Chapter 94

A few days after receiving the report of the downfall of the House of Calcifer, the Raidor army arrived at the town of Kart里斯, located in the territory of the Calcifer Earl.

Kart里斯 was a fortress town, but now its city gates were wide open. There were only a few guards on the walls where the Calcifer family's flag was still flying.

The town's appearance, as if it were declaring the absence of hostility, made Raidor frown slightly.

"…What do you think? Do you think it's some kind of trap?"

"Hmm… I wonder."

The one addressed was Darren Galst, who had been appointed as the general of the Raidor army.

Darren scanned the walls with a sharp gaze and tilted his head, saying, "Hmm?"

"I don't sense any hostility, but if you ask me whether it could be a trap to lure His Highness Raidor into the town and then attack, I can't deny that possibility."

"You can't get the tiger without entering the tiger's den. Well, that's fine. Let's see what this Blood Calcifer is up to."

Raidor had already heard from his spies that the House of Calcifer had been overthrown by its heir, Blood Calcifer.

According to the information that had reached Raidor, Blood had instigated a rebellion during a meeting of three noble families and killed the heads of those families.

He then suppressed the territories of the Kilgis Baron and the Kubertos Viscount, who had lost their heads, and massacred all those who resisted, including the survivors of the noble families.

(…Impressive efficiency. He must have been planning and preparing for this for quite some time. There's no doubt that Blood Calcifer is a dangerous character.)

The question was whether Blood would be a useful or a dangerous person for Raidor.

His thoughtful and bold approach, like that of the strategist Sven, was commendable.

However, his ruthlessness, even towards his own father, was not something to be taken lightly.

Even if Blood swore allegiance to Raidor, he was a man who could betray his own father. He would likely abandon Raidor without hesitation if he deemed it necessary.

"Hey, hey, welcome! Thank you for coming!"

As Raidor passed through the city gates, an unfamiliar man immediately called out.

He had his golden hair slicked back and was dressed in a black tuxedo, as if he were about to attend a party. A rose was pinned to his chest, which made him look oddly out of place.

"…Your Highness, that's Blood."

"…I see."

At Justy Oigist's suggestion, Raidor nodded.

"Thank you for the welcome, Lord Blood Calcifer."

"Heh! Thank you, Your Highness Raidor, for making the long journey! It is a great honor to welcome a member of the Zain royal family back to this town, which once belonged to the Empire!"

Blood dramatically knelt and bowed his head.

Raidor remained on his horse, looking down at Blood with suspicion.

"…I want to confirm something right away. From the looks of it, does this mean the House of Calcifer is surrendering to our army?"

"Of course. We have no intention of opposing the Zain royal family."

"To the royal family, huh…"

Was that just the literal meaning?

Or was he being sarcastic, knowing that Raidor was at odds with his brother, King Granard?

Raidor couldn't read Blood's true intentions, but it seemed there would be no battle for now.

"Ah, but I have one correction to make."

"Hmm? Go on."

"I am not Blood Calcifer, and this is not the House of Calcifer."

Blood stood up and spread his arms wide. Then, the soldiers on the walls surrounding the town began to move.

For a few seconds, the Raidor army tensed up at the sudden movement of the soldiers. Then, they were stunned as they looked up at the walls.

"This town is the House of Ilkas. And my name is Blood Ilkas."

The flags of the House of Calcifer, which had been flying on the walls, were suddenly lowered by the soldiers.

In their place, a flag with the emblem of an eagle holding a snake on a blue background was raised. It was the emblem of the House of Ilkas, which was supposed to have been destroyed in the war against the Empire.

"I am no longer a member of the traitorous House of Calcifer. As a loyal member of the House of Ilkas, I swear my allegiance to the Kingdom of Zain."

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