If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 239

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Every time the Grand Duke spoke disrespectfully of Esther, a flash of fury ignited in Mobishi’s eyes. Each time, the Grand Duke’s knights rushed in, kicking his stomach and pressing his head to the ground until he lay flat.

“If my wife’s kin knew what’s happening now, terrible things would befall you. Release her at once!”

“Hahaha.”

The Grand Duke threw back his head, laughing heartily. The only person he feared in this empire was his elder brother, Emperor Vlahova.

He was curious about what backing Mobishi relied on to act so boldly. His laughter faded and his eyes narrowed.

“Fine. Tell me who this great person is. If he truly is as high-ranking as you say, I will apologize to you, release your wife immediately, and cover her medical expenses.”

“…Really?”

“But if you’re lying or name someone insignificant, I will have your limbs cut off and hang you on a stake.”

The threat was chilling—no joke. Mobishi’s palms grew sweaty.

Esther, sitting quietly some distance away, listened to their conversation and realized what her husband was trying to do. Mobishi planned to use Cain’s name to save her.

“No! Don’t!”

No, she couldn’t allow it. Esther didn’t want to burden Cain or bring him any danger. Her brother had spent his life searching for her after she disappeared. She couldn’t risk putting him in harm’s way.

Though Cain was a great knight favored by the Emperor, hiding the truth about his origin was a serious crime. Being a prince of a defeated kingdom wiped out all imperial favor.

If the Emperor found out, Cain would be branded a traitor threatening the Emperor, despite his heroic status.

“Mobishi, no!”

Esther’s shout made Mobishi turn with difficulty. His eyes reflected both joy at seeing his wife awake and grief over their situation.

“You must not speak. Absolutely not!”

She could not be a hindrance to Cain, let alone have him help her. Even now, her existence troubled Cain. He was risking everything, hiding her and her people in the empire’s borderlands.

Esther knew how much Cain risked to protect her. She simply could not endanger him.

“Seeing you jump up like that, there must be something there.”

But Esther’s pale cry only piqued the Grand Duke’s curiosity. Such a pale face meant she held a secret—something extraordinary she felt compelled to hide.

“Bring her outside first.”

“Mobishi, no! Don’t say a word about my brother! Never!”

Dragged away by the knights, Esther pleaded. But Mobishi’s mind was made up. He was unafraid as he had a brother-in-law, who was said to be the second most powerful man after the Emperor.

Cain himself might even think it fortunate if Mobishi could use his name to save his sister.

After Esther was taken away, the room grew silent. The echoes of Esther’s shouted pleas gradually faded, likely disappearing outside the outpost.

“Now, tell me. How great is your brother-in-law? I’m curious if I should apologize and ask your forgiveness for my rudeness.”

Tension thickened. Mobishi took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

“…The Marquis.”

“What?”

“Marquis Vernat.”

As he spoke, Mobishi felt a slight thrill. He believed the brutal men here would tremble at the name Vernat and beg for forgiveness.

They never imagined the man before them was the Emperor’s brother.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The second day after arriving in Arta dawned. On the first day, the shock of the horrific scene was so overwhelming that they couldn’t make any clear judgments.

So, starting the next day, they reorganized the procession and thoroughly searched to see if any other survivors remained in Arta. They also made sure to collect the bodies that lined the streets wherever they went.

As Cain, Agatha, and the knights inspected the devastation wrought by an unknown enemy force, they could not hide their horror.

Before entering Arta properly, they first recovered Mobishi’s body, which had been displayed like a warning at a nearby border checkpoint, and gave him a proper burial.

The body, hanging from a stake with limbs severed, was in poor condition—indicating that quite some time had passed since the murder. Considering the warm weather, Mobishi had likely been dead for at least a week.

By examining the condition of the bodies, Cain estimated when the enemy had been there.