I Became a Sick Nobleman-Chapter 188: Let’s start (3)

***

“Sigh.”

Ruel let out a sigh, his face displaying annoyance.

Why couldn’t they simply see him off quietly? What’s with this whole parade? And why the need for him to dress up when all he’d be doing is sitting in a carriage and waving? Ruel was displeased with everything.

“Ruel, please sit up straight,” Cassion interjected upon noticing Ruel resting his chin on his hand.

Noah also paused, letting out a big yawn. What a ludicrous situation to be in at dawn. He was still half-asleep.

“I fail to grasp the necessity for such extravagance when all Ruel-nim will be doing is sitting in a carriage, waving his hand.”

Ruel adjusted his posture. Could it be that Noah was thinking the same thing?

“Noah, instead of speaking, focused on adjusting the attire,” Cassion reprimanded, prompting Noah to quickly add embellishments to his clothing.

“Ruel-nim, may I ask about something?” Noah asked, continuing to work on his attire, mindful of Cassion’s presence.

“Go ahead.”

“No matter how efficiently Cassion-nim handles everything, shouldn’t there be other attendants present? Considering the number of attendants in the mansion, why is it just us accompanying you outside…”

Noah’s fingers gestured widely. Three of them weren’t even attendants but Cassion’s original subordinates. What kind of household head was this?

“That’s a good question,” Ruel chuckled, and Noah joined in.

“Really?”

“If you find someone as capable as you, who’s good at escaping and as tight-lipped as Aris, and loyal, then bring them along.”

What an unreasonable demand! Noah pondered, finding it somewhat fair upon reflection. Cassion’s subordinates posing as attendants, and even Billo, were indeed competent.

“So, Ruel’s personal attendant… would essentially have to be someone akin to Cassion-nim?”

“Precisely.”

“Wow. Ruel-nin’s personal attendant will always be Cassion-nim…”

“Ruel-nim,” Cassion interjected, interrupting Noah and addressing Ruel.

“What is it?”

“Prince Treitol is on his way.”

Ruel chuckled at that. It was almost comical how the puppet and the puppeteer took turns visiting.

Knock. Knock.

A moment later, there was a knocking sound at the door. At Cassion’s glance, Noah hurriedly ran to open it.

“His Highness Treitol requests an audience, Ruel-nim.”

Upon Aris’s announcement, Ruel quickly rose from his seat as if caught off guard. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

“Your Highness!”

Noah’s jaw dropped at Ruel’s nonchalant demeanor. Ruel must truly be a genius at acting, Noah mused, having felt the same way before.

“How could Your Highness arrive unannounced?” Ruel exclaimed with a shocked expression, bowing to Treitol. Then, after lifting his head, Ruel glanced beyond the door. “Why has Your Highness come alone without your attendants?”

“D-Duke Setiria.”

There were dark circles under Treitol’s eyes, as if he hadn’t slept in days. He fidgeted anxiously, looking as if someone were chasing him.

“Just a moment, that’s all I ask. Can we talk?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Whatever the scheme might be, Ruel exchanged glances with Cassion and Noah, signaling them to leave. After they went outside, Ruel guided Treitol to the table. Even as they sat down, Treitol’s restless fingers betrayed his unease.

‘Is this a pretense?’

Ruel observed him closely, unsure. It seemed too genuine to be an act, prompting Ruel to play along.

“Your Highness, are you feeling well? You appear troubled.”

“D-Duke Setiria.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“While others may not comprehend, I believed you would.”

Taken aback by the sudden statement, Ruel felt slightly bewildered. What on earth was he trying to say?

“There’s been a dream I’ve been having for some time. It was filled with blood, and it felt like my whole body was being torn apart in excruciating pain.”

Ruel realized that the content of the dream was similar to what he had seen in his own dreams.

‘Is he testing me?’

“At first, I dismissed it as a mere dream. But it grew more vivid, and recently, I made eye contact with the figure in my dream for the first time.”

Treitol’s voice quivered slightly.

“Duke Setiria. That figure singled me out.”

Treitol clenched his clothes tightly.

“It’s a terrifying thought. That figure…”

Suddenly, Treitol gasped, covering his mouth in fear.

“N-nothing. Disregard my words.”

Treitol abruptly rose.

‘What is he up to?’

His frantic behavior reminded Ruel of something he had overlooked.

“Duke Setiria, please look after Kran and my brother. And…”

Treitol turned to Ruel with a sorrowful expression before turning away. After Treitol departed, Ruel remained staring at the now-empty spot.

‘Was it real?’

Treitol’s desperate gaze.

‘Is it true?’

The moment Treitol almost disclosed but then recoiled.

‘That the Great Man can’t fully control their body?’

If his hesitance was due to the Great Man’s influence, everything made sense.

‘Should I trust this?’

If that was the case, Treitol had come to him purposefully. To offer even a hint. Ruel clenched his fist silently. His resolve began to falter.

***

Ruel waved at the people while feeling the breeze blowing in from outside. Wearing gloves didn’t keep his hands from feeling cold. His hair tickled his face and nose, and the wind constantly stung his face.

Ruel forced a smile, despite the constant barrage of titles like ‘Noble of Darkness’ and the fact that he had to do this crazy thing in the middle of winter.

—Hehehe.

Leo waved his front paw at the excited crowd.

—Smile brighter!

‘Are you enjoying this too?’

Cassion’s chuckle made Ruel’s lips quiver. When the numbness in his face and arms subsided, the farewell ceremony concluded. Closing the carriage window, Ruel sighed as he fixed his disheveled hair.

“Damn it, this is probably his way of retaliating.”

“Not at all. Your good deeds have earned you this recognition far and wide.”

Cassion handed Ruel a blanket and a warm beverage.

“Good deeds, my foot…” Ruel blew on his tea, his eyes widening. “Is news of this incident already spreading?”

Upon reflection, it did seem like rumors were circulating beyond the moniker of the ‘Noble of Darkness.’ Cassion’s smile in response to Ruel’s question was telling.

“The aftermath of the poisoning incident has spread farther than you imagined, Ruel-nim. It appears we couldn’t contain the rumors, and they’ve reached the common folk.”

“Prince Adea played his part well, didn’t he?” Ruel took a sip of tea, wrapping himself in the blanket. Placing Leo on his lap, who had been by the window, he finally felt warm.

“Well, I can’t say where it originated.”

Cassion chuckled, a knowing look in his eyes hinting at the source of the rumors.

“It seems people are calling me something other than that wretched title.”

“Would you like to know?”

“Yeah. If I hear the title, I might have an idea of who it is.”

“They’re calling you the ‘Darkness of Mercy,’ Ruel-nim…”

“Damn Ganien!” Ruel’s voice rose instantly.

It was Ganien behind the rumors, or more accurately, Huswen’s plan. Huswen had orchestrated things to ensure Kran, the king, couldn’t reject the Blue Knights’ proposal.

Gritting his teeth, Ruel thought it typical of Huswen, relentless as ever. Despite any claims, it was evident that Ganien had coined the title. Huswen wouldn’t have come up with such a lame moniker. Cassion struggled to stifle his laughter but couldn’t hold back.

“Shut up, Cassion.”

—This body likes it. There’s no one as merciful as Ruel!

As Cassion laughed heartily, Leo repeated ‘Darkness of Mercy’ with a goofy smile, Ruel massaged his temples. A headache was coming.

***

Upon departing the Kingdom of Kran, Ruel joined the Blue Knights. With no bridge between Cyronian and Kran, they had to take a carriage detour to reach the neutral zone.

To expedite their journey, they opted to sail across the sea on a ship provided by the Blue Knights. Ruel’s carriage was to be taken separately to Cyronian by a few royal knights from Leponia.

“Ganien!”

As soon as they boarded the ship, which was as big as a cruise ship, Ruel didn’t bother to admire the interior and immediately went looking for Ganien. Upon finding him, Ruel glared at Ganien and strode towards him.

“What’s, what’s wrong?”

Ganien stuttered unintentionally under Ruel’s fierce gaze. Had he done something wrong?

Ganien quickly racked his brain. He had just sent his subordinates to check the condition of the ship and to look for traces of magic through Aris. Having just taken a breather, he was at a loss because Ruel had arrived at that moment, which meant there was nothing to pin on him.

Ruel chuckled hollowly. It was audacious for someone to so blatantly tarnish the few titles he possessed in his life.

As Ruel advanced, Ganien stepped back nervously.

“L-Let’s go inside and talk.”

Ganien pointed towards the staircase leading down, mindful of those around them. There were many eyes on the deck.

“Fine.”

Ruel agreed and went down the stairs first.

“Set sail!”

Before following Ruel, Ganien issued the command to set sail and then descended the stairs one by one after him. As he walked down the steps, Ganien pondered why Ruel had called for him. There was one possibility that came to mind.

‘Surely he couldn’t know about that, could he?’

“Ganien.” Ruel’s deep voice interrupted Ganien’s thoughts. “Are you prepared?”

“Uh? Ah, we’re currently installing magic bombs all over the ship. It’s a bit of a waste to the ship, but what can we do?” Ganien remarked, casting a disappointed look around the ship.

The plan was to commence the action at sea, a visible location from both Cyronian and Kran. Since they were not wizards, the shadows would not be noticeable even if they wreaked havoc at sea.

Ruel, capable of manipulating darkness and easily mistaken for a warlock, would play the villain. Darkness should be the image that comes to mind when thinking of the warlock.

“Darkness of Mercy,” Ruel remarked unexpectedly.

Taken aback, Ganien stuttered, “H-How did you find out about that?”

“There’s no one else who would invent such a childish title.”

“Childish? That’s harsh. I put a lot of thought into it…”

Ruel pointed a finger threateningly. “It’s better if this title doesn’t spread.”

“…”

Instead of responding, Ganien chuckled, avoiding Ruel’s gaze.

Ruel’s expression crumpled at once. He could even hear Cassion stifling a laugh from the side, which made Ruel’s hand around his cane turn red.

“T-this…”

“Ah, I’m starting to feel hungry. I should prepare some food,” Ganien abruptly excused himself before swiftly retreating up the stairs.

***

“A-Are you feeling alright?” Aris asked, pausing with a spoon in hand, observing Ruel’s pale face.

“Don’t worry about me; just eat. I’ll be fine after a bit.”

“I’ll go get Fran,” Cassion offered as he noticed Ruel’s untouched food.

Their plan was set to begin during the meal, the ideal time when vulnerabilities were at their peak. However, Ruel, who should have been eating, was battling seasickness and couldn’t manage a bite.

“No need, I’ll feel better with a short break,” Ruel assured them, Leo patting his head in support.

—This body doesn’t know what sea sickness feels like, but this body hopes you recover soon.

“Are we ready?” Ruel asked, holding his cane tightly, looking towards Cassion.

“If you’re ready, Ruel-nim, we can proceed immediately.”

“Really?” Ruel stood up promptly.

Aris followed suit.

“Apologies for interrupting your meal, but I’m prepared.”

“Seriously?” Cassion eyed Ruel skeptically, concerned by his unsteady demeanor.

“Send the signal.”

But what could he do when his master ordered it? As Cassion raised a finger, a loud ‘thud’ echoed from above. It seemed the mast had broken. That was just the signal they needed.

“Let’s move, Aris,” Ruel commanded, gripping his cane in his hand.

As this stage unfolded, both allies and enemies would be watching this ship closely. Attacking during mealtime needed to appear natural.

“Understood!” Aris responded eagerly.

—This body is also ready.

Leo chimed in, unaware but sticking close to Ruel with a bright smile.