The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 266

As Kael finished dealing with Vic,he turned toward the others, his expression hardening once more.

"Where did the group I sent to track down those Serpent Gang bastards go?"

Barret, Gare, and Chris stiffened.

"Do you have any way to contact them?" Kael asked, his tone serious, eyes narrowing with intensity.

Gare stepped forward and replied, "Yes, my lord. We’ve managed to get in touch with them."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"They’ve successfully infiltrated the Serpent Gang."

Kael blinked a few times, digesting the words. His eyes twitched.

’What the hell?’

"I asked them to follow and tally their movements... not to throw themselves into the den." His voice was calm, but everyone could feel the cold weight behind it.

"Are you sure they went undercover as our spies?" he asked sharply, startling Gare.

"My lord?" Gare asked, confused. "They used the standard infiltration protocol. They—"

Kael cut him off, voice grim. "It’s not about the protocol. It’s about them. The Serpent Gang. You’re underestimating them."

"Tch... Don’t tell me you don’t trust your own men now," Vic scoffed, folding his arms, his tone carrying a sarcastic edge.

Kael didn’t even glance at him. "It’s not my men I don’t trust. It’s the gang. You think it’s that easy to slip into a crime network hiding under the Empire’s nose for years?"

He looked directly at Gare. "What if the Serpent Gang doesn’t just vet newcomers... What if they brainwash them? Wipe their memories? Implant commands? How would you know?"

A heavy silence fell.

Everyone sucked in a sharp breath, suddenly feeling the weight of the situation. What Kael suggested sounded insane—until they remembered just who they were dealing with.

The Serpent Gang had always been more than street thugs. Whispers of their use of black alchemy, hallucinogenic poisons, and forbidden mind arts were not new.

The room grew heavy with a creeping sense of unease.

Finally, Gare spoke again, his voice cautious. "My lord... You’re right. We can’t be certain. If they’ve truly been manipulated, we could be sitting on a ticking bomb."

Kael nodded. "Until we confirm their loyalty, no sensitive information is to be shared with them. None."

"Yes, sir." Gare gave a sharp bow.

"Anything else they sent in their last communication?" Kael asked, eyes still cold.

"Yes. It’s about Albert."

Kael paused. "Albert?" He frowned. "What about the northern region? Is he aligned with them? Don’t tell me Sir Robert doesn’t know—"

"No, no," Barret interjected quickly. "It’s not that Albert. He’s talking about someone else."

Kael tilted his head, clearly confused. "Then who?"

Barret shared a look with Gare, then reminded him, "Baron Altross. The one we ran into after the awakening. The man who ran that corrupt estate and tried to assassinate you."

Kael blinked, then slowly nodded as the memory resurfaced. "Ah... that Albert. The one who escaped after I made her sister the Baroness."

"Yes," Gare said with a grim nod. "Apparently, he’s joined the Serpent Gang."

"And not just joined," Barret added. "He’s climbing through the ranks fast."

Kael’s expression darkened.

So that snake found another den to crawl into.

"Lovely," he muttered.

The news wasn’t just troubling—it was strategic. Altross had once been part of a noble estate. If someone like him was rising inside the Serpent Gang, it meant the gang was evolving. Recruiting nobles. Corrupting officials.

This wasn’t a simple gang war anymore.

It was politics with blood and poison.

Kael’s fingers lightly brushed the hilt of his sword.

He didn’t like where this was going.

"Anything else?" Kael asked, voice cool but alert.

Chris, who had been unusually quiet so far, suddenly blurted out, "Oh yeah! I almost forgot—they’re planning to put a bounty on your head!"

His tone carried more frustration than concern. Clearly, the boy was annoyed at being ignored in the conversation.

These adults never let him talk properly...

Kael’s eyes narrowed sharply.

"Huh?"

Question marks might as well have hovered over his head.

’Did I just hear that right?’

He turned fully toward Chris, brow furrowed. "What did you say?"

Chris straightened up, arms folded. "The Serpent Gang’s putting a bounty on you. They figured out it was you who ruined their last operation."

Kael’s expression immediately darkened. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

"Are you kidding me..."

’What the fuck is this?’

’Why is everyone putting bounties on me like I’m some kind of villain from a bard’s song?’

’Is this a new trend or what? First nobles, now underground gangs? What next—churches? Spirits? Stray dogs?’

He muttered under his breath, "Am I the only one foiling their idiotic plans? Don’t the churches and kingdom officials do anything anymore?"

He took a deep breath and forcibly calmed his rising fury. But in his heart, he made a vow—

Once I’m strong enough, I’ll reduce them to dust.

Just as the room settled into a tense silence, a faint commotion stirred from outside.

Shouts. Marching steps. The sharp clatter of armored boots.

Kael’s ears perked up. He turned to the window, eyes narrowing.

"What’s going on?" he asked, already striding toward the noise.

As he peered out, he spotted a formal entourage entering the estate grounds—knights in polished armor, banners fluttering in the breeze, and a central figure in imperial robes.

Kael’s brows are knitted.

’Who the hell is this?’

’Is that Adele? No, she wouldn’t come back so easily.’

’Grant? Maybe, but his style is usually more... discreet.’

He frowned.

"Let’s stop guessing like fools and just ask."

He turned and called, "You. Come here."

A nearby servant quickly entered and bowed deeply.

The servant spoke with utmost politeness:

"Greetings, Young Master. I bring news."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "What’s the noise outside? Who arrived with that parade of soldiers?"

The servant replied promptly, eyes lowered:

"It’s the Imperial Messenger, sir. He bears a decree from the capital."

"Imperial Messenger?" Kael repeated, startled.

He looked over his shoulder at the others.

"Why is he here? Did any of you hear anything?"

The room was silent until Gare hesitantly said, "Well... the Emperor’s health has been rumored to be—"

"Stop," Kael cut him off sharply, raising a hand.

He smiled and winked as he spoke loudly, "The Emperor is mighty. He is the sun in our sky. Nothing will happen to him."

His voice held firm admiration—but also an underlying message.

Everyone in the room quickly caught on.

Imperial Messengers were not ordinary people. Some of them belonged to special classes capable of reading thoughts, sensing lies, and even extracting truth through subtle observation. Rumor or not, speaking about the Emperor’s health was a dangerous game.

Kael had seen it before,a men sentenced to exile or worse just for whispering speculation. He wasn’t afraid, but cautious? That was wisdom.

Gare bowed slightly and corrected himself immediately, "Yes. The Emperor is eternal. His radiance and strength are unmatched. We are all blessed to serve under him."

Kael nodded slowly, eyes returning to the window.

"Let’s go greet him. Whatever message he brings—it must be important."