Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Place Where Intruders Die (2)
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The news that the Black Tower's sub-tower master had gone missing.
The second-in-command of that field had vanished, but it didn't spark any major uproar.
Black magicians were secretive by nature, often going completely silent for long stretches anyway.
The only one truly baffled was Tutton Grand Duke, the very man who had hired him.
In the capital's grand mansion.
His aides, all supporters of the crown prince, sat in a long row along the conference table.
At the head seat sat Tutton himself, the second most powerful man in the empire after the emperor, his posture solemn.
"Still no word on Kain?"
The wide conference room fell deathly silent at his question.
Only the chief of staff analyzed the situation with any gravity.
"It looks like he took a serious wound and went into hiding."
"I heard he was one of the strongest in the Black Tower, but he let Myoran slip away?"
A stern middle-aged man with red hair posed the question.
His chest was festooned with ornate medals bestowed by the emperor.
"Yes. He asked for three mercenaries yesterday, remember? Likely as a precaution—if he ended up gravely injured, he planned to harvest their hearts."
"No word from the mercenaries either? It's obvious what happened."
"Yes. They'll slip back in quietly once they've recovered and make their report. Just give it time."
"In any case, it means the capture failed. Reporting this to the Alliance is going to be tricky now."
To Tutton, Myoran was a prime bargaining chip.
He'd planned to squeeze a fortune out of the Eastern Continent in exchange for her.
But if word got out that he'd bungled her custody, they might swoop in and snatch her themselves.
"But why did it fail? Kain captured that Eastern wench once before."
"True. As the chief of staff said, tossing her in the empire's worst prison was supposed to wear her down over time and make everything easier."
Everyone shot the chief of staff cold stares.
Eyes gleaming with ambition to claim his seat.
"That... seems to be down to the new warden who just took over."
Sensing danger, he pinned the blame squarely on the warden.
It worked—the grand duke himself furrowed his brow.
"The Minster family's runt? I figured he'd do anything for the right price."
When he'd bought the warden position, every report had come across Tutton's desk.
He'd intended to block any upright applicants, but the Minster name had him hired on the spot.
The family's notoriety meant they'd torment Myoran just right.
And if she died in the process? Easy enough to slot in another crooked official.
"So you're saying he's attacking men sent by Your Highness... for some rootless Eastern girl?"
"No matter how base the Minster stock, they're not that brainless."
The aides' grumbles erupted.
But the middle-aged chief of staff held his ground.
"You never know. Grand Elder Dark is there too, isn't he?"
He blew the incident wide open, casting a broader net of suspects.
"The elder might've outbid us and bought the new warden first."
Mentioning the grand elder as Derek's backer sent a chill through the room.
Dark was the empress's own brother—anyone could see he backed the princess faction.
He was the perfect foe to Tutton's crown prince loyalists.
"So they rode his coattails to dare kill the man I sent?"
A dark shadow fell over Tutton's face.
He seethed at the thought of some wastrel scion picking a senile exile over him.
"Looks like someone needs to school them on who's above Dark."
The empire's loftiest noble fixed the chief of staff with a glare.
An aide, grasping his intent, whipped out parchment and quill.
"Convey my will to the Minster family."
"Yes. What should I write?"
"Tell them their youngest blocked my servant's mission. He needs to answer for it."
"Understood."
Should they ignore his command and spare the boy punishment?
It'd mean they'd thrown in with the elder to defy him.
Tutton ended the meeting with utmost gravity.
Yet long after, he stewed over the Minsters with disdain.
"Shady lot, as expected."
The Minster count had sent gifts to the Tutton house every holiday.
Poor family stock or not, he'd never thought ill of them.
But now it turned out they were cozying up to the grand elder behind his back.
The real outrage? Using their youngest as cover.
The two high-flying sons were too prominent, so they'd planted the runt with the elder.
The transparent ploy drew a scoff from the grand duke.
'But how did those nobodies sway the elder?'
Tutton scowled to himself.
The Dark he knew was prickly as hell and despised anyone lacking legitimacy.
Yet the Minsters' premier wastrel had somehow won him over.
'Perhaps the runt's no ordinary wastrel.'
Tutton eyed the name Derek with newfound gravity.
He might well be their shadowy ace in the hole.
Warm sunlight streamed into the prison cafeteria.
The vast space held long tables.
A place that usually served only rock-hard bread and watery soup was lavish today.
Hearty beef stew loaded with chunks of meat, plus all sorts of fruit.
This was noble feast territory.
"What's with the sudden special menu?"
Grand Elder Dark asked.
Anje, seated across from him, wore a puzzled look too.
"Yeah. Prison didn't strike me as flush with cash."
Myoran at the table's edge whipped her head around.
Arms crossed alone, she just soaked in the rare bright sunlight.
"It's a reward for everyone behaving so nicely lately."
I spread my arms wide with a benevolent smile.
Last night's massive ruckus, and they'd gone back to their cells without a peep. I was truly grateful.
"……."
"……."
The old man and woman exchanged glances.
I'd figured they despised each other, but today they both seemed at peace.
"These days my ears aren't what they used to be. Didn't hear a thing."
"I catch the occasional scream from downstairs now and then, but that's just daily life around here."
Their unflappable calm moved me even more.
This loop, becoming warden was the right call!!
"Pay it no mind. This place has always been noisy."
"Right. Just focus on your warden duties."
See that?
They're already thinking of others.
The prisoners' brightening faces cleared my head right up.
"Got it. Today it's on me—dig in, everyone!"
I beamed and slid plates their way.
To Anje, the apple pie I'd wheedled out of Clea.
To Grand Elder Dark, the top-shelf black tea I'd grabbed from a shop after ditching the body hunt at dawn.
To Myoran, those Eastern peaches I'd picked up at the same time.
"Let's keep this vibe going. Keep up the good behavior, and it'll polish our prison's image too."
Prison image.
The words drew a solemn cough from the elder.
Anje's eyes crinkled in an approving smile.
But one face soured amid the bunch.
Clea was glaring at me like I was some deadbeat husband.
"Hey, Vice Warden. Coffee for me too? Gotta buck up and work now."
"Here."
She handed it over, words clipped.
Expecting the fragrant beans from yesterday, I took a big gulp.
That instant.
The bitterness hit like the poison I'd fed the knights—I twisted my face in horror.
"What the—this tastes awful."
"It's the stockpile junk from the back of our break room pantry."
"That good stuff I had yesterday...?"
"You burned through it all brewing poison, Sir."
Her precious favorite brew, swiped.
Plus the boss badgering her for pie at the crack of dawn.
The ex-imperial secretary latched onto my shoulder and shook me like she meant murder.
"That was my special-occasion-only stash. God knows how you sniffed it out like a snake."
"B-but it was cheaper than hiring guards."
She sighed deeply—maybe conceding the point.
Dropped a sugar cube into the sludge brew for me.
"That coffee's only sold in the capital. I'll fetch some later."
"Just tell me the shop. Was gonna swing by the estate anyway."
"The estate meaning the Minster family home."
"Yeah. Time to shake down my brothers for some cash."
Easiest money ever.
Blackmail my brothers for pocket change.
Four regressions in, I'd mapped every weakness.
Especially handy since the playboy duo had scandals galore.
"Surprising. I figured you all got along poorly."
"What're you talking about? We're tight as thieves."
I played it breezy on the surface, but inside I iced over.
Pre-possession Derek had zero family warmth.
Dad treated his kids like ATMs.
Early on, elixirs and private tutors for all three boys, doting hard.
The elders shone in magic and swordplay.
But Derek? Dead average. Growth crawled.
That's when Dad dropped the mask.
Cut off the youngest cold—no support, ghosted him.
Told the brothers to shun him, painted him as family trash.
The smug duo started bullying in earnest.
Even rigged his academy life for isolation.
Went after the one girl who'd been kind to him.
Derek shattered—straight to the bottle.
I jumped in right before the suicide.
"Can't wait to see 'em. My brothers."
By now, both were killing it in their fields.
Eldest Dexter had landed a White Tower mage gig.
Second son Deck was a crowd-favorite gladiator.
True to playboy form, they'd bedded a parade of women—including rich noble daughters—which tanked the family rep even further.
"……."
Grimy memories surfaced; I went quiet.
Clea caught the vibe and eased toward the window.
Then, gazing at the prison entrance.
She spotted a carriage approaching from the distant horizon.
Minster family shield emblazoned on the side.
"Warden. Looks like company outside."
"Who?"
"Minsters, I'd say."
"……?"
I scowled and headed to the window.
That moment.
I clocked the familiar faces stepping down.
My two brothers, the ones I'd just name-dropped.
Dexter Minster and Deck Minster had arrived.
Handsome mugs, enigmatic silver locks.
But today, faces twisted in fury as they jawed at the guards.
Then they shoved past, barging right in.
"Yup. My brothers."
My fingers twitched faintly.
Raw instinct from those nightmare memories, probably.
My face, though? Serene as a saint's.
Today's the day those ugly recollections get buried.
"Escort them to my office. I'll greet them personally."
The prisoners, venturing down to the first floor for once, watched in hushed curiosity.
Wondering just what the warden's brothers were like.