章 30: You came

It has to be The Duchess.

No one else can get their hands on an expensive, A-grade paralyzing poison. F**k it! First, you poison Valac then you poison his mother. If anyone is the villain… that's her!

"Master Valac, the Subjugation team is waiting for you to leave." Valac clenched his fist as Xavier spoke. "If you delay the departure any further you might not be able to make it back in time for the heir selection ceremony."

"Tell them to wa-"

—

[Quest Alert: Subjugation]

Details : A villain must put his tasks first before anyone's lives. Go on Subjugation before confronting The Duchess about poisoning Lady Darina.

Reward: Mana Paths unlocked, A guide to make Mana circles.

Punishment : Any time you're near an NPC, you can only speak the truth. If you dare lie, you'll die.

—

F**k you, system.

"My Lord?" Valac took a deep breath, letting the air steady his simmering anger. He had to focus on his mission.

The Duke's investigations will be carried out anyway. Right now, it's best to complete the subjugation. I'll get some antidote for mother too.

Valac strode down the corridor and out toward the castle gates.

The clanging of armor and the murmurs of the waiting knights echoed as he approached. They lined up in formation, their heads bowed respectfully.

"Master Valac." Captain Cedric's voice rang out, his posture straight as he inclined his head.

But Valac barely spared him a glance. His eyes were fixed on a group just outside the gates… Nico and his mercenaries.

He really came. Thank god.

Nico, with his rugged smile and laid-back swagger, waited with arms crossed, seemingly unaffected by the knights glaring at him and his group.

Ignoring the knights completely, Valac pushed past Cedric, causing the man to shift uncomfortably in surprise.

"Master Valac, we're prepared to leave at your command," Cedric called out, his tone trying to hold authority. He straightened, his armor clinking as he and his men remained in their bow, holding their posture in rigid respect.

Valac halted mid-step, letting the silence stretch between them, feeling the weight of his impatience settle over the soldiers.

One of the younger knights, perhaps feeling the awkwardness or annoyed by the lack of acknowledgment, muttered, "Master Valac, this isn't proper—"

Valac turned sharply, his eyes flashing with a fierce glare. "Speak out of line one more time," he said, voice a deadly calm, "and I'll leave you here to explain why you were left behind to the Duke, got it? I haven't forgotten your insolence on the training grounds yet."

The young knight's face went pale, his mouth snapping shut as he averted his gaze.

Silence, Valac thought, nodding in satisfaction. Good. Needed to take out my anger on someone.

With that, he stepped through the castle gates, heading directly for Nico, who grinned as he approached as he bowed his head in a mocking gesture, earning a smirk from Valac.

"You came, Leitzier," Valac greeted, crossing his arms.

"I didn't want to," Nico replied, glancing up with a chuckle. "Ixia gave me an earful and kicked me out."

Valac's lips twitched. "It's nice to have a little sister, huh."

He looked over Nico's team of mercenaries, a rough-looking bunch with various scars and gear that bore the wear of countless battles. They weren't polished like Cedric's knights but had a friendly aura.

"Ready?" Valac asked, his tone hardening.

Nico's grin widened as he gestured to his men. "As always, Noctis."

"Good." Valac glanced back at his team, letting his gaze linger on Captain Cedric, who remained in his bow along with the knights, muscles tense with barely concealed frustration.

"We're moving out in formation. Everyone merge, if you see anything suspicious… follow your instincts. No one is allowed to die for any reason."

"Got it." Nico's gaze sharpened, and he motioned to his men to merge with the knights. The mercenaries grunted while the knights murmured among themselves but yielded.

"Master Valac, we were enough to handle the Subjugation. It is only for formality so you can attend the heir selection ceremony. Why would you get mercenaries?" Cedric interrupted as he eyes Nico.

"As far as I'm concerned, Captain Cedric. I was allowed by the Duke that I can bring mercenaries if I wished. Plus, I have some personal business in the Shadow Forest. I don't plan to use the Duke's men for it. Are your doubts satisfied?"

Cedric's jaw tightened, but he nodded, visibly struggling to hold back any further protest. "Understood, Master Valac," he replied, though his voice betrayed a touch of resentment.

It is so clear the Captain doesn't trust Nico's crew. He's probably looking down on mercenaries as undisciplined and unreliable and unruly.

"Good. You all can stop bowing," Valac replied, letting a hint of his irritation seep into his voice as he turned back to Nico.

Nico gave a low chuckle. "You got the key. Right?" he muttered, making Valac roll his eyes but crack a small smirk.

"Obvious-" Before Valac could finish his words, something hit his chest knocking him back a little, however he could still stand.

"Kyu!"

The little dragon rubbed his face on Valac's chest as Valac stared at it with loving eyes.

"Are you okay? Did 'it' relapse?"

"No. No. I'm fine. GET ON YOUR HORSES, EVERYONE! WE WILL DEPARTURE, NOW!"

Valac watched his troops shuffle into position, their expressions a mix of nervousness as they prepared to leave.

Valac got on his horse as Nico, Captain Cedric and him marched forward, leading the rest.

The Shadow Forest wasn't a place anyone could enter without Duke's permission.

The sole reason for it was it was a place abundant in dark mana. However, since no one had been to the heart of the forest. They never knew it was abundant in divine mana. It was also where the Moonlit Cavern was located. A cave whose outer part was filled with elves and the inner part had dwarves who made equipments.

The key to the cave was stolen by a beast which was later hunted locking both dwarves and elves in the cavern. And, since no one could make it to the heart of the forest alive. It began to be auctioned in the black markets.

It's surprising it ended up in mere bandit's hands considering the church was after it.

Cedric's voice brought Valac out of his thoughts.

"Master Valac, we are about to enter The Shadow Forest."

Hah… Let's get it over with.