Chapter 892

From the moment he laid eyes on him, he had his doubts. Could this really be the same foolish Kiolle he knew? But now, seeing his face, it was hard to just let it go.

'There's more to it than just the Crown Prince's strange condition... I'm sure of it.'

Before continuing the conversation, Yuder felt the need to confirm. Crossing his arms, he broke the silence.

"You. What else happened with the Crown Prince?"

"...What? Why would you ask that out of the blue? I've already told you, His Highness is..."

"Had you been your usual self, you would've berated me for merely referring to him as the Crown Prince, claiming it disrespectful. It seems you do want to talk about the Crown Prince's condition, but you don't appear particularly worried. It's odd, isn't it? Normally, you wouldn't come here unless summoned."

"Considering everything, my conclusion is that something more happened on the day of the hailstorm. Correct me if I'm wrong."

"..."

"....Hic."

Unexpectedly, a suppressed hiccup escaped Kiolle's lips. It seemed Yuder’s words had struck a nerve.

"Ah, no, you weren't even there... How could you possibly know...!"

'His inability to hide his feelings and expressions makes it all too obvious.'

Kiolle must have started to see him, Yuder Aile, as more of a monster than before, but from Yuder’s perspective, it was Kiolle who was being too naive. Despite some changes, Kiolle was still Kiolle.

"Ha, fine. Something did happen that day. I didn't want to speak of it, out of shame, but..."

"No need to be surprised that you still feel shame. Just tell the story."

"You...! One day, I'll relish seeing you fall because of that arrogant mouth of yours!"

Yelling with a face that longed to curse, Kiolle sighed deeply, covering his face with his hands. A faint voice slipped through his fingers.

"...What?"

"I was hit."

"You were hit... by the Crown Prince?"

"And who else would it be?!"

Realistically, Kiolle could overpower not just the newly accepted members of the Cavalry, but even the formidable Peletta Knights. However, actually striking Duke Diarca's son was a different matter.

Yuder Aile had no qualms about dealing with Kiolle, but for others, it was a different story. And for Katchian, who had become the Crown Prince with the backing of the Diarca family, the situation was the same. As long as he was aligned with Duke Diarca, Kiolle, though seemingly inferior in status, could never be openly disrespected.

It wasn't a matter of exploiting a weakness like knowing his secret relations or something like that, but to have laid hands on him directly...

"Exactly how were you hit?"

"That day, before escaping the temple with the Cavalry, His Highness was already awake. Naturally, he sought out the swindler. Despite my pleas to return quickly due to the dangerous hailstorm, he wouldn't listen. Then, suspecting me, he slapped my cheek..."

Kiolle paused, biting his lip, before continuing his tale.

"...And then, if I didn't kneel and apologize, he vowed never to forgive me, continuously kicking my legs... Ha."

"You just took it without fighting back?"

"What else was I supposed to do in that situation? After all, he is the one I serve!..."

Kiolle burst out in frustration, but his voice lacked its usual strength.

"Besides, he was... brainwashed, and... I was the only one there, and I am his personal guard..."

Even with his face half-covered and his head bowed, Kiolle's feelings of confusion and humiliation from that time were palpable.

'Considering Katchian was still brainwashed at the time... Slaps and kicks. I understand why Kiolle was so shocked.'

Slapping and kicking. While these acts might be minor in terms of physical damage, they are exceptionally effective in demeaning and humiliating someone. Having seen Emperor Katchian in his previous life lash out at his servants in a similar manner when he was at his most irritable, Yuder could easily imagine the scene.

Servants might have no choice but to endure such treatment, but Kiolle is different.

'A guy who, except for me, probably never had his hair touched by anyone else.'

Yuder couldn't say Kiolle was a good person, but he had tried his best to fulfill his role as a loyal personal guard. That foolish fellow had even collaborated earnestly with him to protect the Crown Prince and his father from the dangers of brainwashing. It's hard to say whether his cooperation was greatly helpful, but there's no denying that he was sincere in his actions.

Until now, Katchian had thought Kiolle was a homosexual, using it as leverage to make him obey. His stubbornness in covering up their escape from the palace wasn't incomprehensible if one considered the Crown Prince a victim of brainwashing.

But for Kiolle, who had risked his life in the dangerous temple to save the Crown Prince, to be repaid with such insulting distrust.

'Anyone would cool their head and come to a realization.'

Yuder began to understand why Kiolle had gone through the trouble of coming here.

He wanted confirmation.

Whether the Crown Prince's condition was indeed due to brainwashing and thus understandable, or not.

What had happened that day, and what he should do moving forward.

And perhaps, something else as well.

Taking a deep breath, Yuder spoke.

"Being a personal guard doesn't normally include enduring such treatment from your lord."

"..."

"So, how did you feel about it? If I tell you that the Crown Prince still seems to be under brainwashing, would you accept that and leave it at that?"

"I am..."

Kiolle hesitated for a long time before finally murmuring in a low voice.

"...Perhaps, His Highness... might not be the person I, or our family, thought he was. That's why I wanted a clear answer from you..."

"..."

"...I don't know. The things His Highness did this time were just too..."

Kiolle struggled to continue, biting his lip.

"Firstly, I owe you for saving my life this time, so I came out of my quarters after the day of the hailstorm and told my father everything honestly. Naturally, he was furious. I'll probably be taken to the capital soon, but... I felt like I had to see you before that. That's why I came."

"..."

"I've said all I need to! Now it's your turn to say something helpful!"

Yuder looked at Kiolle, who was red-faced and seething with frustration, and pondered.

'Could this guy possibly be the key to dismantling the alliance between Crown Prince Katchian and the Diarca family?'

Yuder remembered Katchian La Orr as cunning and tenacious. He had ascended to the throne, pretending to be a loyal puppet of the Diarca family, content with his position while secretly gathering the power to overturn them over the years. The Cavalry and Yuder himself were among the forces he had nurtured in the shadows.

In this life, though Katchian's early attempt to break free from the Diarca had gone awry, altering many aspects, he ultimately accepted Kiolle as his personal guard, seemingly reconciling. The Diarca family and Katchian, after all, depended on each other for legitimacy and power in their current positions.

Emperor Keilusa and Kishiar might not lose in a direct confrontation against them, but as long as the Diarca family 'rightfully' held the position of Crown Prince, they would always have the upper hand.

But what if, before Yuder and his side make their move, the Diarca’s inner circle starts to rot and crumble?

What if, like the sage and Nahan who created the Star of Nagran, they begin to distrust and despise each other, reaching a point of irreconcilable differences?

'A small external tremor like this one could easily cause their downfall.'

Despite the absolute advantage of legitimacy and superiority they gain by sticking together, the final blow could come from mutual distrust. The key. An internal blade.

It was absurd, but perhaps Kiolle, right here, might play that role in the Diarca's downfall.

'Well, considering using him in such a way is probably just wishful thinking.'

Yuder, having organized his thoughts, began to speak.