Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 378: The more fearful you are, the more indifferent you should act.

“Is the operation briefing complete?”Arendt asked Victor. Victor answered with a pale and tired face.

“I just got a report from Captain Edgar. He said that the personnel distribution is complete and that they plan to depart tonight.”

“Okay, I’ll leave that to you.”

Arendt nodded slightly.

A hint of fear flickered in Victor’s eyes as he looked at him.

After handing over the initiative, things were progressing at a frighteningly fast pace.

Arendt said indifferently.

“Tell them to rough up anyone who’s made it to the designated location and lock them up. We’ll interrogate them later. As for the ones still near the summoning circle, offer them a chance to surrender, but take care of them on the spot if they resist.”

‘Take care of them’ was simply a euphemism for killing them.

Every order Arendt uttered would be given to the knights in Victor’s name.

“…”

Victor now seemed to understand the real reason why Arendt had left the choice up to him.

He needed the Crown Prince’s right to speak.

He also understood why Arendt likened all of this to a play.

Because now Victor was nothing more than an actor performing a scenario created by Arendt.

“Okay, I’ll tell them that.”

Victor nodded silently. Arendt confirmed this and turned his head again to look at Duke Middleton.

“What about the chief chamberlain?”

“We’ve secured him. The aide, however, had already left his residence.”

Duke Middleton answered.

Ever since he found out that he was not Llewellyn’s servant but the famous apprentice knight from the Caerleon Empire, he had been following his orders without question.

It seemed he thought it pathetic to be so proud despite failing to handle the kingdom’s affairs with his own hands.

No matter how extreme that sense of inferiority might be, it was none of Arendt’s concern.

“I guess he joined the main force the moment he left on vacation.”

“I have no excuse. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let him leave the palace so easily.”

Duke Middleton offered a brief apology, but Arendt only glanced at him and made no reply.

The Duke’s soldiers dragged the chamberlain into the dungeon.

It was exactly one hour after the bloodshed.

!

The bound chamberlain was forced to kneel in a pool of blood.

“What the heck is going on…”

Still unable to grasp the situation, he glanced around, and froze when he saw the corpses piled on one side, other servants kneeling and bound, and finally the Crown Prince sitting quietly in front of him.

Victor met his gaze and opened his mouth.

“I trusted you, Otis.”

His deep, hushed voice was filled with anguish that could not be completely hidden. The chief chamberlain, Otis, groaned.

“Ah…”

“If you have something to say, say it now. Confession or betrayal, either is acceptable. If you just give up resisting, I’ll spare your life.”

This time, it was Victor who brought up the words that Arendt had been repeating until now.

Otis bit his lip.

“…I don’t quite understand what you are talking about, Your Highness.”

“You don’t understand?”

“I don’t know what misunderstanding Your Highness has made.”

The old chamberlain raised his head and looked straight at Victor.

“I have always done what I had to do. I am a loyal servant of the Lucain royal family, and I have always worked for the kingdom. This old man has done nothing wrong. I dare to swear before Your Highness.”

“…”

Victor was speechless. He was shocked by the audacity of the man not even blinking an eye in the blood-soaked dungeon, where the bodies of his comrades lay before his eyes.

“You guys speak.”

At that moment, Llewellyn opened his mouth in a subdued voice. His gaze fell on the survivors gathered on one side.

“That guy really didn’t do anything?”

“…The chief chamberlain ordered.”

At that moment, a young servant who had been kneeling muttered. Llewellyn spoke coldly.

“Speak up.”

“The chief chamberlain… ordered that the pillowcases used by His Majesty be changed.”

Only then did the young servant answer in a slightly clearer voice.

“He said using it would help His Majesty change his mind.”

Hearing the youthful voice, the chief chamberlain let out a sigh and squeezed his eyes shut. Victor’s brows furrowed.

“Do you know what has become of His Majesty?”

“…No, well. I did hear that His Majesty was feeling a little unwell. I just joined out of curiosity… and because they offered me money. I’m really sorry.”

The servant bowed his head again. Victor felt his blood run cold.

Yet, before the Crown Prince could even come to terms with it, further testimony continued.

“I was given the order to deliver the message to the other servants… Since I was in charge of cleaning, I was given the task of delivering the notes. I don’t know what they say.”

“Who received the notes?”

This time Arendt asked. Then the servant, who had just spoken, raised his head in fear and looked at the pile of corpses on the other side.

It meant they were all dead.

“That’s right, chief chamberlain Otis.”

“…”

The chief chamberlain opened his eyes again at Arendt’s cold voice. Arendt stood in front of Otis.

“Do you still want to claim that you are innocent?”

“…Who are you?”

The chief chamberlain, who had been staring blankly at Arendt for a moment, finally spoke.

“I heard that you were a servant accompanying Prince Llewellyn. But it seems that wasn’t the case.”

Looking at him with cold eyes, Arendt answered indifferently.

“Arendt von Eckhart.”

“Huh, as expected.”

Then the chief chamberlain burst into laughter.

“I never thought I would hear that cursed name here.”

“I guess you heard the rumor from your higher-ups.”

Arendt tilted his head.

“How do you feel about meeting me in person? It’s a bit disappointing that I look like this. My original appearance was better looking.”

“…”

After a while, Otis spoke again.

“Not much comes to mind, but there is one thing.”

Hatred gradually replaced the resignation in the chamberlain’s gaze.

“I pray that Lord Chernion’s curse will be with Sir Arendt for the rest of his life.”

The moment he finished speaking, the chamberlain bit down hard on his own tongue. Or rather, tried to.

But Arendt was faster.

!

The moment he finished speaking, Arendt kicked him in the face.

His attempt to commit suicide failed, and the chamberlain collapsed without even being able to scream.

“That’s too bad. There’s no need to pray.”

Because it was already in progress.

But unfortunately, the person who was supposed to hear the answer had already fallen unconscious. Arendt turned his back on the unconscious chamberlain without any hesitation.

“I’ll borrow this person for a bit. And those people…”

“You mean to transfer them to the prison outside the palace. You’re well-informed.”

As the Duke answered, Arendt looked back at Victor and Llewellyn.

“Your Highness. We are done with our business here. Let’s move.”

This was just the beginning.

Victor steeled himself and stood up from his seat.

The sudden, strong stench of blood nearly made him stagger, but Llewellyn, who had been waiting nearby, quickly caught him.

“Your Highness. Let’s gather everyone into the conference room. As I said before, summon as many as possible. All the nobles currently inside the palace must be summoned.”

But Arendt was merciless.

“It would be best to get rid of the smell of blood before you go in. Change your clothes, too. Llewellyn, you should do that as well.”

“Oh, yes. Okay, I understand.”

Llewellyn nodded quickly. Arendt looked back at his attire and clicked his tongue.

“I should change my clothes too. There’s blood splattered all over. Oh, by the way, Your Highness. The Queen, the Consort, and the prince and princess must be present. Use whatever means necessary to make sure they’re there.”

“…”

“Do you understand?”

When Victor hesitated, Arendt asked again. Only then did Victor answer with a stern face.

“I will do so.”

“Okay. Then let’s get started right now.”

“Yeah.”

Llewellyn, who was trying to help Victor out of the prison, glanced at Arendt before he could even take a few steps.

He was usually a cheerful guy, but there was no way he would ever talk about it, not in a million years.

But that didn’t mean Arendt could be called a stiff or harsh person.

‘It’s scary when his playful side disappears.’

Feeling a chill, Llewellyn rubbed the back of his neck for no reason.

At that time, the fate of the Lucain Kingdom would be decided.

“It’s been a while, Lord Lexion.”

Zakar bowed his head towards Lexion, who had suddenly appeared in the garrison.

Lexion was not alone. Beside him were Shekhinah, Ragnald, and Salem, who looked like they had no idea what was going on.

“Using people like some kind of convenient transportation.”

Lexion grumbled as the residual magic scattered from the aftermath of the teleportation. Salem quickly bowed his head toward Zakar.

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

“By the way, I didn’t know you would suddenly call us.”

Then, when Shekhinah spoke, Zakar answered.

“That must mean the situation is serious.”

“Because the Lucain Kingdom’s forces will be of no use.”

Lexion clicked his tongue with a displeased expression.

“By the way, why did you bring this brat here and how is he of any help?”

Who he was referring to, of course, was Salem. Salem lowered his head as if embarrassed.

“Ah, I will do my best.”

“Don’t you already have something in mind?”

Lexion responded angrily to Zakar’s question.

“Not me, but that little brat does.”

“Is Sir Arendt okay?”

Salem asked cautiously. Lexion nodded dryly.

“It does seem his mind is seriously twisted, but not yet. What about Captain Laius?”

“He is coming now.”

As soon as Zakar finished speaking, Laius made his way through the knights busy arranging the camp and headed toward them.

“Lord Lexion. And are the others here too?”

“Since everyone is here, let’s get to the point. I’m sure you’ve all heard the general situation.”

The commanders quickly nodded at Lexion’s words.

“The summoning spell will be activated within two or three days. Likely, one homunculus each and a ghoul legion will be summoned. You take charge of three out of the five locations. I’ll handle the other two myself.”

“Understood. Zakar and I will each take one location, and Shekhinah and Ragnald will handle one as well.”

As Laius answered, Lexion continued.

“Tonight, the ones guarding the summoning circle will leave the city. The remaining ones will be dealt with by the Lucain Kingdom’s knights, and the city’s residents will be evacuated. So, until the summoning begins, you must stay away from the area. If anyone with magical power approaches, it will explode.”

“All right.”

Laius nodded with a stern face.

“The rookie said he’d protect the Crown Prince inside the palace. Right now, they’re cleaning up the palace… but there’s no way they could all be wiped out that fast.”

Once the summoning began, the reactionaries who had been lying low would surely start to run wild.

Lexion then turned his gaze to Salem.

“And you, little shaman, come with me. Instructor of the Fog Forest, I’ll borrow a few of your archers.”

“Yes, yes! I understand.”

“Take whoever you want.”

Salem nodded quickly, and Zakar answered without hesitation.

Then, Laius opened his mouth.

“Lord Lexion. If you don’t mind, could I ask you a favor?”

“Speak.”

“First of all… I would appreciate it if you could return Arthur to his original form. The damage is rather severe…”

Lexion’s face turned pale for a moment.

“…That makes sense. I should dispel the magic before I leave.”

It would be a problem if the knights’ morale was low before the battle.

“And I have one more thing to ask you.”

“What?”

Laius spoke some more.

And after a while, Lexion, who had been listening quietly, nodded readily.

“Okay. It’s a bit annoying though.”

Only then did a faint smile appear on Laius’ usually expressionless face.

“Thank you.”