Turning-Chapter 824

“The escaped criminal’s name is Hosanra. He looked like he already knew who you were, Your Highness. And now... it seems like you know who he is, too. Am I wrong?”

At Kanna’s words, Mayra blinked in surprise.

“How did you... No, asking that would be pointless, wouldn’t it.”

The short-haired woman before her looked like a girl who wouldn’t know the first thing about fighting, but in truth, she was the Deputy Commander of the Cavalry. Mayra still clearly remembered how Yuder once mentioned how strong Kanna Wand was, despite her appearance.

She didn’t know what kind of ability the woman had—but given the circumstances, nothing here would surprise her. With that thought, her nerves slowly calmed.

“You’re right. I remembered earlier—he’s someone I’ve seen before.”

At Mayra’s answer, Kanna’s eyes sharpened.

“Then I need to speak with you a little more. Everyone else, go ahead without me.”

“Got it. I’ll leave handling the rest of the incoming support to you.”

The Cavalry members divided their roles in an instant and disappeared toward the interior.

Mayra watched them go and then quietly asked Kanna,

“My story... about that criminal—is it really that important to this situation?”

“Yes. It’s important to us, but I believe it’s °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° also important to House Hern.”

Kanna’s answer carried not even a hint of hesitation.

“The man you saw is connected to another dangerous criminal we’ve been pursuing for a long time. And that person is also inside right now.”

“......”

“To fight an enemy, we have to understand everything about them. That’s why the Commander has been tirelessly searching for information on them. And I believe right now, I can get one of those answers from you, Your Highness.”

“But all I know is...”

“Didn’t the Commander quietly say something to you during the funeral earlier? Do you remember?”

“...He did.”

Mayra’s eyes widened. Kanna was right. Just before the funeral officially began, while she had been speaking with Kishiar, he had casually said something to her in passing.

‘He asked if I knew anything about the Lord of Konkachista, and about the recent fire incident there... He said it might be related to someone they were pursuing. We were supposed to speak in detail afterward...’

“That question was probably related to Hosanra. We believe Hosanra and the other criminal he follows were both held captive in that place for a long time before escaping. To be precise, it’s more accurate to say they were a half-blood son born out of wedlock and his servant.”

This time, Mayra truly felt her breath stop.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

A bastard locked away, and his servant.

Wasn’t that exactly what she had just been remembering?

“Hosanra’s body was bound by a geas so he couldn’t speak of his origin. A powerful dual-layer geas written on an illegal oath. That’s why we couldn’t get more information—but we’ve long suspected the place where they were kept is connected to House Hern.”

“A... dual geas...”

Mayra had never seen one in person, but she knew that nobles sometimes secretly obtained and misused such oaths for dark, unspoken purposes.

And she knew just how horrifying the consequences could be.

‘–Just in case, I made sure that boy couldn’t say a word about House Hern. No one will ever guess who he is.’

The words of that noble who had cast her out long ago came back to her. The indifferent face, the calm voice—she remembered it all. Suddenly, a chill climbed her spine and she shut her eyes tight before opening them again.

The Southern youth, limping, who had bolted the moment he saw her.

How foolish she had been, wondering what connection his appearance had to the funeral today.

To realize that the very bastard child of her father whom she had long since tried to forget... was here now, at the funeral... That the entire sanctuary had been destroyed in his wake—it felt like divine punishment striking down House Hern.

Kanna was right. From here on, the information they would exchange would be important not just to the Cavalry—but to House Hern as well.

“I’m starting to feel certain... that the criminals the Cavalry are searching for are the same people I know.”

Mayra murmured with a pale face, clenching both her hands tightly together.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Long ago, I learned that Father had a bastard child with Southern blood. I don’t know much... but everything I do remember matches your story exactly.”

Mayra told Kanna everything she knew. She buried her shame and disgust at speaking openly about her family’s disgrace deep in her chest. In return, Kanna told her the path of a man named “Naham”—what he had done, and the twisted trajectory of his life.

He was practically a monster, born from the sins the Duke of Hern had committed, and the sins of those who had turned a blind eye.

Had there ever been a day when she hated being born a Hern more than today?

Once they finished exchanging information, Mayra turned without hesitation and ran in the direction where the Duke of Hern’s carriage was.

The earlier chaos had shaken the entire building, and the sleet had turned everything into a mess. Carriages were strewn about, abandoned in disarray.

Among them was the Duke of Hern’s carriage, sitting helplessly with a broken wheel. Soaked retainers and soldiers were scurrying about, yelling at each other, until they spotted Mayra and gasped.

“First Princess?! The Duke is—!”

“Out of my way.”

Mayra strode toward the carriage she had no desire to approach, clutching her garments so tightly her hands turned white.

If things had gone as they should, the one responsible for handling and resolving whatever happened at Ashlav’s funeral should have been the Duke of Hern. But the Duke had hidden away inside the carriage while the Cavalry and Duke Peleta worked tirelessly to manage the situation.

Even now, as the sins that brought his illegitimate child into the world had ruined his other son’s funeral.

When Mayra pulled open the door, a wave of heat rushed out. The Duke of Hern sat with his eyes half-lidded in boredom, and on top of him, half-dressed, was the woman who turned to look with flushed eyes.

Amazingly, it was none other than Lady Yellen—Ashlav’s own mother—who had spent the entire service weeping and wailing in grief.

“What is the meaning of this intrusion, First Princess?”

“Is what you’re doing during your son’s funeral supposed to be proper, then?”

Before Lady Yellen could shout, Mayra raised her hand with cold eyes.

“Leave. Now.”

Lady Yellen shrank at the look in Mayra’s eyes. She had known the First Princess since she was a child, but this was the first time she had ever felt afraid of her. She tried to mask her shrinking with a loud, resentful voice—but she couldn’t hide the fear in her eyes. After hurriedly fixing her clothes, she stepped out.

Then the Duke asked,

“What’s the matter?”

“......”

“Is the heir to House Hern planning to collude with Peleta and make some move?”

“Among your many, many children, there was a boy born from a Southern woman. Do you remember?”

It was a sudden question, but the Duke didn’t look surprised.

“Well, I don’t consider bastards to be my children. And as of today, all my sons have died and gone to the gods.”

“I see. So you’ve got nothing to say about the fact that one of them is apparently here right now?”

“That’s absurd. That’s not possible.”

“Why not? Because you burned him alive?”

The Duke frowned.

“Where did you hear such nonsense...”

“Father. I no longer care whether you name me as heir or not. I’m done living my life seeking your approval. So, even though this may not be what you want to hear... I’ve decided not to stand by and let you fix your carriage and flee under the name of House Hern. That’s why I’m here.”

“What?”

“The head of House Hern must stay here until everything is resolved. That’s the least you can do for the people working to fix this mess. If you won’t do anything—then at least stay and witness it.”

Mayra stepped out of the carriage. The soldiers looked at her nervously. Among them, she found the knights who followed her within House Hern.

While competing with Ashlav, Mayra had gathered her own people. Though they didn’t hold much power within the family, they were among the most skilled in pure combat ability—even compared to other soldiers.

Because of their lower status, they hadn’t been allowed inside the sanctuary during the funeral. But now, she summoned them with a cold, resolute voice.

“Seal off this carriage. From now on, House Hern will fully support the Cavalry and the Imperial Army until today’s incident is resolved. Until then, no one from House Hern is to leave this place.”