Turning Chapter 740

Chapter 740

"Kiolle. Do you really have to persist in this..."

"Sir Kiolle, what is the meaning of this...! How can a knight of the Imperial Knight Palace Guard dare challenge me, someone who is not a knight, to a duel!"

"Is that so? Then hurry up and tell me. For someone so close to those who ran away from the Bright Palace and never returned, what is your true intention for appearing at such a time?"

"I have been saying there's no hidden intention whatsoever!"

Baron Renbow's outcry, a mix of incredulity, fear, and indescribable emotions, was met with a growling Kiolle, who turned his head and pointed at a servant standing beside Pruelle.

"You there! Where is the sword I entrusted to you earlier? Bring it to me at once! I shall protect my father from this liar!"

"My lord. The eyes of the public are upon us. Please calm yourself! You surely do not intend to actually propose a duel? I cannot bring you the sword!"

"There's no law for this in the world. It's an overreaction to just ask for a conversation with Duke Diarca, don't you think!"

The scene was one of unparalleled chaos.

However, Pruelle, observing everything with a cool detachment, thought differently from the rest.

'It seems that Kiolle Diarca's intention is less about dueling and more about provoking Baron Renbow to gauge his reaction.'

If one truly intended to duel, they would not cause such a scene; rather, they would simply bring two weapons, declare a duel 'under the eyes of god and the sword,' and seek agreement.

Noble duels usually involve three witnesses for fairness, and if one were serious, they could easily request any passing noble to oblige. However, after declaring his intent to duel, Kiolle only caused a ruckus, never taking the necessary steps for an actual duel.

The difference between merely threatening an action and actually carrying it out was evident.

Pruelle couldn't help but think Kiolle was well aware of this distinction and was deliberately causing this commotion.

'I thought he was just recklessly causing trouble, but perhaps not.'

Until now, Pruelle had judged Kiolle as 'the youngest of the Diarca family, inept and arrogantly indulging in knightly fantasies,' as per the public rumors. Yet, there are others like Duke Peletta Kishiar La Orr, who, despite being more harshly judged than Kiolle, are in fact, meticulous and patient, adept at concealing their strength.

'The mention of the Bright Palace earlier was also suspicious. Kiolle, even as the Crown Prince's guard, seemed hostile towards the sage's party from the beginning. Hmm. If he's come to such a conclusion independently, not swayed by his family, that's impressive. And contrary to rumors, he isn't as brash in speech.'

Having met Kishiar first and shattering his prejudices, Pruelle mistakenly thought he couldn't take Kiolle lightly. Not knowing why Kiolle couldn't clearly propose a duel or properly insult his opponent, it was an unavoidable judgment.

Then, Kiolle raised his voice again.

"Very well. Let me be more direct! Baron Renbow!"

As Baron Renbow flinched in surprise, Kiolle boldly continued.

"Baron Renbow, do you have any idea how many times I have seen you and the ignorant commoners of the Bright Palace conspiring together?"

"What, what?"

"I know that you, Baron Renbow behaved as if you were a subordinate to those commoners, repeatedly leaving and returning from the outside to aid them! I have counted the number of times you sneaked into the palace to meet someone without even seeing His Highness the Crown Prince, which is six times! Even after those people disappeared, didn't you come to the palace once, cunningly choosing a time when I was not on duty?"

"What are you saying right now! When have I ever..."

"Isn't it deliberate that you encountered us as we wandered alone without even a servant? Did you not inquire when my father would be alone at the estate?"

Such an outburst could only be described as the height of paranoia.

However, Baron Renbow was genuinely startled by these words. He was so taken aback that, unlike before, he couldn't protest vehemently, his eyes wide as a rabbit's, quickly glancing around as if searching for someone.

Although brief, Pruelle, who had been closely observing, clearly saw this reaction. Even Duke Diarca, who had been distressed by his son's commotion, suddenly narrowed his eyes and twisted his thin lips. His gaze turned into that of a predator intently observing Baron Renbow.

"...Hmm."

Ironically, the only one who failed to notice Baron Renbow's reaction amidst this situation was Kiolle, who was heatedly involved in the moment.

"Even in this situation, do you claim to be innocent? I, Kiolle Diarca, have personally observed these events! If you dare say I am wrong, then speak up! Deny that you have betrayed your loyalty and become a subordinate to the commoners!"

Kiolle shouted, puffing out his chest with passion, sweat beading on his forehead from the intensity.

Baron Renbow, without blinking, stammered and gasped for breath. The people thought he was so shocked by Kiolle's tremendous insult that he had lost his ability to speak.

However, his reaction was slightly different from everyone's expectations.

Baron Renbow, who had been repeatedly opening and closing his mouth as if to say something, suddenly clutched his hair and twisted violently.

"Ch-choking!"

"Baron Renbow?!"

Duke Diarca's servant shouted in panic. But Baron Renbow, beyond comprehension, doubled over and collapsed to the ground.

"Baron Renbow has collapsed!"

"Don't panic! It might be an act! Confirm thoroughly!"

Kiolle, more panicked than anyone, stuttered unattractively. Pruelle quietly blended in with the servants and approached the fallen Baron Renbow. He was convulsing in pain, repeatedly muttering like a broken object.

"I, I must... the sage... the sage asked me to..."

"What? What are you saying? Come to your senses, Lord!"

As the servants shook him, Baron Renbow's eyes fluttered open. He desperately appealed to Duke Diarca, who was looking down from a distance. His fixed, unblinking eyes sent a chill through everyone.

"Th-the sage... meet the sage, please, Your Grace. He... he desperately needs your help... I was only for Your Grace... no, His Highness the Crown Prince... no..."

"Look, look at these strange words and behavior! Baron Renbow's condition is not normal! Didn't I say something was suspicious!"

As Kiolle spoke hesitantly yet loudly, the servants could not help but acknowledge that the youngest lord's suspicions were not entirely unfounded. They exchanged glances, realizing something was truly amiss with Baron Renbow. Even as he convulsed, his neck and eyes, which remained fixed on Duke Diarca, did not move, an eerie sight as if he were under some curse.

Pruelle, having been briefed before the mission about the sage and his party's abilities, reached a different conclusion.

‘The sage was said to be a brainwashing expert. Is this the effect of brainwashing?’

Just moments ago, Baron Renbow, who had seemed perfectly ordinary, had suddenly collapsed in a state of confusion. While it was unclear why he had exhibited such a reaction, it seemed evident that he was under some form of mind control, and the power exerted on him had abruptly triggered a change.

Duke Diarca, who had been observing Baron Renbow calmly and quietly, finally spoke.

"How strange, Baron Renbow. When I first met you, you did not seem like someone lacking in manners. I had always respected your cautious and careful nature... What could have caused such a change in you?"

"No, no... I, I, I am... Ughh!"

It was then that a sudden commotion erupted not far away.

A loud crashing sound, as if a tree were being felled, followed by a sharp scream, pierced the air.

"Ah!"

Everyone reflexively turned their heads toward the sound.

A woman, waving her gloved hand threateningly, was attacking someone who was rolling to avoid her.

While others might not have recognized her, Pruelle immediately knew who she was.

'Deputy Commander Ever...!'