# Chapter 83
The surroundings of Arzel’s castle were a vast, sprawling plain. Although there weren’t many civilian houses, an adequate number of residents lived together, growing various crops. In the past, the lord’s power extended throughout the entire country, wielding tremendous authority, but after unification, he only managed the Maran country territory, specifically the estate surrounding the castle. I didn’t want to marvel at Arzel’s plains, renowned for their beauty, but I couldn’t help my mouth falling open. It was a land with a different feeling from the mystical temple filled with dense trees and fog.
One of its charms was the unobstructed view that didn’t collide with anything. Climbing to the highest point of the castle and looking down, you could see crops of various colors swaying in unison in one direction with the wind. The wind crossing the vast land was the only visitor wandering this place and the conductor sweeping across the crops. When casting your gaze endlessly beyond the enormous plain, a wide horizon stretched at the end of countless wheat fields.
It was no wonder that the armies of this place once boasted their might as cavalry. The soldiers prided themselves on their high prestige, galloping without hesitation across smoothly packed ground. Wherever the powerful horses passed, there was no place beyond their grasp. The only thing they couldn’t withstand was Zendal’s ambush troops deeply situated in the mountains.
“Is this where Luan stays?”
“If we go a bit further inside, there should be a door.”
Devan, having successfully breached security, guided me to the person I most wanted to meet right now. Luan’s quarters were a small room located at the top of the castle. Beyond the bronze door carved with strange monsters hid the person who had made my life a living hell. My heart, filled with rage, beat fiercely without stopping. Seeing me check my knife again with a face that looked ready to attack at any moment, Devan advised that we shouldn’t show that we already knew what was going on.
“I want to grab him by the collar right now.”
“I feel the same, but don’t forget our objective.”
“…Arzel’s betrayal.”
We needed to confirm one last time whether he had really passed information to Luan. According to what Wimu and Devan had observed, Arzel hadn’t even clearly revealed to Luan the fact that he’d contacted me. He had handed over the drug for our deal but still hadn’t received proper information in return. However, there was a possibility that he might have evaded surveillance or secretly gathered nobles, so Kadilen’s opinion was that we should confirm for certain before trying to persuade Arzel.
“I’m going in.”
“Just like this?”
“I’m ready.”
Devan, who had been staring at my resolute face, nodded. Taking that as a signal, I shook the rusty copper bell placed on the left. Along with the refreshing sound that didn’t match the situation, there was a sign of the room’s owner checking who it was. Shortly after, the door opened and Luan poked his head out with a suspicious expression.
“Brother? What brings you here?”
“I came because you still haven’t given me the drug.”
“Ah… that.”
Much would depend on his answer. Luan looked at Devan once with a contemplative face.
“It seems you’re not that desperate for the information?”
“Come in first.”
He opened the door wide and led us inside. I looked around the room while remaining vigilant, but nothing particularly suspicious was visible. Ignoring Luan’s offer of a chair, I carefully scanned my surroundings. It was partly to find spaces where things might be hidden, and partly to see if I could find other clues. Since I came suddenly, Luan wouldn’t have had time to hide anything. This might be the last chance to observe his personal space as it was.
This place seemed more like a warehouse that had been modified for human habitation rather than a proper room. The windowless room was excessively dry and covered in dust. A torch, normally used in corridors, was the only source of light in the corner, and the only useful furniture consisted of a wooden table, chairs, and an old bed just big enough for one person to lie down on.
“I couldn’t reach you, what’s going on? Arzel was supposed to come and make the deal.”
I asked while refusing the tea Luan offered. He made an irritated expression.
“Arzel has been quite busy lately. Originally, he was supposed to visit the palace a few days ago, but it seems difficult for him to find the time. Since the last visit, security has tightened, so it’s impossible for me to go there.”
From his curt tone, I could guess the invisible discord between them. Perhaps because of this, Luan seemed more welcoming towards me than before. He offered me a chair, his eyes gleaming.
“But since you’ve come all this way, we can make the deal here, can’t we?”
“Not here.”
“What? Then why did you come?”
“I came because there was no news from you, wondering if you’d run off. My lifeline depends on that drug, after all. But it seems you’re still alive and well. At least enough to keep your promise to me.”
As I finished speaking, I silently signaled to Devan. He caught my intention and secured an escape route in case of an unexpected situation.
“But I don’t plan to make the deal here either. I’m not sure if you’ll safely send me back to the palace.”
“Are you still worried that I might betray you, brother?”
“Of course. That’s how betrayal works, isn’t it? Suspecting until the very last moment.”
I looked leisurely at him as he glared at me. Unexpressed anger heated my chest, but strangely, my mind remained calm. Now that I had confirmed that Luan wasn’t fully aware of the situation, I finally felt like I had him in my grasp. It was ridiculous to see him getting riled up, not knowing his own predicament after losing his only ally. It was laughable, but he probably had no other option. For me, it was nothing short of luck that he had put himself in such a precarious position.
“Isn’t that right, brother?”
Even if he had used the vile trick of mixing impurities into the antidote, it was merely a last-ditch effort. I hoped the day wasn’t far off when even this pitiful space he possessed would be taken away.
* * *
“He seems completely unaware?”
“Arzel is his only subordinate, and now that he’s betrayed him, he’s stuck.”
Only after leaving his room did the anger I had forgotten resurface. During our conversation, I had to consciously try not to think of Rio. I could have joined forces with Devan to target his life, but it would have been useless if we couldn’t obtain the drug. Even if we learned its whereabouts through threats, there was also the possibility of being given fake medicine like last time. It was better to first persuade Arzel to corner Luan, and then either thoroughly search his castle or have him bring the drug himself.
Luan promised to ensure the deal would be completed soon, but he didn’t look confident. He seemed to vaguely sense that Arzel had escaped his control. I felt no regret for the miserable fate awaiting him in the near future. He needed to prepare to pay a sufficient price.
“Someday, I’ll make Luan pay.”
“I’ll let you slit his throat with your own hands. Don’t worry.”
Devan soothed me as I trembled with rage. His comfort was appreciated, but I intended to meet Arzel immediately with this resolve. Our final key. If we could just persuade him, the goal was in sight. Even if we couldn’t, there was still an alternative plan. We had the same cards he held, and we had thoroughly prepared a backup plan to use them. But in many ways, convincing Arzel was the path that wouldn’t cause troublesome side effects.
“I’ll go first to check the surroundings. There might be traps.”
Devan said, looking at the opposite side of the castle. It was the western building supposedly used by Arzel.
“Can you go alone?”
“I move quickly, remember? And I have something to ask Wimu too. I’ll be back soon.”
I nodded to him as he smiled reassuringly. Devan stroked my head once before quickly turning away. With his clothes fluttering silently, his figure soon disappeared from view. I hid behind a wall, anxiously looking westward.
Then, suddenly, a dull pain surged in my chest.
“Ugh…”
It was a pain like someone squeezing my lungs. My legs immediately buckled under the severe pain, worse than ever before. My weakened knees hit the ground, creating a torn wound. Stone fragments dug into my hand as I tried to steady myself, but there was no time to feel the sting. My breath quickened in an instant. Despite having taken painkillers not long ago, the pain vividly crumbled my body.
“Huh… huff…”
This wasn’t the time to be in pain. I frantically searched the pouch I had brought. Due to my shaking hands, white pills scattered everywhere as they fell to the ground. I picked them up indiscriminately and chewed them, but the pain wouldn’t subside. My fingernails were scraped raw as I clawed at the ground, trying to endure the agony.
“Kuh-hack… Kuluk…”
I coughed, unable to open my eyes. Instead of air entering my respiratory system, something surged out. Before I could check, I collapsed with a terrible sound. Every cough brought sharp chest pain that continued relentlessly. It felt like someone was carving my chest with a large knife. As if all the previous pain was nothing, I constantly gasped amidst the extreme agony that followed one after another. When a strong impact came, like dozens of arrows piercing me, I vomited a dark red blood clot and buried my face on the ground.
