Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 108

Chapter 108

Beneath the Ministry of Intelligence lay a prison. It existed at the bottom of a dark, narrow staircase, and was used to confine key figures and extract information from them. Consequently, it was always filled with the thick stench of blood and the sounds of groaning.

Today was no different.

The assassins, bound by iron chains to the stone walls, were already losing their human forms. Some had already stopped breathing due to the horrific torture, while those who still clung to life stared vacantly at the air with unfocused eyes.

“How did it go?”

At Martin’s question, Kite tore off his leather gloves, from which blood dripped steadily. The menacing aura he exuded pressed down heavily upon the entire underground space. So much so that even the notoriously ruthless torturers had shrunk back in fear.

‘I never imagined he would go this far.’

Kite was known to have survived brutal wars. But knowing about something and actually witnessing it were two different things. With an expressionless face, Kite looked at Martin before speaking.

“No meaningful names of the masterminds came from their lips. What about the matters you went to investigate?”

“Our side isn’t much different. We managed to capture the remaining assassins, but the most crucial liaison had already taken his own life. A perfectly severed trail.”

“I see.”

“Still, it wasn’t a complete dead end.”

“Tell me.”

“After examining the items found in their hideout, it appears the client is most likely from the Teilyn Empire. They tried to cleverly conceal their identity, but they couldn’t completely erase the traces. I thought they were busy with their succession struggle, but they have their sights set even here. Impressive bastards.”

Even in the face of the chilling Kite, Martin continued speaking calmly.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. The ancient artifact used to kidnap Lady Ibellin is also one owned by the Teilyn Empire. That’s just how the Intelligence Ministry works. We strive to know everything. That’s why we even know the names of all the dogs raised in the imperial palace.”

Crack—

Kite ground his teeth.

“Teilyn.”

He had suspected as much. But now it was confirmed as fact. Upon realizing that Teilyn was the enemy, other pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place more easily. What exactly had Draven been promised by the Teilyn Empire?

As if reading Kite’s thoughts, Martin answered.

“Most likely, the throne. Or perhaps a marriage to the imperial princess. They have a princess on their side too, don’t they? Hand over the throne, arrange a marriage, and then wait for a child to be born.”

Martin made a gesture of slicing his own throat with his hand.

“They think that if they just deal with Draven, they can swallow our empire whole.”

“A simplistic notion.”

“I think so too.”

The corner of Kite’s lips twisted.

“The one who made active contact was the First Prince, Rihart. His known dog, Pavleton of their Intelligence Ministry, made the move, so there’s no mistake. From the start, the princess also belongs to Prince Rihart’s faction.”

“I see. Then can we track them?”

“Yes. We traced the residual magic. Fortunately, we had a related item in our empire’s possession. His Majesty the Emperor graciously opened the treasury for us. The ancient artifact they used consumes an enormous amount of power to distort space, but there is a clear limit to its range. It’s impossible to cross the border and reach the Teilyn mainland in a single bound.”

“Then that means they haven’t crossed the border yet.”

“Correct.”

“Then the tracking will be easier.”

Kite was already mobilizing all the resources at his disposal. It wouldn’t take long to catch Pavleton’s trail.

“Then our business here is concluded.”

Kite left the prison without a backward glance at the dying assassins.

As he emerged from the dungeon and set foot on the ground above, a familiar face came into view.

Draven.

He had come to the Intelligence Ministry building. Kite unconsciously clenched his fist. He had thought himself adept at controlling his emotions, but he was wrong. The moment he saw Draven, the surging feelings stirred a murderous intent within him.

Martin, who had followed behind, was startled at the sight of him.

“Not yet!”

At Martin’s hushed whisper, Kite let out a deep breath. Draven glared at Kite.

“Why are you here?”

Kite let out a scoff at Draven’s question.

“I should be the one asking you that.”

“I merely came to verify the assassins who threatened His Majesty the Emperor’s safety.”

Yes, normally, one would assume the threat was directed at the Emperor, since he occupied the palace. In reality, the target was Ibellin, but it would be awkward for Draven to speak her name. His act was quite convincing.

“I’ve already verified it.”

At Kite’s words, a flicker of anxiety appeared on Draven’s face. It was only for an instant, but reading him wasn’t difficult.

“I see.”

Draven fell silent.

“Then, it seems there’s nothing for me to do this time as well?”

“This time as well?”

“It’s always been that way. His Majesty never employs me for important matters.”

“Because he doesn’t trust you.”

“Trust, trust!”

With a flaring expression, Draven turned his back.

“I truly have no idea where that trust is supposed to come from.”

That was the end of it. Draven made no other move. Kite had been prepared to strike him down the moment he acted suspiciously, so it was a bit disappointing.

On the other hand, Martin breathed a sigh of relief that the situation had passed without incident.

“You held back well.”

Though it would have been permissible to kill Draven on the spot, the forces behind him would not have remained idle. The empire operated with the Emperor at its center, but the power of the nobility was not something that could be entirely ignored. So for now, they had to proceed cautiously.

‘A justification.’

They needed a justification.

---

Draven took a deep, ragged breath.

‘I almost died.’

Kite had emerged from the underground prison. He must have just finished doing something horrendous. That much was evident from his sleeves, wet with blood. Since he usually wore dark colors, it had gone unnoticed, but the formal attire was bright, making the bloodstains stand out.

He had come, worried upon hearing that the assassins had been captured, only to nearly put himself in danger.

‘What the hell was he thinking!’

Pavleton—that bastard had no idea what he was doing. If this was the plan, he should have communicated all the details to him. Draven had known about the assassination attempt today, but he had not been informed of the detailed plan beyond that. That had actually helped him avoid drawing too much suspicion.

Still, it was infuriating.

Unconsciously, Draven raised a hand to his own throat. Walking with Kite at his back, he felt a wave of fear wash over him. What if he suddenly lunged at him and killed him? Even though he knew it wouldn’t happen right away, the fear was real. At the same time, he felt a sense of futility.

In the end, the Emperor did not trust him. And he would probably continue to do so. That fact was both disheartening and infuriating. It wasn’t that he had ever been particularly fond of the Emperor himself. Still, he had done a great deal for him from his side, and this was the treatment he got! That was probably the very reason he had come to harbor such thoughts. As he thought, he needed to bring down the Emperor. And in that place, Draven—he himself—should be seated.

Through the cooperation of the Intelligence Ministry and Kite, the general area where Ibellin had been abducted was identified.

“The area is quite large. Finding her will require a significant deployment of men.”

Martin sighed.

“No, it’s fine. Once we get close enough, there’s a way.”

“A way?”

Kite pulled out a brooch to show him. It was set with a gemstone resembling the color of his eyes, and the light it emitted was peculiar. It appeared to be extremely valuable.

“I prepared it just in case.”

He explained the brooch. The gemstone used in it was originally part of a pair. It attuned to the wearer's aura and possessed the ability to track the other’s location. It was a gift from someone he had saved on the battlefield long ago. They had said it was a family heirloom. He never imagined it would prove so useful now.

“However, it’s difficult to locate from a distance, so we need to get close.”

“Remarkable. With that, we should find her soon.”

Martin felt relieved. There was one other person currently rampaging with as much ferocity as Kite. Kaelen. Having lost his precious niece, he had been working tirelessly without sleep to find her. It was also thanks to him that they had obtained much of this intelligence. No matter how long he had been retired, he was still the man once considered the best in the Intelligence Ministry.

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