Late Night Chaos and the Count's Haughty Offer
It was late at night, and the commotion had erupted in the inn after the arrived guards rushed to investigate.
However, the Imperial Guard that had arrived belatedly allowed Arteon to escape the awkward situation.
“It seems you were trying to assassinate someone recognized by the Empire. You really have guts.”
An Imperial Guard soldier approached Arteon after confirming the corpse.
“This is Veroiten of the Imperial Guard. I came on Taolk-nim’s orders. Are you injured anywhere?”
“Yes, I’m fine. More importantly, do you know who these people are?”
“Hmm… It seems there are no clues left behind to speculate anything. We’ll have to investigate, but it won’t be easy to find out what group they belong to since the one who killed them has already died.”
“I see.”
Arteon nodded his head.
He had obtained information about the Nocturne organization, but it was a time when it had to remain hidden.
“I need to keep the fact that I know who these guys are… hidden.”
If word reached the Imperial Guard, it would reach the ears of those who sent the assassin as well.
“There’s an inn managed by the Empire. Stay there for now.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Arteon followed Veroiten toward the inn in the central district.
He had expected it to be managed by the Empire.
“……Wow.”
A sigh of admiration escaped him at the sight far exceeding his expectations.
“There’s no need to pay anything extra. Please feel free to use the facilities. If you need anything, contact the Imperial Guard immediately.”
“Thank you.”
Eventually, Veroiten took the other guards with him and returned to the palace.
Being the top performer in the merit ceremony attended by the Emperor himself, he could not afford to neglect their dignity even as he left the capital.
This incident would undoubtedly spread throughout the entire Empire.
Perhaps an investigation had already begun.
“In any case, this will drive all the nasty bastards out.”
But it didn’t matter.
After all, they were just parasites that hid in the shadows and fed on people.
Arteon headed upstairs to the assigned room.
Since it was a place where no one could simply enter, the security was strict and thorough.
He could finally rest in peace for the first time in a long while.
But the next morning.
“……Huh?”
Arteon’s pupils shook violently at the man’s words that came even before breakfast.
He momentarily doubted his own ears.
“Who wanted to meet me?”
“Count Edrian Valenruuk requests your presence. Prepare to go out immediately.”
The man in clean clothes spoke to Arteon with a haughty expression.
He had wanted to tell him to get lost just by looking at his speech and expression.
“……Count?”
A noble of the Empire.
If he simply sent away someone sent by a count, there would be no way to handle the aftermath.
He had no idea what the man was thinking by inviting him over, but…
“I’ll be ready soon.”
He had to respond to this invitation now.
Arteon changed into his clean uniform.
The splendid clothes he had worn at the palace were fine, but this one suited him best.
As Arteon came out, the man frowned slightly at his appearance.
There was nothing particularly wrong, but it was quite plain.
“You knew you were coming to meet Count Valenruuk?”
“Is there any problem with that?”
“……No. Just follow me.”
Arteon boarded the prepared carriage.
Soon the carriage sped through the streets and arrived at the location of Count Valenruuk’s estate not long after.
“……”
Arteon looked up at the estate.
On the outskirts of the northern side of Polkerof, the capital.
The Valenruuk Count’s estate built on a hill was impressive from its very grandeur.
Exterior walls clad in black marble.
Coldly chiseled towers.
An iron gate descended heavily, as if it were the entrance to a holy sanctuary.
It carried the coldness of power itself.
Arteon’s eyes narrowed.
“……It seems I can roughly guess who this guy is.”
Just by looking at the estate, he could tell how seriously the Count valued authority.
Arteon stepped out of the carriage and approached the entrance.
The man who had guided him said to him.
“You’ll handle it well enough, but please be careful not to say or do anything that upsets the Count’s mood.”
“……Understood.”
Arteon followed him while forcing a calm expression.
It was only now that he realized the man’s words carried a hint of fear.
Clop, clop.
Entering the estate, they walked along a corridor lined with red carpet.
Tapestries woven with gold and silver thread depicting the family crest covered the walls.
The space was quiet yet suffocating.
“This way.”
Arteon followed the man’s guidance toward the reception room.
A reception room without windows.
The only light in the room came from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
And in the center.
“So you are Arteon, who received a reward in this Empire’s merit ceremony held in the palace?”
Dark brown hair close to black.
A neatly combed back hairstyle paired with an aristocratic silver-white suit.
At first glance, it seemed grayish, but the eyes were a faded steel color.
The sharp jawline and thin lips completed his cold impression alongside his gaze.
Arteon answered.
“That’s correct.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Edrian Valenruuk, the owner of this estate. Please sit.”
Edrian slowly rose from his seat and walked to the sofa in front.
When Arteon sat down, he looked down at him from the high seat.
“Your attire carries the rugged vibe of the north. Would you like a glass of wine?”
The casual form of address stung, but the wall of superior status was insurmountable.
Or rather, if it had been Arteon from the past, he would have knelt before nobles.
Arteon stared at him wordlessly.
Edrian sneered.
“No need to be tense. I only called you because I was curious.”
Edrian picked up his empty glass, and a maid standing beside him carefully filled it.
While gently swirling the glass filled with sparkling red wine, Edrian continued.
“I heard that thanks to this merit ceremony, we can be reassigned from the north to another deployment site… Have you considered where you’ll be moved to?”
“……I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“Really? Normally, upon hearing that, one would immediately think of leaving the north. Are you dull-witted or simply thoughtless? Hahaha.”
After taking a sip of wine, Edrian set the glass down and spoke to Arteon.
“Without beating around the bush, I’ll be direct. Come here. In return, I’ll admit you to the Karseia Knight Academy as I see fit.”
The Karseia Knight Academy was the Empire’s premier knight academy. A mere graduation from it practically guaranteed your future.
Most of the Empire’s finest knight regiments were graduates of this academy.
Edrian’s lips curled upward.
Even a bumpkin from the north would have heard of the Karseia Knight Academy.
But Arteon replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“I am deeply grateful for the Count’s offer, but I will need to consider it in light of my current assignment.”
“……What?”
He had not even imagined he would be turned down.
Instead of “Thank you! Is that true?” and leaping up to bow, he thought.
Edrian frowned slightly and asked.
“Did you not properly understand my words? I said I would admit you to the Karseia Knight Academy.”
“Of course. But regarding my deployment site, I’ll need to discuss it with Lord Velkain as well. And… most importantly, there are still things I need to do in the north.”
“……”
Edrian’s gaze calmly sank.
He never imagined there would be a madman who claims he has business in the north.
No, but more than that…
“So you are rejecting my offer now?”
“I apologize.”
“It would be wise to think it over carefully once more and answer. Your life could change because of your response.”
The gaze that had turned ominous became a dagger flying toward Arteon.
It was a threat disguised as an offer.
That life could change.
“It could be pinkish… but…
When rejecting the offer, the will to turn it into a muddy color was felt.
But… nevertheless.
“I apologize.”
Arteon politely declined the Count’s offer.
Edrian rose from his seat.
“It’s a shame a rather capable guy like you was turned away… I had forgotten. All the people in the north are insane.”
With that remark, Edrian left the reception room.
The man who had guided Arteon belatedly entered and exploded with rage.
“What insolence is this!”
“I have committed no insolence. I merely declined a good offer that did not align with my intentions.”
“A soldier from the north, acting like a loser, dares to reject the Count’s offer? Do you think you’ll get away with it?”
“Trying to kill a recipient of the Emperor’s reward?”
Arteon was no longer silent.
By now, a thick killing intent unique to the north flowed out alongside the swirling mana around his body.
“Hah, hah!”
The man, overwhelmed by the pressure that seemed to choke his breath even from his gaze, sat down on the floor on his own accord.
Arteon looked down at him.
“I’ll leave on my own when I go. No need for a guide.”
With that, Arteon left the reception room and immediately exited the estate.
The guards watching him as he left stared.
“……I can’t openly deal with him in the capital right now.”
That was why those who wanted him removed had not sent assassins.
Rejecting the Count’s offer might cause problems later, but it was a future matter anyway.
However, one thing nagged at him…
“It’s a shame a rather capable guy like you was turned away…”
The last words Edrian had spoken.
“What did he mean by that…?”
Had he judged based on the fact that Arteon had contributed to the retaking of Helikel Canyon because of his skill?
“Or…
Could it be related to this assassination incident…?”
Arteon shook his head.
“It can’t be. That would be wishful thinking.”
There was no reason to lure the one he wanted to kill…
“A rather capable guy like…”
Damn it, Arteon’s head wouldn’t let go of the words of Count Valenruuk.
If it was really related…
“I’ll have to investigate.”
It seemed he would need to find that guy sooner than expected.
And at the spot where Arteon had left.
“……”
Someone was secretly tailing him from behind.