My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 163

§ 163. Confrontation (1)

After leaving the secret archive, Cyan headed straight for Conrad’s office.

Arriving at Conrad’s office, he was met with disappointing news.

“His Highness left a little while ago,” the chief attendant informed him.

Apparently, Conrad had grown tired of waiting for Cyan and decided to wait outside the Imperial Palace.

‘Was I in the secret archive for that long?’ Cyan wondered.

He had been so engrossed in reading Kyle’s memoirs that he lost track of time.

Cyan chuckled awkwardly and immediately turned around.

As he walked through the corridors of the Imperial Palace, he noticed the increased attention.

Bowing.

The people he encountered in the Imperial Palace bowed to Cyan.

Not only the employees of the Imperial Palace, but also the interior officials, scribes, and others showed their respect.

Even those with quite high positions bowed when they encountered Cyan.

“We greet Count Cyan,” they would say.

With the words, “We greet Count Cyan.”

“Salute!”

Even the Royal Knights saluted Cyan when they encountered him.

Each time, Cyan nodded with a bewildered expression.

‘I can’t get used to it,’ he thought.

He used to be ignored as the Scoundrel of the Marquisate.

These reactions were really hard to get used to.

But now he had to get used to it.

Cyan walked through the corridors of the Imperial Palace, receiving greetings from everyone he met.

Before long, Cyan was able to reach the main gate of the Imperial Palace.

Just as he was about to step out of the Imperial Palace.

“Young Master Cyan.”

A voice calling out to Cyan was heard from somewhere.

Cyan paused for a moment.

And without seeing the face, Cyan could tell who it was.

The title itself was not Count Cyan, but Young Master.

The only person in the Imperial Palace who called Cyan ‘Young Master’ was one person.

Turning his head, as expected.

A knight with a stern impression.

Aron, the leader of the White Wolf Knights, was slowly approaching Cyan.

Aron, who had been assigned by Durak to act as Cyan’s bodyguard and surveillance.

Judging by the atmosphere…

Aron seemed to have been looking for Cyan all along.

But he couldn’t find him because Cyan was in the secret archive.

Aron quickly stood in front of Cyan and said.

“It seems we must return to the family immediately.”

Cyan stared at Aron.

Their eyes met.

Cyan spat out a word.

“I don’t think that will work.”

Aron’s expression instantly hardened.

Cyan stared at Aron without saying anything, and a brief silence fell between them.

And after a moment.

Aron’s aura suddenly changed.

Tsutsutsutsu─!

At the same time, a chilling aura rose from Aron.

The firm aura conveyed Aron’s will to use force if Cyan did not obey his words immediately.

The aura poured down on Cyan, and an unimaginable murderous intent washed over him.

A terrible suppressive force that constricted his entire body dug into his senses and threatened him with death.

The aura emitted by a Master [a highly skilled martial artist].

It resembled the Fear possessed by the top predators.

An instinctive fear that made prey cringe in terror.

Ordinary people would have been overwhelmed by this aura and unable to do anything.

But.

“What are you doing?”

Cyan was not suppressed by the aura.

“······!”

Aron’s eyes widened at Cyan’s calm words.

That was because Cyan could never have acted like this before.

The gap between Cyan and Aron was vast.

Aron was a mid-level Master.

No matter how much Cyan was no longer an incompetent person, he was not at the level of a Master.

Therefore, he could not simply ignore the aura of a Master.

He could never have shown such an indifferent reaction.

There was only one way this could be possible.

‘No way,’ Aron thought, dismissing the idea.

That was absolutely impossible.

It could never happen.

Aron raised his aura even more.

“You must return to the family immediately.”

At the same time, he took a step towards Cyan.

The aura grew stronger and the pressure intensified.

Just then.

“Stop.”

A low voice cut through Aron’s aura.

Looking towards the source of the voice.

There stood two knights.

Faces he remembered.

Yale, the commander of the Royal Knights 2nd Division.

Philip, the commander of the Royal Knights 3rd Division.

The commanders of the Royal Knights who guarded the Imperial Palace.

The two were glaring at Aron with cold eyes.

Soon, the two raised their auras towards Aron.

Both were knights reaching the mid-level of Master.

Aron’s aura was suppressed and subsided in an instant by the aura of the two Masters.

Aron slowly turned his gaze and looked at Yale and Philip.

“This is an Elan Dure matter.”

Aron finished his words and turned his gaze back.

In short, it meant not to interfere in a family affair.

Of course, it was not good for outsiders to interfere in family affairs.

Moreover, if the family affair was Elan Dure, one should not interfere even more.

But.

“I have no intention of interfering in the affairs of Elan Dure. But have you forgotten that this is the Imperial Palace, Aron?”

The place was not good.

No matter how much it was Elan Dure, causing a disturbance in the Imperial Palace could not be tolerated.

Therefore, it was right for Aron to step down.

“I only wish to take the Young Master. So, as you said, do not interfere.”

Aron did not back down.

Even though it was an act that could be charged with disturbing the Imperial Palace, Aron was firm.

This matter could not be easily overlooked.

Cyan had to be returned to the family no matter what.

Of course, Aron knew that this action would be a problem.

No matter how much it was Elan Dure, causing a disturbance in the Imperial Palace was not tolerated.

However, that was a matter for later.

Now, Cyan had to be taken back to the family no matter what.

Aron did not give in to the pressure of the Royal Knights.

But.

“I was wondering why you were so late…”

Aron had no choice but to change his mind at the voice that followed.

Aron turned his gaze in the direction of the voice.

There, a man with golden hair resembling sunlight.

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The second-in-command of the Empire. Crown Prince Conrad was standing there.

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

At Conrad’s appearance, Aron hurriedly bowed his head.

Conrad, without paying attention to Aron, went straight to Cyan.

“What on earth are you doing here?”

Then, he said to Cyan with a scolding expression.

“How can you be so late when we agreed to go to Ruben together?”

Ruben? Go together?

Aron could not understand Conrad’s words.

He was wondering what was going on.

Cyan said to Conrad with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. Aron is insisting that I have to return to the family…”

Only then did Conrad look at Aron at Cyan’s answer.

“You have to take Cyan back to the family?”

“… That is correct.”

Aron slowly nodded his head.

Then Conrad said with a strange expression.

“What authority do you have?”

“Of course…”

“Cyan is no longer a member of the Elan Dure family.”

Aron was momentarily speechless.

What he said was… not wrong.

Now that Cyan had been granted the title of Count.

Cyan could no longer be said to be a member of Elan Dure.

“And even if that’s not the case, it’s a bit of a difficult situation.”

Conrad continued with a troubled expression.

“We have already completed all the preparations to go to Ruben. To have to take Cyan back to the family…”

At Conrad’s words, Aron calmly looked around.

And he realized how the situation was unfolding.

The unusually bustling outside the Imperial Palace.

And the Crown Prince’s words that he had finished preparing to go to Ruben.

So, Cyan had decided to go to Ruben with the Crown Prince…?

No wonder.

He wondered why Yale and Philip, who were the commanders of the Royal Knights, were in one place.

“It was something Cyan had promised my sister a long time ago.”

Conrad’s sister was none other than the Princess.

That meant.

Not only the Crown Prince, but also the Princess was going to Ruben together…?

“What is that…?”

Aron looked at Conrad without realizing it.

“Are you saying that the host is going to be away when guests are coming?”

“……”

Aron was momentarily speechless at Conrad’s words.

“Even for the affairs of another family?”

What on earth was he saying!

According to Conrad, the Crown Prince and Princess were coming as guests.

But the host was going to be away?

Moreover, the reason was the order of the head of the family who was now a different family?

This did not make sense.

No matter what Durak’s orders were.

He had to drop everything and attend to the Crown Prince’s visit.

It was even more so if the Princess was visiting together.

No matter what words he said, it was just an excuse.

Nevertheless, Durak’s orders were absolute.

He had to take Cyan back to the family no matter what.

But how…?

Should he use force to drag him away?

Of course, he was thinking of doing so if necessary.

But now that the situation had become like this, he had no choice but to put that thought aside.

“Do you know how long Elena and I have been waiting? Let’s get going quickly.”

The moment the Crown Prince and Princess were involved, using force was no different from treason!

If he took action, he would have to defy the Crown Prince.

But if he stayed still, he would be defying Durak’s orders.

Aron could not do either.

At that moment.

“That’s what I was saying.”

Cyan’s voice was suddenly heard.

“Didn’t I say it wouldn’t work?”

Aron really couldn’t say anything.

#

The Dark Forest where Ruben was located.

“The head of the family has ordered you to bring Young Master Cyan as soon as possible.”

Aron was able to meet the express messenger who had come from the Marquisate in front of him.

Apparently, the family had sent an express messenger because Cyan’s return was delayed.

“……”

But Aron had nothing to say.

That was because of the sight in front of him.

“A little further and we’ll be in Ruben.”

“To think there’s a territory in a place like this… It’s quite amazing.”

Two golden-haired men chatting lightly.

They were none other than Cyan and the Crown Prince, Conrad.

“By the way, is that ghost still…?”

And a woman chiming in next to him.

This woman was no less than the Empire’s Princess.

And the purpose was none other than visiting Ruben.

What on earth could he say to them!

“What… should we do, Commander?”

The White Wolf Knight continued.

What should he do!

In Elan Dure, Durak’s orders were absolute.

Therefore, he had to follow the orders no matter what.

But if he followed the orders, he would have to defy the Crown Prince’s orders.

Durak’s orders were bullshit.

No matter how much it was Durak’s orders, there was a time and place for everything!

It would have been different if Durak had come in person and met with the Crown Prince.

No matter how much it was the Crown Prince, things would have been different if Durak had come in person.

But there was nothing Aron could do now.

All Aron could do was follow along.

Under the pretext of escorting Cyan.

And now, after leaving the Imperial Palace.

He was already stepping into the Dark Forest area.

In short, he would be arriving in Ruben soon.

Was it right to let Cyan enter Ruben like this?

Should he step up and be forceful now?

So, should he commit treason?

Or should he defy Durak’s orders?

What on earth was he supposed to do?

Aron was deeply troubled.

“For now… let’s keep following.”

This was all Aron could do.

#

The Dark Forest was a region located in the eastern part of the Empire, and as the name suggested, it was a forest filled with darkness.

Not many people knew, but it was a land that had been corrupted since the final battle with the demons a thousand years ago.

Because of this, the Dark Forest was filled with magical energy and was a dark land where demons were occasionally summoned.

Therefore, the Empire had been constantly trying to conquer this land for a long time.

If left as it was, it would surely become a threat to the Empire.

However, the result was the Dark Forest as it was now.

The Empire repeatedly failed to conquer the Dark Forest.

In the end, they gave up on conquering the Dark Forest.

The Empire designated the Dark Forest as a forbidden area.

Since then, it was a land that no one visited.

In this way, the Dark Forest was abandoned and forgotten by people.

Only a few people lived their lives here.

And now.

Cyan moved forward without hesitation.

The scenery of the forest swallowed by darkness was reflected in front of his eyes.

Even though the sun had not yet set.

It was as if the abyss was opening its jaws.

It was impossible to imagine that people were living there.

“Is there really… a territory in this place?”

As expected, a voice of doubt was heard.

Looking towards the source of the voice.

There, Conrad was making a nervous expression.

Well, it was an understandable reaction.

The magical energy felt throughout the Dark Forest right now.

The ominousness felt in this magical energy was not the kind that could be felt anywhere else.

Cyan was used to handling magic from the beginning.

Now, it was so familiar that it was even endearing.

But Conrad and the Royal Knights were not.

As expected, not only the Royal Knights.

Aron and the White Wolf Knights who followed Cyan also seemed quite nervous.

Cyan fixed his gaze for a moment and looked at Aron.

By now, Durak’s orders should have been delivered.

But Aron did not show any particular action.

Thinking about it, it was a natural course of events.

‘Well, what are you going to do?’

The Crown Prince and Princess were coming, so what could a mere knight do?

Of course, a mid-level Master and the commander of the White Wolf Knights could not be called ‘mere’.

But in front of the Crown Prince and Princess, they were mere.

Cyan chuckled inwardly.

“Is that why you dragged me in?”

The voice was heard at that moment.

Looking towards the source of the voice, Elena was glaring at Cyan.

And perhaps because she had experienced Ruben once.

Unlike Conrad, Elena did not seem to be nervous.

“What are you talking about?”

“The White Wolf Knights. Aren’t you using me as a shield?”

“Of course not. I’m not that unscrupulous.”

Cyan replied with an expression that said he wasn’t at all.

“I knew it. The Young Master offered to help me first.”

But Elena didn’t seem to believe it much.

And well, she didn’t seem to care much.

“Anyway…”

Elena then made a slightly nervous expression.

Elena, who hadn’t been nervous even at the magical energy emitted by the Dark Forest.

Elena opened her mouth with a slightly fearful expression.

“By any chance, is that ghost… still there?”

Only then did Cyan realize why Elena was nervous.

The ghost Elena was talking about was none other than Leia.

Leia was Charlotte’s younger sister and Elena’s long-time ancestor.

And when Elena visited Ruben last time.

Elena had been, let’s say, ‘tormented’ by Leia.

Well, at first, Elena naturally didn’t believe in Leia’s existence.

So, she didn’t believe that Leia was Charlotte’s younger sister, her long-time ancestor.

‘So what did Leia say back then?’

She seemed to have said something about a secret room in the Imperial Palace.

He didn’t listen with much interest, so he didn’t remember well.

Anyway.

“It is there…”

Of course, Leia was in Ruben.

Therefore, it was a natural fact that the two would meet again.

‘Wait. Come to think of it…’

As his thoughts flowed to this point, a question naturally arose.

None other than the golden-haired man sweating next to him.

Crown Prince Conrad didn’t know anything.

The current Elena seemed to acknowledge to some extent that Leia was Charlotte’s younger sister.

But Conrad didn’t.

Conrad didn’t even know of Leia’s existence.

And like Elena, Conrad was also a distant descendant of Leia.

‘Even if it’s not like the Princess, she won’t treat him like a Crown Prince…’

Leia, who called even the current Emperor a nobody.

He couldn’t tell Leia to be polite.

Anyway, he was a distant descendant.

Frankly speaking, Conrad had to be polite to Leia.

‘What should I say to His Highness to explain this…?’

No, even if I explain it, would Conrad believe it?

Why could he already see the scenery of Ruben becoming a mess?

‘Damn it…’

His head was already throbbing.

It was good to have shut Aron up…

His worries deepened.

‘…… Ah, I don’t know.’

Cyan quickly shook off his thoughts.

There was nothing that would change even if he worried.

The scenery of Ruben that could be seen far away.

It was too late to worry now.

‘It’ll work out somehow.’

Cyan continued to move forward.

#

In this way, the scenery of Ruben became closer.

In an instant, the back of Cyan was greatly agitated.

“What, what is that…?”

At the same time, Conrad’s voice was heard.

As expected, Conrad was staring at the scenery of Ruben with his eyes wide open.

It wasn’t just Conrad.

All the Royal Knights who followed were also making surprised eyes.

Well, that was because the sight they were seeing.

So, the appearance of Ruben that they faced up close.

It was impossible to see it as an ordinary territory.

First of all, ‘You can’t pass! Titanium Wall! Lv.7′ firmly surrounded Ruben.

Even Elena, who didn’t know anything, looked extraordinary.

No, it wasn’t just extraordinary, it was crazy.

In addition, the abyss moat Lv.7 with an unknown depth around it.

Even the Heavenly Watchtower Lv.7, which didn’t seem to have any blind spots.

“That, that’s Ruben…?”

Perhaps because of that, Elena was also opening her eyes wide.

It was a different appearance from the Ruben she had seen last time.

To have achieved this level of development in that short period of time?

No, this wasn’t just a level of development.

The territory itself had been completely transformed.

“Oh my goodness…!”

The shock Elena received was even greater.

The current Ruben was comparable to the Empire’s capital, Darkhan.

No, it was the opposite.

Darkhan couldn’t even be compared!

“Good heavens…!”

“How can this be…!”

The eyes of everyone, including Conrad and Elena, widened.

And.

“Oh!”

Cyan also exclaimed at Ruben’s figure.

That was because it was the first time Cyan had seen it too.

He had directly spent money with Elan Dure’s budget, but it was the first time he had seen the results.

And after confirming the results directly.

“As expected, spending money is spending money.”

The investment was not a waste at all.

Of course, it was a word that could be said because it wasn’t Cyan’s money.

Anyway.

“Let’s go.”

Cyan confidently took a step forward.

Was it because he was seeing Ruben’s appearance after a long time?

Or was it because of the satisfaction of spending money with someone else’s money?

His steps felt lighter.

But.

“Go back!”

That feeling was only temporary.

In an instant, an angry shout pierced Cyan’s ears.

“We will not follow any orders other than those of Lord Cyan!”

The shout was heard again.

The shout was coming from inside Ruben.

And it was a voice that was quite familiar to Cyan.

“Lucas…?”

Lucas, who was serving as the captain of the guards of Ruben.

This shout that echoed loudly was clearly Lucas’.

Cyan stopped walking without realizing it.

And he narrowed his eyes and looked closely at Ruben.

The magnificent figure of Ruben, which had been transformed by spending money.

A group of people were gathered in front of it.

Were the territory residents coming out to greet him…? But that wasn’t it.

That was because they were all heavily armed.

Were they the knights or soldiers of Ruben…? But that wasn’t it either.

That was because they were all wearing white armor.

White armor like the snow of the snowfield.

But the armor supplied to Ruben’s knights and soldiers was all black.

So they weren’t the people of Ruben.

Decisively, there was a being standing in front of those people.

A figure that was familiar and unfamiliar.

The eldest son of the Elan Dure family and Cyan’s eldest brother.

“Kai…?”

Kai Elan Dure was standing there.