My Ex-Girlfriend Was Appointed as a Knight Commander

Chapter 129

The servant glanced back briefly as they walked. The knight known as Arsen Bern was staring at the back of the servant’s head with an expression so hardened it felt like a well-honed blade was pressing against his neck. The servant couldn’t understand why he deserved such a fearsome gaze when he was merely delivering a message on behalf of the count.

“The Count,” came a low voice unexpectedly.

Startled, the servant whipped his head around. Arsen Bern’s gaze pierced through him.

“How is he doing?”

Though it was phrased as a polite inquiry, Arsen’s expression was far from that of someone casually asking about another’s well-being. The servant, struggling to keep his composure under the pressure of the knight’s gaze, opened his mouth hesitantly, almost reluctantly.

“He...is well.”

“Yes, of course. I’m sure he is,” Arsen replied, his voice sharp. The servant couldn’t discern the emotion underlying that tone. It was as if Arsen’s eyes, though looking in the servant’s direction, were focused on something else entirely—something far away. Finally, they arrived at the room where the count was waiting, and the knight, once radiating a restrained fury, composed himself entirely. Observing the change with a nervous sweat, the servant gestured for him to enter.

“The count is waiting for you inside.”

Eager to leave Arsen’s presence, the servant quickly walked off down the hall. Arsen—Maxime—placed his hand on the door handle, taking a steadying breath.

“When you face an enemy, don’t show your emotions carelessly. You know him well enough by now.”

During the interim period after the no-man’s land, Naeran had always said this to Maxime during their training sessions, knocking sense into him. Now was the time to contain his emotions. He had to sheathe his claws, feign calm, and maintain the appearance of a composed conversation to gather information.

Before he could finish preparing himself mentally, a voice called from within the room.

“Come in.”

It was almost as if the count wanted to boast that he could sense every breath, even from within. Without any sign of surprise, Maxime opened the door and entered the room, steadying himself once more before meeting the face of his “enemy.”

“It’s been a while, Sir Arsen.”

“It has, Count.”

Without waiting for an invitation, Maxime casually pulled out the chair opposite the count and sat down. The count showed no signs of discomfort; he simply regarded Maxime with mild interest, as though observing a new kind of animal.

“This is the first time we’re meeting in person since the Magic Tower investigation. And the first time it’s just the two of us, is it not?”

“Indeed. I didn’t expect we’d meet like this again.”

“I always thought we’d cross paths at least once more.”

Leon Bening raised an eyebrow and shrugged. Tension was unnecessary. Maxime briefly shifted his gaze past Leon’s shoulder, then returned his focus to the count as he resumed speaking.

“First, I have a question about the Magic Tower search.”

“Ask away.”

The count clasped his hands together, resting his elbows on the table as if he were about to pose a grave question. Maxime returned the count’s gaze with a cold stare.

“Where is Adeline?”

Maxime’s expression contorted slightly. This question was really about why Adeline hadn’t carried out either of the commands given to her—why she had failed to kill Maxime, yet disappeared without a trace.

“I don’t know why you’d ask me about the whereabouts of your own knight. I haven’t seen her since the search began in earnest.”

Leon narrowed his eyes at Maxime’s response.

“Really? It’s strange; I haven’t seen her since I assigned her to work alongside you. It’s unlikely that a loyal hunting dog would abandon its master without cause. I should have tightened her leash.”

“Perhaps it was simply a master’s misjudgment. Perhaps the hunter should have been more careful in choosing their prey.”

The count unclasped his hands and adjusted his posture. For a moment, Maxime caught a glimpse of a cold, murderous glint in the count’s otherwise expressionless eyes, which quickly faded. Leon couldn’t publicly question him nor divert resources from the martial tournament to track down a missing knight.@@@@

“Now that we have a precedent, I suppose I’ll need to tighten my hunting dogs’ leashes even further.”

“I wasn’t aware you kept so many hunting dogs,” Maxime replied with a hint of sarcasm.

Leon let out a brief, mocking chuckle.

Another meeting. I look forward to that day as well, though I hope it will be with my sword at your throat.

Maxime closed his eyes and gave a nod.

“Yes. Until we meet again.”

Arsen Bern—Maxime—turned and left, his steps calm and unhurried, the sound echoing as he closed the door behind him. Leon watched the space where Arsen had been standing. The knight’s mannerisms, his bearing, and his own instincts all told him one thing: Arsen Bern was indeed the Maxime Apart he had been searching for.

“Lilia.”

At Leon’s quiet summons, a blood-red woman emerged from the shadows. Her crimson dress clung tightly to her curves, matching the deep red of her hair that tumbled luxuriously over her shoulders. With her arms crossed over her ample chest, she smiled, exuding a presence capable of ensnaring any man who laid eyes on her.

“I’m here.”

Before the Magic Tower investigation began, she had moved her base under Count Bening’s authority. Her violet eyes gleamed in the shadows, and she licked her glossy, full lips as she stared at the door Arsen had disappeared through, as though savoring the memory of a delicious morsel.

“That knight looks... delectable. I wonder what kind of exquisite blood he has.”

“Enough idle talk. So, what’s your assessment?”

Lilia narrowed her eyes, then shook her head.

“I couldn’t sense a trace of the curse. I’ve been watching him closely since he entered the room, but there was no sign of any curse or brainwashing you mentioned.”

Leon’s expression darkened, and a chilling aura filled the room.

“You were the last one to encounter Maxime Apart, were you not?”

“Yes, I did meet him then. But his aura now feels entirely different from what I sensed before.”

Lilia’s expression shifted again, her eyes filling with renewed interest. Her gaze was like that of a predator fixated on its prey, or perhaps a woman smitten with her first love. With flushed cheeks, she looked at Leon, her voice laced with sensuality as she asked for permission.

“So, about that knight... Can I have a taste of him later?”

“Arsen Bern must die in this tournament.”

Leon’s answer was brief, showing no interest in her desires. Lilia pouted, disappointed.

“Such a pity. It’s been a while since I found such a tempting man. Well, then, may I handle him next?”

“I’ll allow it, but only if there’s no next time.”

With that curt reply, Leon stood from his seat. If he wasn’t sure, he’d eliminate Arsen now. From the Magic Tower to the east, Arsen Bern had been a persistent factor, something he should have dealt with earlier.

It was time to act decisively. To proceed without hesitation, any obstacles had to be removed. Before leaving the room, Leon turned to Lilia with a final order.

“As I mentioned, strengthen the control over the puppets.”

Lilia shrugged.

“If I weaken their sense of self too much, they’ll just be lumps of meat unable to wield a sword properly. They need at least enough awareness to be useful on the battlefield.”

“That’s your responsibility to manage.”

With those cold words, Leon exited. Lilia let out a quiet laugh as she watched him go.

“Perfect control doesn’t exist, yet he’s always asking for it.”

Recalling the knight’s face, Lilia’s eyes sparkled, her heart quickening as she savored the memory of his presence. Her mouth watered just thinking about it, her heart beating faster.

“Aah...”

A soft, sweet sigh escaped her lips. She wouldn’t let this prey slip through her grasp. She would sink her teeth into the knight’s neck, savor him, and toy with him at her leisure.

“Arsen... Bern...”

She repeated his name, savoring each syllable as if it were a piece of candy.