I Will Live for Your Death - Chapter 136

Divorce.

The situation quickly took an unexpected turn. Cledius had to barely maintain his balance on a ship about to capsize.

When did the river swell so much? From the moment he struck Melpiram? Or from when that bastard appeared before Ilarid?

Cledius slowly leaned back in his chair. There were faint tear tracks at the corners of his sharp eyes. Indignation that didn’t know where to be vented flowed from his mouth.

“How long can you remain so proud?”

It felt as if wooden vines were growing from the pit of his stomach, strangling his heart. Would this anger only subside if he could see with his own eyes the sight of that bastard coughing up blood and dying?

No, if he could see Ilarid throwing herself down and begging for the antidote to save him. Rather, this incident was an opportunity to grasp her in his palm.

Ilarid had two remaining rights of final decision. But the Emperor could override that decision. If she tried to leave the palace, this country, he would restrain her endlessly.

Even if it meant confining her in the palace.

Cledius sneered while looking up at the ceiling. My lofty and beautiful Empress, Ilarid. My companion whom I will bind forever with the word love and imprison by my side.

“Go ahead and do as you please.”

I look forward to the day you beg before me to protect your love.

**

The trial of the Rozen people imprisoned in the prison tower had ended.

It was a closed trial with only a few nobles participating, and even reporters’ access was extremely limited. Even then, only reporters from newspapers friendly to the imperial family were allowed.

Nevertheless, as a result of the trial, the Ranford Company obtained a suspended sentence. The records of the Ranford Company’s support were unclear, and the company claimed they had merely “stored” goods in the warehouse.

Their claim was true. The Ranford Company had stored relief supplies as well as weapons and food needed for battle in an empty warehouse in Rozen. And they had just casually left the door open.

After quite a fierce legal battle, Paulo and the Ranford Company employees were given suspended sentences.

However, the Grand Duke of Rozen was ultimately not released. It was an expected result that anyone could have predicted, as he was the instigator of the rebellion against the Emperor.

In the early morning when many people were still asleep, the main gate of the prison tower opened with a creaking sound. The released prisoners who had woken up early, washed up and even shaved, came out one by one.

The air was unfamiliar to Paulo. The morning air in Rozen always carried a bitter saltiness from the sea water.

So sometimes it even felt like he was walking underwater. The morning air of the Empire was clear, but somehow dry. He forcefully cleared his throat and savored the freedom he had miraculously obtained.

“Paulo, look over there.”

As he was about to stretch, one of his companions tapped him on the shoulder. Following his companion’s gaze, he saw Cecilia slowly approaching.

“No, Cecilia… What if someone sees you?”

“It’s early morning. And let them see if they want to.”

Having come out early, taking a brief moment before morning training, Cecilia was wearing the Imperial Guard uniform. Who would look at an Imperial Guard officer with suspicious eyes?

The disciplined appearance with black and gold harmoniously blended suited her very well. Paulo carefully observed his daughter who had grown up so much. When would he be able to meet her again if he returned to Rozen like this?

Previously, he had seen Cecilia very briefly from afar. Though he couldn’t see her expression, he thought she must be happy with a life lacking nothing.

“When did you grow up so much… You’re really an adult now.”

“I’m of age now, Father.”

Cecilia shrugged her shoulders. She was undoubtedly Paulo Ranford’s daughter.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

And without anyone initiating it, they embraced each other. At this dramatic father-daughter reunion, the eyes of the Ranford Company employees reddened.

Jin watched this scene from a distance. It was a place he couldn’t approach. There was no space for a fake family member next to the real family. He was in no position to casually greet them by squeezing in between them.

The medal of merit he received after the conquest of Rozen weighed on Jin again. It was like a brand he wanted to tear off his body, considering it fake.

Just as Jin barely steadied his staggering legs, his eyes met Cecilia’s. Though he hadn’t intended to follow, it was an awkward situation where anyone could see he had been caught trailing behind.

What to do. He could just turn around pretending not to know, with his mouth tightly shut. Most of Jin Katia Gwen Icastel’s life had been like that.

But the current Jin chose to face it.

He slowly approached a member of the Ranford Company near the prison tower.

“I am Jin Katia Gwen Icastel… I apologize to all of you from Rozen. I’m sorry.”

His waist bent automatically in a bow. The resistance fighters from Rozen who had made their home there stared blankly at the young noble from another country.

What kind of family was Icastel? Even if they were from a provincial port town, they were well aware of the meritorious family of another country. The most solid pillar supporting the Astrid Imperial Family and a prestigious family with deep roots.

As such, they did not lower themselves carelessly. They were raised being taught there was no need for that, and that admitting fault was like giving up a weakness.

But Jin apologized to them, saying he was sorry. Someone might have snorted and ignored it. It would be enough to condemn it as an insincere apology, saying the sincerity wasn’t visible.

An awkward silence flowed. Only the clear chirping of birds waking the morning sounded between the dawning light.

Paulo Ranford was the first to lightly pat his back and walk away. As Jin turned around with a dumbfounded face, the others also cheerfully patted Jin’s back and shoulders before moving away.

“Um…”

“That’s enough, Young Lord.”

Paulo paused briefly and glanced back at him. There was only one thing he wanted to say.

“Please take care of Cecilia.”

That was enough. As long as he was someone who would pave the way well for Cecilia to move forward.

Now only Cecilia remained. The siblings who were not related by blood simply looked at each other silently.

Jin bit his inner lip hard. A dull pain surged through the tender flesh. If only Cecilia’s resentment could be resolved, he was prepared to not just offer his back, but to lie down and let her walk all over him.

But Cecilia silently held out her hand. What did it mean? As Jin racked his brains trying to find the hidden meaning, his sister let out a light sigh and blurted out:

“It’s a handshake.”

“Ah…”

Jin stuttered as he took Cecilia’s hand. Even during Imperial Guard training, they had only exchanged light eye contact when they met, not trying to act familiar.

If he had gone out of his way to acknowledge her, he might have been harassed behind her back. Were the Imperial Guard officers ordinary ruffians? It must be quite tiring enough to endure the harsh training, let alone deal with the subtle bullying from existing members.

“I’m sorry, Cecilia.”

He knew these words were not enough. Perhaps he would have to live his whole life apologizing to Cecilia. But even so, he had to face it.

Cecilia noticed the trembling in their clasped hands. Jin must have summoned the courage of a lifetime.

“…When it’s just the two of us, you can call me like you used to.”

It was the words he had wanted to hear most. Jin’s head, which had been looking at the ground, lifted. Eyes carved with the chisel of hope sparkled faintly before Cecilia.

“Thank you, elder brother.”

If she lingered any longer, she would be late for morning training. Cecilia gently released the hand she was holding and headed for the training grounds.

**

The sky felt lower, as if it was about to rain. A man dressed to match the gray sky hurried into an alleyway. He wore a light hood and raised his collar to cover his jawline.

Though he would look suspicious to anyone in a bright place, in the dark back alley he didn’t seem particularly strange.

Lebel covered his body with a black hood and cloak, waiting for the other person. Soon he sensed someone approaching and raised his head.

‘Oh no.’

It was a familiar face. Of all people.

He was the one who had blocked Lebel’s sword nine times when recruiting for the mercenary group last time. Though he had unfortunately failed, Lebel had kept an eye on him, but who knew he would join the ‘Gray Hawks’.

Lebel pulled his hood down low and adjusted the cloth covering his mouth. Then he calmly recited the password. Fortunately, the man didn’t seem to notice that the person in front of him was Lebel.

“In the dying embers, the gray hawk flaps its wings.”

“…Raise your head, light the fire, and soar towards the world.”

The man looked around as he continued. Though small in stature, his movements certainly seemed quick. Perhaps it was a good sign. New talent was always welcome.

The sound of the man next to him catching his breath lightly could be heard. Lebel smiled faintly under the cloth.

“You must have had quite a time finding your way here.”

“Not at all. I’ll give my report first.”

He cleared his throat briefly and said:

“Recently, those identified as republicans have been arrested en masse by the Imperial Guard.”

“…The Imperial Guard rarely goes outside the palace.”

“They say they’re going around in plain clothes. It seems they’re mingling with the people to weed out suspicious individuals.”

Their movements were ominous. Though he had been warned by Ilarid that the Imperial Guard would gradually build up their power, to think they would hide among civilians to conduct surveillance.

“Soon they’ll be cracking down on people gathering too.”

Lebel murmured quietly. What’s so difficult about silencing the rest when you oppress one?

“But it seems they’re not being confined in the prison tower. It’s likely they’ve been imprisoned in an undisclosed location. The rest of the personnel are also moving secretly, so things are being delayed a bit.”

“Have they been released?”

A heavy silence fell. Though there have been reports of many missing persons cases filed at the patrol stations recently, could it be connected like this? A sigh mixed with Lebel’s words.

“…I can’t even say empty words like ‘proceed slowly.'”

“I’ll do my best.”

“How are things going with the foundation?”

Lebel did not let down his guard against the Gloria Foundation. Having been caught once, they would act more closed off, and make every effort not to show any weaknesses.

“It seems they’ll manage the ledgers more thoroughly. They’ve blocked even low-level employees from accessing them.”

“But it’s bound to be revealed someday, so keep watching.”

“Understood. And… I’ve detected one suspicious trend.”

An old woman slowly passed in front of the two of them. Though she was a figure completely unrelated to this conversation, they deliberately pretended to be distracted, closing their mouths for a moment.

“Children are disappearing.”

The man leaned in close to Lebel and whispered quickly. If misheard, it could have been mistaken for the wind’s whisper. Lebel raised his hand and instructed:

“…One more time.”

“There are missing children. It’s a phenomenon seen not only in the Gloria Foundation but also in some orphanages.”

“Not transfers to other institutions or adoptions, but disappearances.”

His intuition flowed in an unpleasant direction. It was a realistic anxiety rising from his bones, different from the times when he always acted assuming the worst case scenario.

“Well, good work. I express my gratitude. I’ll investigate the children’s disappearances along with you.”

“Do you have any hunches?”

“…A little.”

Lebel handed over a silver coin wrapped in paper with the next instructions. After the man received the silver coin and tried to greet Lebel, he was already gone.

Did he soar into the sky or sink into the ground? He looked around for the ‘Gray Hawk’, but the black aura was nowhere to be seen.

When you climb to a high place, the wind blows differently than on the ground.

With no terrain to block it, it’s a precarious place that can easily sway even in a light breeze. Lebel’s hood was blown back by the wind. Even the cloth covering his mouth was removed, allowing the fresh air to reach his lungs.

Where had the children disappeared to? Lebel’s intuition reached one place.

‘Slave traders.’

Where should he start? From the back alleys, probably. Lebel recalled where his life had begun.

Slaves fetched higher prices the younger they were. It was for the reason that they were easier to tame, train, and send out to the battlefield.

His clenched fist tightened involuntarily.

Would such a thing be reported to Cledius? Even if it were, he would probably turn a blind eye. The disappearance of children with no connections would be nothing to one who thinks he has reached the heavens.

A sigh passed through the wind. The bell tolled to mark the hour. Lebel quietly closed his eyes and bowed his head, praying for the children’s safety.

Prayers should be directed not to high places, but to low places. So God, rulers, please do not be sad. Lebel hid his crooked smile and leapt onto the densely arranged rooftops.

The midday shadow disappeared in an instant.