Chapter 237. Rest in Peace (1)
Hollander, the Commander of the Royal Guards, stared at the young man before him with a troubled expression. His duty was to protect the Imperial Palace, yet he had abandoned that obligation.
All because of the young man standing in front of him—Caron Leston.
It had recently come to light that many of the command's staff officers had been tainted by dark mana. They had been infected by maw worms—repulsive, cursed vermin. And Hollander had seen that horrific truth with his own eyes.
So, he'd had no choice but to make a decision.
History had to be corrected. He couldn't allow another tragedy like the one fifty years ago to repeat itself in the palace.
"I'll tell you what needs to be done next," Caron said, draining a glass of water in one gulp. He wiped his mouth roughly with his hand before continuing, "We need to secure the palace garden."
The garden was where the teleportation magic circle connecting to Azureocean Castle had been installed.
At that, Hollander hesitated before answering, "It's currently under the direct control of Marquis Diaz."
"So they've stationed knights there?" Caron asked.
"...Yes," Hollander confirmed. "I know what your goal is, but it won't be an easy fight. Soldiers loyal to Marquis Diaz are also guarding that place."
The garden was a crucial location that could determine how all of this played out.
Now that the corruption of several staff officers by dark mana had been revealed, just like the recent incident involving the succubus, the Ducal Family of Leston once again had a legitimate reason to intervene in palace affairs.
Given the situation, no one could blame their forces for entering the palace. After all, it was a right established by the contract forged between the Imperial Palace and Ducal Family of Leston fifty years ago.
"If we activate the teleportation circle in the garden," Caron said, "The battle's practically over."
Once Halo stepped foot in the palace, it would all be finished. There was no one in the palace who could stop Halo—no one on the entire continent, for that matter.
But Caron wasn't satisfied with what they had. He wanted irrefutable evidence. The current findings weren't enough; the royal family could still deny involvement.
"I'm heading to the Magitech Research Lab," Caron declared.
"That facility technically falls under military jurisdiction," Hollander replied, "but it's been out of my hands for some time now."
"Which is exactly why I'm going," Caron said.
The research lab was the only place within the palace that had escaped the Ducal Family of Leston's intelligence network. If a truly sinister conspiracy was underway, it could only be happening there.
When Caron spoke, his voice full of certainty, Hollander let out a sigh and nodded. He, too, had run out of options.
"The only soldiers I still command number about seventy percent of my original force. You knew that, right?" Hollander asked.
"Then the rest are...?" Caron replied.
"The Diaz faction," Hollander answered grimly. "They've embedded themselves far deeper into the military than you realize."
"Then you've done well, Commander. Holding seventy percent in these circumstances... you must be a well-respected leader," Caron said.
Caron's tone was half-playful, but Hollander only responded with a bitter nod and asked, "What good is that now?"
"Anyway, we better move quickly. We don't have much time," Caron said. "Is there anyone here who could take over your duties if you leave?"
Hollander paused to think, then gave a firm nod. He said, "The Chief of Staff should be able to take over without issue. But why do you ask?"
"Because I'll need your help, Commander," Caron answered.
"...Help with what?" Hollander asked.
"I'll explain on the way," Caron replied.
Before Hollander could press further, Caron turned to Luke and instructed, "Sir Luke, please take the soldiers under the Command's authority and head for the garden."
"Understood," Luke said with a nod.
"On the way, join with the mages from the Magic Tower. They'll handle the activation of the teleportation circle," Caron added.
All the mages stationed within the palace had been dispatched from the Magic Tower. And now that the Master of the Magic Tower had taken Caron's side, activating the circle wouldn't be a problem.
The forces of the Ducal Family of Leston wouldn't need to break through the outer defenses of the palace the way they had fifty years ago.
That was precisely why this teleportation circle had been prepared—to circumvent such a situation. And as for the enormous cost of activating the circle—that could be billed to the royal family later.
"Well then," Caron said, "Let's succeed and meet again soon. Commander? Shall we?"
Something about Caron's words stirred unease in Hollander's gut, but there was no turning back now.
Hollander turned to his staff officers and said, "...This is how things have turned out. I'll leave the soldiers in your hands."
One by one, the officers gave resolute nods.
"Don't worry, Commander," one said.
"We support your decision," another added.
They had, after all, effectively joined a rebellion. But none of them were satisfied with the recent string of events in the palace. Their frustrations had grown too loud to ignore.
Commander Hollander had always commanded absolute loyalty. And now that he had made his decision, his soldiers would simply obey. That was the way of the military.
But what Hollander didn't know yet was what Caron really intended to do with him.
"You're going to save a lot of lives, Commander," Caron said quietly.
"...Is that so," Hollander replied.
Caron's promise came true, but in a way no one could have anticipated.
***
Thirty minutes after Caron had stormed the command center, they stood before the Magitech Research Lab, the highest-level confidential facility located within the Imperial Palace.
Perhaps word of the command center's breach had reached here already. The lab was guarded by a force that dwarfed anything stationed at the command post. Magical cannons and other anti-knight weaponry lined the perimeter, while heavily armed soldiers stood at attention by the main gate.
"To be honest, I'd prefer to sneak in," Caron muttered.
It wouldn't have been difficult to infiltrate using the power of Pluto, but what came after was the problem.
"So, what you're saying, Commander, is that we'll need clearance to enter the Level One Security Zone?" Caron asked.
Hollander nodded grimly and answered, "Even I can't get in without proper authorization."
"Do you at least know what kind of research they're conducting there?" Caron asked.
"...Not at all," Hollander admitted. "The Magitech Research Lab is officially under military jurisdiction, but in truth, it operates separately. Our role is limited to guarding the facility—we don't receive reports about any of the projects inside. You can think of it as being directly managed by the royal family."
If the missing members of the Oceanwolf Knight Order were being held anywhere, this was the most likely place.
Caron slowly nodded, the decision already made in his mind. There was no need to waste time debating—the path was clear.
"Well then," Caron said, straightening up. "Shall we go?"
"What are you planning?" Hollander asked warily.
"It's your time to shine, Commander," Caron said.
"You want me to convince the guards, don't you?" Hollander replied.
"As expected. You saw through my strategy right away," Caron said with a grin. "But persuasion alone won't be enough."
Shing.
Caron drew his sword from its sheath with a smooth motion and turned toward Hollander, smiling as he said, "I heard that the soldiers see you as a father figure, don't they? Let's use that as our strength."
He strode confidently toward the entrance of the institute. Hollander followed behind, visibly displeased.
He wondered what kind of lunatic tried to break into a top-secret facility by walking through the front door as if it was his own house.
Only Caron would do such a thing.
"Wouldn't it look more natural if you're the one taking the lead, Commander?" Caron asked over his shoulder.
"Fine," Hollander sighed.
Obediently, he moved to the front. Together, they approached the front gate, where the soldiers on guard snapped to attention the moment they saw Hollander.
"Commander!"
"You're all working hard," Hollander said calmly.
"We received word that the command center had fallen into rebel hands! Are you alright, sir?" an officer asked.
"I managed to escape through a hidden passage. But if the command center has been taken... This place won't be safe for long, either," Hollander replied.
"Thank the heavens you're safe, sir!" the officer in charge of security said, smiling in visible relief.
It seemed the rumors were true—Hollander really was respected by his men.
"What's the current situation?" Hollander asked. "I had to flee in a hurry, so I haven't been fully briefed."
The officer snapped to attention and replied in a crisp, trained voice, "His Highness the Crown Prince issued direct orders to the troops stationed at the institute."
"Orders?" Hollander prompted.
"No outsiders are to be allowed entry. That is all, sir. However... The man standing next to you..." the officer said.
Of course the Crown Prince hadn't sat idly by. Caron could tell something was off in the officer's tone. If they had suspected the research lab would be the next target, surely they had also considered the possibility that Hollander had joined the rebels.
So Caron decided to push the matter himself. He asked, "Is that really all the order said?"
The officer clammed up, his expression hardening.
Hollander spoke then, gently. "You can be honest. Was that truly the full order from the royal family?"
"...Commander," the officer said, hesitating. But after a brief pause, he gathered his courage and spoke. "The royal family issued an order to kill you on sight, sir—because they believe you've sided with the rebels."
Even after hearing that an order to kill him had been issued, Hollander's expression remained calm.
"So," Hollander said, his voice steady, "You all knew. Then why haven't you killed me yet?"
"Because we believe you're not the kind of man to turn traitor, Commander," the officer replied. "Not just me, every soldier stationed here feels the same."
It was a testament to the kind of honorable life Hollander had led.
He gave a bitter nod, then said, "Still... It's an imperial order."
"You've always taught us to live and die with a soldier's honor, sir. Killing you like this—without cause or trial—that's not honorable. The royal family should be the ones respecting you."
The officer's words were firm, and the soldiers behind him silently nodded in agreement.
Caron couldn't sense even the slightest trace of dark magic from them. They were ordinary soldiers. So, killing them wouldn't be a good decision.
And more importantly...
"Owner, from deeper inside the lab..." Guillotine remarked.
I feel it too, Caron answered.
From the depths beneath the research lab, a wave of dark mana surged—massive, malevolent, and suppressed behind layers of concealment spells. But it wasn't enough to fool Caron's senses.
It seemed the royal family was ready to make their move as well.
Good. We got here just in time, Caron thought.
He still didn't know what, exactly, was hidden underground. But he knew one thing for certain—it was something dangerous.
Caron gave Hollander a slight nod. The old commander exhaled quietly and said, "There's something evil happening in the Level One Security Zone. Will you help me stop it?"
"...I'm sorry, Commander. But that will not be possible—" the officer began.
At that moment...
Caron, who had been quietly listening until now, finally moved.
Whoosh.
A hum of concentrated mana surged through his sword as he raised it—and aimed the blade at Hollander's neck.
"C-Commander?!" The soldiers began to murmur and stir, shocked by the sudden betrayal.
But Caron, his sword in one hand, casually placed his left hand on Hollander's shoulder and smiled, then said, "Everyone, let's not do anything stupid."
It was a hostage situation that had erupted out of nowhere, right at the gates of the lab.
And it hadn't been part of any plan—not even Hollander's. The commander's face twisted into a scowl as he hissed, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Caron leaned in close, whispering with shameless confidence, "In my experience, this is the best method."
"What?" Hollander asked.
"Don't worry, I've got a bit of experience with hostage situations. Our goal is to get into the secure zone quickly, right? And from the looks of it, your men adore you. Time to exploit that weakness," Caron replied.
Hollander thought Caron was insane. No, that wasn't enough—this act was the work of a complete lunatic.
"I actually have an incurable illness," Caron added solemnly.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Hollander asked.
"The illness forces me to stage hostage crises every so often. It's truly a burden," Caron answered.
"You're completely out of your mind, completely out of your mind," Hollander said.
"Thank you. I appreciate that compliment," Caron replied.
Grinning wickedly, Caron turned his gaze toward the officer and soldiers. There was nothing left of the polite swordsman. His expression now was one of pure villainy.
"If you don't want to see your beloved commander with a hole in his neck," Caron said coldly, "then open the damn door."
The Mad Dog had been unleashed.
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