Chapter 306

Bang! Bang!

Tatatatak!

The loud sound of hammering that echoed from the early morning roused the residents of the estate with sharp hearing, who slowly emerged with sleepy eyes into the main square, looking around cautiously.

What’s being hastily made this early in the morning?

Before long, something pierced through everyone’s minds.

It’s probably a guillotine.

This estate is no longer part of Narsio, so a purge is only natural.

Tsk tsk… How did Narsio end up like this?

Let’s leave. Sparks might fly.

Though it was still early, the fact that work was being rushed gave them a sense of seriousness, and they concluded this quietly. As a result, the Narsio estate was submerged in a sense of gloom.

“Ragnar! Please have mercy!”

“Please, consider the loyalty Narsio has shown and spare Lord Timothy!”

Some were begging in front of the patriarch’s office.

Even when the guards sent the residents away, it wasn’t long before they came back, crying, and even submitting petitions. This had been ongoing for four days, but it only quieted down today.

“Seems like they lived well for a while.”

The Black Dragon muttered as he gazed out the window, and Theo simply smiled bitterly.

“I’ve heard that while his father wasn’t much, his children had good natures.”

Kalen had raised his children strictly, but that in itself served as a counterexample. Even if we consider Wellington at the time, he had been a person of impeccable character. The apology Kalen uttered in the end could be guessed from the residents' reactions.

“Then, what’s that son of his doing?”

“He’s holed up in his room, not moving. It seems he’s trusting what the residents say.”

After finishing reviewing the documents, Theo stretched and stood up, walking over to the window to stand next to the Black Dragon.

“It doesn’t look like a pleasant sight.”

The borders of Narsio were still strictly guarded, with the servants and household members of the Narsio family living under tight surveillance. There were no significant updates, but it seemed that the interrogations were going smoothly. Above, a fleet of white-capped dragons was patrolling in shifts.

The desolation continued, and it seemed as though the entire estate was covered in shadows, gripped by fear.

“By the way, it seems that butler of ours figured it out.”

“Not bad for someone serving Narsio. He’s a sharp one.”

In the past few days, it seemed that the invisible wall he’d sensed around Ralph had weakened somewhat. This had happened since the Black Dragon arrived at Narsio.

‘He must have overheard the conversation.’

It was probably not intentional, but without that, a change in his mood wouldn’t have come about.

“Have you returned?”

Julius opened the door and entered.

Rather than the guards escorting him, arrangements had been made for the Nine Dragons to enter directly.

“Yeah. By the way, the mood outside was terribly gloomy.”

Julius sat down with an exhausted expression. Having been in the field handling law and order, he must have felt the growing resentment firsthand.

“Any signs of a riot?”

At the Black Dragon’s words, Theo waited for Julius's reply. If such signs appeared, he would need to step out immediately to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Luckily, there are no such signs… Though, honestly, because of the altar being built in the square, there was quite a bit of chatter from Narsio’s military, but it’s been quiet since the day before yesterday.”

It could be the eerie stillness before a major event, but considering Julius wasn’t the type to act carelessly, Theo felt relieved hearing that it had quieted down.

“Still, everyone’s speculating too much, and the estate residents are almost in a panic.”

Despite the sun being high, only a handful of people could be seen outside, looking around nervously, as if they were watching the soldiers of Ragnar.

“It’s nice.”

Theo nodded in satisfaction. Excessive fear, as the Black Dragon said, could lead to riots, but Narsio’s residents needed a more severe remedy. Their deep-rooted pride as the second-in-command family from the North needed to be shaken thoroughly.

“I also received a letter from the White Dragon. Take a look.”

The White Dragon had been attending the interrogations of the Gold Lion Knights and monitoring the situation. The Blue Sword Guards, too, weren’t staying by Theo’s side but had been assigned to patrol the nearby areas with the Gale Sword Division.

Theo unfolded the letter and began to read. Then—

“It’s information about dangerous elements.”

The Black Dragon lazily scratched his ear and commented, and Theo’s eyes widened for a moment before returning to normal.

‘He must have let the Black Snow go.’

Theo had known some of the Black Snow had followed the battlefield, so the Black Dragon’s words weren’t all that surprising.

“There are only three of them, and there’s not much proof. They’ve only tried to meet in secret a few times.”

What the Black Dragon said matched the contents of the letter.

“Just bind them properly and lock them in the underground prison. It’ll quiet down.”

However, the Black Dragon’s words were different from what was written in the letter.

“No, I already had their heads chopped off.”

“What?”

Theo had given the White Dragon the authority to execute anyone planning suspicious activities immediately. Theo’s orders had been carried out neatly.

It wasn’t a time to take any risks, and those plotting treason had essentially asked to be killed.

“I had given such orders to the White Dragon.”

The Black Dragon hadn’t anticipated this, having seen him act excessively human in the past—especially from the perspective of his own allies. But soon, he understood that the order Theo gave to the White Dragon was justifiable.

“Well, idiots like that have nothing to say when their heads are cut off.”

“Yeah. It’ll be a good example.”

Even when treated leniently, if they were still gnashing their teeth, it only proved they would eventually show their true nature. Theo muttered quietly as he stared at the altar near completion outside the window.

“It won’t be long now. See you soon, well.”

He then turned to the Black Dragon.

“Tomorrow, gather the estate residents, Narsio’s household members, and servants in one place.”

The Black Dragon nodded and was about to leave the patriarch’s office when he looked at Julius, grinned, and said:

“...Why are you dragging me along, brother?”

The Black Dragon grabbed Julius by the collar and lifted him up.

“Since you’re going to work, shouldn’t your younger brother go with you?”

“….”

Julius made a distressed expression before sighing and following the Black Dragon.

The next day.

By noon, people began gathering in the square one by one. They all looked around nervously, their faces filled with fear, and checked the mood of Ragnar’s soldiers stationed nearby.

They’re not planning to kill us too, are they?

At least it’s an altar, not a guillotine… Not everyone will be going up.

Perhaps they’ve gathered us to announce how they’ll govern the estate moving forward.

It’s likely an execution… Didn’t you hear the rumor that three senior officials were beheaded for conspiring a while back?

Is that true?

The murmurs grew louder, and the anxiety increased, filling the air with a grim atmosphere. Then, Theo and the Nine Dragons walked out and ascended the stage in the square.

“Thank you for gathering here. I’ve asked you all to come because I have something to announce.”

With those words, a deep shadow seemed to fall over the crowd.

Here it comes.

Is Timothy’s execution certain?

Perhaps they’re planning to forcibly relocate us...

Amid the rising misunderstandings, Theo immediately opened his mouth.

“Please remain calm.”

The murmuring instantly ceased, and the estate residents stared at Theo with hollow eyes.

“An important event is scheduled for tomorrow, so I ask that everyone be here at the same time as today, without exception.”

Theo took a breath and then spoke again, his eyes sharp.

“There should be no disturbances. Now, you may disperse, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

Theo gave a final warning. He knew that any noise during the final moments would be unforgivable. However, this warning, unintentionally, planted a great fear in the hearts of the residents.

With those words, some of the residents collapsed in fear, their legs giving out beneath them.

Children couldn’t hold back their tears, and parents and elderly hugged their children and wept.

Leaving them behind, Theo returned to the patriarch’s office. Ralph and Felix were standing at the entrance.

“Where have you been?”

Felix spoke up first, looking at Theo with a more serene expression than before.

“I was just dealing with something. But what brings you here?”

“The interrogations are complete. There’s no charge against Ragnar, and I wanted to inform you that there will be no further repercussions.”

Theo nodded without much emotion. He’d already anticipated this outcome, so it wasn’t surprising or particularly exciting.

But more than that:

‘I didn’t expect him to come out so amicably.’

That thought crossed Theo’s mind.

“Today, I plan to rest and return tomorrow. You’ve worked hard.”

Felix said, extending his hand. Theo shook it, but in his mind, something felt off.

He had expected Felix to go directly to the return route after the matter was settled. From what he knew of Felix’s personality, he wasn’t the type to take it easy and rest.

At that moment, Theo’s eyes met Ralph’s.

‘Hmm.’

Ralph had a strange smile, as if he was hiding something.

It didn’t seem like he was trying to conceal it, so it was as if he was hinting that he had given Theo a heads-up.

“If you find it uncomfortable to rest, let me know. We will provide the best hospitality.”

“Thank you. We’ll be in the airship.”

“I was thinking of giving you a room.”

“Haha! Soldiers like us find it most comfortable where we’ve stayed. I’ll gladly accept your offer.”

Theo smiled slightly, nodded, and passed Felix and Ralph before entering the patriarch’s office.

Then, he smiled.

Ralph had indicated that he was siding with Ragnar as Theo wished.

Felix, on the other hand, had revealed his desire to establish a friendly relationship with Ragnar.

“Doing well without me.”

The Black Dragon, remembering these moments, chuckled and complimented him.

Theo also smirked and replied.

“I’m just imitating it.”

Theo spent a satisfying day, but the Narsio estate remained shrouded in a gloomy stillness.

Though he knew it was due to the misunderstandings that had been created.

‘Why is it so quiet? Not even the sound of insects can be heard.’

And so, that day came to a quiet close, and the morning opened peacefully.