Chapter 54: The Child of Darkness Awakes in Three Weeks

“It won’t end so easily. One mistake is more than enough.”

With those words, Kebel sensed the Count turning away.

The uneven rhythm of the cane striking the floor lingered unpleasantly in his ears.

Wanting nothing more than to escape the sound, Kebel forced himself to walk forward as though nothing was wrong.

His body, however, betrayed him.

His fingertips trembled.

Afraid the Count might notice, Kebel shoved his hands into his pockets and quickened his pace.

Only after reaching a bend in the corridor did he hurriedly slip into an empty room.

The door slammed shut behind him.

The breath he had been holding escaped in a ragged rush.

“Ha…”

The Count’s final words replayed in his mind like an afterimage.

The thought that this wasn’t over terrified him.

Because it meant they would continue targeting his life whenever and wherever they could.

He had thought everything would be over once he survived this crisis.

But apparently, that wasn’t the case.

An unpleasant feeling settled over him, as though this would become a long and exhausting battle.

Kebel roughly raked a hand through his hair.

His already messy hair became even more disheveled, falling across his forehead.

As if he wasn’t irritated enough already.

He brushed it back again with an annoyed motion.

Osh had only been gone a few hours.

Yet he already missed him.

Then a sharp stab of pain shot through him.

Kebel’s brow furrowed deeply.

Perhaps he had been too tense.

A sudden stomachache swept over him.

The sensation felt as though needles were repeatedly stabbing him from the inside.

Kebel slowly sank to the floor.

“Hah… Nothing ever goes right.”

Muttering irritably, he buried his face against his knees.

At this rate, he didn’t think he could hold out much longer.

****

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

“I don’t believe we’re on terms that require us to sit face-to-face and converse.”

The Duke set down the documents he had been reviewing and removed his glasses.

Although he had been informed beforehand that the Count would be visiting, he didn’t even bother looking at him.

Instead, he pressed firmly against the bridge of his nose as though exhausted.

The Count’s expression stiffened for a moment before smoothing over.

Then he spoke again.

“I ran into the Young Duke earlier. He’s grown considerably since I last saw him.”

“And?”

Perhaps because the topic was Kebel, the Duke’s voice turned icy.

His gaze clearly warned that he would not tolerate anyone meddling with his son.

Seeing that, the Count curved his lips in amusement.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I merely asked after his well-being.”

“We aren’t close enough to exchange pleasantries.”

“Those words wound me, Your Grace. After all, only a few years ago-”

“Say what you came to say. As you can see, I’m busy.”

The Duke cut him off sharply.

It was obvious he had no desire to exchange even trivial conversation.

The Count pressed his lips together.

Then he narrowed his eyes.

“It’s disappointing to hear you don’t even have time for a cup of tea. Very well, I’ll be direct. Why did you send Osh to war?”

“Wasn’t that beneficial for you as well, Count?”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“If Osh returns victorious, your family will gain influence. That would benefit you too, wouldn’t it?”

The Duke rubbed his chin once.

Then he leisurely crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in his chair.

The aura emanating from him caused the Count’s eyebrow to twitch.

The Count knew perfectly well that the Duke was mocking him.

He had expected this sort of treatment.

Even so, there was a reason he had come.

He wanted to confirm the Young Duke’s condition once more after seeing him earlier.

“Indeed. I never imagined Your Grace would show such consideration for our house. I am deeply moved.”

“I’m glad you see it that way.”

A quiet scoff escaped the Duke.

One corner of his mouth lifted crookedly.

The contempt was obvious.

Still, the Count forced an artificial smile and rose from his seat.

His purpose had already been fulfilled the moment he met the Young Duke.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

“A shame, but if you’re leaving, it can’t be helped. As you can see, I’m buried in work. I’ll have a servant see you out instead.”

“Such generosity from the House of Iliya leaves me speechless.”

The Count smiled like a sly old fox.

It was the sort of expression that made observers want to punch him.

After offering a brief farewell, he left the Duke’s office.

Once he had put some distance between himself and the estate, the Count raised a hand.

A figure emerged from the shadows as if materializing from thin air.

“Three weeks remain until the boy awakens. What happened to the one we planted among the knights?”

“It appears he has not been discovered. If he is exposed, he’ll bite down on the poison hidden in his molar.”

“Good. There can be no mistakes.”

“Understood.”

As soon as the Count finished speaking, the shadow vanished.

Only then did the Count’s eyes gleam with malice as he climbed into his carriage.

Inside sat a hooded man.

The Count showed no surprise whatsoever.

“So? How did things go?”

“I delivered the message successfully. The neighboring nations seem quite pleased by the news.”

“I see. This matter must proceed properly. Send letters only to those territories that hold hostility toward divine power. Use the seal of the Geraldine Guild.”

“Understood.”

“Then continue watching the Young Duke. Report immediately if there are any unusual changes or symptoms.”

“Yes.”

The Count removed one of the rings from his finger and twisted it open.

Black powder spilled from the hidden compartment into the man’s palm.

The hooded man immediately licked it up like a madman.

He sucked frantically at his hand and began laughing crazily.

“If this succeeds, I’ll give you twice as much. So keep a close eye on him for the next three weeks. And if you fail… You’ll never taste this again. Remember that well.”

“Of course. Hehehe.”

The Count grinned, revealing his yellowed teeth.

****

A week passed.

The same routine. The same repetitive days.

During that time, Kebel received information from the Kingdom of Beal regarding the Child of Darkness.

The priest had said the heavens would send a sign on the day of the awakening.

But Kebel couldn’t wait that long.

The priest had clearly spoken as though the Child of Darkness needed to be eliminated.

Which was precisely why Kebel wanted to find the child before the awakening and save them somehow.

After all, he had been told he was the only one capable of stopping the darkness.

Kebel waited for the Duke.

His workload had increased lately.

Unlike before, he had been returning home late every night.

Tonight was no different.

After waiting for a long time, Kebel stepped onto the terrace.

One in the morning.

The entrance suddenly grew noisy.

It seemed the Duke had finally finished work and returned.

Kebel quickly shook off his drowsiness and stood.

As the Duke emerged from the darkness, Kebel could see how haggard he looked.

His face appeared gaunt with exhaustion.

Just how much had he been suffering lately?

The sight made Kebel’s heart ache.

“You’re back?”

“Why are you still awake at this hour?”

“Ah… I wanted to talk with you. But you haven’t seemed to have any free time lately.”

Kebel spoke while fidgeting with his fingers.

The Duke’s face was filled with exhaustion.

Clearly, he wasn’t thrilled about having a conversation right now.

Still, he eventually sat down on the sofa.

Kebel felt guilty bringing up a serious matter to someone who had just finished work.

But if not now, he wouldn’t get another chance.

So he spoke without hesitation.

“Very well. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“I’d like to visit the Kingdom of Beal.”

“The Kingdom of Beal…?”

“Yes.”

Kebel nodded.

Immediately, the Duke’s expression hardened.

“I don’t know what you’re about to say, but it doesn’t sound like a conversation we need to have tonight. Let’s discuss it tomorrow. For now, I’m going to bed.”

The Duke rubbed his forehead.

Even after lowering his hand, he continued pressing at his temples and shaking his head.

The imperial family seemed to be in turmoil because of the Empress.

Their internal factions had split into opposing camps, and it was obvious the Duke was exhausted from dealing with it all.

He clearly wanted to rest.

But Kebel continued.

“I heard there’s a Child of Darkness in the Kingdom of Beal.”

“Hah… Kebel. Even if that’s true, it’s too dangerous for you to go.”

It was as though the Duke had read his mind.

He already knew exactly what Kebel intended to say.

With a long sigh, he shook his head.

Kebel felt guilty.

But he had no intention of giving up.

Even seeing the Duke’s expression telling him to stop wasn’t enough to deter him.

“I can’t just sit around waiting until the time comes. As you know, I still don’t know how to properly use my abilities. Couldn’t you send me as an envoy? Something like a diplomatic inspection between allied nations?”

“Kebel.”

“Please, Father.”

This was the first time Kebel had ever stubbornly insisted on something like this.

The Duke looked genuinely taken aback.

Normally, he would have granted almost any request from his son.

But the destination was Beal.

Although it was currently a vassal state, it viewed divine power with suspicion and hostility.

It was dangerous for Kebel.

And politically, the relationship wasn’t entirely friendly either.

The Duke could not allow it.

With a firm expression, he shook his head.

“No.”

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