Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Poisoned Duke
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The Duke's own son can't even have a conversation with him?
What the hell does that mean?
After all that hellish ride in the carriage to get here, I was on the verge of coming up empty-handed.
"Veriht, could you explain that a bit more clearly?"
Marina asked Veriht gravely. He nodded, biting his lip.
"Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask one question."
"Go ahead."
"Can you truly trust Deyan?"
"...?"
Even knowing I'm his friend's little brother, that's his attitude?
What's this about?
Marina sensed it wasn't a casual remark and answered carefully.
"Of course. Veriht, Deyan is the person I trust most right now."
"Very well. Then, Your Highness—and Deyan—I'll show you the reason for myself."
Veriht said no more and started walking.
We're heading into the castle.
He and the Black Knights naturally moved to escort the imperial carriage, but Marina stopped them.
"I won't take the carriage."
"It's quite a distance from here to the castle, Your Highness. Wouldn't it be better to ride?"
"No. We were ambushed on the way here, so their eyes are surely on the Duke's territory too. Let's go as discreetly as possible."
With that, Marina approached the escort captain who'd been guarding her from the palace.
"Captain, to avoid drawing attention, it might be best if I enter the Duke's residence alone. Could you and the escorts hide the carriage in a suitable spot, disguise yourselves as travelers instead of imperial soldiers, and wait in Qual until I call for you?"
It wasn't really a request.
She was the princess, after all. Besides, with Veriht and the Black Knights, her safety was assured.
Sure enough, the captain bowed without hesitation.
"As you command. We'll stay nearby, so if you need us... just sound this."
The captain knelt on one knee and handed her a horn whistle.
Marina nodded as she took it. Soon after, the captain and escorts conferred with Veriht, and some Black Knights left with them.
They wouldn't show themselves unless Marina called.
Well, they'd probably still circle around her protectively.
The key was that Marina wasn't making an official visit as princess, so this was sufficient.
Marina soon ducked into the carriage, changed clothes, and emerged.
"This is more comfortable."
She shrugged at me.
It was the red robe from Trial Valley.
Unlike her original dress, it was tattered and faded in places—unless someone saw her face, no one would peg her as the princess.
"Your Highness is absolutely right. And if you entered formally, it would draw all sorts of eyes—better to keep things quiet."
Veriht agreed and led the way.
"Then allow me to guide you to the Duke's territory."
We followed him and the Black Knights toward the castle.
As he said, it was a fair distance, and Marian and Nellin struggled a bit.
"Ugh... the carriage was so nice!"
"Just a little longer, Nellin. But yeah, it's tough."
Everyone else was a martial artist, so it made sense.
I patted their backs encouragingly.
"Hang in there."
I subtly infused them with pure qi without anyone noticing.
And sure enough...
"Huh?"
"Young Master?"
Marian and Nellin perked up again.
"I suddenly feel energized."
"Yeah! It's weird—Young Master's encouragement actually gives me strength."
Similar reactions, but...
"Nellin, that's a bit of an odd compliment."
"Hahaha... No, Young Master!"
Nellin laughed awkwardly and quickened her pace. For the girls' health, I should teach them something basic soon.
Good deeds deserve good returns, right?
Whenever Marian and Nellin tired, I'd infuse them with qi, and our group's pace gradually picked up.
Before long, Christopher Duke's territory—the port city of Qual—was right before us.
"Whoa..."
"It's huge."
Marian and Nellin gasped in awe. Veriht nodded proudly.
"The result of our proud ancestors' efforts and the people's hard work."
Was he trying to show off the Duke's prestige and the citizens' pride?
True to his words, Qual was a city built backing onto an endless sea.
The Pador family's lands weren't small, but compared to this port city, they were a backwater.
In my first life, I'd wandered the continent against my will, but I'd never seen a city on Qual's scale.
I'd avoided crowded places, mostly.
Qual wasn't just big—its layout was exquisite too.
Buildings in cool tones gleamed under the sun, incorporating the vast sea beyond—not just land and structures.
"Then let's head in."
To stay discreet, Veriht guided us not through the main gate, but a side entrance for soldiers only.
As soon as we entered the Duke's territory...
"Fine inns right here! This way!"
"Weapons from Iron City for sale! Cheap!"
"Tell me quick—who confessed?"
"Love! It's right here in Qual!"
Hawkers, women giggling over romance, musicians strumming guitars wherever...
Qual's vibe hit me at once.
Clearly thriving.
To judge land's worth, skip nobles' mansions—look at the common folk.
Rotten places lack laughter and feel empty.
This one? Overflowing with life, almost too much.
Plus, Veriht and the Black Knights had a good rep.
"Lord Veriht! Try these apples! The new harvest's delicious."
"Hard work today, as always!"
People approached freely.
"Really? I must try that apple."
Veriht, son of the realm's highest noble, mingled naturally with commoners.
And this guy's the rebel leader...
Life's unpredictable. If something's off, it's way off.
After entering the outer castle, oblivious to his own future, he whispered to me.
"Deyan, sorry, but could you leave your servants and that knight here?"
Veriht phrased it politely but firmly.
Fine by me—especially Nellin, a walking accident waiting to happen, even unintentionally.
Not a bad idea.
We needed lodging anyway.
If Marina visited officially as princess, maybe, but incognito? No staying at the Duke's.
I could've claimed Pador heir status openly, but with plots possibly brewing—based on circumstances or my memories—I couldn't drag Marian and Nellin in recklessly.
I finished thinking and called Nellin.
"We'll do that, Nellin!"
"Yes?"
"Go grab some Qual street food. Jayvolg, find a nearby inn."
Nellin bolted at "food."
Nellin, seriously... food first?
Marian and Jayvolg answered for her.
"Understood."
"We'll be back!"
Leaving the three, we crossed the vast outer castle toward the inner one.
Hm?
Unlike the outer, inner guards were on high alert.
Definitely hiding something.
Normally, robed Marina or I would've had to identify ourselves, but with Veriht? Guards inspected others rigorously but waved us through unquestioned.
The Black Knights followed until the inner castle, then halted.
Only select few beyond here.
Just Veriht, Marina, and me continued.
Veriht strode into the keep, guards stationed deeper in.
Suddenly, what if they were enemies?
Probably dead.
Duke's soldiers were elite.
Higher up, guards seemed overqualified.
Especially the last one.
At the top stairs: a knight towering two heads above most, massively built.
No way...
His aura rivaled Pador family knight captains.
Just like Janitz on duty.
But such a knight guarding meant deep secrets inside.
Sure enough.
He didn't open the door, asking Veriht our identities.
"Lord Veriht, these people...?"
Marina silently lowered her hood a bit.
"...!"
A knight that skilled would recognize the princess.
And yep.
He checked her face, started kneeling. Marina stopped him.
"Quietly."
"As you wish..."
He stepped aside, blocking the stairs with his bulk to hide her.
Passing him, Veriht finally stopped at a small door.
"The Duke is inside."
Tiny for a Duke's residence.
"Please don't be startled..."
Creeeak.
"...!"
Rotting stench assaulted us.
Like a decomposing corpse.
That's why the warning?
I was used to it, but...
Marina covered her mouth.
The stink was that bad.
Maybe she thought plugging her nose rude, she lowered her hand.
Veriht waited for her to compose, then entered the curtained room.
"My father is here."
He flung the curtains open. A man lay there.
Light brown hair like Veriht's, eyes closed yet exuding sanctity—a middle-aged man.
Christopher Duren, the Duke.
Second only to the Emperor, revered by nobles—how could such a great man lie so pathetically?
Marina covered her mouth with both hands at the sight.
Rotting smell—from him.
"Veriht... what happened? No... no way."
Her voice trembled.
"The Duke, he..."
"You might misunderstand, but Father is alive."
Proof: his chest rose and fell faintly.
No visible rot, breathing without opening eyes...
Just the corpse-like odor.
Hence the tight security.
If word got out the Duke was a living corpse, imperial chaos.
"So he'll wake soon? Right?"
Marina grabbed Veriht's arm, denying reality. He shook his head somberly.
"It's been a full week like this."
"Ah... ah."
Marina sank to the floor.
For her, every lifeline snapped.
"What about doctors? Priests? Mages?!"
She half-shouted, avoiding the truth.
Veriht couldn't meet her eyes.
"We've tried everything, but no one can even identify the cause."
Figures.
For this Duke. They'd summoned everyone. Exhausted all options.
Yet no cause. Serious issue.
But I could guess it.
From that smell earlier.
To confirm, examine the body.
I told Veriht.
"Lord Veriht."
"Yes, Deyan."
"May I examine the Duke?"
"Examine?"
"Yes, I've studied some medicine."
"A little study won't..."
Marina cut him off with a hand.
"I vouch for Deyan's skills."
"Curious how you two got so close, Your Highness. Trial Valley?"
"That was the start. And Veriht."
Marina beckoned him aside, whispering.
"Truth is, Deyan handled the beasts that ambushed us there—not me."
"Deyan...?"
"Quiet, it's a secret. He used some mysterious power. He might know what's wrong with the Duke. He's from the 'Tang Clan' too."
I can hear you.
"Tang Clan? What's that?"
"No idea. Our homework. But definitely..."
Marina's voice lifted excitedly.
"Without him, I'd be dead at least twice."
"Dead? No..."
"True. Trial Valley, and before reaching here—ambushes both times. He'd have saved me for sure. He told me."
Marina whispered tiny.
"The Tang Clan knows everything."
I never said that?
Misunderstanding snowballing, but Veriht bought it.
"So he knows why Father collapsed?"
"Yes, special secret just for you. Keep it quiet, let Deyan do as he wants. The Tang Clan's power is beyond imagination—they might find a way."
"Understood..."
Veriht reluctantly agreed, hesitant.
"If Your Highness says so, I'll trust it."
Whoosh!
Curtains parted again.
They forced smiles.
Cousins, faces too readable.
Veriht grinned awkwardly at me.
"Give it a go, Deyan! Mihail's brother is like my own!"
"Yes, sir."
I first lifted the fine blanket.
Check nails first—toenails too.
Clean. Good here.
Ears... need cleaning.
"Deyan?"
Veriht eyed my facial checks curiously.
"Quiet, quiet!"
Marina shushed him.
Good. No noise during exams.
To Veriht, I looked eccentric, but standard Tang procedure.
I pried open the Duke's mouth fully. Veriht groaned.
"Nngh..."
Touching a Duke's mouth boldly.
Ignoring, I inspected thoroughly.
Hm, no swollen esophagus or bulging neck veins?
Mouth clean...
My guess wrong? No, impossible.
Where's the issue?
Finally, I secretly pricked his nose meridian with a needle, withdrew.
Tip turned bluish-green.
Gotcha.
Doctors fool eyes, not mine.
Last, probed insides with Ten Thousand Poisons Heavenly King Divine Art qi.
Bingo.
Why couldn't doctors, priests, mages find it?
Simple—not their field.
Amateur poison? Sure, but this was expert work.
Definite.
Christopher Duke.
He'd been poisoned.