Chapter 135
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: A Winning Hand
The entire continent tensed at the Astrofel family’s latest move.
The barrier of Artban Castle was renowned for its fortitude, famous for never having been breached by an outside force.
But it had been shattered in an instant as if it were a joke, and to add insult to injury, the head of their clan had been tossed before the castle gates for all to see.
With the Head of the House absent, Artban Castle was instantly thrown into chaos.
Led by Rosaria of the Black Mamba clan, the Black Mambas under her command, despite being a small elite force, rampaged through the East as if they were an army of a million strong.
The barrier stones, hidden by spells around the castle to be undiscoverable, were all destroyed simultaneously. As if that wasn't enough, the necks of the jaguars guarding the area were hung on display, as if to mock them.
No one questioned how the Black Mambas had discovered the locations of the barrier spells. The fact that the Astrofel family was behind them was all the explanation needed.
The Artban elders used their authority to dispatch the army in haste, but by then, the situation was already over.
The Black Mambas, who had run rampant through the East as if it were their own home, vanished without a trace.
All that remained where they had been was the lingering scent of poison and the decimated surroundings.
A declaration of war from the Astrofel family. As soon as the news spread, everyone, without exception, began to watch the South, calculating their next move.
Even those who had already cast their lot with the Artban family were no exception.
"I contacted you ages ago, why are you only showing up now?!"
A man with a long, platinum-blond braid, held together by strips of white cloth, spoke in an irritable tone, his expression twisted in annoyance. His golden eyes, the same color as his hair, glared with contempt at Selmeier, the traitor of Loisar.
"There won't be any problems with the plan, right? You never said the Astrofel family would make a move."
"Of course, it will proceed without a hitch. You need not worry."
"Then get confirmation from the Head of Artban right now that there are no issues."
"Please, calm yourself. If this goes off without a hitch, the tide of victory will turn in our favor in an instant."
"...You're certain about that?"
Neon, who had been standing on a rock overlooking a cliff, asked with a look of interest.
The black key with an inlaid sapphire on his wrist jingled softly. A key that would soon see use.
Selmeier's brow furrowed in faint annoyance, but he softened his voice to placate the incensed man.
To overcome the current crisis, Neon was more necessary than anyone.
To be precise, the status he was born with.
"No one will realize you are involved, Lord Neon. That key belongs to Loisar, does it not?"
"What about the rat that found out?"
"We are in pursuit. He'll be dead soon enough, so you need not concern yourself with it."
"This is the last time I'm trusting you."
"Of course. You will not regret it."
Selmeier smiled slyly, full of confidence. Neon, who had been watching him with narrowed eyes, turned away sharply.
As long as he got what he wanted, he didn't care how things unfolded.
If he just cooperated this one time... it would only be a matter of time before the position of Head of the House fell into his hands.
The unfolding situation was a bit unsettling, but once the job was done, that would be the end of it. A corner of Neon's mouth twisted up in a smirk of desire.
"Then I'll play along a little longer."
* * *
Sage looked at Diel Artban, who was seated at the negotiation table, and asked.
"I believe an explanation of the situation is in order."
"It is exactly as you have heard. The Astrofel family has declared war on me."
"Then why are you sitting in this seat?"
He was asking why Diel hadn't gone home.
Having no intention of forming any kind of pact with Artban in the first place, Sage was growing rather annoyed.
Thinking how thick-skinned Diel Artban was to show up at a negotiation table in a situation like this, he casually pushed aside the treaty he had spread out.
"I don't think there's any need to look at this further, is there?"
"From the moment you accepted my visit, I presume you were already considering a refusal. Am I mistaken?"
To think he came all the way to the North knowing that. Sage stopped hiding his thoughts and let out a short laugh.
"So we've both been wasting our precious time."
"Is that so? I don't believe my time has been wasted."
It was a strange answer. Sage slowly studied Diel Artban's face, trying to discern his meaning.
His expression was the same as always, showing no change in emotion. How could he be so detached?
A sense of unease lingered.
"You must be well aware of what will happen when you return."
The moment Diel Artban returned to the East, the South's all-out offensive would begin.
After all, to bring down an opponent, striking the head first was the most effective method. The underlings would naturally be dealt with afterward.
It was a method the Astrofel family particularly favored. The most difficult, but also the swiftest way to end things.
Diel nodded as if he understood.
"So I will ask you one last time. How about forming a military pact with us? I would like to say that you will not regret it."
"That's just sophistry."
"I regret that it sounded that way to you."
"The Artban family's future seems to have been sealed the moment you made an enemy of the Astrofel. Is my judgment mistaken?"
There had never been a single precedent of an enemy of the Astrofel surviving. All had long since vanished into history.
Weren't humans ultimately annihilated by the Astrofel family as well?
Diel laughed as if amused.
"Of course, that has been the case until now. But this time, the outcome will be different, Young Lord Kiraas."
"Different?"
"Because I hold a winning hand. And the South will be overrun by the footprints of my clan."
Sage watched Diel intently. Such incredible confidence. What could that hand possibly be?
For a moment, an image of Aileen flashed through his mind.
Diel Artban wanted Aileen. His visit to the North could not be separated from her. Yet, his reasons for wanting her remained a mystery.
It had to be related to that. The clues were there but wouldn't quite come together. Sage opened his mouth, his face hardening.
"I'd like to hear what this 'hand' of yours is."
"Now that negotiations have broken down, I cannot tell you that. As you know, my circumstances are not very forgiving at the moment. I plan to return to the East around tomorrow."
The corners of Diel Artban's lips rose, then fell in a fleeting moment. His gleaming violet eyes settled.
Sage narrowed his brow.
He was backing down with strange ease. Right now, a pact with the Kiraas should be what he desired most.
"Returning may not be a very good choice."
"For me, the timing is perfect."
Diel's violet eyes curved as he smiled. His voice was filled with elation, as if he had been waiting for this very moment.
* * *
Kiraas Castle was abuzz with hushed whispers about the sudden shift in the political landscape.
Thanks to that, I, too, became the center of attention. I feigned ignorance of the piercing stares as I strolled through the garden.
Sage was probably in the middle of negotiations with Diel Artban right now. It was taking quite a long time.
"Lady Aileen, would you like to wear a shawl?"
"Mm, no. I'm fine."
I could now fend off the cold by myself.
According to Hestia, with my current power, I could easily handle an average Su-in.
Though I still had trouble maintaining it for long periods.
"It seems the negotiations are over."
"Really?"
"Yes. Lord Artban and his aide have been confirmed to have left the meeting room."
Karma quickly approached and informed me.
It felt a bit strange, the fact that the two families who had just declared war on each other were staying together in a completely different territory.
I could have avoided running into him, but I chose not to.
As I stood near the castle entrance, my eyes met Diel Artban's as he was coming out to return to his quarters. Beside him was the aide I remembered seeing before.
I gave a simple nod of greeting.
"We meet again, Miss Astrofel."
"Hello, Lord Artban."
Just then, a masked member of the Kiraas clan appeared from somewhere and blocked Diel's path.
"Further approach is forbidden."
"How dare you!"
Diel's aide stepped forward, his face hardening. But Diel raised a hand.
"That's enough, Elvin."
"But, my lord, this is crossing a line."
"I was already aware that I was being followed, so it's fine."
Did Sage assign someone to him? Surprised, I looked at the man who had stepped in front of me. He blocked Diel Artban's path while looking at me with an impassive expression. He had been tailing Diel, but it felt more like he was trying to protect me.
When did he assign someone like this to Diel Artban?
"I thought the reason you had someone tailing me was for surveillance. It seems that wasn't the purpose. But a brief conversation should be fine, right?"
"It is forbidden."
"What if it is what Miss Astrofel wants?"
For a moment, the man's brow furrowed in annoyance. As if to say, *don't say unnecessary things.* Yet, the gaze he turned to me seemed to be asking for my intention.
I stared at Diel Artban. Did he have something to say to me specifically?
"What is it you have to say to me?"
"I am deeply sorry about what happened in the South."
"If that's all you have to say, I'm not particularly interested in hearing it."
"Soon, we shall offer a response of our own."
His gentle voice reached me, but its content was not so pleasant.
A response. It was all too clear what that meant. I faced Diel Artban with a blank expression.
"The South won't just sit back and take it."
"I know. It won't be an easy task. How could I possibly face the Astrofel family alone?"
"...What do you mean by that?"
His words didn't add up.
As I frowned and questioned him, Diel clicked his tongue and looked behind him. I followed his gaze.
Sage was walking toward us.
"I thought you'd be in your room."
He let out a short sigh upon seeing me with Lord Artban.
"To think you'd be having a cozy chat with Lord Artban in the garden."
His turquoise eyes shifted to the masked man. The man bowed his head and vanished.
"...We just happened to run into each other."
"Ah. Happened to?"
Sage glanced at Karma beside me, then smiled sweetly. I awkwardly smiled back.
Sage came to stand next to me.
"If you're done talking, how about you head back now."
"I don't think we're done... but I think I should go back."
The moment I met his piercing turquoise eyes, I quickly changed my words.
Sage was clearly displeased that I was meeting with Diel Artban, his brow faintly furrowed.
Did something happen in the meeting room? Just by looking at the atmosphere between the two, I could tell the negotiations had fallen through.
I had expected as much, but did things go even more sourly?
Sage stood at a slight angle, his expression coolly settled as he stared at Diel.
"You don't seem to listen no matter how many times I say it. I'm sure I told you to stay away from Aileen."
*Crackle.* The air around them began to freeze in an instant, and ice crystals formed, their edges sharp.
"What is the meaning of this?"
For the first time, Diel's expression hardened as he faced Sage.
"At this point, it seems you're doing it on purpose. Your subtle prodding is getting on my nerves, so I can't let it slide any longer."
"Any further rudeness will be difficult for me to tolerate as well."
"My point exactly."
Sage smiled sweetly.
"I would appreciate it if you would leave the Kiraas territory as soon as possible, Lord Artban."
"Of course, I will. I must admit, I am a bit taken aback that you could not even tolerate a brief conversation with a direct heir of the Astrofel family before my departure."
Diel Artban is returning to the East? Surprised, I looked at Sage. The fact that he was leaving so readily without demanding further negotiations was deeply concerning.
As Diel passed by, he looked down at me. His violet eyes took me in. Then he whispered a quiet farewell.
"Then I wish you a peaceful journey back."