Chapter 180: What the Great Man Seeks

Noah remembered Ruel’s instructions. 

“If Jayel tries to slap you, do whatever it takes to let me take the hit.”

Although it seemed like a peculiar instruction, since he had already received payment, Noah decided to proceed with the plan as instructed.

Whack!

Jayel’s eyes widened in surprise. However, it was not Noah who stumbled and fell to the ground but Ruel. Noah shut his eyes tightly, almost hearing Billo’s voice in the background.

“Are you okay?” Torto shouted loudly as he rushed to assist Ruel.

It didn’t make sense that a knight couldn’t block a slap from someone who hadn’t learned swordsmanship, but this was Ruel’s order.

“No matter what happens, do not intervene, Sir Torto.”

Whispers spread among the crowd. All eyes turned to the sharp sound of the slap. It was clear that Jayel had hit Ruel.

‘Good, the stage is set.’ Ruel thought, holding his stinging cheek and flashing a mischievous smile. Witnessing this, Torto felt a shiver down his spine, sensing that everything was under Ruel’s control.

“L… Lord Setiria…” Jayel, shocked by her own actions, struggled to lower her hand after slapping Ruel.

“It’s fine, Your Highness. I will repay the rudeness my servant just committed,” Ruel stated calmly, mindful of the audience around them.

But ignoring Ruel’s words, Jayel looked around frantically. 

‘Who is she looking for?’

Ruel followed her gaze but couldn’t see who she was looking at. 

“Your Highness?” 

“I’m terribly sorry. I… I made a huge mistake,” Jayel confessed in a panic, hastily taking off her glove and wiping the blood from the corner of Ruel’s mouth with a trembling hand.

‘What’s going on?’

Surprised by Jayel’s unusual behavior, Ruel remained puzzled but continued his act. “It’s alright, Your Highness. It’s not that painful.”

“No, it is. Here, drink this.” Jayel swiftly handed Ruel a nearby beverage. Soon, she stared at the drink in her hand and asked, “Can you drink this?”

“I can’t drink that. I can have the water next to it.”

“Alright. I’ll just…” Jayel paused mid-action of picking up the water cup, belatedly noticing the commotion around her. It was as if everyone was mocking her.

“What are you all doing? It was just a minor misunderstanding, so mind your own business!” 

Under Jayel’s sharp gaze, the gathered nobles hurriedly began to disperse, fearing they might get caught up in her wrath. Her hand holding the cup trembled again. It was because of the anger that was slowly building up inside her. 

She was furious that she was scared over such a trivial matter as slapping Ruel’s cheek.

It infuriated her to the point of wanting to kill Ruel. It annoyed her. She wanted to get rid of him immediately if she could. But Jayel had to forcefully suppress her surging emotions. Her shadow stretched long under the light, looking pitiful.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Ruel replied with a smile, accepting the water from Jayel and exchanging glances with Noah, who signaled his readiness. Ruel then turned to Leo, who had approached him.

—Does it hurt a lot? This body will teach her a lesson later! 

Leo growled at Jayel, glaring with intensity.

‘You should wipe that cream off your mouth first.’ Ruel suppressed a chuckle that was about to escape. 

The recent commotion was the start of the performance, and a signal to call Leo back to his side. After drinking the water, Ruel glanced at Leo, who smiled brightly.

—This body was going to save it for later, but this body can’t refuse Ruel’s request. 

Leo tapped Ruel’s leg, and a black thing emerged from his body. 

—Yum yum.

Unlike the brightly smiling Leo, Ruel stumbled, feeling pain. 

Clang! 

A sound like shattering glass made Jayel’s eyes widen. 

“Cough!”

As Ruel vomited blood, the party fell into an eerie silence. It was an obvious ploy. Since Jayel valued her status, he thought she would definitely retaliate against Noah’s words. But it was he who had been slapped.

The wall that had concealed death was now gone, and the Great Man’s plan was crumbling. In that state, she had dared to lay a hand on Ruel, who was meant to be the vessel of the Great Man. It must feel like her mind was not just shaken, but shattered. But it was still far from over.

She was borrowing the power of the Red Ash and was closely connected to him. Just like a dog desperately seeking its owner, when her reason completely collapses, she’ll cling to the Great Man.

“Ruel-nim!” Noah and Torto were greatly surprised. Although Ruel had mentioned he would vomit blood beforehand, they hadn’t expected it. But it had become reality. Noah, with a pale face, sprinkled a little poison powder on the blood Ruel had vomited. It was another order Ruel had given him.

“T— this is why you should take a break from the party…”

“That’s poison.” Torto cut off Noah’s words as he checked the broken cup.

“W-what are you talking about?!” 

Jayel was the most startled by Torto’s statement. Poison? As much as she wanted to kill Ruel, she knew better than anyone that this wasn’t the time.

“It’s poison!” Noah shouted in panic.

“What’s going on!” At Adea’s voice, the nobles parted ways.

Adea briefly surveyed the situation, then paused. Ruel collapsed, having vomited blood, the broken cup sprawled beside him, and Jayel, looking terrified.

[Your Highness, no matter what happens at the welcome party, just get me back to my room safely.]

A note from Ruel’s butler. He didn’t know what it meant, but now he understood. Ruel had intended to corner Jayel. Cornered and desperate, she would eventually reach her destination, the Great Man.

Adea shuddered again at Ruel’s actions. He was too terrifying to be an enemy. But if it was all for the sake of Kran, he couldn’t say he wouldn’t do it.

“What are you doing! Take Lord Setiria to his room immediately!” Adea shouted at Torto and Noah. He couldn’t trust anyone now. Not even his own subordinates. Having Ruel taken to his room by his own people was the safest option. It was a bitter truth.

“Lo… Lord Setiria!” When Treitol approached in surprise, Adea thought it was a good opportunity.

“Ah, I’ll take Lord Setiria with me, so please handle the situation.”

“Brother, what on earth is going on?”

“It’s poison.” Torto glared at Jayel while cradling Ruel in his arms.

“I—I’m innocent! Please, please believe me!” Jayel clung desperately to Treitol’s arm.

“What do you think you’re doing!” Treitol shook off her arm and glared at her in displeasure.

“Brother, please go without worry. I’ll take care of the aftermath.”

“Alright, I trust you.” Adea lightly patted Treitol’s shoulder and hurried out of the hall with Torto and Noah.

“Guards!” At Treitol’s shout, guards rushed in immediately.

“Seize Jayel and confine her to a room!”

As the guards grabbed Jayel, she struggled to break free.

“I’m innocent! Please believe me! Please, please!”

Hearing Jayel’s desperate cries, Ruel opened his eyes slightly. He clenched his fist tightly. Finally, he got it right. Finally!

‘As expected, Treitol is the Great Man!’

There was no longer any need to hesitate. The person Jayel was desperately clinging to was Treitol. Overwhelmed by anxiety, the place Jayel was expected to head towards was right there—the underground secret passage in the royal palace. It must be related.

‘I need more evidence to support this.’

To bring down the enemy, a princess, and provide a reason for execution, Ruel contemplated handing over that justification to Adea.

***

“…!”

As soon as they entered the room, Adea was taken aback by the sight of Ruel calmly moving around as if nothing had happened.

“Are you alright? Did you vomit blood?” Adea inquired, his concern evident.

“It’s just a recurring symptom, nothing to worry about,” Ruel reassured him.

A recurring symptom of vomiting blood? Adea stared at Ruel with a stern face.

“Your Highness, we don’t have much time. Please lend me the proof of your royal lineage from the Kran Kingdom for a moment.” Ruel requested, recalling the Kran Kingdom’s emblem inscribed on the underground barrier.

After a moment of hesitation, Adea took off his necklace and handed it to Ruel.

“Your Highness, please ensure that nobody approaches my room from now on.”

“Are you… leaving?” Adea questioned.

“This is a personal matter.”

Though Adea disapproved of Ruel’s boldness in drawing a line, he chose not to press the issue further.

“Lord Setiria, your actions were rash. Jayel is powerful and not to be underestimated.”

“The situation was urgent, leaving me no other option. Now, I trust that Your Highness will handle the aftermath well.”

“…?” 

Adea was taken aback. The princess of the Kran Kingdom attempting to poison the head of the delegation? Not only had he mentioned this casually as a mere “cleanup,” but he was also entrusting him with it.

“Are you asking me to deal with the aftermath?”

“Yes. I initiated this, but you must see it through,” Ruel clarified, accepting the medicine Noah offered him, the pain evident in his expression.

“You planned to use me from the beginning, didn’t you?” 

“Of course. Your Highness has the power.”

Adea was speechless at Ruel’s audacity in not only admitting it but also boldly stating his intentions. 

“I’m investigating a matter within this kingdom and have discovered a secret location relevant to it.”

“A secret location?” Adea rubbed his temples in frustration.

“Fear not; cornering Princess Jayel was not done recklessly. Moreover, I’ve provided her with a ‘gift’ that you can utilize.”

“A gift? You mean… you’ve created false evidence!”

“Utilize it as needed, Your Highness.” Ruel smirked. “Now, we’re in this together.”

Adea felt a headache coming on at the implication that if he failed, they would both be doomed.

‘He’s playing weak when he’s more than capable,’ Ruel scoffed lightly.

With Adea’s power, he could easily resolve this matter. After all, why was he a prince? Even Banios, a mere guest in Setiria, could do it. This was the perfect opportunity to use Adea’s abilities. 

Knock, knock.

A hurried knock interrupted their conversation, and Fran and Tierra rushed in.

“Lord Ru…” Fran and Tierra began to address him but quickly covered their mouths in surprise, glaring at Ruel as they entered.

“Again, with the lies…” Fran began, rolling up her sleeves before pausing as she noticed the blood still on Ruel’s hands.

“Sister, His Highness is present,” Tierra intervened, trying to prevent Fran from approaching Ruel abruptly.

Noticing Adea standing at a distance, Fran quickly bowed. “Greetings to the littled sun of the Kran Kingdom. Please forgive my sister and my impoliteness!”

“It’s fine.” Adea, preoccupied with the task Ruel had given him, didn’t dwell on Fran’s rudeness. 

“Excuse me then.”

Assisting Ruel to sit on the bed, Fran started examining him. “Your face…”

“Don’t worry about it. It was just a minor dispute.” 

“It doesn’t seem minor.” When Fran looked at Tierra, she handed her an ointment.

“Regardless, at least you weren’t dishonest about being injured.” Fran’s demeanor softened as she applied the ointment to Ruel’s cheek.

Ruel was puzzled; the painkiller he had taken had already begun to take effect. “It doesn’t hurt anymore?”

“Look here.” Fran pointed to a small rash on Ruel’s wrist. “You seem to have an allergic reaction.”

“I only drank some water.”

“It wasn’t regular water. It had a faint fruity scent,” Noah corrected Ruel.

“Good thing you checked. Lord Ruel is sensitive to such things, so minor symptoms can quickly escalate. Tierra.”

“Yes, sister.” Tierra set down her bag and handed Noah a vial of medicine.

“Lord Ruel,” Fran addressed him.

“Yes?”

“Don’t strain yourself.”

Though she seemed to have more to say, Fran kept her words brief, likely mindful of Adea’s presence.

Ruel simply smiled and accepted the medicine from Noah. Rest was a luxury he couldn’t afford; he had to keep moving.

“Then, I’ll go ahead and reassign the soldiers,” Adea said, looking at Ruel with a frown.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Ruel responded with genuine gratitude for once, acknowledging Adea’s power and authority.

“I have never witnessed a noble treating a prince in this manner in all my years. Are all the nobles of Leponia like this?”

“No, they are not.”

“Then you are exceptional. I can empathize with how Prince Banios of Leponia must feel.”

Adea’s expression was sympathetic, as if Banios were present. Though annoyed, Ruel restrained himself from speaking out.

‘This is absurd. I’m the one doing all the hard work here.’

Ruel hadn’t burdened Banios much. It mostly involved financial support: funding the search for the hidden Red Ash in Leponia based on Treitol’s data, supporting research on countering the black water and portals, and financing gate defenses, knight and soldier training, and weapon procurement. Banios’ role primarily revolved around finances. Given his current requirements, it was natural for Banios to provide generous financial backing.

Knock, knock. 

A knock at the door made Ruel smile. It was likely Cassion and Aris.

“Your Highness,” Ruel called out to Adea as he headed towards the door.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read