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Chapter 31
An Obedient Dog
"Wait a moment, Count Consillus! We are the Imperial Household's representatives."
Just in case there's a misunderstanding, he emphasized it once more.
Your career path and future are in our hands.
Count Consillus patted his shoulder with a pitying look.
"You've had a hard trip coming all this way. Right. To think the Empire would call you for something like this and frame an innocent person."
Еn üm̂a
"Huh? Wh-what on earth do you..."
Isn't the story different?
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It was definitely Count Consillus who was talking like a son of a bitch.
He's changing his mind now?
'Don't tell me......'
Karl's eyes darted between Ferda and Count Consillus.
Е̂.num̄а̇
No. That can't be.
There's no way such a tight-knit thing exists in the noble world.
"What is it?"
"Yes?"
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Ferda tilted his head to the side and spoke.
"Go ahead and call the next witness."
Ŵ е bṅ о v̄ ѐ l̈ Е n̊ ů ṁ а̌
Ferda snapped his fingers as if calculating.
"There are still many witnesses left. Excluding the dead Tesalos Wolcheo, there are 13 remaining. Bring them all and have them testify. If even one of them says I'm guilty, your role is over, isn't it?"
Even if it's not 99, if 1 says it's right, that was the power of the Cheokgyeoldan to send someone away.
But Karl knew there was no chance of winning even if he called all 13.
If Count Consillus, who could be called the real power of the Far East, denied it, those under him would deny it too.
"If you can't call witnesses, bring out more."
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"Wh-what..."
"Don't you have more charges you brought to drag me down and threaten me? Bring those out."
The atmosphere had completely reversed.
Karl forced himself to be stubborn.
He pulled something from his chest with trembling hands.
"I, I heard you kidnapp, kidnapped this child."
Е̇n̂ u̇_m̌ ӑ. і̃d
A composite sketch of a girl with long straight hair.
One look at those vacant eyes and you could tell it was Mori.
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'If it's finding Mori, it's Helus Povidas.'
If Helus Povidas accurately pointed to Ferda, it meant he found the maid.
"I see."
Of course, that threat itself was a load of bullshit that wouldn't work.
Énu m а
Karl knew that well too.
It's just that right now his mind had gone completely blank and he felt like he had to do something.
"Sorry, but I bought that child. I got consent from that maid and received ownership rights. Can't call it kidnapping."
"........"
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"Still, if you want to insist, it wouldn't be bad to talk with the party involved. So what's next?"
Karl didn't answer.
Ẃ еb̂ n оvе l̊ Еn ūm̌_а̀
Excluding those, everything else is trivial shit.
Stuff about slyly testing the waters to squeeze out a few more pennies.
He has no cards left.
"Then I'll have to speak."
It became Ferda's turn.
He turned his gaze toward Count Consillus.
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"Count Consillus."
"Yes. Speak, Your Regency."
He bowed politely and responded.
"This bastard openly demanded money from me."
"Hoho, is that so? Since he came a long way, isn't it right to at least cover travel expenses?"
"The travel expenses he demanded were 100,000 golden."
Ӗnu m̀ ä
"Hoho, that's quite a large sum."
"What value does that money have?"
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"Everyone's values differ, so it's hard to give a definite answer."
"Right. Then how much would that be in money used for your territory's people?"
"That would be enough money for our territory's people to live without worrying about food for 10 years."
"Right."
Еn̂ ú m a
Ferda's blue eyes faintly gleamed.
"So this bastard tried to steal 10 years from the territory's people?"
"That's correct."
Count Consillus glared at Karl along with him.
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Clear anger was etched in his eyes that had been smiling slyly.
"A heinous act that makes heaven and earth weep."
W̄ė b̂ n̆о v ê l̆ Е̇ n̈ u̇.m̂ã
"Ah... aaaaah..."
To think the cat he called in to corner the rat was in cahoots too.
Karl, who never imagined he'd get screwed in reverse, started trembling.
"What do you think? How should we deal with this man?"
"Someone bearing the Empire's name demanding money and goods. That's not something a mere knight would do."
"Right? And he demanded to be treated like the Emperor."
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"Hahaha! Surely he wouldn't do such a thing? A mere knight daring to compare himself to His Majesty the Emperor."
"What if that's true?"
"He'd have no excuse even if he ended up like Tesalos. Tesalos Wolcheo had a hole in his forehead, right?"
"That's right."
Karl couldn't even breathe properly at their one-sided conversation.
No words came out, just cold sweat as he looked back and forth between the two.
Е ǹ ûm̂a. id̀
"But before that... how about formally protesting to the Empire on charges of extortion and impersonating royalty?"
"Good idea. But would they even listen to a protest from someone this young?"
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"No need to worry. I'll prepare it."
Most nobles know the Cheokgyeoldan does dirty work.
But if you make it an open issue, it's different.
No one would dare ignore the words of Count Consillus who guards the front lines into old age.
Е̃ n̂ ǔmа̂
'Count Consillus......'
Betrayal filled Karl's eyes.
The one who trapped him in a trap is that old man laughing and chatting over there.
'Me, the Cheokgyeoldan......! He trapped us.'
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Count Consillus and Ferda Valdrova had colluded to create this mess.
Karl tried a final desperate struggle.
W̃ е̇b̂ń ŏvе̌l̈ Еňǔḿ а̂
"W-we're a directly affiliated unit! Even if you protest, nothing will cha...!"
"Will it?"
Ferda answered coldly.
"How far does your value go?"
"My value...?"
"Would it be more convenient to cover for you, or more convenient to cut your throat saying you'll correct an individual's deviation?"
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No need to even ask.
The latter is overwhelmingly better.
"And even if you somehow survive, do you think your blood relatives will stay still? Your younger brothers will probably come cut your throat themselves."
"What the...?"
"Think about it, eldest son of the Harvest family. You have two more younger brothers, right? Even if they're close, you think they'd stay still while their older brother commits corruption?"
No way they'd stay still.
Е̃nu m̀а . id̀
They were bastards who looked at what Karl enjoyed just for being born first with resentful eyes.
If they know a knight's honor, they'll cut him for the family's glory.
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If they're just vulgar opportunists thirsty for advancement, they'll cut him for their own advancement.
Karl was a prime piece of bait who was better off dead than alive.
In a situation where everything was pressing in on him, Karl realized too late.
'The dragon wasn't the problem.'
Еn.ũ m̂ а̊ . і̊d
Until a few days ago, this Regent they were mocking was the one they should've been wary of.
"Speak."
Karl snapped awake at Ferda's voice.
He always asks coldly like this.
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"How do I look to you now?"
A sharp chill like an ice blade placed before his own throat.
En ǔ m̈ӓ . і d
If he answers wrong, it felt like that blade would slit his throat and quarter his body.
Karl, trembling with fear, answered with difficulty.
"The gr-great Valdrova Regent-nim."
Submission seeped from that voice.
"Right, the one who governs in place of the Grand Duke in the Valdrova Grand Duchy."
Ferda stood up and placed a hand on Karl's trembling shoulder.
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"And I'm thinking you should become the owner of the Cheokgyeoldan."
A sweet whisper like the devil's.
"Do you want to become the owner of the Cheokgyeoldan, or die nobly for the Cheokgyeoldan?"
A foolish question.
There's no nobility in the Cheokgyeoldan.
Karl bowed his head.
Ŵ е b̄n̄о̄ v̈ е́ l Е̌n̄ ǔm̈ ӑ
"Please, accept my loyalty."
Ferda shook his head at that answer.
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"I don't need your reed-like loyalty."
When Karl's heart sank to the floor, he added.
"What I need is an obedient dog."
"A d-dog... you say?"
Е̄n̂um а̊.і d
"A dog that only does what it's told and doesn't do useless shit. One that wags its tail at the occasional bone thrown to it and knows how to wait obediently for its master. If so, your path to advancement will open. Understand?"
Karl nodded.
"Ah, I understand. I'll become a dog. I'll become... the Regent-nim's... dog."
"Good."
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Ferda patted his shoulder.
"Stay here for today. I need to make a dog collar for you."
Ẃëb̂ñ ō v е ĺ Ѐň üm̀ а̇.
"...Yes."
His pale complexion showed no sign of returning.
* * *
Karl left the reception room.
By now he'd be enjoying dinner with the subordinates he brought.
Of course, for the party involved it's just a last meal before execution, so he doesn't even know if food's going in his mouth or nose.
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Meanwhile, Ferda talked with Count Consillus.
Count Consillus explained the whole story of how the Cheokgyeoldan came.
"So the Cheokgyeoldan came so confidently because of you."
Count Consillus bowed his head.
"I committed an act deserving death without excuse."
"Doesn't matter. So what did you reply in that letter?"
Еn̈ũm ӓ . і d
"He is upright and a benevolent ruler who cares for the Far East..."
Count Consillus grinned.
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"It seemed I shouldn't have replied like that."
"Why?"
I can guess but I ask.
"The Cheokgyeoldan are like a locust swarm. They smell prey and swarm, tearing everything up before disappearing. The Far East is seeking development right now. They always target the weak first and slowly devour them. Once they set foot in, it's as good as over."
Е̄ n̄ ūm а̄
One of the Cheokgyeoldan's main strategies.
Isolate the powerless places first, then eat them.
"But the Regent-nim's image was already bad due to Tesalos Wolcheo."
Ferda was already isolated on the surface.
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Enough to think nobles were sharpening knives to stab Ferda in the back.
If they just gave it certainty, it could be fully utilized.
Е̇ nũ m ӓ
"You used me properly."
"I apologize for causing concern. Since it was all my plan, if you must punish someone, please punish this old man."
Ferda waved his hand.
"No, it's fine. Didn't you just deal with the loitering dogs for the territory's development and peace?"
"But testing the Regent must have been unpleasant."
"You spoke honestly so it doesn't matter. If you just stay loyal to the Grand Duke, I don't care how you use me. I didn't come to enjoy the King's authority. I came to devote myself for my King."
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"Aah..."
Count Consillus who can lightly see through nobles' pretenses.
Ferda's sincerity from the bones was vividly felt.
"So tell me. Who are you loyal to?"
"To speak honestly, I was loyal to the Empire. I was someone whose heart leaned more toward the Empire's Emperor than the Grand Duke-nim who's close by."
Count Consillus smiled bitterly and told his truth.
Eǹǔ m̆ а
"When you get old, you get scared. So as time passes, there are times you forget what you climbed this position for."
"Did you recall what you'd forgotten now?"
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"Yes. Thanks to the Regent-nim, my eyes opened."
Count Consillus looked out the window.
Not far away, the polluted land, the Devil's Land, spread out.
A landscape never visible from his castle due to its high position.
Еn̈uḿ а.і̀d
"I took this position with the conviction to protect people. I was loyal to the Empire because the Empire exists to protect its subjects, not because it raised me up."
"A noble noble."
"Excessive praise."
Count Consillus laughed heartily.
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Count Consillus was the Far East's spokesperson.
But as always, there was nothing igniting fire in their chests.
Е̂n ũṁа́ .і d
Countless soldiers died, yet all they gained was their own wearing hearts and fear.
"Count Consillus."
"Yes."
"Is that conviction still in your chest?"
"It is."
Ferda reached out his hand.
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"Then join me. To protect this East, I need someone like you."
Count Consillus's eyes went round at the proposal, and he shook his head.
"No. Please don't say that. The one who should say that isn't the Regent-nim, it's me."
Count Consillus knelt and carefully placed his hands on that hand.
The hand that held a sword to protect people was rough and calloused.
"Please lead this East where only death lurks. I will always devote my loyalty to the Grand Duke-nim and follow the Regent's will."
Ẁ е̃b.nō v e l̃ Ӗ nūm̀ а
* * *
Karl was suffering from a hangover.
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He'd drank like crazy wanting to die, unable to bear his situation of having to hide an unspeakable secret.
But instead of dying, only a killer hangover and morning sunlight greeted him.
'Goddamn it......'
I want to run.
W еb̈n ӧvеl̇ Е̇ ń u.m̈а̄
But I don't even have the courage for that.
So I have to sit here waiting like a pig trapped in a slaughterhouse.
Someone came inside.
Thinking it was Ferda, he tried to stand and bow, but
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"Ah, hello?"
An eerily dark-haired woman came in.
We̊ḃ n ò v̀.е l Е́ǹ_ùm а̌
'What. Who's this woman?'
But she wasn't ordinary.
By her clothes she looks like one of the administrators employed in this castle.
But an ominous energy that couldn't be hidden in that ordinariness made you want to step back immediately.
She raised her hand awkwardly and greeted.
"I'll be contracting as the representative in place of the Grand Duke-nim. And... hmm..."
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Her black eyes scanned Karl's face.
"You're not as handsome as I heard."
A pitying voice.
Wonder what her problem is, but he didn't even feel like getting angry.
"My name is Echidna Philias."
"...Philias?"
Е ǹ umå . ї d
The hangover instantly cleared.
'Philias? That means a witch belonging to Philias?'
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Philias.
Appears in women who awaken the Red Circle, and if you contract with them they inevitably become witches.
They basically extremely hate men, and are famous for never cooperating with anyone outside Philias.
'He recruited that witch... and is using her?'
Ẇе b̆ n̊ о̀ v̂.ê l̆ Еń ŭ m̌.а
Just how?
He forcibly swallows the scream-like question wanting to burst out.
In Karl's head, his evaluation of the person called Ferda was being newly written.
"Here... this is the contract... would you like to read it slowly?"
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"Yes."
Karl checked page by page with the desperation of grabbing a lifeline.
W̊е b̊ nŏ v̈ё l̄ Е̊ ṅum̂á
'Loopholes... I need to find loopholes...'
But it was impossible.
There's no way Karl, not well-versed in law, could review a contract dozens of pages long alone.
'As expected of a witch...'
The witch, called the most disgusting after devils when it comes to contracts.
When he said he'd put a dog collar on, he thought they'd roughly do contract magic, but to think they'd use a witch for it.
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Karl read about three pages then gave up, signing his name on each page.
Whatever happens, the fact that he becomes a dog doesn't change anyway.
When he finished signing to the last page, the contract started glowing.
"Ugh."
Karl groaned at the pain rising from under his skin.
That tingling feeling - the contract's crest was engraved on his wrist.
Е n umа̄ . і̄ d
With that, the contract with this gloomy witch was complete.
"Okay. Confirmed. From now on you... need to watch your mouth, okay?"
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"Watch my mouth... what do you mean?"
"I expected it but you really didn't read it... so... um... if you try to do something against the Regent-nim's will, or throw hints about this contract... your head goes *poof*!!"
Her shoulders bounced.
"And it'll fly off. You always have to watch your thoughts and words, okay?"
Е̇ nu̇m̊ ā. і d
Even stammering like a retard, she says he'll die so casually it feels even more chilling.
5th-tier contract magic has absolute effect within the contract.
If there's no loophole in the contract, you must force cancellation, but even that process is tricky and troublesome.
'The tier is the second problem.'
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Karl contracted with a witch.
If that fact gets known, of course he'll be beheaded in the Empire.
Еnūmа̃. і̌ d̄
He might even die at the hands of his younger brothers eyeing his position.
He absolutely must hide it.
"........"
"Ehehe, I'd l-like an answer though."
Flintch.
Ominous energy was pouring out.
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In that awkward smile, madness without killing intent showed.
That made it even more creepy.
"Y-yes, of course!!"
"Okay, got the answer. You can go now. Bye-bye~."
Karl fled from that place like he was running away.
Echidna waved her hand laughing at Karl fleeing with his tail between his legs.
Ẇ e̊.b nо̃ v̂ё l̈ Е̇ n um̌ а
He barely got out and tried to catch his breath when.
"The contract ended fast."
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Escaped the tiger's den only to find another tiger prowling.
That tiger put a hand on Karl's shoulder and said.
"I'll give the first mission to a Cheokgyeoldan member and a dog who swore loyalty to the Valdrova Grand Duchy."
Karl couldn't avoid it anymore.
W̆еb̈_n̊ оv еl̆ Ēn̄ ů m̄ а
"What is the mission?"
Ferda answered.
"Helus Povidas."
The man called the Sage of Water.
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"Bring that bastard here."
He was going to put a nose ring on that bastard too.
Eṅūmа .i̊d̀
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