Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 327

"If you need anything, please ring this bell at any time."

Alex handed Theo a service bell and exited the room.

On the desk, steam rose gently from a cup of tea. The tea had been poured by one of the maids before Alex and his attendants left. Its delicate fragrance filled the air, and the liquid shimmered with a radiant, reddish-gold hue.

Even though Theo wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about tea, he could tell this was no ordinary blend; its value was unmistakable.

Manifesting into his physical form, Lodbrok elegantly lifted the teacup, bringing it to his lips with a refined air.

"For all the bothersome antics, this tea is a fine compensation. As expected, luxury goods are far more abundant here in the capital than in the barren north."

Lodbrok smiled contentedly, savoring the tea, while Theo shrugged, his gaze fixed on the scene outside the window.

Below, a group of court attendants were giving orders to several servants.

"Privacy is a principle they clearly don’t respect. It’s rather galling."

"You didn’t kill anyone, did you?"

Theo had already noticed Lodbrok tampering with several of the surveillance magic circles. There were also around ten guards stationed nearby, not to mention the probable presence of skilled eavesdropping experts.

"Haha! Things aren’t like they were in the past. It’s almost insulting how blatantly they underestimate us. Don’t worry. I’ve blocked their eyes and ears for now."

In other words, Lodbrok had cast illusions and auditory distortions on the area. Theo trusted Lodbrok’s abilities completely, so he seated himself comfortably across from his companion. Lodbrok swirled the tea in his cup with a faint smile, his demeanor more fitting for wine tasting than tea.

"It’s amusing, isn’t it? Despite my brief mortal life, I seem to have developed quite a refined palate."

Apparently enjoying the tea more than expected, Lodbrok poured himself a third cup, savoring every sip until the entire teapot was emptied.

"So, you’ve come here following the information pointed out by that ring. Are you searching for something?"

Lodbrok’s eyes flicked to the pure white ring on Theo’s finger.

"That’s right," Theo replied.

Though he wasn’t entirely sure what the ring’s guidance would ultimately reveal.

"And when do you plan to start moving?"

Theo rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I’ll rest today to recover from the journey. Tomorrow, I’ll meet with the Emperor, and from there, I’ll decide my next steps."

He wasn’t reckless enough to act rashly on his first day. The blatant surveillance and restrictions raised too many questions: Was it a deliberate test of his patience? Or did they truly view him as a naive child? Theo needed to understand their intentions first.

Additionally, analyzing the capital’s surveillance and security measures would require careful observation, which could take some time.

"First, we should sample the capital’s cuisine. Order whatever you like."

Lodbrok’s eyes lit up with interest at Theo’s suggestion. After a moment of contemplation, a mischievous gleam appeared in his gaze.

"I want to taste the capital’s mint chocolate."

"..."

Of course.

Theo couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the request. Shaking his head in disbelief, he reached for the service bell.

Ding-ding!

***

Clop. Clop.

The sound of hooves echoed faintly, almost devoid of energy.

The horse seemed to reflect its rider’s mood, its steps heavy and sluggish as it returned to the mansion.

Felix dismounted, stripping off his armor as if suffocating under its weight. He tugged at his collar, loosening it with an air of frustration.

"Haa..."

A deep sigh escaped his lips.

He collapsed into a chair, the softness of the cushions offering a brief respite to his exhausted body.

Knock, knock.

At his call to enter, the door opened, revealing his lieutenant carrying a file of documents. The man saluted briefly before stepping inside.

‘The Court Duke and his faction are utterly deranged.’

One only needed to observe the current state of the capital to deduce as much. As the highest-ranking officer in the military, Felix was bound to clash with them constantly.

‘No matter the time or place, I’ll always be ready to support you, Commander.’

Resolving himself, the lieutenant began organizing the documents on Felix’s desk, his mind a mix of worry and quiet determination.

***

Felix headed straight to his lieutenant’s mansion.

The house, devoid of family or servants, was eerily quiet. Yet it was impeccably tidy, a reflection of the lieutenant’s meticulous nature.

Quietly, Felix exited through the back door of the mansion. All the while, he extended his senses as far as possible, scanning for any hidden observers. Vigilance was second nature—he couldn’t risk being followed.

Reaching the stables, Felix pressed on, his steps deliberate.

Whinny.

The lieutenant’s horse seemed to sense the unfamiliar presence and pawed at the ground nervously. Ignoring the animal, Felix ran his hand along the stable wall until he found a concealed wooden panel. He slid it open.

A musty odor wafted out, stinging his nose. Felix paused one last time to ensure no one was around before slipping inside and closing the panel behind him.

Creak. Creak.

The chill of the ladder and its groaning under his weight were the only sounds as Felix descended. After a short climb, his boots hit solid ground.

He stood in pitch darkness. The air was so thick with blackness that even a sense of direction was hard to maintain.

Without hesitation, Felix began to walk.

Step. Step.

The steady sound of his own footsteps echoed in the oppressive silence as he moved confidently through the void, guided only by intuition. After what felt like an eternity, his outstretched hand brushed against a familiar texture.

Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock.

Knock-knock-knock.

Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock.

Felix knocked on the wooden door in a specific sequence.

Creak.

The door groaned open, and a thin beam of light cut through the darkness, forcing Felix to squint against its sudden brightness.

Inside, a lone knight stood watch, while the Emperor, wrapped in blankets and looking frail, sat sipping medicine.

"I greet Your Imperial Majesty," Felix said, immediately lowering himself into a deep bow.

"Cough, cough! You’ve worked hard, Sir Felix," came the Emperor’s voice—weak, yet maintaining an air of authority.

Felix glanced at the Emperor’s face.

‘Seeing him up close... it’s worse than I thought.’

The Emperor’s pallid skin, hollow eyes, and shrunken frame painted a dire picture. The sight of his deteriorated form was far more alarming up close. Even the expression of the knight guarding him seemed strained with worry.

Felix instinctively scanned the room for potential threats.

"There’s no need to be so cautious," the Emperor assured.

At his words, Felix immediately relaxed his guard.

"Though the Court Duke may be as cunning as a viper, even he wouldn’t dare plant eyes or ears in his own daughter’s chambers."

Felix had arrived at one of the countless bedrooms within the imperial palace. Specifically, this was the private chamber of one of the Emperor’s concubines, Diana, who also happened to be the Court Duke’s daughter.

It was the one place where the Emperor was free from the Duke’s surveillance, a sanctuary he visited only twice a month.

Felix’s gaze wandered briefly to the bed, which was surrounded by a faint purple haze.

‘Judging by her breathing, she’s completely unconscious.’

The concubine was in a deep sleep, thanks to the use of a strong sleeping incense. If she were awake, the situation could escalate uncontrollably. Measures like this were essential.

After finishing his medicine, the Emperor turned to Felix.

"Well then, I hope our conversation tonight proves fruitful."