LUW 49

Chapter 49

“Kerginite?”

Pierre repeated the unfamiliar term, prompting Cargo to elaborate.

“It’s a material not well known in the Empire, but it comes from the East and has a powerful explosive quality. It’s not particularly expensive, but it ignites easily and can’t be precisely mixed, making it unsuitable for delicate weaponry.”

Contrary to Cargo’s explanation that it wasn’t suitable for precise weapons, kerginite was clearly listed as a raw material in the firearm blueprint. Puzzled, Pierre asked again.

“Then, if this so-called kerginite is used to build this strange weapon exactly according to the blueprint, what would happen?”

Cargo studied the blueprint carefully, his gaze deepening. After a pause, he looked up and answered.

“Even if it works temporarily, the weapon will eventually explode in the user’s hand upon firing.”

Pierre’s eyes widened. All the strange weapon incidents recorded so far had one thing in common—weapon malfunction.

The suspects tried to attack noble families using these bizarre weapons, but all attempts failed due to malfunction.

They had assumed the creator was an amateur who had stolen and failed to replicate the blueprint. But if the weapons were based on a fundamentally flawed design from the start, all the incidents made sense.

‘Then this blueprint was already a failure from the moment it was stolen from the Imperial Palace?’

As Pierre fell deep into thought, Cargo spoke with certainty, as if answering his unspoken question.

“And as the Grand Duke also knows, my father would never have left behind a failed blueprint.”

“…That’s true. He wouldn’t leave something so incomplete behind.”

“Which is why it’s strange. It resembles my father’s design, yet it doesn’t. As if someone subtly imitated his work…”

“You’re saying this is a fake blueprint.”

Cargo nodded at Pierre’s words.

“Yes. That’s my belief.”

Where was the real blueprint, then? And was the culprit behind the incidents using this fake one? Pierre felt a sharp headache coming on.

Cargo glanced at him before rolling up the blueprint and handing it back.

“I may be the heir to House Niberius, but I’ve never been talented with weapons. For a more precise evaluation, you should seek out an artisan from the Eastern lands.”

Cargo’s emphasis on finding a foreign expert—rather than Valdir Richmond—caught Pierre’s attention.

“So you don’t believe the Marquess of Zilgork is the real culprit.”

“No. Probably for the same reason as you.”

Cargo’s gaze was firm. Pierre, too, was convinced Zilgork couldn’t be the mastermind. The one who stood to gain the most from framing him wasn’t Pierre or anyone else—it was Valdir Richmond.

Just look at the current situation—Richmond had earned the emperor’s trust and gained momentum in weapons distribution. He was now at the peak of power.

Pierre let out a deep sigh and tucked the blueprint back into his coat.

“Thank you for sharing your insight. I’ll take it from here.”

Cargo looked quietly at Pierre’s serious expression before replying.

“We’ve spoken a few times because of this strange weapon case, but this is the first time I’ve seen you look truly human.”

“Human?”

“I mean that in a good way,” Cargo added gently.

“My daughter’s kind and well-natured, but she’s not the type to lean on others.”

Pierre nodded knowingly.

“But when she’s around you, she looks at ease.”

“…….”

“To be honest, as her father, I wasn’t pleased about her staying at the Grand Duchy at first. But seeing her expression today… I’ve changed my mind.”

Originally, Cargo had intended to remove Pierre and take Cecilia back. But the seemingly cold and emotionless Grand Duke had shown a human side when near Cecilia, and she had, for the first time, leaned on someone else.

Seeing that, all his suspicions and worries had long since faded.

“This may be presumptuous, but… if anything ever happens to me, I’d be grateful if you could look after her.”

Pierre silently met Cargo’s gaze for a moment before answering.

“…Cecilia is a strong, upright, and free-spirited person. I can’t take your place as her father.”

“As I thought.”

“But please recover soon and stay by her side yourself. That said, if she ever needs my help, I’ll give it without hesitation.”

Cargo laughed heartily, as if caught off guard.

“If your parents could see you now, I’m sure they’d be proud of the man you’ve become.”

“…….”

Cargo lowered and raised his gaze, reminiscing.

“I don’t say this lightly. Before I withdrew from society, I used to attend parties with my father. I remember meeting the Cardinand couple there—they were truly kind people. Now I see you take after them.”

“…That was a long time ago, but… thank you for saying so.”

Pierre meant it simply as a polite response. His parents had died when he was under ten. The time he spent surviving under the emperor’s care was far longer than the years he had with them. He had long stopped feeling anything for them.

But then, Cargo’s next words made Pierre frown slightly.

“There was an unexpected change in plans that led to the tragedy, but had they seen you grown into this fine man, they would’ve been glad.”

“…Unexpected change?”

Pierre had always known that his parents had died when their ship sank on a mission from the emperor. That was all.

But now, Cargo had introduced a new element—an unexpected change.

Pierre’s expression grew tense, and Cargo’s gaze grew serious as he continued calmly.

“I heard that the noble originally meant to take that ship wasn’t your father. It would’ve been a month-long voyage, and the original invitee declined because their son was too young to leave behind. I remember your parents saying that at a party.”

They had looked at their young son lovingly and explained that they had declined the emperor’s request, unable to bear leaving their child for so long. That’s why when the tragedy struck, Cargo had been utterly shocked by the news of their deaths.

“Even after the accident, I found it strange… You didn’t know?”

Pierre’s expression twisted subtly at Cargo’s words.

* * *

Outside, night had fully settled in. The sky was littered with stars that looked like they might fall. After finishing his conversation with Cargo, Pierre stepped outside.

Their talk had given him something valuable—the suggestion that the blueprint found with Zilgork might be a fake.

Before reporting to the emperor, Pierre decided to first seek an expert from the Eastern lands for verification.

Still, one thing from their conversation weighed heavily on him.

He had always known that his parents boarded the ship on imperial orders, but he had never known that they had initially declined.

The shipwreck had been caused by a storm—a confirmed accident with no signs of foul play. That was the first thing Pierre had investigated upon becoming an adult.

The emperor hadn’t raised him like a true son, but it was true that he had rescued Pierre from chaos and taken him in.

So even the slightest mistrust pained him. Once he confirmed there was no conspiracy behind the incident, he had felt a sense of peace.

That was why he never tried to dig further. But now… a new piece had emerged.

Pierre rubbed his forehead. His head felt like it might burst. He felt as if something heavy was dragging him down. Just as he clenched his fist to steady himself, a sound of laughter drifted from afar.

He turned at the familiar sound.

A group of people had gathered around a campfire, singing and dancing. At the center of it all was Cecilia.

She wasn’t performing some stiff noble dance. With a radiant smile, she moved freely, laughing with joy.