Chapter 137
Chapter 137
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: The Betrayer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Riang!”
“I know.”
Riang ran toward the carriage. Alrod glared at the charging knights before throwing himself sideways.
A knight’s swinging sword whistled past his ear. It was a close call.
“What the hell are you guys doing?”
“At least ask for their names.”
“If they wanted to talk, they wouldn’t have charged like that.”
None of his comrades were injured. The captain’s words suddenly came to mind. ‘We could get stabbed in the back anytime, so keep up your training.’
“Good thing I listened to the captain.”
“What’re you talking about?”
“He said we could die from a sword to the back if we don’t train.”
“Yeah, he did say that. Damn it.”
Hooves crushed the scattered firewood on the ground, sending up faint sparks. Alrod eyed the six horses circling widely.
“The carriage?”
“The horses’ eyes have been gouged out. No way it’s moving.”
Riang grumbled. So the first charge had been a ploy to pin their feet.
Alrod said to his comrades,
“If it looks bad, pull back immediately. We have to survive and tell Kalligo and the captain. There’s a traitor in the Special Inspectorate.”
“Could be one of us.”
Delen said. Alrod didn’t deny it.
“Either way, information leaked. That’s clear.”
Riang said, staring at the carriage.
“What about the mages?”
“If their goal is to recover the mages…”
“We take them out first.”
The mages were trapped in the Imaginary Realm. He’d even set up magical safeguards for any contingencies. Killing them wouldn’t cause mana issues.
“They’re spreading out.”
Unlike the first assault, the six horses approached slowly, keeping their distance. They had no intention of leaving survivors. Even if they scattered and fled, the knights would pursue relentlessly.
Alrod thought without showing it. Who was it that first suggested camping here?
Eyes turned to Riang, including his own. They were all thinking the same.
“That hurts.”
Riang leaped backward. They tried to grab him but were a step too late. The knights were closing in.
“There’s no malice here. I really liked you guys. But this is unavoidable. It’s my job.”
“What’d they pay you? Land? Money?”
“That’s too cheap. If that was the deal, I’d have stayed with you. Wait, was I ever really with you?”
Delen hurled his handaxe. The skill that always won their betting games now aimed to sever a comrade’s neck.
Riang ducked low. The axe barely missed.
“No mercy, huh.”
“Did we ever learn that?”
Alrod told the others to prepare to scatter. They couldn’t stick together against horses with superior mobility. They had to head for the forest.
He knew entering the forest at night under moonlight was dangerous, but it beat being chased across open plains by armed knights.
“Abandon the mages?”
“You got a way to go toe-to-toe with mounted knights? I sure don’t.”
“Me neither. Should’ve brought Blind.”
“I’m better than him, aren’t I?”
Whether from the captain’s influence, their banter never stopped even in dire straits. Maybe not losing their humor was the Special Inspectorate’s strength.
“See you in the Holy City.”
“The survivor gives the rest a proper funeral.”
“For me, no cremation. Tree burial’s the trend.”
“That’s just scattering ashes after cremation.”
“Oh? Then just bury me. I hate fire.”
“Your last words are all so lame.”
Delen moved first. A knight broke off from the group to chase him.
They scattered without overlapping paths. Alrod glared at Riang by the carriage before dashing into the forest.
* * *
“I guess it’s time for me to step down. These up-and-comers are all so talented. Clinging on like this doesn’t look good.”
“What are you saying? The empire runs and the council has power because you hold the line, Duke Senatia.”
“What power does an old retiree like me have? Your Majesty jests too much.”
Senatia chuckled. Arthen struggled to hold back a sneer.
Empty talk. Discussing the empire’s future with con artists would be more productive.
He couldn’t blame the other side alone—their own words were just as meaningless.
With nothing revealed and only grasping sought, words lost meaning and rang hollow.
This was why he hated it. Mingling with the council’s elder statesman.
From his days as the 4th Imperial Prince to now as emperor, the council had remained unshaken.
Time to retire, pass it to the next generation, that’s enough—the elders’ constant refrain, yet none followed through.
They glued their heavy haunches to the council’s top seats, eyeing the empire’s affairs with sly gazes.
Vipers reaching for any noble, old blood or new, principles be damned, if useful.
The disgust probably stemmed from knowing he wasn’t so different.
Arthen checked his watch and said,
“Enjoyed the talk.”
“It was nice to chat intimately with Your Majesty after so long. The Holy City’s upheaval isn’t all bad. Without this, we wouldn’t even have the chance.”
The ones who always made excuses to skip summons now hid their thoughts behind smiles.
Senatia paused on his way out, leaning on his cane.
“Your wise Majesty surely knows, but this old body worries, so allow me one word.”
“Speak.”
“Don’t look too deeply into us. We’re uninvolved in this.”
“We’ll see in time.”
“That wounds me. Rather, we’d ask Your Majesty. What are you hiding? We strive humbly for the empire. Reveal your intentions without worry, and we’ll do our duty to the utmost.”
“I’m always grateful to the council elders. But I’ll handle this myself. Shamefully, there are too many rats in the imperial house and Holy City. Time to weed them out. Can’t burden the elders with such filth, so this young one will wield the hand.”
“Your words cut sharp. Sad affair. We’ve served empire and throne loyally since his late Majesty’s time.”
“Not my intent—how strange. Duke Senatia, an old proverb: Thieves suspect every word, saints understand all. I trust the council elders as saints.”
“Thank you for the wisdom, Your Majesty. I’ll pass it to the comrades.”
“Do. And convey my concern for the elders’ health.”
The council elder departed. Tain, who’d stood rigidly by the wall, moved and poured fresh tea, offering it.
“What do you think?”
“From what I’ve seen, no different from usual. Tightened surveillance on the elders, but no suspicious moves.”
“They’ve held their seats since Father’s time. They’ll thrash to keep what they have. Tenacious bastards.”
“No hope they dream of Gilliud’s salvation.”
“Not yet. But people are unpredictable. Nearing death, they fret the afterlife. If current power doesn’t guarantee it, those old men would sell the present for what comes after.”
“Terrifying.”
“Terror in my own front yard. Must root them out.”
Tain stood by with the report. Arthen waved off the recitation and read it himself, Tain adding notes.
“Secured multiple women who’ve lost their wits. Likely used to open the Unstable Realm.”
“Entry logs? Everyone with fits was recorded at inspections.”
“Checking last two years—only three reports of women entering with memory loss or hallucinations.”
“Hole punched through? Or…”
He set down the report.
“Item ledgers?”
“Administration 2nd Bureau is auditing fully.”
“High chance smuggled in disguised as goods. Easier with an inside man. Number of women used as resources?”
“Over fifty secured.”
“That many survivors means far more entered the Holy City. With Gilliud’s dogs.”
“Tried questioning, but even simple talk impossible. Intellect regressed to infancy.”
Arthen pressed his temple with his thumb.
“Care for them well. Victims, after all.”
“Yes.”
The elimination process narrowed the list, headaches mounting. Only the powerful remained.
Those controlling Holy City access, placing men at checkpoints, knowing internal affairs.
“Council and First-Class Families thinking the same. As I suspect them, they suspect me.”
“Just give the word. I’ll drag them in.”
“Politics with blades isn’t politics. No steel without certainty. No, indeed.”
If he could command Hus at will, he’d sweep politics aside—but that guy wasn’t a minion to boss around. Nor did he want to.
“How’s Hus—no, Lander these days?”
“Busy. Kea, Ariel’s First-Class Noble residence, Viscount’s mansion. Lately reviewing Administration Bureau files.”
“Great at the big picture. He’ll snag something. But bureau files?”
“Yes. Set aside discreet space.”
“Similar thoughts, then.”
The Chief Chamberlain knocked and entered.
“Director Aleng has arrived.”
“Toughest one yet.”
“Shall I show him in?”
“Yes.”
A meeting as grueling as the council elder.
Aleng was exceptional. His extreme progressive streaks disconcerting at times, but sound on reflection—hard to refute.
Capable, steadfast, revered by subordinates and citizens.
Yet no power hunger, symbol of integrity.
That’s why, when Hus returned from the 15-year war, Arthen had called Aleng privately. To care for his precious friend.
But now, he had to suspect Aleng.
Praying it wasn’t so. If Aleng sided with Gilliud, nothing worse.
“Your Majesty. You summoned?”
“Come in. Feels ages since we talked, so I called.”
Arthen greeted Aleng with a warm smile.
(To be continued)