Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Chapter 138

Chapter 138

 

Naturally, Carlton had followed when Luisen entered the royal palace. However, he purposefully mixed himself in with the other entourage, away from Luisen’s side, so as to not be noticed.

 

In the first place, it was impossible to adhere close to Luisen’s side.  Revealing his identity could cause trouble for Lucien, and knights or servants were not allowed to enter the king’s bedroom.

 

‘In that case, it’s better to hide and protect Luisen from behind.’

 

Luisen had agreed with this as well. They had no idea what Count Doubless had in store and when the older noble would implement his plan. They needed to respond flexibly to unexpected situations.

 

After Luisen entered the king’s bedroom, the duke’s knights dispersed through the secret passages to open the castle gate as per their pre-assigned task. However, Carlton stayed behind, hiding in a suitable place to quietly observe the events that followed.

 

After a long wait, the news that the king died had finally left the bedroom. He saw the count leaving the room and heading somewhere. After a while, Luisen exited with the first prince and started moving as well.

 

Carlton followed after the two men, keeping himself at a distance and moving discreetly. The mercenary was wary of revealing himself. He then observed the first prince pushing Luisen into the room, followed by the Count of Doubless appearing as if he had been waiting for this moment.

 

‘It was a trap!’

 

It was easy to see that the first prince was the bait that lured Luisen to another location. Luisen was in trouble! Carlton wanted to run in and save his lover, but he clenched his teeth and endured.

 

He had been left behind to prepare for situations like this.

 

‘The count doesn’t intend to hurt Luisen, seeing how he dug and lured my duke into a trap. I have a feeling that he has some other plans… Is he planning to lock Luisen away for the time being?’

 

After assessing the situation, Carlton acted immediately. Count Doubless continued carelessness was advantageous for Luisen’s rescue.

 

He moved to a secluded spot and intercepted one of the Count’s patrolling knights. After stealing the knight’s armor and helmet for his disguise, he casually joined the Count’s other knights heading towards the underground dungeon.

 

And, when the count was a sufficient distance away, he overpowered the other knight left with him.

 

Carlton rushed into the underground prison; the mercenary didn’t forget to drag the other knight behind him, keeping the body out of view.

 

Carlton quickly found Luisen despite the darkness within. The young lord was lying inside a cage, looking cold and quite uncomfortable without his outer garments.

 

The mercenary’s insides boiled–he didn’t expect for the count to leave the young lord in the best room with a nice meal, but how could the man leave Luisen in that state? How could the count do something so heinous?

 

Clank–!

 

The chains and lock were easily broken, and Carlton held Luisen in his arms. The young lord’s breathing was stable–he seemed to be asleep. No amount of shaking could wake him up. When Carlton saw the young lord’s eyes underneath his lids shaking from what seems to be a nightmare, the mercenary’s heart ached.

 

‘They must have used that strange power on him.’

 

Carlton took out some holy water he had reserved and let it flow into Luisen’s mouth. When the young lord couldn’t swallow properly, Carlton delivered the liquid directly by mouth-to-mouth. Then, he nervously looked at the young lord.

 

Fortunately, Luisen quickly came to his senses. His eyelids trembled.

 

Luisen was having a terrible nightmare. It was so vivid that even after he regained consciousness, it was hard to distinguish what was real. The fears and anxieties from the dream lingered, making it impossible for Luisen to open his eyes.

 

“Luisen?”

 

It was Carlton’s voice that pulled Luisen back into the waking realm. He opened his eyes to a worried voice; Carlton’s face could be seen in his field of view.

 

‘Carlton…’

 

At that moment, his vivid nightmare disappeared like smoke; the lingering negative emotions were completely forgotten. Only Carlton’s handsome face and the joy of meeting him again filled Luisen’s heart. Laughter automatically bubbled past his lips, “As expected of my Carlton.”

 

Luisen grabbed the mercenary by the collar and kissed him. Cartlon, in turn, had a rare, dumbfounded expression on his face.

 

“When I was collapsing, I thought I’d see you as soon as I opened my eyes. I’m glad my intuition was correct.” Luisen left a few more delighted kisses on Carlton’s cheek.

 

He believed wholeheartedly that Carlton would come to his rescue no matter what adversity he faced. As a result, he could remain calm and composed even while caught in the Count’s trap.

 

Thanks to that, he was able to learn the Count’s backstory…. Though, after hearing the story, Luisen couldn’t really say it was worth repeating.

 

“You’re not hurt? Are you alright?”

 

“Ah, my head hurts. The Count grabbed and pulled on my hair,” Luisen whined and leaned into Carlton’s arms, putting on a pitiful act.

 

“Your hair!? How dare he! I’ll scalp him the next time I see you.” Carlton looked grim and carefully stroked and kissed Luisen’s head. 

 

Regaining his spirits after playing around a bit, Luisen told Carlton that the plan had gone awry, and they would probably have to go themselves to open the castle gates. “I don’t know what happened to the knights who have been caught. We’ll have to throw open the gates ourselves.”

 

“Let’s get out of here for now.” Carlton replied.

 

The young lord stood with Carlton’s help. The two men held hands and tried to climb up the stairs of the underground prison.

 

Suddenly, the ground began to shake violently. There was also a loud booming noise that echoed throughout the space. The vibrations were intense enough to make anyone fall but, thanks to Carlton’s assistance, the two escaped the prison safely.

 

By the time they fully exited, the vibration had stopped. Both Carlton and Luisen knew that the earthquake–even though it was rather short–was not mere coincidence.

 

“The Count must have begun the ritual.”

 

Unbeknownst to the two, much time had passed and the sun was already setting outside.

 

“Let’s hurry.”

 

The two exchanged glances and began to run.

 

***

 

The royal palace wasn’t as vast as the duchy’s castle, but there still was a considerable distance from the main building to the outer gates surrounding the auxiliary facilities. 

 

The men headed for the stable and found Zephys. Zephys, familiar with Luisen now, galloped and carried the two to the northern gate.

 

The interior of the royal palace was still quite tranquil. Everyone seemed to think the minor earthquake was a mere coincidence, and most people were distracted after hearing about the king’s death. The palace residents seemed unaware of their impending fate.

 

In this situation, it was obvious that even if Luisen told them to run away, the people wouldn’t listen. So, the two didn’t waste time trying to persuade them.

 

They galloped to the northern gate without a hitch–there was no demon worshiper in sight. They assumed that all the cult members were rushing to conduct the ritual.

 

Luisen and Carlton finally reached the northern gate. Nearby, royal knights and guards were gathered, guarding the gate. There was more security than usual–and the reason why was easily seen.

 

“Duke–Luisen Anies! You dare break your oath of allegiance as a Great Lord and raise your sword against the royal family?!” The captain of the royal knights shouted. “No one will open the gate. I know well that there are a band of traitors outside. I and my knights will stop you here–in the name and honor of the blue lion!”

 

The royal knights drew their swords at the same time. The guards atop the outer wall also pointed their arrows at Luisen and Carlton.

 

Luisen felt dizzy. Treason? Count Doubless must have poisoned the royal guards in advance, preparing for any other countermeasures Luisen may have. 

 

‘You awfully meticulous person!’

 

Everyone would have been happy if he just used that head for wholesome endeavors!

 

Luisen tamped down on the rush of irritation welling up within him and dismounted the horse. He and Carlton made eye contact. While Carlton blocked the others, Luisen would run and open the gate. In the moment their eyes met, they coordinated their plans.

 

And, just as Carlton unsheathed his sword, another large earthquake suddenly struck. This time, the quake was stronger–and the vibrations lasted longer.

 

Aghh–!

 

Screams echoed out from the royal palace. Everyone looked towards the palace–a hazy, dark crimson mist seeped out. Though the sky was already tinged red from the sunset, the mist could clearly be seen against the backdrop. It moved like a serpent over the ground, defying the wind as it crawled above the clouds.

 

“What’s that?”

 

“The wind… It’s blowing in the opposite direction, but why… Why is *that thing* coming this way?”

 

To be precise, the mist was spreading in all directions. Luisen didn’t miss the opportunity afforded by the distracted guards.

 

Leaving behind Carlton to act as a shield, the young lord ran to the gate and opened it without delay.

 

Bang–!

 

The door opened loudly–the resulting boom echoed throughout the air. Only then did the royal knights return to their senses, but the way past was blocked by Carlton.

 

And soon, Morrison and the Paladins entered the palace ground. The setting sun cast a reverent aura on the group as they entered the palace grounds; the light seemed to guard their backs. They weren’t many, but they were all fully armed with silver armor and helmets. Additionally, the Paladins moved in formation as if they were part of one body–they looked like soldier mannequins wielded by God rather than human beings. Their presence was incredibly intimidating and made everyone in the area falter from the incongruity.

 

The royal knights were shocked and hesitant; they felt as if they were perhaps getting in the way of God’s will. Some lost their fight and lowered their swords.

 

Morrison asked, surprised, when he saw Luisen in front of the gate, “Why is my Duke here?”

 

“Things have gone awry. The ritual has already begun.”

 

Though the explanation was rough, Morrison quickly understood. “We should hurry to the ritual site.”

 

“We should.”

 

“Why are the Paladins here?” The captain of the royal knights intervened in the conversation. He had absolutely no idea what was going on. What was happening in the palace: Why were the Paladins storming inside? Why is Duke Anies joining them? Where are the supposed rebels? 

 

“Tell me what in the world is going on!” The captain shouted. The other knights couldn’t comprehend the situation either.

 

“As you can see, the situation is more complicated than expected. You’ve been deceived; back off. Don’t even bother to chase us.”

 

“But… We have a duty to protect the palace!”

 

“You people can’t handle this. Even the crown prince’s safety cannot be assured in the midst of this conflict!”

 

The captain of the royal knights bowed his head when Luisen shouted. If the crimson fog spreads here, these people will collapse anyway; they weren’t needed. They may be able to endure if they were fed holy water, but they didn’t have the leisure to take all these precautions. It would be better to leave the knights here rather than to take them and let them become a burden.

 

Luisen, though, came up with a compromise, “If you feel the need to do something, though…. Please guard the outer wall. If you see people wearing dark robes running this way, use whatever means necessary to subdue and kill them. Can you do this?”

 

“…Understood. I will obey.”

 

The compromise was a success. The royal knights stood aside, and Luisen was back on the horse with Carlton.

 

“Let’s go,” Luisen said.

 

Zephys galloped with all its might, followed by Morrison and the other Paladins.

 

As they approached the main building where the ritual was taking place, the crimson mist grew thicker. Animals were collapsed on the road, and insects writhed and trembled.

 

When the group arrived at the main building of the palace, there were, contrary to expectations, many people standing there.

 

“Nngh…” Luisen groaned quietly. 

 

Most of the people there were the corpses of the royal palace denizens that had just been alive–they had been turned into ghouls. At the center were two demon worshippers and a number of the Count’s knights.

 

Screeeech–!

 

A bat-like monster flew through the air. The count, realizing the gate had been opened, sent it to stop the oncoming holy troops.

—

 

TL: Sorry for the late chapter! I got dragged into a cultural event on Saturday–and I couldn’t TL for most of the latter half of the week T_T

 

Btw, I find it funny that of all the things the Count did, Carlton is like “He put Luisen in an uncomfortable cage??? HE’S THE WORST.”