Unexpected Gains
The door to the lord's office in Vollex Castle burst open with a rough shove. Viscount Frank Leshold stood frozen, drawing in a sharp breath. The prey he should have killed long ago had walked through the castle gates on his own two feet, spotless and immaculate, without a speck of dirt.
Cael slowly scanned the office interior, strolling in with leisurely steps.
"Hmm, this office seems even finer than mine back home."
Trailing loyally behind him were Weger and Ella, Roben, and one massive golden retriever.
The viscount barely suppressed his trembling lips, forcing a strained smile. "Y-Young Master! What brings you here in the dead of night? Had you sent word, I would have come out to greet you. This is truly surprising... and most disconcerting."
Cael flopped onto the sofa amid the awkward welcome, crossing his legs. "I imagine it is. Surprising, disconcerting—considering the dogs you sent couldn't even sink their teeth into my neck."
The viscount's face hardened. He struggled to compose himself, feigning ignorance. "Dogs, my lord? I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."
Cael chuckled softly, tapping the table with his fingers. "Can't comprehend? The man responsible for governing this territory claims ignorance of hundreds of assassins rampaging through its heart, weapons drawn and explosives detonating?"
"Th-that was..."
"Choose. Are you an incompetent, brainless lord too dim to notice a massive armed clash in your own domain? Or a traitor who plotted to assassinate the ducal heir? Either way, your head rolls—but I'll grant you a chance to explain yourself."
The pressure was suffocating. 'Wasn't he supposed to be a frail invalid!? What the hell is this aura...?'
Before Cael's commanding presence and airtight logic, the viscount broke out in cold sweat, pouring like rain.
Cael had already uncovered the viscount's role as Legnum's backer during last night's interrogation of Cardor and his crew.
"L-Legnum scum, you mean! I've been lying in wait for a chance to wipe out those vile criminals myself! To think they'd dare attack you, Young Master! I'll summon the knights at once and burn their lair to ashes!"
The viscount tried to wriggle free to the bitter end. But Cael's next words nearly made him collapse on the spot.
"Is that so? Hugo was bragging about the sturdy backing you provided—spilled every detail on the tribute amounts and the location of your secret warehouse. Shall we start our inspection there?"
"...!"
"Tsk tsk... What a fool. Even when picking sides, you grab a rotten rope. How can you blame others when your vessel is so small?"
At Cael's leisurely mockery, the viscount's eyes shook wildly. It was over. Excuses and deceptions had failed. The young master before him knew everything.
Submission now meant clan extermination for high treason. A cornered rat bites the cat. Venom slowly filled the viscount's gaze. 'Fine, if it's come to this... Kill the bastard quietly here, and it's done!'
The viscount slammed the magic emergency bell under his desk, snarling. "How dare this arrogant whelp slander me!!"
Bang—! The door flew open as if about to shatter. Heavily armored elite knights and soldiers from the castle flooded in, swiftly encircling Cael's group. There had to be at least several dozen.
Hiding behind the knights, the viscount erupted in mad laughter. "Kuhahaha! You've walked right into the jaws of death! Think you can escape my rigorously trained elite knights, even as the young master?"
At the viscount's boast, Roben, Weger, and Ella drew their weapons, forming up in tense formation. These weren't the ragtag thugs from the inn earlier—their presence was on another level.
One man in particular caught Cael's eye. A middle-aged knight at the forefront. The aura he exuded was qualitatively superior to back-alley Experts like Hugo—pure, refined. His grip on the sword hilt and stance screamed years of honed swordsmanship, the mark of a true warrior.
Cael stroked his chin, murmuring. "Ho? Not bad. Who'd have thought a proper swordsman lurked in this rotten territory."
Pure skill-wise, he was a flawless Expert. But Cael instantly spotted the odd discord in his expression. The man's face twisted in anguish; his sword hand trembled not with resolve, but deep hesitation and shame. He'd drawn his blade to defend his lord, yet pointing it at an innocent young master to cover his crimes tormented his knightly conscience.
Cael rose slowly from his seat. Dozens of blades aimed at him, yet his steps held no hesitation.
His chilling voice pierced the knights' ears. "I am Cael, heir of House Restis. You stand accused of high treason, drawing steel on the ducal successor at your blind lord's command."
At those words, spear tips quivered faintly.
"I came to punish the viscount's atrocities and corruption. You've aided him under orders, oppressing the people and shielding criminals. That sin weighs heavy."
Cael's eyes gleamed with icy light. "Yet I offer mercy once, here and now. Drop your weapons and surrender, and I'll overlook your past service to that scum. Defy me to the end, and pay the price."
The young master's grave ultimatum, laced with the room-filling chaos qi of killing intent, sparked unrest among the soldiers.
The viscount screamed desperately. "Don't fall for his lies! He's a discarded bloodline, cast from power! Kill him, and I'll shower you with wealth and titles!"
But his cries rang hollow against Cael's overwhelming presence.
Clang—! First to toss his weapon was the bat-like adjutant who'd clung to the viscount, enabling every flattery and crime. Sensing the tide, he groveled on the floor, begging for his life.
From there, terrified soldiers dropped arms one by one, kneeling. The viscount's authority crumbled like a sandcastle.
All but one.
"Oden! Even you betray me? Cut off his head now!!"
Despite the viscount's shrieks, Knight Oden stood firm, sword undrawn—but he made no move against Cael.
Cael eyed Oden with interest. "Your comrades kneel for survival. Why hold your blade? Do you side with your lord's crimes knowingly?"
Oden parted his tightly shut lips. His voice cracked with despair. "An oath binds me."
"Ho, what oath?"
"A lord blinded by greed, fallen to corruption—yet he granted me my knighthood and took me in. A knight's oath must be upheld with life, regardless of character. So I was taught."
A stubbornly upright conviction. That was the force driving Oden.
He dropped his sword to the floor and knelt. "But knowing my lord strayed from the righteous path and staying silent is my sin. As a knight who failed his duty, I beg you, Young Master—take my head and judge me."
Acknowledging his lord's wrongs yet refusing to abandon him, offering his own life to atone. Even Roben gazed at Oden with solemn respect for such noble loyalty.
Cael threw his head back in hearty laughter. "Ha, hahaha! What a stubborn, exasperating fool! You'd truly offer your neck to shield that trash?"
"Yes. I await your judgment."
Oden knelt, exposing his neck for an easy strike.
An unexpected prize—Cael's eyes sparkled with delight. It had been ages since he'd encountered such pure loyalty. Sycophants driven by self-interest were everywhere, but one who'd gladly die for conviction was a rare gem. Turn a bullheaded sort like this, earn his true allegiance as lord, and he'd guard your back for life—the perfect subordinate.
'A talent rolls right into my lap. Wandering the world has its perks—you pick up gems like this.'
Cael's sword hand flashed. Shing—
"Kuh!"
Oden flinched, certain his head had fallen under the ferocious momentum. But...
"Oden, servant of Viscount Frank, died today."
Oden's hair fluttered, severed. Instead of binding him, Cael kicked the fallen sword back to his knees.
"Your judgment's on hold for now. Death is cowardice. Think you'll sin then flee like a gutless rat?"
Oden's eyes widened in shock. 'These types respond best to words like that.'
Cael brushed past, seizing the viscount—now slumped, legs giving out—by the collar.
"Sp-spare me, Young Master! I was mad! It was all Lady Silina's orders!"
Cael smiled coldly at the groveling excuse. "No worries. I won't take your head just yet. Even trash has its uses. Weger!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
"Toss this scum and his cronies into the castle dungeon."
Weger and the surrendered soldiers moved with crisp efficiency, dragging away the viscount's gang. Vollex Castle fell in the blink of an eye—bloodless conquest, forged by the young master's authority and justification.
With matters settled, Cael gazed at the night sky through the window. One rotten root lingered in this territory.
"The viscount's clan aside, time to uproot that accursed criminal nest once and for all."
Ella approached, worried. "What will you do, young master? Hunting down all those thugs one by one sounds tedious and tough."
Cael shrugged, relaxed. "Why bother with the hassle? Crush the snake's head, and the tail withers on its own."