Chapter 35

Lanawen stays in a room far from Klein's, so how could she have witnessed the thief who ransacked Klein's room? In fact, this point was also puzzling, but Latil first asked about the culprit.

"Who is it?"

"Who else could it be? It must be Gestalt, the fool."

When Klein gritted his teeth, Latil signaled him to be quiet and gestured for Lanawen to answer. After a moment's thought, Lanawen spoke.

"Kallain."

Latil's eyes widened.

"Kallain? Really?"

Even if Lanawen had said it was three people, it wouldn't have been as surprising. But Kallain? It was shocking for some reason. Though he had only seen Kallain a few times, Kallain, the mercenary king, always gave off a sense of being detached from the secular world.

"I don't know if he's the culprit. I just saw him come out."

Seeing how shocked Latil was, Lanawen added coldly.

"..."

Latil frowned and then instructed a servant.

"Bring Kallain here."

* * *

Latil entered a nearby room and sat down on a chair. Klein, looking oddly moved, stood quietly beside Latil. Latil seemed happy to find a talisman for Klein. In contrast, Lanawen checked his pocket watch repeatedly with a bored expression, as if thinking, "Why do I have to be involved in such nonsense?"

After waiting for a while, Kallain finally appeared. He had probably heard a rough explanation on the way, but his expression as he entered through the open door was no different from usual. As soon as Kallain approached, Latil asked without even greeting him.

"Kallain, did you steal Klein's talisman?"

Even when Latil asked a potentially offensive question, Kallain answered calmly.

"I heard the situation. But I have never been to his room."

His voice was neutral, but it was enough to provoke Lanawen. Lanawen closed the lid of his pocket watch. The click sounded like a sharp pair of scissors cutting through patience. With the silver watch no longer visible, Lanawen raised one corner of his mouth and asked Kallain.

"Are you saying I lied to His Majesty?"

His voice was as cold as ice, but Kallain answered bluntly.

"That's how it looks."

"I only said what I saw."

"If you have eyes, you should see properly, Lanawen."

This was not what two men who had played chess together recently should say. Before Latil could properly question them, Lanawen and Kallain were already engaged in a sharp exchange, making Latil feel like a mere spectator. Moreover, the two men, who didn't seem like they would lie, made him even more confused. Amidst this, Klein muttered, "My talisman. My talisman."

"Wait a moment."

Latil extended his hand to stop Lanawen and Kallain. When they stopped arguing, Latil asked them in turn.

"Lanawen, are you sure you saw Kallain? Kallain, are you sure you didn't go in?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I detest such things, Master."

Klein, who had been fidgeting, suddenly cried out.

"Then where is my talisman!"

"Calm down, Prince. Calm down."

The servant beside Klein fanned him and tried to soothe him. As the room became chaotic, Latil's head throbbed, and he closed his eyes, pressing his temples.

"Do either of you have any evidence? Lanawen?"

"..."

"No."

"Kallain, what about you?"

"No."

Latil finally asked Klein.

"Klein, did you really lose it? You didn't drop it in your room or something?"

"No!"

Klein, feeling wronged, shouted, and Axian, standing beside him, calmly explained on his behalf.

"Vani and I searched the room for half a day, but it was definitely not there."

Latil sighed and finally called the head of the guard.

"Captain, search every room in the harem to find Klein's lost talisman."

"Y-Yes, but... the concubines' rooms..."

"Tell them it's my order and ask for their understanding."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As the captain left, Latil asked Klein.

"Is this satisfactory?"

Klein, still frowning, thought for a moment, then relaxed and nodded. He hesitated, then stealthily grabbed Latil's hand and smiled proudly.

Look at this? As Latil looked at the large hand covering his, Klein squeezed it tighter and whispered happily.

"I'm so glad Your Majesty is on my side."

'Not exactly on your side, but...'

Unable to say this to Klein, who had lost a precious item and looked so upset, Latil nodded and smiled along.

"Sure. If you're happy, that's fine."

Klein didn't stop there and stealthily leaned his head on Latil's shoulder. The natural intimacy made Klein's servant gasp in admiration, covering his mouth. In contrast, Lanawen and Kallain's expressions darkened. * * *

After Klein clung to Latil and left, only Lanawen, his retainer, and Kallain remained in the room. As the commotion subsided, a moment of silence followed. Kallain, still looking at the wall, finally turned to Lanawen and bowed.

"Wait."

However, Lanawen, who had been silent the whole time, finally stopped Kallain as he was about to leave. When Kallain only turned his head, Lanawen approached and asked.

"Why did you lie? I clearly saw you come out of his room."

Kardun, who had seen the same scene, nodded vigorously. Kallain's sudden denial had made Lanawen look like a liar in front of the emperor, and the result had been taken by the unfriendly foreign prince. He was very angry. Kallain, instead of answering, continued walking.

"Answer me."

But when Lanawen chased after him and grabbed his arm, Kallain suddenly turned and grabbed Lanawen's chin.

"!"

Startled by the sudden action, Kardun grabbed Kallain's arm.

"Let go!"

However, Kallain easily pushed Kardun away and began to forcefully turn Lanawen's face from side to side.

"Ugh."

Kardun, sitting on the floor and groaning, stood up in shock when he saw Kallain thoroughly inspecting Lanawen's face. For some reason, he thought Kallain might kill Lanawen. However, Kallain didn't kill him. Instead, he let go and warned in a low voice.

"Your night play partner should just dress up and smile. Cover your eyes and mouth. They're not necessary for you."

No, this wasn't advice. The insulting words made Lanawen's usually cold face even colder.

"Are you challenging whether power or strength is more important?"

The following words contained a subtle threat that would make anyone in the country fear.

"If you act recklessly, I can leave you with just a pretty shell and remove your sanity completely. Like a doll."

Moreover, the response was even more chilling, making Kardun's spine shiver as he looked at Kallain. The notorious mercenary king was truly terrifying when he spoke like that. But the most frightening thing wasn't the content of the words, but Kallain's eyes. The phrase "without blinking" usually doesn't mean the actual eyelids don't move, but Kallain really didn't blink. With his pale face, he looked like a real corpse, and Kardun was even more amazed that his retainer could maintain his usual cold expression while facing Kallain.

"Remember, Lanawen. I'm already showing maximum patience by letting the concubines live."

Holding Lanawen's collar, Kallain whispered in his ear, breathing coldly on his neck, then took a deep breath and quickly left the room. When they were alone, Kardun, feeling weak in the knees, sat down again.

"The Black Death Mercenary King's name isn't for nothing. He's really terrifying."

"Get up. What are you doing on the floor?"

"My legs won't move, Master."

Lanawen clicked his tongue, and Kardun felt wronged.

"Aren't you scared, Master?"

"I don't know if I'm scared, but it is suspicious."

"Not scared?"

"He doesn't seem like an ordinary mercenary king."

"But not scared?"

Kardun sniffled, but Lanawen, crossing his arms and thinking seriously, gave an order.

"Kardun, ask my father to investigate this man. There's something... off about him."

* * *

At that moment, Latil returned to his office and instructed a servant to call Tahir and Gestalt. He was tired of the headache and decided to exclude Klein, Lanawen, and Kallain, who were involved in the incident, and just let the other two handle the banquet.

"Lanawen is just a witness, Your Majesty."

The head servant still seemed to want to assign the task to Lanawen, but Latil didn't change his mind.

"If we consider it that way, Klein is also wronged. His item was lost. Kallain would also be wronged if he's not the culprit."

"Do you think Kallain didn't steal Klein's talisman, Your Majesty?"

"He has no reason to."

Latil looked at the others and asked, "Isn't that right?" The others, looking at the floor and thinking, nodded.

"I agree with Your Majesty, as always."

Meanwhile, Tahir and Gestalt arrived. Both were called unexpectedly, but Tahir was confidently smiling, while Gestalt was cowering. When they stood in front of Latil's desk, he handed them prepared documents.

"Tahir, Gestalt. I'm thinking of holding a banquet to celebrate my ascension, a bit late. You two will prepare it together."

Tahir took the document stealthily, while Gestalt, unable to take it, clasped his hands and looked at Latil in surprise. Gestalt, frozen, shook his head.

"H-How can I...?"

"I'll assign a secretary to you. They'll handle the practical work and guide you through the procedures, so it won't be too difficult. Don't worry."

Tahir, though not looking uncertain, seemed surprised by Latil's proposal.

"Tahir is familiar with a luxurious lifestyle, and Gestalt, you are familiar with the nobles. I expect good results if you two work together."

Latil smiled, pretending to trust them, without explaining that he was assigning them the task because Lanawen and Klein were involved in a strange incident. Gestalt, blushing, hugged the document tightly.

"Yes."

Tahir, confidently smiling, bowed on one knee.

"I'll prepare it so everyone will be amazed."

After they left, the head servant asked worriedly.

"Will it be okay?"

The head servant still seemed dissatisfied that Lanawen wasn't assigned the task.

"It will be fine."

Latil answered calmly and handed the empty cup to a waiting servant.

"Among the five, Tahir and Gestalt are the best. They, what should I say? They have the least conflict with others, right?"

* * *

"Hey, innocent young master. Don't you remember what His Majesty said? He said to make it luxurious."

"But he never said that..."

"You're familiar with a luxurious lifestyle, so you called me. That means he wants it to be luxurious."

"The previous emperor's assassin hasn't been caught yet. I think it's better to keep it simple... If we make the banquet too grand, the assassin might come again..."

However, contrary to Latil's expectations, Tahir and Gestalt's opinions diverged as soon as they started discussing. Tahir thought Latil wanted the most luxurious banquet, while Gestalt argued that a simpler one would be better. Initially, Tahir thought a few words would convince Gestalt. But as Gestalt, with an uncertain voice, refused to budge on any point, Tahir's voice gradually rose.

"Hey, innocent young master. You're a noble, but you don't mix well with people."

"!"

"But I've been invited to banquets in many countries. So isn't my opinion right?"

In the end, Tahir pointed out that Gestalt was an outsider in society and argued that his opinion was wrong. Though he felt a bit guilty, he couldn't accept Gestalt's opinion, so he spoke honestly. Gestalt, covering his mouth with his hand, lowered his head. As Tahir thought, "Did I say it too harshly?" a faint, almost inaudible sound, like a deflating balloon, was heard. Tahir was sure he heard it and frowned. Did the young master just bow his head and laugh at me? As soon as he thought this, Gestalt, still covering his mouth, looked up and muttered.

"Tahir, you've looked at the sun for too long. You must think you live in the sky."