‘A patrol map of the castle guards. How quaint.’
Thanks to that, he was able to smuggle his private soldiers into the estate disguised as merchants.
By now, they were hiding all over the estate, waiting only for Henrik to give the signal. So that they could turn Schmaichel into a sea of fire at any moment.
Therefore, it was no exaggeration to say that both the inside and outside of Schmaichel were now in Henrik's grasp.
‘Foolish nephew.’
He wondered what expression Dane would make if he were to find out that his beloved wife had let slip about this underground passage.
Well, his nephew was already collapsed and hovering between life and death anyway, so it was an impossible scenario.
Tak.
Henrik lightly tapped the hilt of the sword at his waist.
He wanted to hurry up there and see it for himself. He would sever his nephew's neck and drink his blood.
Seuk.
He slowly raised his head and stared at the steep spiral staircase at the end of the storage room that led to the inner castle's main building.
Once he opened the heavy oak door at the top of those stairs, the stage for the usurpation he had dreamed of all his life would be complete.
“Let's go.”
Henrik smiled grimly and adjusted his grip on his sword.
Deolkeodeong!
The adjutant went up the stairs and kicked open the door at the end.
A sweltering heat and the smell of greasy meat pierced Henrik's nose. However, there were no screams of servants or busy noises.
…….
The spacious kitchen was enveloped in an eerie silence.
A large pot was bubbling over the hearth, spewing steam, and vegetables waiting to be cooked were scattered across the tables.
It was as if everyone had evaporated in an instant.
"Your Excellency, there is no one here."
The adjutant drew his sword and scanned every corner of the kitchen. Henrik stepped on broken plates scattered on the floor as he walked to the center of the kitchen.
“They must be investigating the source of the poison.”
Since such an accident occurred during dinner, they would have naturally isolated all the kitchen staff.
Henrik pointed to the door leading to the central lobby.
“Let's go in.”
Henrik's soldiers roughly crossed the kitchen. The flames of the kitchen hearth reflected off their armor, rippling like blood.
Deolkeodeong.
When the kitchen door was opened, a spacious, majestic ceiling and a smooth marble floor were revealed.
Tadat!
The adjutant and the soldiers quickly but quietly secured the hallway.
“Huu.”
Henrik stopped for a moment and took a deep breath.
The cool smell of marble and the scent of old wood brushed past his nose. It was exactly the air from his childhood that was etched in his memory.
When his father was the lord of this castle, he used to run around here as if it were his own backyard.
“I have returned.”
Henrik murmured softly. His greedy gaze stretched past the hallway toward the central lobby.
The splendid chandelier on the ceiling, the intricately carved pillars. Soon, all of this would once again fall into his grasp.
Jeobeok.
Henrik marched confidently into the lobby as if he were the master returning home. The adjutant and the rest of the troops escorted him like a king.
Jeobeok, jeobeok.
No one stepped forward to block Henrik and his troops.
Originally, the castle would have been bustling and festive for Dane's birthday, but now it was filled only with an eerie silence like a graveyard.
“Hieik!”
“Kyaak!”
The few servants scurried away in fright upon seeing Henrik,
“Heok!”
The scattered guards couldn't even dare to approach the massive number of troops. They hesitated, spears in hand, before ultimately backing away.
“Haha, look at this pathetic sight.”
Henrik laughed with satisfaction as he watched them.
It was evident that the chain of command among the guards had completely fallen apart because their master had collapsed. It was obvious they were all running around in confusion.
Until he reached the central staircase leading to the second floor, Henrik didn't engage in any combat. It was so easy it was almost boring.
“It's quiet.”
He liked this silence.
This silence, heavier than any screams, was the surest proof that Dane's era had completely ended.
However.
Cheolkeodeong!
In the middle of the second-floor stairs, an armed guard captain and his subordinates were blocking the way.
“Halt!”
At the guard captain's shout, the guards simultaneously aimed their spearheads.
Chaeng!
The cold sound of metal clashing echoed in the stairwell.
Henrik didn't stop walking. Instead, he lifted his chin and looked down at them with arrogant eyes.
“How dare you give me orders?”
Instead of drawing his sword, Henrik shot a glare at the guard captain as if looking at a bug.
“When the true master has returned, how dare you not step aside!”
Waver flickered across the guard captain's face.
“…Young Master Henrik.”
The guard captain looked at Henrik and the troops lurking behind him in disbelief.
“Did the castle gates fall? How could so many men—”
“Byunter, you were still guarding this castle.”
Henrik abruptly cut off the guard captain's words and climbed one more step. The guard captain merely glared at Henrik, biting his lip.
“…….”
The guards' spearheads trembled slightly. They clenched their teeth as they looked back and forth between the guard captain and Henrik.
“I hear you're playing the dog for my nephew right now, aren't you?”
“Watch your words!”
Byunter retorted through gritted teeth.
“His Excellency Dane is the clear, legitimate heir.”
“Legitimacy? Ha!”
Henrik burst into a maniacal laugh. He placed his hand on his waist as if he would draw his sword at any moment.
“When I was navigating the battlefields with my older brother, my nephew was nothing but a bloody lump of flesh.”
Henrik's gaze turned toward Dane's bedroom, which would be at the top of the stairs.
“For the prosperity of Schmaichel, shouldn't I, his uncle, set the family's order straight?”
The murderous intent radiating from Henrik violently billowed.
“Step aside, Byunter. You should think carefully about who you should truly pledge your loyalty to.”
“…….”
Byunter bit his lip and lowered his head.
Chaeng-
The spearheads wavered, making a metallic sound for a moment, but...
Cheok.
He soon took a step back with a resentful face.
“…Open the way.”
“Sir?”
“Captain!”
The guards panicked and protested, but...
“I will take responsibility. Everyone, stand down!”
At the guard captain's command, they eventually lowered their spears.
Faces intertwined with disbelief and anxiety looked at the guard captain, then turned toward Henrik.
“You made a good decision.”
Henrik held a vivid sneer as he watched the guards step back.
The guard captain probably didn't step back because he truly submitted to him. It was more likely due to the troops behind him spewing out a menacing aura.
“It's better to live as a coward than to die as a loyal retainer.”
Henrik walked up the stairs with the confident steps of a victor. As he passed, Byunter muttered low behind his back.
“You will regret this, Young Master.”
“Regrets are for losers.”
Henrik scoffed and walked confidently. Behind him, his troops marched with imposing steps.
Thus, Henrik headed to where Dane would be—the lord's bedroom. And there, he encountered Bill standing alone in front of it.
“Young Master.”
Bill's butler uniform, which had been spotless and starched stiff, was crumpled everywhere.
“I came out after hearing a commotion... Just what... How did you get here?”
Bill's hands trembled uncontrollably with fear.
He thought they were finally celebrating a birthday, but then Dane collapsed. And right on cue, Henrik invaded the castle with his troops.
To Bill, the fate of Schmaichel felt like a candle in the wind.
“It's been a while, Bill.”
Henrik strode over and stood before Bill.
“You've aged a lot.”
Bill had served Schmaichel since his youth when his face was taut without a single wrinkle. Though he was now old and decrepit, his stern gaze remained.
“Is that why you can't even recognize your true master anymore?”
Pak!
Henrik grabbed Bill by the collar and growled.
“Call me 'Your Excellency,' Bill.”
Even with a pale, terrified face, Bill didn't avoid Henrik's eyes.
“Young Master Henrik, please stop.”
This guy or that guy, always just 'Young Master'.
Ever since he was a child, suffocating under his older brother's shadow, the vassals had always called him that.
Now, his older brother was dead and gone, nothing but bones for a long time, and his son would soon die as well.
Despite that, he was still 'Young Master' instead of 'Your Excellency' in this castle.
Peok!
Henrik grabbed Bill by the shoulder and roughly shoved him aside.
“Young Master...!”
Bill, having fallen to the floor, panted heavily.
“Don't... don't touch His Excellency!”
All Bill could do was let out a pitiful voice.
Deolkeodeong!
Henrik violently grabbed the doorknob and twisted it. The door opened, revealing a dark bedroom.
“Tell me right now!”
A tense air was flowing inside the bedroom.
“If you don't hand over the antidote quickly, the Vikander family won't be safe either!”
Joel was wildly pointing his finger. Toward Rose, who was kneeling on the floor with both hands tied in front of her.
“Joel, that wine in the first place—”
Rose noticed the intruder's presence before Joel, who had his back turned to the door.
?!
At Rose's reaction, Joel quickly whipped his head around. Joel's eyes widened as if they were going to pop out.
“Lord Henrik?”
“Joel, you've been working hard. Interrogating a stupid wench.”
Henrik chuckled and stepped into the center of the bedroom.
“My nephew collapsed from poison, didn't he?”
Meanwhile, Rose quickly scanned behind Henrik.
Bill was collapsed on the hallway floor in front of the bedroom, and Henrik's adjutant and troops were securing the hallway.
Rose's eyes flashed sharply for a moment, but...
“…….”
She soon lowered her head and hid her expression.
Henrik failed to notice Rose's actions.
“It is truly a tragic affair.”
He said with a face full of joy rather than sorrow, keeping his eyes fixed on the bed.
As expected, keeping Joel's daughter captive was an excellent choice.
Even Joel, who had been so loyal to Schmaichel, eventually betrayed them before his child's life. He was putting on a despicable act to save his child.
A scoff naturally escaped him at that sight.
Dalkak.
The adjutant who followed him in closed the door from behind. Then, he tensed his body, ready to move at any moment.
The troops who followed Henrik were set to guard the hallway ironclad. Until Henrik ascended to the master's seat.
“Do not come any closer! His Excellency must rest right now—”
Joel hurriedly stood up and blocked Henrik, but...
“Step aside.”
Henrik approached the bed without paying him any mind. Then, he took in the sight of Dane lying on the bed.
Silver hair was scattered messily across the pillow, and the blue eyes that always shone sharply were tightly closed and motionless.
Thanks to his peaceful breathing, he looked fast asleep at first glance. However, his bluish lips were clear evidence of poisoning.
Just as Joel had explained, it was certain that the vast amount of mana within Dane's body was squeezing his heart.
“Hahahaha!”
Henrik couldn't hold it back any longer and burst into uproarious laughter.