Chapter 125: Plan (II)

Sorry for the huge delay. I honestly lost track of time since the last update.

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Rupheus took his private army, the Ravens, up north and covered a distance that would normally take seven days by horse in just one day by cavalry dragon. Despite his family’s rank as duke, they did not have the luxury to breed cavalry dragons. Nor did they have the excess funds. Cavalry dragons were only used during war or emergency situations, but this situation was indeed an emergency so the dragons were deployed without any hesitation.

There were more Ravens than dragons, so it was two per dragon. The rest would travel by horse. When the first group reached Leca, Rupheus had two subordinates lock down the town while he continued up the hill and disembarked at the mansion.

“Violant! Hey, anyone around?”

The entrance door was locked. While Vio was slow-witted, he wasn’t stupid. He knew when to run when his life was in danger. Captain Rasil, who had gone around the back, returned and reported, “My lord, there are no horses in the stable. He appears to have already departed.”

“I see… I hate to do this since it’s Grandfather’s mansion, but I guess I’ll have to break down the door.”

Together with a click of his tongue, Rupheus prepared to use spirit magic when a man appeared from the garden.

“Is someone there? Oh, it’s the young master!”

The gardener Ed rushed over with a surprised expression, and Rupheus furrowed his brow. It seemed that this servant was genuinely surprised by his arrival. Rasil pointed his sword at Ed.

“Don’t play dumb. You must’ve heard the situation from your master.”

“S-situation? He only informed me that he suddenly had business and left for Nada. I was instructed to keep watch here. Oh, sorry, for the late introduction. I am the groundskeeper of this mansion. My name is Ed.” The flustered Ed stated before turning pale at the sight of the sword.

Rupheus recalled the time Leca flourished as a summer resort and asked his question. “Groundskeeper… Have you been employed here since Grandfather stayed here?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“The key?”

“What? Oh, yes, right away.” Ed hurriedly held out the key hanging around his neck. Rasil snatched it off and promptly opened the door.

Ed watched in a daze as the men entered the mansion. “Um, did something perhaps happen to the young master?” He suddenly looked grim, imagining the worst. “Was it another seizure?!”

“Bastard, do you really not know?” Rupheus snorted. “That fool betrayed the lord. The town will be locked down for the time being and the Ravens will be in charge.”

“Betrayed?!”

“You said your name is Ed, yeah? I order you to bring back from the village all those who work in the mansion.”

“Y-yes, as you wish.”

Ed’s head was a mess, but he bowed and promptly ran towards the gate.

“Caron, Vida, stay and search for any info from my brother’s room and study! Rasil, we’re heading out. We’re going to look for people who know about this.”

“Yes, sir!”

Rupheus descended the hill to pay a surprise visit to the town hall. The officials greeted him with shock at his sudden visit. This made Rupheus frown again. Their surprise was genuine. He surmised that Vio hid his intentions from them as well.

Rupheus took a look around and bluntly asked, “Who here knows about the ‘flower liquor’?”

A young man raised his hand. “I-I do.”

“Name?”

“It’s Rourke. I work as the tax inspector.” After giving his name, Rourke suspiciously looked behind Rupheus. “I thought Lord Violant would be with us when we discussed the matter…”

“He’s not coming. My stupid brother felt it was necessary to report this to the king…and neglect to inform the lord, his own father,” Rupheus said and carefully observed Rourke’s reaction.

Rourke looked utterly lost before his face slowly twisted into shock and finally turned pale at the end. “What? Th-that can’t be. He informed me that he would report this to the lord. And to keep it…a secret until then…”

“Harrumph. Would he tell the king? Or would he be swayed by greed and tell a foreign country? Either are in the realm of possibility for him. That was how he has treated his own family so far.” Rupheus smirked, amused by this development.

The man before him had apparently trusted Vio, but he was now pale with shock. Based on this, Rupheus could imagine the townsfolk slowly losing the trust they placed in Vio.

Rourke’s face tensed and darkened. “The young master has deceived me? That is betraying the town.”

“Listen well, everyone! The lord has ordered for Violant’s arrest. From now on, anyone protecting him will be seen as betraying the lord. If you don’t wish to be punished, you will obediently follow our orders!” Rupheus’ commanding voice echoed clearly in the office. Despite their confusion, the officials solemnly nodded at the mention of punishment. “You,” Rupheus addressed Rourke, “are under a gag order. You know what’ll happen if you disobey…”

“Yes! I swear to the Great Verdant Spirit Yuglena that I will not tell a soul!” Rourke bowed, his body low enough to prostrate. Rupheus looked down at him in satisfaction.

“Inform the others! Leca is now under lockdown. Pft, what a truly amusing spectacle. It’s unfortunate that I cannot appreciate it from the sideline.”

What face would his brother make if he saw this? While thinking about how to torment him once they arrest him, Rupheus left another Raven behind in the office and ordered Rasil to search the other side of the village.

Once all the exits were blocked, Vio would be a rat in a trap. Then, finding him would only be a matter of time. As for Rupheus, he would be staying at the mansion on the hill, calmly awaiting the news.

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After Rupheus left, Rourke doubled over in a wave of nausea. The Ravens shooed him out of the room in disgust, and once Rourke left that suffocating office, he could finally breathe again. Although his legs continued to shake. The jealous Rupheus would have had no trouble killing Rourke on the spot.

In this quiet space behind the town hall, Rourke finally crumpled to the ground. Vio would report the liquor to the king? That wasn’t what they had discussed. Vio had reassured him that no harm would come to the town, so what was happening? A heavy haze constricted his stomach.

On the day of the festival, Vio pulled Rourke aside and divulged that Gary found out about the liquor. As such, Vio would need to immediately chase after and explain to the lord. Before leaving, he entrusted the town to Rourke.

Rourke recalled the unsettling feeling he had at that time. He thought that Vio looked very apologetic. But now that he was looking back on it, he did feel that Vio’s words were also strange. Rourke brooded before having an epiphany.

Vio had said, “If something happens, make me the villain and escape safely. I’m sorry… This is all I can do for you.”

Shock began to bloom in his chest. Was this what he meant by making him the villain? Just how far ahead had Vio predicted? Had he already decided to report the matter to the king back then? Why hadn’t he made his intentions known?

Cold sweat rolled down Rourke’s back. No, if anything showed on his face during that interrogation… Rupheus despised liars. If he figured out that Rourke lied… No, Rupheus would have killed anyone who knew the secret.

All the townsfolk were aware of Rupheus’ twisted personality and sadistic side. He delighted in seeing Rourke devastated when his trust was betrayed. Moreso when that traitor was Vio whom Rupheus hated.

Rourke shuddered remembering how Rupheus seemed to be enjoying himself. His teeth chattered. That was why he disliked dealing with people in power…

He was aware of his cowardice. As well as his tendency to fail due to nerves. He prayed he could avoid appearing before Rupheus as much as possible.

In any case, he had escaped by the skin of his teeth. Did Rupheus intend to lock down the town to keep the secret under wraps?

It was a good thing that the harvest was over. Even without the Ravens locking down Leca, the impending snowfall of winter would have. Merchants wouldn’t be visiting for safety reasons regardless. Winter should be peaceful. The issue would be spring, when the Leca flowers begin to bloom.

I’m sorry, Lord Violant. I shall take your offer to make you the villain and trample upon your honor.

Rourke was just an employed official, but he was also a citizen of Leca. He had no obligation to stand up for someone not here and exposed the townsfolk to danger. The guilt was like a lump of lead weighing down his spirit and sitting in his stomach.

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Author’s Note: We return to Vio’s POV in the next chapter.

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