The Mad Dog of the Dukes House - Chapter 45



Only Krnovel

Episode 45 14. Entering the Palace (2)

3.

Passing through the outer wall, passing through the inner wall.

The palace’s defensive posture, which I glanced at as I passed by, was solid.

A thorough defensive posture comprised of royal wizards, imperial troops, and the Imperial Guard.

A force that was much more numerous and more elite than the defense forces protecting the capital.

Only after passing through the inner castle did the full-scale palace scenery begin to unfold.

“Caron. To be honest, I was wondering what was in the palace.”

“however?”

“… … There really is so much.”

“Of course. Think of it as another city within the city.”

Caron chuckled as he took in the scenery of the palace.

The imperial palace of the Orias Empire.

This place, called Nesak, was also another city within the capital city of Dekus.

Numerous palaces where the direct blood relatives of the imperial family live.

And countless others who reside in the imperial palace to assist them.

Some selected nobles also live here as guests of the Emperor.

So, it is only natural that a city had to be built.

The scenery of the palace was much more organized and beautiful than what Charon remembered.

A city built through thorough planning.

Fifty years ago, during a rebellion to depose the emperor, many of the buildings here were burned down.

The present-day Nesak was like a new city built on top of it.

“… … That’s amazing.”

Leo let out a small exclamation of admiration at the sight of the palace he was seeing for the first time in his life.

It’s a completely different atmosphere from Cheonghae Castle.

Everything that caught my eye was splendid and luxurious.

It seemed as if all the wealth of the empire was concentrated here.

“Janitorial staff, cooks, gardeners, etc. It takes a lot of people to run this huge palace. Brother Leo. You didn’t think the Emperor would be the only one there, did you?”

“… … Hmm.”

“You really thought so, bro. Please read the book.”

Is it because I raised him properly? It’s true that Leo grew up properly.

The problem is that it goes too far to the head.

Although his grandmother seems to be diligent in educating him, he seems to be unfamiliar with knowledge.

‘Should I just leave him in the academy for the rest of the time?’

Since I was planning to go to the academy anyway, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give him some intensive tutoring while I’m at it.

It was around this time that the two brothers were admiring the scenery of the palace.

Woohoo.

The engine of the vehicle that had been moving hard stopped, and soon the door opened.

“Is it like you’re telling me to get off?”

“You’re smart about carriages.”

“It’s a car.”

“Either that or that.”

Charon grumbled as he got out of the vehicle. Soon, a neatly lined up line of Imperial Guards came into view.

The face of the knight standing at the very front looked familiar.

“Did you say Sir Luke? Nice to meet you.”

“You remember my name, Caron Reston.”

“I’m still young. I have a very good memory.”

It was the Imperial Guard, Luke, who protected Charon and his party from Thebes to the capital.

Luke bowed politely to Charon and Leo.

“You cannot use vehicles from here. We will guide you to the main palace.”

He turned his head for a moment and gestured to his subordinate standing next to him.

Then the subordinate knight handed me a small basket filled with luxurious blankets.

“You are the distinguished guests of the Duke of Reston, but you are not permitted to enter the palace carrying swords. I would appreciate your cooperation.”

At those words, Caron and Leo obediently unsheathed their swords and put them in the basket.

This is the procedure for entering the main palace, which even Halo guards.

Of course, Halo didn’t always follow procedure.

“My grandfather has never broken this procedure.”

Leo asked in a quiet voice at Charon’s monologue.

“Really? When?”

“About 50 years ago.”

“If it was about 50 years ago… … Hey, are you crazy? Why are you telling me that story now… … .”

“Just like that? It just occurred to me.”

Just once, when he deposed the evil emperor.

There was a time when Halo entered the main palace with a sword. And it was he who died by that sword.

Charon glanced at the faces of the Imperial Guards, his words bordering on self-deprecation.

They could not help but know the meaning behind Charon’s words.

Is that why?

Some of the knights were shaking with their fists clenched.

But Luke calmly raised his hand to stop his men. Then he spoke in a low voice.

“You may speak freely in front of us, but you must be careful in front of His Majesty.”

“Keep your mouth shut, huh? Oh, but Sir Luke. My sword is a bit fierce, so be careful when handling it… … .”

That was when.

Chaenggrang.

“Kkaaaaaaah!”

The knight holding the basket containing the swords screamed and dropped the basket.

Then the swords that had been in the basket fell to the floor.

In the process, the blade of the guillotine that was contained in the scabbard is revealed.

A sword of dark blue color.

The murderous aura flowing from the blade of the eerie guillotine began to spread rapidly.

“Sword, sword… … .”

When Caron saw that, he sighed deeply and grabbed the guillotine with his hand.

Then Guillotine’s voice echoed in my head.

-I’m in a really bad mood today, Master. Is this the place? The place where I was with you in my previous life.

‘that’s right.’

-Ha. What kind of son of a bitch turned me into a demon sword? I’m getting really annoyed.

‘I also have a dark history here, so just wait quietly.’

– Well, this is where the master was killed, right? You look good, master.

‘shut up.’

Caron put the guillotine back into its scabbard and put the scabbard back into the basket. Then he looked at Luke and said.

“Even though they look like this, they are our family’s treasured swords. Please treat them with care.”

“… … It’s too ominous to be called a sword.”

“They say that this is the sword our ancestor used. Are you saying that it is inauspicious for our ancestor now?”

At those words, Luke sighed and closed his eyes.

Let’s not get involved.

If you listen to the rumors spreading in the capital, the youngest grandson of this duke before your eyes is definitely a madman.

“I apologize if my remark was rude.”

“It’s okay. Please be careful next time.”

If I get any angrier here, my pride will be hurt.

Luke, who had made that decision, spoke in a soft voice.

“Then, I will take you to the main palace.”

“Okay.”

Charon and Leo began to move under the escort of the Imperial Guard.

The nobles passing by looked at Caron and his party as if they were curious.

Some looked genuinely curious, but most looked at them with wary eyes.

Leo met their eyes for a moment.

It was just as Caron said.

There wasn’t a single person here who would send me a favor. That in itself was discouraging, but Caron’s reaction was completely different.

“Hello, hello! I am Charon Reston, grandson of Grand Duke Halo! Nice to meet you, nobles!”

‘Then that’s right.’

It seems like I’m still far from understanding this crazy guy.

Leo sighed.

4.

We arrived at the stairs leading to the main palace.

“You guys wait here.”

Luke made the Imperial Guards wait for a moment. Then he looked at Charon and Leo and said.

“From here on, only authorized personnel are allowed to enter.”

“Of course. If we just climb those stairs, we’ll reach His Majesty.”

Charon slowly raised his head and looked at the stairs.

Unlike back then when traces of time remained, the stairs shined as if they were new.

I’ve thought about it several times now, what it would be like to stand here again.

I had met him again through the Stone of Oath, but it was nothing more than an illusion.

This is reality.

The shape of the stairs had changed, but this was the exact place where I had died in my previous life.

“Please come up.”

Luke took the lead and climbed the stairs.

Charon and Leo followed Luke up the stairs.

There is only one way to the Emperor’s throne.

The path Halo took with his sword.

and.

‘The path I once followed.’

It was a place I have never forgotten for a moment.

I never thought I’d come back here again.

But the situation was completely different from before.

Back then I climbed these stairs to die, but not anymore.

There are no more Imperial Guard of slave origin.

The one climbing these stairs is the youngest son of the great Duke of Reston.

Caron was simply following the path his grandfather had walked.

“Caron.”

“……huh?”

“Are you okay?”

Leo asked Caron, seeming worried.

When Caron heard Leo’s words, he lowered his head and looked at his hands.

Blood was dripping from his clenched fist.

It seemed like his fist had become tense without him even realizing it.

“Oh, I was nervous. Sorry. Were you nervous?”

I briefly raised my magical power and focused it on the wound, and the bleeding immediately stopped.

Leo, who saw that, patted Charon on the back.

“You acted like an adult, but are you so nervous about meeting His Majesty?”

“I guess so. It’s a little embarrassing.”

Leo felt unfamiliar with Charon’s vague answers.

This guy’s mood changed exactly as soon as he entered the main palace.

Until just a moment ago, he was greeting the nobles with a cheerful expression.

As soon as that guy entered the main palace, the atmosphere became so heavy that it was worrisome.

Although Luke, who was leading the way, seemed oblivious, he was able to sense the change in Charon.

The sea of ​​Charon is agitated.

The sea of ​​the guy made of the magic of Cheongmyeong was shaking as if it would overflow at any moment.

The waves were so strong that Leo’s magic power was also resonating as he watched from the side.

But Leo didn’t ask why.

because.

‘… … You even know how to make that kind of expression.’

Clearly, Charon was sad.

Although he was trying to smile without shedding any tears, Caron was clearly sad.

I remembered something Sabina had said to me one day.

At first, I couldn’t understand what that meant.

But now I understand what Sabina meant by that.

Since Charon first entered Cheonghae Castle, Leo has been with Charon.

That’s why I could tell that Caron was sad now.

I don’t know why I’m sad.

But one thing is certain, even this crazy guy feels sadness.

So Leo silently patted Charon on the back with his hand.

“You shouldn’t cry before meeting His Majesty, right?”

“Who said that crying is crying?”

“My brother knows everything.”

“… … I know. What do you know?”

Although Caron grumbled, his wit seemed to have helped a little.

The sea of ​​guys began to recede little by little, and finally they reached the last step.

“Just a moment, Sir Luke.”

When Charon reached the top of the stairs, he stopped and called out to Luke.

Then Luke turned around.

“What is it, Caron Reston?”

“I just wanted to take a quick look at the scenery. When else would I come up here? Just a little while is enough.”

Luke nodded at the boy’s request.

After receiving permission, Caron slowly turned around and looked down the stairs.

His eyes still saw the corpses of his comrades lying beneath this place.

Blood seeping deep into the stairs, their voices trying to die together until the last moment.

I thought I had forgotten, but when I came back here, it felt like the feelings from back then were coming back to me.

But he put down the sorrow of his past life here, and filled it with something else instead.

‘… … I will take revenge on you, you foolish bastards.’

One of the goals I had set since I was young becomes clear.

To receive payment from those who drove him to death in his previous life.

“It’s refreshing.”

Caron let out a loud breath and laughed.

When I got here, my head felt clearer.

“Shall we go in?”

“yes.”

Charon turned around with a brighter face.

And then slowly I stood in front of the huge gate of the main palace.

A door engraved with a giant lion plated in gold.

“Leo Reston and Charon Reston of the Duke of Reston are entering.”

The giant lion’s mouth opened.

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