LUW 45

Chapter 45

A heavy murderous intent rose up to the back of his throat.

Pierre silently stared at Richmond.

It was a crude provocation—one not even worth responding to.

Yet, just the name “Cecilia” alone made his rationality falter in an instant.

Sensing Pierre’s killing intent, Richmond theatrically placed a hand over his chest and bowed with a smirk.

“My, I’ve said too much. His Majesty is waiting, so you’d best be on your way, Your Grace. I’ll take my leave as well.”

Leaving behind only his effortless grin, Richmond turned his back.

The man who had been standing beside Richmond the entire time followed in step.

Pierre watched the two impassively.

And then it happened.

As the man naturally leaned in close beside Richmond, Pierre’s eyes narrowed.

His gait was strange.

With each step, the man subtly hunched his right shoulder, clearly trying to conceal pain.

Pierre scrutinized his movements.

Slight but agile—his frame was not that of a mere servant but someone trained.

Shoving aside the unease creeping in, Pierre finally turned his back.

When Pierre arrived at the audience chamber, the Emperor was seated on the throne, smiling softly.

It was a gentler, more relaxed expression than usual.

Pierre approached quietly and knelt on one knee.

“I greet the sun of the Empire.”

“You’ve been working hard. Raise your head.”

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

As he lifted his head, something felt off.

The usual guards and ministers were nowhere to be seen.

It was no ordinary situation for the Emperor to be without a single aide.

Suppressing the tension building within him, Pierre kept his expression neutral.

The Emperor asked leisurely,
“How is the investigation progressing?”

“I regret to report that Jilgerk is still keeping his mouth shut. We’re facing difficulties, but with time, I will uncover the mastermind behind all this.”

“I see.”

The Emperor leaned his head on one hand, pressing his temple with his fingers.

“Is there really a mastermind? Didn’t they find blueprints at the Margrave’s estate?”

Pierre answered while restraining his irritation.

“He was most likely used as a middleman. Even if the blueprints were there, someone like Jilgerk wouldn’t have the knowledge to craft such a delicate weapon.”

“Isn’t it just a matter of bringing in an engineer?”

Pierre clenched his jaw.

If it were that simple, the Niberius family tragedy would never have occurred.

The stolen weapon blueprint was the legacy of Verde Niberius, one of the Empire’s greatest geniuses.

There were only two people in the entire Empire who could fully inherit that knowledge and skill.

But one of them—Verde’s son, Cargo Niberius—had abandoned the weapons industry long ago.

Even if someone had the blueprint, there was no one who could manufacture it properly.

“You’ve done enough, managing this whole ordeal. The blueprints have been secured, and the distributor caught—wrap it up.”

The Emperor casually added as he concluded,

“The Margrave’s crimes are too severe. He won’t escape capital punishment. Strip him of his title and imprison him. I’ll consider the execution date myself.”

“Your Majesty. I understand your concern, but Margrave Jilgerk is still hiding something.”

“I said that’s enough.”

The Emperor flicked his hand dismissively.

He clearly didn’t want to hear more.

“The Margrave is no longer the issue. We have a gap in border security. The barbarian tribes of the western highlands are becoming more active.”

“……”

“This might be a good chance to wipe those beast-like bastards out completely.”

“Your Majesty, it’s dangerous,” Pierre said firmly.

The western highlands—a vast mountainous region along the Empire’s western border.

The Hakan people who lived there had long been discriminated against and called savages by the Empire.

The Emperor always saw them as a thorn in his side, descendants of beasts.

Still, the reason he had never eradicated them was because of the strategic value of the land they held.

Living in high-altitude terrain, the Hakan people were skilled horsemen and archers, moving through the mountains as easily as others walked flat ground.

Though lacking in civilization, their adaptability to mountainous terrain and cavalry tactics were unmatched in the Empire.

That was why the Empire had never been able to eliminate them.

Despite Pierre’s objection, the Emperor laughed cheerfully.

“It’s fine. We’ve just acquired a batch of new weapons from the western region. No matter how wild the beasts get, they can’t beat human civilization. So finish your current task and begin the campaign against the barbarians.”

New weapons.

And Richmond.

All the pieces fell into place.

By bringing down Margrave Jilgerk, they had created a hole in the border defense.

The Hakan uprising would serve as the cover story.

They would now have justification to deploy massive quantities of new weapons, and Richmond would use the opportunity to seize control of the arms supply network.

Using Jilgerk as bait, Richmond had even earned the Emperor’s trust.

Pierre ground his teeth silently.

Richmond’s plan was far more thorough than expected.

Every piece was being moved with meticulous precision—by one person.

Pierre steadied his breath while remaining kneeling.

Just before the Emperor could issue the final order, Pierre spoke carefully.

“Understood, Your Majesty. I shall obey.”

“Good. You never disappoint, Grand Duke.”

“But I have one request.”

The Emperor’s brow arched slightly.

“I would like you to grant Jilgerk a short reprieve. Though guilty of great crimes, he is a long-standing noble of the western frontier. Executing him now may cause unrest among the other western lords. It would be wiser to wait until the situation has settled.”

“Wouldn’t they rather be relieved? The criminal who troubled the nobility has been caught.”

“If the Hakan tribes are on the move, it will only add to the unease. Margrave Jilgerk has governed the border for decades—his knowledge could still aid in military arrangements.”

The Emperor frowned as if he had a headache and sighed.

“What are you really trying to say?”

“He still has value, and I intend to make use of him a bit longer.”

The Emperor fell silent for a moment, considering.

“Very well. Your point has merit. I’ll leave the execution decision to you. But once all this is over, cut ties with the Niberius girl.”

“…Understood.”

With a wave of his hand, the Emperor brought the conversation to an end.

“Now go finish the job. As always—don’t disappoint me. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Pierre bowed deeply and left the audience chamber with heavy steps.

He had bought time—but not resolved the core issue.

Richmond.

He needed to act before Richmond made his next move.

When Pierre returned to his estate, the atmosphere was unusually tense.

A maid running through the corridor stopped in surprise at the sight of him, hurriedly bowing.

“Y-Your Grace. You’ve returned.”

Pierre slowly looked around.

It was strange that Honik hadn’t come to greet him.

“Why all the commotion? What’s happened?”

“Ah, well… that is…”

The maid fidgeted nervously, unable to finish.

Then, from the end of the corridor, a familiar voice rang out.

“Let go! I said I have to go!”

He moved toward the sound and found Cecilia and Honik facing off in the middle of the hall.

Honik was trying to stop her with a troubled expression, while Cecilia was desperately trying to push past him, teeth clenched.

“Miss, please calm down. Once His Grace returns—”

“I told you there’s no time!”

Pierre stepped in and asked quietly,

“What is it you don’t have time for?”

Both Cecilia and Honik turned to him at once.

At that moment, Pierre saw her clearly.

Her violet eyes trembled.

Her face had gone deathly pale, looking as if it could shatter at any second.

Pierre gasped lightly.

A sharp pain stabbed deep within his chest.

He instinctively stepped toward her.

“Cecilia.”

At the soft sound of his voice, Cecilia grasped his arm with trembling hands.

“Y-Your Grace… Father, my father—”

Pierre gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder, as if to protect her.

Feeling his warmth, Cecilia’s eyes shook even more.

“Calm down. What’s happened to Lord Niberius?”

In her hand was a crumpled letter.

She had clutched it so tightly it crackled as if it might tear.

“He… he’s gravely ill…”

Her broken whisper echoed painfully down the corridor.

Pierre pulled her into a firm embrace.

As she trembled in his arms, he gently patted her back, regaining his composure.

“Honik.”

He turned and gave a firm command.

“Prepare the carriage. We’re going to Niberius territory.”