The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate

Chapter 45

They passed through the outer walls, followed by the inner walls.

As they passed by, Caron caught a glimpse of the imperial palace's defensive formation, which was solid. The defense was meticulously composed of imperial mages, the empire's army, and the Imperial Guards. Their numbers far exceeded those guarding the capital's perimeter, and each soldier was a highly trained professional.

Once they passed the inner walls, the true sight of the Imperial Palace began to unfold before them.

"Caron, honestly, I've always been curious about what's inside the palace," Leo remarked.

"And?" Caron asked.

"...There's really a lot in here," Leo said.

"Of course. Think of it as a city within the city," Caron replied as he took in the scenery of the imperial palace and chuckled softly.

The Imperial Palace of the Orias Empire, also known as Nesak, wasn't just a palace. It was a city unto itself, nestled within the capital of Decus. Numerous royal palaces housed the direct bloodline of the imperial family, while countless others lived there to serve and assist them. Even some select nobles resided in the palace as guests of the emperor. It was no surprise that a bustling city had formed here.

The palace was far more polished and beautiful than Caron remembered. It seemed that the entire city had been meticulously planned and built. Fifty years earlier, during the rebellion that had dethroned the Malevolent Emperor, much of this place had been set ablaze and destroyed. What stood before them now was a new city built on the ashes of the old.

"...It's amazing," Leo muttered in awe as he took in the grand scenery of the palace.

It was a completely different atmosphere from Azureocean Castle. Everything within sight was extravagant and opulent. It felt as if all the wealth of the empire had been funneled into this place.

"Cleaners, cooks, gardeners, and more; all these are needed to keep this massive palace running smoothly. You didn't think the emperor lived here alone, did you, Leo?" Caron teased.

"...Well," Leo hesitated.

"You did, didn't you? Seriously, Leo. You need to read more books," Caron said.

Leo had grown up upright and proper. But his mind was also a little too... straightforward. Aunt Camila had worked hard to educate him, but it seemed Leo didn't have the best relationship with books and knowledge.

Maybe I should just send him to the academy for the rest of the time in the capital, Caron thought. He had already planned to visit the academy, so a bit of extra tutoring for Leo wouldn't hurt.

As Caron and Leo continued to admire the view of the palace, the vehicle they were riding in made a hum sound and began to slow down. When the vehicle stopped, the door swung open.

"I think it's telling us to get out," Leo remarked.

"Pretty smart for a carriage," Caron said.

"They called it an automobile," Leo corrected him.

"Same thing." Caron shrugged.

"That's not the same thing," Leo grumbled as he stepped out of the vehicle.

When he got off, he was greeted by the sight of an impeccable line of Imperial Guards. And at the front stood a knight whose face he recognized.

"Sir Luke, isn't it? Good to see you again," Caron said with a smile.

"I see you remember my name, Young Master Caron Leston," Luke replied.

"I'm still young, so my memory is sharp," Caron said with a hint of playfulness.

Luke was one of the Imperial Guards who'd escorted Caron and his group from Thebe to the capital. He now turned toward both Caron and Leo, and bowed respectfully.

"From this point onward, vehicles are not permitted. We will personally escort you to the main palace," Luke informed them, gesturing to a subordinate standing nearby.

At his signal, the subordinate approached with a small basket, wrapped in a fine cloth.

The knight presented it to them and said in a formal tone, "Though you are honored guests of the Leston Duchy, no one is allowed to carry weapons into the main palace. We kindly ask for your cooperation."

Without complaint, both Caron and Leo unsheathed their swords and placed them into the basket. Even Halo followed the palace entry procedures. Although Halo hadn't always followed the rules...

"Grandfather once broke this rule," Caron said, so quietly that it was almost as if he was talking to himself.

"Really? When?" Leo asked.

"About fifty years ago," Caron answered.

"Fifty years? Wait, are you insane? Why are you bringing that up now...?" Leo muttered, looking alarmed.

Caron merely shrugged and said, "Just because. It just came to mind."

There had been only one occasion when their grandfather, Halo Leston, entered the main palace armed. It was during the rebellion that dethroned the Malevolent Emperor. Halo had brought his sword into the palace, and it had been that very sword that ended Caron's previous life.

Caron muttered those words that were almost self-deprecating as he subtly glanced at the faces of the imperial guards. He knew that the guards would recognize the true meaning of his words. Sure enough, a few of the knights clenched their fists, their hands trembling in silent fury.

But Luke remained calm, raising a hand to quiet his men. He then said quietly, "You are free to speak as you wish before us, but I advise caution in front of His Majesty."

"I'll just keep my mouth shut. Oh, but Sir Luke, my sword's a bit... temperamental, so be careful when handling it," Caron warned.

Just as Caron spoke...

Clang.

"Ahhhhhhh!" The knight carrying the basket screamed and dropped it onto the ground.

The swords clattered across the floor, and among them, Guillotine slipped partway from its sheath. The dark blue blade gleamed, and the menacing energy that flowed from its razor edge rapidly spread outward.

"T-The sword is..." the knight stuttered in fear.

Caron sighed deeply, then grabbed Guillotine.

When he took the sword, Guillotine's voice echoed in Caron's mind. "I'm in a terrible mood today, owner. This is the place, isn't it? Where I was with my former owner in a previous life."

Yeah, that's right, Caron responded.

"Ha. Who the hell turned me into a cursed sword? It makes my blood boil," Guillotine said.

We both have dark histories here, so calm down and wait quietly, Caron said.

"Oh, right. This is also where you bit the dust, wasn't it? Serves you right."

Shut up, Caron shot back internally.

He slid Guillotine back into its sheath and placed it carefully back in the basket. Looking up at Luke, he smiled and said, "You see, these are heirloom swords of our family. Please handle them with care."

"They feel... a little too ominous to be heirlooms," Luke remarked.

"The founder of our household wielded this sword. Are you calling our ancestor ominous?" Caron asked.

Luke sighed and closed his eyes, telling himself not to get swayed. Judging by the rumors that had spread through the capital, there was no doubt that the youngest grandson of the ducal family who had stood before him was insane.

"My apologies if my words were out of line," he said.

"It's fine. Please just be more careful next time," Caron replied.

Luke knew that any further reaction would be a blow to his pride, so he chose to respond softly, "Alright, I will now escort you to the main palace."

"Sounds good," Caron responded.

As Caron and Leo walked, escorted by the Imperial Guards, nobles that were passing by glanced in their direction with curiosity. Some looked genuinely intrigued, while most of them looked at Caron and Leo with wary eyes.

Leo briefly made eye contact with a few. Just as Caron warned him, not a single welcoming gaze was in sight. It made Leo feel smaller just being there, but Caron's reaction was completely different.

"Hello, nice to meet you! I'm Caron Leston, grandson of Duke Halo! It's an honor to meet all of you, esteemed nobles!" Caron called out enthusiastically.

Of course, he's Caron, Leo thought as he sighed deeply.

It seemed he was still far from understanding his insane cousin.

***

They arrived at the stairs leading to the main palace.

"Wait here," Luke ordered the Imperial Guards, leaving them behind before turning to Caron and Leo. "Only those with permission may proceed from this point."

"That makes sense. Beyond these steps is where His Majesty resides," Caron said as he slowly looked up at the staircase. The steps, once worn by time, now gleamed as if they were newly built.

He had wondered a few times how it would feel to stand in front of the stairs again. He had faced it once through the Pledge Stone, but that had been nothing more than an illusion. This, however, was reality. The form of the staircase had changed, but this was the very place where he had died in his previous life.

"Shall we?" Luke said as he led the way up the steps.

Caron and Leo followed Luke up the stairs. This was the only path to the emperor's throne... the path Halo had ascended with sword in hand. And it was also...

The path I once swore to protect, Caron thought.

He had never been able to forget this place, not for a single moment. And yet here he was again, but in circumstances that couldn't be more different. Back then, he had climbed these stairs to die. But not this time.

The former slave who had become an Imperial Guard was long gone. This time, the one who was walking these steps was Caron Leston, the youngest grandson of Duke Halo.

"Caron," Leo called out softly.

"...Yeah?" Caron replied.

"Are you okay?" Leo asked, his tone heavy with concern.

Caron looked down at his hand. Blood was dripping from his clenched fist. He hadn't realized how tightly he was gripping it.

"Oh... I was nervous. Sorry. Did that bother you?" Caron muttered. He focused his mana on his hand, healing the wound quickly until the bleeding stopped.

Leo patted Caron on the back and asked, "You acted like a grown-up earlier, and yet meeting His Majesty has you this worked up?"

"I guess so. Well, this is a bit embarrassing," Caron replied.

Leo got a strange feeling from Caron, who had been giving vague answers. Ever since they stepped into the main palace, Caron had been different. Just a while ago, he had been smiling and greeting the nobles with his usual attitude. But the moment they entered this place, a heavy mood had settled over him.

Luke, walking ahead, didn't seem to notice, but Leo could sense the shift in Caron, whose ocean was in turmoil. The ocean made of Azure Mana seemed as if it would overflow at any moment, swaying back and forth. The waves of Caron's turbulent ocean were so strong that even Leo's mana resonated in response, but he didn't ask about the reason.

It was because he already knew.

...So, he can make that kind of face too, Leo thought.

Caron was clearly sad. No tears were falling, and he was forcing a smile, but Leo could see through it. Caron was sad.

Leo realled a memory of what Sabina had once told him.

"Leo, you must observe Caron's ocean more carefully than anyone else. That's something only you can do in Azureocean Castle."

At the time, Leo couldn't understand what Sabina meant. But now, he finally realized the meaning behind her words. Ever since Caron first arrived at Azureocean Castle, Leo had been by his side, and because of that, he could tell what was happening. He didn't know why, but one thing was clear: Even an insane person like Caron could feel sadness. So without a word, Leo patted him gently on the back.

"You're not going to start crying before we meet His Majesty, are you?" Leo teased.

"Crying? Why would I cry?" Caron grumbled.

"I'm your older cousin. I can tell," Leo said.

"...You don't know anything," Caron muttered.

Although Caron grumbled, Leo figured that his humor helped a bit. The storm inside Caron began to settle, and soon, they reached the final step.

"Wait a moment, Sir Luke," Caron called out.

Luke turned around and asked, "Is something wrong, Young Master Caron Leston?"

"I would just like to enjoy the view for a moment. Who knows when I'll be able to come up here again? It'll only take a bit," Caron said.

Luke nodded in understanding and granted him a moment's pause. Caron slowly turned around, looking down the steps below.

In his mind, he could still see the bodies of his fallen comrades lying scattered across the steps. The blood that had once seeped into the stone, and the voices of his companions who had stayed with him until the bitter end... It all came flooding back. He'd thought he had forgotten, but standing here again, the memories rushed to life.

But now, he decided to leave the sorrow of his previous life behind, right here. He planned to replace it with something else.

...I'll avenge you, you foolish people, Caron thought.

The one goal he'd held since childhood became clearer. It was to bring justice to those who had driven him to his death in his previous life.

"It feels good," Caron muttered as he let out a deep breath and smiled. Now that he'd arrived, his mind felt clearer.

"Shall we go inside?" Luke asked.

"Yes, let's go," Caron replied.

With a noticeably brighter expression, he turned away from the view. Then, he slowly stood in front of the massive gate of the main palace with the others. The gate was adorned with a giant, gilded lion. "Leo Leston and Caron Leston of the Leston Territory have arrived," Luke announced their names.

The giant lion's mouth opened.