NOVEL WEB Chapter 50
“Finally, you seem ready to listen to people.”
At Giorg’s words, Demitul nodded repeatedly like a broken doll. It seemed that only at this stage did the true terror of Giorg as a person finally sink in.
“Now, Demitul, as you can tell from your earlier conversation with Azein, you came to Galveit because of Jilvol’s schemes.”
“…”
“Of course, His Majesty and the Crown Prince of our country are aware of this.”
“Th-that can’t be…”
Demitul’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“That’s precisely why His Majesty entrusted you to me for surveillance. And if I determine that you are of no use to Galveit, I have orders to eliminate you.”
Demitul’s face went blank at the facts laid out by Giorg. The shock was too much for his emotions to keep up.
“You didn’t come to Galveit of your own will, did you? It was Azein who urged you to seek asylum in Galveit, wasn’t it?”
Demitul quietly nodded in response to Giorg’s question.
“You were sent here to Galveit by Azein, who was acting on Jilvol’s orders. Now, here’s a question for you. What exactly were you sent here for? What is Jilvol’s goal? Answer me.”
Demitul couldn’t respond to Giorg’s words. At this moment, Demitul was too overwhelmed by the shock of the facts being thrown at him to think clearly.
“Hmph, seems like you’re not in a state to think.”
Demitul didn’t even feel anger at Giorg’s mocking tone. The only emotion in Demitul’s heart was sheer terror at the man standing before him.
“Azein, explain it to him.”
“Y-yes.”
Azein, who had been called upon by Giorg, trembled as he responded. Knowing that Giorg wouldn’t hesitate to kill even a Zabeiru vassal, Azein couldn’t help but feel tense. If he mishandled this situation, it could not only cost him his life but also escalate into a war between Galveit and Zabeiru.
(Just how much does Duke Zarfing know?)
Azein was crushed by anxiety. He had no idea how far Giorg’s intelligence network had penetrated Zabeiru’s plans.
(They know I brought Demitul here on Jilvol’s orders. They must have guessed the rest…)
Azein hesitated. It wasn’t a long hesitation—maybe a second or two—but in this situation, it felt like an eternity to him.
“Azein, I already told you there’s no need for games anymore, didn’t I?”
“Guh… My apologies.”
Azein hung his head as he responded to Giorg’s words. He remembered the fact that Giorg knew about Zabeiru Military’s communication methods. This likely meant Giorg knew everything.
To Azein, Giorg had become a colossal and terrifying figure.
“As Duke Zarfing said, Demitul was sent to Galveit by Lord Jilvol.”
“Wh-what…?”
A sound of despair escaped Demitul’s lips at Azein’s words. Though Giorg had already mentioned this, it had only been a possibility. Now, with Azein confirming it, it became a certainty.
This meant that Demitul had been acting solely for Jilvol’s benefit. And the fact that he had been completely unaware of it made him feel even more miserable.
“The goal was to intervene in the Galveit Kingdom, destroy it, and establish control over the territories of the old Central Nobles.”
Giorg smirked at Azein’s continued explanation. The fact that this came from Azein’s own mouth was significant. Like Demitul, Giorg had almost accurately deduced Jilvol’s plans, but it had been mere speculation without concrete evidence. If Jilvol denied it, Giorg would have had no way to pursue the matter further.
(Azein, you’re really lucky.)
Giorg inwardly chuckled at Azein’s luck. Without a decisive way to pursue Jilvol, Giorg would have had to fabricate evidence—forcing Azein to confess and then disposing of him. But Azein had confessed the crucial details himself. At this moment, Azein became a protected witness for evidence preservation.
“As you know, Demitul lacks seriousness. You can tell from the fact that he hasn’t made any requests to gain the support of the nobles in the past week, right?”
“Yeah, normally, one would draft a manifesto or try to influence Galveit’s influential figures.”
Giorg responded with a cold laugh, which cut deep into Demitul’s heart.
“Seeing Demitul, they judged him easy to manipulate and moved to annex the Central Nobles’ territories.”
Azein looked at Giorg as he spoke, as if to indicate that this was all he knew.
“That’s how it is. Understood?”
Giorg shifted his gaze to Demitul and asked. Demitul’s face was no longer pale—it was ashen, like a dead man’s.
“Now, Azein. Go and report what you just said to King Jilvol.”
“Yes!!”
“Roy, assist him.”
“Understood.”
Roy’s response was one of eager compliance. Of course, “assist” here clearly carried the implication of surveillance.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-yes.”
Led by Roy, Azein left the office.
“Now, Demitul.”
“Huh…?”
WHAM!!
“Agh…!”
Giorg punched Demitul in the face. Demitul crouched down, clutching his face.
“You thought about laying a hand on Aisha? You really overestimated yourself.”
“Eek!! Please forgive me!! Please!!”
At Giorg’s words, Demitul begged for mercy incessantly. He no longer resembled the arrogant Crown Prince but rather a slave pleading with his master.
“Aisha, what should we do? I don’t mind finishing him off here.”
Giorg turned to Aisha and asked.
“No, I think it would be better for you, Lord Giorg, to keep him alive. It gives you more options.”
“I see.”
Giorg’s response was brief, but Aisha was pleased that Giorg had left the decision of Demitul’s fate to her. To Giorg, Demitul was just a bargaining chip against Jilvol. Of course, Giorg understood this. But Giorg had been willing to discard that chip for Aisha’s sake.
“Lord Giorg, thank you.”
“Huh? For what?”
Aisha had accidentally said something she shouldn’t have. Depending on how it was interpreted, it could be seen as pointing out Giorg’s kindness, weakness, or softness.
Giorg was cold and ruthless, but that was only one side of him. He had deep respect and affection for his subordinates. His subordinates knew this, which was why they followed even his most merciless orders.
“N-no, nothing!!”
Aisha hurriedly shook her head, trying to take back her words. Seeing this, a smile appeared on Giorg’s face.
Aisha’s cheeks flushed, and Giorg’s cheeks also turned slightly red.
(Honestly, these two are so awkward.)
Cain, who had been watching this, inwardly chuckled. Seeing the usually cold and calculating Giorg show such an age-appropriate reaction was amusing.
(Well, time to clean up.)
Having made this decision, Cain approached his master with a suggestion.
“My lord, I will clean the room, so please give me some time.”
“Ah, right.”
“Aisha, after escorting my lord, go and clean yourself up.”
“Huh…? Y-yes!!”
“Cain, what are you talking about!!”
“Huh?”
Cain responded with a blank expression to Giorg and Aisha’s reactions. Cain’s words were based on the judgment that Aisha, still covered in blood, couldn’t serve Giorg in that state. But it seemed the two had interpreted it differently.
Realizing this, the three of them each showed different expressions. One smirked, while the other two turned red.
“Now, first, hand over that trash. I’ll throw him in another room. Aisha, escort my lord.”
With that, Cain grabbed the still-crouching Demitul by the collar and dragged him away.
(Ugh… I messed up.)
Giorg sighed inwardly, realizing his mistake.
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