Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

203 Chains Unbroken

"Colin."

At the sound of his voice, the prisoner sprang to his feet, gripping the iron bars.

William raised an eyebrow at the speed of his reaction.

"I expected you to be asleep."

"I was," Colin admitted. "But I'm a light sleeper."

Understandable. A man who had spent his life evading death in an empire that hunted his kind would never know the comfort of true rest.

He would always be listening, waiting, knowing that the moment he let his guard down could be his last.

"You have an answer, then," Colin said. "That must be why you're here."

William nodded. "I received the Emperor's response last night."

Colin swallowed hard, his hands clenching around the bars. "And? What did he say?"

William's voice was calm, indifferent.

"You live. And your crimes have been erased."

Colin blinked. "What?"

"He won't just pardon you," William clarified. "He has granted me the authority to officially take you under my command."

"...!"

For a moment, Colin thought he had misheard.

William's original plan had been nothing short of reckless. A desperate gamble riddled with uncertainty.

The idea had been to buy time—convince the Emperor that Colin's skills were valuable, stall long enough to sever ties with the imperial court, and escape before a final decision was made.

But the moment the Emperor rejected the proposal, everything would have collapsed.

It had been a plan that offered Colin no guarantees. A plan in which he would have shouldered all the risk. He had accepted it only because he had no other choice.

And yet—

"…He didn't just grant us time?" Colin asked, still trying to process the words. "He officially acknowledged me?"

William tilted his head slightly. "Technically, he granted me the power to do so."

"Why?"

William ran a hand through his hair, exhaling in exhaustion. "It's a long story."

That was all he said.

Colin narrowed his eyes.

There was something deeply suspicious about this.

William had just told him something he should have been ecstatic about. But there was no trace of joy on his face.

"…You don't seem particularly happy," Colin noted.

William let out a quiet laugh. "No, I suppose not."

"But why? Everything worked out in your favor."

William did not answer right away. When he finally spoke, his voice was flat.

"I also learned of my father's death."

Colin stiffened.

"A sorcerer was responsible," William continued. "He interfered in the duel. Struck from the shadows like a coward."

A chill ran down Colin's spine.

His back was damp with cold sweat.

Damn it. I should have kept my mouth shut.

Colin clenched his eyes shut, resisting the urge to punch his past self. He had stirred the hornet's nest for no reason. But there was no changing the past—at the very least, he had to salvage the situation before it got worse.

"Your Highness, as you know, magic is—"

"No excuses," William cut him off. "This isn't your fault. You weren't the one responsible, nor do you even know who the mage was."

"Well, that's true, but—"

"It would be just as foolish for a knight to hate all knights simply because one of them murdered his kin."

Colin hesitated before nodding. He couldn't argue with that logic. But the world was rarely rational. People who had suffered at the hands of black sorcerers often despised all mages indiscriminately, treating even court wizards like sworn enemies.

William sighed. "I'm not in a foul mood because of you. I simply haven't had time to grieve yet. So don't let it get to you."

Colin exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. "T-Thank you, Your Highness."

"No need for gratitude. This has nothing to do with you. In any case, I'll have you released soon, so sit tight."

"When will that be?"

"I don't know the exact date, but it should be within a week."

The image of the Emperor coughing up blood flashed through William's mind.

His health was deteriorating rapidly. He had little time left, and whatever strength remained would be spent ensuring William's affairs were settled before his passing. If he failed to provide proper compensation, William would have no reason to relinquish his claim over Hern.

"I'll visit again later," William said. "I'll also prepare proper attire for you. You'll need it once you take your place at my side."

"Y-Yes."

Colin still looked uncertain.

Regardless of whether he believed William's words, he clearly had trouble accepting them.

After all, centuries of relentless witch hunts had been overturned with a single negotiation. Until he stepped out of his cell and experienced his newfound freedom firsthand, he would likely remain skeptical.

Still, William had no doubt that once Colin did experience it, his disbelief would quickly turn into boundless excitement.

William chuckled to himself and exited the underground prison. His thoughts were still restless, so he decided to clear his mind with a morning stroll.

But then—

'With my father gone, things in Hern must be in turmoil.'

Even if the Emperor stood by Tristan's side, there would undoubtedly be siblings who refused to accept his rule.

William halted mid-step.

A recent report surfaced in his memory.

Hans's letter.

It had mentioned signs of treason from Jordy.

Raymond had dismissed it outright, calling it nonsense. After all, as long as Duke Siegmund was alive, no one would dare plot a rebellion.

Any insurrection would crumble the moment the Duke returned and issued a single command.

But now—that safeguard was gone.

Duke Siegmund had died without naming a successor.

Even if the Emperor announced his final will, few would take it seriously.

If the Duke had truly chosen an heir, he would have informed his closest advisors—not the Emperor.

No one would openly challenge the declaration, but in their hearts, they would all know it was a fabrication.

A sudden death. A vacant title. An external witness that could not be trusted.

William had seen this scenario unfold before.

During times of upheaval, the abrupt death of a patriarch was far from rare. And what followed was almost always the same.

The first to act became the victor.

"…That bastard."