The Grand Duke’s Secret and the Knight’s Intuition

Less than two hours after Wayne Michelle’s death, Reyn Rheinhebo, having received the news, immediately set aside all his affairs and rushed to the scene with the utmost speed.

Upon seeing Wayne Michelle’s body, already collected by the Holy Church’s Enforcers, the last vestiges of hope he had clung to vanished entirely. His expression turned exceptionally grim.

He had never intended to resolve the issues Wayne Michelle brought through physical means. The death of a Grand Ducal family scion on his territory, regardless of his involvement, would undoubtedly incur the wrath of the Michelle family.

Reyn took a deep, deliberate breath, then looked at Arthur Haim, who was present. “Knight…”

Arthur, having anticipated Reyn’s reaction, spoke calmly. “Count, there’s no need to worry. Wayne Michelle became a host to a Heretic; this was a judgment from the Holy Church.”

Despite Arthur’s reassurance, Reyn still harbored unease. “But that doesn’t guarantee Grand Duke Michelle won’t vent his anger on the Rheinhebo family.”

Arthur chuckled softly. “Grand Duke Texas Michelle hardly has the luxury for such a thing. Should news spread that a scion of his family became a Heretic’s host, even the Michelle family might face ruin. Therefore, his next move will likely be to invite you, Count, to the Michelle family’s territory.”

Reyn looked at Arthur, his expression bewildered. “But if he intends to suppress this news, wouldn’t you, Knight, be the first one he invites?”

Arthur turned his sightless gaze toward him and explained patiently. “Count, please consider this carefully. After you expelled the Holy Church’s bishops and priests from this territory, what have I, a Holy Knight, done since arriving here? I helped you quell the chaos in the Lower City and eradicated the Heretics entrenched in this land. Everything I’ve done has been beneficial to you, Count, with no harm whatsoever.”

Reyn’s gaze sharpened instantly, his voice hoarse. “So, Grand Duke Michelle will mistakenly believe you are on my side?”

Arthur replied nonchalantly. “It’s not a mistaken belief; it is the truth. I am, indeed, on your side, Count.”

Reyn’s heart grew even more perplexed. “But why? Knight, why are you helping me?”

Arthur “gazed” at the bewildered Reyn and slowly began to speak. “If I must explain, it is because I believe you, Count, possess the potential to save this world.”

Reyn froze for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. “Save the world? I don’t possess such great capabilities.”

Arthur offered a faint smile, his voice gentle. “Consider it an intuition of mine. For now, Count, please set aside all your current affairs and focus solely on the invitation from the Michelle family. Fortunately, you happen to have someone by your side who is extremely knowledgeable about the Michelle family.”

Reyn knew Arthur was referring to Victoria.

Upon returning to the manor, Reyn swiftly handed all his accumulated tasks to his steward, Ark Ham. The city-state’s new laws had long been established, and the Lower City was being reconstructed according to his plans. The remaining matters were merely trivial details.

Though he usually handled everything personally, he now had to focus on more crucial affairs. After entrusting the duties to Ark, Reyn went to Victoria’s chambers.

There, he saw two cups of black tea and a plate of exquisite pastries already laid out on the table, as if she had anticipated his arrival. Victoria sat gracefully in a chair, her slender fingers gently holding the teacup handle, sipping slowly.

Only when Reyn had taken his seat did she set down her tea, her sapphire eyes smiling as they met his. “Is Young Master worried about retaliation from the Michelle family?”

Reyn nodded, speaking softly. “Knight Arthur Haim said the Michelle family would invite me to their territory.”

“His judgment is not wrong.” Victoria, holding a spoon in one hand, gently stirred her tea. “Given the identity of this body, I shall provisionally refer to Grand Duke Michelle as my father. My foolish brother, Wayne Michelle, resorted to using the power of Heretics to secure victory in the family’s succession war. My father, in truth, did not value this matter highly.”

Reyn’s expression shifted slightly, and he gasped in a low voice. “The Grand Duke doesn’t care about the family’s reputation being tarnished?”

Victoria’s lips twitched into a scornful smile. “How could he? The prerequisite, of course, is that no one discovers it. Even if it’s discovered, no one should obtain decisive evidence. Alas, my foolish brother failed at both, even being executed by a Holy Knight of the Church. My father probably never dreamed that there could be such a fool among his children. By the time my letter reaches his hands, he’ll likely be burning with anxiety.”

Reyn suddenly frowned. “Regarding this matter, won’t the Grand Duke suspect what role you played in it?”

Victoria mentioned casually, “Oh, he already knows I’ve taken over his youngest daughter’s body.”

Reyn’s eyes widened instantly. “Grand Duke Michelle already knew? And he still allowed you to act outside in this body?”

Victoria scoffed. “All my father wants is the continuation of the Michelle family. So, no matter who resides within this body, as long as Michelle blood flows through its veins, he won’t care. Therefore, if today’s events merely involved Wayne Michelle’s death, he would have no reaction whatsoever. After all, he isn’t lacking a son.”

Reyn fell silent.

Victoria suddenly spoke again. “My father will undoubtedly try every means to win you over first, and for nobles, marriage is naturally the best approach. If you refuse, Young Master, he will not allow you to leave his territory. After all, the Michelle family cannot withstand an investigation. As for the Holy Church, they are mostly unwilling to investigate, fearing what they might uncover—yet now, Arthur Haim has appeared.”

Reyn’s brows furrowed tightly. “Could it be that the Michelle family is connected to many Heretics?”

Victoria replied faintly. “I’m not sure about others, as I haven’t even had this body for a year, and simply developing the Rose Merchant Guild has consumed much of my energy. But I am one hundred percent certain that my father is the host of an A-rank Heretic: the [Wolf in the Woods]!”

Reyn’s pupils trembled as if he had experienced an earthquake. “Grand Duke Texas Michelle is a Heretic’s host? No! Wasn’t the [Wolf in the Woods] sealed by the Holy Church long ago?”

“Regarding this matter, I suspect the [Wolf in the Woods] is not a Heretic itself, but rather a creation similar to a Witch’s construct, much like the Lust Witch’s Black Goat Spawn. However, I have no clue which specific Heretic created it. My father also guards this secret extremely closely.”

Reyn’s turbulent mind remained unsettled for a long time; he had never imagined that even a Grand Duke had fallen to become a Heretic’s host. What on earth was happening to this world?