Regas Vol 3. Chapter 11

It was supposed to be a pleasant evening, but an unexpected contact disrupted Truyde’s private life. That day, he was about to return to the mansion, almost refusing the party he usually attended. He had canceled all his plans after hearing that Truyde’s trusted subordinate—who could be called his confidant—had procured a better toy than before.

He should have headed straight ho, but sothing ca up. The issue was his wife, who had been sent near the capital under the pretext of recuperation. He had left their young child in her care, and she kept making demands using the child as an excuse. Though she had never crossed any lines, it was undeniably annoying and frustrating.

So, he thought it might be about the child again, but it wasn’t. From the entrance, it was clear what the problem was. Enormous gifts filled the grand hall: luxurious furniture and decorations, gorgeous silk, exotic pottery, jewels, and colorful fruits. There was even high-quality salt in an ivory box. The problem was that no one knew who had sent the gifts. However, the Duke imdiately recognized the sender just by looking at the salt placed at the forefront.

“The person who brought it said it’s a very valuable salt, so it should be shown to Your Grace before anything else.”

The Duke barely held back his laughter at the servant’s words. There were no cards or letters, but there was only one person who could be associated with such fine salt—the war profiteer who had beco rich from salt mines. Truyde smirked as he glanced over the gifts.

After Truyde hinted that he would support him, this man had soared, crushing two of the King’s Heart factions with financial pressure. Both families, who had managed the temples for generations, had even lost their inherited lands. As a result, the past two weeks had been filled with their complaints, making Truyde’s ears ring.

However, those factions still believed the emperor would not return alive and continued to boast loudly, turning against Truyde, who offered no assistance. Since Karas’ fate was not yet fully confird, Truyde had not suggested to the other King’s Heart mbers that they bring in the war profiteer.

If Karas were to co back alive, there °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° would be no need to rush and bow down to those guys. However, it was unexpected that the war profiteer sent a gift first. Perhaps he was anxious, unsure if Truyde would truly be on his side.

Recalling the man’s shifty eyes, Truyde concluded that he would be easier to manipulate than he had thought. Impatience always reveals one’s weaknesses and mistakes.

“Send everything back.”

Imagining the war profiteer’s shock at learning his gifts were refused, Truyde added one more instruction.

“Leave the salt.”

With this, the man would realize that Truyde was not soone impressed by jewels. Since he had accepted the salt, a war profiteer with any brains would prepare an even grander gift. He would likely act as a spy for Karas while hiding his allegiance to Truyde.

He knew that his child was standing next to his mother in the distance, but he didn’t spare a glance at them and left the mansion. Knowing that it was nothing serious, he quickened his steps to do what he had planned. His mind was already filled with thoughts of playing with the new toy.

—

When Karas ntioned the word “everyone,” four people gathered: the 1st Battalion Commander, the 2nd Battalion Commander, Ashler, and the Captain of the Royal Guards—who was currently absent on a mission by the emperor’s orders. These individuals all shared the common experience of having their lives saved by Karas. Therefore, they followed the emperor’s orders unconditionally and were among the few who knew Karas’ plans.

The interesting point was that Karas had given each of them specific orders related to the King’s Heart, but these instructions were not shared among them. No one fully grasped the emperor’s overall plan. Thus, even gathered like this, the information they could collectively hear was limited.

“Two months.”

Karas, speaking of the tifra, glanced at the three of them with his half-closed, hazy eyes and added more.

“It ends that ti.”

The brief statent needed no explanation. It ant they would annihilate the King’s Heart entirely within that period. There was no doubt about its feasibility. Even if their Emperor had said two days, they would have believed him. Karas’ gaze paused on the 1st Battalion Commander.

“Communication?”

He didn’t ask who, but the 1st Battalion Commander naturally ntioned one person.

“I’ve instructed our contacts among the war profiteers to prepare to assist Your Majesty. I’ve also heard that they’ve exerted financial pressure on key figures close to the King’s Heart. They seem to be performing even better than expected.”

Ashler, who had been listening from the side, felt a firm belief in the voice of the 1st Battalion Commander and barely swallowed the words at the tip of his tongue. He also knew who the war profiteer was—he was the one who had voluntarily led soldiers and helped Karas for a year when the war first started.

Thanks to that, he received a new territory as a reward, but Ashler didn’t like him. He was soone who hid his greedy nature. Moreover, he had already been away from the battlefield for several years. It was fortunate that he had accumulated enough wealth to rival the King’s Heart and restrain them, but it also made him uneasy. Who could guarantee he hadn’t changed?

However, the 1st Battalion Commander was so certain that Ashler couldn’t voice his doubts.

“If he helps, we can definitely finish the job within two months.”

Karas, who seed uninterested, asked Ashler next.

“The items?”

“Yes, we received word from the Captain of the Imperial Guards that they’ve been found. They’ve already been retrieved and should join us at the camp before reaching the palace.”

Still unresponsive, Karas gestured with his eyes to the 2nd Battalion Commander.

“Pass the items to them.”

Ashler had thought that only he and the Captain of the Royal Guards knew what the items were. Or was that not the case? He looked at the 2nd Battalion Commander in surprise, but the taciturn man remained silent. It struck Ashler as odd, prompting him to wonder what kind of plan Karas was devising.

Why gather everyone now to discuss this when it didn’t seem particularly urgent?

As he pondered, Karas gave the 1st Battalion Commander another command.

“Send the 3rd Battalion Commander as is.”

He was originally sent by Norhox, and the 1st Battalion Commander was supposed to chase after him and deal with him. If he went first like this, he might find out that Karas was still alive and intervene with the King’s Heart.

“Your Majesty, if you don’t need a witness, it would be more advantageous to eliminate the 3rd Battalion Commander upon arrival. Surprising them without them knowing whether you are alive or dead...”

“That’s what we’ll do.”

“How can they be surprised if the 3rd Battalion Commander departs first?”

“Then shall we move the soldiers faster?”

“No. Just you...”

Just ?

Ashler perked up, expecting the next command. But Karas suddenly stopped speaking and stared at Ashler, scanning him from head to toe. His gaze grew increasingly cold.

“Your Majesty, do you have sothing to say to ?”

Wondering why he was being scrutinized so intently, Ashler asked cautiously. Karas’ response ca abruptly, his eyes narrowing.

“You seem quite handso.”

An unexpected complint. Ashler, taken aback, tried to brush it off as a joke, attempting to smile. But the complints continued.

“You’re good at swordsmanship.”

“Th-thank you...”

“Your voice is also exquisite.”

Though the words were clearly complints, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Moreover, Karas’ gaze revealed even more hostility.

Ashler, who was surprised without realizing it, was taken aback and almost stepped back. However, his two colleagues, unaware of the situation, sent jealous glances at Ashler, feeling sidelined by the fact that only he was receiving complints. This only made his discomfort worse.

“Your Majesty, these are words of excessive praise.”

“Co to think of it, you also killed a bear.”

A muttered remark followed.

“We are similar.”

Did I hear that correctly? What’s similar to what, and with whom? And a bear, really?

Though the aning behind the words was unclear, one thing was certain—Karas was looking at Ashler coldly, as if the dead bear were his close friend.

Confused, Ashler couldn’t speak, so Karas turned his gaze to the 1st Battalion Commander, known as the epito of discipline within the unit.

“Get ready.”

The next morning, as Ashler chased away the sleepy 3rd Battalion Commander, he finally understood why Karas had simply dismissed the 3rd Battalion Commander and instructed the 1st Battalion Commander to prepare sothing.

“Tell Norhox I’m looking forward to his Regas. Especially with his blond hair and green eyes, fairy-like appearance.”

Ashler, who was listening nearby, was startled, and before he could stop him, the 3rd Battalion Commander nodded, mounted his horse, and disappeared with his soldiers. After he left, Karas began walking sowhere, as if he had been waiting.

“Your Majesty, the appearance you ntioned just now...”

When Ashler, following behind Karas, spoke with a mix of worry, he got an imdiate answer.

“It’s Truyde’s preference.”

In response to Karas’ dry tone, Ashler remained silent. Co to think of it, Karas was right. He had gathered information about the King’s Heart faction, and Truyde’s only weakness was his own preference.

Why didn’t he think of that?

When he saw Abel’s reincarnated appearance, he should have been more cautious. Then, was Karas not aware of Abel’s true identity but had another plan to exploit him?

As he doubted, he heard a murmuring voice.

“So, we have to hide him. In the forest.”

Forest?

However, he had no chance to continue pondering the erging question. Before they knew it, they had reached the outskirts of the camp where no soldiers were visible, and ahead stood the 1st Battalion Commander. As Ashler caught sight of him, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

Due to lmond’s insistence that Abel’s face must be covered, Abel had to keep the hood of his cloak over his face until they completely left the camp. Only once he heard that they were outside could he finally breathe and take in so air. However, the stifling feeling in his chest wasn’t solely due to lack of oxygen.

Abel crawled to the end of the carriage and slightly lifted the tent to look outside. Apart from the deserted road, there was nothing in sight once they were completely out of the camp. When they arrived at the place to board the ship, they would return the sa route they had co from. Abel knew that.

He knew that this feeling of suffocation was ultimately because he hadn’t seen the prince.

Despite knowing that wanting to see the prince was selfish, his lingering feelings of disappointnt and sadness didn’t disappear. Still, it was fortunate that the war was over. At least now, he could escape the battlefield drenched in blood. He murmured, “Thank goodness,” but still couldn’t help but sigh.

Still, it was fortunate to be away from the battalions. Now he could follow the terrifying Commander-in-Chief’s warning. With no chance of catching his eye, there was hope to stay alive for now—and perhaps see the prince later, even from afar. Thinking positively lifted Abel’s spirits, but suddenly the carriage ca to an abrupt halt.

“Ah!”

“Cough!”

Following the screams of lmond and the butler, cries of “Hee-yah!” were heard. Abel tried not to roll around inside the carriage and stuck to the wall, then finally regained his composure and approached the carriage seat. The horses seed to have cald as the carriage stopped, but strangely, there was no longer any sound from lmond and the butler. There should have been so conversation about the sudden stop—but there was none.

“lmond, what’s going on?”

He pulled back the curtain of the carriage and raised his head—and sothing caught Abel’s eye. The first thing he saw was lmond and the butler, frozen like statues. Blocking the path ahead of the carriage was a man in his late forties with piercing eyes. Clad in shabby traveling clothes, he stood with his arms outstretched, as if to halt the carriage. From him ca a thick yet firm voice:

“Let us take the carriage.”

Due to his nacing face and low voice, it sounded like a threat to hijack the carriage. However, lmond and the butler were not intimidated by this threatening appearance. Abel, too, was frozen—but for a different reason.

Thud, thud.

Sure enough, soone in shabby attire erged from the roadside, and the man who had been trying to hijack the carriage pointed to him, adding sothing to his demand:

“My companion too.”

The companion introduced himself, and people’s attention focused on him. He tilted his head slightly and spoke honestly and briefly:

“Karas.”