Chapter 247
Shadows Unveiled
At that moment, Hans’s face was etched with tension. The revelation from Theo about the day Lady Beowulf, the Duchess, had met her tragic end weighed heavily on him.
Hans had always believed that Theo was responsible for harming the Duchess. It was the logical conclusion. Witnesses who had seen the gruesome scene pointed fingers at Theo as the murderer. His hands were stained with the Duchess’s blood, and the damning evidence was impossible to ignore.
When questioned, Theo had muttered about his mother’s death, hinting at his guilt. The garden, where the incident occurred, held no other traces of anyone else. Only Theo and the Duchess had been present.
Duke Beowulf, who had loved his wife dearly, erupted in a rage never before witnessed. He promptly imprisoned Theo, convinced of his guilt. But a few days later, Theo managed to deceive countless guards, knights, and even the Rangers, escaping from captivity.
Now, with the additional information from Lorena:
Theo, now affiliated with a mysterious revolutionary group, had committed the heinous act against the Duchess and escaped with their assistance.
However, there was a twist.
“…You broke out of prison for revenge?” Hans asked, incredulous.
The story Theo recounted was entirely different. In the garden, where only he and the Duchess were known to be, there was another presence—an enigmatic figure. This unknown person had suddenly attacked Theo, intent on taking his life. The Duchess, with no time to summon the knights, had shielded Theo from the assault.
When his mother was injured, Theo had retrieved a pair of shears from her gardening belt and defended himself. In that moment, the mysterious assailant vanished.
“But there was someone else there… The garden was guarded by the White Dragon Knights, wasn’t it?” Hans furrowed his brow, puzzled.
The White Dragon Knights were renowned even in the Cabalran Empire. They wouldn’t have allowed an unidentified intruder to enter without a struggle. And if there had been a conflict, other knights would have known.
“Chiljejong.”
“…Chiljejong?”
Theo’s lips twisted. The intensity emanating from him revealed something deeper.
“Could that mysterious assailant be Chiljejong?” Hans blurted out.
“Indeed. That’s what I heard from the Revolutionary Army’s supreme commander—the one who facilitated Theo’s escape.”
Hans widened his eyes. “Then why keep it from the family? Even if the Duke was angry, did you think she’d dismiss such crucial information?”
If Theo had revealed this, the past might have unfolded differently. Duke Beowulf would have rallied his forces to find the true culprit, and perhaps their family wouldn’t be so fractured now.
“Theo,” Hans said, his voice urgent.
Theo abruptly turned his head.
Through the mist-shrouded air, a figure emerged, and both Theo and Hans stared, their eyes widening as if about to tear apart.
* * *
Yan observed the approaching Vila with a hidden smirk. “Still keeping an eye on me, I see.”
If not, there was no way Vila would have found him so early in the morning. Moreover, Vila’s face flushed with embarrassment, as if his words had been ignored.
“You promised not to harm our tribespeople when you entered here,” Vila reminded him sternly.
“But it was your tribe who attacked first,” Yan retorted. “I merely defended myself.”
“What?”
“I’m not as kind as to stand still and take a hit.”
Vila’s glare intensified, and he shouted, “Sidion!”
Sidion, who had attacked Yan moments ago, stood up. His expression remained defiant.
“Yes, Chief.”
“I explicitly warned you not to reject outsiders. Even if I’m the chief, this is unprecedented!”
Vila’s frustration was evident, but he explained the events that had unfolded. He had no choice but to attack Yan, who had ignored the warning about this forbidden place.
And then there was more.
“Chief, surely you know what this place is. How can we allow outsiders to tread where our ancestors rest? Even we, except for the Lady of the Shrine, dare not set foot here.”
Vila closed his eyes. The cave’s interior was a sacred realm, accessible only to those recognized as great warriors by their ancestors.
Yan recalled Sidion’s earlier words. “Chiljejong?”
“Yes, that’s what the Revolutionary Army’s supreme commander told me. Theo, affiliated with the revolutionaries, committed the crime against the Duchess and escaped with their help.”
Yan accepted part of Vila’s explanation. Breaking conventions was not uncommon. Even the Eastern Duke, a pillar of the empire, had secretly become a revolutionary strategist.
“But…” Yan hesitated. “What if the Lady is Chiljejong?”
Vila chuckled, shaking his head. “Impossible. She resides here and possesses no magical abilities. Her presence cannot deceive my eyes.”
Though Vila seemed certain, Yan remained skeptical. Extraordinary events often defied common sense.
As they ventured deeper, the mana concentration thickened. The cave’s walls glowed with luminescent jade, and Yan marveled at the enchanting atmosphere.
“This is the Warrior’s Spring,” Vila explained. “Only revered ancestors and great warriors can rest here.”
Yan wondered if consuming the spring’s essence might grant power. But the potency was dangerous—too much could lead to madness.
“Perhaps Monmon or Isaac could create something with this,” Yan mused.
Ahead stood a small hut and a massive spring containing mana-infused water. Vila’s pride was evident.
Then the door opened, revealing a woman in a delicate gown. Unlike the others, she bore no markings on her skin.
“Long time no see, Lady,” Vila greeted her.
“Why venture this far inside?” the Lady asked. “Even as Chief, you shouldn’t enter unless it’s an emergency.”
Her gaze shifted to Yan. “And bringing an outsider? Unprecedented.”
Vila scratched his head. “It’s an urgent matter. Our tribe’s fate hangs in the balance.”
“Really?”
“I can’t explain fully, but trust me. Can we explore the surroundings?”
The Lady hesitated. “Just the immediate vicinity.”
“Your cooperation is appreciated,” Vila said, grinning.
As they approached the spring, Yan’s sudden action surprised Vila. Yan extended his hand toward the Lady, who had no magical skills to defend herself.
But then the unexpected happened.
The Lady remained standing, her expression twisted but alive.
“Unbelievable,” Vila murmured.
Even ordinary people couldn’t withstand Yan’s attack. The Lady was no exception.
Yan glanced at her. “As expected, she’s not ordinary.”