1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

25. The Key (1)

Ssshhh…

The rain showed no signs of stopping even at dawn. I sipped my tea while watching the rain streaks on the window.

“…Brother. Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Mircel approached, rubbing his sleepy eyes. I had only turned on one lamp, hoping not to wake him, but it seemed to have been in vain.

What can I do? It’s your fault for deciding to stay here instead of going home. I answered indifferently.

“Thoughts.”

“What thoughts?”

“Just this and that.”

After the meeting ended and a drizzle began to fall, the Empire provided accommodations, suggesting the journey might be difficult due to the rain.

The hostess and Dacel had left for other matters, riding away in a carriage, and since this was imperial territory, I reckoned no mischief could be done and readily accepted.

7 days. No, it’s past midnight, so 6 days now. It’s only gaining a day, but don’t they say to even be wary of falling leaves in one’s twilight years?

I shook my head to dispel the loosening tension. Mirsel chuckled at my gesture, perhaps misunderstanding something.

“It seems even a brother can be a concern.”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you worried? That count looked ready to kill you on the spot.”

I dismissed Mirsel’s concern nonchalantly.

“There’s no need to worry about that.”

“Huh?”

He’ll be dead soon enough.

I swallowed the rest of my words.

Though not as prominent as Tenest, the name Schweik is also frequently heard in the game. In all the timelines I’ve played, there was never a Lord Schweik named Heinrich.

A weak leader who took the seat at a young age after losing his father early. That’s the background of Lord Schweik I remember, so there’s no chance he’ll become a long-standing adversary to torment me.

Likewise, as I’ve rambled on before, there will be no war. I’ve never heard any tales of strife between the two families.

But as I gathered my thoughts, a suspicion struck me.

Could Heinrich’s death be deeply connected to the hostess…?

* * *

“Please come inside, Count.”

Ahile led the way through the castle corridors as if it were his own home. Courtiers, servants, and soldiers lined the path, resembling a welcoming procession for the returning master.

Heinrich stood tall, following with a troubled heart, yet his eyes busily scanned the surroundings.

‘Not having entered with an army, how could this be?’

There wasn’t a single drop of blood on the floor, and there were no signs of battle on the soldiers. Persuasion seemed the only explanation as Ahile stepped back and said to Heinrich.

“You should sit, Count, especially in your condition.”

As if the words were a signal, a burning pain surged through his solar plexus. Heinrich collapsed weakly onto the throne.

“What in the world is happening? Someone answer me!”

He shouted across the audience chamber, but no one responded. All bowed their heads as if ashamed. The answer leaked from Ahile’s lips.

“Surprised, are you? It seems no one here heeds the Count’s words.”

“Ha!”

With a hollow laugh, Heinrich bellowed once more towards the vassals lined up beneath the throne.

“Who is it! Who fell for the honeyed words of this fox-like wench and offered up Schweik? Who instigated this rebellion! The chancellor! Is it you?! The head of the knights! Is it you?!”

When no answer came, Ahilea spoke with a feigned look of pity.

“That’s not it, Count. Everyone here is helping me as an individual.”

“Nonsense! What in the world did you offer them!”

At Heinrich’s question, Ahilea brought her index finger to her lips.

“I promised to keep their secrets, one for each.”

Heinrich, failing to grasp her meaning, widened his eyes, and Ahilea continued.

“Shameful pasts they wish to wash away. Deeds that would bring scorn if known. Crimes that should face the judgment of law. Unrequited love for someone they cannot have. Secrets that must never be revealed.”

Heinrich twisted his face in disbelief.

“Sophistry. Are you saying everyone here is rotten?”

“In this world, there may be individuals who are pure, but no law says their surroundings must be too. Take, for example, a husband or parents, children, siblings. Thus, humans are sad creatures, unable to escape the shackles of relationships.”

Everyone has their sore spots. Yet, Heinrich, who commanded many, could not accept this.

“Merely with threats? Hmph, you’re saying they betrayed me without any cause or grand purpose, without even the promise of riches or glory?”

Ahilea shook her head at Heinrich’s incredulous response.

“It’s not just that. Everyone has at least one secret they’d do anything to hide. Isn’t that true for you as well, Count?”

“What…?”

“When you quelled the Black Swan of Vengeance. You’ve been going around saying the Duke was late, but that wasn’t really the case, was it?”

Heinrich’s eyes shook, but Ahilea, undeterred, continued in a calm tone.

“The truth is, the Duke and his forces were supposed to arrive before sunset. But you, newly in charge, wanted to claim the glory of the beast’s subjugation for Schweik alone in your youthful folly.”

Heinrich wanted to rise and silence her then and there, but a pain near his solar plexus made him writhe instead.

“You sent a messenger to Tenestros before the expedition. You said the beast had been subdued and that they should come with supplies for repairs around noon the next day.”

“Enough…”

“The Duke wasn’t late. In fact, he was early. Sensing something amiss, he brought his forces before dawn. Your reckless decision led your kin to death. The fact that you can no longer wield a sword because your dantian was destroyed—it’s all your responsibility—”

“Can’t you shut your mouth!”

“Why would you turn your blade on the one who saved your life? To hide your shame? Afraid of being pointed at if the truth comes out?”

“…”

With eyes that seemed to see right through him, Ahilea curled the corners of her mouth, ready to spill the truth she had held back.

“Kekeke… Is that what you’re so curious about? Fine, there’s no point in hiding it now.”

It didn’t matter to the subjugated vassals; everything was already out in the open.

“Why do I resent him, you ask? Because he said nothing at all. He neither scolded my foolish decisions nor questioned my sins. He just looked down on me with those indifferent eyes, as if I were an insect!”

Henrich, having vented his inner turmoil, took a moment to catch his breath before continuing.

“That’s why I thought he had to die. Before that secret ever passed his lips.”

“Right? That’s the thing about secrets you truly wish to hide.”

Achille’s expression was devoid of any emotion regarding his own disgrace. Seeing his calm demeanor after stirring up people’s hearts, Henrich taunted him.

“Where did you hear that story? From the Grand Duke? Seems he’s just another man swayed by a woman’s whim.”

“You know as well as I do that the Grand Duke is not such a man. I heard it from one of your loyal subordinates who knows the secret.”

Henrich glared, and one of the lined-up vassals bowed their head even deeper.

Achille spoke soothingly to the grinding Henrich.

“Even a lord who swore loyalty to protect his own secret can betray. What’s spilling a secret or two of the master’s?”

Only then did he realize. The secrets spilled this way weren’t just his own.

“Kekeke… Indeed, is that how you’ve strung them all along? Truly a witch… A witch that devours people.”

Henrich, adept in intrigue and schemes as the head of a high-ranking count’s family, had never heard or experienced such pressure on so many people.

‘Is she determined to hide it to the end? This damned woman. I underestimated her as just a woman, but I can’t even begin to guess where or when she started preparing.’

No matter what he tried, he could only sense that he couldn’t escape her grasp. Henrich asked weakly.

“So, what are you planning to do now?”

“It was a warning, originally.”

“Hmm?”

At Henrich’s twitching brow, Achille’s smile abruptly stopped.

“I intended to end it with a warning at first.”

The indifferent woman gestured, and a servant stepped forward from the ranks, holding a box.

“The Count has been plotting quite an interesting event. Something that can’t simply be overlooked.”

The servant approached the throne and opened the box, revealing a sharp dagger gleaming amidst a foul stench of blood.

“What is this?!”

Henrich’s face turned pale.

Inside the box was the head of an old man, still bearing the expression of his last moments, and a sharp dagger.

“Doesn’t he look familiar? I thought you might have met him at least once. Since you ordered this to be made.”

Achille continued, pulling out a gleaming metal from his robe.

At first, I wondered why the Earl was so brimming with confidence. So I looked into it, and sure enough, he was plotting such a scandalous act.

In her hand was a counterfeit key, the very thing that could unleash the ‘Black Swan of Resentment’ hidden beneath the Tenest Mansion, and the crucial weapon that would lead the war to victory.

A cry of horror almost escaped Heinrich’s lips.

‘How does this wench know the secret only my son and I are privy to!’

If he let his anger get the better of him, the public’s censure would be severe. That’s why Heinrich had kept it a secret even from those he thought loyal, entrusting the task of creating the counterfeit to his only blood relative, his son.

Unable to hide his dismay, Achille turned the key this way and that, saying,

“It’s a bit different from what he has, but the pattern engraved on the blade is truly identical, isn’t it? Even though I eliminated the maker of the key long ago, it seems someone else has managed to create this fake, probably leaving behind the blueprints before dying.”

This woman knew everything.

She knew about the monster sealed in the Tenest Mansion, intended to be released to cause terror.

She knew about the plan to use the chaos to lead the war to victory.

And even the whereabouts of his son, hidden in preparation for the war.

‘The key is in this woman’s hands…’

Revenge against Aiol was no longer important. Heinrich, sweating coldly, gripped the dagger inside the box.

He was ready to slit the throat of the woman standing before him without a hint of caution, depending on her answer.

“Where is Adero, what happened to Adero?”

Heinrich asked in a desperate voice, unable to compose himself. Achille’s expression softened like a mother recalling her child.

“Don’t worry. I too am a mother with a child. There are lines I do not wish to cross.”

Achille glanced at the dagger in her hand. Heinrich, catching the implication immediately, let out a chuckle.

“Hahaha, are you telling me to take my own life with this dagger, right here, right now? For a son whose fate is uncertain?”

Achille stepped closer, making it easier to stab him. Heinrich, with a look of innocence, gripped the dagger firmly as if to say he was blameless.

“How dare you look down upon me, such an arrogant woman.”

With an outstretched arm, the dagger could pierce the heart. Although he couldn’t use his aura due to a damaged energy center, the opponent was just a mere woman. The conditions to kill were more than met.

Then, a beam of light squeezed through the half-open door of the inner chamber, approaching the throne like a sharp spear.

Thud!

A short sound of flesh being pierced, and blood dropped to the floor. The tip of the sword was pointed at Heinrich’s abdomen.

“Argh… Hmph!”

Heinrich grimaced in pain, pushing the sword deeper into himself with his own hands.

As his subordinates witnessed the blood spurting in all directions, they bowed their heads in despair, but Achille alone watched his end straight on.

“It will be alright, Earl. Your son may resent and miss his father for his drastic choice, but he will surely succeed you as the Lord of Schweik. Unaware of the dishonorable past of his father.”

As darkness filled his vision, Heinrich’s face, twisted in pain and resentment, relaxed.

Cursed be, the words that clung to my ears sounded like sweet whispers.

* * *

At the main gate, Dacel greeted his mother who had finished her work.

“So, if you bring this key, our son’s task will be done.”

Dacel fiddled with the key his mother handed him.

Even if it was a counterfeit, it was made of a special material that couldn’t be discarded by just anyone, fitting for a key used to seal the Black Swan of grudge.

But there was someone who could. He was Aol, the original keeper of the key.

“I received a letter saying he would pass through the Atera fortress. The plan is to join there, so go ahead.”

Atera wasn’t far from here.

“I’ll stay here as I have things to do, so I’m counting on you for the rest.”

“Yes… Leave it to me, mother.”

“It must be nice to see your father after such a long time, Dacel.”

Ahile moved to sort out the affairs following Heinrich’s death. Dacel, as if he still had something to say, stopped his mother.

“There’s not much time left to kill him. But if father returns, I’m not sure… if it’s possible.”

It was a roundabout way of saying that something should be done at this moment. Ahile parted her lips as she looked at her son.

“There won’t be a chance for Hersel to become the head. Even if he’s around, there are still many opportunities left.”

Her voice was emotionless, flat.

Dacel dropped his gaze, hearing the uncertainty in her tone.

Mother is hesitating now. The fact that Hersel is still alive, despite having had the chance to kill him at any time, was proof of that.

‘Why…’

The same went for father.

He didn’t think Hersel was fit for the head’s position. Mother had only planned it specifically, but it was father who had first suggested the bet.

Of course, it was to neutralize mother’s murderous intent, a preemptive move. There was no doubt about it. He had even blatantly said it was to spare Hersel’s life.

-There was no one to catch that guy. It’s my fault as a father. That’s why I want to give him one more chance. If he comes to his senses from this incident, watch over him a little longer. That’s what family should do.

A son, rotten to the core, who could turn the domain into hell. To think of handing over such power to that kind of person, just because of sentiment.

“Dacel.”

At his mother’s call, Dacel lifted his head.

“Judging by your expression, my answer must not have been satisfactory. I wish I could explain more clearly, but there’s no time, hmm.”

Ahile let out a sigh, and then smiled faintly as if she had thought of something.

“Do you remember when you turned four? It just came to mind, the time you wanted to take over your father’s place right after your birthday. You were such a bright child, even at a young age.”

“……”

“What did your mother say then? Won’t you tell me once?”

Daysel smiled faintly, recalling his childhood. A slightly relaxed voice leaked from his lips.

“She promised to seat me in my rightful place.”

“Yes, so don’t worry. Mother only makes promises she can keep.”

Ahille looked at him with a profound gaze, then left the room. Daysel took his eyes off his mother’s back and let go of the forced smile.

“……I’m not sure if her words are still sincere.”

He had subtly noticed his mother’s growing interest in Hersel. If Hersel, supported by his father, were to gain his mother’s favor as well, who knows what might happen.

Daysel felt a twist in his gut at the thought of Hersel taking the head’s seat.

“Cough……”

Unacceptable.

That a being less than dust dared to become a member of Edel Cryss before him.

Nor could he accept the confident strides shown during the negotiations.

Above all, he couldn’t accept that such a wretch had caused a rift in him due to the inferiority he felt.

‘Wasn’t it a rotten fence that blocked my path? A rotten fence that would easily break if kicked!’

Daysel felt everything approaching him with unease. The cause wasn’t just Hersel. Mircel, rising from below, was also a target to be checked.

‘……Mother might just think of me as a rusty nail to be pulled out.’

The suspicion grew as he saw her waiting only for Mircel’s growth. Each time, Daysel thought his time on the throne was brief. A place temporarily held for Mircel. For him, who had always run towards his goal since childhood, the current situation was unbearable.

“I’m the one who has put in the most desperate effort until now. Not those damned two.”

A small yet heavy sigh dropped blood to the floor. The blade of the key he was holding cut him because his hand was too tense.

Daysel stared blankly at the key with swollen eyes for a long time, feeling a sweet droplet seep into his parched spirit.

The anxiety that had been constricting him could be resolved by himself. Then there would be no need to guard against the rising Mircel. At the same time, the misery felt due to Hersel’s existence would also disappear.

The key in his hand was what would make that possible.

* * *

Chirp chirp chirp-

A bird cried in the middle of the night.

Aol waited on the walls of Atera for his son to come.

But without a single soul approaching, only the moon tilted.

As the dawn light began to rise, Cowulo said,

“Young master Daysel is not coming.”

“…”

Originally, I had planned to rest for a couple of days before leaving, but it seemed necessary to move up the schedule.

“In one hour, tell the knights to prepare to depart.”

* * *

While riding the carriage back to the mansion, a murder of crows cried out. Mircel, who had been yawning next to me, asked out of boredom.

“By the way, brother.”

“What now.”

“About that crow at our house. Can you beat it?”

What a nonsensical question.

Still, since the monstrous bird won’t be resurrecting, a vague answer should suffice. Might as well keep up appearances.

“If it comes to it, one of us would surely die.”

‘Tsk.’

Donatan clicked his tongue.

‘You’re nothing but a handful, Hersel.’

His mocking tone compelled me to respond confidently. It was an excessive belittlement.

‘Oh? More like two handfuls?’

I have a ‘1-second invincibility’ after all; naturally, it would take two hits.

‘…It’s a boast.’