Chapter 539: The Prelude Begins
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 539: The Prelude Begins
"Let’s go."
As the small boat drifted to the shore, Muen helped lift the door curtain, gesturing for Albert and Lawenny to step out first.
"Stay alert. From here on out, the road won't be as leisurely as the ride we just had."
"This route is more secluded than I imagined."
Stepping out of the cabin, Albert took a moment to survey their surroundings. They were on a remote riverbank. There wasn't a single building within several hundred meters; only waist-high weeds swayed in the wind.
"Of course it’s secluded. This is a smuggling route."
"Smuggling?"
"Heh, you didn't think the noble lords of the Upper District limited their pursuit of pleasure to what the law allows, did you?"
Muen followed behind the two, glancing at the silhouette of a distant bridge.
"The checkpoints on that bridge can't stop human desire."
"...Fair point."
Albert’s eyes flickered as if he were contemplating something, and he nodded in agreement.
At the edge of the riverbank, a carriage was already waiting.
The three of them quickly boarded. Albert changed out of his formal gentleman’s attire, opting for something less conspicuous. He tucked his silver hair under a hat, while Lawenny pulled her long hair back, disguising herself in men's clothing.
Muen tapped on the carriage wall, and the vehicle set off. Enhanced by special magic, the carriage moved in total silence, speeding into the web-like maze of the Lower District’s back alleys.
"According to the planned route, we should reach our destination in about half an hour."
Muen pulled out a map, examining it under the dim light of the carriage lamp.
"Even Prince Andrew wouldn't be crazy enough to make a move on you at the banquet itself. As long as we get there, Your Highness will be safe."
"It sounds... easier than I expected?"
The carriage sped along, and so far, everything had been smooth.
Albert’s heart, which had been lodged in his throat, began to settle. He had been worried about all sorts of dangers, but thinking it over, even his brother shouldn't have the reach to control the entire Lower District.
Furthermore, several gangs in the Lower District were currently not under the control of the Inner Council that supported Andrew. His brother's grasp on this place was limited.
Thinking of it this way... had he overestimated him?
"No matter how great the power, it’s useless if it can't find its target. That’s why we’ve been so cautious. It’s best if we can solve this without violence. After all, a civilized man like me has always detested fighting and killing."
"But..."
Muen’s brow remained furrowed, his eyes scanning the map marked with various bits of intelligence.
"I can't help but feel that this journey has been a bit too quiet."
"You mean..."
Albert’s expression turned solemn. He was no fool, and he certainly wasn't one to pin his hopes on luck.
While he had relaxed slightly as the journey progressed without incident, he had also been trying to deduce his brother’s potential moves while Muen studied the route.
"Hard to say."
Muen didn't give a direct answer. He pulled back a corner of the carriage curtain and peered outside.
The Lower District at night was as quiet as ever. Since most families couldn't afford expensive magic stones for lighting, they usually went to bed early after finishing dinner by candlelight.
Yet, this tranquil night did not bring peace of mind. Instead, it gave Muen a faint sense of unease.
"Your Highness, all the decoys have been sent out, right?" Muen asked after a moment of silence.
"Of course."
Albert replied, "I wouldn't make such a rookie mistake. Marquis Angus is also cooperating. The ruse is perfect; there shouldn't be any flaws."
"And... the results?"
"Results?"
"The results of the bait. Did the fish... actually bite?"
Albert’s pupils constricted. Prompted by Muen’s reminder, he reacted instantly, pulling out a Voice Transmission Stone to check.
Soon, a message from the other side came through.
"They bit."
Albert let out a sigh of relief.
"The members of the Royal Orchestra were detained by the Royal Knights under the pretext of searching for assassins. On the other side, the procurement team was attacked by a mysterious group. The outcome... is currently unknown."
Albert’s expression turned complicated as he read the report, and he closed his eyes in slight pain. Though the outcome was "unknown," he could already imagine the fate of those people. In a sense, those innocent lives were lost because of him.
"This isn't your fault, Your Highness."
Muen glanced at Albert’s face. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out and patted the prince's shoulder in comfort.
"You are a victim in this as well."
"Thank you..."
"But it’s good that the bait was taken. It means they were indeed fooled, which buys us a significant amount of time."
Muen returned to the map, calculating how long it would take for the opposition to realize the truth.
Since Old Robert’s return, he had used his influence to reclaim many of the Lower District gangs. Therefore, as soon as Andrew realized the trick, he would undoubtedly use Old Robert’s connections to blockade the main roads leading to the destination.
But as long as they delayed him long enough, the enemy wouldn't have time to mobilize their forces. A few gangs alone couldn't stop—
Wait, hold on.
"Where is the last decoy?"
Muen looked up, his gaze fixed intensely on Albert.
"When Your Highness discussed this with me, you mentioned there were three decoys, right?"
"Yes. The last one is Marquis Angus. He is the most obvious one, heading to the banquet venue openly with 'me' in tow."
"And the result?"
"The result..."
Albert activated the Voice Transmission Stone again.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The connection went through quickly.
After a brief, dead silence, a low, gravelly voice came from the other side.
"Safe travels. Be careful, Your Highness."
Crack.
The connection was severed.
Those six words caused the expressions of the three people in the carriage to tighten instantly.
"Your Highness, do you think he has the guts?"
"...Of course he does."
"He has the guts, and yet he didn't do it."
The corners of Muen’s mouth twitched into a mirthless smile.
"Your brother truly loves you, Your Highness. He’s gone this far, yet he isn't even willing to spare a bit of strength to make the act look convincing."
"Perhaps he felt that since it was Marquis Angus, the cost of actually attacking would be too high."
Albert gave a bitter smile. "I'm sorry."
"Dammit, you have no reason to apologize to me!"
Muen cursed under his breath, then suddenly spun around and kicked the front partition of the carriage.
"Quick! Change the route! This path is exposed!"
"Yes, sir!"
The coachman ahead received the order and yanked hard on the reins.
Pulled by the bit, the horses reared up with a loud neigh before swerving sharply onto another road.
But the moment the horses' front hooves hit the ground...
BOOM!
A brilliant light erupted from the darkness, followed by a thunderous roar that nearly tore their eardrums.
Amidst flying debris and billowing dust, a single explosion shattered the tranquility of the Lower District.
The sky was illuminated by the spectacular fire. Figures in the shadows cheered with excitement. Everything intertwined and converged like a magnificent prelude... right before a story reaches its grand crescendo!