Duke, Please Let Go of My Ankle! Chapter 2.2

 

 

✿

 

Derek stared at the man in front of him with an expressionless face.

 

I don’t feel sorry for the way I look at someone who failed to kill me.

 

Even if he felt sorry for the man who he already killed, it wouldn’t mean much.

 

Lucas glanced down at the bloodstained human body and sighed.

 

“As soon as he was brought to the torture chamber, he suddenly vomited blood and died. However, they said it’s nothing like the poison used by the survivors was found. In addition, he had pieces of wood in his mouth.”

 

“…”

 

“Usually, most people commit suicide as soon as they are captured, but this one was a little bit unusual.”

 

“Any other clues?” (Derek)

 

“There was a strange pattern on the chest. But…”

 

Lucas rolled up the top of the body. However, there was nowhere else to be considered a clue.

 

“Neither mice nor birds have disappeared.”

 

“In conclusion, you don’t know anything?” (Derek)

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

Derek, unlike other times, looked down at the familiar face and was lost in thought.

 

“Did you say he was a servant who worked in the horse section?”

 

“Yes, It’s already been a month since he started working here. It’s my fault I didn’t look closely.”

 

“Are they interested in what’s inside the castle?”

 

“I’m not sure.”

 

“…”

 

Lucas bowed his head in shame.

 

“Lord Derek was a man with many enemies.”

 

From the small nobles to the large imperial courts of distant continents, he was wracked with resentment.

 

It wasn’t that he was bad. He wasn’t a good guy either, but as soon as there’s blood in his sword, his enemies are increasing in numbers.

 

Even after the end of the war, the enemy sent a sprinkling of water as if to avenge the disgrace of the day.

 

The half-century war ended with the victory of the Criantes Empire, but the Duke was still paying the price for victory.

 

“I’m sick and tired of these guys…”

 

Even Lucas, who had been trained in a tight situation like this, has become serious at this time.

 

At this point the Duke might suspect his colleagues who have been with him.

 

This was because the man that was caught this time wasn’t guaranteed to be the first and only traitor.

 

If there are any remaining chances, they would attempt much harder to conceal their identities.

 

It may be a longer fight than expected.

 

“How many people have recently entered the castle?” (Derek)

 

“There are about 30 people who were recently employed, and if we include each department, there are well over 40 persons.”

 

“…”

 

“Let’s start with those who had been recently hired…”

 

“If we kill them all, it’ll be resolved.”

 

“Your Highness!”

 

Lucas, who was contemplating the extent of his dismissal, was shocked and stopped Derek.

 

‘Annihilation?’ Wasn’t that a last-ditch effort that could only be practiced at the end of a battle?

 

Then, as if there wasn’t anything special, he gazed at the aide grimly.

 

“…”

 

No, that’s not true. But still…

 

Lucas swallowed his words, which had been slurred several times in his mouth..

 

Looking back on the Duke’s life, it wasn’t even an incomprehensible order.

 

Derek Fritt was a man who spent about one third of his life on the battlefield.

 

It wasn’t a very good time and place to raise a child where killing was a norm.

 

At the age of fifteen. While his men were chasing after the ladies at the party, he chased the retreating enemy and finally beheaded them.

 

How was the mercy you showed to the enemy on the verge of death?

 

Obviously, the man, who was dying, became the last bomb and charged to the place of the Criantes army.

 

Derek realized the importance of confirmed kill only after desperately embracing the bloody body of his men.

 

It was not unusual for a man who had grown up and had decapitated 40 people with unknown affiliations.

 

‘Are you sure you could have a wedding?’

 

Suddenly, Lucas’ eyes, who were staring at his master seriously, became hazy.

 

Honestly, there’s no way that a woman would like the Duke of Fritt, unless that woman was crazy.

 

‘We’ve been together for a long time. It’s not the first time or twice that I got goosebumps.’ (Lucas)

 

Even if he tells him something that sounds wonderful that you’ve gone through hardships, he would have just faint or pee.

 

However, as a loyal servant, it was impossible to just stop watching over the Fritt family.

 

Lucas gave his advice with sincerity.

 

“Do you really need to put blood on your hands?” (Lucas)

 

“Do you want to see the Duke’s Castle bombing show tomorrow morning?” (Derek)

 

“I… would definitely finish it by this evening.” (Lucas)

 

“You should do it as fast as you can.”

 

“Yes. But, what should we do with this guy?”

 

Derek stepped forward silently.

 

Then, he drew his sword, and instantly pierced the man’s heart and waited for him to stop breathing.

 

It was a blood-curdling confirmation of the kill.

 

“..!”

 

“Burn it on fire.”

 

“…Ye-yes!”

 

Derek pulled out his sword again and turned around without regret.

 

Lucas looks at him from afar, fumbling over his heart in vain.

 

‘I wanted to say something straight to a man like that, what was I thinking?’ (Lucas)

 

At the same time he felt a strong sense of incongruity.

 

‘No matter how I look at it, you’re not even in love.’ (Lucas)

 

No matter what, no woman would be thrilled to see such a vicious and persistent man.

 

Unless the woman was really crazy

 

How could they be more excited about a man who’s closer to his death than love?

 

Lucas was worried about the 25-year-old Duke, without a lover, even though when he was 27 years old he still didn’t have a lover.

 

It was like a mouse thinking about a cat.