Chapter 45 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

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Chapter 45: His Grace, the Duke

 

 

Ge Yan and Rex returned to their lodgings, only to find Captain Locke standing at the door. He watched them arrive, then spoke quietly about preparing to return to the Imperial Capital before walking away. He seemed calm—but his composed demeanor gave off an uneasy feeling.

 

"Did Captain Locke just… recover from his breakdown? That expression gave me goosebumps," Ge Yan said, unsettled.

 

"I'm not sure," Rex replied, eyes narrowing sharply as he stared in the direction Locke had left, deep in thought.

 

Captain Locke didn't ask where they'd been. Clearly, he already had some idea. That very day, the three of them left Sarge.

 

With just the three of them now, the journey was unexpectedly smooth. Neither fast nor slow, they traveled steadily for over half a month before finally arriving at the Imperial capital, Saint Lanriel.

 

Saint Lanriel was the capital city of the Arslanka Empire—the most powerful nation on the continent of Azelra. It was also the continent's largest and most prosperous city, the beating heart of politics and commerce. The famed headquarters of both the Mercenary Guild and the Mage Guild were located here, as well as the bases of several of Azelra's most prominent Trading Guilds. In every sense of the word, it was a city of glory.

 

It was Ge Yan's first time setting foot in Saint Lanriel, and his awe was plain to see. He had thought Sarge was already an enormous city—but Saint Lanriel utterly dwarfed it. "Spectacular" didn't even begin to cover it.

 

But there was no time for sightseeing. Captain Locke immediately led them somewhere else.

 

Since the capital was far too vast to cross on foot, they rented two griffins from near the city gates. As the majestic beasts soared high above the city's skyline, even from such a height, the capital's edges could not be seen. The scale of Saint Lanriel was nothing short of breathtaking.

 

From above, Ge Yan gazed down, utterly enthralled by the beauty of the city below—majestic architecture, grand boulevards laid out in perfect symmetry, bustling streets alive with color and motion.

 

The griffins flew fast. In the blink of an eye, the towering city gates had vanished into the mist. Clouds drifted around them, obscuring their view of the buildings and landmarks ahead. Ge Yan had no idea where Captain Locke was taking them, and unease bubbled in his chest. Sharing a griffin with Rex, he leaned closer and asked, "Where are we going?"

 

His voice was mostly lost to the wind, but a few words made it to Rex's ears.

 

"To the Strych family," Rex replied. "Carlos's family—the power behind the Black Wolf Mercenary Corps."

 

"So this is about Carlos's death?"

 

Rex nodded. "Carlos's father is the head of the Strych family. He also holds the title of duke—personally granted by His Majesty the Emperor. His mother, meanwhile, is a favored princess of the imperial bloodline. As their only son, Carlos's status in Saint Lanriel was second only to the imperial heirs. Naturally, his death is no trivial matter. Both the Strych family and the imperial house take it seriously. What's more, Ariel and Cecil died with him—and their families rank just beneath the Strychs. Ariel was even his family's sole heir."

 

Ge Yan felt like someone had dropped a mountain on his head.

 

He had always known those people weren't ordinary—but did Rex have to say all that with such an utterly blank face? As if their deaths had nothing whatsoever to do with him? They were about to face the grieving families of the people he had killed—and yet he didn't even seem remotely concerned. Ge Yan, who wasn't the killer, felt more pressure than he did.

 

He suddenly felt that Rex might not be entirely human.

 

"Do you think Carlos's father will suspect us?" he asked, lowering his voice.

 

"Yes," Rex said without hesitation.

 

There was no way the Duke of Strych would accept a few words as explanation for his son's death. Of course he would be suspicious—but only suspicious. He had no proof.

 

Ge Yan suddenly felt like that one word had knocked the breath right out of his lungs. "So… what do we do?"

 

Sensing his anxiety, Rex—rarely, almost kindly—said, "Don't worry. Just follow the plan. I've already arranged for the rest."

 

Ge Yan studied Rex's face, trying to find any sign of uncertainty. But Rex's impassive expression had been forged over time—it wasn't something that could be read so easily. In the end, Ge Yan had no choice but to rely on his past experience. Ever since they'd met, Rex had always been in control. Maybe this time would be no different.

 

Half a day later, they finally reached the estate of the Strych family.

 

It was vast and resplendent, like an imperial palace. The grounds stretched across tens of thousands of acres, a sea of manicured elegance that made the breath catch in one's throat.

 

They had seen fewer and fewer people as they approached. The roads around them were nearly empty. This was the northern part of Saint Lanriel, where the imperial palace was located—and where noble families like the Strychs had built their homes. The palace itself wasn't visible, simply because the capital was too vast. The northern district alone was several times the size of Sarge.

 

As they neared the estate, griffin flight was prohibited, so they dismounted at the closest designated landing and transferred to a carriage. Otherwise, the journey on foot would've taken half a day.

 

Captain Locke rode in the same carriage with them. This time, Ge Yan didn't speak. The air grew heavy, and the only sound was the soft crunch of wheels turning over stone.

 

Just as they were about to arrive, Captain Locke suddenly said, "When you see the Duke, watch your mouth."

 

Ge Yan blinked, caught off guard, only to meet the sharp warning in Captain Locke's gaze—cool and edged with threat. In that moment, he understood: this man hadn't given up on whatever scheme he'd been planning.

 

Neither he nor Rex replied. It was as though they hadn't heard a thing.

 

A flash of irritation crossed Captain Locke's eyes. He opened his mouth to say more but seemed to reconsider. In the end, he clenched his jaw and said nothing further—until the carriage came to a halt.

 

They had arrived.

 

News of their return had already reached the Duke. One of the household retainers stood at the gates—his posture arrogant, his eyes scanning them as if they were barely worth noting. After verifying their identities, he turned without a word and led them inside.

 

Only by walking through the estate did one truly grasp its grandeur. Even after passing through the main gates, they had to take another carriage. After a while, they finally arrived at a courtyard. The retainer instructed them to wait outside while he went to announce their arrival.

 

The Duke did not make them wait long. It was his son's death, after all—how could he not care? Soon, the retainer returned and informed them that the Duke would see them.

 

The three followed him to the Duke's study.

 

And finally—Ge Yan laid eyes on the man second in power only to the Emperor and crown princes of Arslanka.

 

The Duke was tall, commanding, and radiated a natural, oppressive authority. Just standing in his presence made one feel smaller. It was said he was also a formidable Greatswordmaster.

 

"Master, they are here," the retainer announced with respectful deference.

 

The Duke waved a hand to dismiss him. Only after the door closed did he turn his gaze to Captain Locke, whose knees buckled under the heavy pressure of that stare. With a thud, he knelt to the ground.

 

"I have failed Your Grace's trust. I beg you to punish me."

 

His tone was humble and his remorse convincing—so much so that Ge Yan, who had suspected Locke of scheming against them, was taken aback. Perhaps he'd misjudged him.

 

Then, with a loud crash, the Duke swept the heavy book from his desk directly at Captain Locke. The force was raw, his fury barely restrained.

 

"Locke," the Duke thundered, "when I entrusted Carlos to you, what did I say? I told you to ensure his safety at all costs. And what did you do? Let him die a wretched death in Tasha Forest. I placed my faith in you—and you've failed me utterly!"

 

"If Your Grace wishes to punish me, I have no complaints. This tragedy is indeed my failure. But… there are some things that must be said." Captain Locke raised his head, shoulders squared, gaze unwavering.

 

The Duke's expression grew unreadable. The rage that had consumed his face moments ago faded swiftly—almost as if it had never existed. "For the sake of your past loyalty and service, I'll give you a chance. Speak."

 

But Captain Locke didn't answer right away. He glanced meaningfully at Ge Yan and Rex.

 

The Duke picked up on the cue and waved for them to wait outside. Clearly, what came next was not meant for their ears.

 

Ge Yan followed Rex out onto the veranda. With only a wall between them, he didn't dare speak. He didn't even dare ask Rex what was happening. So he waited, heart pounding, nerves twisted tight.

 

Fortunately, it wasn't long before they were summoned again.

 

Captain Locke was standing now, no longer kneeling. His fear was gone. Instead, his eyes gleamed faintly with smug satisfaction as he looked at them.

 

Ge Yan's stomach sank.

 

This bastard had said something. And whatever it was, it wouldn't be in their favor. With the Duke's unwavering trust in him, there was no doubt whom he would believe.

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