Chapter 1092: Chapter 1092

Having survived the mysterious assailant’s attack, Marquis Barogo stumbled out of his room. After hastily contacting someone, he managed to slip away unnoticed. The chilling sensation of his blood running cold still hadn't settled, and he occasionally shuddered uncontrollably.

Everything had gone horribly wrong.

“Trink!! Count Trink!!”

Bursting into the Vatan Kingdom’s embassy, Marquis Barogo couldn’t hold back his fury. Naturally, there were attempts to block his entry, but once the guards saw his face, they stepped aside as if Count Trink himself had appeared. It was almost as if they had been expecting him to visit.

“My, oh my. What brings you here in such a rush when we’re busy with preparations for the banquet, Marquis?”

Marquis Barogo shouted furiously, “Shut up!! You vile, shameless bastard!!”

Count Trink paused briefly before shrugging. “Come this way, please.”

Glaring at him, Marquis Barogo stomped after him into the building. Count Trink led him to a small reception room.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Shut your mouth! Did you think I wouldn't realize you were the one behind Tsuna’s death?!”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Count Trink calmly replied.

“It’s true she was an obstacle to our deal, but I made it clear that killing her was out of the question!”

Hearing his shameless response, Marquis Barogo’s eyes widened in fury. He shouted with certainty, “How dare you?! How dare a mere Vatanese do something within the capital of Alberta?”

Count Trink gave a thin smile. Then, following his slight gesture, a girl emerged from the shadows and slammed Marquis Barogo’s head onto the table. Read full story at novèlfire.net

Blood burst from his broken nose and mixed with his shattered teeth. Marquis Barogo tried to glare at Count Trink, but his body was locked in place, unable to move as if held down by something metallic.

“What... What is this?”

“You seem to have forgotten something, Marquis. This is the Vatanese Embassy. Here, my word is law.”

Rising from his seat, Count Trink coldly glared down at him. “As you said, we were the ones who took care of Duchess Tsuna.”

“Isn't this... different from what we agreed?” the Marquis asked with hesitation.

“Different from what we agreed? Oh, yes! You were supposed to help us import narcotic herbs and materials, use them to ruin Chancellor Tsuna, and become the next Chancellor yourself. Since you were aligned with the Vatan Kingdom, it would be mutually beneficial.”

Count Trink clasped his hands behind his back and looked down at him. “Then the plan fell apart. The smuggling of narcotics was blocked, and Chancellor Tsuna ended up causing significant damage to our great Vatan Kingdom. Thus, we had no choice but to eliminate her.”

“You have the nerve to call us crazy? Hahaha!! You, who tried to tear down your country’s patriot with foreign help?”

He didn’t have any good response.

“We don’t just go around casually assassinating the Chancellors of other countries. However...” The Count smiled brightly. “Now that she’s dead, we can easily frame someone else. Oh man, when the current King finds out you've been implicated in her death, he’ll be furious.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I had nothing to do with her death! This is madness!”

“Madness? This is treachery. Didn't you join forces with us to bring her down?”

Marquis Barogo flinched, face twisted with inner conflict.

“Besides, weren’t you trying to smuggle narcotics into the country? Even if we get executed once this comes to light, your future won't be very bright either.”

“You... You bastard!!!”

“As such, you have no choice but to stay allied with us. Trying to back out after all this? How laughable,” he said while chuckling. “Of course, we’ll have to deal with the demerit from her assassination, but it doesn’t matter. After all, in the midst of the chaos from her death, our great Vatan Kingdom will begin its rise towards becoming an empire.”

Marquis Barogo shouted, “What the hell else are you trying to pull?!”

“What, you ask? Well, we took the liberty of sliding in a few extra goods alongside the ones you requested. Using your official seal, no less. Once they arrive...” He smiled coldly. “We'll have secured the foundation for the Vatan Kingdom to rise as an empire and conquer the continent.”

He then nodded his head, prompting the girl to roughly lift the Marquis to his feet.

“Y-You were one of Tsuna’s maids! You were a traitor?”

“Who knows? You could certainly put it that way,” she said with a chilling smile.

Marquis Barogo felt a chilling sensation run down his spine. “Belga!!! Belga! Crush them all!!!”

He had crossed a line he never intended to cross. Marquis Barogo never wanted Alberta to fall, or for Tsuna to die. Unfortunately, the spiritual entity Belga did not appear despite his screams. Belga had vanished the moment Marquis Barogo heard the news of Tsuna’s death, as if bewitched.

Under Donna’s pressure, Marquis Barogo finally realized just how powerless he was, and how truly pathetic he had become.

It wasn’t what he had wanted at all.

Davey left Rinne to do the tracking of the spiritual entity found in the royal capital, silently making his own way toward his destination.

He wasn’t sure why he was taking action, but it somehow left him feeling absolutely disgusted. He knew nothing good would come from his intervention. At best, things would simply stay the same. Yet one wrong move would not only bring down the balance of Heins Territory, but also cause serious trouble for the Rowane Kingdom.

Climbing to the central bell tower that overlooked the capital of the Alberta Kingdom, Davey quietly surveyed the city below. ‘Who else could have killed Tsuna if not Marquis Barogo?’

He suddenly heard Illyna through the communication crystal.

- Davey, you know very well what could happen if you interfere and make even the slightest misstep.

After hearing about the current situation in Alberta, she had hoped Davey would just let it go and return home.

- The right to intervene in a nation’s affairs is a hero’s privilege. As a Saint, the only times you can interfere are when performing miracles or purging heresy. Even then, it’s difficult to put into action since you’re not officially affiliated with the Holy Empire.

- It’s unfortunate, but... I just don’t want you to get hurt by investing so much into her situation.

Her words might’ve sounded cold, but Davey felt only gratitude for her worry. After all, she was putting him above anything else in the world.

The spirit of the late Chancellor had resisted reincarnation, upset so strongly over his daughter's death that he nearly became a vengeful spirit. That left Jeo-Seung forcibly suppressing his soul to stabilize it.

Davey and Illyna’s conversation continued.

- Still, if I had to guess the culprit, it would still be the Vatan Kingdom.

“Vatan, huh? Probably.”

- You stirred things up enough for them to see Tsuna as a threat. The Vatan and Alberta Kingdoms have hated and fought each other for ages. After the formation of the Continental Union, they managed to start trading with each other, but skirmishes were frequent along their mutual borders.

Being from the central continent, Illyna explained the two countries in detail. She knew it all, from cultural clashes to territorial disputes, and everything in between.

- It’s kind of like Rowane and Boltis, except Vatan once pursued imperialism and even conquered neighboring countries. They lost all their colonies after a crushing defeat during the National Great War, though. But in short, it was impossible for Vatan and Alberta to get along.

Davey felt the Vatan Kingdom to be the prime suspect. Nonetheless, something felt off to him.

“Nothing for it. I guess I’ll have to dig it out myself.”

- Davey, you’re not seriously thinking of raiding the Vatanese Embassy, are you?! Don’t do it! You already caused a huge problem by breaking into the House of Barogo!

“My disciple was murdered.”

“What am I supposed to do in this situation? Am I supposed to just stand by and do nothing?” His solemn voice clearly communicated his sadness.

- But if you keep picking fights one by one, the harmony you’ve been striving for will eventually...

At best, it’d be just barely acceptable. At worst, he would bear all the blame for it. Still, there were lines that should not be crossed.

- At the very least, get some evidence first.

“I am certain, and already have enough.”

“I planted a listening device and a tracker inside Marquis Barogo’s clothes when I met him earlier. As expected, he rushed straight to the embassy once we finished.”

Davey headed toward the Vatanese Embassy under the darkening sky.

Tsuna’s death was still a well-kept secret, so the city’s atmosphere hadn’t changed, but nighttime saw the crowds thinned significantly.

Entering the Vatanese Embassy, Davey ran into a few soldiers standing guard, showing them his mithril badge to gain permission.

“I am Davey O’Rowane, Grand Duke and First Prince of Rowane. I’m here to see Count Trink.”

The guards’ eyes widened as their bodies tensed up. It was only a short moment before they collapsed silently, having been soundlessly knocked out.

Davey entered the quiet embassy so he could finally meet Count Trink face-to-face. After all, even if it'd be hard to gain any useful information, due to him just being a pawn ready to be cut loose, there would be plenty of signs to spot if they really were guilty.

“Prince Davey O'Rowane.”

Finally entering the inner halls, he saw a neatly dressed man staring down at him with an unreadable expression.

“Nice to meet you, Count Trink. ‘Tis I, Davey O’Rowane.”

“I've heard much about you, Prince, and you seem to already know me as well. I am indeed Count Trink of the Vatan Kingdom. However... what brings you by without any prior notice?” he asked in a probing manner, carefully holding back his words.

“I have a few things to look into,” Davey answered as he slowly approached.

“And what might you be looking into?”

“You see Count, the thing is... My disciple was murdered.”

Count Trink made a surprised face.

“A disciple... you don't mean... Chancellor Tsuna?!” he answered as if in disbelief.

“That’s why I came to ask a few questions,” Davey said with a smile on his face.

“But why come here, of all places?”

“Because Marquis Barogo should be here.”

Count Trink's face twitched for just an instant, but his smile quickly returned.

Though he seemed curious about how Davey knew Marquis Barogo was there, Count Trink soon glossed over and changed the subject.

“That Marquis Barogo came storming in earlier, accusing us of harming the Chancellor. Can you believe it? How absurd. Would you like to meet him?”

He sounded confident, but Davey intended to see how long that would last.

Following Count Trink, Davey entered the room and spotted Marquis Barogo sitting dazed in the reception area. He began, “You are...”

“Marquis Barogo, at your service. We meet again, Davey O’Rowane.”

“Meeting again... you don't mean?!” His brows furrowed, eyes wide, and he rose to his feet. “It’s nothing serious. I just have a few questions for you.”

The Marquis lowered his gaze. After seeming to hesitate for a moment, he answered, “I... I know nothing.”

Seeing Davey maintaining his gentle smile, the Marquis’s face paled slightly, only to soon twist into shock.

“Actually, I’m not here to ask you anything directly.” Davey then pulled out a small device from his chest pocket.

“It’s a listening device. You may not be familiar with this sort of thing.”

Having followed them and seen the reveal, Count Trink’s eyes widened in alarm. “That’s impossible! No magical artifact could have...”

“True, no amount of magical detection would’ve picked it up since it’s not a magical artifact.” Davey plugged the listening device into a player he had prepared to play back the recording. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.”

A vivid conversation then played aloud.

[The smuggling of narcotics was blocked, and Chancellor Tsuna ended up causing significant damage to our great Vatan Kingdom. Thus, we had no choice but to eliminate her.]

[You have the nerve to call us crazy? Hahaha!! You, who tried to tear down your country’s patriot with foreign help?]

Davey let out a sigh as he listened to the two familiar voices. “What an absurd show. I’m not even surprised.”

Turning his head, Davey’s sharp gaze locked onto Count Trink. “Choose your next words carefully, Count. Else, you’ll pay the price.”

Neither Trink nor Barogo had imagined there would be a device undetectable by their magic sweeps. It was only natural for them to neglect the possibility, considering the device had come from Earth.

After putting the audio gear back into his Pocket Plane, Davey gave a smug smile.

“Who would believe such ridiculous evidence? If you even try to take it to the royal court, they’ll dismiss it as insufficient!” Count Trink shouted.

“You're right. They won’t believe it,” Davey said while shaking his head. “But I do.”

Soon enough, black mist began to gather from all sides, forming weapons that circled around Davey. Davey spotted Donna, the former maid who had once served Tsuna. Though she was human, she gave off a strange and modified aura, much like the Special Ones.

Like modified humans.

“Well, it’s not technically a taboo, so there’s not much I can really say,” Davey muttered.

Taboos had strange conditions—sometimes lenient, sometimes unreasonably strict.

Shadows clad in shamanic robes silently emerged in the surroundings, pointing swords at the enemy's throats.

“Marquis Barogo,” Davey called in a chilling voice.

The Marquis flinched in fear.

“You’d better cooperate while you have the chance. If you keep lying, I'll make sure I fulfill the promise I made at your estate.”

There was a heavy meaning behind those words. Shaking violently, Marquis Barogo glared at Count Trink and screamed with rage, “It was them!! They killed her!! I... I never intended for her to die! Damned monsters! Is there no line you people won’t cross when it comes to politics?!”

‘Trying to reduce this to regular politics? How laughable.’

“Marquis Barogo!!!” Count Trink shouted, trying to pressure him.

Two daggers flew from the darkness before he could make any further moves, pinning his shoulders to the wall.

“Keep your voice down,” warned the dark elf Aina, her cold eyes flashing as she spontaneously emerged from the shadows. “Shadows, subdue those who dared raise weapons against the Gracious Savior.”

“Grrr. Stop!!” Count Trink shouted toward Davey. “You’re a third party! You, a Prince of the Rowane Kingdom, are interfering in the matters of two foreign nations! Are you prepared to bear the consequences?!”

Davey gave nothing but a silent stare in return.

Belga moved swiftly in forested plains not far from the capital, heading somewhere with such urgency that he seemed possessed. He didn’t even know the true reason for his excursion. Even though Marquis Barogo had said he would give Belga further orders, as soon as he heard of Tsuna’s death, he went straight to the place where she had died as if guided by an unseen force.

As he scurried to where she took her last breath, he was reminded of what she had said to him when they first met.

- Being hungry is one of the saddest things in the world. ... I don’t know how you ended up inside the palace, but hunger... hunger is the same for everyone.

She was an enemy, and he didn’t care what happened to her. Yet there he was, heading toward where she had died.

He couldn't understand what he was doing. He just thought that if he reached the end of that scent, he’d find some answers.

“Why am I...” Even Belga couldn’t explain his own actions. Deep inside him, the primal hunger that demanded he devour all vitality around him constantly gnawed at him.

Even when, under Marquis Barogo’s orders, he had commanded locusts to devour the plains' crops, his hunger had not been sated. Strangely, when he ate the jerky Tsuna had given him, he had felt full.

It was a feeling he couldn't forget—something sweet and comforting, like tasting a forbidden fruit for the first time, drowning in the hellish hunger he had lived with all his life.

Someone suddenly blocked his path.

From beyond the forest, a spear wreathed in golden flames shot through the trees, flying so close it almost skewered him.

The spear completely burned the part of the forest where it landed, then swiftly returned to the hand of its master as if it had a will of its own. There he saw a small girl with azure-blue hair and an emotionless face. Her feet were wrapped in bandages, a geometric halo floating above her head in addition to three pairs of wings on her back.

He felt an instinctive fear just by looking at her.

“Target acquired.” Rinne slowly ascended into the air and stared at him with cold, wide eyes. She declared in a detached voice, “Commencing suppression.”

She reversed her grip on the giant spear in her hand and hurled it forward like a missile.

The spear, crackling with sparks and emitting sonic booms, hurtled straight toward Belga. He reflexively twisted his body to narrowly dodge the attack. He knew no living being should be able to harm him, yet the small girl’s attack triggered a primal warning in his instincts. He could tell that the strength she possessed wasn’t normal.

Startled, Belga prepared to counterattack, drawing upon his full power. He had to move. He didn’t know why, but he felt like if he reached his destination, she would be there.

Though her first throw had only devastated the ground, the sky was soon filled with spears of light spanning hundreds of meters in length and dozens of meters in width, completely obscuring his view.

He soon realized he wouldn’t be able to escape from Rinne.

“I was just hungry. Is that such a crime, to the point that I have to be targeted by a monster ?”

He and the many beings like him had only ever lived while being chased by endless hunger.

Staring blankly up at the sky filled with massive spears of light, Belga collapsed to his knees

Moments later, the spears rained down from the heavens and shook the forest with a deafening roar.