Chapter 71

Tereza aimed the spear at Erez Bauter just as he coughed up not only blood but chunks of his innards. She delivered the final blow at the moment his breath became shallow, ending his life and ensuring his final suffering.

Hundreds of arrows rained down, and Erez’s body, now a pincushion, was predictably hideous. Unfazed, the knights transported the body to the capital and the captured mercenaries. They used two carriages found midway up the mountain for the process.

***

Carlos arrived at the marquis’ residence with an unconscious Aneta just as the sky turned black. He entrusted Aneta to Isabel, who rushed out in shock and he immediately headed to the Imperial Palace to meet Russell.

Carlos requested an investigation into the mercenaries during his report and remembered to present the shattered Glory of Erez Bauter, recovered from the villa. The glory, once intact, had cracked at the moment of Erez Bauter’s death, surprising Russell.

“The glory was intact when it was retrieved from the window, but the moment Erez Bauter took his last breath, it ended up in this state. It doesn’t seem to be due to physical shock.”

“Right. If it had been broken simply by falling from a great height, the glory of Penetration of the Lopelac would have been gone in no time.”

It was absurd to think that glory could be damaged by physical impact. The evidence lay in the fact that the glory passed down through generations since the founding of the kingdom bore not even a single scratch, and the same applied to the Penetration that had rolled through battlefields for centuries.

“Perhaps it’s for the best. An ability to control other powers would be troublesome if not wielded by someone loyal to me.”

Russell, with a ruler’s breath, touched the cracked surface of the glory. The cold metal, now fragmented, felt fragile, ready to shatter with a little force.

“Inform them that the glory will be stored in the national treasury.”

Russell designated the glory’s place and decided from the moment he ordered Erez’s immediate execution. The glory would be securely stored deep within the treasury, alongside other national treasures.

Although unprecedented, there was no other choice. Despite Erez’s crimes and the glory’s damage, it was a treasure directly tied to the founding of the nation, deserving of priority over other treasures.

“And Erez Bauter’s body will be thrown to the mountain for the beasts to feast on.”

“What about the mercenaries?”

“I’ll seek the opinion of Marquis Adenauer once she awakens, given the deal mentioned.”

“Understood. I’ll follow through.”

Carlos agreed without complaint.

After being dismissed, Carlos hurried out of the office and headed to the ducal residence. Upon arrival, he quickly ate his first meal of the day, bathed, and changed clothes in a rush.

Linden, observing Carlos’s hurried actions, asked as he was about to leave the residence again.

“Are you heading to the marquis’s residence?”

“I can’t just sit still.”

Understanding, Linden didn’t try to stop him. Although concerned about Carlos’s nonstop pace, the old butler knew his master wouldn’t stay still just because he was advised to.

While Linden stepped back, another obstacle awaited Carlos at the door. Tyr, who had been lingering by the entrance, blocked his path and barked shortly.

“Woof!”

Carlos, who had raised Tyr since he was a puppy, knew exactly what his dog wanted. The look in his eyes and his actions blocking the way meant only one thing.

“Tyr. You want to come with me?”

“Woof!”

Tyr nodded and barked once more. Despite his master’s affectionate touch, the worry on Tyr’s face remained. He had likely overheard the servants’ conversations and knew something had happened to Aneta.

“I’ll take you with me. But you need to behave and stay quiet. You know you can’t jump on Aneta like last time, right?”Carlos’s permission came only after Tyr let out a whimper. Although flying would have been faster, how could he refuse when Tyr wanted to come so badly? Carlos abandoned his original plan and ordered a carriage to be prepared.

It didn’t take long. As soon as the carriage was ready, Tyr eagerly opened the door with his paw. Watching Tyr walk ahead of him, Carlos let out a sigh mixed with a smile.

It often felt like he was taking care of Aneta’s pet rather than his own.

“Glory to the Empire” greeted the servants as Carlos’s carriage sped through the empty streets, quickly reaching the marquis’ residence.

One of Aneta’s maids, who was familiar with Carlos, came out to meet him. Carlos acknowledged her greeting and asked,

“How is Aneta?”

“She is still unconscious. Shall I guide you to her bedroom?”

“Please.”

Carlos followed the maid, with Tyr by his side. When they reached the bedroom, the maid announced Carlos’s arrival and opened the door.

Upon entering, the first person he saw was the physician applying medicine to Aneta’s hands. Isabel, who had been out of sight earlier, stood beside the physician, assisting him directly.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

The physician, initially startled by Tyr’s presence behind Carlos, paused his work and stood up. But for Carlos, greetings were secondary to Aneta’s treatment.

“Don’t mind me; please continue.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

At Carlos’s insistence, the physician returned to his chair, though he was uneasy. Every gaze in the room was fixated on his hands, making him feel exposed.

Among those gazes was one that did not belong to a human. When the physician glanced back, he caught sight of Tyr’s fierce appearance and quickly turned his head back to his work.

He couldn’t help but momentarily resent his superior, Tereza, for leaving him alone in this situation. He felt cold sweat trickling down his back.He resolved to finish quickly. While his hands moved faster, he maintained his usual meticulous care. After skillfully completing the treatment and reapplying the bandages, the physician stood up.

Carlos immediately spoke, as if waiting for this moment.

“How is Aneta’s condition?”

“She is recovering quickly. The fever from the antidote’s effects has almost subsided, so she should regain consciousness soon.”

Carlos felt a weight lift from his shoulders at the physician’s diagnosis and nodded.

“I will stay here. You two should go and rest.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright? ”

“There’s no reason I wouldn’t be.”

“Then please call for us if you need anything.”

The physician, recognizing the sincerity in Carlos’s words, complied. Having endured two grueling marches in one day and tending to numerous concerns, he was exhausted.

“Let me show you to your room,” the maid offered.

When the physician accepted the favor, Isabel naturally had no choice but to follow. He was going to stay at the marquis for a while. Needless to say, he would be treated with the utmost hospitality during his stay.

Carlos stayed by Aneta’s side for several hours.

Isabel repeatedly offered to take turns with him, but Carlos, like a statue, refused to budge. He didn’t want to miss the moment Aneta opened her eyes.

It was the same with Tyr, who patiently sat in his seat for a long time.

Perhaps their dedication paid off. It seemed as if Aneta’s hand, which Carlos was holding, had moved, even if only for a moment.

Carlos, who had stayed up all night, watched Aneta with hopeful eyes. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her tightly closed eyelids slowly opened.

Aneta opened her eyes and slowly blinked at the darkness in her eyes. As the familiar ceiling and Carlos’ face came into her brightly lit field of vision, Aneta called his name in a still cracked voice.

“…Carlos?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Recognizing a familiar presence, Aneta slowly roused her dulled senses. Carlos helped her sit up, supporting her as she moved her heavy body.

The numbness caused by the poison had fortunately subsided while she was unconscious. Feeling Carlos’ hands behind her, Aneta asked,

“Did everything go well? What about Chris and Serce? ”

Waking up only to worry about others—Carlos felt a deep sigh well up inside him, but he also felt a bit relieved at her typical demeanor.

“They’re safe.”

However, this did not mean that his resentment toward Aneta was completely resolved. Aneta noticed this as she watched Carlos answer briefly with a stern face.

“You seem angry with me.”

“Yes.”

Carlos confirmed it without hesitation.

“You know, this is the first time you’ve ever been angry with me.”

Even when she ignored his feelings or left the capital without a word, Carlos had never shown his anger. Seeing him genuinely upset this time, Aneta found it somewhat amusing and let out a small laugh.

“Don’t laugh.”

Carlos’s lips pressed tightly together, not finding humor in the situation.

Normally, her laughter would have melted away all his resentment, but this time, he restrained himself.

His restraint was enough to stir up a particular impulse in Aneta. It was the same impulse she had felt just before releasing her doppelganger’s power.

“I don’t know how to make it up to you. Will this help? ”

Aneta didn’t let the impulse pass. She swiftly leaned in and kissed him.

Carlos’s face turned bright red in an instant.

“Aneta, you can’t just—”

“Think it’ll make you forgive me?”

“…”

“I think it will. You’re not angry anymore, are you?”

Carlos couldn’t continue. He buried his face in his hands, his face red and flushed. After a moment of drying his face, he suddenly lifted his head and grabbed the back of Aneta’s neck with his large hand.

“I forgive you. I do. But it’s not enough. Do it again.”

“I don’t have any strength right now.”

“Then just stay still. I’ll take care of it.”

Just as Aneta was about to retort, Carlos tilted his head and pressed his lips against hers again, not giving her a chance to speak. His tongue pushed past her parted lips without hesitation.

The heat between them intensified quickly. His tongue explored her mouth with relentless fervor. As his tongue brushed her palate, Aneta grasped his collar tightly.

The kiss deepened. Their tongues intertwined, more openly and deeply with each passing second.

Wet sounds filled the air as Carlos relentlessly consumed her breath and saliva.