Vol 3 Chapter 66 – Eiden’s Absence【Empire War Arc】

A month had passed since then.

“Well, I’m heading out.”

“Safe travels, Lord.”

Eiden departed for the imperial capital, escorted by the maids’ farewells.

After delivering Ganalkin, the imperial capital had provided no information whatsoever regarding Dark Matter.

Ganalkin’s sentence was severe: complete asset confiscation, revocation of his Knight-class noble status, forfeiture of his domain to neighboring lords, enslavement, and five years of hard labor. Given the damage caused by Dark Matter, the interrogation results should have been disclosed, but despite letters sent to the capital, no response came. Thus Eiden chose to act personally.

He took half of Stark with him as an escort. Roy’s party, possessing legendary weapons, remained in Ignia territory as a precaution against unforeseen circumstances.

It was characteristically like Eiden to prioritize the domain over personal safety. While Roy appreciated the sentiment, he privately thought reinforcing the escort wouldn’t have gone amiss.

☆☆☆

With nothing pressing, Roy wandered the manor grounds. The view from the windows remained overcast, powdered with light snow.

As he gazed absently through the window at the gates, he noticed a faint lantern glow.

Someone was approaching the manor through the garden from the gate, moving in a straight line.

A group of mages?

As their forms became clearer, Roy could make out three figures in robes.

There were no scheduled visitors today, but… Should I go? Since he’d been entrusted with the manor’s security, erring on the side of caution seemed appropriate. With his guard up, ready for combat if needed, Roy headed toward the entrance.

“Hey, got a minute? Some mages just showed up at the entrance. Was there a meeting scheduled?”

Roy spotted Dart, Stark’s captain, passing nearby and asked about the appointment. Dart answered with obvious indifference.

“Guild personnel, probably. They’re likely here asking about the Snow Wolf situation. This is the Empire’s furthest edge. With ‘General Kingston’ gone, why would anyone covet this collection of villages?”

“General Kingston? Who are you talking about?”

“Why don’t you look it up yourself? Just because you’re from the Kingdom doesn’t mean you’re owed an explanation for everything you ask.”

The words dripped with obvious hostility, and his expression was saturated with hate. Roy hadn’t been disrespectful since their first meeting. Yet recently, Dart’s gaze toward Roy had turned distinctly cold. Why did this former imperial knight despise him so? Seeking answers, Roy placed a hand on Dart’s shoulder.

Slap!

“—!”

To Roy’s shock, after brushing his hand away, Dart’s palm was already moving toward the sword at his waist.

“You—”

“If we’re done here, I have duties to attend to.”

Dart flipped his cloak and strode down the corridor in the opposite direction. As Roy watched him go, shock lingered. That sensation from touching his shoulder… Roy had been careless, thinking it irrelevant in the Empire.

Not malice—a demonic aura.

It had been only a flash; it might have been his imagination. But Roy was the type to consider worst-case scenarios.

I hope I’m wrong… but I should check on it later.

The “it” Roy referred to was one of his dark weapons: the Tomahawk, a dark axe.

He’d seized it from Haugen during the Grentze Fort siege. It was stored in the basement of the Ignia estate because it was useful for Eiden’s research.

Because Yukino performed purification on it, that aura could only come from the Tomahawk. Yet multiple barrier layers had been deployed around it; accessing—let alone seeing—it should have been impossible.

If that’s the case, what’s the reason? Since the Cerberus battle, you’ve grown more hostile toward me by the day. Why?

In Roy’s mind, Dart had crossed into decidedly suspicious territory—a problem that needed resolving before any cooperation with Eiden could proceed.

“Lord Roy, the Guild representatives are asking to see you. Is something the matter?”

Roy suddenly noticed maids lined up beside him, peering at his face with concern.

“Ah, no… it’s nothing. The Guild, right—I’ll go immediately.”

“Very well. I’ll show them to the reception room.”

The maid bowed and departed.

The Guild should be priority now, but it wouldn’t hurt to visit the Tomahawk first.

Roy made his way toward the weapon’s storage location.