The training ground located in the backyard of the Count Weinstein’s Mansion.
During the day, it was a place where numerous soldiers trained, but for some reason, it was eerily quiet as two people stepped into the area under the deep night sky.
“It would be better to stop now, Count Weinstein. Courage without ability is just recklessness.”
“That won’t happen.”
This was the only method available for him to reverse the Duke’s decision.
As he looked at Dasus, who said that, Rudell began to draw up his magic power.
At the same time, a wave of blue light spread from below his feet, starting to envelop the surrounding area.
Not long after, the blue light that surrounded them began to vanish like paint being spread.
“There won’t be any sounds leaking outside from now on.”
This was a magic spell that prevented sounds within a certain range from spreading outside.
The reason for this was that what would happen between the two should not be known by anyone.
“I hope you don’t regret this, Count Weinstein.”
“I won’t.”
As Dasus drew his sword, Rudell looked at him with a tense expression.
Simply pulling out the sword, the pressure radiating from him was beyond imagination.
When he faced the Chimera in the back alley and during the Sabbath Festival.
The duel with Kahlan, and when facing the Thunder Fang.
The pressure he felt from Dasus right now was stronger than ever before.
As he slowly got into position, Rudell also began to draw up his magic power.
A chilling wind swept through the space between the two, creating a dry sound.
How long had it been…
“Then, I’ll go first.”
Saying that, Dasus dashed straight toward Rudell, swinging his sword.
“Ugh!!”
With a battle cry, blue magical power like that of Leje wrapped around his sword aimed at Rudell’s chest.
Even though Rudell had reinforced his body with magic to some extent, it was at a speed difficult to react to.
Kaaang!
“…!!”
But Rudell was not the type to just take it.
In an instant, the black shadow that rose from the ground became a shield and blocked Dasus’s sword…
Giiiiiik!!
With the sound of metal scraping, Dasus’s sword and Rudell’s magic collided, and a sharp sound spread with sparks.
“That magic is…”
Seeing this scene, Dasus looked at Rudell with a surprised expression.
Even skilled swordsmen frequently lost without being able to block his strikes.
However, Rudell, despite being a wizard, was directly countering his sword and even blocking it with a magic he had never seen before.
“Heh…”
A faint smile appeared on Dasus’s lips, and as he leaped back to create distance, he readied his stance again.
“Can you promise me just one thing?”
Observing him, Rudell raised his magic power and spoke to him.
“Go ahead.”
“Whatever happens, I hope you keep what happened here today a secret.”
Simultaneously, shadows began to wriggle out from beneath Rudell’s feet as if they were alive.
*
The next morning, in front of Count Weinstein’s Mansion.
“Then I will take my leave.”
Dasus said with a faint smile while looking at the Count’s people lined up in a respectful posture.
“Do take care, Duke.”
“Yeah. You should go inside too; you need to check on the state of the cattle.”
Although all the people from Count Weinstein’s Mansion were out, Rudell was nowhere to be seen.
They believed it was because he had fallen down the stairs last night and got injured, preventing him from coming outside.
…This was a truth only Dasus knew.
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
As Dasus turned to head toward the carriage, Carlos looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“It’s nothing. Just something on my mind.”
“Something on your mind? Did you forget something…?”
“Not at all. Just…”
“Just…?”
“Don’t mind it. It’s nothing serious.”
“[Whatever happens, I hope you keep what happened here today a secret.]”
“…”
As a Duke, if he couldn’t keep such a trivial promise, what would the world think of him?
With that thought, Dasus stepped into the carriage adorned with the Duke’s seal…
Then he turned to Carlos outside the window and said.
“Carlos.”
“Yes, Duke.”
“You have a truly wonderful son.”
“…? Thank you.”
Carlos looked at him with a confused expression at the sudden compliment.
Dasus, who watched that expression, closed the window with a faint smile, and his carriage began to slowly move along the road while the Count’s people bowed their heads.
“Hoo…”
Dasus leaned back in his chair, gazing at the retreating Count’s Mansion.
How long had it been since he fought so fiercely…
The duel with Rudell.
It was an unwavering confrontation that reminded him of memories from the past.
The passionate days of his youth.
The days spent on the battlefield.
“Heh…”
“Is there something good happening?”
A low chuckle escaped his lips as he leaned back in his chair, and his advisor sitting across tilted his head, looking at him.
“It’s nothing much.”
He shook his head at his advisor’s question, thinking.
The affairs of the world are truly filled with things you understand and yet don’t.
*
The commercial district of the Royal Road, headquarters of the Gold Rush Company.
“Reporting is complete. Compensation and consolation payments have been delivered to the family of Branch Director Gord, and employees working under him have been reassigned to new positions that suit their aptitudes. However, it seems the selection of a new branch head will take a bit longer.”
“Good work, you can leave.”
As Gilbert waved his hand while reading the report, his advisor bowed and headed outside.
With a click, the door closed…
Khueheuhe…
In a dim room hidden by thick curtains.
Throwing the report on the desk, he rubbed his forehead and chuckled softly.
The joy of having everything go according to plan.
Imagining the moment when the desperate hopes of humans are crushed made it hard to stop smiling.
“It seems things are going according to plan.”
At that moment, a voice echoed from a shadowy corner of the room.
Shortly after, a man emerged from that place.
He was cloaked in black robes, obscuring his detailed features.
However, a rosary adorned with red eyes in the shape of a cross peeked through his sleeves, marking his affiliation.
It indicated he belonged to the Church of the Eaters of Death.
“Yeah, everything is going quite well. Thanks to your cooperation, there’s no one in the guild who can stop me now.”
Though surprised by the sudden appearance of the man, Gilbert turned to him as if accustomed to such situations.
Gord, the branch director who had secretly obstructed his plans, was a nuisance.
Setting aside his unpleasant personality and reputation, he had consistently been a thorn in Gilbert’s side.
But that was all in the past now.
Due to his petty greed, he walked the path of self-destruction, resulting in his life being lost.
Thanks to his death, now there was no one left who could oppose him in the guild, except for the guild master who lay in a coma.
In other words, the entire Gold Rush Company had effectively fallen under his control.
“Isn’t it interesting? How a person who rose through greed falls due to greed.”
“That’s a common story. But I trust you haven’t forgotten our agreement?”
The man said nonchalantly, looking at Gilbert.
His cooperation with Gilbert was strictly transactional.
With the deal completed, all that remained was to receive payment.
“Of course. I will ensure the items you requested are delivered promptly.”
“Excellent. I look forward to your contact…”
Nodding in affirmation, Gilbert’s response pleased the man who melted into the darkness, disappearing.
As the cold silence returned to the dimly lit room…
Khueh… Soon everything in the kingdom will be in my hands…!!
Breaking that silence, Gilbert stood up, gazing at the scenery of the royal city sprawled before him, emitting a chilling laugh.
