Chapter 933

Turning

Chapter 933

"Support? I have already sent it. Are you unaware of the extent of the supplies that have left here?"

The memory of the supplies he had been forced to send, enduring the humiliation in silence due to the Emperor catching him off-guard over the Crown Prince's unauthorized departure from the palace, still irked him immensely. Kiolle hurriedly shook his head.

"No, no, that's not what I meant... I mean, although the day of hail has passed, there might be more to come. I've received information suggesting that this might not be the end. If that's true, shouldn't we naturally prepare a response?"

"Information?"

Duke Diarca furrowed his brow. The efforts of Kiolle to beat around the bush did little to deceive the Duke, cunning as an old raccoon.

"So, you mean to say someone has told you that the disaster is not over, and you must also lend a hand? Who told you this? The disgraceful First Princess of Herne, who even neglects her father's funeral rites? Or is it from the always penniless followers of the Sun God..."

"What? No!"

Kiolle, startled, quickly shook his head.

"That...."

Kiolle pondered intensely for a moment.

The information he had was from Yuder of the Cavalry. Though Yuder was a character with a flawed personality, he never approached his work carelessly. If such a man was preparing for an incident in the south, there must indeed be a serious problem.

Even the Cavalry, filled with commoners, did not hesitate to risk their lives to protect the nation. Wouldn't Duke Diarca, a member of one of the four ancient ducal families and soon to lead the entire empire, naturally be expected to step forward?

But revealing that he got the information from Yuder would lead to his father dismissing him without even listening. After much thought, Kiolle finally spoke.

"What did you instruct me to do, Father? Was it not to check on the Cavalry and Duke Peletta in the south, to report back in a manner befitting the Imperial Knights and our Diarca House?"

"That's right."

"I did as you asked, Father. I personally monitored the movements of Duke Peletta and the Cavalry. After the day of hail, I realized that their continued presence there wasn't just for clean-up. Upon investigating further, I discovered they believe in the information I just mentioned and are preparing a response..."

"Kiolle. Are you saying you believe the information you've acquired from them, unfiltered?"

Duke Diarca asked incredulously, a scoff escaping him. Kiolle's face reddened slightly, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Of course! They might be rude commoners, but their abilities... I believe they are genuine. Aren't you doing the same, Father, calling upon the Awakeners to replace our family's private soldiers?"

"..."

"If they have determined that the disaster in the south is not yet over, there must be a reason... Right? So, we can't just stand aside..."

If Yuder had seen him, he might have doubted if Kiolle had swapped tongues with someone else, so fervent was his plea. But he was silenced by the Duke raising his hand.

"That's enough, Kiolle. Leave it at that."

'Has he understood my point?!'

For a moment, Kiolle thought so and smiled. However, the words that followed were entirely different from what he had anticipated.

"Certainly, I did think it odd that Duke Peletta had not yet left the south and was solely focused on the clean-up. I even wondered if he had found a woman to his liking down there... But if your words are true, then it seems the Emperor must have further tasks for the Cavalry, hence why he keeps him there. Hmm."

"..."

"Then, our Diarca House has even less reason to interfere in the south."

"Father?"

"Well, this is fortunate. As it is, I've been troubled enough with the Crown Prince's unauthorized departure and the foolish death of that buffoon, Ajihen Toom. If your information about further troubles in the south is accurate, leaving the Cavalry and Herne to it would be to our advantage."

Kiolle doubted for a moment if he had heard correctly. Yet, his father's face, calm and cool as ever, showed no change.

"Father, but..."

"Kiolle. When you, still a child, threw tantrums wanting to become a knight, it wasn't to indulge in fairy tales. You do know who you owe your comfortable and honorable position in the Imperial Knights to, don't you?"

For a brief moment, Kiolle felt as if cold water had been poured over his head, and he stopped mid-sentence.

"Causing other sorts of trouble is fine. I, your father, can tolerate that much. But never do anything that brings dishonor to our House. Never."

And the very thing Kiolle was advocating for was what Duke Diarca's icy gaze indicated as 'bringing dishonor to the House.'

"Of course, if there is trouble in the empire, it is indeed our duty as a noble house to lend aid. But can that ever take precedence over the greater cause of preserving our House? Everything must be for the sake of Diarca."

After saying this, Duke Diarca's thin lips curled into a smile.

"Do you think I'm being too harsh?"

"..."

"But leading a noble house requires such decisions. Think about it. Even on the day of the hail, the only significant loss was the death of Duke Herne. Yet, despite this, the Cavalry received praise, and voices lauding Duke Peletta and the Emperor grew louder. In contrast, due to the poor, foolish blunderer's death and the Crown Prince's ignorance of what matters, our Diarca House's position has become quite precarious."

In such circumstances, aiding an enemy's success would be foolish, more so now when the Crown Prince, aboard the same ship, has become more of a hindrance than a help. This was what Duke Diarca believed.

"But, Father. This disaster could be far more severe than the day of hail. If turmoil arises in the south, it's not just there that's at risk; the entire empire could face grave danger... I thought it noble to repay the help we've received..."

"My son, Kiolle."

Duke Diarca looked at his son, whose speech was becoming increasingly jumbled, with a mix of pity and exasperation. He reached out, stroked his hair, then patted his shoulder. Kiolle expelled his breath as if crushed by the weight of a boulder.

"I don't know who has been filling your head with these fanciful ideas, but it would be best for you to cool your head for a while. Right now, the most important thing is that we cannot afford to see the imperial family's good-for-nothing troublemaker return just as His Majesty the Emperor wishes, swaggering around as if he has become a hero and the rightful owner of the divine sword. Anyway, if your information is indeed true, I too will have to exert some effort. It seems I'll be busy again."

Despite the confirmation that Duke Peletta had become the new swordmaster and the owner of the divine sword, Duke Diarca still treated him as if he were nothing more than an insignificant accessory of the Emperor. This was not due to ignorance, but rather a deliberate expression of the 'noble' stubbornness to refuse acknowledging Duke Peletta's transformation.

No matter how much Duke Peletta might be the swordmaster and the owner of the divine sword, it was still the Diarca House that held sway in the world. Unless Duke Diarca acknowledged him, the numerous nobles who followed would also act as if Duke Peletta had not changed at all.

As if visible things are unseen. As if audible things are unheard.

This had been Duke Diarca's method of dealing with the imperial family, his longstanding adversaries.

"Ah... Father. Then, if not Diarca's support, may I at least inquire about the support from the Imperial Knights..."

"Stop talking nonsense. Why can't you think beyond this one track? Don't bother yourself with complex thoughts anymore. Just stay in the annex for a while and pretend to reflect. I'll assign someone to keep an eye on you, so don't even think about going out."

Duke Diarca finished his words as if addressing a child and gestured with his hand, signaling for Kiolle to leave. Unable to say anything more, Kiolle followed the servants' guidance and exited.

With a listless expression, he was secretly observed by people here and there. Despite the covert and maliciously curious gazes pouring upon him, he remained oblivious.

Kiolle entered a secluded annex instead of his usual room, changed his clothes, and lay down on the bed. It was only then, left alone, that a certain thought finally surfaced in his troubled mind.

'What... What is this feeling?'

He found himself engulfed in an immense disappointment and shock, the likes of which he couldn't even comprehend himself.