The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 77 - It’s A Waste Of Time

Chapter Seventy Seven

Clank. Clank.

The borrowed armour from Kaelen fit me perfectly yet it clanked with each step I took in the dungeon.

"Master, are you sure about this? What if we execute him in front of the villagers and no one reacts?" Kaelen sighed as he walked beside me.

That’s true... Ugh! I have a headache.

[Alert!]

[Quest Triggered: Execute All The Traitors]

[Objective: Kill All Of The Emperor’s Men (0/13)]

[Reward: CCTV Linked Watch (SS-Grade)]

[Would you like to accept the quest?]

[Yes]/[No]

Ah... Yes.

[Ping!]

[All The Best, Host.]

Thank you for the information, Sysi.

"Master?" Kaelen glanced at me from beneath his helmet.

"Ah... yes." I exhaled slowly. "Thirteen rats."

He stiffened slightly but said nothing.

"Since I was meant to die at midnight yesterday and have made no appearance since," I continued, my voice steady, analytical, "and with the city gates sealed, they’ll assume Vische escaped his cell and succeeded in killing me."

Kaelen’s brows furrowed. He followed now.

"There’s no need to mention the opium to the citizens," I went on. "That truth would only result into unrest. We’ll say Vische broke free, fled the dungeons, and attempted to assassinate me."

I paused, boots grinding against stone.

"The Emperor’s men will panic since their plan failed and try to send information to The Emperor. Those who try to run from the execution site in a hurry first chase them down. Confirm. Kill."

Kaelen nodded once.

"The rest," I said calmly, "Garrow and Eatassh, you are to watch the square carefully. Observe them. Follow the suspicious ones. Confirm their allegiance. Execute them on the spot and clean up."

The torches flickered.

"But... my liege," Garrow asked carefully, "how do you know there are exactly thirteen men?"

I glanced at him.

"I have my ways," I said flatly. "Do as you’re told."

"Master." Kaelen straightened. "You’ll return to the castle after the public execution?"

"Yes." My gaze shifted forward, already calculating. "I need to prepare before leaving."

Kaelen hesitated.

"Leaving... where, Master?"

I stopped walking as I turned my head toward him, irritated. "Do I need to inform you of everything I do, Kaelen?"

His shoulders stiffened instantly.

"No... no. That’s not what I meant." He bowed his head. "I apologise, Master." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

It’s for the best. I can’t tell them that I’m going to Spirit Realm. All the explanation will cause me a headache.

"Good." I resumed walking, armour clanking once more. "Focus on the work and getting stronger, Kaelen. Not on yapping."

"Yes, Master."

"Stay outside, you three. I wanna let off some steam."

The heavy iron door groaned as I pushed it open, the screech of metal on metal echoing through the damp corridor. Inside, the stench of unwashed bodies for days was thick enough to taste.

Did they put all of them in the same floor?

Clank. Clank.

I walked to Vische’s cell, glancing inside.

Vische was huddled in the corner, his fine clothes now tattered and stained. When he saw the silhouette of the armor, he scrambled to his feet, clutching the bars with trembling hands.

"Veryon! Thank the gods!" he gasped, a desperate hope surfacing in his eyes as he gripped the bars. "I knew you wouldn’t leave me here. Those idiots... they don’t understand our bond! Let me out, and we can tell everyone this was all a misunderstanding! It is a misunderstanding, Veryon!"

I didn’t answer.

I just stood there, the visor of Kaelen’s helmet obscuring my expression. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, until Vische’s smile began to falter.

Disgusting. Veryon was too pure- hearted, dumb and timid. Haah... What kind of brother and friend was he trusting?

I’ll personally execute Vische and set an example for the entire fief.

I’m sorry, Veryon. Using your body to go against your loved ones. But, in my opinion, this is better than being betrayed while knowing you are being betrayed.

Plus, you have Vizen. He really cares about you, Veryon. It’s better to give him a better life. After all, he came all the way from the capital to the cold North to serve you.

I’m sorry. For doing opposite of whatever you would have done.

"Veryon?" he whispered, his grip on the bars tightening. "Why are you just standing there? Say something. They even put my parents in dungeons! You have to punish your subordinates! "

I reached up and slowly unlatched the helmet, pulling it off to reveal a face devoid of the warmth he expected.

Clank.

I slowly crouched infront of his terrified face. "Are you that scared, friend?"

His entire body trembled as he looked back into my eyes, cowering.

"V-Veryon?" he stammered, his fingers turning white as he gripped the bars. "Your eyes... why are you looking at me like that? I’m your brother in everything but blood! We played together in the academy, we shared—"

"We shared nothing but your lies," I interrupted, my voice a flat, leaving him at a loss of words.

I reached out, my gauntleted hand moving with a speed that made him flinch. I didn’t strike him. Instead, I grabbed the collar of his expensive, filth-crusted clothes and pulled him flush against the iron bars. The metal groaned under the pressure.

"Veryon... Air..."

I let him go as he clutched onto his neck, breathing heavily.

What’s the point in hitting him, though? It’s just a waste of time now. There’ll be plenty chances to hit plenty of people later.

Let’s just get this over with.

"Baron Vische, you are hereby stripped off of your title. And, sentenced to public execution. Kaelen, drag him, his parents and that orphanage director to the town square. I don’t plan on keeping people in my dungeon for long."

"Veryon! No! You can’t!" Vische’s voice broke into a pathetic, high-pitched wail as he collapsed against the bars. "My parents? They have nothing to do with this! My parents... they’re nobles! You can’t just—"

The heavy iron door swung open before he could finish. Kaelen stepped in, his face a mask of cold stone, followed by Garrow and Eatassh. They didn’t hesitate. The sounds of heavy boots and the rattling of chains filled the narrow corridor, drowning out Vische’s desperate pleas.

"Move," Kaelen barked, dragging Vische out by the hair while Garrow headed for the neighboring cells.

Haah... I don’t know if you wanted revenge or not, Veryon. But, I hope your soul may rest in peace after your dear friend’s death.

"Hurry up, Kaelen. We don’t have time."

"Yes, Master."