Chapter 91
Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: To the West
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The empire's vast territory was densely connected by beacon fires, so news from beyond the borders reached the imperial palace in half a day. In particular, the western border regions, where wraith activity remained active, sent daily reports under northern surveillance. That was why the dukes had been summoned in the early dawn. At midnight the previous night, five pillars of fire had risen simultaneously from the western border.
"The largest horde of wraiths ever observed has been confirmed."
A northern knight reported in a heavy voice before the cardinal and the dukes.
"Moreover, the confirmed wraiths took the form of snakes and four-legged beasts. This is the first time multiple types of wraiths have appeared together."
"That's quite the disaster."
Clavis said, looking around at the dukes. The two dukes glared coldly at the shameless man. There were not three dukes gathered in the council chamber, but only two. Northern Duke Iura Plenus, Southern Duke Bill Alres. Even Lena Rubel, the proxy of the Southern Duke, filled a seat, but for some reason, the Eastern Duke was absent. Instead, his retainer Deka Monil was stiffly taking his place.
'Is Lin still outside?'
As Lena thought while glancing at Deka, Clavis continued.
"It seems they've made up their minds over there. Just like when Do-um Palace collapsed, and now using the western passage. They have no intention of going down without a fight."
At his words, Lena, Iura, and Deka naturally recalled it. Just a few days ago, the wraiths pouring out ferociously from the rift in Do-um Palace. As Clavis said, the kings of the wraiths had no intention of sitting idly by while their hearts were taken.
"So what do we do now?"
The impatient Southern Duke pressed Clavis.
"Hmm, in a way, this is actually good timing."
"Good timing?"
"His Majesty is furious. He's been asking what to do about conquering the tombs while Do-um Palace is being repaired. So how about we take this chance to strike the kings through the passage in the west?"
Clavis's perspective was remarkably consistent. Even hearing that wraiths were swarming toward the west, he was still solely focused on catering to Nihil's whims.
"Let's go west."
Clavis said, meeting the Southern Duke's narrowed gaze.
"Have the Northern Duke lead the subjugation with knights, and conquer the tombs in the west."
His words were truly simple and light. Thus, the dukes' gazes grew even colder.
. . .
Right after the assembly ended, before following the Southern Duke, Lena approached Deka first.
"Sir."
When Lena called cautiously, Deka and the eastern knights did not react with alarm. They were merely pondering how to address Lena Rubel, the proxy of the Southern Duke and the sovereign's fiancée.
"Do you happen to know where the Eastern Duke is?"
Lena whispered to Deka. If he didn't know the location of Lin, who was out on a secret mission, she planned to tell him the address of the inn where he had stayed the night before. But instead, Deka delivered unexpected news to Lena.
"His Highness departed for the west last night."
"Pardon?"
"He recognized the situation a step ahead and left with the minimal personnel."
Deka reported in a lowered voice. Then, hesitating, he added.
"He left in such haste that he couldn't leave word for Lady Lena."
Lena was at a loss for words at the unimaginable story. So Deka fidgeted, worried that his liege, who never hesitated in acting alone or arbitrarily, might have hurt the destined partner he had finally met. Lena blinked for a moment before asking again.
"Then, is a rendezvous point set?"
"Ah, yes. He said to meet at the gateway to the western border region."
As Deka answered, he glanced at her cautiously and added.
"His Highness prefers to move alone by nature. I hope there are no misunderstandings...."
"Misunderstandings? I'm just worried."
Lena smiled gently, reassuring Deka. Then, as she turned away, she thought. Something felt off. Deka might not know, but Lena had met Lin the night before. Up until then, he knew nothing about this urgent report. Yet he had grasped the situation in the middle of the night and left for the west? How, when he had been alone outside? Moreover, for a duke to prefer moving alone. This wasn't the time to act based on mere preferences. Lena couldn't shake the suspicion. And more than that, she felt regret. For yesterday, when he had fled the scene like he was running away.
'If I'd known it would be like this......'
She should have stayed longer. Shouldn't have stopped the conversation and talked it through to the end. Lena had woken early that dawn. Not on purpose, but her eyes had opened on their own. And her heart had raced a little. Because Lin's words from the day before, his expression and voice, replayed vividly. Lin had called it a possibility. The various possibilities that could be created with someone who shared the same feelings. So Lena wanted to ask. Whether there truly was such a possibility for her, who couldn't touch the person she loved, and him, with little time left. Yesterday, flustered, she had fled the scene, but whether today or tomorrow, when they met again, she wanted to talk seriously. Yet suddenly, they couldn't meet. If she'd known, she wouldn't have run away like that yesterday. Lena felt that lingering regret. But she didn't dwell in disappointment for long. Because she believed they would meet soon.
***
The news that wraiths were swarming from the west spread surprisingly smoothly. Reports of unusual activity in the west had been coming in for some time before, and the nobles in the imperial palace had little interest in the distant region's affairs. Only the northern nobles bordering the west were a bit anxious, but with the massive walls at the border anyway, even they weren't overly worried. Amid that lukewarm concern, the knight orders were formed. Since the battle would be tougher due to the area the wraiths had overrun, Iura, appointed as commander, placed Rubid and Lena in the vanguard advance team with him. A small number of knights to escort them were quickly assembled, and just two days after the urgent report arrived, the departure ceremony was held. And during that time, there was no word from Lin. Lena found Iura unfamiliar but was satisfied with being in the vanguard. Because it meant she could meet Lin if they went west like this. It was just as departure loomed.
"If you see the Eastern Duke, pass this on, Lady Lena. It's easy to cause misunderstandings if he rushes too far ahead."
As Clavis, blessing Iura's knight order at the palace entrance, approached Lena and sniped.
So Lena smiled sweetly in return.
"Tell the east's matters to the east."
"Sharp as ever."
Clavis smirked at Lena's cutting reply. Then he whispered more softly.
"You can at least pass this on, right? You're his fiancée, after all. Ah, he didn't leave without a word to you too, did he, Lady Lena?"
Lena's smile froze as anger welled up. Whether intentional or coincidence, Clavis had poked right at her sore spot. As Lena's already cold gaze chilled further, Clavis beamed innocently.
"It's a joke. No way he did that. He's your lover, after all. Unless it's a fake lover."
'This guy......'
Does he know something? As Lena eyed him suspiciously, Clavis smiled even brighter. Then he annoyingly changed the subject.
"Well then, while you all subjugate the wraiths, the church will investigate the kings' names. We'll relay them as soon as we find out, so stay safe until then. Not that I'm greatly worried."
Clavis said that, looking sequentially at Lena, Iura, and Rubid. With the Eastern Duke, who had arbitrarily left his post, already departed, it was truly the empire's strongest forces heading west. Watching them, Clavis thought to himself.
'It would be a bit problematic if they actually subjugate the west.'
But he smiled whiter still and bid farewell with words utterly opposite his true feelings.
"May God's blessings be with you."
***
Over the past century, the empire's territory had expanded endlessly outward. The empire had particularly aggressively expanded its lands in the early days of founding, mainly targeting neighboring nations. Some had resisted to the end, others surrendered willingly. The west was among those that had become Grasha of their own accord. The Sirenchium dynasty that ruled the west had close blood ties to the Grasha dynasty, and thus proudly joined as part of Grasha. For that reason, the west had a peculiar pride as "true imperial citizens," but when the Western Duke abandoned the west and fled, that odd sense of superiority was utterly shattered. And the current west looked nothing like it did six years ago, when Lena had passed through.
'Back then, it was such a bustling city......'
Six years ago, when Lena headed to the western citadel with Clavis, the west was still thriving. So even as she was dragged along, Lena had thought the western cities were as grand and lively as the capital. But that was now ancient history, and abandoned by the empire, gloom hung over every city now. Lena surveyed the ashen cityscape as she approached the gateway.
"Ah, what business brings you......?"
The city gatekeeper asked Lena politely.
"I have something I'd like to ask."
"Yes, please speak."
"Has the Eastern Duke passed through this gate by any chance?"
"Yes, he passed two days ago."
Two days. The gap had widened further. At the last gate, it had been one day ahead. Lena was traveling to the western border region incorporated into Iura's knight order. They had departed on Thursday, and today was already Sunday. On the third day of forced march, they still hadn't caught up to the Eastern Duke.
"He didn't rest at all, just changed horses and kept going. According to the accompanying knight, it took only two days from the capital here."
To traverse in two days what Iura's knight order took three. It meant he was riding as if his body might shatter. Lena couldn't understand why Lin was hurrying so much. It made her anxious and worried. It would be better if they went together—why charge ahead so recklessly? After confirming Lin's whereabouts, Lena nodded.
"Thank you for letting me know, sir."
"Ah, Lady."
But as Lena turned to leave, the gatekeeper called her back.
"It's two days from here to the border region's walls. Even the Eastern Duke who went ahead will stop there."
At the gatekeeper's addition, Lena thanked him again and turned. Then it suddenly hit her. In two days, she could meet Lin. And that day was Tuesday—Lena's birthday. Lena smiled bitterly at the coincidence.
'Come to think of it, it's my birthday.'
She had forgotten about birthdays for years now, but Yuni's bookmark had brought it back to mind. Lena felt more bitter than pleased. She truly hated the old her who had gone to her father expecting a birthday gift that day. So she had deliberately erased her birthday, yet here it was resurfacing at this time. Her mood felt strange, but Lena dismissed it as needless thought. That was when it happened.
"Done with your business?"
A cheeky voice came from a short distance away. Looking back, a quite handsome blond young man was picking a pointless fight.
"What're you staring at?"
His name was Rubid Plenus. With neither Clavis nor the Rubel marquis around, he was needling Lena out of discomfort at being with his brother—a young man who desperately needed attention.