How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 301

“You’ve all worked hard. This proves that the reputation of Ajas was not exaggerated in the slightest.”

 

“We were just doing what we always do.”

 

“Catherine, sst, ssst.”

 

Catherine, who had spoken far too casually to a duke, was dragged backward by her colleague with a hand over her mouth.

 

Ethan quickly stepped forward and changed the subject before Duke Khalid could frown.

 

“Pardon me for speaking out of turn, but the corpses of rampaging monsters must be disposed of after removing their magic stones. If there are any monsters for which you don’t know the stone’s location, we can assist.”

 

“Well, I guess I’d better follow the expert’s advice. If you help me, I’ll definitely reward you.”

 

“Reward? Your praise is more than enough.”

 

At Ethan’s humble reply and subtle gesture, several members of the wizards and knights of Ajas approached the Khalid knights. It seemed they had already discussed this beforehand.

 

‘Even without their Lord, their command structure is well organized.’

 

No one stood out or slacked off. They were clearly used to fighting without a captain present.

 

“I’ve been meaning to ask… where is Marquis? Did he head straight to the Imperial Palace?”

 

“Ah, His Excellency the Marquis….”

 

Ethan hesitated for a moment.

 

‘Can I tell the truth to Duke Khalid?’

 

It wasn’t something he could decide lightly at the moment. After a brief silence, Ethan bowed his head.

 

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

 

“It seems like there’s something going on.”

 

Duke Khalid did not ask any further questions.

 

In any case, the wizards and knights of Ajas had made great contributions to the eastern wall, so no one could say anything about his lord’s disappearance.

 

“So now that thing is the only one left….”

 

Although it was difficult to see clearly because it was hidden by the castle walls, the presence of the Chimera Dragon could be clearly felt just by the blood-red clouds covering the sky.

 

‘I thought maybe the Marquis of Ajas had gone to deal with him.’

 

Judging by Ethan’s reaction, that hope had to be abandoned.

 

‘What are His Majesty the Emperor and Duke of Kereis doing?’

 

‘Surely they hadn’t abandoned their duties and fled. Or was even their power insufficient to deal with it?’

 

Without realising that the half-insane Emperor had fainted and was evacuated by the royal knights, as well as that Duke Kereis was hiding in his own residence and refusing to come out, Duke Khalid made up his mind.

 

“I guess I should go to the palace.”

 

“You, personally, Duke?”

 

“The power we possess is meant for times like this. What will you all do?”

 

As if this too had already been discussed, Ethan answered without hesitation.

 

“We haven’t been given any further instructions. So, for now, we’ll be returning to Paul Herbina.”

 

“I see…”

Duke Khalid swallowed his disappointment. He wanted to suggest they come with him, but they were the Marquis’s people.

Unless they were formally allied, giving orders to the Marquis’s subordinates without prior notice would be overstepping his authority.

 

“Then please take me to Paul Herbina.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“My partner will be there.”

 

Ethan nodded, knowing who Violet was talking about.

 

“Yes, let’s go together.”

 

“Aren’t you going to the palace? Your skills would definitely be helpful.….”

 

To Duke Khalid’s regretful question, Violet partially drew her sword from its sheath.

 

“Thank you for your praise, but I am so exhausted that going to the palace would only be a burden.”

 

On the half-drawn blade, faint traces of sword aura flickered like a mirage, barely forming.

 

If she were too drained to manifest a proper aura, taking her along would indeed be pointless.

 

Duke Khalid hid his regret and praised Violet’s accomplishments.

 

“It’s a shame, because with your skills, you could have achieved even greater feats.”

 

“No. I am satisfied that I was able to help you, Your Highness.”

 

As she had promised Alexander, she had taken care of every monster rampaging on the eastern wall.

 

Of course, it would be great if she could catch the giant monster currently rampaging through the palace, but Violet knew her limits.

 

If she pushed further, she could end up seriously injured.

 

‘If I want to live long, I must avoid injuries.’

 

She already knew people were deliberately underestimating her abilities. Still, from time to time, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe her abilities truly weren’t worthy of praise.

 

Violet wanted to achieve results that she could be proud of.

 

So that’s why she wanted to join the Griffin Knights.

 

“By the way, congrats on becoming a Sword Master. I haven’t even caught up yet, and now the gap’s even bigger.”

 

In that moment, she realized—it no longer mattered whether nameless, faceless people acknowledged her.

 

Not because she became a Sword Master, but because for the first time, she truly felt the absence of someone who had always been by her side.

 

‘Alex is incredibly talented and grows fast. He just wasn’t recognized because I was his partner.’

 

Violet’s strength surpassed Alexander’s. But because she was constantly scorned and suppressed, her own evaluation had naturally suffered as well.

 

But now that she has become a Sword Master, the evaluation of her will also change.

 

‘Before the higher-ups start spouting nonsense, I need to make Alex into a Sword Master as well.’

 

As she secretly devised a special training plan that Alexander wouldn’t know about—

 

The tightly shut gate opened, and a messenger on horseback rode towards Duke Khalid.

 

“Your Highness! An urgent message from your territory!”

 

“From my territory?”

 

Duke Khalid left the rest of his men to clear the eastern wall and rode toward the city center while listening to the report.

 

“It’s about the dungeon you mentioned. The guards hiding near the entrance just gave news— the injured wizards are arriving from there.”

 

“Wizards? Why?”

 

“They say the monsters went berserk. It didn’t seem like a dungeon break.”

 

“Berserk…..”

 

Duke Khalid recalled the strange phenomenon of the monster he had witnessed from the top of the castle walls.

 

The monsters that had been persistently targeting the castle walls suddenly went berserk and ran wild.

 

‘I thought it was strange that they all went wild at the same time.…’

 

‘Maybe something like that happened inside the dungeon too?’

 

‘If so, this was good news.’

 

Duke Khalid immediately gave orders to his messenger.

 

“Send word to the fortress—pull everyone out except the minimum defensive force and deploy them all to the dungeon. Meanwhile, instruct the external units to capture the escaping mages and interrogate them about what happened inside.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

“And when interrogating… Let’s also find out if he knows anything about the child with Khalid’s blood.”

 

“Pardon? Khalid… blood, sir?”

 

“Right. Once you’ve gathered the information, the Knight Captain may enter the dungeon at his discretion—but until the child’s existence is confirmed, the dungeon must absolutely not be sealed.”

 

“Th… understood.”

 

The Duke’s messenger, unable to hide the confusion on his face, hurried off to deliver the order.

 

Duke Khalid barely managed to swallow the sigh that was about to escape his lips as he ran along the quiet, empty road.

 

‘I wonder if the child will be safe….?’

 

Duke Khalid sincerely hoped the child would be safe, but even so, there was still a problem.

 

He still hadn’t told Rebecca that the child, believed to be dead, was actually alive.

 

‘Had Rebecca known beforehand, perhaps she would’ve been prepared. But now, the child she thought to be her firstborn had suddenly become the second…’

 

‘If that child even bears a symbol, things will be even more troublesome.’

 

The child wasn’t even illegitimate—she was the child of his deceased first wife. A flawless successor who would inherit everything of Khalid’s.

 

If things went wrong, Rebecca might ask for a divorce.

 

Just as a low groan escaped between his tightly clenched teeth, a thunderous roar erupted from somewhere nearby.

 

Duke Khalid suddenly raised his head.

 

“Oh my god….”

 

The imperial palace was ablaze, and a gigantic monster.

 

With each strike of its long tail, buildings collapsed, and its numerous tentacles and snake-like heads swung limp human bodies around as if playing with toys.

 

Seen up close, the disaster was disaster itself

 

This was no time to be leisurely worrying about his family.

 

Duke Khalid, ignoring that, spurred his horse on, increasing its speed.

 

* * *

 

“Your Highness, princess! This is serious! A giant monster has invaded the palace!”

 

“You must evacuate immediately!”

 

When the palace guards burst into her room, shouting in terror, Mariette instantly understood many things.

 

“A giant monster?”

 

Mariette, who had gone outside and seen with her own eyes the monster that had invaded the palace, bit her lower lip.

 

‘It was probably Karl who brought that monster into the palace.’

 

‘On that day when he brazenly broke in and threatened me, he must have done something.’

 

‘My brother was dragged to the underground prison with that guy.…. So Marquise Calvin hadn’t made it up entirely.’

 

The Marquis of Calvin knew about this attack in advance and blamed Julius for it.

 

Even from a distance, Mariette trembled as she felt the monstrous pressure radiating from the beast’s roar.

 

“How foolish… She should’ve known when to stop being greedy.”

 

She couldn’t be certain from that distance, but one of the long tentacles sprouting from the monster’s back appeared to be holding someone who looked very much like Marquise Calvin.

 

‘If you knew something like that would attack the palace, you should have run away long ago or told someone else. This is what happens when you covet a position that doesn’t suit you….’

 

‘Just like….me.’

 

“Your Highness, forgive my boldness, but please allow me to carry you.”

 

The escort knight cautiously spoke to Mariette, who was staring blankly at the giant monster.

 

He meant to carry her on his back, given her poor health. Mariette shook her head.

 

Mariette shook her head.

 

“No, I will stay here.”

 

“Princess!”

 

“S-Stay here? What do you mean by that?!”

 

“I was born in this palace, and I have lived here my entire life, considering it my home.”

 

To die here too—that is the price she must pay for her sins.

 

Since she caused this, shouldn’t she also take responsibility?

 

* * *