Chapter 936

Turning

Chapter 936

Immediately after the meeting, the incredible news that originated from the palace spread rapidly throughout the capital and even disrupted Duke Diarca's residence.

"A miracle has occurred?... Is that really what was said?"

"Yes. Many who attended the government meeting unanimously testified to it."

A person bowed before the Duke, responding cautiously.

"...Huh."

The area under Duke Diarca's eyes twitched. He regained his composure only after deeply inhaling from his pipe, which emitted a hazy smoke.

"So... anyone can make such a statement. The issue is whether it's true or false. How is the investigation proceeding?"

"Until the last meeting, where His Majesty briefly appeared, it seemed that the condition was not good. Since then, we have been thoroughly searching everyone who entered the Sun Palace. So far, no peculiarities have been found. Therefore, we are considering expanding the scope of our investigation to other areas..."

"...I-I'm sorry. I thought it best to report back with more concrete information...!"

The person speaking immediately prostrated on the floor, begging for forgiveness. The fear of Duke Diarca, evident from the quick response, had completely replaced the careful and deliberate demeanor shown during the report. Duke Diarca took another long drag from his pipe, exhaling the smoke slowly.

"Concrete information. Why do you think it's up to you to decide that? If you have discovered something, say it. It's my job to think. You are only to serve as my eyes and feet, not my brain. Is this simple command so difficult?"

"No, my lord."

Duke Diarca exhaled the smoke slowly again, filling the space so thickly that it became difficult to see. The person prostrated managed to suppress a cough, staying as low as possible. Sweat from their forehead dripped onto the carpet, leaving a dark stain.

"Leave now."

"…I will return with more information."

The person bowed and slowly retreated while still in prostration. After they left, Duke Diarca put down his pipe and spoke to a standing servant behind him.

"Change the carpet and tear out the tongue of that incompetent fool who just left. Leave no loose ends."

"As you command."

Even after ordering the death of a man, Duke Diarca's gaze remained unchanged. His mind was entirely occupied with thoughts of Emperor Keilusa.

'Could it be true?'

He's recovered? But how?

The illness of Emperor Keilusa was a closely guarded secret, so even Duke Diarca was unaware of the details. However, there were undeniable signs.

Unmistakable traces that not even strict isolation from the outside world could hide. The sense of despair that enveloped the surroundings of the Sun Palace. That much had been real.

'There's a chance it's a lie. But if it's true... I must deal with the Emperor first. I won't even give him a chance to rejoice in his regained life. This time, it must be definitive.'

That day, Duke Diarca received numerous visitors. Those who came to provide information voluntarily, those he had sent on errands, and many others with stern faces came and went.

However, among the many people, none knew whom Emperor Keilusa had met during this time, how he had been, or what treatment he had received. Not even a small clue was found, let alone a satisfactory answer. Although the Sun Palace was always in plain sight and it was believed that the Emperor's every move was being monitored, it was an unbelievable situation.

Was that all? The pieces of information brought as intelligence did not match in any way. One would say one thing, while another claimed something different. Even those directly tasked by Duke Diarca contradicted each other in their words, claims, and thoughts.

It was as if someone had deliberately disrupted the flow of information reaching Duke Diarca.

Such a thought was absurd. Duke Diarca's agents were widely scattered across the empire. No one, other than the Duke himself, could possibly know the extent of his reach; how could someone have known and disrupted all these channels of information?

Unless someone could read Duke Diarca's mind or monitor his every move, it was an impossible task.

'There's no way such a thing is possible.'

As he aged, he found himself unduly worried in confusing situations. Isn't it said that unnecessary worries are a sign of aging?

Irritated, Duke Diarca sighed and, for what seemed like the umpteenth time today, filled his pipe with crushed leaves and lit it. No matter how much of the drug-infused leaves he used, which usually induced a pleasant, euphoric state, they were no longer effective. Decades of use had built a strong tolerance.

'Tch.'

However, what irritated the Duke even more was the content of the report being made by the person prostrated before him.

"We tried to block the information, but it eventually reached the Bright Palace. His Highness the Crown Prince was so shocked that he smashed some objects, and several attendants were injured and had to be carried out..."

Though elegantly phrased as 'smashing objects', the implied meaning was closer to a frenzied outburst.

'It's not surprising anymore.'

Even if the Emperor has truly recovered, it shouldn't drive Katchian to such a frenzy. He was already the Crown Prince, and no one could easily take his place. Why behave like a loser just because of that news? A smart person would have kept a low profile, acted as if nothing was amiss, gathered information, and helped to consolidate Diarca's power.

It was rare to find a child who was both ruthless and intelligent and also met all the physical criteria. Who would have thought that he would collapse so easily?

"Such is the nature of those with tainted blood..."

Duke Diarca's muttering dispersed into the smoke. Pressing his hand against his forehead, tormented by a headache that not even drugs could alleviate, he spoke again.

"Is Kiolle staying quietly in the annex?"

"Oh, yes. He was reading, and now he is asleep."

"Good. If he becomes too noisy, allow him a brief outing."

"As you wish."

"And go out and send this message."

The servant swallowed hard as he took the small note from Duke Diarca.

The servant, having served the Duke for many years, knew that the name written on the note was connected to mercenaries and assassins the Duke employed for his dirtiest and most dangerous tasks.

"Whether proper information comes in or not doesn't matter. The important thing is how one acts in the end."

It was difficult to push the sun off the cliff once, let alone twice.

Even if all the information was muddled and the exact situation unclear, if it came to that, then pushing again would suffice.

Emperor Keilusa, amidst everyone's indifference, had lost even the last opportunity to die in peace.

"...And I too should visit the Imperial Palace after a long time to confirm this joyous news for myself. There's nothing more certain than seeing it with my own eyes."

Duke Diarca's eyes darkened.

Unbeknownst to him, behind his back, in a vase beautifully adorned with flowers, someone was sparkling vividly, witnessing and hearing everything.

—

At the harbor of Charloin, now deserted as all its inhabitants had evacuated.

Yuder stood there at last, gazing at the dark, tumultuous sea.

'It seems calm enough for now... but it feels like the calm before a storm.'

The quiet was unsettling, the waves irregularly churning in a manner that felt eerily clingy against the skin.

It was as if a beast, baring its teeth, was crouched and ready to pounce.

"...Is this the first time we've stood side by side, watching the sea?"

Yuder turned his head towards the voice that spoke beside him. Kishiar was looking at him with a small smile.

It was unclear how long Kishiar had been watching him, but it was likely that he had been observing Yuder from the beginning. Yuder tore his gaze from the sea and replied.

"Yes."

"It's a pity we're not alone due to all the people around, but we'll have another chance to see it together."

"..."

As he said, the area was bustling with people busily checking the breakwaters and surveying the surroundings. Yuder's reason for being out here was, in fact, to survey the place beyond the sea, where he was meant to go.

"The waves are getting higher, and I can feel irregular vibrations underfoot."

"Yes, I feel them too."

"Finding the source of these vibrations and stopping them all at once is no easy task."

"But it's something we must do."

"Yes."

After that response, a brief silence fell between them. Yuder, looking at the intensely churning sea, impulsively asked,

"People say that the current state of the sea is completely different from the usual Southern Sea, almost like the Northern Sea. Is the sea near Peletta similar to this when seen up close?"

"Hmm. No. The color may have become slightly similar now, but Peletta's sea is completely different from this Southern Sea. The smell, the air, nothing is alike. Just as being rough is not the same as being dangerous."

"...I see."

"Curious?"

"Yes, I am curious."

Yuder replied honestly. A smile, carrying a mixture of emotions, floated across Kishiar's face.

"Good. As I said before, I'll definitely invite you next time to show you. I want to hear your thoughts on the difference you feel compared to the Southern Sea."