Chapter 168: Let's Start

“Waaaaaah! Long live Ian Kaistain!” The cheers for Ian resounded from every direction.

The chamberlain, with a look of panic on his face, was sweating profusely.

‘There are too many people. If I don’t act quickly, this could reach the ears of His Majesty.’

Hastily, he presented the royal decree to Ian.

“Here. I have the decree for you, Your Highness.”

Offering it with both hands respectfully, he stole a quick glance at Ian.

‘It’s done right? Shouldn’t he go inside?’

However, Ian did not react as expected by the chamberlain.

Instead, he casually took the decree from his hands.

“Let me have a look at this first.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve never laid eyes on a royal decree before. I’d like to examine it closely.”

“!”

Unfolding the decree, Ian scrutinized it with wide-eyed curiosity.

Such an act was one that even a typical noble would hesitate to perform, prompting the chamberlain to rush in with concern.

“This is a royal decree. It should be handled with care.”

“I’m merely inspecting it. I’ve heard interesting stories about royal decrees.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Isn’t it said that the Kaistein royal seal was made by dragons? Rumor has it that when sunlight hits it just right, you can catch a glimpse of that dragon.”

“That is indeed true…”

He certainly didn’t need to confirm it to that extent.

After all, creating a counterfeit royal decree was something that nobles would never do if they didn’t want to be annihilated.

And Ian was able to see it.

Roar!

In the corner of the decree, where the royal seal was embossed, a red dragon appeared to roar as if alive, illuminated by the sunlight.

Ian grinned and remarked, “It’s authentic.”

“It’s a royal decree. It couldn’t possibly be counterfeit.”

It absolutely couldn’t be a fake.

Roar!

The red imprint of the seal pulsated like blood, revealing its authenticity.

This was indeed a decree stamped with the genuine royal seal.

However, at that moment, Ian’s eyes sparkled.

Drip.

Unlike the aged seal, the decree’s text raised suspicions.

The ink appeared fresh, as though just inscribed and brought here.

‘As expected… they’ve been up to this since then.’

With proof in hand, the culprits’ time was up. Ian’s smile widened.

“Alright. Having verified the decree and its seal, I shall proceed inside.”

“That’s a wise decision, Your Highness.”

Once more, the chamberlain reached out his hands. Ian looked puzzled.

“Why the gesture?”

“Now that you’ve confirmed the decree, may I have it back, please?”

Ian chuckled.

“Must you phrase it that way?”

“What do you mean…”

“It’s a royal decree bestowed upon me by His Majesty. Naturally, I should keep it.”

Chamberlain’s eyes widened in shock. He hastily tried to stop Ian.

“That cannot be! The royal decree is the sacred will of His Majesty. It is supposed to be kept under strict custody.”

“Is that so? Then I will personally return it to His Majesty.”

“Pardon?”

“I just haven’t received anything directly from His Majesty. I’d like to hold onto it a bit longer.”

Ian didn’t wait for Chamberlain’s response. Instead, he instructed the carriage driver.

“Let’s depart. His Majesty awaits.”

“Understood.”

Watching Ian leave, the chamberlain wore a troubled expression.

No, this was not the time for this.

‘I need to hurry and inform Her Majesty the Queen… I must tell her.’

If he wasn’t cautious, the bomb might land in King Eloin’s possession.

He needed to switch the decree before the king laid eyes on it; he had to seize it.

Hastily, he rushed back into the palace.

Ian chuckled at the scene.

‘Now I’ve secured the evidence.’

The royal seal was authentic, but the commands inscribed were not.

The evidence was in Ian’s hands—the still-wet ink.

As he climbed onto the carriage, he looked at Cain.

No, he was actually looking at King Eloin, and asked, “What’s wrong? Is this your first time seeing a royal decree?”

“Yes, Your Highness. May I have a look, if you permit?”

“I don’t want to?”

“!”

“Do you think I’d allow you to gaze upon something so precious with your naked eyes?”

Upon hearing that comment, King Eloin’s expression soured slightly. Lila, who stood beside him, gently reprimanded, “Don’t trouble Sir Cain unnecessarily. Isn’t he just fulfilling his duties?”

“However, Mother…”

Ian paused for a moment.

“I have never received anything from His Majesty throughout my life. Thus, it feels too precious for me to show something given by him to anyone else, even momentarily.”

Inside the carriage, a solemn silence enveloped the group. Unlike other royals, Ian had never experienced paternal affection from King Eloin.

When he mentioned never receiving anything of value, sympathy swelled for Ian among those present.

Even Duke Lavaltor expressed disbelief with a click of his tongue.

“When we return, I shall prepare a gift more exquisite than that, brother.”

“I… will also offer one, Your Highness.”

Even Galon and Elaira looked at Ian with affection. But there was one person.

‘What? You haven’t received anything from me?’

For a moment, King Eloin struggled to contain his rising anger.

Where did the talk of treasures and territories he had received for completing his missions go? He was angry at Ian for pretending to be a victim.

After all, it had been his decision to relinquish the Crystal Palace.

Nonetheless, he couldn’t outwardly express his anger.

‘This cunning little brat…’

Most of the things he had given to Ian were provided quietly and secretly, known only between the king and Ian.

The rest were all things Ian had earned on his own.

It was a tricky situation for King Eloin to confront.

It was when King Eloin was containing his anger inwardly.

“Do you want to see it that badly? If you wish to take a look, then go ahead.”

As if Ian had anticipated this from the beginning, he extended the royal decree towards him. King Eloin received it as if in disbelief, slowly unfolding it.

His gaze turned cold as he confirmed the seal and the royal order.

It was then that Lawrence exclaimed in disbelief, [Is this truly authentic?]

[Yes. It’s real. My seal is stamped on it.]

Lawrence shouted, stunned.

[These crazies… Where did they acquire that…?]

[Whether they fabricated a fake royal seal or crafted a counterfeit decree, it doesn’t matter.]

[Yes?]

[All parties involved in producing the forgeries must be eliminated.]

King Eloin glanced at Ian, who offered him a peculiar smile, as he spoke.

[Not a single one must escape. Establish a perfect siege.]

[Understood!]

[Understood!]

Before long, the Black Lion Knights appeared behind the carriage.

Dark clouds loomed over the royal palace.

***

“Your Majesty the Queen, we face a dire situation!”

The chamberlain entered the queen’s palace with an urgent expression, then kneels before her.

“The Seventh Prince has taken the decree and gone to meet His Majesty directly.”

However, the queen merely sipped her tea without a hint of change in her expression.

The chamberlain raised his voice once more.

“If this persists, Your Majesty will discover everything.”

Only then did Deputy Chairman Jarken, who stood beside her, interject.

“What have you done exactly? Your task was to retrieve the decree.”

“I… I didn’t anticipate he would take it so boldly.”

“What? It was taken?”

“W-well…”

The chamberlain quickly explained how Ian ended up with the decree.

As he listened, Jarken’s face hardened, and he slammed his fist on the table.

Bang!

“Are you out of your mind? You let the decree slip away so easily? You should have done everything in your power to get it back!”

“I—I couldn’t. There were too many eyes watching…”

“Do you think this is just a matter of your life or death? Hundreds, if not thousands, could be hurt because of this.”

“B-but…”

The chamberlain broke out in a cold sweat.

He was one of the few who knew how the decree had been forged, and he felt the imminent danger.

Desperately, he bowed his head to the queen.

“P-Please spare me, Your Majesty the Queen.”

In that moment, she was his sole hope.

How could it be any other way?

As a woman, she wielded influence over the royal court, the Council of Elders, and throughout the entire region of Kaistein.

Even her children were all close to the throne.

She was the only one capable of standing up to King Eloin.

Setting down her teacup, the queen spoke, “Do not fret. Your life is safe.”

“Y-yes?”

“Have you examined the decree you were entrusted with?”

“N-no. There wasn’t time to verify…”

The queen smiled.

The royal decree they used was all authentic. It was a blank royal decree prepared by the king for emergencies.

Hence, she smiled as if to reassure him.

Deputy Chairman Jarken also interjected, “As Her Majesty has stated, you need not worry. Just return without any concerns.”

“B-but that decree is meant for dire situations. If His Majesty discovers it was used in this context, my life will be…”

“That’s why I said not to worry.”

“W-what?”

“Each blank decree has an assigned owner. And if His Majesty wants to kill you, he must first eliminate someone else.”

“What do you mean…?”

Jarken smiled.

“The owner of that blank decree is Duke Lavaltor. When the decree designated for him was created, as a precaution, two copies were made. And now, one has been used in this opportunity.”

“!”

“So, if either of you were to target the other, it wouldn’t implicate you. In essence, there’s no need for concern.”

Hope gleamed in Chamberlain’s eyes.

“In other words, if he wants to kill me, he’ll kill the Duke of Lavaltor first.”

“Yes.”

With Jarken’s words, a sense of relief washed over the chamberlain.

His expression changed. It was no longer one of desperation.

“Nevertheless, just in case, I will go and handle the decree. I can’t give them unnecessary grounds for action.”

“Looks like you’re finally starting to think straight.”

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

The chamberlain, who had abruptly composed himself, bowed and exited.

In that moment, Jarken clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“It seems he won’t last long. Such shallow thinking.”

He had been coming to the queen every time something happened.

It was quite remarkable how long he had endured as the chamberlain of the royal family. However, the queen did not agree with those words.

“He’s still a useful pawn.”

“Why’s that?”

“He’s the only one who can gather information while being close to His Majesty. We can’t afford to lose him yet.”

“Hmm…”

Jarken nodded.

It was indeed difficult to grasp the king’s movements due to the Black Lion Knights.

However, with the chamberlain on their side, predicting the King’s actions could become easier.

The queen then shifted the conversation.

“There is a more pressing matter to address.”

“What is it?”

“We must prepare for the possibility that His Majesty might notice. We need to get others involved.”

“Truly, you are wise, Your Majesty the Queen.”

After all, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for Duke Lavaltor and the king to fight with each other. Just by creating a rift between two people who were on good terms, gaps would inevitably appear for the king.

Therefore, the king had no choice but to join hands with the council and the queen.

“This is what they call killing two birds with one stone. Of course… Duke Lavaltor will face the consequences,” the queen remarked with a subtle smile.

Jarken let out a scoff.

***

The chamberlain had now arrived near the great hall.

Sensing urgency, he hastened towards the King, believing the situation was under control.

‘From the atmosphere, it seems the prince really cares for his mother and sister.’

If so, he was sure he would have them dressed to impress the king.

It would probably take quite a bit of time to borrow a parlor and dress them up.

So, he figured he still had time.

Just as he arrived at the great hall, he heard a call.

“Chamberlain! What are you doing here? Hurry!”

“What’s happening?”

“What do you mean, what’s happening? His Majesty is urgently requesting your presence.”

“The King is urgently seeking me? What’s the matter?”

“He is currently in a private meeting with the seventh prince and appears visibly agitated.”

“The seventh prince… alone with him?”

In that instant, Chamberlain’s expression crumbled.

Clearly, the prince who should have been with his mother and sister was moving alone. 

The unexpected turn of events left the chamberlain unsettled.

‘This is serious. The prince couldn’t have mentioned the decree already, could he?’

His pace quickened slightly. With his privileged status as chamberlain, he could reach the King’s chambers without further hindrance.

“Your Majesty, the chamberlain is here.”

“Come in.”

The king’s voice was different from usual.

It was typically low and resonant, but now there was something else.

‘It sounds as if a beast, filled with rage, is growling.’

The chamberlain had only encountered such tones on the battlefield.

Thus, he swallowed hard before entering, bracing himself.

However, as he stepped inside, he immediately prostrated himself.

“Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

It was as if he was prepared to sacrifice himself.

Knowing the king’s bold and pungent personality better than anyone, he took this action.

But he was a step too late.

“There’s no need for that.”

Standing before him was a figure—Ian—coldly brandishing his sword towards him.

Swish!

Chamberlain’s head flew through the air.

And Ian, with the blood-stained royal sword on his shoulder, said:

“Now then, Father. Shall we begin?”

His smile was more refreshing than ever before.