“This is… unbelievable. At that time, the king showed no signs of any proposals or attempts to resolve. Instead, even when he approached peacefully, he brutally suppressed…”

Even for those who had followed Idriche’s words up to this point, the disparity between what they knew and the real truth written in the royal decree was too significant. The shock left everyone speechless. The somber wind shook the bare branches.

“So, this is what Serbyan did in the meantime.”

“Idriche’s words about Artigrado were correct. Many people lost their lives senselessly due to those Serbyan snake beastmen. It’s not justice; it’s their trickery.”

“Still, if we take this, it will unravel all the misunderstandings of the past.”

“Neither Artigrado nor Serbyan will be able to expand their influence anymore.”

There was no longer a reason to stay in this palace. The knights hurriedly reloaded the baggage they had spread out back onto the horses. Although they could return to the warm home more quickly than expected due to the shortened schedule, no one could smile.

Everyone must be thinking about the lives sacrificed in vain.

Silently, I also helped with their work.

It was at that moment.

“Lord Idriche!”

Everyone turned their gaze to the loud voice.

The person who had urgently run over was the leader of the mouse beastmen.

“Somerone? What’s going on?”

However far he had run, he panted with his upper body lowered.

I, who didn’t know what was happening, also froze my face at once.

“You should come over here! Another golden box has appeared behind there!”

A box?

That meant there might be another royal decree. It needed verification.

Would it open with the same key?

I quickly grabbed the golden key and, leaving a few people to take care of the baggage, headed toward where he indicated.

Could there be parts not covered in the novel?

However, something felt strange as I followed him.

“Wait, how far are we going?”

Idriche stopped.

“Right in front of us, Lord Idriche.”

Somerone pointed behind the building.

No, it’s a lie. When I looked a little while ago, there was clearly nothing.

I tilted my head slightly and whispered to Idriche.

“It’s a lie. I checked over there earlier.”

“Seems like it.”

While I muttered, Somerone scratched the back of his head coolly.

“Oh, right here. You catch on quickly.”

At his revealing words, all the knights who were following him reached for their swords. However, instead of being scared, Somerone laughed. It was strange. With his small stature, Somerone couldn’t handle all of us alone. Why was he so relaxed? Fear crept in. I felt like I was already caught in a trap. Was Idriche feeling the same, pulling me close to his chest? I tightly held onto his thick forearm.

It was at that moment.

“Smoke is coming out!”

“Now what?”
Somewhere, everyone was bewildered by the violet smoke emanating, not knowing what to do. Although it was outdoors, one side was blocked by a building and the other by rocks, so the smoke quickly filled the area where we were.

“It’s hallucinogenic mushrooms. Everyone cover your noses and get out of the smoke!”

At Idriche’s shout, everyone covered their noses with their sleeves. However, escaping was not easy; the smoke had already enveloped the surroundings, making the sense of direction dull, and many people got entangled with each other.

And I was no exception.

Ugh, it’s suffocating.

My head was spinning.

At that moment, a chilling voice cut through the smoke.

“You know it well. Hallucinogenic mushrooms. It took considerable effort to obtain a large quantity. After going through such trouble to get them, would it be too simple to block it? Please appreciate my efforts and lower your hands.”

Ozhar, with his mouth and nose covered with a hood, looked down on us leisurely.

“Cecilia, it’s been a while. Have you been well during this time?”

With my mouth covered, I couldn’t respond.

Strange, why Ozhar?

Shouldn’t it be Phercopio to carry out such an incident?

The Ozhar I know at least moves according to his own justice and principles. Is he now feeling threatened by his own family? In Ozhar’s eyes, are we the villains?

“I hope you’ve all had pleasant illusions. Dying is more comfortable on the way.”

Ozhar’s chilling laughter echoed in the space. The Ozhar I knew was no more.

Soon after, screams erupted from the smoke. Through the smoke, the movements of those with hoods covering their mouths were visible. They indiscriminately slashed the defenseless people whose mouths were sealed, tangled up in a clash of swords.

We had no choice. Should we take the risk of getting hit by a sword while covering our noses and mouths, or should we face the attack while inhaling hallucinogenic smoke?

“Ugh!”

Some gave up covering their noses to protect their colleagues and drew their swords. The screams turned into the sound of clashes as blades collided.

At that moment, a dark figure suddenly appeared in our sight.

A blade flew straight at me. In a breathless moment, Idriche’s sword blocked it. Idriche easily subdued him and thrust a sword into his chest.