Chapter 266

Chapter 267. Victory is Just a Side Dish (4)

Rukan glanced at Hisop.

‘Is shamelessness a hereditary trait of the Sephira family?’

Until they arrived here, Hisop had seemed completely clueless. But now, he was suddenly acting like he knew the Vice Dean of Dranak.

‘Even so, there’s no way he can escape the royal palace.’

Rukan had allowed Hisop to meet Gioran because he was confident that Hisop wouldn’t be able to escape, no matter what.

From the start, Gioran threw a question at Hisop that left him flustered.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask if I ever met you. How on earth did you manage to obtain the lost work of Picaso, <The Widow>? We at Dranak had given up on even searching for it, thinking it was lost.”

The tone wasn’t accusatory, but it wasn’t a question Hisop, who didn’t know the full story, could easily answer.

If he answered carelessly, he might get caught in his own words, so it would be better to just say it was a secret—but Hisop decided to take a bold approach.

“That’s something Keter would know.”

“Keter?”

“My half-brother and the knight representing the southern region of this country.”

“How interesting. I thought you might be an adventurer, a treasure hunter, or that it might be a family heirloom passed down in the Sephira family.”

“Vice Dean Gioran, are you interested in Picaso’s other works as well?”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

Gioran quickly put down the teacup he had been holding and spoke. At that moment, Rukan interjected.

“Sir Hisop, do you even know who Picaso is to speak like that? You’re talking about his work as if you picked it up from some street painter.”

“Louis Picaso. When you look at his paintings, you feel as if you’re being drawn into his world—that’s his signature style. I was introduced to his work through <The Boy Selling Flowers>.”

“…!”

Hisop knew about Picaso. Not at an expert level, but enough to hold a conversation.

It wasn’t because he was interested in art or Picaso himself. Knowing that influential figures in the political world were interested in ‘art,’ Hisop, as the future head of the family, had acquired enough knowledge about various hobbies to engage in smooth conversations with them.

“Hahaha! <The Boy Selling Flowers>, what a great piece to start with! So, what other works of Picaso does the Sephira family have?”

Gioran took the bait.

Up to this point, things were going according to Hisop’s plan, but soon, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

He knew about Picaso and his works, but he didn’t know in detail which works were considered ‘lost.’

If the work he mentioned wasn’t actually lost, Gioran might say there was no need to go see it. If that happened, the opportunity Keter had created would be wasted.

But he didn’t have time to think carefully. Hesitating would itself be a sign that he was lying.

“<The Old Man Drinking>. I’d like you to verify whether this piece is genuine or a forgery.”

“<The Old Man Drinking>! That piece is in Sephira?! How astonishing!”

As Gioran exclaimed in surprise, Hisop let out a sigh of relief. At least it wasn’t a piece that existed in the current world.

“I’m not sure if it’s genuine, like <The Widow>. That’s why I’d like to request your verification.”

“Hohoho! If it’s <The Old Man Drinking>, I’d gladly put in the effort. Then let’s head to Sephira right now.”

As Gioran stood up and spoke naturally, Rukan immediately stopped him.

“Vice Dean Gioran, Sephira doesn’t have a teleportation gate. Our royal knights, the Dragon Knight Order, will escort you. There’s no need for Sir Hisop to accompany you.”

“Hmm? Your Highness, as far as I know, the head of the Sephira family is Sir Hisop. Although he’s young and temporarily in the position, how could I set foot in the family without the lord’s permission?”

“There are complicated circumstances.”

Rukan had no intention of letting Hisop go. He was a hostage, after all. He was already furious about losing Keter and his party, and letting Hisop go was out of the question.

Even though Rukan firmly expressed his refusal, Gioran stroked his beard.

“Picaso’s <The Widow> is a piece even the Emperor of the Empire is searching for. You donated it to Dranak University in the name of the Crown Prince. I don’t know the circumstances, but Sir Hisop clearly seems to be a loyal servant of the Lilian Kingdom. Would it be a problem for him to leave the royal palace?”

“That is—”

“Your Highness, Dranak is not an organization that seeks peace, but it’s also not a violent one. Frankly, we care about reputation. If you’re holding Sir Hisop, a loyal servant, captive in the royal palace—”

The eccentric Gioran, who had seemed jovial, narrowed his eyes. It was as if he was asking, ‘Are you a tyrant? Such a person has no right to join Dranak.’

Unexpectedly, it was Hisop who answered the question, not Rukan.

“Sir Gioran, please don’t misunderstand. His Highness simply had something to discuss with me. Your Highness, may I humbly request to return to my family for a short while? I will return to the royal palace once my business is concluded.”

Hisop defended Rukan while pleading to be allowed to return to Sephira.

Moreover, he even promised to return, leaving Rukan cornered. If he refused, he would look like a tyrant, and his relationship with Dranak would suffer.

“…Sir Hisop. I think our discussion was insufficient. If you leave like this, you might misunderstand.”

“I don’t recall ever confusing Your Highness during our discussions.”

Rukan’s eyelid twitched slightly. His expression was calm, but his eyes were blazing with anger.

‘You think Dranak will protect you forever?’

Hisop met his gaze without flinching.

‘I’ll handle that myself.’

The two exchanged a clear understanding.

Tap tap.

Rukan tapped the armrest of his wheelchair. It was a small sound, but soon a butler entered the reception room.

“Call the Dragon Knights. Escort Vice Dean Gioran and Branch Lord Hisop to Sephira.”

* * *

The royal palace greenhouse.

Whenever Rukan felt uneasy, he would come here to gaze at the vibrant, beautiful flowers.

Bang!

“Rukan!”

A shout echoed through the quiet garden. Despite the knights’ attempts to stop him, Second Prince Rakan stormed in, fuming as he approached Rukan.

“Prince Rakan, this is too far…”

A guard knight blocked Rakan’s path, but Rukan flicked his finger, signaling them to step aside. Then—

Slap!

After slapping the guard knight who had blocked him, Rakan stood before Rukan and stomped on the flower Rukan had been admiring.

“Why did you let Hisop go? Are you insane?”

“…Don’t act like a barbarian, Rakan. You’re royalty.”

“You’re the one acting like an idiot. Explain why you let Hisop go.”

Since the reason for letting Hisop go—to cooperate with Dranak—was a secret, to Rakan, it seemed like Rukan had released Hisop for no reason.

He couldn’t help but be angry. Sephira was Rakan’s prey. Whether the family had a head or not made a huge difference in information disparity and morale.

With Hisop returning to Sephira, the family would soon learn about the impending family war and prepare. An opponent that could have been easily defeated would now be harder to beat, and it was infuriating.

Moreover, since Hisop hadn’t escaped on his own but was escorted by the Dragon Knights at Rukan’s command, this could be interpreted as the dissolution of an ‘implicit agreement,’ a serious matter that needed to be considered.

If it were the usual Rukan, he would have explained calmly.

“I let Hisop go to secure Dranak’s cooperation. I judged that it would be more beneficial to our Lilian Kingdom than keeping him captive.”

But Rukan suspected Rakan. He suspected that Rakan might be collaborating with Keter.

Until now, they had been enemies, but not to the point of ‘hating’ each other.

But now, feelings of hatred had taken root in Rukan’s heart. A traitor. Given the circumstances that Rakan had deceived and betrayed him first, Rukan didn’t explain straightforwardly.

“Are you the one harboring ulterior motives, Rakan?”

“Don’t change the subject. I’m asking why you let Hisop go.”

“Then why did you let Keter go?”

“What? Why are you bringing him up all of a sudden? And what do you mean, ‘let him go’?”

“Keter escaped the royal palace through a portal. And from the weakest point of the divine realm. Do you think that’s realistically possible? How would Keter, who just arrived at the palace, know such information?”

“Hah! So you’re saying there’s a mole in the palace, and it’s me?”

Rakan was genuinely baffled, but Rukan continued.

“I know that your closest aide, Lilie, made contact with Keter. As the royal sword instructor who has been in the palace for decades, isn’t that information you should know? If you’re innocent, then explain. What did Lilie and Keter discuss?”

“…This is ridiculous.”

“Short. For an excuse.”

“Who’s the one making absurd claims when I asked you to explain why you let Hisop go?”

“……”

Rukan still refused to meet Rakan’s gaze, while Rakan looked down at him.

Rustle!

Leaves in the greenhouse began to fall wildly, even though no wind had stirred.

“So you’re not going to explain, huh.”

“That’s my line.”

Rakan also had nothing to say about Lilie. Before he could even ask her what she had discussed with Keter, she had already left.

Perhaps Lilie had really helped Keter, so Rakan couldn’t say anything.

Whoosh!

Rakan turned sharply, about to say something, but then just left as if giving up.

Even after Rakan left, Rukan muttered while looking at the flower that had been stomped beyond recognition.

“I need to hasten the progress of the ritual.”

A faint glimmer of malice flickered in Rukan’s eyes before disappearing.

* * *

A Dragon Knight arrived at Sephira.

The archers of Sephira raised their bows in caution, but upon recognizing Hisop, they immediately lowered them.

The Dragon Knight who had escorted Vice Dean Gioran and Hisop left immediately, and the knights of Sephira swarmed around.

Hisop gestured for the knights, who were worried about his safety, to stand down, then bowed to Gioran.

“I lied. There is no <The Old Man Drinking> in Sephira.”

He had deceived the Vice Dean of Dranak to escape the royal palace. It was a necessary lie, but the best Hisop could do now was apologize.

He was prepared. Even if it meant earning Dranak’s disdain, he had to return to Sephira first.

Swish.

Gioran grabbed Hisop’s shoulder and helped him up.

Hisop’s eyes widened as he saw Gioran’s expression. Gioran was smiling.

“I knew, Lord Hisop. Because <The Old Man Drinking> is in Dranak’s exhibition hall.”

“…!”

“I don’t know the reason, but you seemed to need help, so I helped you. Of course, it was also effective that you didn’t greatly upset Crown Prince Rukan’s mood. Hohoho.”

“Thank… you.”

Hisop bowed slightly to Gioran, who had helped him despite knowing his lie.

Gioran waved his hand dismissively.

“No need to thank me. Picaso’s <The Widow> is worth it. And—”

Gioran’s gaze turned toward a certain figure.

A man with an eyepatch, hands in his pockets, walking leisurely. It was Keter.

The soldiers and knights also made way for Keter. Hisop also felt his shoulders relax upon seeing Keter.

‘Ha, haha… I didn’t feel this way when I arrived at Sephira, but seeing Keter brings me relief.’

Hisop, who had stood firm and composed while imprisoned in the royal palace, felt his legs weaken at the sight of Keter, as if he might collapse.

Hisop had even prepared for death. If he couldn’t escape the royal palace, he had resolved to take his own life to avoid becoming a burden to Sephira.

But he had returned alive.

And safely, in just one day.

“It’s all thanks to you, Keter.”

Hisop didn’t hide his feelings and hugged Keter tightly.

Keter, taken aback, didn’t push him away.

“Why are you being so gross? What did I even do?”

Keter played dumb. Hisop couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Right, that’s your way of being humble. I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“Head Butler Subid, the Branch Lord seems very tired. Please take him away.”

“Yes!”

Subid, who had arrived after Keter, supported Hisop. But Hisop gently pushed his hand away and said.

“I’ll walk on my own. As the head of the family, I can’t show weakness.”

“No one thinks you’re weak, Branch Lord.”

“All I can show them is this. That I won’t fall. If I can’t even do that, how can I hold my head high?”

“…Understood.”

With that, Hisop walked confidently into the main building, while Keter looked at Gioran. Gioran smiled and said to Keter.

“That eyepatch suits you, Prince Keter.”

“You’re not so bad yourself. The shoes are a nice touch, huh?”

“Oh? You noticed the fashion. You have a good eye.”

“I’m wearing an eyepatch, though.”

“There are many who have eyes but can’t see. Prince Keter, you’re better than them, I suppose.”

“So, what business do you have left in Sephira? As Branch Lord Hisop said, there are no Picaso works here.”

“I’m more interested in you than Picaso’s works. Branch Lord Hisop mentioned that you were the one who retrieved <The Widow>.”

“<The Widow>? That was real?”

Then the Vice Dean interjected.

“You sent it without even knowing if it was genuine?”

“I figured even if it was a fake, someone would come looking for it.”

“Hahaha! That makes sense! Even if it was a fake, some lunatic would come to see who dared send a fake to Dranak!”

The Vice Dean laughed heartily. But Keter didn’t join in, instead quietly saying to the knights surrounding them.

“Everyone, step back. You’ll get caught up in this.”

As soon as Keter finished speaking, a heat haze shimmered around Gioran.

Whoooosh!

The ground and sky shook. A wave of energy emanated from Gioran’s center.

“So, what gives you the guts to return <The Widow>, which you stole from Dranak? Disciple of the great thief, Shade.”