Chapter 281 - Mikhail's Search

It had been part of Mikhail’s plan to slowly push Count Pyrex out of his place as the captain of the emperor’s bodyguards. The young man believed that the emperor would place more trust in him this way. And as planned, the emperor had decided to hold a hunting competition to improve Mikhail’s reputation. He had also received agreement for using the Flower of the Underworld’s Goddess as the winning prize for the contest. Despite all these efforts, however, the emperor’s gaze was fixed on Count Pyrex.

Mikhail scowled—had the count really caught the beast? Such beasts had existed since ancient times. Since their power could easily destroy a village, they were once called the devil’s messengers. Many were captured or killed during the Age of Magic. The few remaining had disappeared, and their existence was now in doubt.

“Count Pyrex. You have indeed captured the beast?” It was only natural for the emperor to be surprised. A direwolf was known to possess an intermediate level of power among the magical beasts. Several swordsmen who knew how to use mana would need to cooperate to defeat the beast. In truth, Count Pyrex had not captured the beast on his own. This direwolf was to be auctioned off in the underground network. In any case, the truth didn’t matter to him.

“Yes, I have,” the count lied.

Trembling, the emperor roared, “Have you gone mad? What if that thing attacks me?!”

Despite the yell, Count Pyrex did not lower his head. He instead smiled and said, “Do not worry, Your Majesty. I know a way to control the beast.”

His eyes wide, the emperor gulped. As long as there was a way to control it, there were many uses for a powerful beast like a direwolf. “And what might that be?” the emperor asked urgently.

Taking a glimpse of Mikhail, Count Pyrex uttered, “I would like to keep this confidential. It would be difficult to speak of it with an outsider here.”

Seething, Mikhail glared back. ‘How dare someone like him… A mere dog for the emperor…’

That was when the emperor gave the order, “Sir Mikhail, you may go. You will need plenty of rest to win the hunting competition, anyway.”

His blood boiled, but he had expected this to happen. Calming himself, Mikhail answered, “Yes, Your Majesty.” As he left, he gave a death glare to Count Pyrex. ‘I must find a way to control a direwolf.’ He thought about who might know such information and clenched his fists once he came to an answer. ‘Yes, even though he says a lot of nonsense, he surely is educated on many things…’ Once he stepped out of the main gate to the royal palace, Mikhail got on his carriage. To his coachman, he said, “Take me to Viscount Droil’s mansion.”

* * *

Information tended to change rapidly, and for Fresia, it was necessary to review them whenever possible. She frowned slightly as she read over a piece of important intel.

‘A beast… huh. Trying to put such a dangerous thing up for auction, people are crazy.’ She then recalled the method to hunt a direwolf—there was a certain flower that was harmless to humans but poisonous to direwolves. She tried to recall the name of the flower then soon shook her head. ‘No, even that cannot completely control the beast… There is no reason to take such a risk.’

Fresia decided to let go of the information about the beast. She was about to discard the received information when…

“Fresia.”

She turned her head at the voice that called from behind. “My lord, when did you arrive?”

Max frowned slightly as if to show that she was asking an obvious question. “Just now.”