Chapter 98
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 98
“He really isn't here.”
Norbeck muttered as he scanned the entrance of the empty underground prison.
Hearing this, the man behind the mask let out a short, mocking laugh.
“Why? Did you think he’d be waiting to kill you the moment you stepped out, shouting about a prison break?”
“I thought there was at least a slight possibility.”
“You still don't know your place. Do you really think you’re that dangerous right now? Dangerous enough for Lucian Valdek to risk dishonor just to kill you a little sooner?”
“....”
Norbeck bristled at the man’s words, but he couldn't find a retort.
In truth, Norbeck’s current situation was no different from a fish on a cutting board. Lucian could take his time and carve him up whenever he pleased; there was no reason for him to rush the process and invite disgrace.
“It’s fine to harbor a desire for revenge, but don't let it make you arrogant. It would be a waste of effort to save you if you just go off and destroy yourself because you don't know your own limits.”
“Damn it, can’t you keep that mouth of yours shut? We don’t know when someone might show up. Shouldn't we be moving?”
“You’re not wrong, but I’ve already made preparations.”
“Preparations?”
“I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s do as you said and get moving.”
The man in the black hood turned and began to lead the way. His steps were decisive, as if he had already thoroughly scouted the layout of the White Palace.
Eventually, they slipped past the guards' patrol routes and reached the base of the western wall.
“Good. Now, drink this potion.”
“A potion?”
Norbeck frowned as a suspicious white bottle was thrust toward him. Seeing his blatant reluctance, the man explained.
“It’s a joint creation of an alchemist and a certain mage. Drinking it will temporarily grant you a massive boost in physical strength.”
“Why are you giving me this all of a sudden?”
“Why else? Because we have to climb this. Do you think you can scale this wall with that old body of yours?”
The man tapped a section of the wall, and only then did Norbeck notice a rope hanging from the top to the bottom. It appeared to have been lowered using a grappling hook, but the height was the problem.
“...You expect me to climb this wall?”
“Exactly. To be precise, I’ll go up first and hold the rope for you. Tie the end around your waist and climb up.”
“You’re insane.”
The curse escaped Norbeck’s lips before he could stop it. Scaling such a high wall with nothing but a rope? It would be impossible even for a man in his prime, let alone someone like him.
“I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. This potion is that effective.”
“You’re saying such a feat is possible just by consuming a single potion?”
“That’s how I climbed over from the other side. Though even that would have been difficult if an internal collaborator hadn't hooked the rope and lowered it for me.”
“Hmm.”
Even after the explanation, Norbeck’s wariness didn't fade. If anything, he grew more suspicious. What if this was poison disguised as a potion?
As Norbeck hesitated, a hint of annoyance crept into the man’s voice.
“What are you doing? Don't you want to escape?”
“...I want to see you drink it first. If it’s a safe medicine, there should be no problem with you drinking it right here, right?”
“Tsk, what a pain.”
The man in the black hood clicked his tongue and gulped down the liquid without a second thought. His lack of hesitation actually startled Norbeck, who had made the demand.
After draining the bottle to the last drop, the man wiped his mouth and spoke.
“Is your suspicion cleared now? Here, I’ll give you an identical potion. Drink up.”
“....”
Having lost his excuse to refuse, Norbeck stared at the potion for a moment. Then, he uncapped it and downed the contents in one go.
*
This... is the real deal.
Norbeck swallowed his astonishment as he looked down from the top of the wall. Even with the man pulling him from above, it was hard to believe he had scaled this height in such a short time.
“What are you doing? Hurry while the effects last.”
“I—I understand.”
Norbeck nodded at the man’s urging. His tone had become noticeably more polite. Anyone capable of preparing such potions and planting collaborators within the White Palace was no ordinary force.
“I’ll hold the rope, but you’re going down on your own. Don’t forget to tie it securely around your waist like you did when we came up. It would be a laughingstock if you died falling after finally breaking out of prison.”
“What should I do once I’m down?”
“I’ve prepared a horse, clothes, and food below. Get on the horse immediately and ride for your territory. I’ve packed plenty of supplies, so it should last until you return.”
“...Who are you?”
Norbeck finally asked the question he had been trying to suppress. This person showed no respect for the House of Calix, yet they knew the layout of the White Palace and had provided both potions and collaborators. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't guess which family possessed such power.
The man let out a hollow laugh, as if Norbeck’s question was absurd.
“Do you really think I’ll tell you?”
“I suppose not. I spoke out of turn.”
“As long as you know. Just go back and focus on your revenge. Your life doesn't have much time left; you might as well be of use to someone else at the end.”
“....”
Despite the blatant sarcasm, Norbeck didn't feel angry this time. The mockery itself contained a useful piece of information.
He’s not a Northerner.
If he were a Northerner, he would have at least wanted stability in the North. But the man before him seemed more interested in blocking Lucian’s path, even if it meant bringing chaos to the region. It wasn't perfect, but it was a satisfactory enough lead. If he was an outsider, he likely wouldn't interfere with Norbeck any further.
“Farewell. I doubt we shall meet again.”
The man didn't answer, merely gesturing for him to hurry down.
A short while later, the figure of Norbeck fleeing into the distance on a sturdy horse came into view. Only after confirming Norbeck had disappeared did the man remove his hood and mask.
“Give it your best shot, old man. Not that you’ll be able to touch a single hair on His Highness’s head anyway.”
Thorkel chuckled for a long moment before pulling the black hood back over his head. His mission was a success; it was time to report.
*
The next day, news of Norbeck’s escape rocked the White Palace.
While the Northern nobles were shocked, they also nodded, thinking it was a plausible occurrence. The White Palace had only recently been reopened. Even Lucian, the master of the palace, didn't know every corner of its internal structure yet. If there was an internal collaborator, an escape would have been relatively easy.
However, there was one person who simply could not accept the situation: Glen.
“What do you mean by that?! Norbeck Calix escaped?!”
“It seems someone deceived the jailer and opened the door. I’m not sure what method they used. I don't know every nook and cranny of the White Palace myself.”
“No, who on earth would dare... Ugh!”
At Lucian’s words, Glen could only groan, unable to say anything more. He knew better than anyone how long the White Palace had been sealed. Due to a severe shortage of servants, there were still parts of the palace that were half-abandoned. If the conspirators had moved through those areas to plan the escape, it was entirely possible.
“Let’s set aside who collaborated for now. The House of Calix has been rooted in the North for centuries. It’s not strange for a few voluntary collaborators to emerge. What matters is what happens next.”
Lucian stared at the map hanging on the wall with a calm expression.
“If Norbeck fled, he’s almost certainly heading for his territory. After that, he’ll gather his troops to resist while shouting about his innocence.”
“You’re saying a war will break out.”
“I wouldn't be so sure. By now, everyone knows the House of Calix is a sinking ship. If we can properly refute his nonsense, it will be a one-sided subjugation.”
Conversely, if his nonsense started to gain credibility, it would become a real war. Glen realized what Lucian was implying and squeezed his eyes shut.
This is maddening. If we escort the mage away now, it’ll look like the Imperial family is stabbing Lord Lucian in the back.
The pros and cons regarding the mage’s existence had been weighed before, but with Norbeck’s escape, the stakes had multiplied. And now they were going to take the mage away and dump all the fallout on Lucian? It was an outrage that would justify immediately canceling half the debts they had foisted upon him.
“Even though he escaped, your task remains the same, Sir Glen. Tomorrow, you will simply ask His Majesty for his decision regarding the mage. I’m counting on you.”
“...Yes.”
Glen nodded quietly at Lucian’s calm tone. As he said, there was no other action he could take besides reporting the situation to the Emperor.
Not long after Glen left the office, another visitor arrived.
“Your Highness. I have returned after perfectly completing the mission you gave me.”
Lucian snorted at Thorkel’s brazen words.
“Perfectly, my foot. You said you’d see me at the banquet, but you didn't return until after I’d already gone on the Hundred-Day Hunt.”
“Well, that was... but I still handled the job flawlessly!”
“It’s useless if you miss the deadline. Still, I suppose there’s value in the fact that you proved your capability.”
Thorkel breathed a sigh of relief at Lucian’s words, which sounded like a special pardon. Lucian gestured for Thorkel to take a seat before asking something he was curious about.
“Your friend... the third son of the Beor family, was it? How is he after becoming the lord? Does he still say he’ll stay on my side?”
“He doesn't have a choice. No matter if he’s a blood relative with succession rights, a rebellion is still a rebellion. He desperately needs Your Highness’s recognition to stabilize his foundation.”
“That’s a relief then. I was worried he might change his tune once he sat in the family head’s chair.”
“Change his tune? He’d lick your boots if you told him to. You’ll be able to see for yourself soon. But about yesterday....”
“Quiet.”
Thorkel flinched at the drop in Lucian’s voice. Simultaneously, his instincts rang an alarm. If he took one more step, the trust he had barely regained would crumble again.
“...The moon was very clear yesterday. I just wanted to say it was a shame we couldn't view it together.”
“The opportunity will come eventually. Is there anything else you want to say?”
“No. Instead, I shall listen intently whenever Your Highness speaks.”
“A good answer. You may leave.”
Just as Thorkel stood up to leave the office, Lucian spoke as if he had just remembered something.
“Oh, you said you drank that potion, right? You should probably get some good rest for the next three or four days.”
“Pardon? You said it wasn't poison.”
“It’s not poison, but since it forcibly draws out your strength, the lethargy and muscle pain the next day are no joke. If you push yourself just because you feel full of energy now, you’ll end up groaning in bed.”
In this era, it might be treated like useless trash, but in times of war, everyone carried one as a spare life-line. It had almost no side effects and was incredibly effective when used in danger. However, if one didn't rest properly, those minor side effects could worsen and cause health problems.
“...I will keep that in mind.”
Thorkel left the room with a slightly pale face. Watching him go, Lucian let out a chuckle.
“He’ll be quite useful with a bit more polishing.”
Perhaps because he had nearly failed once, Thorkel had matured significantly. He had learned to suppress his hot-bloodedness and hide his emotions; all that remained was experience.
“Anyway, that old man is in for a miserable time.”
He had let him escape, but the journey back to his territory would be grueling for an old body. At first, he would be bursting with energy, but later, every part of him would ache. If he returned to his territory in that state without being able to rest, he was bound to collapse.
He had lost his son, lost his reputation, and if his health failed him as well, what would happen?
Instead of rallying other forces, even the ones he has will disintegrate.
That was the fate of an unreliable leader. Lucian sipped his tea and muttered to himself.
“Please, just hold on a little longer.”
Because once I’m done with you, I’ll crush you with my own hands.