CRASH CRASH THRASH BANG BANG

  Tables were flipped, ptes were broken, utensils flew left and right, and por vases broke oer ahe symphony of chaos and madness tio py, mad screams and shouts ringing on a while.

  A single figure was thrashing about, his eyes red with anger and his arms swinging around without any hints of hesitation, wasting away the delicious dishes dispyed atop the dining table, a perfect course ruined in but a minute.

  "That king! That damn fool! Why is he so hardheaded?! That bastard!" ［Arsn］

  The ohrashing about was her than Duke Schemer, letting his anger out aroying a perfect dinner just because his wife mentiohe King's name whilst he dined, his pride hurting after remembering the humiliation.

  It has been several hours since he had an audieh the King, yet he was still hung up over the fact that the tter opposed his pns. There was no sense of reaso in his mind, his bald head shedding even more hair from frustration.

  There were maids, butlers, and servants present, but all remained quiet at the sight. Some of the broken off shards flew off and scarred the face of the servants, but evehey didn't flind remaianding as blood trickled down their faces.

  It wasn't the first time the servants experieheir lord's outburst, and even now, all they could do was remain still and be quiet. Their wounds hurt, but if they were to even utter a single word, they would suffer much worse. It was better to stay quiet.

  "And that damn Dougs too! Who does he think he is?! He's only a mere Marquess! How dare he stand up to a Duke like myself?!" ［Arsn］

  "D... Dear... P-Please calm down. You're sg theー" ［Duchess］

  "Calm down?! Do you think I calm down after suffering such humiliation! And you! How dare y up the King's name in front of me?!" ［Arsn］

  "D-Dear, I didn't mean toー" ［Duchess］

  SLAAAAAPPPPPP

  The Duchess couldn't even finish her words, when suddenly, the Duke's heavy hand came out of nowhere and spped her across the face. A sharp and agonizing pain ran through her face, her cheeks swollen and bruised soon after.

  Even the Duchess wasn't safe in the Duke's outburst, openly hurting her in front of the servants, and their children and grandchildrehere was not a trace ret in the Duke's eyes, only disdain and rage as he looked down on the Duchess.

  "Then stay quiet as you should, and live as you have always done so. Or is it that you're challenging my authority, Duchess?" ［Arsn］

  "N... No... I wouldn't dare to, Yrace." ［Duchess］

  "Then you should have stayed quiet like that in the beginning. Tsk!" ［Arsn］

  The Duchess wao cry from the pain, but she suppressed her emotions as much as she could, not wanting to make matters any worse and agitate her husband even more, and risk even having her children and grandchildren harmed.

  Arsn was already a cruel and greedy man when he was just a t, but now that he holds the position of a Duke, he has beore oppressive and abusive. His words became the w in his house, and those who disobeys will be punished.

  What's even worse, is that it wasn't just him. Some of his children had also strayed down a dark path due to their influeheir oldest grandchild engaged in various crimes like harassment and drugs despite still being a teenager.

  No matter how one looked at it, the House of Schemer was a den of evil which all stemmed from the Duke's greediness. Only the Duchess tried to correct their ways, but even her children looked at her with sful eyes. It was hopeless.

  KNOOOCK

  "Yrace, a quest has e looking for you."

  "Hah?! Who is it at this time?!" ［Arsn］

  "It's Sir Gael, Yrace."

  And just when the Duke's anger was overflowing, a servant came knog on the door and informed him of the arrival of a guest. He was about to throw yet aantrum, only stopping the moment he heard the visitor's name.

  He thought for a while and heaved a lengthy sigh soon after. As if nothing major had just happened, he then started fixing his clothing, then ag calm and posed as if he didn't just sp his wife and ruihe dining table.

  "Bring him to the drawing room, and make sure to serve him the best refreshments. Tell him I will be there in a few minutes." ［Arsn］

  "Is there anything more you wish to add, Yrace."

  "No, that much is enough. Just make sure he's fortable ao all his demands if o. Cater him with the best we have." ［Arsn］

  "Uood, Yrace."

  The servant listeo the Duke's words and after taking note of everything, he then took off to follow the Duke's instrus. As for the Duke, he took a final check to see if his clothing was good enough and patted some dust away.

  He then looked at his wife with arrogant and sful eyes, his gaze then swimming to his children, grandchildren, and the servants, making sure not a single one of them says a single word about what just happened. All were quiet from the pressure.

  "Make sure you all take care of the mess here. I don't want to see even a speck of stain or dust when I e back. Do I make myself clear?" ［Arsn］

  """By your will, Yrace."""

  A final look on the dining room, the Duke clicked his tongue before heading off the dining room and leaving everyoo themselves. Silence sned over the room and a heavy atmosphere loomed all throughout the halls.

  Oer ahe Duke's children and grandchildren soon started heading out of the Dining Hall, mumbling curses and clig their tongues uheir breaths. Most of them didn't even bat the Duchess an eye, passing by without any sympathy.

  Soon, the servants started moving their hands in silence, slowly ing up the hall and making sure the Duke's words were kept true. Otherwise, it would be their blood staining the floors and walls, their heads flying off their bodies.

  "Mother, are you alright? Let's have your face treated. Your cheeks are swollen again... Someone, call a doctor hereー" ［???］

  "No, it's okay... Prioritize the ing up of the Dining Hall first. We don't know when your father will be back. We must avoid another outburst." ［Duchess］

  "... Yes, Mother..." ［???］

  Thankfully, there was still someoo take care of the Duchess. It was the you son of the Duke, and also the only one who grew realizing how cruel and messed up their family situation was. A man who only bears loathing towards his father.

  He wanted his mother to be free of the s which were tying her down and making her suffer, but he owerless, only able to watch her suffer like a broken doll. He hates such a side of him, g his fists in anger as he cursed himself.

  'Please wait a little longer, Mother... I promise to set you free...' ［???］

  Thought the young man as he ched his fists tightly and looked at the figure of his father walking away, a strong fme of determination burning in his heart. He may be powerless on his own, but there was still something he could do about it.

  As for the man who was the subject of his intense loathing, he doesn't even pay them any attention. He tinued walking towards the drawing room, the servants bowing before him as he passed by, not daring to look him in the eyes.

  Before long, he finally arrived at the drawing room, a servant opening up the doors for him. As soon as it ened, he was greeted by a geous gentleman, his green hair fluttering in the wind as he drank a fragrant cup of tea.

  "It has been a while, hasn't it, Sir Gael?" ［Arsn］

  "Yes. It has been a while, indeed, Yrace... Though, it seems you don't look too well? Did something unpleasant perhaps happen?" ［Gael］

  "Tsk! Don't even talk about it! My day has beeremely terrible." ［Arsn］

  The Duke clicked his tongue once again, once again remembering the ses which had transpired throughout the day. However, unlike before when his wife asked him about it, he didn't sh out and simply showed an expression of disdain on his face.

  Following the gentleman's questiohen started retelling the tale of how his day has been starting from his audieo the King up until the unpleasantness in the Dining Hall, twisting his words to turn it greatly into his favor.

  "I see... It seems like His Majesty is quite stubborn..." ［Gael］

  "You say that again. He should be listening to me as his senior. If it wasn't for me, would he be on that thrht now? Am I correct, Sir Gael?" ［Arsn］

  "Yes. You're absolutely correct, Yrace." ［Gael］

  Or so he says, but there was disdain and disappoi hiddeween his words, his ihoughts greatly looking down on the Duke as if he was nothing but a piece of trash worth less than an insignifit worm crawling on the ground.

  With the intelligence of the Duke, there was no way he was able to think up such schemes and aplish what he did on his own. All the strategies and all the moves of the Duke were thought up by a single man... The very same gentleman before him.

  Gael was the mastermind behind the Duke's success and also the mind behind all the operations. If it wasn't for him, not only would the Duke still be a t, he would be amongst the exterminated families who were executed by the current Kung.

  'Haah... What a foolish man... I wonder how he mao survive in high society with the brain of a monkey... It's nothing short of a miracle.' ［Gael］

  As for the identity of the wise gentleman before him, his real identity was "Gaelister til Rofelier", a man who once beloo the Rofelier Visital House, a ruined house which was destroyed by the King's forces during the Civil Warー or so how it went...

  But iy, it was actually Gael who phe fall of his own house, borrowing the power of the Duke to crush it without merd erasing his existence along the records. He was a dead man in the eyes of the world.

  He was a narcissist and perfeist who hated associating himself with those he views as inferior to him, and thus the destru of his house. He also hates associating with the Duke, but there was little he could do about it. He o make use of the fool while he still . All for the sake of his goals.

  "And the worst part is! After my audiehe informants said he met up with some other people for a long time! He was clearly disregarding me!" ［Arsn］

  "Hm? Was he meeting with great people?" ［Gael］

  "What great people?! They were just brats! One of them was a bck-haired young man while the other was a silver-haired woman! An elf at that!" ［Arlsan］

  "Hm? A bck-haired man and a silver-haired elf...?" ［Gael］

  The Duke has been mumbling nonsense for a while, but finally, he spoke of some words iing to Gael. The tter faintly remembers such familiar descriptiing in his ears, only a pair of figures ing to mind.

  Just this m, he heard a report about twn S-rank Adventurers which suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They were also still youths as the Duke has mentioned, ing out to be Heroes in another ti after further iigation.

  'No... That shouldn't be possible...' ［Gael］

  However, Gael quickly dismissed the thought. Even if they're S-rankers, the distaweeofar and the Royal Capital is over a thousand kilometers. Even with their speed, it shouldn't have been possible to cross the gap in just half a day.

  Moreover, if such great figures had ehe Royal Capital, it would have reached his ears by now and they wouldn't be able to have an audieh the King without any prior notio matter how he thinks about it, it was very unlikely.

  "Well, enough about those pests. How is the project going?" ［Arsn］

  "It's been going great, Yrace. There's still some materials g, but we should be able to finish it without any problems." ［Gael］

  "Finally, some good news. Just tell me if you need anything. I'll make sure to provide all the funds and materials needed. I have already tasked some people t us fresh ingredients. They should arrive sooner or ter." ［Arsn］

  "Oh! As expected of Yrace. You really are fantastic!" ［Gael］

  "Of course, I am! After all, once all this is over, I will be the Kingー No, I will be the Emperor of Vartes! I will be the most powerful in the world! Kuhahaha!" ［Arsn］

  The Duke opened his mouth and busted out a maniacal ughter which reverberated throughout the drawing room. His ughter even pierced through the walls, the Duke seeming to announce his malevolent pn to the world.

  It was annoying to put up with his arrogand how stuck up he was, but Gael still maintained a friendly smile, even appuding the Duke to ftter him. Once he is done using him, he'll make sure to dispose of him as well.

  'That's right, ugh while you still , fool... Let's see how long you'll st..." ［Gael］

  However, now was still not the time for it. Though he was stupid and insufferable, there was still some use for him. It was only a matter of time, after all. He might as well enjoy seeing the stupid Duke dan the palm of his hands. It was eaining.

  "ht, Yrace, I brought something for you." ［Gael］

  "Hm? A present? That's unusual of you." ［Arsn］

  "Hahaha. Well... Let's just say it's a special occasion." ［Gael］

  Said the narcissistitleman as he took out something from his ste ring. It was a small box which looked ungingly simir to that boxes. It looked quite simple to be a present for a Duke, but strangely enough, the tter wasn't angry.

  The Duke didn't hesitate and received the present, opening it soon after. As soon as he did, his eyes were attracted by the little present stored inside, his eyes scrutinizing it carefully. A dark and ominous smile soon bloomed on his face.

  "Kukuku... You never disappoint me, Sir Gael." ［Arsn］

  "It's my greatest pleasure, Yrace." ［Gael］

  The evil gentleman bowed his head as the Duke praised him, an even more ominous glint glimmering inside his eyes. There was no trace of light nor warmth in his eyes, just like a cold and stormy night during the harsh and deadly winters.

  Whilst the Duke tio dwell about his fasation with the little present Gael gave him, the tter shifted his eyes towards the window, his eyes gazing subtly on the waxing moon. A smile bloomed on his face.

  ...

  Eyes shifted left and right, jumping from word to word and from senteo sentence as they read through several dozen pages and a mountain of dots. There were reports, ats, and ledgers, several figures going through them at the same time.

  There was only a gloomy and deafening silening in the air, the cold nightly breeze whispering in their ears. Some ched their hands, some gritted their teeth, and some had rage boiling in their eyes, hearts in chaos as they read the papers.

  "Your Majesty... Are all these reports true...?" ［???］

  "I have yet to ascertain that fact, thia. However, Archduke Grey and Archduchess Yuna had no reason to lie to us. And... With ho their eyes were before, I don't think that is the case either." ［Philip］

  "I see... I see...! Duke Schemer, that damn son of a b*tch!" ［thia］

  One of the figures finally snapped, her voice sweeping through the room along with her aura, washing away the ess of the night and turning the once eerie sileo a cacophony of rumbles as her aura raged on like a storm.

  Her name was thia til Shaleburg, the current General of the Kingdom and also an S-ranker hailed as the stro in Aldengard. She erson who had dedicated her whole life serving the Royal Family and the heroine of the Civil War.

  With the sudden outburst of her aura, not eve. Generals, the Captain of the Royal Guards, or the King who were also High-Rankers remained fortable, their hearts swallowed in fear. Much less the weaker Ministers and Officials.

  "thia, calm yourself. Are you pnning on taking out everyone here?" ［Philip］

  "... I apologize for the sudden outburst, Your Majesty." ［thia］

  "No, it's alright... It's not like we don't uand you anyway." ［Philip］

  It was a little painful, but not a single one of the people present bore rese or wrath towards the General. They all felt the same rage the General felt, all of them speechless from how terrible the reports were, especially the number of victims.

  "The people who gave these reports... we trust them, Your Majesty." ［???］

  Only one person remained calm, doubting the reportsー no, rather than doubting, it would be more appropriate to say that he was being cautious. He was Ferdinand til Larsmede, the Prime Minister and right hand of the King.

  To his question, the King didn't answer him immediately. Rather, he looked at the Captain of the Royal Guards by his side, asking him to speak up for the two. He soon opened his mouth, body still trembling ever so slightly.

  "Your Honor, it's not a matter of whether we trust the two of them or not... We have no other choice but to trust them." ［Dougs］

  "What do you mean by that, Sir Cavidel?" ［Ferdinand］

  "I know this might sound io you here... But I swear this on my Honor as a knight... But those two... Lrey and Lady Yuna... Are Camity-Css Rankers. They are not people we touch." ［Dougs］

  The Captain of the Royal Guards remained calm as he spoke of such words, but the same couldn't be said for the others present in the room. All of them were shocked, their eyes widening in surprise and their jaws dropping from speechlessness.

  Eight... Such was the official number of Transdents in the whole world. Of which 2 were Disaster-Css Rankers, and the remaining 6 were Camity-Css Rankers. To say that 2 more were suddenly added to the ranks out of nowhere... It was absurd...

  "Dougs... Let's say that what you say is true and that they really are Camity-Css Rankers... How do you think I would fare against them?" ［thia］

  "... That... Even if the General were to use the Kingdom's treasured spear... I don't think you would stand a ce agaiher of them..." ［Dougs］

  "I see... So we really have no other choice, huh..." ［thia］

  "I'm sorry..." ［Dougs］

  It was useless dwelling on it any longer. With the Captain of the Royal Guards' stern remarks, they couldn't just deny them any longer. After all, they could easily destroy the Kingdom if they want. There was no need for them to lie and take a roundabout,

  "ht. If I remember correctly, there should be aem present in the ring. Theyninstructed to look at them st." ［Philip］

  Shifting the topiething else, the King then opehe st item ihe ste ring Grey gave him. There y a box, and i was a curious bunch of items whieither one of them had ever seen before.

  One rojectrey made along the camera, the other was a bunch of films which were beled with numbers, there were also some mana crystals, and stly, was a letter with a long list of instrus written on it.

  The King didn't ask any questions and quickly read aloud through the letter that Grey wrote. From the expnation about the items, how to use them, and the order in which they must watch the films Grey had provided them.

  "A... Amazing... I've never seen anything like this before...!"

  "Is this a eology in Alfriohis is revolutionary!"

  "No, I don't think that's the case. Didn't the letter say it was their iion?"

  The projector was ok turned on and the first film yed, everyone's i soon grabbed by the genius of Grey's iion. Everyone was greatly astonished, all in a cmor as they became curious of the projector and the video films.

  The first video film to py was the interrogation of Vist Hameln, starting from the moment he went out of his secret room all the way to the parts where he answered Grey's questions whilst trembling like a wet kitten in the rain.

  "H... How surreal... There's no doubt about it... That is Vist Hameln..."

  "Isn't this suffit proof already? He's already fessed to all his crimes!"

  "Calm down. That's just true for Vist Hameln. Duke Schemer is another matter."

  Everyone was still amazed whilst they watched the video, however, such amazement did not st for too long. As soon as they pyed the clips, everyone immediately turned silent, the atmosphere turning a plete 180.

  From the prisons hidden uhe Vist's mansion, the prison cells which were stained with blood, the dead corpses and skeletons that piled up until they are taller than people, and the prisoners whose bodies were traced with abuse, some even losing limbs and other parts of their bodies.

  Grey and Yuna had already rescued and healed those they could, but many of them already lost the light in their eyes, their minds as even more broken thahin and fragile bodies, uo cry even after they were freed.

  It wasn't just uhe lord's mansion, but the same ses also occurred in the several hideouts Grey and Yuna raided and eradicated oer another, a few thousand victims suffering under such circumstances.

  "This is...?!" ［thia］

  But perhaps the worst part was the clip where Grey and Yuna withe actual ritual where they killed their victims and "sacrificed" them for reasons unknown. Not just adults, but even i children were killed, their cold blood dyeing the floor.

  "These worthless scums! How dare they do this to our people?!"

  "This is unfivable, Your Majesty! We must take amediately!"

  "Your Majesty! Please permit me to uhe my sword! I promise t you those repulsive bastards' heads!"

  An uproar e and hatred stormed all throughout the room, ive emotions swirling ihe hearts of everyone in the room, uo trol their anger as they withe despicable and unfivable crimes their enemies had itted.

  Only one person remained silent, but he was the one who felt the most upset. It was her than the King who is not angry at the enemies, but to his worthless self as well. He was supposed to protect his people, yet he couldn't even protect the hopes of his beloved subject. Thousands already dead.

  BOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM

  He ched his fist and struck the table with all his might. A long crack streamed across it, breaking it in half aing a burst of winds sweep forth the meeting room. Everyone quickly turned silent, their eyes all on their King.

  "Dougs... Bring Lrey and Lady Yuna here immediately. I have already made up my mind... We'll destroy those bastards...!!" ［Philip］

  There was nothing more to say, everyone sharing the same se as their King. He was quite relut to receive help from them at first, but it was not the time to dwell oher they were outsiders or not.

  The night went on and the cold breeze tio sweep throughout the Royal Castle. The gentle silver moonlight shohrough the gss windows, refleg on the orbs of sapphire as locks of silver fluttered in the air.

  "Looks like we'll be busy again, Yuna." ［Grey］

  "... Un..." ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 421 END