Chapter 324

The Court Duke’s arrogant actions made Felix lower his head and tightly close his eyes.

More than anger, he felt sorrow.

The sight of the Emperor, unable to reprimand a noble for interrupting him, was disheartening.

And the Court Duke, behaving as if such insolence was his right, made it painfully clear how far the imperial authority had fallen.

"As expected of the Court Duke…"

The Emperor was nothing more than a puppet, wearing a crown that held no real power.

The only ones who still upheld their loyalty to him were the military.

Even then, Felix couldn’t rule out the possibility that some members of the knightly orders had already been swayed by the Court Duke.

"Darkness… suffocatingly so."

Felix felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier as he glanced at the Court Duke.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Then why, Court Duke, did you fail to share this information with the military?” Felix asked.

The corner of the Court Duke’s lips curled upward.

“Well, isn’t it because the military isn’t fulfilling its duties? Someone had to step in,” the Court Duke replied mockingly.

Scoffing sounds rippled through the chamber.

"So much for the esteemed captain of the First Knight Order."

"Thick-skinned, isn’t he? Freely admitting his own incompetence."

"A disgrace of a man leading the proud First Order."

"How could such a fool hold the title of captain?"

The Court Duke’s retainers, emboldened, began to tear into Felix like a pack of hyenas.

The Court Duke, enjoying the spectacle as if it were a melodious tune, eventually raised his hand to silence them.

“Quiet, everyone,” he commanded.

Although the retainers stopped speaking, some still smirked and exchanged knowing glances.

“Now, do you see how you are perceived, Captain? When the military fails in its duties, we civil officials are forced to take on the burden. That’s why this criticism arises, don’t you agree?”

The smile never left the Court Duke’s face.

Felix could only clench his teeth and endure the humiliation.

"These damned bastards… Did they think I wouldn’t notice? That I don’t know it was you who had all our informants killed?"

Felix had long been suspicious about the alarming number of informants going missing.

All of them disappeared without a trace—no bodies recovered, no warnings, no signs.

Initially, he suspected foreign interference, but when even newly deployed operatives vanished in short order, he realized the truth.

It was an inside job—one orchestrated by the Court Duke.

The goal was clear: blind the military, isolate it politically, and eventually absorb it into the Court Duke’s power structure.

By the time Felix understood, it was already too late.

“How shameless. Of course, as the Emperor’s blade, it is my duty to train and act, but I must also use my head, mustn’t I?”

Felix forced himself to remain humble, keeping the military intact for the future.

“Indeed,” the Court Duke said with feigned approval.

“Even now! Apologizing is not enough!”

“Does he not realize he owes his life to the Court Duke’s mercy?”

“Those responsible should be arrested and punished immediately!”

The retainers resumed their attacks, piling scorn on Felix.

The Court Duke watched it all unfold with a despicable smile.

"What a wretched man. Truly."

Felix had to admit, albeit begrudgingly, that the Court Duke’s resilience was impressive.

Even after eliminating the Emperor’s informants, Felix hadn’t given him the satisfaction of retaliation.

"Even when I left traces deliberately… Nothing."

It had been a masterclass in restraint.

The Court Duke had prepared false charges to strip Felix of his position and seize control of the military, but Felix never took the bait.

And so, the Court Duke found himself eagerly awaiting the day Felix’s composed face would contort in humiliation.

“Captain, you are to leave matters related to the Mage Tower behind and focus solely on your primary duty: protecting the Empire,” the Court Duke finally said.

Felix raised his head to meet the Court Duke’s gaze.

Although the words seemed like mockery, the deliberate tone hinted at something more.

“Ragnar will come to the capital soon. Recall all knights ranked Grandmaster and above and prepare for a state of near-war.”

Felix’s brow furrowed at the mention of Ragnar.

"Ragnar? In the capital?"

Felix wasn’t the only one taken aback.

"Ragnar…? Could it be rebellion?"

"But there hasn’t been any report of northern troops mobilizing."

The Court Duke’s retainers exchanged uneasy whispers.

Even the Emperor was uninformed.

“What is the meaning of this, Court Duke?” the Emperor asked.

“It’s nothing serious, Your Majesty,” the Court Duke replied, laughing heartily.

“The north has been a bit restless lately, so we’re simply taking precautions. Rest assured, it’s nothing worth troubling yourself over.”

“But ordering preparations for war seems excessive—”

The Court Duke interrupted, cutting off the Emperor’s words with a booming laugh.

“Haha! Of course, it’s all for the protection of Your Majesty’s divine person. There’s no need to concern yourself. Just leave everything to me.”

“Hm. Very well,” the Emperor relented.

Felix, unable to bear any more, rose to his feet.

“Your Majesty, with your permission, I will take my leave.”

“Go ahead,” the Emperor said, dismissing him with a wave.

Creak. Bang!

The doors shut behind Felix as he stormed out of the throne room.

“...Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.

Cursing was the only thing that eased the boiling frustration within him.

Even Felix, known for his patience, felt the limits of his tolerance being tested today.

"Their corruption is only growing worse."

Seeing the Court Duke so brazenly interrupt the Emperor stirred an almost uncontrollable urge to draw his sword.

It was unprecedented behavior, but the Emperor remained silent.

Felix endured because he had to.

If even the Emperor could withstand such disgrace, then as his knight, Felix could do no less.

Still, it felt like pouring water into a bottomless pit.

"There should be nothing the Emperor is kept unaware of. How could the Ragnar-Narsio conflict not be of critical importance?"

Grinding his teeth, Felix walked through the palace corridors, his frustration disrupting the quiet atmosphere.

"No, the Court Duke truly believes the Emperor should remain ignorant."

His gaze drifted to the sword at his waist.

The temptation to return and sever every one of their heads was strong.

"Just a little longer… Just a little more patience."

Drawing his blade now would only jeopardize more than just his own life.

Felix turned his attention to the serene gardens outside, the blooming flowers and fountains offering a fleeting sense of solace.

Yet, the Court Duke’s parting words lingered in his mind.

"A state of near-war…"

The mention of Theo Ragnar stirred unease.

"Theo Ragnar would never instigate rebellion…"

Though Felix had spent only a short time observing him, he knew Theo was not the type to incite treason.

If he had such ambitions, he would have already established a duchy of his own.

With his power and influence, it wouldn’t have been an idle dream.

"But the Court Duke would never leave him be."

The Court Duke’s network extended across the Empire like a shadow.

"Frustrating…"

Felix felt trapped, unable to act decisively.

His role as the Empire’s shield now felt uncertain, as did his resolve.

"Please… Just leave quietly, Theo."

He looked up at the sky and whispered a prayer, hoping his blade would not be forced to point in the wrong direction.

***

Swish!

A brief slicing sound echoed faintly, unnoticed by others.

Numerous heads fell to the ground, and Theo burned the six-pointed star insignias he had captured.

Even in death, their expressions remained vacant, as if their souls had been drained, leaving behind empty shells.

Theo couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

These were not the kinds of individuals who deserved peaceful deaths.

After sheathing his sword, Theo headed toward the sacred grounds.

The aftermath of the war had cleared a vast open space in front of the sanctum.

At its center stood a massive memorial stone and an altar.

Flowers of remembrance were laid atop the altar.

“You’ve arrived, Lord.”

As soon as Theo came into view, Black Dragon approached him.

“The restoration is progressing quickly,” Theo observed.

“We’ve deployed significant manpower. However, since many lack expertise in construction, I’ve dispatched artisans and ordered additional materials to be sent simultaneously.”

“As expected,” Theo said, genuinely impressed.

The efficiency was almost staggering.

It was becoming clearer why his father had kept Black Dragon so close to him.

Theo looked at Black Dragon with satisfaction and smiled as he began to speak.

“More importantly, I have something to tell you.”

“Speak freely, my Lord. You need not hesitate about such matters,” Black Dragon replied.

Though it still felt odd to see Black Dragon observing such formalities in front of others, Theo could sense the sincerity in his loyalty.

This thought stirred a faint warmth in Theo’s chest.

“I will be heading to the capital.”

At that, Black Dragon’s expression stiffened, and his pupils visibly trembled.

"So, he can make such a face after all," Theo mused.

Even Lodbrok had reacted with disbelief when Theo announced his plans, so it was no surprise that Black Dragon would feel similarly.

“...Ahem, I trust you have your reasons, my Lord, but I cannot easily accept this decision.”

Having regained his composure, Black Dragon voiced his concerns.

It was only natural.

If Ragnar, the powerful northern duchy, suddenly marched toward the imperial capital, it could be perceived as an act of treason.

Additionally, with such a formidable military force under his command, sending Theo alone was also a worrying prospect.

“When have I ever done anything that made sense? I’m going because I must.”

“I asked for an explanation, not sophistry,” Black Dragon retorted, a vein throbbing on his forehead.

Theo’s response was practically childish, leaving Black Dragon visibly frustrated.

“Understood. In that case, I will notify the imperial court of your visit and organize an escort. Let us return to prepare first.”

“No, I’ll go immediately,” Theo replied bluntly.

For a moment, Black Dragon felt as though the thin thread of his reason might snap.