This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 91

The iron gate of the Archducal Castle bore an old scar-like mark in the center.

Molten iron had been poured into the gap to seal the middle of the iron gate, and indeed, the rough traces of forcibly tearing apart the fused metal remained like a wound in the center.

“It was a measure to ensure that no one could open the gate. Only after hearing that you would be visiting, Your Grace, did we remove the fused section.”

For many years, the gate had forgotten its original role and had become a wall. Now, it was finally open.

As the massive-bodied Shawd applied force, the rusted hinges let out an unpleasant creaking sound.

The Archducal Castle, built using black stone found only in the north, seemed as though time had stopped since that moment ten years ago. The surroundings, left in disarray without being cleaned, vividly conveyed the urgency of that time.

Looking at the scene, Shawd felt his emotions welling up once more. He barely suppressed them, determined not to show such a disgraceful sight to Lyle and Elaina any longer.

The blackout curtains, which had darkened the windows, were drawn aside. Dust swirled in the sunlight like falling snow.

The grand Archducal Castle was large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, including vassals. Though it had been a long time since Shawd had walked these halls, his memories remained clear as if it had been just yesterday, and he guided Lyle and Elaina through them.

“This is the room used by the late Archduke during his lifetime.”

Having led them through the audience chamber, the study, the rooms where guests had stayed, and various other locations, Shawd finally stopped before the office used by the Archduke. His fist clenched tightly, and he took a step back with a somber expression.

Lyle grasped the handle with a hardened face.

With a creak, the office door opened, and Lyle was suddenly flooded with memories from his childhood. He had come here with his father once. It was a very old memory of his grandfather, who had seemed so dignified, lifting him onto his shoulders.

Lyle, who rarely showed any change in expression, could not completely hide the deep emotion that surfaced in his eyes as he looked around the aged room. Rather than offering words of comfort, Elaina simply and gently ran her hand along his arm as he crossed them over his chest.

***

After the tour of the Archducal Castle was over, Shawd invited them to his residence. The castle, having been left neglected for so long, was not in a suitable condition for immediate use.

Although he had taken some care with the evening meal, it was not an extravagant feast. The difficult situation in Pendita was evident in the limited number of dishes. However, the sincerity of Shawd, who wished to offer them the best hospitality he could, was deeply felt.

Lyle, Elaina, and Leo, the commander of the knights, attended the banquet.

Contrary to his reputation as a seasoned politician, Shawd was someone who could not conceal his emotions. Multiple times, he looked at Lyle, his excitement and joy spilling over like that of a child.

As the banquet continued, a servant approached Shawd and whispered something to him.

“My lord, we have received confirmation that the Archducal Castle’s gate has been sealed and the guards have been fully stationed, as per your orders.”

“Good. Remind the captain of the guard once again to ensure not even an ant sneaks in.”

“Understood.”

At Shawd’s words, Leo frowned. “Sealing the Archducal Castle’s gate again? Is that really necessary?”

Elaina, too, had the same thought.

Even if it was to oppose Marquis Redwood, Shawd’s actions—sealing off the entrance with molten iron—seemed excessive.

Shawd set down his utensils and signaled to the servants. At his gesture, the maids and the messenger who had delivered the report all left the dining hall.

Once they were gone, Shawd looked at them with a somewhat stiff expression and finally spoke.

“There is something I must tell Your Grace the Archduke.”

It was something he had been agonizing over ever since he heard of Lyle’s visit to Pendita. Even up until Lyle’s arrival, Shawd had not fully made up his mind.

However, upon meeting Lyle, who bore an uncanny resemblance to his father, his hesitation vanished entirely.

“How much do you know about what happened ten years ago, Your Grace?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected topic, Elaina’s eyes widened as she looked back and forth between Lyle and Shawd. Ten years ago? That was a wound so great that the Grant family could never afford to unearth it.

Lyle’s face immediately stiffened. “Ten years ago… You mean the treason my grandfather committed.”

Shawd gave a heavy nod. “Yes.”

The rebellion from ten years ago.

But the words that came out of Shawd’s mouth were something unexpected.

“As I recall, it was not long after he returned from his summer vacation. Every summer, His Grace the Archduke would…”

“Deftia.”

“Yes. He would spend time with his family at the Deftia villa before returning.”

Deftia.

Elaina had heard the name from Lyle once before. It was the southernmost region of the north, where the climate remained cool even in the height of summer and was located by the sea, making it the perfect summer retreat. It was where Lyle had told Knox he wanted to visit—a villa filled with happy memories of his family.

“Ordinarily, when His Grace traveled there, he did not take his vassals with him. Due to the situation in the north, he often spent much of his time in solitude, so at the very least, during his vacation, he wished to focus solely on his family. However, that year was different.”

Shawd carefully observed Lyle’s expression.

It was a story he had never told anyone in the past ten years. At times, even he doubted whether his memories were accurate. The sudden death of his lord had left him in shock, making him wonder if he had misremembered the events or simply needed a target for his grief.

“…What was different was that that year, the late Archduke had a companion on his trip.”

That companion was Fleang Redwood.

Around that time, there had been reports of unusual disturbances in the Mabel Mountains, which had previously only been troubled by occasional wild animals venturing into the villages.

“Several members of the Grant Knights who had gone to Mabel were severely injured. Believing that the situation could not be handled by the knights alone, His Grace summoned Fleang from the capital.”

At the time, Fleang had been alternating between the capital and the north. The late Archduke, in consideration of his only son, had assigned him a trusted retainer. The journey between the north and the capital was arduous, but Fleang had never once complained.

The issue remained unresolved even as the summer retreat to Deftia approached. As a result, the late Archduke broke his long-standing rule and brought Fleang Redwood along on the family trip.

“And after returning from Deftia, the late Archduke began to say strange things.”

“What do you mean by strange?” Elaina, her face tense, asked. There was something unsettling about every detail of Shawd’s story.

“He could not sleep properly at night. At first, we thought it was simply nightmares, but it was not.”

It had started with his complexion worsening. Though he had been strong even in his seventies, he began losing weight rapidly, his eyes growing hollow.

“And then, he started confusing his dreams with reality. No matter how many times we told him otherwise, he refused to listen to his vassals.”

It was bizarre. His once keen sense of reality had given way to a strange and ominous look in his eyes.

Like a zealot consumed by mysticism.

“Your Grace, I have told you many times—there is no such thing. The capital is peaceful. Did you not receive a reply from Lord Lucin? The capital is safe.”

“No. No, Shawd, I can see it. Every night, it repeats in my dreams. Soon, there will be a rebellion. You may not know it, but I do. I see the Emperor’s head hanging from a spear on the city walls, the traitor seizing the Empire in a grotesque spectacle—every night, I see it. Shawd, when something is predestined, it cannot be avoided.”

By the time it became clear how dire the Archduke’s condition was, it was already too late. Despite his vassals’ desperate attempts to stop him, he raised an army, as if driven by something unseen.

“What in the world…”

Elaina’s weakened hand let go of her utensil, and it clattered to the floor. She parted her lips as if she had forgotten how to speak.

A dream that repeated every night.

It was a phenomenon all too familiar to her.

“At that time, Fleang had gone to the capital with Lord Lucin to inform the Noble Council about the Mabel situation and seek aid. I sent him an urgent message, asking him to prevent any misunderstanding at the center regarding His Grace’s condition.”

Fleang had been chosen by the late Archduke as the wings for his son. Shawd knew his abilities better than anyone, for they had been longtime comrades.

Thanks to the express messenger, Shawd’s letter reached the capital before the Archduke’s forces could.

“But… that man read my letter and chose an entirely different course of action.”