Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: The Traitor in the Hexagon
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"Having one of the Hexagon punished. That's the favor I plan to ask of Father. So..."
"Hold on, hold on a second. Young Master, the conversation's moving way too fast for me to keep up. What exactly are you saying?"
"Just what I said. As you know, Sir Arandal only follows Father and stays neutral, while Sir Beskin is set to leave for Olivia with me. So, if one of the remaining four Hexagon members gets punished, the balance between the two factions is bound to collapse."
With half the key supporters on both sides dropping out, the power in the successor struggle would tilt sharply to one side.
"No, that's not the point!! Why go after a Hexagon member in the first place! Did you get your brain pecked out by a wyvern or something? There's no way the lord would grant a request like that!"
Dwain let out a sharp yell. His voice brimmed with utter confusion.
Dwain's reaction wasn't unwarranted.
The Hexagon.
The six shields upholding the Carviot Count family.
They were the symbol and sturdy pillars blocking the Holy Empire's invasions.
Naturally, their standing within the Shield Family was immense.
Declaring intent to punish one of those Hexagon members was bound to sow confusion.
"He'll grant it. Because that one's colluding with the Holy Empire."
"Exactly! Colluding or whatever bullshit... Huh?"
Catching him off guard with one bombshell after another, Dwain's reaction lagged by half a beat.
"Colluding? Colluding? One of the Hexagon? With no other than the Holy Empire?"
Dwain echoed in disbelief. No surprise there. If I were in his shoes, I'd dismiss it as nonsense too.
The Hexagon had guarded the kingdom alongside the Carviot Count family for ages.
These were men who pledged their absolute loyalty to the Count family, not the kingdom.
Even Beskin, when I'd asked during the fight with Hatan whether he'd prioritize the kingdom or the family, had chosen the family.
They'd betray the kingdom before betraying the Carviot Counts—and yet, one of them was colluding with the Holy Empire of all places.
"Hard to believe, I know. But it's true."
I still couldn't forget it. In my past life, that decisive betrayal had toppled the family.
Nor the way that scum, hauled off to the Empire with the casino's amassed wealth to live it up, smirked without a hint of remorse as I punished him.
Sensing the gravity in my tone, I heard Dwain's throat bob as he swallowed hard.
"...Any evidence? Do you have evidence?"
Dwain grasped at straws, asking desperately.
From what Dwain had seen of Bacchus during their time in Banten, the man's character was upright and just.
Hexagon or not, with clear evidence of collusion, he'd punish without mercy.
But I had to shatter Dwain's expectations once more.
"Unfortunately, not a scrap. I only found out by chance at the casino myself."
"No, fuck."
The curse finally slipped from Dwain's lips.
"This is a total shitshow. Even with evidence, we'd be picking a fight with that guy's candidate. And you're pushing this without any? What's your plan?"
"That's why I'm asking you. You're my strategist, right?"
"...Hoo."
Dwain let out a heavy sigh. Definitely holding back a barrage of insults.
"...Let's sort this out first. So, Young Master, you want to deal with this colluder before heading to Olivia, but without making an enemy of the candidate they follow, right?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Dwain's crisp summary had me nodding automatically.
"But you've got no evidence, correct?"
"That's right too."
"...Hoo."
Dwain steadied his breathing again, then lunged in a frenzy.
"You fuzzy-conscienced bastard...!"
Thwack!
"Urgh, there's no other way. We'll have to tackle it step by step."
Dwain, who'd charged in only to get decked and knocked out, rubbed his eye like it had an egg on it as he spoke.
"First up, evidence. We need evidence before we can plan the next move."
"Evidence, huh..."
"With evidence, we could time the reveal to logically sway that candidate instead. Failing to spot a follower's betrayal is a huge mark against them."
Spot on.
"For now, wait and see what trial the lord sets. If the colluder's smart, they'll make moves to put their candidate on the throne—only then can they operate freely as a traitor."
He was right. They wouldn't rebel while Father was still hale like now; in my past life, it happened after his death.
So, as Dwain said, they'd likely focus on securing their candidate first.
"Thanks, Dwain. Hearing you out clears my head a bit."
"Say that after decking me, and it ain't gratifying at all. Oh, and definitely shake down the casino boss. If you got the tip there, he's surely involved too."
Dwain was right again. Before the upcoming meeting, I'd squeeze Hans first for any evidence.
Shwoooosh!
"Yesssss!! Got it!!"
"Argh, damn it! Why the hell won't mine hit even once?!"
The casino was booming as ever today, but owner Hans was wallowing in his worst mood lately.
"Goddamn it, taking everything for real..."
A few days ago, the lord's 'confidant' had stripped him of every coin he'd amassed.
He'd promised double back, but Hans wasn't fool enough to take that at face value.
This was blatant breach of contract.
He'd showered the man with riches to secure his position, and in return, protection—that was their unspoken deal.
But the bastard had taken not just the protection fee, but every personal stash too.
If he reneged, Hans would lose everything he'd poured his youth into.
Yet confronting him was impossible.
The guy could squash him with a flick, a snort—no sword needed.
'I was the fool. It was a rigged arena from the start.'
Years of faithful dealings had lulled him into false security, but it was all Hans's delusion.
The man had just been fattening his pig for slaughter.
That emptiness sank Hans's spirits endlessly.
"You look down in the dumps."
A chipper voice cut through, polar opposite to Hans's gloom.
"Fuck! Who the hell...!"
Hans whipped around, snapping irritably.
His only threat was the confidant, who hadn't shown since the heist—like Hans meant nothing now.
So, no one left to fear.
Or so he'd thought.
"Long time no see?"
Until his eyes locked on the voice's owner.
"Th-Third Young Master..."
'Shit, of all people... This is bad.'
His face blanched realizing who'd heard his curse, but only briefly.
'...No, actually perfect. This is my last shot to switch sides.'
The kid had beaten him senseless before, taken mandrake and treasure, but never returned since.
Meaning once his goal was met, interest waned.
Thud!
Hans dropped to his knees before Jerome, resolve etched on his face.
"Third Young Master, please take me in! I'll do anything you command!"
'...What the hell's with this guy?'
I'd come per Dwain's advice to rattle Hans pre-meeting for traitor intel, expecting nothing.
Just poke at his low mood, but suddenly he's groveling—left me stunned.
Can't show it, though.
"...No idea what you're on about. Doesn't 'he' have your back?"
Crack!
His teeth ground like shattering at my probe.
"He... saw me as mere a tool. Betrayed my loyalty, took everything."
Venom in his glare, Hans sprang up, fetched something from his office, and returned.
"Look at this. A list of what I've given 'him' off the books."
It was a double ledger, packed with tribute to the traitor.
'Things... are going too smoothly?'
Suspiciously so—maybe a trap by the traitor.
Actually, it worked because the traitor overlooked key facts.
First, Jerome knew his identity.
No candidate would meet a casino boss now, so safe to fleece Hans.
Second, Hans's ruthlessness.
Pocketing alongside the traitor for years took guts.
But the traitor never dreamed Hans would stab him in the back.
Hence this; still, from my view, doubts lingered.
"Why trust this ledger?"
"Please believe me. Years in the making. Search his room—most items listed will be there."
The treasures weren't quick-consume goods; rare stuff. A search would confirm.
"What's your price for this?"
A viper like Hans wouldn't hand over dynamite free.
He wanted something.
"No demands to keep my position. I've wronged the family too, despite his betrayal—how could I be so brazen? Just guarantee my safety and some funds."
'Abandoning the casino...'.
Sounds repentant, but not Hans's style.
In my past life, as traitor fled to Empire amid chaos, Hans followed, opened a new casino, lived large.
Hidden agenda here too.
'With the traitor knowing his dirt, he can't let Hans live. Grasping at straws for survival.'
Seeing him bow innocently, killing intent surged unbidden.
...Revolting.
Even a traitor—long-time follower. Creating blackmail then flipping owners instantly.
'Traitor or backstabber. Birds of a feather.'
Wanted to crush his skull, but held back.
Killing him here might alert the traitor.
"Don't worry. With evidence like this, no punishment. Until the successor's decided, just run the casino quietly."
Taking the ledger, I forced reassuring lies.
"On the Carviot Count family's name, I promise. The next lord will honor this."
My firm tone finally eased him; he bowed repeatedly.
"Thank you, Young Master! I'll aid you with all I have!"
Wanting no more entanglement with this sycophant, I waved off his fawning.
"Enough. This ledger's plenty. Just manage the casino well."
Swoosh!
Leaving the casino, I headed straight for Dwain.
Jackpot from a hopeless visit—his plan would sharpen immensely.
This trajectory meant the next successor was set.
Now, just drop the bomb naturally.
'Wait. Soon, I'll drag you from that glorious perch.'
Bitten by his own dog, no less.
Of course, a biting dog can't be kept—boil it later.
Mulling that, I hurried to meet Dwain.
Little time left till the successor meeting.