The Mad Dog of the Dukes House - Chapter 35



Only Krnovel

Episode 35 11. Back to the Capital

One.

Early in the morning, in the office of the head of the Cheonghae family.

A middle-aged man asked the old man a question in a worried voice.

“Is Charon really okay, Father?”

“He completed his mission admirably. Don’t worry. He is fine without any injuries.”

“You should have called Caron and Leo back to Cheonghae Castle immediately after the incident broke out.”

Pale looked at Halo and clenched his fists.

But Halo shook his head firmly.

“As a member of the Duke of Reston, it is your duty to take revenge on your subordinates with your own hands. Pale.”

“Isn’t Caron only thirteen years old?”

“Age is not important when it comes to carrying out a mission. Only skill is required.”

There was no wavering in Halo’s voice.

Pale tried to suppress his emotions as he listened to Halo’s voice.

The moment he heard that his son had been attacked, he wanted to run to Thebes right away. However, it was none other than Halo who stopped him.

“Pale. Don’t get excited and just have a sip of tea. It’s snow-white tea from the North Sea.”

“……father.”

“If Charon wasn’t capable of solving this case, I would have called him to Cheonghae Castle a long time ago, as you said. Do you understand what I mean?”

know.

Pale, the son, also knows his father’s will well.

Halo knows that Charon’s abilities are highly regarded.

But it was a near-death experience. If you can keep your composure after something like this, you are not fit to be a father.

Who in the world would stay still if their child almost died?

Halo slowly took a sip of his tea, studying Pale’s face. Then he continued speaking in a low voice.

“The reason I called you at this early hour of the morning is because of Charon’s plan. You would be better off than the first or second. Charon has conveyed his opinion through Xerath. You should check it out for yourself.”

As he spoke, he handed Pale the report he had placed on the table.

A completed report that Heinrich transcribed from what Jeras had transmitted through the communication channel.

Until now, it was a report known only to the owner himself and Heinrich.

“Is that Caron?”

Pale accepted the report with a frown.

The summary of the report was as follows:

Pale could easily deduce the ramifications of this plan.

“We will establish a leader for Thebes… … That’s what it means.”

Thebes was a city governed by the power of its members.

However, this incident caused one of the forces that had been building up considerable influence to collapse.

Then, of course, cracks were bound to appear.

So, what Caron is saying now is that the Duke of Reston should dig into that crack.

“They say that the current mayor, Grein, is my brother-in-law’s close friend.”

“I am also close with Grain.”

“By empowering the ineffective mayor, you will take over Thebes. That is the picture that Charon paints.”

“… … Turning a crisis into an opportunity.”

“Easy to say, but not so easy to do. You’re a great child, Pale. I expected you to handle the affairs of the Baron Belus, but Caron has far exceeded my expectations.”

Halo took another sip of tea.

The fragrant scent of white tea awakens the mind.

Even if Charon had not acted first, Thebes was likely to exert influence in some way.

Because it was an incident that dared to touch a direct blood relative of the Duke of Reston.

But the grandson went beyond mere exertion of influence; he was talking about swallowing up Thebes.

“What a greedy plan.”

A guy who, despite being in a life-threatening situation, still thinks of taking over the city.

Greed is bound to get worse the more it gets, but Halo liked his young grandson’s greed.

“A person who is not greedy cannot reach higher places. Isn’t that right, Pale?”

Halo knew that his first and second sons were greedy for the family.

The reason I left it alone was because I thought that the competition caused by that greed would ultimately benefit the family.

But the greed that Charon was showing during this short period of time was different from that of his sons.

“Aren’t you trying to fill your stomach by using the family name?”

If it had been a peaceful time, it would have been a problem, but not now.

Could it be that Charon’s appearance at this time was a blessing from our ancestors?

The master of the guillotine must be extremely greedy.

In the first place, the guillotine was a sword no different from a black magic sword.

At least someone more greedy than Guillotine must hold the sword, so that he can devour Guillotine as well.

“It’s a satisfactory plan. It should serve as a warning to the rotten bastards in the center.”

Halo instinctively felt that there were real powers at the center behind this incident.

There’s no way they left any evidence behind. Those vile bastards would be ready to cut off their tails at any moment.

“The Imperial Guards moved in the end to destroy the evidence.”

“It seems that the infighting within the Imperial Guard is getting worse.”

“Tsk.”

According to the information Charon sent, the Imperial Guards must have had other intentions.

Halo nodded with a bitter expression.

“If that guy saw that, he would have cut off your head.”

“Are you talking about Cain?”

“okay.”

His close friend who died as a knight of the imperial family until the end.

What if that guy was seeing this right now?

“The survivor is always responsible. He’s probably in the afterlife… … cursing me for leaving the Imperial Guard to end up like that.”

If I ever meet that guy after I die, I’m willing to take a beating.

Halo slowly gathered his thoughts as he recalled his old friend. Then he spoke to Pale in a low voice.

“We have endured for a very long time for the Empire and its people.”

It’s been a long time.

The years of quiet living in the west of the empire for the prosperity of the empire.

He silently dealt with the monsters coming down from the North Sea, and occasionally sent out his family’s knights to help those in need.

But the result that came back was this.

Those blinded by greed eventually ended up harming even their grandchildren.

“Pale, prepare for the coming storm. Reorganize your family structure and begin preparing to enter central politics.”

“It will take quite some time.”

At Pale’s words, Halo closed her eyes slightly. Then she answered in a heavy voice.

“It doesn’t matter. Isn’t waiting silently what we do best?”

A giant who had been sleeping for a long time decided to wake up.

2.

Morning light, the central square of Thebes.

“… … I will never allow something like this to happen to this proud and wonderful city!”

The mayor of Thebes, Grein, was giving an impassioned speech on a platform set up in the square.

“A city built with the blood, sweat, and tears of its citizens! A city where everyone has a chance, and where everyone is treated fairly! Isn’t that Thebes, citizens? The worst incident that has ever happened is when a member of the council almost killed the grandson of the great hero, Grand Duke Halo. I, Mayor Grein of Thebes! I promise you this through this opportunity! I will never let something like this happen again in this city!”

“Grain! Grain!”

“Take care of these rotten Congress bastards!”

The citizens of Thebes were cheering Grein’s speech with enthusiastic cheers.

Caron watched the scene while eating breakfast on the third floor of a restaurant next to the square.

“You are like a fish in water.”

Leo exclaimed with the steak in his mouth.

Hearing that, Gail nodded and burst into laughter.

“That guy is a politician too, Leo. He must know that he has a great opportunity.”

“Are all the politicians and nobles in the capital like that, sir?”

“How could that be? But there’s a reason why Grein, that guy, rose to such a high position.”

Gail wiped his mouth with a napkin. Then he turned his head and looked at his grandson.

‘I can’t read your mind.’

This picture was drawn by Charon.

Not only did he stop at the Duke of Reston’s revenge, he linked that revenge to the interests of his family.

I heard through Xerath that Grand Duke Halo approved this plan.

It is said that the head of a large family gave permission for a plan made by a thirteen-year-old boy.

‘I see your brother-in-law believes in Charon’s abilities.’

If it’s good, it’s good news. If it’s bad, it’s bad news.

Halo pushes Charon.

This suggests that Charon may soon become involved in the succession process.

Because the successor to the Duke of Reston has not yet been determined.

It wasn’t a very pleasant situation for Gail to see. The idea that he could get caught up in a war of succession meant that he was in danger.

“grandfather.”

“Yeah, my baby.”

“Are you feeling burdened by this?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“My mother said so. My grandfather’s principle is not to consider conflicts of interest when it comes to public affairs… … I feel like he’s breaking his principles for no reason because of me.”

A fair investigation without considering conflicts of interest.

That was the justification and strength that allowed Ga-il to remain as the Commissioner of the National Tax Service until now.

The grandson is pointing out exactly that part.

‘How reckless.’

Gail smiled happily and patted Caron’s head.

“As your grandfather, I’ll tell you one thing. Rules are meant to be broken, son.”

“… … Still.”

“And this case is not a complete break with the rules. His Majesty was planning to conduct a major tax investigation on Thebes soon. The timing has simply been brought forward.”

At those words, Caron’s eyes widened.

“Your Majesty the Emperor?”

“He must have intended to keep the forces of Thebes in check. So don’t worry too much about it. This old man is not an easy person. Hehe.”

It’s just that the move that was going to be made was made quickly.

However, the ones who benefited from this raid have changed.

The Duke of Reston had ample cause to intervene in Thebes, and no one could stop them.

‘If it’s Charon, he would have calculated it that far.’

A child who had a quick mind since childhood. It may have been a coincidence that he was attacked, but what happened after that was not a coincidence.

Gail patted Caron on the back with a pleased expression.

“I have some work to do before I return to the capital, so I should get up first. Take your time eating and enjoying dessert.”

“Yes, Grandpa!”

“See you later, brother-in-law!”

“Leo, you’re such a bright person. It’s nice to see you. Ahem.”

Just after Gail left, Leo looked out the window again and said.

“By the way, the citizens are responding very enthusiastically.”

“Of course. The mayor declared that he would destroy the very strong vested interests. This city is a city that runs entirely on vested interests. If the powers that hold onto vested interests collapse, wouldn’t there be an opportunity for the latecomers?”

“… … I don’t know.”

“That’s because you’ve grown up like a greenhouse flower. Those who were born with a diamond fork in their mouths will never understand.”

Leo listened to Caron’s remark quietly and then looked at her as if he was dumbfounded.

“You too, aren’t you, who bit the diamond fork?”

“No, brother. You grew up in your family home, and I grew up outside of it. Common sense tells me who suffered more.”

“They say my uncle has more money than my father.”

That was true.

Pale amassed the most wealth of any of Halo’s sons, though much of it was due to Pale’s own efforts, albeit with some influence from Halo.

But Caron said with a shameless expression.

“Who said that?”

“mother.”

“Anyway, if that’s what I’m saying, then that’s what it is. Huh? Where is the nobleman who’s talking nonsense?”

At this point, it’s just reckless.

But Leo just sighed.

Trying to understand this guy was wrong from the start.

“… … Let’s stop talking.”

“I pick fights even though I know I’ll lose every time.”

“I’m giving in because I’m the older brother… … .”

“Hyung, how about we go for some morning practice after a long time? The training facility at the mansion is nice.”

“Huh.”

Having so easily suppressed Leo’s rebellion, Caron took a spoonful of the wine sherbet that was served for dessert and put it in his mouth.

‘If it’s Thebes, they’ll probably forgive me for taking the 6th prince hostage, right?’

As expected, there were no gifts without a purpose.

There’s a mad dog living in the duke’s house