Chapter 82

The next morning.

Konari and the others, who were surrounded by the royal army, panicked.

The rebel forces staying in nearby villages were also unable to move when faced with the suddenly appearing royal army and had no choice but to surrender.

“W-Why is that woman there!? Julian! Where is Julian!?”

Konari, noticing that Opal was standing next to Claude, shouted in surprise, but Julian did not appear.

Cole, with his heavy body, wandered around, looking for a place to escape.

“Could it be that Lucel really... died... here?”

“That’s what I’ve been saying!”

“How can I believe what you say! And what about the number of these soldiers!? We destroyed the railway, didn’t we!?”

Cole answered Konari, who was muttering in confusion, almost shouting.

But Konari quickly shouted back, and Cole could only say, “Julian...”

Claude, looking exasperated by the chaotic exchange, interjected.

“Our plan with Opal was to connect the Lead Mine and Passa Port by railway. We had already prepared for this, and ships loaded with materials and engineers were waiting off Passa Port. The repairs to the tracks damaged by the explosion have been completed. And we even brought horses on the ships.”

“But... such a large royal army... No, reinforcements...”

“Did you really think you could win against His Majesty with the same tactics as before? When you failed before?”

Claude sneered at Cole, who was muttering, and turned to glare at Konari.

Claude and the others had probably followed Opal on horseback first, and the infantry had arrived after the tracks were repaired. They likely stopped the train in a place where the engine sounds couldn’t be heard and then moved on foot from there.

“Let me tell you, no reinforcements are coming. The rebels who rose up in the capital have already surrendered before we even secured Passa Port. Now that we have the Lead Mine, no one will think of helping you, who have lost your source of funds.”

“The Lead Mine...!”

“It’s a treasure trove that produces more gold than lead, isn’t it? The former duke’s conflict with King Alessandro began because he discovered a gold vein. And you were smuggling gold from a port not on the map, but how long did you think you could keep something that big hidden?”

“That... that’s...”

Cole collapsed on the spot, drained of energy.

Opal, having seen the map and sensing the suspicious nature of the Lead Mine, realized that Claude and the others had known about it all along.

They had probably just been waiting for the right moment to act.

Cole, who had lost his will to fight after his prized gold mine was seized, was glared at with disdain by Konari.

“His Majesty had already sent troops to the mountainous regions. According to the report we received yesterday, the remaining rebels who fled have also been captured. The only ones left are the soldiers around this ducal mansion—just you.”

“Why... why did you know!?”

“Just as there were traitors among us, there were traitors among you. Or should I say, spies?”

Claude announced this devastating news to Konari as if it were nothing.

Konari, who seemed to still disbelieve, was startled by Claude’s response.

He gritted his teeth and spat out his words of hatred.

“Julian... It’s Julian, isn’t it!?”

“Julian? Ah, Opal’s runaway partner?”

Claude tilted his head at the mention of Julian’s name, and when he realized who it was, he burst out laughing loudly. Even Opal found it funny.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

“What! What are you laughing at! Damn it!”

Seeing Claude and Opal laugh inappropriately, Konari stepped back, frustrated.

He bumped into the soldiers and turned around in surprise.

“What are you doing! Don’t just stand there, go after them!”

“Right! Come on, fight! What are you here for!”

Cole, who had come to his senses upon hearing Konari’s orders, followed, but no one moved.

The rebels had no particular loyalty to Konari or Cole.

They probably didn’t even have any grievances against King Alessandro.

Konari and Cole lacked the ability to command the soldiers and had only ended up in a position of leadership by chance.

“The crime of treason is very serious. But if you lay down your weapons and surrender now, I promise not to punish you as major criminals. The choice is yours. You don’t have to follow orders. What will you do?”

Claude’s clear voice seemed to reach everyone’s hearts.

Even Konari and Cole, who had been shouting just moments ago, fell silent, and the soldiers began to drop their weapons without looking around.

“Good. We’ll have to detain you for now, but I promise not to treat you badly. So don’t try to run.”

Claude’s warning was directed more at Konari and Cole than the soldiers, but as expected, the two tried to escape.

Despite the impossible situation, they pushed past their own soldiers and tried to enter the mansion.

“Get out of the way! You useless fools!”

“You cowards!”

Konari and Cole reached the mansion and opened the front door.

Suddenly, a dog named Claude jumped out and tackled them with a perfect body slam.

In the end, they were apprehended by the royal soldiers who followed.

“Claude! Well done!”

Opal hugged and praised the dog Claude, who was wagging his tail and licking her face.

“That’s strange, I think I did well too, but I’m not being praised.”

The human Claude, who had just been so authoritative, now complained.

Opal handed the dog Claude to a servant who had cautiously approached and, placing her hands on her hips, glared at the human Claude.

“You’ll have to ask His Majesty for that.”

“That’s cold.”

“Claude, I’m still angry. With His Majesty and with you. So let’s end this chaos quickly, okay?”

“That’s true. I’ll accept your scolding later.”

Claude answered in his usual tone, but his expression was very serious.

One night was far too short to explain everything.

But there was still much to do for both of them.

“Opal, can I leave the mansion to you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then, please take the guards with you.”

Claude called to a nearby knight and ordered him to select about five guards to protect Opal, then gave further instructions.

His demeanor was so authoritative that even Opal felt a bit intimidated.

This was a part of Claude that Opal didn’t know.

Opal watched Claude for a moment, then led the gathered guards to the mansion.

The mansion was surely in chaos.

Now that Konari had been captured, there was only one person who could govern the mansion and the territory.

Opal, with the dog Claude and the guards, entered the mansion to search for Duncan.