Chapter 182
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Killing Two Birds with One Stone, Eh?
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The Ciserpent Earl family.
Its origins traced back to one of the lesser noble houses fabricated by the Blue Dragon Clan during the era when they masqueraded as a demonic cult, serving as a front for external dealings.
Yet even as a facade, its backbone was the Seven Dragon Society, the umbrella organization encompassing all criminal syndicates.
And thanks to the righteous and benevolent nature of the Blue Dragon Clan,
the Ciserpent family had shone in every crisis, gradually elevating their title while earning the adoration of the common folk, the trust of fellow nobles, and even the royal family's support.
Somehow dodging exposure even as Rimon unraveled and crushed their other aliases through sheer luck.
Centuries passed like that.
Before long, the Ciserpent Earl family was hailed as nobility among nobility, wielding more real power in the Great British Empire than even the royal house itself.
Their influence was so profound that when the Blue Dragon Clan came out of the shadows and revealed themselves as the family's true masters, it was accepted with scarcely a murmur of dissent.
Such was the depth and height of the Ciserpent Earl family's traditions and prestige in the Great British Empire.
And at this very moment,
Yuna Kyung was witnessing those storied traditions firsthand with her own eyes.
[Whoa, this is one seriously massive mansion.]
'What are you gawking at? You've been crashing at the Hotel Leviathan like it was your own place.'
[That's different from this. Leviathan's impressive too, sure, but you can't just look at it and feel the weight of history like here, right?]
'Fine, fine. I'll pass that along to my fiancée later.'
[Eek! That's cheating! Don't you dare!]
Rimon chuckled softly.
Though he'd teased Yuna Kyung, he had to agree with her impression.
Perched in the heart of Hampstead Heath hill, which overlooked all of London at a glance, stood a pristine white edifice that dominated the entire expanse.
This castle-like manor—more fortress than mere residence—was a living embodiment of history.
And it wasn't just the antique architecture.
The corridors brimmed with priceless artworks, the gardens wove a floral labyrinth hiding master sculptures at every turn.
Even the floors were polished smooth from countless footsteps, and the repair marks looked centuries old.
Every last pebble rolling around inside this castle-manor reeked of ancient times.
'Brings back old memories.'
Rimon unwittingly softened into a nostalgic expression.
Though the form was different, the aura of profound tradition evoked the place where he'd spent more than half his life.
"Ri? What's up?"
"Oh, just thinking what a venerable old castle this is."
"Of course. It was first built during the Hundred Years' War, after all."
Julia, who was guiding Rimon, smiled gently at his words.
She then regaled him with anecdotes about Ciserpent Castle, flaunting her London study abroad experience.
"Actually, they say this castle wouldn't exist without King Richard I's sacrifice."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. If Richard I hadn't risked his life to halt Joan of Arc's mad advance, London would have faced a slaughter too."
"Yeah, probably."
After beheading Charles VII and sparking a revolution to become the French army's supreme commander herself,
Joan of Arc—Sword Flower—had led every French force in a rampage, torching English villages and cities indiscriminately, massacring men, women, and children alike.
Had Richard I not stood alone to buy time until reinforcements arrived,
and fought until the hundred swords he'd prepared all shattered, delaying her insane march by a full ten days,
not just London, but all of Britain might have vanished then and there.
Julia added lightly, as if joking.
"That's why London's citizens were thrilled when it was built."
"Because they believed it'd be their final bastion if London ever fell into peril again?"
"Exactly. It never actually served as a fortress, but the Ciserpent Earls lived up to that faith anyway."
In truth, the Ciserpent Earl family had played no small role in the Great British Empire's prosperity.
From the shadows, they'd maneuvered the Seven Dragon Society to help a swordless Britain endure the brutal Heroes' Age.
On the surface, they'd pioneered shipping to lead Britain's naval dominance.
Thus, their rise as the empire's true power was only natural.
Of course, to Rimon, it was all just machinations to expand the Seven Dragon Society's reach.
"Well, the Ciserpent Earls have done plenty, I'll give 'em that."
But Rimon kept his cynicism to himself.
He was here as musician Ri, not Sword Duke Rimon Asfelder.
That was why Julia seemed especially pleased.
"So, what do you think? Doesn't staying in a place like this make you glad you took the gig with the Ciserpent family?"
"I mean it sincerely."
[Glad? He's hit the jackpot.]
Yuna Kyung muttered from Rimon's shoulder, nodding along that his luck was unreal.
They'd been agonizing over how to pry into Blue Dragon Clan secrets, and Julia had handed them a golden ticket to infiltrate the earl's manor.
Sure, as a mere musician, how deep they could go was anyone's guess.
But it was worlds better than spying from afar.
"Here we are—your quarters, Ri."
"Ho, not bad at all."
"Thank me. I pulled strings to get you the best guest room in the east wing."
"Thanks. I mean it."
"...That didn't sound very heartfelt. Or am I imagining things?"
She'd gone out of her way to prepare a room rivaling a fine hotel,
but her disappointment at Rimon's reaction—nodding at the perfectly sized window for one person and the room's isolated spot—lasted only a moment.
With a sigh, Julia continued the tour to the dining hall and other spots.
"The performance is in ten days. Normally, it'd be tight even for rehearsals, but..."
"Plenty of time."
"Yeah, I figured you'd say that."
Julia gave a wry smile.
Anyone else saying it would've sounded arrogant.
But she knew better than most just how monstrous this cocky young man's talent was—she couldn't dismiss it as mere hubris.
"Rehearsals start tomorrow, so rest up and shake off the travel fatigue till then. Everywhere except the main hall is fair game."
"Handy."
"Just... try to avoid the west wing."
"Why? Restricted area?"
"Not exactly, but..."
"Hold up."
"Yes?"
Rimon held up a hand to Julia, who'd trailed off like it was a tricky question.
And in the garden she was showing him,
he cocked his head toward a voice filtering faintly even to his senses, from beyond the floral walls forming the labyrinth.
"Countess Rose, are you going to keep stonewalling me like this?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy. I'm asking about that matter."
"If it's that, I recall our discussion concluded."
"Heh heh heh. Calling a one-sided dodge 'concluded'? I wouldn't know where to begin."
A hearty elder's laugh accompanied a voice Rimon oddly recognized.
Clear and jade-smooth, yet sharply precise—it sliced through the man's mirth like a blade.
"London's security falls under our family's jurisdiction from the start. Your meddling is overreach."
"Overreach? Isn't it only natural as a London citizen?"
"If you insist, get royal approval first, then we'll talk."
"Come now. The royals, your family's puppets for ages, won't grant me that without your say-so."
"Duke Karl, mind your insolence."
"Hmph... Very well. If you're that firm, I'll pay the crown prince a visit for permission, then we'll speak again."
"Do that."
The woman's tone had stiffened; the elder clicked his tongue.
Moments later,
the barrier muffling their voices dissolved around the pair, and one presence winked out.
From the flower-wall maze emerged an old man, strolling casually.
"Hm? Oh my, if it isn't Miss Julia."
Clearly surprised to encounter him here,
Julia still greeted him politely with a proper bow.
"Hello, Duke Karl."
"I'm fit as ever, of course. Been exercising more lately—feeling healthier than before."
"That's wonderful news."
"Wonderful? A high-level player like me getting sick? As if."
The white-haired, white-bearded elder shrugged.
Karl added apologetically, as if it just occurred to him.
"Ah, right. You're no player—you might not get it."
"I know full well how vital health is."
"You look peaky, though. Don't tell me you've been overdoing it, scouting musicians all over London?"
"No need to worry on that front. I finally found one."
Julia flashed a wry smile and turned her head.
Pointing to Rimon beside her, she continued.
"Allow me to introduce Ri. The violinist who performed with the Singing White Princess—you've heard of him?"
"Of course. Who hasn't heard of the genius who debuted alongside that noble princess's song? Anyone with eyes and ears."
"Ri, this is Duke Karl. Introductions... probably unnecessary?"
"Come now, that's unkind, Miss Julia. Not even introducing me to a stranger."
Karl laughed affably.
With a wrinkled smile, he extended a hand to Rimon.
"Glad to meet you anyway. Never expected to find a talent like yours in a place like this."
"...The feeling's mutual."
"Oh? How so?"
"Didn't think I'd run into a celebrity like you here."
"Hahaha, flattery will get you everywhere with this old man."
His hearty laugh at the amusing jest faded as
Karl suddenly asked,
"So, how long are you going to leave my hand hanging there awkwardly?"
"My apologies—not used to this custom."
Ignoring the proffered wrinkled hand until prodded, Rimon finally clasped it for a shake.
Only after pumping it a few times did Karl seem satisfied,
beaming as he winked at the pair.
"Looking forward to your performance in ten days. Give us some great music."
With light encouragement, Karl ambled off toward the maze's far side.
Rimon stared after him for a long beat before speaking.
"Just to check—'avoid the west wing' because of that guy?"
"...You mean Duke Karl?"
"Answer me."
"Sigh, you really are... Anyway, yes. He's staying in the west wing right now."
"Why?"
"No idea. Probably hashing something out with the earl."
"Hashing out, huh."
Rimon scowled at Julia's reply.
Yuna Kyung, who'd been holding her breath on his shoulder since spotting Karl, muttered in bewilderment.
[What the heck? Why's a big shot like him crashing here instead of his own house right under his nose?]
'Who knows. But one thing's clear.'
[What's that?]
'Coming here was the right call.'
Rimon murmured inwardly, eyes fixed on the west wing where Karl had vanished.
The oldest player alive, the genius who'd elevated trash-tier magic skills to prominence.
London's second-most powerful figure after Blue Dragon Princess Rose, more famous as Master of Mages Guild than by his real name.
Magic Lord Karl Amadeus.
Recalling the feel of one of the Ten Great Lords' hands in his grasp, Rimon curled a cold smile.
'Now I can probe the two prime suspects at once.'