Chapter 31 - An Obedient Dog

"Wait, Count Concillus! We are representatives of the imperial family."

Just in case he had misunderstood, Karl emphasized it once more.

Your path to advancement and your future are in our hands.

Concillus patted him on the shoulder as if he felt sorry for him.

"You must have had a hard time coming all this way. Yes. To think the Empire called you here for something like this and made you falsely accuse an innocent man."

"Wha, wh-what on earth do you mean by..."

Was this not different from what they had discussed?

The one who had talked as though Ferda were a damned bastard had unmistakably been Count Concillus.

And now he was changing his mind?

'No way...'

Karl's eyes darted back and forth between Ferda and Count Concillus.

No.

That could not be.

There was no way such close ties existed in the world of nobles.

"What are you doing?"

"Excuse me?"

Ferda tilted his head to the side and spoke.

"Hurry and call the next witness."

Ferda flicked his finger as if counting.

"There are still many witnesses left. Excluding Thessalos Vulture, who died, there are thirteen remaining. Bring every one of them here and have them testify. If even one of them says I am guilty, is your role not over?"

Even if ninety-nine said no, if one said yes, the Purge Squad had the power to take him away.

But Karl knew that even if he called all thirteen of them, he had no chance of winning.

If Count Concillus, who could be called the power broker of the far east, denied it, those beneath him would deny it as well.

"If you cannot call a witness, bring out something else."

"Wh-what..."

"Do you not have more charges you brought here to drag me down and threaten me? I am telling you to bring those out."

The atmosphere had completely reversed.

Karl forced himself to be stubborn.

With trembling hands, he took something out from his breast.

"I-I heard you k-kidnapped this child."

It was a composite sketch of a young girl with long, straight hair.

Just from the vacant eyes, Ferda could tell it was Mori.

'If he is looking for Mori, then it must be Hellus Phobidas.'

If Hellus Phobidas had accurately named Ferda, it meant he had found the female attendant.

"I see."

Of course, that threat itself would not work in the slightest.

Karl knew that well too.

It was just that his mind had gone completely blank, and he had to do something.

"I am sorry, but I bought that child. I received that attendant's consent and had ownership transferred to me. It cannot be called kidnapping."

"..."

"If you still insist on it, it would not be bad to discuss it together with the person concerned. So, what is next?"

Karl did not answer.

Aside from those, everything else was trivial.

They were the sort of things used to test the waters and see if he could squeeze out a few more coins.

He had no cards left.

"Then I suppose it is my turn to speak."

The turn passed to Ferda.

He turned his gaze toward Count Concillus.

"Count Concillus."

"Yes. Please speak, Regent."

He responded with a deeply respectful bow of his head.

"This man openly demanded money from me."

"Hoho, is that so? Since he came all this way, would it not be right to provide him with a little travel expense?"

"The travel expense he demanded was 100,000 golden."

"Hoho, that is quite a large sum."

"What kind of value does that money have?"

"Each person values it differently, so it is difficult to give a definite answer."

"I see. If measured by the money spent on your territory's people, how much would it be?"

"It would be enough money for our territory's people to spend ten years without worrying about food."

"I see."

Ferda's blue eyes gave off a faint light.

"So that man tried to take ten years from the territory's people all by himself?"

"That is so."

Concillus followed his words and glared at Karl.

In his eyes, which had been smiling broadly, clear anger was engraved.

"He committed a deed that would make heaven and earth rage."

"Ah... Aah..."

Even the cat he had called in to corner the rat had been in on it.

Karl, who had never imagined he would be the one caught in reverse, began to tremble.

"What do you think, my lord? What should be done with this man?"

"Men who demand money in the name of the Empire. It is not something a mere knight should do."

"Exactly. And he demanded that I look upon him as though I were looking upon the emperor."

"Hohoho! Surely he would not do such a thing. For a single knight to dare try to stand equal with His Majesty the Emperor."

"What would happen if that were true?"

"He would have nothing to say even if he ended up in the same state as Thessalos. Thessalos Vulture had a hole pierced through his forehead, did he not?"

"He did."

At their one-sided conversation, Karl could not even breathe properly.

No words came out, and he broke out in a cold sweat as he looked back and forth between the two of them.

"But before that... how about formally protesting to the Empire over the matter of demanding money and claiming imperial authority?"

"That is a good idea. But would they even pretend to listen if a young thing like me filed a protest?"

"There is no need to worry. I will prepare it."

Most nobles knew that the Purge Squad did dirty work.

But if that were openly made into an issue, things would change.

No one would dare ignore the words of Count Concillus, who had guarded the front line into old age.

'Count Concillus...'

A sense of betrayal appeared in Karl's eyes.

The one who had trapped him was that old man, laughing and talking over there.

'He trapped me, the Purge Squad...!'

Concillus and Ferda Valdrova had plotted together to create this mess.

Karl tried one final desperate struggle.

"W-we are a direct unit! Even if you protest like that, nothing will..."

"Do you think so?"

Ferda answered coldly.

"How far does your value go?"

"My value...?"

"Do you think it would be easier to protect you, or easier to cut off your head and say they are correcting an individual's misconduct?"

There was no need to ask.

The latter was overwhelmingly better.

"And even if you somehow survive, do you think your blood relatives will sit still? Your younger brothers will probably come to cut off your head with their own hands."

"What does that mean..."

"Think about it, eldest son of House Harvest. You have two younger brothers beneath you, do you not? Even if you are on good terms with those two, do you think they will sit still when their elder brother has been committing corruption?"

There was no way they would sit still.

They were the sort who had looked at everything Karl enjoyed merely because he had been born first as though it displeased them.

If they knew the honor of a knight, they would cut him down for the glory of the house.

If they were mere snobs thirsty for advancement, they would cut him down for their own advancement.

Karl, who was more useful dead than alive, was truly fine prey.

In the midst of everything pressing down on him, Karl realized it belatedly.

'The dragon was not the problem.'

This Regent, whom they had laughed at only a few days ago, was the very person they should have been wary of.

"Answer me."

He snapped awake at Ferda's voice.

As always, Ferda asked coldly.

"What do I look like to you now?"

It was a sharp chill, as though an ice blade had been set before his neck.

The moment he answered wrong, it felt as if that blade would cut off his neck and hack him to pieces.

Karl, trembling in fear, answered with difficulty.

"Th-the great Regent of Valdrova."

Submission was buried in his voice.

"Yes, the one who rules the Grand Duchess's territory in place of the Grand Duchess."

Ferda rose from his seat and placed a hand on Karl's trembling shoulder.

"And I think you should become the master of the Purge Squad."

It was a sweet whisper like a devil's.

"Do you want to become the master of the Purge Squad, or do you want to die nobly for the Purge Squad?"

It was a foolish question.

There was no nobility in the Purge Squad.

Karl bowed his head.

"Please accept my loyalty."

Ferda shook his head at that answer.

"I do not need loyalty as wavering as a reed."

When Karl's heart sank to the floor, Ferda added,

"What I need is an obedient dog."

"A dog... you say?"

"A dog that only does what it is told and does not do anything unnecessary. One that wags its tail at the bones tossed to it from time to time and knows how to wait quietly for its master. If so, you will be able to open your path to advancement. Do you understand?"

Karl nodded.

"I-I understand. I will become a dog. I will become... the Regent's dog."

"Good."

Ferda patted his shoulder.

"Stay here for the night. I have to make a dog collar for you, after all."

"... Yes."

His pale complexion showed no sign of returning.

* * *

Karl left the reception room.

By now, he would be enjoying dinner together with the subordinates he had brought.

Of course, to the person himself, it was merely a last supper before execution, so he did not even know whether the food was going into his mouth or his nose.

During that time, Ferda spoke with Count Concillus.

Count Concillus explained everything about how the Purge Squad had come here.

"So the reason the Purge Squad came so confidently was because of you."

Count Concillus lowered his head.

"I committed an act deserving death, with no room for excuse."

"It does not matter. So how did you answer that letter?"

"That you were honest and incorruptible, a wise ruler who cared for the far east..."

Count Concillus grinned.

"I thought I should not answer that way."

"And the reason?"

Ferda could guess, but he asked anyway.

"The Purge Squad is like a swarm of locusts. Once they smell food, they rush in, tear everything apart, and vanish. The far east is now seeking development. They always attack the weak first and slowly devour them. Once they set foot inside, it is as good as over."

It was one of the Purge Squad's main strategies.

They slowly isolated and ate places with no power first.

"But you, Regent, were already in a poor position because of Thessalos Vulture."

On the surface, Ferda had already been isolated.

It was enough to make one think that the nobles were waiting for a chance to stab Ferda in the back.

If he only gave them certainty of that, he could use it well enough.

"You used me properly."

"I am sorry for causing you concern. Everything was my plan, so if you must punish someone, please punish this old man."

Ferda waved his hand.

"No, it is fine. Did you not deal with the dogs prowling around for the development and peace of the territory?"

"But testing the Regent must have been unpleasant."

"It does not matter because you spoke honestly. So long as you are loyal to the Grand Duchess, I do not care how you use me. I did not come here to enjoy the authority of a king. I came to devote myself to my sovereign."

"Aah..."

Count Concillus was someone who could easily see through the superficial formalities of nobles.

He could clearly feel that Ferda was sincere to the bone.

"So tell me. To whom are you loyal?"

"To be honest with you, I had been loyal to the Empire. More than to Her Highness the Grand Duchess, who is close by... my heart leaned toward the Emperor of the Empire."

Concillus smiled bitterly and spoke of his truth.

"When people grow old, they become fearful. Perhaps that is why, as the years pass, there are times when I forget what I rose to this position for."

"Have you now remembered what you had forgotten?"

"Yes. Thanks to you, Regent, my eyes have been opened."

Concillus looked beyond the window.

Not far away, the corrupted land, the demonic wasteland, spread out.

Because this place was high up, it was a sight he could never see from his own castle.

"From the moment I rose to this position, I received it with the conviction that I would protect the people. My loyalty to the Empire is because the Empire is meant to protect its subjects, not because it raised me up."

"You are a noble of high character."

"You praise me too much."

Concillus laughed hoarsely.

Concillus was the spokesman of this far east.

But as always, there was nothing to light a fire in their hearts.

Even though countless soldiers had died, all they gained was his own worn-down heart and fear.

"Count Concillus."

"Yes."

"Does that conviction still dwell in your heart?"

"It does."

Ferda extended his hand.

"Then join me. To protect this east, I need someone like you."

Concillus opened his eyes wide at that proposal and shook his head.

"No. Please do not say that. The one who must say those words is not you, Regent, but me."

Concillus knelt and carefully placed both of his hands over that hand.

The hands that had grasped a sword to protect people were rough and coarse.

"Please lead this east where only death lurks. I shall always devote my loyalty to Her Highness the Grand Duchess and follow the will of the Regent."

* * *

Karl was soaked in a hangover.

With an unspeakable secret to hide, he had drunk like a madman with the thought that he might as well die.

But instead of death, only a hangover that made him feel like he was dying and the morning sunlight greeted him.

'Damn it...'

He wanted to run away.

But he did not even have the courage for that.

So he had to sit and wait like a pig trapped in a slaughterhouse.

Someone came inside.

Thinking it was Ferda, he tried to rise from his seat and bow his head, but,

"H-hello?"

A black-haired woman, gloomy beyond measure, entered.

'What is this woman?'

But she was no ordinary person.

Judging by her clothes alone, she looked like one of the administrators employed by this castle.

However, the ominous energy that could not be hidden beneath that ordinariness made him want to step back at once.

She awkwardly raised her hand in greeting.

"Um, I will be contracting as proxy on the Grand Duchess's behalf. And... hmm..."

Her black eyes slowly swept over Karl's face.

"As I heard, you are not handsome."

Her voice sounded regretful.

He wondered what kind of random provocation this was, but he did not even feel like getting angry.

"My name is Echidna Philiaz."

"... Philiaz?"

His hangover vanished at once.

'Philiaz? Then that means she is a witch belonging to Philiaz, does it not?'

Philiaz.

They appeared to women who awakened the Red Circle, and if those women proceeded with the contract, they invariably became witches.

They were basically famous for hating men to an extreme degree and never cooperating with anyone outside Philiaz.

'He recruited that witch... and is using her?'

How on earth?

He forcibly swallowed the scream-like question he wanted to spit out.

In Karl's mind, his assessment of Ferda as a person was being newly formed.

"Here... this is the contract... Would you like to read it slowly?"

"Yes."

Karl checked each page one by one as though grasping a lifeline.

'A loophole... I have to find a loophole...'

But it was impossible.

There was no way Karl, who was not well-versed in law, could review a contract dozens of pages long by himself.

'As expected of a witch...'

When it came to contracts, witches were called the vilest beings after devils.

When Ferda said he would put a dog collar on him, Karl had vaguely thought he would proceed with contract magic, but to think he would use a witch to do it.

Karl gave up after reading about three pages and wrote his name on each sheet.

One way or another, the fact that he would become a dog would not change anyway.

When he finished signing the final page, the contract began to glow.

"Ugh."

Karl groaned at the pain rising from beneath his skin.

That stinging sensation engraved the contract's pattern on his wrist.

With that, his contract with this gloomy witch was complete.

"Yes. I have confirmed it. From now on, um... you should be careful what you say, okay?"

"What do you mean by... careful what I say?"

"Um, I expected it, but you really did not read it properly... So... hmm... if you do something against the Regent's will or try to hint at this contract... your head will go boom!!"

His shoulders jerked.

"And fly off. You always need to be careful what you think and what you say, okay?"

Though she stammered like an idiot, she spoke of death without hesitation, which made it feel even more terrifying.

5th-tier contract magic held absolute effect within the contract.

If there was no loophole in the contract, one had to forcefully cancel it, but even the process of cancellation was difficult and cumbersome.

'The tier is the secondary issue.'

Karl had made a contract with a witch.

If that fact became known, he would not only be beheaded by the Empire.

He could also be killed by the hands of his younger brothers, who were always looking for a chance to take his place.

He had to hide it no matter what.

"..."

"Ehehe, I-I would like you to answer me."

Flinch.

Ominous energy was pouring out.

In that awkwardly made smile, there was a madness without killing intent.

That made it even more chilling.

"Y-yes, of course!!"

"Yes, I heard your answer. You can go now. Bye-bye~."

Karl fled from the place as though running away.

Echidna smiled and waved at Karl as he ran away in a panic.

Just as he barely made it outside and thought he could catch his breath,

"The contract ended quickly."

He had escaped the tiger's den, only to find another tiger prowling there.

That tiger placed a hand on Karl's shoulder and spoke.

"As a member of the Purge Squad and a dog who has sworn loyalty to the Grand Duchess's territory, I shall give you your first mission."

Karl could no longer avoid it.

"What is the mission?"

Ferda answered.

"Hellus Phobidas."

The man called the Sage of Water.

Ferda intended to put that man on a leash too.