NABC Chapter 331: Chapter 330: I Have So Many Questions. (2)
Chapter 331: Chapter 330: I Have So Many Questions. (2)
Chapter 331: Chapter 330: I Have So Many Questions. (2)
Raul was not originally from the Lutania kingdom.
Even those within the Duke faction didn't know where he came from. He simply appeared one day, gained the Duke's trust, and was granted a title, taking charge of the Duchy's affairs.
At first, the long-serving vassals of the Duke fiercely opposed him, but those who voiced dissent mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
- Ever since that devil came to the Duchy, His Grace has changed.
People whispered, but no one could stop Raul, who now held all the power.
The Duke, far from intervening, handed everything over to Raul with the instruction to do as he pleased.
Raul's limited knowledge of the secrets surrounding the Forest of Demonic Beasts came from the oral traditions and documents gathered by the group he belonged to.
"The Forest of Demonic Beasts is an incredibly dangerous place. Even if the kingdom pours all its resources into conquering it, success isn't guaranteed. And afterward... when 'that day' comes, we'll need a large force.'
This was why Raul hoarded his forces with near-obsessive caution. The aides didn't understand the full reasons; they simply followed orders, knowing that it was the direction given by the Duchy.
Over time, Raul painstakingly swayed the nobles, expanding the Duchy's power while steadily diminishing the strength of the royalist faction.
The Duchy, already the kingdom's most powerful force, found everything progressing smoothly—until Ghislain appeared.
'I never imagined that man would amount to this. It's unbelievable.'
Raul had met Ghislain in person during Marquis Branford's banquet. Even back then, he thought Ghislain was quite impressive: a man who won battles, created innovative products, and amassed enormous wealth.
What stood out most was Ghislain's courage. He didn't flinch in Raul's presence; in fact, he even stared at Raul with a look of deep resentment, which Raul found peculiar.
Still, Raul had believed Harold could handle him. At the time, the gap between Harold and Ghislain was significant.
'But that man... has now defeated Harold and is called the strongest in the North.'
Calling it a mistake on Raul's part didn't feel adequate-Ghislain's accomplishments were too extraordinary.
Even from the available information, Ghislain's actions defied explanation. It felt as though he knew everything about them in advance.
"That's impossible.'
Raul shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
'It doesn't matter now. The moment he touched the Forest of Demonic Beasts, there was no turning back.'
When Raul heard that Ghislain had begun pioneering the Forest of Demonic Beasts and obtained rune stones, he wasted no time in ordering Harold to destroy Perdium.
The Forest of Demonic Beasts was that crucial to Raul.
'I never thought anyone would dare touch it... but that whelp had the audacity to do so. And he succeeded.'
Though Ghislain had only entered the outskirts, his success in the Forest of Demonic Beasts was an affront to Raul.
Harold had subsequently launched an attack using Digald but failed.
That failure marked the beginning of a series of complications that led to the current situation.
"It can't be helped. I'll personally tear that Fenris brat apart someday. For now, prepare for the larger operation."
"You mean..."
Raul's voice turned cold as he replied,
"Yes, I've decided. Prepare for civil war, but ensure we can achieve victory with minimal casualties. In the meantime, sway as many individuals to our side as possible."
"Understood."
The aides left with grim expressions.
Civil war was not the same as a territorial skirmish.
It meant that all the lords and nobles of the kingdom would split into two factions and fight.
The Duke didn't seem to care about the potential losses, but others did.
Even in war, victory with minimal damage was essential for what came next.
Preparation would be critical, and every effort had to be made to avoid mistakes.
Once the aides had left, Raul was left alone, deep in thought.
"I still can't figure him out."
He wasn't thinking about Ghislain.
He was referring to the one he served-Ernheart.
It was Raul and his organization that had approached the Duke, revealed the Duchy's secrets, and guided him onto a new path.
Even so, he couldn't fathom what Ernheart was thinking.
The Duke had given Raul complete control, allowing him to lead as he saw fit, but the
occasional glint of cold malice in the Duke's eyes unsettled him.
When Raul first met Ernheart and revealed the secrets of the Duchy, enlightened him to his mission, the Duke had smiled and said,
"So I am indeed special. A part of my long-standing doubts has been resolved."
The Duke calmly accepted his mission.
However, his subsequent actions were shocking even to Raul.
Ernheart killed his own wife and annihilated her family.
"There were rumors of the Duchess's infidelity. Overcome with rage, he acted out of
grief."
People sided with the Duke, reasoning that someone as kind and good-natured as him wouldn't act without cause.
Later, the Duke killed his own children.
-- "They plotted to overthrow their father. Such treachery is unforgivable."
Once again, people sided with the Duke.
Then, the Duke killed all his siblings and every member of his extended family. No man,
woman, or child of the Duke's bloodline was spared.
Even those who had left the family were hunted down and killed. If their descendants existed, they were also executed. Any resistance led to the destruction of their entire families.
all his knights?"
"Exactly, which is why no one takes the claim seriously. Fenris's knights are famous now, so
this guy is dismissed as just some drunk spinning tales. I've seen him myself, and he doesn't
look like someone who'd survive the Forest of Demonic Beasts."
"What does he say?"
"He talks about how he tagged along and fought all sorts of monsters. He badmouths Count
Fenris a lot, too. It's all nonsense, really. I just brought it up because the Forest of Demonic
Beasts was mentioned."
Amelia fell silent, her mind churning. "What kind of monsters does he talk about?"
"Uh... something about creatures immune to attacks without light? He says there were
hundreds of them, and you couldn't kill them without mana. Supposedly, Count Fenris had prepared light scrolls in advance, using them to lure and kill the monsters all at once. But honestly, does that make any sense? How could anyone know about such creatures without any prior information on the Forest of Demonic Beasts? Even as a made-up story, it's too far- fetched. Hahaha."
Bernaph waved his hand dismissively and laughed.
But Amelia didn't laugh.
The atmosphere grew cold, and her cat, Bastet, meowed in disapproval.
"Meow!"
Bernaph quickly stopped laughing, scratching his head awkwardly.
Amelia, still wearing a cold expression, seemed lost in thought.
Then, she spoke. "Bring him to me."
"What? That braggart? Why?"
"Immediately."
"Y-yes, understood!"
No one dared to defy her command. Soldiers moved swiftly to capture the man from the
rumors.
When he arrived, he looked unkempt and reeked of filth, as if he hadn't bathed in days. "H-honored lady, I greet you."
The man, with a rodent-like face, prostrated himself before Amelia, who sat at the head of
the chamber.
It wasn't just because she was the lord; he genuinely held some gratitude toward her.
Amelia had distributed food across Rayfold's towns and villages, ensuring no one starved.
The man had stayed in Rayfold ever since. Amelia frowned slightly at the man's appearance.
He looked like nothing more than a drunken fool who spouted nonsense.
Still, she didn't dismiss him outright. Instead, she asked,
"So, you're the mercenary who claims to have ventured into the Forest of Demonic Beasts
with Count Fenris?"
The man's expression grew tense.
It was supposed to be a secret, but in his drunkenness, he had let bits and pieces slip.
It seemed the rumors had spread.
After hesitating, he sighed and admitted,
"Yes, I've been to the Forest of Demonic Beasts."
His calm response piqued Amelia's interest.
"What is your name?"
"My name... is Manus."
The man was none other than Manus, the mercenary who had fled during Ghislain's encounter
with the Blood Python.
Miraculously, he had survived and had been hiding in Rayfold ever since.
"And your occupation?"
"Well... I've been taking a break, but I used to be a mercenary." Amelia questioned Manus about his background before getting to the point.
"I'm curious about the Forest of Demonic Beasts. Tell me everything you experienced there."
Manus's eyes gleamed slyly.
"The honored lady wants to hear my story?"
Initially, he had intended to keep his experiences a secret, but he had already let slip too much
in his drunken ramblings.
Now that it was out in the open, he decided to use this opportunity to his advantage.
Manus, a man prone to complaints and manipulation, thought this was his chance to extract a
reward and leave Rayfold for good. Feigning a solemn tone, he replied,
"It's not difficult to share my story, but I have a small request for the honored lady."
"What is it?"
"This information cost me my life to obtain. I'd like a modest compensation for sharing it."
"Compensation?"
Daring to haggle over information with her?
A cold smile spread across Amelia's face.