Chapter 327

"If you need anything, please ring this bell at any time."

Alex handed Theo a service bell and exited the room.

On the desk, steam rose gently from a cup of tea. The tea had been poured by one of the maids before Alex and his attendants left. Its delicate fragrance filled the air, and the liquid shimmered with a radiant, reddish-gold hue.

Even though Theo wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about tea, he could tell this was no ordinary blend; its value was unmistakable.

Manifesting into his physical form, Lodbrok elegantly lifted the teacup, bringing it to his lips with a refined air.

"For all the bothersome antics, this tea is a fine compensation. As expected, luxury goods are far more abundant here in the capital than in the barren north."

Lodbrok smiled contentedly, savoring the tea, while Theo shrugged, his gaze fixed on the scene outside the window.

Below, a group of court attendants were giving orders to several servants.

"Privacy is a principle they clearly don’t respect. It’s rather galling."

"You didn’t kill anyone, did you?"

Theo had already noticed Lodbrok tampering with several of the surveillance magic circles. There were also around ten guards stationed nearby, not to mention the probable presence of skilled eavesdropping experts.

"Haha! Things aren’t like they were in the past. It’s almost insulting how blatantly they underestimate us. Don’t worry. I’ve blocked their eyes and ears for now."

In other words, Lodbrok had cast illusions and auditory distortions on the area. Theo trusted Lodbrok’s abilities completely, so he seated himself comfortably across from his companion. Lodbrok swirled the tea in his cup with a faint smile, his demeanor more fitting for wine tasting than tea.

"It’s amusing, isn’t it? Despite my brief mortal life, I seem to have developed quite a refined palate."

Apparently enjoying the tea more than expected, Lodbrok poured himself a third cup, savoring every sip until the entire teapot was emptied.

"So, you’ve come here following the information pointed out by that ring. Are you searching for something?"

Lodbrok’s eyes flicked to the pure white ring on Theo’s finger.

"That’s right," Theo replied.

Though he wasn’t entirely sure what the ring’s guidance would ultimately reveal.

"And when do you plan to start moving?"

Theo rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I’ll rest today to recover from the journey. Tomorrow, I’ll meet with the Emperor, and from there, I’ll decide my next steps."

He wasn’t reckless enough to act rashly on his first day. The blatant surveillance and restrictions raised too many questions: Was it a deliberate test of his patience? Or did they truly view him as a naive child? Theo needed to understand their intentions first.

Additionally, analyzing the capital’s surveillance and security measures would require careful observation, which could take some time.

"First, we should sample the capital’s cuisine. Order whatever you like."

Lodbrok’s eyes lit up with interest at Theo’s suggestion. After a moment of contemplation, a mischievous gleam appeared in his gaze.

"I want to taste the capital’s mint chocolate."

"…"

Of course.

Theo couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the request. Shaking his head in disbelief, he reached for the service bell.

Ding-ding!

***

Clop. Clop.

The sound of hooves echoed faintly, almost devoid of energy.

The horse seemed to reflect its rider’s mood, its steps heavy and sluggish as it returned to the mansion.

Felix dismounted, stripping off his armor as if suffocating under its weight. He tugged at his collar, loosening it with an air of frustration.

"Haa…"

A deep sigh escaped his lips.

He collapsed into a chair, the softness of the cushions offering a brief respite to his exhausted body.

Knock, knock.

At his call to enter, the door opened, revealing his lieutenant carrying a file of documents. The man saluted briefly before stepping inside.

"I heard you’d returned, so I came to report… but is something troubling you, sir?"

The lieutenant approached, concern evident in his expression as he noted Felix’s troubled demeanor.

"What do you think of this phrase: 'One’s opinions and will cannot take precedence over the Emperor’s orders’?"

The sudden question caused the lieutenant to tilt his head in confusion before responding.

"That’s… of course, I believe it to be true."

Though unsure of the intent behind the question, the lieutenant nodded firmly, offering a textbook response.

"I’m not talking about generalities," Felix pressed.

At that, the lieutenant fell silent. Felix already knew it was a meaningless question. The lieutenant’s answer was the only one he could give as a soldier.

‘Perhaps I’ve burdened him unnecessarily.’

Felix had asked the question because he trusted and relied on his lieutenant the most within the imperial court. Yet now, he felt it was a foolish act, unbecoming of his station. Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his chair.

"Forget I asked that question."

The room fell into a contemplative silence, the lieutenant standing quietly by Felix’s side despite the heavy atmosphere.

‘It’s obvious… too obvious.’

Felix couldn’t help but dwell on the words. Something so self-evident was easy to forget.

‘How many nobles in this nation truly live by that principle?’

He didn’t need to think deeply to know the number was minuscule. Ironically, the closer a noble was to the Emperor, the less likely they were to adhere to it.

The thought sickened him.

Today had been especially difficult. The very individuals who ought to embody noble ideals were being targeted as enemies of the Emperor, a narrative being spread by those Felix privately loathed.

And yet, he had played a part in oppressing such a person.

‘What must he have thought as he looked at me?’

The question haunted him. Surely Theo Ragnar now regarded him as nothing more than the Court Duke’s obedient lapdog.

It was undeniable—Felix had executed orders he knew were not truly imperial commands.

‘Perhaps I’ve already strayed too far.’

Each passing day, Felix felt as though the edge of his blade was dulling. He had intended to sharpen himself for the future, but instead, he was growing blunted and brittle.

‘It’s infuriating.’

A bitter laugh escaped him as he rubbed his chest to ease the ache building there.

With a sigh, Felix opened the top drawer of his desk.

Click.

Pressing a hidden mechanism, he revealed a false bottom in the drawer. Beneath it lay two plain brooches. Felix picked one up and handed it to his lieutenant.

"Make sure to return before dawn."

"Understood."

The lieutenant accepted the brooch without hesitation, pinning it to his chest. Felix followed suit, the action suggesting this was far from their first time employing such measures.

Shhh—

A faint glow enveloped both men, and their appearances began to change. Starting from their feet, their forms shifted until Felix now looked like the lieutenant, and the lieutenant appeared as Felix.

Satisfied, they each inspected their new appearances before nodding.

"Thank you for handling this once again."

"Don’t worry, sir. Safe travels."

Felix clapped his lieutenant on the shoulder before leaving the room. The lieutenant, now bearing Felix’s appearance, reclined in the chair as his superior had moments earlier.

Though his position was comfortable, his heart felt as though a heavy stone weighed upon it.

‘I wish he could confide in me more openly.’

The lieutenant couldn’t even begin to fathom the depth of Felix’s troubles. The burdens of a commander far outweighed those of a subordinate. Still, the lieutenant had a sense of what Felix endured.

‘The Court Duke and his faction are utterly deranged.’

One only needed to observe the current state of the capital to deduce as much. As the highest-ranking officer in the military, Felix was bound to clash with them constantly.

‘No matter the time or place, I’ll always be ready to support you, Commander.’

Resolving himself, the lieutenant began organizing the documents on Felix’s desk, his mind a mix of worry and quiet determination.

***

Felix headed straight to his lieutenant’s mansion.

The house, devoid of family or servants, was eerily quiet. Yet it was impeccably tidy, a reflection of the lieutenant’s meticulous nature.

Quietly, Felix exited through the back door of the mansion. All the while, he extended his senses as far as possible, scanning for any hidden observers. Vigilance was second nature—he couldn’t risk being followed.

Reaching the stables, Felix pressed on, his steps deliberate.

Whinny.

The lieutenant’s horse seemed to sense the unfamiliar presence and pawed at the ground nervously. Ignoring the animal, Felix ran his hand along the stable wall until he found a concealed wooden panel. He slid it open.

A musty odor wafted out, stinging his nose. Felix paused one last time to ensure no one was around before slipping inside and closing the panel behind him.

Creak. Creak.

The chill of the ladder and its groaning under his weight were the only sounds as Felix descended. After a short climb, his boots hit solid ground.

He stood in pitch darkness. The air was so thick with blackness that even a sense of direction was hard to maintain.

Without hesitation, Felix began to walk.

Step. Step.

The steady sound of his own footsteps echoed in the oppressive silence as he moved confidently through the void, guided only by intuition. After what felt like an eternity, his outstretched hand brushed against a familiar texture.

Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock.

Knock-knock-knock.

Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock.

Felix knocked on the wooden door in a specific sequence.

Creak.

The door groaned open, and a thin beam of light cut through the darkness, forcing Felix to squint against its sudden brightness.

Inside, a lone knight stood watch, while the Emperor, wrapped in blankets and looking frail, sat sipping medicine.

"I greet Your Imperial Majesty," Felix said, immediately lowering himself into a deep bow.

"Cough, cough! You’ve worked hard, Sir Felix," came the Emperor’s voice—weak, yet maintaining an air of authority.

Felix glanced at the Emperor’s face.

‘Seeing him up close… it’s worse than I thought.’

The Emperor’s pallid skin, hollow eyes, and shrunken frame painted a dire picture. The sight of his deteriorated form was far more alarming up close. Even the expression of the knight guarding him seemed strained with worry.

Felix instinctively scanned the room for potential threats.

"There’s no need to be so cautious," the Emperor assured.

At his words, Felix immediately relaxed his guard.

"Though the Court Duke may be as cunning as a viper, even he wouldn’t dare plant eyes or ears in his own daughter’s chambers."

Felix had arrived at one of the countless bedrooms within the imperial palace. Specifically, this was the private chamber of one of the Emperor’s concubines, Diana, who also happened to be the Court Duke’s daughter.

It was the one place where the Emperor was free from the Duke’s surveillance, a sanctuary he visited only twice a month.

Felix’s gaze wandered briefly to the bed, which was surrounded by a faint purple haze.

‘Judging by her breathing, she’s completely unconscious.’

The concubine was in a deep sleep, thanks to the use of a strong sleeping incense. If she were awake, the situation could escalate uncontrollably. Measures like this were essential.

After finishing his medicine, the Emperor turned to Felix.

"Well then, I hope our conversation tonight proves fruitful."