The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 292

Kael watched from the estate’s open balcony as yet another group of broad-shouldered men marched past, roaring and arguing about battle stances and honor.

His eye twitched slightly.

"All I’ve seen are walking biceps since we arrived..." he muttered under his breath, eyes scanning the training grounds. "The condition’s deteriorating. They used to hold back their fervor. Now it feels like the God of War’s madness is seeping through the walls."

Inside the estate, Ariana finally found time to herself. She stripped off her heavy armor, her joints sighing with relief. Her fingers worked quickly,muscle memory guiding her as she folded the pieces neatly to the side. Then she reached under the frame of armour and pulled out a small chest.

Click.

Inside was a folded dark cloak and a pale, preserved mask,thin as skin, almost lifelike.

Holding up the mask to the light, she tilted her head slightly. "Should I use this... or the skin mask?"

She glanced toward the mirror, her brows furrowing. After a moment, she set the regular mask down.

"No... better to go with the skin one tonight."

She unfolded it carefully, aligning the edges before placing it across her face. The sensation was cold, clammy,like slipping into another identity. Her features blurred and shifted subtly. Her hair was quickly brushed, then tied beneath a tight band. The cloak followed, draped over her frame, the hood drawn low. She strapped two daggers to her thighs, checked the hidden blades at her sleeves, and took one last glance at the mirror.

"Now I’m ready."

She approached the window, fingers brushing the wooden latch open,but just as she began to push, a flicker of movement caught her eye.

Something flashed past.

Without hesitation, Ariana’s hand flew out and a dagger whistled through the air.

CLANG!

It was caught,no, deflected,by a sharp twist of a gauntlet.

A hoarse voice came from the shadows, laced with amusement.

"It’s me."

Ariana’s breath caught. "Lord?"

Kael stood crouched on the ledge, half-shadowed by the vines that wrapped the estate wall. His dark cloak fluttered faintly in the breeze, eyes glinting with faint mischief and something else,something far more piercing.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, barely masking the alarm in her voice.

Kael gave a light chuckle, resting one arm against the window frame as he leaned in. "Same reason you are," he said smoothly, his eyes drifting to her gear. "You didn’t think I wouldn’t notice, did you?"

Ariana’s heart skipped. Instinct screamed,he knows. But she held her composure, her expression unreadable.

Yet Kael’s next words eased her rising panic.

"I might not know you that well... but I can tell you’re hiding something." He narrowed his gaze. "You found something, didn’t you? I can feel it. You always look this way when you’re about to chase something dangerous."

A teasing smirk tugged at his lips.

"And don’t think you can sneak off on your own. I’ll chase you down, Ariana. Wherever you run."

Ariana’s eyes hardened, lips pressing into a thin line. She turned her head slightly, staring out into the dark courtyard.

’Damn it... How does he always sense things?’

A thousand thoughts raced through her head. Was he following her? Did he plant someone in the estate? Or worse,had he been watching her movements the whole time?

A cold bead of sweat formed under her mask.

’Should I tell him? Or just mislead him a little?’

She turned back slowly, locking eyes with him, her voice flat.

"I may have found something... but it’s not confirmed yet."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"I’ll decide that."

Ariana sighed internally. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

’Argh... I hate this man sometimes.’

Kael barged through the doorway with an annoyed grunt, pushing past Ariana. She stumbled back a step, glaring as he made himself at home in the room.

"Quickly, tell me," Kael demanded, his voice carrying the weight of command as he followed right after.

Ariana clenched her fists in frustration but kept her cool. "I’ve heard from my sources... there’s a special material inside the Church of War. Something capable of hardening the body,enhancing strength and durability far beyond normal means."

Kael’s expression shifted. A flicker of memory surfaced. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You mean something that strengthens the physique? Something... like an elixir that enhances bodily resistance?"

Ariana’s eyes widened with surprise. "Yes! Exactly!" But then her brows drew together. "Wait. How do you know about it?"

Kael stayed quiet for a beat. In his mind, the scene replayed,flesh forged through a brutal process. It wasn’t just training. A concoction had been created from the bones of rare beasts and demons, mixed with forbidden herbs and tempered through blood rites. The result: a crimson liquid bath that reshaped muscle and bone. He had been offered a chance to take it, long ago, during a brief alliance with a war bishop.

He’d declined.

Steam Punk, one of his more eccentric allies from the past, had warned him about lingering toxins. Those without precise mana control could suffer internal decay years later. Kael didn’t need shortcuts,he had enough control to remove toxins. But still, it never appealed to him.

He shook away the thought and kept his tone light. "I just guessed. People of the War Church are known for their monstrous physiques. And considering your interest..."

He let the words hang.

Ariana narrowed her eyes, suspicious but not pressing further.

"Do you know exactly where it is?" Kael asked.

"In the Church itself," Ariana replied. "Most likely in the restricted inner chamber beneath the altar."

Kael gave a low whistle and crossed his arms. "So your grand plan is to sneak into one of the holiest places in Cantilever? Under Baron James’ nose?"

Her silence was enough.

Kael clicked his tongue. "That’s... a very bad plan."

Ariana scowled. "It’s the only one."

He shook his head. "Sneaking into a war cult’s main temple isn’t the same as breaking into a noble’s library. If anything happens,if a single guard catches a whisper of us,we might trigger a reaction from the God of War himself. You know how his people work. They don’t negotiate. They brawl."

"I’m prepared," Ariana said simply.

Kael studied her, then sighed. "Are you sure this elixir still exists?"

"It does. The supply is extremely limited. They give it only to bishops and elite guardians. But I know where it’s stored. I’ve tracked the supply chain over the last few weeks."

Kael exhaled. "Fine. Midnight. I’ll make the preparations. We’ll do it cleanly."

Ariana gave a small nod, and Kael added with a smirk, "I’ll have Vic and Gare lead a team to the local taverns in my place,use a bit of illusion magic to make them think I’m out carousing. That should cause a good enough stir."

Ariana finally cracked a smile. "That would be helpful."

Kael rolled his shoulders. "Then rest. Tonight’s going to be... interesting."

........

In the quiet room lit only by the soft glow of moonlight, Emilia sat by the window, her gaze lost among the stars glittering in the night sky. Her fingers gently toyed with the edge of the curtain, and her expression held a distant tenderness... almost a longing.

Jess, who had just come in with a tray of warm tea, froze mid-step upon seeing that expression. Being with Emilia all these years, how could she not recognize that look?

’She’s thinking about him again... that heartless bastard. My lady, why do you still torment yourself with such memories? He doesn’t deserve it.’

Emilia’s voice came quietly, almost lost in the breeze. "Did I... mistake him completely?" Her tone wavered, soft and unsure. "I know I was just a naive girl... chasing after some foolish dream of love."

Jess remained silent this time. She could only bite her tongue and look away.

Emilia had grown up in the warmth of the imperial sun,protected, pampered, and cherished. She had never known cruelty, never tasted betrayal. Her world had always been soft, full of music, gardens, and smiling faces. In her heart, love was meant to be like those tales she grew up hearing,of princes who would burn the world to hold their lady close, who whispered poetry and pressed kisses beneath starlight.

But reality... was colder.

And the man she’d married,the Grand Duke,was not a character from a tale, but a tempest made flesh.

Emilia exhaled, brushing her hand along the windowsill. "I know, Jess. Don’t make that face. I understand it all now. And if I could... I would even apologize to him. But I’m afraid."

"Afraid?" Jess finally spoke.

Emilia smiled faintly, tears shimmering in her eyes but not falling. "Yes. Afraid that if I see him again... I might lose what little peace I’ve built."

Jess stepped forward, wanting to comfort her, but Emilia blinked and leaned forward suddenly. "Huh? Isn’t that... Kael?"

Jess turned, confused. "Kael?"

Both women looked out the window. Below, in the moonlit courtyard, Kael was dressed in dark traveling gear, speaking briefly to a few soldiers. Gare and Vic stood at his sides. After a short exchange, they began moving out, heading toward the main street.

"Where is he going this late at night?" Emilia asked.

Jess pursed her lips. "I’ll go fetch Lyria."

Moments later, Lyria arrived with light footsteps, her calm presence filling the room like a breeze through lavender fields. Close behind her was Elfie,the small, fluffy spirit-fox who darted straight toward Emilia with a squeaky chirp.

"Ah! Elfie, don’t jump," Emilia began, but Elfie had already leapt onto her shoulder, nuzzling against her cheek.

"Still energetic as ever," Lyria chuckled.

"You’re just jealous he likes me more," Emilia teased, laughing for the first time in the day.

Elfie squeaked in agreement, his tail swishing proudly. He leapt between Emilia’s shoulders and head like a mischievous crown.

"Alright, enough antics," Emilia said, lightly tapping his head. Then her voice dropped. "Lyria... do you know where Kael is going?"

Lyria’s eyes flickered with hesitation, then she answered with practiced calm. "He said he was heading to a pub. Likely to cause a distraction."

Jess’s expression darkened immediately, lips curling in a scoff.

"Pub, huh?" she muttered under her breath. "Like father, like son. The bastard tree really does bear bastard fruits."

Emilia turned to her with a pointed glare. "Jess."

Jess flinched. "I..I mean... just saying..."

But behind her scolding, Emilia couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. Kael... what are you really planning?