Everything is earned through battle. Millicent was right; the more one avoids conflict, the more others will take advantage. I risk my life alongside Throne every day, so why should I show weakness? That night, Melina walked into the room, set down the teapot, and casually said, "Are you not going to report to the Lunar Princess today?"
Hey, hey, hey, why do you look so enthusiastic?
"Melina, you need to focus on unity."
"When the Lunar Princess learns to speak properly and stops putting on that dignified air, then I will focus on it."
"Ah, well, that's going to be a long wait."
Throne scratched his cheek. The more Ranni felt humiliated in front of him, the more dignified she acted in front of others, as if that could make up for it.
He could hardly imagine what would happen after Sellen returned; she was also someone who didn't buy into that dignity, so Her Highness the Princess would surely be humiliated. Right, now is not the time to think about such things.
"This is already the third day, and yet Volcano Manor still hasn't made a move."
Throne stood up and paced back and forth.
The room had no windows, and the air was stuffy, making him feel irritable. This wasn't how he had imagined it. The five-day timeframe was meant to pressure Rykard into acting quickly. The sooner he acted, the less prepared he would be, and that would give Throne an opportunity. Is he being this cautious? Or is he waiting for me to make the first mistake? He muttered to himself.
Over these three days, Throne had actually been looking for flaws and gathering intelligence. For instance, the riffraff in the area had quieted down significantly, and there seemed to be fewer Gelmir Knights around.
"Perhaps they are preparing to show their hand at the very last moment."
Melina walked over and handed him a cup of hot tea, instantly switching to a serious demeanor.
"I have also been observing these past few days; the food in the manor is fine. It seems they have no intention of poisoning us."
Throne wasn't a picky eater, but he was worried about Rykard playing dirty. He didn't have a body immune to all poisons.
"Perhaps, but I cannot wait for them to be ready. Since Rykard won't move, I will."
"Now?"
"Yes. They haven't placed me under house arrest, and besides, I've rested enough."
Throne put on his helmet. It still resembled that of a Crucible Knight, except the branches had been replaced with silver strands of hair. He opened the door and stepped out. The corridor was empty, and the security seemed lax.
The interior of the manor wasn't exactly a place for an after-dinner stroll; it seemed Tanith was already doing her best just to defend the exterior. His iron boots stepped onto the soft carpet. The Sword of Night and Flame at his waist clattered against his armor, making a 'clang-clang' sound. He had only taken two steps when he stopped.
Leaning against the wall was a silver-armored knight holding a helmet. The red plume on the helmet was exaggeratedly large, and the faceplate had a cross design—this was the gear of a Gelmir Knight.
"My lord, please do not wander around the manor."
The knight turned his head, revealing a bearded face. His hair was messy, and he looked somewhat weathered.
"Knight Fabray, are you not on duty outside today?"
Throne recognized him. He was one of the most powerful Gelmir Knights, essentially at the commander level, not much worse than the likes of Redmane Ogha.
"There's no need for guard duty. Leyndell is already exhausting its strength just dealing with the monsters outside; they have no mind to attack the manor."
The knight's voice was listless, as if he were torn between keeping his oath and suffering because of it. These knights were all originally Rykard's regular army, each brave and skilled in battle, unparalleled in loyalty, yet now, few remained. They didn't interact much with Throne and were also resistant to Tanith; after all, their loyalty was to the demigod Rykard, not to a dancer of lowly birth.
"Waiting for me?"
Throne cut straight to the point.
"I suppose so."
The knight's voice carried a bitter edge.
"I envy you Carian Knights. Even while opposing the Erdtree, you still hold onto your honor."
"Honor's a luxury on the battlefield."
"Better than allying with monsters. How many comrades have they slaughtered? Yet for our oath, we endure."
Throne met the knight's gray eyes, understanding the pain etched there. This man sought him out precisely because, as an outsider, he was the only one in the manor who could be trusted.
"Speak plainly. What do you want?"
"Very well. His Lordship... something's wrong. I saw him two days ago, after years of absence. He was... different."
Fabray's voice tightened. He was recalling the moment Throne had slain the Fallingstar Beast—Rykard hadn't even glanced at his knights.
"Cold, you mean? A knight's loyalty shouldn't waver, even if his lord hands power to some... inexplicable woman."
Throne's words defended Rykard while affirming his own identity as a knight.
"But a knight must also be just. Did you know? Every Gelmir Knight who's gone to see His Lordship in recent years hasn't returned. Something's wrong. I'm certain of it."
Fabray's tone was grave. When it came to the knightly oath, he knew its weight better than anyone.
"Why assume the worst? He must have his reasons."
"He did."
The knight hesitated, then forced the words out.
"There's a legend in Mt. Gelmir. Beneath our feet lies a Great Serpent—infinitely greedy, devouring humans. Years ago, I saw a snake-person in the manor. A creature said to be its kin."
"Rya."
Throne nodded.
"I see. A knight wouldn't suspect his lord without evidence."
"You think Rykard's connected to the Ancient Great Serpent?"
"Yes. I fear those knights were swallowed by it. If Rykard didn't know, that's one thing. But if he did..."
Fabray's veins bulged as he ground out the words.
"As a knight, I'd cleanse the stain, then take my own life in atonement."
Still clinging to hope? Even if Rykard and the Serpent are allies, you'd rather believe he's been bewitched. Throne's inward sigh carried a twist of mockery.
"So you want me to uncover the truth?"
"Yes. You're strong enough to defeat Bernahl. And it would benefit Caria. The War of Blasphemy must not reignite. If I die, I'll do so with honor."
Fabray stepped past Throne, confident the man wouldn't refuse. Caria sought an alliance with the demigod Rykard, not a monster that devoured its own. As the 'in-laws,' they had a duty to set him straight.
The candlelight wavered. Throne stood rigid in the corridor. Once Fabray's footsteps faded, a smile flickered across his face.
"You see? They can't sit idle anymore. My arrival's stirred the stagnant waters. The fight with Bernahl proved my worth."
"You already know the truth. Why not tell him?"
Melina didn't quite understand.
"Words are useless. These things must be witnessed firsthand. Fortunately, the Gelmir Knight's sensed the rot. He'll be useful."
It was one reason Throne hadn't fled when he'd first sensed the trouble. Volcano Manor wasn't a monolith.
Without a justifiable reason, neither the Recusants nor the Gelmir Knights would attack him.
"Then how do we investigate? We've been wandering around for two days and haven't seen any problems. Or rather, I don't even know why you think Rykard has fallen."
Because I am a transmigrator. Throne didn't say much more. He already knew the result; he just needed an opportunity to reveal the process.
He raised his hand and pointed forward. Melina looked down the long, narrow corridor and saw Rya, who was staggering while holding a large stack of bedsheets.
"Her?"
"Yes. This girl is exactly what they have exposed, and perhaps also a lure."
Throne spoke in riddles, and the girl saw the two of them and walked over with the bedsheets.
"Oh, where are you going?"
Rya was afraid, but having spent several days with Throne, he was the person she was most familiar with in Volcano Manor.
"Couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk."
"Are you too anxious waiting? It's okay, Lady Tanith will surely give you an answer as soon as possible."
The girl was still obedient and polite, adding some kind words.
"No, it's that I heard a strange sound, like the friction of fine scales. This sound is very strange."
Throne had learned to answer preemptively. Rya was nervous for a moment, then blinked: "You heard it too? I asked Lady Tanith about it before, and she said it was my imagination."
"You trust her very much?"
"Of course! I want to become someone like her!"
Throne rarely saw such naive people in The Lands Between. Or rather, this land was full of pain and treachery; where was there any room for innocence to survive? It was a pity that the truth was cruel.
"Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding." He said this in a low voice, leaving Rya stunned for a moment. She seemed to read something into it, but she didn't quite understand.
"Haven't you already started to doubt? Come with me."
Throne didn't say more and directly opened a room door. It was an empty room, seemingly waiting for some Recusant to move in. There wasn't much furniture, making it look a bit desolate, but the tabletops had no dust, clearly being cleaned often.
"My lord, what are you…" Rya looked around in confusion.
She often came here to clean and would even rest on the table when tired. Throne paced silently in the room, tapping the wall with his fingers, and asked casually: "Did Lady Tanith say what you would do in the future?"
"She did. She asked me to be a recruiter, finding like-minded heroes to join this warm, big family."
Heh, the inside of that Great Serpent's belly is indeed warm enough.
Throne quietly curled his lips and stopped at the innermost wall: "So this is where your value lies. Loyal and devoted, capable of maintaining a human appearance, yet not human in essence, with no possibility of defecting. But I've always wondered, why would such a precious tool as you be sent out alone? Are they really not afraid of you being killed along the way?"
This sentence was a bit long.
Rya thought about it in a daze for a good while, then suddenly froze, gripping the hem of her clothes in extreme nervousness. "Her emotions aren't right." Melina moved half a step closer, just in case the other person suddenly lashed out, her mind full of confusion. What exactly was Throne saying? What did 'not human in essence' mean?
"You, how did you know?"
Rya quickly touched her face; she hadn't changed back into her snake form. Throne couldn't be bothered to explain, only glancing sideways:
"I could tell at a glance that you are not human."
Huh? This, this can also be seen at a glance? Rya gripped her hem even tighter, her entire face flushed with shame, almost to the point of tears, bowing repeatedly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you. It's just that if I turn into a snake-person, others won't listen to me properly, so I had no choice but to use a human appearance to receive you."
"How'd you know I'd be disgusted by a snake form?"
"Then—then may I show you?"
Rya's voice trembled. She was already wary of Throne, her fear laid bare. She hesitated, but the space around her warped. The girl who'd been hunched over shifted, her form twisting until she stood as a pink snake-person. Short limbs, a rounded body—less monstrous than oddly endearing.
Throne tilted his head. It's been too long since I've relieved myself. Even a snake looks appealing now. He stepped closer, curious, and ran a hand over Rya's chest and abdomen. Her skin was smooth, cold to the touch.
"Giggle—my lord, that tickles!"
Rya burst out laughing, then caught herself, clamping her mouth shut.
"You—you aren't disgusted?"
"Not at all."
Throne shook his head.
"In The Lands Between, appearances mean nothing. It's the soul that counts."
She doesn't know the legend of the man-eating Great Serpent, he thought. Tanith was right to hide it. If this innocent girl knew she sprang from evil, she'd likely take her own life.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you."
Rya's voice softened. The tension in her emerald eyes melted into gratitude. She remembered the time she'd accidentally wandered the manor in her snake form. The others had screamed monster, swords drawn. She'd barely escaped with her life.
No one had listened. No one cared. Since then, she'd carried the weight of that trauma.
This lord isn't so terrifying after all.
Rya, still in her snake form, bowed low.
"Actually, my real name is Zorayas. I'm deeply sorry for hiding it from you."
"What is Tanith to you?"
"She… she's my mother. She received the favor of the Great Lord, and I was born because of it. This form is my honor."
"Then keep your honor. Don't let others' eyes define you."
Throne's tone was firm.
Rya blinked, stunned, then bowed a third time.
"You're truly a kind person."
Throne glanced toward the door. The next step was to confront Tanith, but barging into someone's bedroom at night wasn't his style. Besides, it wasn't necessary. Tanith might feel some maternal affection for Rya, but it was overshadowed by exploitation. If "Lobster Bro" had been less lenient, Rya would've been dead long ago.
"Actually, you don't need to overthink it. Only this appearance is fake. Lady Tanith and everyone in Volcano Manor treat you with sincerity. Let's keep this our secret."
"Really?"
Throne raised his hand and casually blasted the wall. No dust, no debris—just silence as the stone vanished without a trace.
Rya's mouth fell open, her chubby pink face frozen in shock. Melina, watching from the shadows, remained unfazed. She knew Throne didn't visit girls in the middle of the night for idle chatter.
No alarms sounded. No one came to investigate.
Your secret's about to be exposed, and you still won't act?
Throne showed a bit of mockery. That's right, fighting inside Volcano Manor would inevitably attract the Gelmir Knights. They were already suspicious. If they saw a horde of monsters Throne, it was anyone's guess whose side they'd take.
A breach opened in the room, and a warm, dry breeze brushed Throne's face.
The plan had called for subtle guidance—breadcrumbs leading him here over three days. Planting clues without leaving traces was detective novel territory. Too much work. Throne crouched low and crawled through the broken wall.
No breadcrumbs. No first chapter. Just Throne barging into the story's climax. The wind howled past his ears—woo-woo—like a warning.
Darkness swallowed the passage. Heat lashed his face. He glanced back. Rya was there, just as he knew she'd be.
She had returned to her human form, her face full of hesitation. Her feet moved forward even as her eyes begged her to stop. Tanith had lied. This was no illusion. Volcano Manor hid secrets even its serpent didn't know. Unwittingly, she'd dragged this knight into the deception. The guilt twisted inside her, sharp as a blade.