Chapter 138

“Can you hear it?”

Chris asked his colleague, Joachim.

They were hiding in a dense forest near the Marquisate of Rowissum, close to the border of the Grand Duchy of Rohitham.

“Yes, I can hear it.”

Joachim squinted towards the north.

It was the ominous sound of wings flapping.

There were also loud footsteps.

The ground was shaking.

“It’s really… the goddess.”

Joachim murmured with his eyes closed, feeling dizzy.

Ludwig always accomplished whatever he set his mind to. Thus, the talk of opening the gates of Pandemonium was no joke.

But no matter how formidable he was, could he really do such a terrifying thing? There was still a hint of doubt.

However, Ludwig had actually done it.

“Mina sent a communication.”

Chris quietly said this to Joachim, who was staring at the swarm of monsters in the sky.

“Let’s move and observe.”

They headed south.

Though they tried hard to catch up, the monsters were far ahead of them.

By the time Ludwig’s loyal followers reached the border, the monsters had already penetrated deep into the Duchy of Rohitham.

Chris and Joachim crossed the border with ease.

There were no knights guarding the gates.

They had either fled in fear of the monster attack or had been summoned elsewhere.

Meanwhile, innocent citizens were peeking out of their houses with expressions of fear and confusion.

“Do not worry!”

Chris shouted.

“We are here to liberate you!”

Whether that was possible was still uncertain. The success of the operation depended on the monsters devouring only the Red Crows and returning satisfied to Pandemonium.

However, Chris believed in his master.

Ludwig would surely succeed.

* * *I anxiously awaited the communication.

Every second felt like an eternity.

Caressing Ludwig’s cold cheek, I hoped the monsters had properly returned to Pandemonium.

Whether they understood my concern or not, the mages were busy with their own tasks.

How much time has passed?

A mage approached me.

I knew at that moment.

It had gone well, hadn’t it?

“Countess Balthus, we’ve received communication from the Duchy of Rohitham.”

“What did they say?”

“They reported observing the monsters of Pandemonium attacking the grand fortress.”

“Were there any civilian casualties?”

That was the most important part.

If Ludwig had lost control of the monsters, we would have had to send the army force from the Marquisate of Rowissum.

But the worst hadn’t happened.

The mage beamed.

“None! Like doves picking grains from straw, the monsters of Pandemonium faithfully carried out the Duke’s orders!”

“And?”

I was relieved but still anxious.

It wasn’t over until it was perfectly concluded.

“The ground split, and they all returned to Pandemonium.”

“Ah…”

I could finally relax.

Everyone was safe.

The citizens of the Duchy, Ludwig, and I.

Tears welled up, but I looked up to hold them back.

* * *News from the Duchy came in one after another.

Rudolf, whom the Red Crows had imprisoned, was released.

He tried to escape but was recaptured by Ludwig’s loyal subordinates.

He would face trial.

Having killed his own brother, the Duke, his crime was severe.

He would likely face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

As for the Duchy of Rohitham, which had been ravaged by the Red Crows, the wounds still remained, but the Kingdom of Arlo promised to help with reconstruction.

It was undoubtedly Duke Ludwig’s achievement to have taken down the leader of the Red Crows, even at great personal risk.

Though the story of the Duchy of Rohitham was not directly my concern, I couldn’t help but be deeply interested.

However, there was no role for me in the reconstruction process.

So, once the incident was settled, I returned to the theater work I had temporarily set aside to help reclaim the Duchy.

* * *

Three weeks after the operation.

“Hamlet” reopened.

The production left a significant impact on the theater world.

Of course, it was a work by a great literary master.

However, no matter how outstanding a work is, it’s meaningless if there is no one to appreciate its value.

Fortunately, “Hamlet” is a play that is enjoyable to watch in itself.

Moreover, there was someone in the Kingdom of Arlo capable of analyzing and interpreting the contemplative character of Hamlet in a sophisticated manner.

“I’m very glad to be able to watch “Hamlet” to the end.”

I smiled broadly at Duke Lopez’s words.

“I wouldn’t be so foolish as to let such a well-prepared play be buried forever due to an unexpected incident.”

“The rumors must have been bothersome.”

As Duke Lopez said, there were indeed many bothersome things.

Newspapers storming in, various conspiracy theories about our troupe, and such.

Rudolf had dramatically ruined the latter part of “Hamlet” on its opening night.

“Because I know how to handle it.”

“Indeed, you remained unresponsive.”

As Duke Lopez mentioned, I didn’t even bat an eyelash.

I remained unresponsive to the various rumors and started preparing for the performance of “Hamlet” again.

The public quickly forgets incidents. It’s not difficult to divert their attention as long as there’s a constant stream of new stimuli.

The fervor around the various incidents involving the neighboring Duchy had also cooled off.

“By the way, I’m curious about Countess Balthus’s new goals.”

Duke Lopez set down his teacup as he broached a new topic.

“The theater world of the Kingdom of Arlo is now all under Countess Balthus’s control.”

“Unless another dark horse appears, that is.”

“I don’t think a new competitor will suddenly appear.”

“That wouldn’t be good.”

I said firmly.

“New talent needs to rise from below so I can feel a sense of crisis and strive to improve. A monopoly only leads to complacency and laziness.”

Duke Lopez laughed at my words.

“But if I were them, I wouldn’t dare to compete with Countess Balthus. Having a theater owner who understands the market deeply, along with good actors and good playwrights, is like a miracle.”

“I plan to create an environment where such miracles can be made by people.”

A question mark floated behind Duke Lopez’s monocle.

I avoided giving a precise answer and smiled slyly.

“I’m thinking of expanding my business.”

It was still in the planning stages, so I couldn’t say much, but it was a secret.

Duke Lopez, dying of curiosity, kept pressing me, but I didn’t say anything.

‘Right now, you can’t enjoy a play unless you come to the theater. Except for some amateur traveling troupes.’

But I plan to turn this into a nationwide public art form.

People could enjoy a comprehensive culture in their own areas, or even in their own homes, without stepping outside.

Creating a world where this is possible is my personal dream.

‘Starting with establishing local theaters, then creating multiplex cinemas, and eventually television…’

The steps I had to take were clear in my mind.

I was confident I could gain the cooperation of His Majesty the King.

“You seem happy, Countess Balthus.”

Duke Lopez chuckled at me.

Well, with such a clear plan to develop an industry I love, how could I not be excited?

But it wasn’t all joy.

Even while working busily, there was always a shadow cast over my heart.

Because Ludwig, who had collapsed that day, had still not woken up.

* * *Ludwig remained unconscious.

The day after summoning the monsters of Pandemonium, his entire body became feverish.

The critical condition didn’t last just one day.

He literally hovered between life and death.

Before his body could recover, the fever spiked, and dehydration symptoms persisted.

I deeply understood what Decio meant when he said that controlling the monsters of Pandemonium without black magic was suicidal.

After losing consciousness, Ludwig’s mind did not return, and his body continued to teeter on the brink of life and death.

Even Chris, Ludwig’s most trusted confidant, confessed he wasn’t sure if Ludwig would ever open his eyes again.

“Roche…”

But I kept calling to him from his side.

“I believe in you.”

Ludwig was strong.

Both his body and his mind.

The fever was his body’s way of expelling the bad elements within.

I believed he was still fighting.

No matter how long it took, I was certain he would eventually wake up and smile at me.

Even if it took days, months, or years, I could wait.

So I wasn’t afraid.

“Don’t make me wait too long, though.”

I whispered as I wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a clean cloth.

Whenever I wasn’t dealing with theater matters, I stayed by his side.

I wanted my face to be the first thing his violet eyes saw when he opened them.