then, Vernon, who had been pondering something, stepped forward. Even though he knew there was nothing he could do to help, he couldn’t abandon the idea of accompanying them.

“I will ensure I am not a hindrance to the march. Please, allow me to go.”

Russell, seeing the fatigue and determination on Vernon’s face, didn’t try to dissuade him. The stubborn look made it clear that Vernon wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Russell turned to Tereza.

“Lady Lopelac, I have entrusted you with the command of the rear guard. What is your decision? ”

“I have no objections. As the Viscount mentioned, he won’t be a hindrance.”

Tereza agreed but warned Vernon that they planned to travel without carriages to increase their speed, implying that he should be prepared for the journey.

Despite the warning, Vernon remained undeterred, and his request to join was granted.