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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Kidnapping
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Axel asked again, wondering if he had misheard.
But Logan simply nodded, confirming that Axel’s ears were working just fine.
“Yes. You heard it too, didn't you, Young Master? That the Saintess issued a revelation stating Duke Kroiche's son must be brought to the Ivory Tower.”
Of course he knew.
He knew more than just that.
He knew exactly why Lesia had come up with such a plan.
They had discovered something suspicious about Duke Kroiche during their visit to the temple and had jointly concluded that it would be best to get his illegitimate son away from him.
“After a long discussion, the Ivory Tower's invitation committee decided to follow the Saintess's revelation. However, since Duke Kroiche would obviously object if we informed him...”
“He said he's just going to kidnap him?”
“Yes. He said there would be no problem if they brought him over first and sent the invitation afterward.”
“...”
Axel was speechless.
Of course, with the duke's martial prowess, he could easily scale the walls of the Kroiche estate.
After all, it was common knowledge that the only person who could match him with a sword was Emperor Kirke himself.
*Even so.*
How could the duke, of all people, think of storming into another family’s home all by himself to kidnap a child?
Duke Elpinade, the very epitome of righteousness and propriety!
*And here I thought I knew my father well.*
Apparently, I was mistaken.
I never dreamed he could be so reckless.
*Besides, that whole kidnapping idea...*
It sounded very familiar.
Axel easily recalled the conversation he'd had with Lesia on their way back from the temple.
"He may be illegitimate, but he's still Duke Kroiche's son. The Kroiches are no pushovers. How would you even get him out of there?"
"Hmm... kidnapping?"
He vividly remembered clicking his tongue at Lesia for suggesting it, telling her she hadn't shaken her old habits from her black mage days.
And now his father, the ever-upright Duke Elpinade, was resorting to the exact same method as Lesia, a former black mage?
It was astounding.
*They aren't even true father and daughter, yet they've managed to pick up each other's strange habits.*
* * *
“Hah!”
“Hyah!”
Duke Kroiche, strolling slowly through the cloister, paused at the sound of vigorous shouts.
Beyond the cloister was the training ground.
The knights were training diligently, following the lead of their captain at the forefront.
The shirtless, strapping young men had bodies like sculpted statues, all corded muscle.
Every last one of them looked like a finely honed weapon.
House Kroiche was the Emperor's sword.
The age-old adage was no lie.
Although they had unfortunately never produced a Sword Master, several knights were on the cusp of reaching that level.
“Your Excellency?”
A retainer, walking beside the duke with a stack of documents, called out to him cautiously.
They were on their way through the cloister to the duke's office to discuss the family's budget for the year.
That Duke Kroiche had stopped to watch the knights train was purely on a whim.
“Shall I have them report on the knights' training progress?”
He asked, seeing the duke's unusual interest, but Duke Kroiche simply shook his head and resumed walking.
“That won't be necessary. I've delegated all training matters to the captain.”
“Yes.”
The retainer didn't question it.
It was common knowledge that the current duke of House Kroiche—a family that had produced master swordsmen for generations—had absolutely no interest in the art of the sword.
Even in a family with such a strong lineage of swordsmen, it wasn't unheard of for a generation to pass without producing a warrior. It was hardly a special case.
The sudden emergence of a Sword Master from House Elpinade, known for its scholars, had led to gossip pairing the two dukes, with society wits jesting that they must have been born into the wrong families. But it was all just idle chatter.
“Hold on.”
Just as they were leaving the cloister, Duke Kroiche stopped abruptly and stared into the empty air.
*What's the matter?*
The duke commanded his puzzled retainer.
“We'll have to postpone the budget meeting until tomorrow. I've just remembered a prior engagement.”
“An engagement... Your Excellency?”
The retainer tilted his head.
As far as he was aware, the duke had no special appointments that day.
The retainer assumed the duke must have some personal business to attend to and bowed his head.
No subordinate would insist on holding a non-urgent meeting when their superior wished to postpone it.
“Then I shall see you tomorrow, Your Excellency.”
With a dry expression, Duke Kroiche nodded and began to walk away with long strides.
The retainer watched the duke's retreating back and sighed inwardly.
He knew the duke had no interest in swordsmanship, but for the head of House Kroiche, the "Empire's Sword," wasn't he far too listless?
Of course, he would never dare voice such a thought aloud to his superior.
* * *
After canceling the meeting and dismissing his retainer, Duke Kroiche made his way to his private garden.
He filled a large watering can and began to moisten the flowers and trees.
Moving deeper and deeper into the garden, Duke Kroiche stopped before an unopened red flower bud.
Setting the watering can down, the duke whispered softly to the bud.
“You summoned me.”
At the sound of Duke Kroiche's voice, the tightly closed bud began to unfurl its petals.
The fully bloomed red flower revealed the shape of a human face.
It was a human-faced flower.
"How goes the vessel?"
The voice was low and grotesque.
It sounded more like a grating screech than a human voice, but Duke Kroiche remained perfectly composed.
“I am preparing it as you commanded.”
"A vessel is not made overnight. It requires great care."
“It goes without saying.”
"The vessel must be strong and pure. Only then can it contain 'Me'."
“Yes. Strong and pure. I am ensuring it is so. You need not worry.”
Duke Kroiche bowed his head to the human-faced flower, showing his reverence.
His posture was that of a man in the presence of an emperor.
"When 'I' am fully contained within the vessel, you, too, shall receive what you desire. I will give you everything I promised."
“...I am honored.”
The duke's shoulders trembled as he kept his head bowed.
Though his face was hidden, it was clear he was overcome with emotion.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the garden entrance.
The human-faced flower instantly snapped shut, reverting to a simple bud.
Duke Kroiche, who had been bowing low, straightened his back to his usual rigid posture.
And just as everything returned to normal.
“Your Excellency!”
A soldier cried out, his face pale.
“Th-there's an in-intruder in the mansion...!”
“An intruder?”
A dangerous glint appeared in Duke Kroiche's eyes.
“So, there's a madman who dares trespass on Kroiche grounds.”
Assuming the intruder had already been subdued, the duke gave a leisurely nod.
“Where is he being held?”
“W-well, about that...”
The soldier couldn't answer, fidgeting and breaking out in a cold sweat.
The usually listless face of Duke Kroiche contorted into a deep scowl.
“You were speaking perfectly fine a moment ago. Why can't you get the words out now?”
“I-it's... the report is that we lost the intruder.”
The soldier squeezed his eyes shut and lowered his head.
He couldn't bring himself to look up, knowing how absurd his own report sounded.
“...You lost the intruder? Here, at the estate of House Kroiche, the so-called 'Empire's Sword'? Does that sound even remotely plausible to you?”
“B-but the intruder's skills were extraordinary!”
The soldier shot his head up, a sense of injustice on his face.
“The man was so swift that most of our soldiers couldn't even get near his shadow.”
“Hah. And what was this man's purpose for invading?”
Before the soldier could answer, another commotion erupted at the garden entrance.
