Chapter 110 : Chapter 110

Chapter 110: The Road Ahead Will Be Long (10)

Adeline had never once stopped suspecting Killian since he joined her.

She’d kept a close eye on him.

Assuming he was merely the Archduke’s spy was too simplistic, too one-dimensional.

The possibilities were endless.

Even setting aside Killian’s sinister side, his outward ambition was concealed, yet as a legitimate heir, he was enough to stir the greed of nobles vying for power.

She didn’t just monitor his every move—she’d even tasked Ramba with investigating every noble connected to him.

“Why…?”

Adeline muttered, her body frozen in shock. She’d missed one critical possibility.

“Adel! Oh, my dear sister, Adeline!”

He approached with exaggerated gestures, stumbling on the gravel, his two attendants steadying his arms each time he swayed.

“…”

“Hahaha! Stay right there. I can’t quite see your face from here.”

Swallowing dryly, her eyelids trembled.

Only then did her senses return.

“Deputy Leader, was this your plan from the start?”

There was no need for pathetic questions like Why did you deceive me?

A person’s eyes couldn’t lie.

Adeline hadn’t trusted Jewelina Gunbel herself but the look in her eyes when she spoke of Bihen Benkou.

“…”

“Deputy Leader!”

“Well, if it’s alright, shall I answer for her, Lady?”

A gruff voice interjected leisurely.

Adeline turned to the man.

Her furious glare met his nonchalant shrug, as if embarrassed.

“The lady and her brother have been chosen by the Imperial Family.”

“What? The Imperial Family’s… chosen?”

“Indeed. So scolding the Deputy Leader won’t help. Even I don’t know the details of your situation. I was just ordered to bring you, that’s all.”

“Are you saying the Imperial Family told you to kidnap me?”

“I told you, we received orders. We don’t know the specifics.”

“How utterly shameless. Is the Imperial Family a band of thugs?”

“Lady, you’d better watch your tongue now.”

“Shut up. Are you with the Imperial Family?”

The man lifted the brim of his black hat with his thumb, revealing his face again.

His darkened eye sockets, perhaps deliberately smudged, stood out.

His wild, unkempt beard twitched.

“Sargon, aide to the Gunbel Trading Company’s manager. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

He introduced himself as part of the Gunbel Trading Company.

Adeline’s gaze shifted back to the Deputy Leader, Jewelina, as if there was nothing more to see.

“Were you serving the Imperial Family?”

“Didn’t you already know that, Lady?”

“No.”

Adeline’s delicate brow furrowed deeply.

Her eyes, filled with disgust and rage, flickered fiercely.

“Not the Gunbel Trading Company, but you, Jewelina Gunbel.”

Under the bright moonlight, Jewelina’s eyelids trembled faintly.

Whoosh—!

Fragments of a crashing wave scattered at the group’s feet.

Killian approached right after, his hurried steps kicking up gravel with a clatter.

“Adel! Adel! Hahaha! Let me see your face! I couldn’t sleep wondering what expression you’d make!”

Adeline turned to him, not hiding her contempt.

“Killian, what kind of scheme have you cooked up?”

“Phew, I’m out of breath. Don’t get so worked up. I get that you’re upset, but one day you’ll thank your dear brother.”

“…What?”

“I personally requested asylum with the Imperial Family.”

Adeline, skilled at hiding her emotions, couldn’t control herself at this moment.

Her jaw dropped as if unhinged.

“Asylum…?”

“As your brother, I’ve always felt bad for not doing anything for my only sister. So, I made a bold decision on your behalf.”

Killian put on a sorrowful expression.

“My poor sister, burdened too heavily just for carrying Conwell blood. You can let it all go now. Shake it off and live as your true self for the rest of your life…”

Slap—!

Adeline struck Killian’s cheek.

She wanted to hurl insults, decorum be damned, but couldn’t.

Burning frustration welled in her eyes.

“You beast, what are you blabbering about?”

“Ugh, to hit your own brother…”

Slap!

“Even for a wastrel, I didn’t think you were this deranged. To pull something so unthinkable.”

“Callence is already at our doorstep! Do you think either of us will survive if he takes power? Since we’re doomed anyway, why not seek a fresh start in the Empire? You should be grateful, not throwing a tantrum! You insolent wench, do you think I’m a pushover just because I’ve been kind?”

Killian’s eyes blazed red, his grievance laced with some sincerity.

Of course, if they settled in the Empire, to preserve the “pure” Conwell bloodline, they’d need to work together to produce an heir and if the Empire ever swallowed the Kingdom, one of them might rule this land…

‘Not the time to mention that.’

Killian decided to hold his tongue.

Sargon chuckled softly and spoke.

“You two are quite spirited, but spare a thought for our position. Continue this on the way if you must, but let’s move.”

Killian shot Adeline a displeased glance, flung his cloak, and brushed past her.

Adeline felt the full weight of rage boiling to her head.

At this point, her mind went blank.

When she came to, she realized she was running.

“Ugh, such a disgrace to the family…”

Killian clicked his tongue and gestured to his two attendants.

Adeline was quickly caught, and in the struggle, she fell. Killian stood before her as she sat on the ground.

“Adel, give up. It’s over.”

He extended his hand, wearing a feigned benevolent smile.

“Let’s start anew together in a new place…”

Splatter—!

A wet, unpleasant sound cut Killian’s words short.

Adeline blinked rapidly.

It felt like a warm, sticky wave had splashed her face.

In her dazed state, she barely looked up.

Killian’s chest was soaked red, a blade protruding from its center.

“Urk, what’s… this…?”

Killian muttered, coughing up blood.

As the blade withdrew, his body swayed and collapsed face-first before Adeline.

“Adel, save… me…”

As Killian’s outstretched hand trembled, so did Adeline’s eyes.

The same sound rang out from both sides. Killian’s two attendants fell limply.

“Get up, quickly.”

A hand extended abruptly.

It was Maserin, who had taken down three men in an instant.

Adeline, staring blankly at the hand, snapped to her senses at the sound of crashing waves.

“Why did you…?”

“Lady! Now’s not the time to sit there in a daze!”

This time, it was Jewelina.

She backed toward them, holding a dagger to her own throat as if bargaining with her life.

Even for Adeline, it was overwhelming.

The rapid sequence of events defied logic.

“I knew our Deputy Leader wasn’t one to sit idly by.”

Sargon approached as well.

Adeline’s eyes flashed.

“Sargon! Honestly, I used to be terrified of you.”

Jewelina stopped near Maserin and Adeline.

“But not anymore. I’ve met someone scarier.”

“Deputy Leader, now’s the time for work, not emotions. This is for all of us, isn’t it?”

“Your uncle’s business, you mean.”

“The manager told you to separate personal and professional matters.”

“Enough. Don’t come closer, or I’ll slit my throat.”

By the end of the exchange, the three women had moved slightly away from the fallen bodies.

Sargon crouched by Killian, flipping his eyelids a few times before standing indifferently, as if it meant nothing.

“Deputy Leader, death is this hollow.”

“…”

“A shrewd person like you wouldn’t act rashly without reason. Tell me, who’d you make a deal with?”

Adeline barely held onto her wits.

Listening to their confusing conversation, Killian’s madness was fading from her memory.

She looked between Jewelina, Maserin, and Sargon.

There seemed to be some history among them.

“A deal… I wanted one too, but it didn’t work out.”

“Then what’s your purpose now?”

“Maybe this way I’ll get a chance to make a deal with him?”

“Stop the wordplay. Fine, I get it. So, what’s the plan? Let Lady Adeline go?”

Jewelina smirked.

“Sounds good?”

“Then make me an offer like a proper Deputy Leader. Let’s hear it.”

The tense standoff between the three women and Sargon maintained a delicate balance.

Adeline slowly crushed gravel under her heel and spoke.

“Uncle, serve me instead. I’ll strongly recommend you to Father for the next manager position.”

“Hmm. Anything else?”

“If I die here, you know you’re finished too, right?”

“More.”

“Need more?”

Sargon, arms crossed, stroked his beard.

His empty sleeves and cloak hem flapped wildly in the sea breeze.

“That’s a problem.”

“Hah, greedier than I thought…”

“The manager position will soon be obsolete. It didn’t look good, like a borrowed seat.”

“…What?”

“The manager was more ambitious than he seemed. Guess I backed the right horse.”

“Wait…”

“No need to weigh costs and benefits.”

Kiing—!

Sargon drew his sword in one swift motion.

The blade gleamed, reflecting moonlight.

“The dead Second Son will be replaced by the Deputy Leader’s head. That’ll save our face with the Imperial Family.”

Sargon’s steps quickened, like a wolf circling prey before pouncing.

Maserin stepped boldly in front of Jewelina.

She’d only called her name once, at their first meeting.

“Run, Jewel!”

Her shout mingled with the waves, piercing their ears. Jewelina’s eyes snapped open.

“Step aside. I’d hate to stain my blade with your blood.”

Sargon’s murderous aura tore through the dark sea night.

Death was different—it came silently, hidden behind fear.

When Maserin realized this, Sargon was already close, slowly raising his slackened sword.

She knew the gap in skill was insurmountable.

Perhaps overcoming fear allowed her to see death clearly.

“I won’t warn you twice.”

With his words, Sargon’s raised sword fell from the upper left.

A chilling glint flashed in Maserin’s eyes.

Clang—!

A loud metallic clash drowned out even the waves.

Someone lunged from behind Maserin, extending a sword to block Sargon’s strike.

‘…!’

Pushing Sargon back, they landed in front of Maserin.

A thought struck her.

That back—it was familiar now.

Not the first time.

He always appeared like this or stood at the forefront, as if it were natural.

In every fight, always.

This time was no different.

“Imperial…!”

Bihen’s form vanished, leaving a faint afterimage.

The next moment, he and Sargon reappeared far from their original positions.

To the three women, it looked like the intervening moments were skipped.

“Huh…”

A strange admiration slipped from Sargon’s slightly parted lips, tinged with intrigue.

“You look exhausted.”

“Thanks for noticing.”

A metallic clang followed his reply.

The two now stood on the moonlit, waterlogged sand.

The sound of shifting grains and intermittent waves mingled with the clash of steel.

When a brief gap opened, Sargon tilted his head.

“Kingdom weaponry with Imperial swordsmanship.”

“…”

“Are you mocking me?”

“I have my reasons.”

Sargon scanned Bihen, then turned back.

The child, standing still with the lantern, scurried toward Sargon.

Splash—

The waves drowned out their voices from reaching Bihen.

Moments later, the child set down the lantern and ran toward the boat.

Whoosh—!

The two stood still, staring at each other with the large moon between them.

“…Bihen Benkou, eldest son of the Benkou family.”

“Sargon. I left my family long ago.”

The wind wildly tousled their hair as it passed.

After about ten waves crashed—

Splash—!

The child returned, carrying two swords.

Sargon gestured invitingly, and the child approached Bihen, who took one without hesitation.

Sargon picked up the remaining one…

Kiing!

They drew their swords simultaneously.

The slack blades gleamed.

For a moment,*Clang—!*

Like waves chasing each other.

Clang! Clang!

Silver threads tangled.

Splash—!

One spark extinguished first, fading into the sea breeze.

Click.

As the sword met its sheath, the world’s noise flattened.

Bihen’s world grew silent.

Crunch, crunch.

Bihen approached the child.

Shadows cast by the lantern shrouded their face.

“Where’s your home?”

The child blinked once and answered.

“From Lenoir.”

“…I see.”

He returned the sword to the child.

The end of a long fight wasn’t half bad.

Too exhausted… words meant for the child lingered unspoken in his mouth.

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.