Chapter 475: The Furious Father

“Your Grace, what brings you here?” The Count of Veloria went pale when he saw Lazarus suddenly step into the grounds of his factory.

His face drained of even more color when he noticed Edmund, the mighty Lycan King, getting down from the carriage. Edmund didn’t say a word, but his sharp blue eyes alone were enough to make the Count’s skin crawl. He couldn’t even bring himself to meet that gaze for long.

“Count Veloria, this is the first time I’ve seen you,” Edmund said as he walked toward him. Meanwhile, Lazarus—the one who had been asked the question earlier—remained silent and allowed his son-in-law to take action.

“And there is nothing more I want in this world than to cut off your head right here and now,” Edmund threatened. His words sounded so serious that the Count of Veloria began to tremble.

The dark rumors surrounding the Lycan King only made the fear in the Count’s chest grow heavier. For the first time in Edmund’s life, he felt grateful that such terrifying stories followed his name.

“Your Majesty, how dare you threaten a noble from another kingdom!” the Count said, forcing himself to stand his ground despite the fear. “If the King of Azmeria hears about this, you will be in serious trouble. No, forget the King. What if the Emperor of the Vellmoria Empire finds out that you wanted to kill a human in his own empire?!”

“Human?” Edmund replied in a flat, icy voice. “I don’t see someone who almost killed my wife as human.”

“What?” The Count frowned in shock. “What are you talking about?! I haven’t even met Lady Primrose lately!”

Lazarus snapped again when he heard his daughter’s name, likely still remembering the problem that had just occurred. “You may not have met her, but your low-quality sugar poisoned her! How dare you sell sugar of such poor quality?! Do you want to kill the people of the Vellmoria Empire?!”

The Count’s eyes widened. He looked completely lost. “Your Grace, that’s impossible! I always use high-quality ingredients for my sugar! The chance of your daughter being poisoned by my product is very small! Are you sure it was the sugar? Her husband might be the one who poisoned her!”

“Are you sure she was poisoned because of the sugar? Her husband was probably the one who poisoned her!””

“How dare you accuse my son-in-law!” Lazarus shouted, pointing straight at the Count. “He is a good man. He would never harm his own wife!”

Edmund felt a bit awkward when Lazarus suddenly praised him. After all, he had only done what any husband should do.

But even so, he also felt a sense of happiness in his heart, because as he grew up, his own father had never praised him. Hell, forget praising, his father had even treated Edmund like a pest, like dirt that should never be touched.

Because of that, every time he called Lazarus “Father,” the deep wound in his heart slowly began to heal. The scar was still there, but at least it no longer bled. Honestly, he had never expected to have a father figure in his life, and it was all thanks to his precious wife.

“Your Majesty.”

Edmund snapped out of his thoughts when he heard someone calling him. The voice was soft, almost like a whisper.

When he lowered his head, he saw a honey badger at his feet. Everyone else was too caught up in the confrontation to notice the tiny creature.

Edmund then gestured for Salem to climb onto his back so he could hear him more clearly.

“I found something suspicious,” Salem reported once he climbed up to Edmund’s shoulder. “I saw a door leading underground inside the warehouse. I didn’t go in, but some of the Count’s subordinates were arranging food trays nearby. I think they’re for children, because the portions are small.”

“Are you sure?” Edmund whispered back.

“One hundred percent,” Salem added. “They gave me the same thing back then, so I remember the tray very clearly.”

Edmund’s eyes widened slightly when he heard Salem’s words. He had already suspected that Salem had been involved in this whole matter, but it was still shocking to hear it confirmed.

“Your Majesty, what will you do?” Salem asked. “Are you going to rescue them right away?”

Edmund didn’t answer right away. His gaze shifted from the trembling Count to the warehouse in the distance, his sharp eyes narrowing as his thoughts moved quickly.

“Not yet,” he said in a low voice. “If we act now, they might panic and hurt the children.”

Salem went still on his shoulder. “So you’re waiting for the right moment?”

Edmund nodded. “I need proof. And I need everyone involved to stay right where they are.”

He straightened his posture and stepped forward again, his presence cold and heavy enough to make the air feel tight.

“Count Veloria,” Edmund said calmly, though the danger in his tone was clear, “since you are so confident in the quality of your sugar, I suggest we inspect your warehouse together.”

The Count stiffened. “I-I don’t see why that’s necessary—”

“Refusing would only make you look guilty,” Edmund cut in, his eyes locking onto the Count’s face. “Unless there’s something inside you don’t want us to see.”

Lazarus crossed his arms, his expression dark. “If my daughter was harmed because of your business, then I have every right to look through it.”

The Count swallowed hard. Sweat rolled down his temple as he forced a stiff smile. “O-Of course, Your Graces. I have nothing to hide.”

From Edmund’s shoulder, Salem whispered, “The entrance is near the back.” He added, “Behind the stacked crates.”

Edmund gave a small nod in response.

As they began to move, Edmund’s fingers curled slightly at his side. His mind was already made up.

If there were children underground, no one in this place would walk away untouched.

But the Count of Veloria suddenly halted in his steps. “Look, Your Grace, Your Majesty, I think there is a misunderstanding here. It’s impossible for me to produce poisonous sugar, since I also supply it to the Emperor, so—”

“Enough talking bullshit!” Lazarus cut him off. “Just keep walking and show us your warehouse!”

The Count trembled, and Edmund could clearly see what kind of man he was. A coward, through and through. It was hard to believe someone like him had been trusted with something as serious as guarding captived children.

“Alright! Alright! Let’s go see my warehouse!” the Count said quickly.

He started walking again, but instead of heading toward the warehouse with the hidden door, he turned and led them toward another one.

“That’s the wrong one,” Salem whispered in irritation.

Without drawing attention, Edmund reached up, gently took Salem from his shoulder, and slipped him into his pocket. That way, Salem wouldn’t have to hang onto his back anymore, and no one else would notice him.

“See? My warehouse is really clean!” the Count said, forcing a laugh as he pushed the door open wider.

Edmund stepped inside without replying. His eyes slowly swept across the space. There were neatly stacked crates, clean floors, and workers standing stiffly in place. On the surface, everything looked normal.

“Impressive,” Edmund said flatly. “You keep this place very tidy.”

The Count visibly relaxed, mistaking Edmund’s tone for approval. “O-Of course! I always make sure everything follows proper standards.”

Inside Edmund’s pocket, Salem shifted slightly. “This one’s a decoy,” he whispered. “There’s nothing here.”

Edmund casually placed a hand over his pocket, a silent signal telling Salem to stay calm.

Lazarus walked a few steps forward, his sharp eyes scanning the walls. “If this is all, then why were you so nervous earlier?”

The Count froze for half a second. “N-Nervous? I wasn’t nervous. I was just… surprised by your sudden visit.”

Edmund turned to look at him. “Then take us to the other warehouse,” he said simply.

The Count’s smile cracked. “T-The other one?” he asked. “There’s really no need—”

“I wasn’t asking,” Edmund replied coldly. “I demanded it.”

The Count’s shoulders slumped. Whatever strength he had been forcing into his posture finally vanished. He nodded stiffly and turned around, his steps slow and heavy, as if each one dragged him closer to the gallows.

“V-Very well, Your Majesty,” he said, his voice barely steady.

They left the clean warehouse behind and crossed the yard. This time, the Count led them toward the older building at the edge of the grounds. Its walls were darker, the wood worn by time, and the air around it felt colder somehow.

“This isn’t the one either!” Salem said.

Edmund let out a harsh sigh, wondering just how many warehouses the Count owned in this building.

But honestly, this warehouse felt strange, as if there was some dangerous magic inside it.

“Why don’t you open it?” Edmund asked. “Open it now.”

“I-I just think it might be better for you to open it, Your Majesty,” he said.

“You’re being unreasonable.” Edmund narrowed his eyes, convinced that the Count was truly a foolish man. “Open it now.”

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