A Nighttime Encounter
The training grounds, nestled in the backyard of the Weinstein estate.
During the day, it was a bustling place where countless soldiers trained.
However, as the night deepened, only two figures stepped into the now-deserted space.
"It would be wise to reconsider, Young Master Weinstein. Courage without ability is merely recklessness."
"That won't be necessary."
This was the only way he could overturn the Duke's decision.
As Rudell looked at Dathos, who spoke those words, he began to gather his mana.
Simultaneously, a wave of blue light emanated from his feet, enveloping the surroundings.
Soon, the blue light that had surrounded them dissipated like scattered paint...
"This will prevent any sound from leaking out."
It was a spell that prevented sound within a certain range from escaping.
What was about to unfold between the two of them was something that no one should ever know.
"I hope you won't regret this, Young Master Weinstein."
"I won't."
As Dathos drew his sword, Rudell watched him with a tense expression.
Although he had simply drawn his sword, the pressure emanating from him was beyond imagination.
When he faced the Chimera in the Back Alley and at the Sabbath Festival.
During his duel with Kahran, and when he faced Thundermane.
When he confronted the unidentified turtle magical beast that attacked his territory.
The pressure he felt from Dathos now was far more intense than ever before.
As he watched Dathos slowly assume his stance, Rudell also began to gather his mana.
A chilling wind passed between them, creating a dry, rustling sound.
And so, how much time had passed...?
"Then, I shall make the first move."
With those words, Dathos dashed towards Rudell and swung his sword.
"Haa!!"
Along with a shout, a blue magical energy, similar to Leje's, enveloped his blade as it aimed for Rudell's chest.
A speed so fast that even Rudell, whose body was enhanced with mana, though not to the extent of Leje, found it difficult to react.
-Clang!
"...!!"
However, Rudell was not one to simply stand and take it.
A black shadow instantly rose from the ground, forming a shield to block his sword...
-Screech!!
With the sound of metal scraping against metal, Dathos's sword and Rudell's magic collided, sparks flying and a sharp sound echoing through the air.
"That magic is..."
Dathos looked at Rudell with a surprised expression.
Even skilled swordsmen often failed to block his first strike and were defeated.
However, despite being a mage, Rudell had met his sword head-on and even blocked it with a magic he had never seen before.
"Heh..."
A faint smile appeared on Dathos's lips.
He leaped back to create distance and assumed his stance once more.
"Could you promise me one thing?"
As he watched, Rudell gathered his mana and spoke.
"Speak."
"No matter what happens, I would like you to keep what happened here tonight a secret."
At the same time, shadows, as if alive, began to flow from beneath Rudell's feet.
* * *
The next morning, in front of the Weinstein estate.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
Dathos said with a faint smile as he looked at the estate's people lined up in a neat formation.
"Safe travels, Duke."
"Yes. You should go in as well. You need to check on the Young Lord's condition."
Although all the members of the Weinstein household were present, Rudell was nowhere to be seen.
He had suffered injuries from falling down the stairs the previous night and was unable to come out.
...Or so the people of the Weinstein household believed.
Of course, only Dathos knew the truth of the matter.
"..."
"What is it...?"
As Dathos, who was walking towards the carriage, stopped, Carlos asked him with a puzzled look.
"It's nothing. I just have something to think about."
"Something to think about? Have you forgotten something perhaps...?"
"It's not that. It's just..."
"Just...?"
"Don't mind it. It's nothing."
[No matter what happens, I would like you to keep what happened here tonight a secret.]
"..."
As a Duke, if he couldn't even keep such a trivial promise, what would the people of the world think of him?
With that thought, Dathos, who had been walking, climbed into the carriage adorned with the Dukedom's emblem...
Then, he looked at Carlos through the window and said,
"Carlos."
"Yes, Duke."
"You have a fine son."
"...? Thank you."
Carlos looked at him with a bewildered expression at his sudden praise.
Dathos, watching him, closed the window with a faint smile, and as the people of the Weinstein household bowed their heads, the carriage carrying him slowly began to move along the road.
"Phew..."
Dathos leaned back in his seat, gazing at the receding Weinstein estate.
It had been a long time since he had fought so fiercely...
The duel with Rudell.
That uncompromising duel reminded him of days gone by.
His vigorous youth.
The days he spent on the battlefield.
"Heh..."
"What's so amusing?"
A low chuckle escaped Dathos's lips as he leaned back in his seat.
His aide, who was sitting across from him, tilted his head and looked at him.
"It's nothing."
And, shaking his head at his aide's question, he thought.
The ways of the world are truly a mystery.
* * *
The Royal Capital of Friselium, the commercial district, the headquarters of the Gold Rush Company.
"That concludes my report. The compensation and condolences have been delivered to the family of Branch Manager Gord, and the employees who worked under him have been reassigned to new positions suitable for their skills. However, the selection of a new branch manager is expected to take a little longer."
"Good work. You're dismissed."
As Gilbert gestured with his hand while reading the report, his aide bowed his head and headed out.
Click. The door closed with a sound...
"Khehehe..."
In the dimly lit room, shrouded by thick curtains.
He threw the report onto the desk, letting out a low chuckle as he rubbed his forehead.
The pleasure of seeing everything go according to plan.
The moment when the last hope of desperate humans is crushed was enough to make it hard to stop laughing just by imagining it.
"It seems to have gone as planned."
At that moment, a voice came from a shadowy corner of the room.
Following that, a man emerged from the shadows.
His body was concealed by a black robe, making it impossible to discern his features.
However, the rosary with a cross shape and red eye decoration that peeked from his sleeve revealed his affiliation.
It indicated that he belonged to the Death Eater Cult.
"Indeed, it went perfectly. Thanks to your cooperation, there's no one left in the company who can stop me."
Despite the sudden appearance of the man, Gilbert responded as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, turning his head.
Branch Manager Gord, who had been subtly hindering his plans and getting in his way.
Putting aside his unpleasant personality and reputation, he consistently produced results and constantly challenged Gilbert, making him a thorn in his side.
But that was all in the past now.
Driven by petty greed, he had walked the path to his own destruction, ultimately losing his life.
With his death, there was no one left in the company who could challenge him, except for the company's president who was in a coma.
In other words, the entire Gold Rush Company had fallen into his hands.
"Isn't it amusing? How someone who rises through greed falls due to greed."
"It's a common story. More importantly, you haven't forgotten about our agreement, have you?"
The man, speaking in an indifferent tone, looked at Gilbert and asked.
His cooperation with Gilbert was merely part of a deal.
The deal was complete, and all that remained was to receive his reward.
"Of course. I'll have the items you requested delivered as soon as possible."
"Excellent. Then I'll be waiting for your contact..."
The man nodded in satisfaction at Gilbert's answer and disappeared into the darkness as if melting into it.
As a cold silence once again filled the dimly lit room where the man had vanished...
"Khehehe... Soon, everything in the Kingdom will be in my hands...!!"
Breaking the silence, Gilbert rose from his seat and let out a chilling laugh as he gazed at the cityscape of the Royal Capital spread out before him.
Access 5 advance chapters with the 'Leje's Friend' Tier ($10).
Choose your tier by clicking the 'Support me' button!
Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel.
Join our discord server for the latest release updates and novel discussions.