Chimera of Batius - Chapter 14
On the second day of the banquet, it was expected that rumors would spread through the castle.
“Captain.”
Finally, Reym opened his mouth. He had followed him in silence while inspecting the training ground, and for a while now he had seemed to have something to say.
“I knew you’d end up talking. What do you want to say after all this delay?”
Reym let out a worried sigh and straightened his head as if he had made a decision.
“Did you really take that dancer to your chambers?”
“Now you’re going to meddle in your superior’s private life too?”
“It’s not that. It’s just that you’re acting very differently from usual, so as your subordinate, I wanted to ask. If you have any concerns…”
“Do I look like someone who eases others’ worries with his body?”
“That’s why I’m asking.”
Reym was not only his subordinate but also an old friend of Ruzerolt’s. No one knew better than he how unusual his current behavior was.
“Rumors are spreading through the castle. They say Sir Ruzerolt is showing great interest in a dancer. Didn’t you say you would expel the company?”
“After what Dexler did, how could I expel them? You know better than anyone what it would mean to cast out an injured man from the castle at this time.”
“But…”
He understood Reym’s concern. Unlike administrative tasks or any other job, castle defense allowed no room for negligence. They had to reinforce security in the Yakli forest, and besides, the atmosphere in the kingdom of Operta to the east had been unusual lately. Reym feared his superior might be carried away by pleasures and neglect his duties.
“It all started with something the soldiers did. Turning a blind eye and covering it up isn’t right. Nothing you’re worried about will happen.”
As they spoke, Ruzerolt felt relieved to have a reason not to expel Cheil. After all, he had recently been one of those who wanted to get rid of him. Reym looked thoughtful but nodded as if he agreed with Ruzerolt’s words.
“It seems Lord Mcbencer visited us today.”
“Since the Duke of Lorencelot is in poor health, it appears they’ve decided to put Lord Mcbencer in charge of foreign affairs.”
“I know it’s not just that.”
The scrape of metal from both their shoulder guards could be heard. The wind whistled around them as they strode forward.
“Do you mean Lord Mcbencer and the Lorencelot family are conspiring with Dexler to betray us?”
“Exactly.”
They stopped in front of the training ground. Ruzerolt stood thinking as he watched the soldiers training and the knights directing them.
“Dexler has no interest in military strategy. Besides, he’s not stupid enough to do something so foolish at a time like this, when the situation is so unstable.”
“But it’s still true that the Duke of Lorencelot is a key figure in that opposition group. And the fact that Lord Mcbencer has been visiting so frequently lately is even more worrying.”
“Denia would laugh if he heard this.”
“That…”
Denia, Ruzerolt’s childhood best friend, was the crown prince of the empire. He was a capable strategist who had elegantly resolved far dirtier and more complicated succession struggles. After witnessing firsthand the ruthless succession battles of his friend, the current undercurrents seemed like child’s play.
Ruzerolt clapped Reym on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry.”
Ruzerolt also knew Dexler’s ambitions well. However, his younger brother had no real plan to overthrow him and become the legitimate heir.
“Nothing will change.”
There was nothing to worry about. Not about Cheil, not about Ruzerolt, not about Heinsley. That was how it had to be.
* * *
“Is this all you have to deliver?”
Dexler raised his head with a stack of papers in hand.
“Yes.”
Dexler looked at the man in front of him with an expression of disbelief.
“Mcbencer, don’t tell me you came in person just to deliver this. Thanks to you, the party’s going to be delayed!”
Surely there was a reason he had come himself instead of sending a servant or messenger. Dexler dropped the report onto the desk as if throwing it.
“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”
Mcbencer leaned against the edge of the desk and spoke.
“I’ve met the dancer you praised so highly.”
Dexler let out a small laugh.
“What a character. What’s the matter? Couldn’t believe it without seeing it with your own eyes?”
“If you say he’s capable of attracting someone like Ruzerolt, obviously it’s hard to believe.”
“So, what’s your impression after checking it out for yourself, without relying on a friend’s words?”
Mcbencer crossed his arms and thought for a moment before looking back at Dexler.
“He’s definitely not just any dancer. He’s beautiful, but cunning, like a venomous snake. I don’t understand where Father found someone like that.”
“That’s why I have no choice but to trust Duke Lorencelot.”
Dexler tilted his head with a satisfied smile. But suddenly, Mcbencer, who had been smiling, frowned.
“But do you really think that guy can seduce Ruzerolt?”
Dexler smiled and crossed his arms.
“You should’ve seen Ruzer at the party. Can you believe my brother took him straight to his bedroom right in front of me?”
“Are you kidding?”
“It’s the absolute truth. While you were in Rivatron, I was enjoying exquisite pleasure.”
Then, Mcbencer uncrossed his arms and moved closer to Dexler.
“Ruzerolt? Really with that dancer?”
“Yes. He must be quite talented to have managed to create a crack in Ruzer. The important thing is to break down my brother’s wall a little. Once we get past that barrier, the rest will be easy.”
Ruzerolt never let his guard down. As a child, it was easier to manipulate him with words, but since he became the legitimate heir, he’d turned into a solid, strong person. Now, to destabilize him, they needed a careful strategy to create a psychological breach. Only then could they look for an opportunity to bring him down. Mcbencer tapped the desk with his fingers and lowered his voice.
“This is our first and last chance. Things will get much more complicated after the succession. Don’t forget my family and I are betting everything on you.”
“Of course. It was called Sexslust, wasn’t it? I never thought I’d have to hunt down a legend or a myth. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’ll do anything to…”
Knock, knock, knock.
At that moment, hurried footsteps were heard. The urgent voice of a guard came from behind the door.
“Miss Hilinda! Someone’s already inside.”
“Get out of my way.”
Clang!
Hilinda, dressed in a striking gown, flung the door wide open. As soon as she appeared, both Mcbencer and Dexler shut their mouths as if they’d agreed on it.
“What? You’re the guest, Mcbencer?”
She strode into the room.
“Hilinda. Did you pass my regards to the Grand Duke?”
Mcbencer approached Hilinda naturally. Then he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her neck. With a click, the guard closed the door, and Mcbencer’s large hand grabbed Hilinda’s br3ast.
“I’m delighted you came. Did you hear about my visit? Are you in the mood to spend the night with me?”
“I didn’t come to see you, and besides, you’re not my type.”
But Mcbencer ignored her and kept kissing Hilinda’s collarbone while lifting her br3asts.
“So what kind of men do you like?”
“I prefer things that are orderly or beautiful.”
“Someone like your brother?”
Hilinda pushed Mcbencer’s chest. Mcbencer, who let himself be pushed without resistance, lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Or do you mean the southern dancer?”
Hilinda, who had turned to Dexler, spun around at those words.
“How do you know about that dancer?”
At the mention of Cheil, Hilinda’s tone sharpened.
“Uh… well, I don’t know?”
Mcbencer looked at Dexler. When Dexler sighed and shook his head, Mcbencer realized his mistake. He rolled his eyes to stare into space, but Hilinda lunged at him with blazing eyes.
“Tell me. Do you know that dancer? Have you already played with him without me?”
“Well… I’ve rather observed him a bit.”
“When? Dexler! It looked like you didn’t even want to show him to me!”
Dexler picked up the pile of papers he had thrown down and flipped through the pages without much interest.
“I don’t know. It must be Mcbencer’s doing.”
“That’s not all. You handed it over to Ruzer way too easily!”
“You were there yesterday too. You should know why I did it.”
“But even so…! It can’t be!”
“If you want it that badly, go get it yourself.”
“You think I’m not capable? But how could Mcbencer be with him?”
This time, Mcbencer laughed awkwardly.
“Hilinda, I didn’t say he was with him.”
“Then what? Are both of you playing with me?”
Hilinda slammed the table with the palm of her hand. Dexler looked at Hilinda over the papers.
“Don’t get angry at me. If you want it so much, go to your brother. Stealing is your specialty, isn’t it?”
Hilinda, who had been breathing heavily, turned sharply. Dexler asked as she headed for the exit.
“Did you come just for the dancer?”
“Yes!”
Clang!
Through the opening door, Dexler added one more line:
“Go to his office. The dancer is probably nearby.”
Clang!
Hearing the sound of the door closing, both frowned and let out a long sigh. Mcbencer, rubbing his chin, licked his lips with regret.
“The northern ladies are getting ruder and ruder.”
“Stop standing there and take this.”
Dexler handed over a rolled-up document from one corner.
“What kind of document is this?”
“Things you have to deliver to Ruzerolt.”
When Mcbencer looked at it with a doubtful expression, wondering why he was giving it to him, Dexler nodded toward the door.
“If you don’t trust what I’m telling you, go check it yourself again. Maybe this time you’ll witness something even more interesting than what I saw.”
Mcbencer slapped the documents he had received against his palm and gave a mischievous smile. Then he left the office, following Hilinda.