The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 89

“Puhaha! That was so satisfying!”

The people who had just left the room burst into loud laughter. Their faces were filled with pure satisfaction from witnessing the anticipated moment.

“Did you see the looks on those guys' faces? They were completely dumbfounded!”

“Well, of course. They thought they were being deceived only to find out the truth. They must have been shocked.”

“We should have brought a recording stone to capture it all!”

In the midst of this boisterous atmosphere, Dewey stood alone, feeling utterly out of place. Having been summoned without any explanation, he hadn’t comprehended the situation at all. He didn’t know where they were, who those unfamiliar people were, or why they were confined to such a sealed space. Questions filled his mind with no answers.

“You did well too.”

Noticing Dewey’s discomfort, someone roughly patted his shoulder. Although it wasn’t treatment befitting the heir of a count, Dewey forced a smile, recalling the First Prince’s warning not to act impulsively in front of these people.

“Um, but what’s this all about…?”

“You don’t need to know, pal.”

“But isn’t this related to me as well?”

“…Really no sense, do you? What part of ‘you don’t need to know’ don’t you get?”

The atmosphere shifted instantly, and Dewey quickly shut his mouth. As he averted his gaze, the predatory glint in their eyes softened.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t ask unnecessary questions and make things harder for yourself. Let’s take it easy, alright?”

“…Yes, I understand.”

“Good to see you catch on quick.”

Despite the mockingly patronizing pat on his cheek, Dewey’s face burned with humiliation.

‘Why would Prince Altman associate with these people…?’

The individuals the First Prince associated with were all vulgar and crude. Had they not been on the same side, Dewey would never have interacted with such people. Sometimes, being among them made him question his choices.

Yet, once again, Dewey couldn't voice a single complaint. It wasn’t just to save face for the First Prince. There was someone here he feared.

"Don't be so rude."

"…."

The low voice brought an immediate silence to the previously noisy room. Dewey swallowed hard.

The man with slate-blue hair, who had quieted everyone with a single sentence, was their leader. Among these misfits, he stood apart. An innate ruler who commanded absolute dominance.

If it weren’t for that man, Dewey wouldn’t have kept so quiet himself. Strangely enough, he felt an instinctive fear in his presence. He found himself lowering his head, pressing down, and holding his breath as if by instinct—the instinct of prey.

Not wanting to accidentally make eye contact, Dewey quickly looked away. Though the man usually had a chilly aura, he seemed especially displeased today. Even his aide, standing by his side, seemed to notice and was carefully gauging his mood.

"Is something the matter, Lord Eliha?"

"Their reaction was more subdued than I expected."

"Sorry? Whose reaction, Lord? Ah, those people in there?"

The aide looked back toward the closed door, leading to the room they had just left.

"I thought at least one or two would lose control and lash out."

"Perhaps they were too shocked to do even that. It seems like their minds completely shut down."

"Hmm."

"It’s probably nothing to worry about, honestly. I imagine those fools are desperately trying to deny reality. They were so stunned they could barely even speak."

Dewey, who glanced back at the door as well, recalled the people inside, their expressions as they looked at him.

‘It seemed like they wanted to tell me something.’

That strangely tense air. The faces frozen in confusion. Their trembling voices every time they tried to speak. They’d had various conversations, but Dewey felt as though the real purpose had remained unsaid. That made him even more uneasy.

'Who are those people, anyway?'

Though he didn’t know their identities, the fact that they were confined in such a secretive place was unsettling. And the possibility that they might somehow be connected to him filled Dewey with a vague unease. He sensed Eliha’s gaze on him again and quickly lowered his head. The persistence of that gaze made cold sweat bead on his forehead.

“Why… Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

After briefly observing Dewey’s stiff, awkward expression, Eliha finally began to walk. The others, who had been tense under the sharp aura emanating from their leader, sighed in relief as they followed him.

But even as they walked, Eliha remained deep in thought.

As they stepped into the outer corridor, he cast a final glance at the closed door behind them. As long as the precious person those people cared about was here, they wouldn’t act rashly. Everything was proceeding according to plan. And yet, he couldn’t shake an odd sense of unease.

‘Something about this feels off.’

It was as if he were overlooking something important.

Something he could not afford to miss.

(T/N): Hopefully, there will be some character development for Dewey…

* * *

The room fell silent after the group left, like a tide ebbing away. Those who had been maintaining peculiar expressions slowly looked around at each other.

“Are they really gone? Like, completely gone?”

“Yeah, no sign of them.”

“We can talk freely now, I think.”

Finally, the tension broke, and everyone collapsed into their seats.

“Damn, I thought I was going to die trying to keep a straight face.”

“Do you think they noticed?”

“Hard to say. From the sounds of their laughter outside, they probably think we actually believed them.”

They had considered the possibility that the hostage was fake from the start. But to think they would go as far as to bring a human and play such an obvious prank. Those who had been keeping their smiles rueful soon vented their frustration.

“What do they take us for? If they wanted to convince us it was the King’s son, they should have at least brought an Aesang. Even if it’s hard to distinguish between an Aesang and a human, did they really think we wouldn’t notice?”

“Who knows, maybe they really believe that kid is the King’s son.”

“No way. Anyone could see he was human.”

“Well, we can tell, but other races probably can’t. It’s confusing even for us sometimes.”

“It’s true. Otherwise, why would they introduce him so confidently?”

“Ugh, to think we’ve been dealing with idiots like them all this time…”

Their faces turned dark with frustration, but it wasn’t just from being deceived. That part quickly faded. The moment they saw the supposed hostage, their thoughts had shifted entirely.

“So then, our current theory is correct, right?”

“The real King’s son is…”

Though the trembling voice didn’t finish, everyone understood the conclusion.

It truly was that child. The one with neat black hair and red eyes. The one who appeared miraculously, the precious Aesang they had found after decades. That Sei was the true king's son.

“No wonder. He always seemed extraordinary.”

“Just standing there, his presence was overwhelming. I always felt he had a high ranking.”

“I spoke so informally to him. I’m in serious trouble now.”

“Haha, didn’t I tell you? You should have treated him with respect from the start. See what happens when you ignore good advice?”

“Wait, did anyone here not treat Sei informally?”

“Well, no.”

“Then we should all bow our heads in apology.”

The nonsensical chatter didn’t last long. One by one, they fell silent, and a heavy stillness settled over the room again.

“Damn it…”

Talis muttered a low curse and slammed his shackled wrists against the floor. The only result was bruised wrists, and no one tried to stop him. They all felt the same way.

“What do we do now, Lord Kalph?”

“Lord Kalph.”

Desperate eyes turned to the one standing firmly.

But Kalph remained silent. He knew he should respond, but his body wouldn’t obey his mind’s command.

"Kalph."

The voice calling his name overlapped with the haunting echoes of a dead friend from his dreams.

Was the nightmare trying to prepare me for this?

With a soft, bitter chuckle, Kalph bit down gently on his lower lip. He recalled the face he had seen at the last moment—the boy standing frozen in shock. His young red eyes had flickered when Kalph told him to run, but then they had solidified with resolve.

It was the face of someone who wasn’t afraid of being alone. Kalph knew because that had been his life all along.

Yet, knowing all this, he had pushed him into solitude once more. Using the desperate situation as an excuse, he had placed a heavy burden on those young shoulders. Shamelessly, he was now pinning his hopes on him.

“Kalph, I will die for the King.”

The words, spoken long ago, echoed in his mind. It was something Rashian had declared, brimming with excitement, just after being knighted.

"I'll put my life on the line for him. So, you put yours on the line for the King’s son. Fair enough?"

And his stubborn, foolish friend had kept his word. He had willingly sacrificed his life for the King.

"Isn't it grand, Kalph? We’re the ones protecting the King and his son."

Rashian, I couldn’t keep my promise.

What do I do now?

Kalph clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Eventually, he had no choice but to close his eyes, overwhelmed by the weight of his thoughts and his inability to find a clear path forward.