The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 90.2
Leslun spoke in a calm, composed voice instead of showing agitation.
“We just need to set the trap now.”
Kailos folded his arms and turned his head slightly.
“Don’t sound so calm about it. It suits you too well, and that’s the problem.”
But Leslun only gave a quiet smile and rolled the twig in his hand, as if already planning the next move.
***
Count Camilo was waiting for the chamberlain. His heavy, irregular footsteps echoed as he paced the room anxiously. The darkening sky outside the window and the chilly wind felt ominous.
“Why hasn’t there been any word yet?”
By now, they should have captured Leslun easily. But no one had shown up. The Count’s uneasy feeling was slowly turning into grim certainty.
“Don’t tell me they failed again.”
He bit his nails nervously.
They had to bring Leslun in. They needed to rough him up and extract information. If they failed again this time…
“No.”
Count Camilo shook his head as if to chase away the dread creeping in. He had prepared carefully this time.
Before starting the operation, Count Camilo had gone to the Empress to ask for her help. He believed this time would succeed without much trouble.
No—this time, it had to succeed. As long as the chamberlain brought Leslun back, the rest could be handled somehow.
“Count.”
A knight came running toward him.
“Well? What happened?”
“The carriage has been found, but it was empty.”
“What?”
Count Camilo’s face turned pale in an instant.
“There are signs of a struggle inside.”
Had they failed? His mind filled with confusion and dread.
“Was there anything else?”
Another knight approached, holding something out.
“Count, this was found at the scene.”
The moment Count Camilo saw the dry twig, his eyes flashed.
“Go assist the chamberlain. And take them with you.”
He was referring to the reinforcements the Empress had provided. The knight nodded.
“No. I’ll go myself.”
The knights looked at him in surprise but said nothing. The Count had clearly made up his mind. He climbed onto the carriage first.
He had no idea that he was heading straight into a trap.
***
The trap had been set deep within the forest.
The path was so narrow that only one carriage could pass through. Kailos hid himself beneath the shade of the trees, calmly observing the area.
“Will he really come?”
Robin’s voice was low, but tight with tension.
“He will,” Leslun answered quietly.
Then, from somewhere in the distance, a faint sound reached them—the clatter of wheels and the rhythmic beat of hooves. They all held their breath and turned their eyes toward the sound.
Kailos gestured for them to get ready. Hidden soldiers and knights drew their swords all at once.
And at last, Count Camilo’s carriage emerged slowly from the darkness.
Torches flared to life on all sides, banishing the shadows. The soldiers and knights who had been holding their breath revealed themselves.
“It’s a trap!”
Shouts and the cries of frightened horses filled the air.
Count Camilo tried to retreat, but it was too late. His knights drew their swords, but a net shot out from behind the trees, entangling them before they could react.
“You’d best drop your weapons.”
Kailos’s voice rang clearly through the night. Cold and commanding, it pressed down on the Count like a weight.
Count Camilo glared up at the voice.
“What is the meaning of this? Setting traps along the road—does Your Highness think such crude tricks are fitting for a Crown Prince?”
He quickly pulled a small whistle from his coat.
But before he could blow it, a dagger thrown by Robin struck the whistle, sending it clattering to the ground. The metallic clang drowned out the Count’s gasp.
“If you keep resisting, you may lose your life as well,” Robin declared coolly.
Then, from the pitch-black path beyond, footsteps approached quietly.
Leslun appeared under the torchlight, wearing a cloak that looked slightly too large for him. His expression was calm, as though he had known this moment would come all along.
When Count Camilo saw him, his teeth ground together.
“So, this is your trap.”
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