Chapter 428: I'll Handle This Operation.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 428: I'll Handle This Operation.
Amelia and Baron Bipolun cast wary glances at the man before them.
Dobellan Sverck Dorasilb.
Like the Bipolun family, he was the current head of the Dorasilb barony, a family that had sworn loyalty to the Grand Duke and forfeited any further promotion in their peerage.
However, while the Bipolun family was a house of knights that produced outstanding warriors, the Dorasilb family were merchants. They led the Dorasilb Merchant Guild, one of the continent's ten largest, and had accumulated immense wealth over many long years.
Not only did he faithfully pay a massive amount in taxes each year, but he had also earned the Grand Duke's deep trust by volunteering to be the primary financier for the Duke Faction.
In effect, he could be considered one of the Grand Duke's closest confidants, alongside Baron Bipolun.
The reason the two of them still found him unsettling was remarkably simple.
“It is a relief, above all else, to see you unharmed, Your Highness. I, Dobellan, never for a moment doubted that you were safe.”
“…Thank you.”
His mustache suited him strangely well, and for a man, his frame was small and thin. His eyes were narrowed into slits that betrayed nothing of his inner thoughts.
On top of that, he was famous for his love of bribes and his skill in flattery and political maneuvering.
In a situation where the traitor's identity was unknown, it was inevitable that Baron Dorasilb would be a prime suspect.
Of course, unlike Baron Bipolun, who was half-convinced he was the traitor, Amelia was still only considering it a possibility.
It had been drilled into her since childhood that she should never judge others by their appearance alone.
Even so, she couldn't easily erase her suspicion of Baron Dorasilb.
Given the current state of affairs, being wary and suspicious of others was a necessary virtue for an heir to the Grand Ducal family.
Amid the strange tension, Baron Dorasilb spoke, his lips curved into their usual faint smile.
“My, we have a gentleman I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting before.”
In that instant, Kang Hyun-woo’s and Baron Dorasilb’s gazes met in mid-air.
Amelia watched Kang Hyun-woo with a flicker of anticipation.
She thought that he, who had consistently displayed such extraordinary and unpredictable abilities, might notice something upon seeing Baron Dorasilb.
“My name is Kang Hyun-woo. I hold no title.”
“What does a title matter? Your face bears the mark of nobility, and your every small gesture reveals a certain dignity. At first, I thought Her Highness had brought her lover.”
“You’re too kind. I, too, found your elegant mustache quite impressive from the moment I first saw you, Baron.”
“Haha, Sir Hyun-woo, you have a truly remarkable eye for beauty. With your sharp presence, I naturally assumed you were a formidable knight, but now I see you also possess the temperament of an artist.”
However, contrary to Amelia’s expectations, the two men simply exchanged warm pleasantries.
“If I may be so bold, could I ask about your relationship with Her Highness?”
“I can explain that.”
Amelia, who had been listening to their conversation, stepped forward.
“Three months ago, as you all know, the Marvil territory fell to the rebel army. Fortunately, with Arca’s help, I was able to escape safely to the Veilhaven Republic, but I had no way of returning to the duchy. It was during that difficult time that Sir Hyun-woo here helped me return safely.”
“…Well, it seems I have misjudged a man.”
Upon hearing Amelia’s words, Baron Dorasilb immediately bowed his head respectfully to Kang Hyun-woo.
“As a loyal subject of the Grand Ducal family, I express my deepest gratitude for Sir Kang Hyun-woo’s grace.”
“Not at all. As a gentleman, how could I simply ignore a lady in distress? I only did what any man ought to do, so please, raise your head.”
At Kang Hyun-woo’s smooth words, Baron Dorasilb and his followers wore expressions of genuine admiration.
“Hah… Truly a magnificent spirit. I never imagined I would learn something from someone at my age, but thanks to Sir Hyun-woo today, I feel my narrow perspective has broadened.”
“You flatter me.”
Listening to their exchange, Amelia’s expression turned slightly peculiar.
The Kang Hyun-woo she knew was not the type to enjoy conversations with men. If anything, he tended to avoid them.
Yet here he was, amiably chatting with Baron Dorasilb, a man even other nobles were wary of upon first meeting.
Watching them, Amelia suddenly thought that perhaps Baron Dorasilb wasn't the traitor after all.
But that thought was fleeting.
“In that case, is the reason you’ve accompanied Her Highness to the ducal castle today perhaps…?”
“Yes, I wish to have an audience with His Highness the Grand Duke.”
The moment Kang Hyun-woo finished speaking, Baron Dorasilb’s gaze changed completely.
“Hoh… I see.”
Baron Dorasilb watched Kang Hyun-woo, his eyes half-open.
The conversation between them ceased.
The Grand Duke’s condition was a top-secret matter known only to a few of his closest aides. It was not a topic to be discussed carelessly in front of servants and other nobles.
And there was no way Baron Bipolun would be unaware of that fact.
Baron Dorasilb’s gaze shifted to Baron Bipolun, who immediately scowled.
Though not a single word was exchanged, Baron Bipolun understood what Baron Dorasilb was trying to say.
“We’ll take our leave first. We can’t keep my father waiting long.”
“…May endless glory be with the Orsia Grand Ducal family.”
At Amelia’s words, Baron Dorasilb bowed his head and stepped aside to clear the path. His followers did the same.
The baron then watched the backs of the three departing figures with a meaningful smile.
*
A short while later, I stopped in front of an ornate door.
…Is this the Grand Duke’s bedroom?
I wondered just how much gold leaf they’d used. It looked like prying off just one of these doors would be worth billions.
I couldn't sense any presence beyond the door.
It seemed to be protected by various barriers and artifacts.
For the record, Baron Bipolun hadn't come with us. He said something urgent had come up and rushed off somewhere.
Ssk-
“Amelia.”
I took Amelia’s hand.
Standing before the door, her hand was trembling faintly.
I clasped her ice-cold fingers tightly and circulated my internal energy, sending warmth into her.
“…Sir Hyun-woo.”
“Do you remember what I told you?”
I whispered low in her ear.
It was only possible because there was no one else around the Grand Duke’s chambers.
Her lips parted for a moment before she lowered her head and mumbled.
“…You said you would definitely heal him. So I shouldn’t worry, and just trust you.”
“You remember well.”
I stroked her hair.
As if that was the trigger, Amelia immediately buried herself in my arms. A faint tremor ran through her, a stark contrast to the warmth of her body, and I held her tight.
A moment later, having managed to compose herself, Amelia stood before the door with a resolute expression.
Creeak—
The doorknob turned slowly, and the door swung open. The Grand Duke’s bedroom that unfolded beyond was as spacious and magnificent as a suite in a seven-star hotel.
But perhaps because of the thick scent of medicinal herbs that permeated the room, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was a hospital room.
An intensive care unit, at that.
The faint, metallic smell of blood hung in the air.
Amid the strange tension, someone was lying on the bed.
“Father…!”
Fwoosh-!
The moment Amelia rushed forward and threw back the canopy…
“…Ah, ahh…!”
A gaunt, middle-aged man lay there, sleeping as if he were dead.
His form, which seemed to be nothing but skin and bones, was so ghastly I could hardly bear to look.
At the horrific sight, Amelia covered her mouth and finally burst into tears.
I quietly approached her side and gently pulled her into an embrace. She immediately buried her face in my chest and sobbed silently.
Pat, pat, pat.
I patted her on the shoulder as I looked at the Grand Duke.
…I’d believe it if you told me he was a corpse.
Baron Bipolun had said the Grand Duke had three months left at most.
But that was the royal physician’s misdiagnosis.
The only reason he had held on this long was because he had reached the level of a high-grade Aura Master. In his current state, it was clear he wouldn't even last a week.
It wouldn’t be strange if he died tomorrow.
The fact that the Grand Duke was alive right now was nothing short of a miracle.
It was as if someone was forcibly keeping him tethered to the world of the living. Whether that someone was a god, or whether it was the mental fortitude he had honed as an exceptional warrior, I couldn't say.
Whatever it is, I need to perform first aid. At this rate, he’ll die in the middle of the treatment.
I had Amelia step back and stood before the Grand Duke.
Just as Baron Bipolun had said, the Grand Duke wasn't sick, nor was he cursed.
In the first place, it was absurd to think that a warrior as powerful as the Grand Duke would lose his life to a mere illness or curse.
Hoo… I’m a little nervous.
Through Lavinia’s memories, I knew what the traitor within the Duke Faction had done to the Grand Duke, and I also knew how to fix it.
But this was my first time attempting the solution myself.
I felt like a surgeon who knew the theory better than anyone but was about to perform his first operation.
The fact that the Grand Duke’s condition was worse than expected didn't help.
If I messed up even slightly, I could end up in prison, charged with the crime of Grand Duke regicide.
“Sir Hyun-woo…”
“Don’t worry.”
But while I was nervous, I wasn't worried.
Men, by nature, tend to feel a surge of baseless confidence in front of a beautiful woman.
Right now, the Grand Duke was in a state of Qi Deviation due to a sudden Heart Demon.
That was why the doctors, mages, and priests had examined him for ages without being able to identify his symptoms.
Moreover, the knights of this world practice a mana cultivation method that accumulates aura in the heart, not the dantian. Unless one had specifically studied medicine, it was nearly impossible to diagnose his condition from his appearance alone.
If you were to ask how Malefis managed to induce Qi Deviation in the Grand Duke, the answer was a Mythical Era artifact.
If something completely incomprehensible happened in this world?
Nine times out of ten, you could assume the Mythical Era was involved.
In fact, just a few decades ago, a Mythical Era golem had suddenly awakened, leading to a catastrophe where tens of thousands lost their lives.
…Still, this guy is a monster. To survive for a year in a state of Qi Deviation…
Qi Deviation is a phenomenon where the qi in one’s body escapes control, causing internal energy to flow in reverse and run rampant.
Typically, a martial artist who falls into Qi Deviation becomes a Killing Star who has lost all reason, but the Grand Duke was using his superhuman mental strength to suppress his rampaging aura.
In that case, only one thing was needed right now.
Tuk, tuk, tuk, tuk, tuk—
‘Yintang, Taiyang, Fengchi, Danzhong, Qihai, Guanyuan, Hegu, Neiguan…’
I used acupoint striking to stop the reverse flow of his internal energy.
Of course, if it could be solved with just that, there wouldn't be so many martial artists dying from Qi Deviation.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“F-Father…!!”
Suppressing the acupoints to stop the reverse flow of internal energy also meant that the energy would stagnate.
Simply put, it could lead to the unfortunate situation where the arm you tied off to stop the bleeding ends up becoming necrotic.
“Amelia.”
I looked at Amelia with a bitter smile.
“About your father. It seems he’ll have to die once.”
“……What?”
Wooooong!!!
The Vajra Qi gathering in my palm brightly illuminated the dark room.
Pushing aside Amelia, who was desperately trying to grab my arm, I struck my palm down toward the Grand Duke’s heart.
—!!!
*
While Kang Hyun-woo was focused on treating the Grand Duke, the nobles of the Duke Faction, having heard the news of Amelia’s return, began to gather one by one in the meeting room.
Baron Bipolun was also there.
However, he wasn't there as a member of the council, but rather stood in the center of the round table like a criminal.
KWANG!!
“Are you out of your mind?!”