TFR 25

chapter 25

“Oh. This is an unexpected scene.”

As soon as Marco arrived, he clicked his tongue at the sight of Rosellina. Seeing him lying on Dantes’ bed, Cesario called out seriously.

“Dantes.”

“I didn’t call a doctor. It was the doctor’s unqualified wife.”

The bleeding was too severe for Dantes to just stand by. Baron Aventurine, seeing Roberto ascending in panic, trembled in fear, but quickly came up with a plan under Dantes’ scolding. He had brought the wife of an elderly doctor who lived not far from the Aventurine family.

“Are you saying that it works because the doctor supervised and his wife treated him? Do you really think that makes sense, Dantes?”

“Doesn’t it? The doctor didn’t treat him himself!”

Gunter retorted to Cesario as if questioning what the problem was. Cesario looked at him in disbelief. Unfazed by Cesario’s expression, Gunter approached Dantes.

“So, the treatment’s done?”

“No. I just stopped the bleeding on his side.”

“While he’s unconscious, we might as well strip him down, wash him thoroughly, and treat everything at once.”

“…….”

Dantes shook his head. Though he wished he could do that, there was too much blood, and the situation was chaotic. They focused on immediate care, unaware that the patient was the famous Roberto Bridain. But perhaps startled by the many wounds, their hands shook uncontrollably. It seemed such a condition was rare in this rural area.

They controlled the bleeding and applied medicine to visible wounds. Then, giving him whatever could serve as painkillers, Rosellina soon regained consciousness.

She resisted all attempts to touch her body and refused to remove her rigid, thin armor.

‘There must be bigger wounds underneath…’

Dantes worried more about that. But if Rosellina moved too much, the barely controlled bleeding might start again. That was the best they could do.

“Talk outside. She’s barely asleep.”

“Are you worried about that now? We should send her back to prison, Dantes.”

“There’s something more important than that. Let’s go.”

Dantes grabbed Cesario’s shoulder, who was excited. Marco flopped onto the sofa, finding the situation interesting.

“Can we leave Roberto here? Let’s just talk here. You said he took some medicine. Most people wouldn’t regain consciousness for a few days.”

“But Roberto isn’t just anyone!”

Gunter openly observed Roberto’s face as he spoke. Dantes gestured to Gunter to quiet down.

Having regained consciousness, Rosellina only relaxed her wary gaze after the doctor’s wife refused to touch her. She still tried not to fall asleep, until Dantes secretly gave her a powerful sleeping drug disguised as a painkiller.

As Marco said, the medicine was potent enough to keep most people asleep for days, but for Dantes, it only lasted a single night.

It would likely have a similar effect on Roberto. Still, Dantes was anxious that Roberto might wake up and push himself too hard.

Cesario, frustrated with Dantes’ anxious behavior, turned away in exasperation.

“This is maddening.”

“Cesario, don’t just stand there. Let’s move to the study next door. We can’t go far. Roberto is a prisoner. If no one can be trusted, we’ll have to take turns watching him.”

“You know the problem is Dantes bringing him here in the first place!”

“Leaving him there could have endangered Roberto’s life. I think this is fine.”

Gunter asked as if nothing was wrong. Cesario raised his voice in frustration.

“You didn’t need to bring him here!”

“Shh. Please. Let’s move and talk in the study. There’s something more important.”

As Dantes began moving, Marco and Gunter followed. Cesario sighed, glanced at Roberto, and followed.

“Port tried to kill Roberto?”

Dantes nodded at Marco’s question. Port was a knight Dantes had chosen on the battlefield. Though unremarkable as an apprentice aside from diligence, his consistency on the battlefield impressed Dantes. Loyal to him, Port was given significant responsibilities in this expedition.

The fact that he had betrayed them and colluded with the enemy shocked not just Dantes but everyone.

“I don’t know what he told Roberto. He said it wasn’t only Port. There must have been others among the senior knights who agreed.”

“Was that all he said?”

Cesario asked seriously. Dantes shrugged.

“He lost consciousness after saying, ‘Don’t call a doctor.’”

“Ha. That’s just like Roberto. But Dantes calling anyway… that’s just like him too.”

“You didn’t call a doctor, so you did follow Roberto’s words, right?”

Gunter agreed with Dantes’ reasoning. Marco clicked his tongue.

“What can they even do to catch the doctor or his wife?”

“I never thought any senior knights would collude with the enemy. I didn’t think anyone in the expedition would.”

Cesario first realized he had managed the expedition too leniently. Port had been a knight he trusted. If only he had been more objective, he might have noticed this earlier.

Even the best mercenaries couldn’t bring down the Delion knights this easily. The holes in their defenses were obviously due to internal collusion, but no one noticed.

Cesario had focused solely on the relationship between Roberto and Dantes. As a strategist, he had failed. His expression darkened.

Marco continued in agreement.

“Looking back, there were many hints, but we didn’t notice. The pursuit is long, and the reasons ridiculous. Those senior knights probably doubted this expedition. Those who had seen Roberto, like Port, felt it even more. Jealousy was first. And many had looked down on Roberto because of his origins.”

“Ridiculous. Those who can’t even match Roberto’s skill. Port faked distributing meals and attacked. Attacking someone barely conscious after being crushed and untreated—cowardly!”

Dantes spoke with deep disappointment. He was angry that he had trusted such people with his back.

Roberto was completely different. No one could compare. Yet, they couldn’t understand Dantes’ mind. Some might have thought it unwise to spend six years pursuing a single knight, regardless of his talent.

Since Dantes acted rationally in all other matters, this likely made it even harder to comprehend. The moment someone raised suspicion, the internal mood could easily shift. He needed to quickly identify those who influenced this mood and their accomplices. Leaving it unchecked would harm the knightly order’s cohesion.

“We should find them immediately.”

Cesario said. Marco shook his head in opposition.

“After fighting the enemy, Port faced Dantes. Who would confess?”

“How about interrogating the hostages? Weren’t they also senior officers?”

“They’re cunning. They could lie. Among the senior knights, many are watched carefully in Terzes.”

Marco opposed immediate questioning, whether hostages or senior knights. Returning after battle, it would be hard to accept Port’s death suddenly.

Dantes took a breath.

“We must return to Senreita quickly. Everything will be resolved at the palace.”

“It’s impossible to depart right now. There are casualties from the Terzes operation. Things need to be settled.”

Cesario spoke logically. Dantes nodded.

“But we must depart by sunrise tomorrow. Families of the deceased knights should receive the bodies promptly.”

“Understood.”

“Also, announce Port’s death and betrayal immediately. Don’t hide it. Let anyone who tries to escape do so—they’ll find me hunting them down.”

Dantes’ anger was palpable as he spoke. Marco gestured to calm him.

“Understood. Just don’t break the desk again.”

“That’s all I have to say. Divide roles so we can leave tomorrow. I’ll watch Roberto.”

Dantes said firmly and went to Roberto’s room, ignoring further discussion. Cesario sighed lightly. Marco massaged Cesario’s stiff shoulders.

“Lord Wood, let this one go. You saw your friend nearly die. Anyone would be furious.”

“Yes. Marco’s right. If I had seen Port trying to kill Roberto, I’d be just as angry!”

“The problem isn’t that. You also have an idea why Port turned, right? That rumor.”

“Male affair?”

Marco lightly mentioned something they didn’t dare speak aloud. Cesario’s eyes darkened.

“Please. Don’t say it casually. You know how deadly that rumor could be for an unmarried emperor.”

“Dantes is young. And his marriage is to the Peril family. It’s settled. Only fools believe such dirty rumors.”

“……”

“You won’t say Lord Cesario Wood is foolish like them, right?”

Cesario pressed his lips together. They shared knowledge only he and Dantes knew. Cesario shook his hand, refusing to speak further.

“I’ll handle the bodies and lists. We need to organize and understand things quickly.”

“Good. I’ll handle Port’s case and further investigation.”

“Then I’ll prepare for departure. I’ll report to Dantes tomorrow morning. He’ll be by Roberto anyway.”

Gunter’s casual words darkened Cesario’s expression further, but he left silently. It wasn’t a matter he could intervene in—for now.