Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Ghosts of the Past (7)
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The warhorse's back was foaming as it panted heavily.
After racing day and night without rest, the grandeur of the Belfern Ducal House finally came into view.
It was far more ornate than the Nordelheim Ducal House.
That one prioritized practicality, avoiding any unnecessary decorations.
It was an impregnable fortress that couldn't shake off the feel of a key military stronghold.
The soldiers at the gate spotted me approaching and immediately raised their weapons in alert.
"Halt! State your business!"
One soldier shouted.
I dismounted and walked calmly toward them.
Familiarity flickered in their eyes.
They recognized me.
"Stand aside. I wish to see Duke Belfern."
But soon, a young soldier lunged forward, pointing his weapon at me.
He had stepped out alone while the others hesitated.
"The Duke doesn't meet with just anyone. Judging by your unannounced arrival, you clearly don't know that—"
In an instant, a fellow soldier smacked him on the back of the head.
Without giving him a chance to protest, he forced the young man's head down in a bow.
"Are you insane? It's Duke Valencia…!"
"D-Duke? The one who collapsed a mountain…? Why is he here…?!"
"How should I know, you idiot!"
An apology spilled from his mouth in the next moment.
"S-Sorry! This fool didn't recognize you, my lord…! I'll make sure he's properly disciplined, so please, just this once…!"
I cleanly ignored their reactions and cut straight to the point.
Time was already short on the way to Belfern.
I had no leisure to fuss over every little thing.
"It's urgent. I need information on a man who likely passed through here recently."
I described Chuwugeom's appearance in as much detail as possible.
His height, build, hair color, the most distinctive glint in his eyes, and even his attire.
"Have you seen anyone like that?"
The soldiers' faces twisted subtly.
I could see them exchanging glances.
They clearly knew something, but the atmosphere was one of reluctance to speak.
"W-Well… you see—"
"No one like that has come here. Even if someone similar passed by… it wouldn't be the man you're looking for, my lord."
Strong denial.
An attitude that lumped together my evidence and suspicions into a flat "no."
I felt a sense of déjà vu at their demeanor and narrowed my eyes.
'Rank-and-file soldiers have no reason to hide it. Unless they've received orders from above.'
"I'll ask again. Have you seen him?"
"We don't know. We see all sorts passing through here…"
So, what was the optimal approach to extract information from them?
Pretending nonchalance or repeating the question verbatim wouldn't yield much.
If they were consciously keeping quiet, I needed something to force it out.
I decided to probe.
"That bastard stole my Rigid Body Armament and fled. If you're concealing that fact and blocking me… you won't get off lightly. No, now that you know, you're definitely in for it."
As I spoke, I quickly observed their reactions.
One flinched but barely held his expression; the other trembled noticeably.
They knew something about him.
As I quietly released a hint of killing intent, the soldier who flinched badly opened his mouth.
Just as he was about to speak, the gate creaked open, and a middle-aged man emerged.
He was the head steward, with a calm yet steadfast presence.
"What is the meaning of this? Causing a commotion at the gates."
The soldiers glanced at him and immediately lowered their weapons, bowing their heads.
I turned my gaze to him.
"You seem to know who I am. As I just said, I'm pursuing a man. He passed through this area with a young girl in tow."
The steward's face showed no hint of agitation.
Unlike the soldiers, his act was flawless, without the slightest tremor.
"I know nothing of such a person. If I may be so bold, the Belfern Ducal House is currently hosting esteemed guests. Any further disturbance…"
The thought flashed that Franz's Belferns were aligned with the Empress.
Without hesitation, I pulled Franz's letter from my bosom and held it out to the steward.
"What about this, then? Surely you know Franz Eldin."
"H-How did you…?"
The steward's eyebrow twitched faintly at the sight of the seal.
He took the letter, broke it open, and skimmed the contents.
Seeming genuinely surprised that I'd met Franz, he showed clear signs of fluster.
But only for a moment.
He tucked the letter neatly away and shook his head.
This was different from what he'd implied—that the letter alone would suffice.
"A letter from Lord Franz is reason enough to grant passage, but… you cannot see the Duke right now. Another guest—an extremely important one—is with him, and all audiences are forbidden."
'The reaction isn't what I expected. And… the answer is evasive.'
My question was whether they'd seen a man matching my description.
But the response sidestepped to say I couldn't see Duke Belfern.
I quickly scanned the steward's face, but he maintained his impassive expression.
'Not that the Duke is Chuwugeom. Is this an indirect hint that the Duke holds information on him?'
Franz's letter hadn't been entirely useless, then.
'Dropping a hint this subtle means…'
It proved the steward couldn't handle the fallout alone.
The Sword Saint's power wouldn't sway him, and Duke Belfern was concealing the info.
Which implied someone above the Duke was orchestrating something.
This turned my hypothesis into conviction.
Franz's guess might be spot on.
"That guest is the man I'm after. Step aside."
Strength laced my voice.
I deliberately infused it with killing intent, spreading it around.
The steward's face paled for an instant before he regained his poker face.
He still blocked the gate, shaking his head.
"Then there's no helping it."
I judged further time-wasting pointless.
I simultaneously drew up Aura Energy and Wave, pulling out my Rigid Body Armament.
I planned to thrust it aside and punch through the gate.
"That should do it. And Duke Valencia."
A low, dignified voice echoed from beyond the gate.
The doors swung fully open, revealing him.
Men clad in Imperial Army uniforms adorned with golden embellishments.
Familiar faces among them.
Powerhouses I'd encountered at least once on the Northern Frontline.
Most bore the Platinum Iron Blood medal.
They were thoroughly armed.
This was armament on par with—no, surpassing—the force assembled for the Ereveon subjugation.
'What…?'
Why was such overwhelming force gathered here?
'Did a new Great Beast appear?'
I dismissed that notion immediately.
Combined, these men could grind down dozens of Great Beasts.
For a single Great Beast, it was blatant overkill.
It only made sense if they were hunting something comparable to the First Great Beast.
As I sensed something was deeply amiss—
A man with mixed black and white hair stepped forward slowly from among them.
As the generals parted, the figure behind him came into view.
The Empress's closest confidant, akin to her shadow.
Gerhardt spoke.
"Her Majesty awaits you." ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Empress was staying in a temporary residence.
Temporary in name only—it dwarfed and outshone any other mansion.
Entering the Empress's quarters, I found her seated in a simple chair.
She still wore the veil that hid her thoughts impenetrably.
She had been enjoying tea time on the terrace and welcomed me.
"Ah, Duke Valencia. I've been waiting. Sit here."
At her gesture, I took the seat opposite her.
For some reason, she seemed unusually beaming with a rare smile.
"What tea would you like? I quite fancy tea myself. Whatever you desire, I'll have it brought."
I'd come hunting Chuwugeom, only to find the Empress waiting to greet me.
I began turning my mind furiously.
'Why is the Empress waiting? And those troops on standby?'
Though my thoughts raced inwardly, I kept my face neutral.
To buy more time, I ordered a tea she surely wouldn't have.
Her smile seemed to deepen at my choice.
"Of course."
As if she'd anticipated my order, a maid brought the tea not five seconds later.
I stared at the steaming cup—
'—Wrong move.'
I was already ensnared.
With a sigh, I faced the Empress squarely.
"Luella. Where is she?"
"In the vessel of the demigod you slew."
The Empress grinned mischievously.
"Though I hesitate to advise given your foolish choice, it was all my design. Chuwugeom was merely a puppet dancing to my command."