The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

39

***

Only the moonlight seeps into the streets where darkness has receded.

Looking up at the sky, one can find the stars, but they do not reach this land.

Thus, many are guided by the moonlight on their path and correct their course by the stars.

“He couldn’t have gone far!”

“We must catch him!”

“The bounty on that guy’s neck could feed us for a lifetime!”

The night’s pursuers were stirring everywhere, torches raised high.

The thief had been at it for quite some time, and the nobles had been repeatedly plundered of their expensive trinkets and jewels.

It must be that he operates alone, targeting only lightweight yet valuable items.

‘Could they catch me when they’re so slow?’

The masked man stood atop the roof, looking down at them.

They would think he’s hiding somewhere in the alleyways since he had been running just moments ago.

But he had swiftly climbed the wall in one breath, and no one had discovered such a trace.

Despite always using the same method, they still acted carelessly.

‘Lately, there have been many looking for me. Perhaps I’ve become too famous.’

The man leisurely walked the rooftops and then lightly leaped to the next building.

No sound was heard upon landing, and even the moonlight seemed to shun his silhouette.

If he could just shake off the pursuers, he could safely return to his hideout.

‘It feels like I’ve robbed every place worth robbing…’

The man was already searching for his next target.

To others, it might seem like bold thievery, but he operates with his own set of principles.

He only steals from the wickedly rich and never touches the good-hearted.

From noble mtl dot come

He has never broken this rule, so the rumors have spread far and wide.

‘It’s bothersome to search outside the capital.’

In the capital, many nobles live, making it somewhat easy to pick out targets.

But once outside the capital, the lesser nobles abound, and even the regional officials who greedily hoard money are carelessly unguarded.

To effectively steal, one had to make the capital their base of operations.

“I can’t just rob the imperial palace, though. That’s far too dangerous.”

The empire’s capital was stirred by the notorious thief, Clark Atrians, who glanced around before leaping across rooftops.

He had no doubt about his skills, but he never dared to trespass into the imperial palace.

Even the gates required multiple passes, and the forces under the command of the General were strictly guarding it.

He thought it would be troublesome in many ways if he managed to enter the palace only to confront the imperial knights.

“There are plenty of scoundrels in the palace… but I can’t risk my life.”

Clark always moved with a cause, but he wasn’t obsessed with it.

Whether praised as a bandit or a righteous outlaw, once dead, it’s all over.

That’s why he always compromised with reality while pursuing his own ideals.

“Where to next?”

Clark, seemingly sensing a presence, swiftly dropped down from the roof.

He descended the wall stealthily, crouched low.

Even amidst the silence, he maintained his balance, as if he could fall at any moment.

“Maybe I should hit the duke’s house next? The duke must have plenty.”

Clark landed leisurely on the ground and immediately started sprinting.

The duke’s house held immense power in the capital, with many nobles under its faction.

It wasn’t difficult for them to profit in various ways, and they were likely still increasing their wealth.

“The young lady of the Elenate dukedom wields a sword… I’d lose my head if I crossed her.”

The second daughter of the Elenate dukedom was not your typical noble lady.

She participated in monster subjugation campaigns alone and returned to the capital with distinguished achievements.

This earned her recognition as a formal knight, and now she serves as the vice-captain of the Setinos Knights.

He thought provoking such a woman would be disadvantageous in many ways.

“Still, a brief visit wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

Clark was somewhat intrigued by the Elenate duke’s daughter.

After all, a noble lady wielding a sword was quite unconventional.

If one is to be a true thief, they must always break away from common sense, so in that sense, he shared something in common with the duke’s daughter.

“Maybe I should see just how eccentric she is.”

***

Brillie had taken Alter out for an outing.

No matter how frail the body, one couldn’t just be left to stroll near the mansion every time.

Of course, the vampire ambush incident was not forgotten, so the escort knights were accompanying them.

“Is it a bit uncomfortable because of the escort knights?”

“Not at all. It’s better than having an accident.”

Alter felt rather reassured by the presence of the escort knights.

They might not be as strong as Brillié, but they would surely be able to protect him.

Besides, they were not soldiers, so a minimum level of skill was guaranteed.

“I thought I should get some fresh air outside. It’s boring to stay inside the mansion all the time, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s better than staying inside.”

Alter, walking side by side with Brillié, was captivated by a distant tranquility.

The escort knights followed at a distance, and people passed by from time to time.

Occasionally, carriages would pass by, and street vendors shouting loudly could be found.

It was a natural enjoyment of the flow of human life and this world.

“Tell me if it’s too hard. We can go back just like this.”

“It was hard to come out, so I can’t go back so soon, can I? Let’s walk a little more.”

Brillié, though worried, quietly agreed with Alter’s words.

Fortunately, there had been no incidents of collapsing during a walk so far.

Perhaps the concern should be not being able to resist the overwhelming sleepiness and losing one’s posture.

“Um… Have you heard about the phantom thief?”

“I know they choose only the nobles to steal from.”

“Yes, that’s right. They say yesterday the marquis’ vault was robbed.”

“Did they steal something expensive?”

“They say only expensive yet light items disappeared. A phantom thief couldn’t carry something heavy, right?”

“Then they must have stolen accessories or jewels?”

“Probably. They’re small and easy to carry, right? It might take some time to dispose of them secretly.”

Of course, Alter was aware of the phantom thief’s behavior pattern.

Although the phantom thief was praised as a hero among the commoners, in reality, they were committing theft out of personal greed.

It was just that they were well-received for distributing food and silver coins to the commoners.

“If they are called a hero, they must be quite clever.”

“… Why do you think so?”

“Generally speaking, a phantom thief is just a petty thief. However, they only steal from nobles with bad reputations and show mercy to the common folk. Doesn’t it seem like they’re enacting justice on the surface?”

“Hmm… It does appear that way. There are those who rely solely on their noble status to behave recklessly.”

“Still, the fact that they don’t target the royal palace suggests they don’t wish to die just yet.”

“It’s difficult to enter the royal palace. If you encounter the Royal Knights, survival is unlikely.”

Brillie had heard about the average might of the Royal Knights.

Only a select few among the knights were chosen, and those of uncertain status were not permitted to join.

Among them, the Captain of the Royal Knights was known to possess skills comparable to a Sword Saint, dedicated solely to the Emperor’s protection.

“There’s a hefty bounty on their head… The fact that they haven’t been caught yet suggests they’re quite elusive, doesn’t it?”

“No one knows where they come in from. They slip in and out in a blink, so they can’t be caught.”

“They might never be caught, right?”

“Who knows? Someday they might be…”

“Oh, who do we have here? Isn’t this the young lady skilled with the sword?”

Before even seeing the face, Brillie recognized the identity.

A lady of the ducal house, just like herself, yet a perfect contrast.

She had thought it was rather quiet lately, but who would have expected such a sudden appearance?

“…Terosa. Have you come to pick a fight again?”

“Ho-ho… A fight? I merely spoke the truth.”

Terosa Ailrike, the second daughter of the Ailrike ducal family, tilted her white parasol and glanced slyly at Brillie.

From her fingertips flowed an elegant grace, and she naturally drew a noble and sophisticated smile.

She was the epitome of a noble lady, and even her beauty was meticulously cultivated.

“I have no desire to hear such words from someone consumed by vanity.”

“Nobles should indeed be full of vanity, shouldn’t they? Oh, but Miss Brillie, you’re too busy wielding a sword to adorn yourself, aren’t you? Ho-ho.”

“I may have earned my merits, but all you do is flutter about, seeking attention. Is living for others’ approval so enjoyable?”

“As a noble lady, if you’re not seen well, you’re ignored, aren’t you? Since you’ve earned merits, you’re not ignored, right?”

“Besides looking good, you know nothing else. It’s clear as day, the way you strut around like a lady.”

“Of course. One must strut. To show leisure, one must do so, right? You’re always fighting, so perhaps you have no leisure to speak of?”

“Pretense is quickly seen through. Remember when you tripped while walking in heels? That’s exactly it.”

“Ho-ho… It was all part of the plan. I fell and met the person I wanted to. Now they’re part of my network, so I’m not ashamed at all.”

Terosa casually lied, displaying a pretentious smile.

It was not at all planned, and due to sheer bad luck, she had fallen straight away.

But I couldn’t let Brillié outshine me, so I had to boost my own morale in this way.

“You really have the nerve to lie so blatantly? I saw your face turn red.”

“…It seems Miss Brillié can’t see properly. How could you think it turned red?”

“Oh, right. There’s one more thing. Your dress got torn when it caught on the railing, didn’t it? Your pretty legs were quite visible?”

“What… Wha… That… That was all part of the plan, too? You shouldn’t be ashamed of such things…”

“Let’s stop this, shall we? We’re from the same ducal house, after all. It’s unbecoming to quarrel.”

Alter stepped in belatedly to mediate between the two, stopping right in the middle.

Even in the original work, they often quarreled, but there was no need to watch over them.

Perhaps now was the time to let each other go and focus on our respective duties.

“Who are you… Ah…”

Therosa belatedly recognized Alter and swallowed her words.

She had approached Brillié alone and had failed to notice Alter’s presence.

Had she known Brillié’s fiancé was there, perhaps she would have acted more gracefully.

“I apologize for my embarrassing behavior. I’ll greet you properly next time, Lord Alter.”

“Yes. I look forward to seeing you again.”

Therosa quickly moved away, avoiding the spot.

She had heard rumors about Alter, but his actual appearance seemed even more radiant.

How could such a rascal of a lady end up engaged to a fiancé with such a handsome appearance?

‘What should I do? He’s totally my type. Ugh… I should have accepted the engagement to the grand ducal family when I had the chance!’