Chapter 60: His Record

 Just as light and darkness always coexist, even in the capital there existed streets shrouded in darkness.

 That place was Curtis Street.

 It was where countless illegal activities took place—gambling, drugs, black market trades—all things prohibited by the empire.

 “Wouldn’t it be better to turn back now?”

 “Didn’t you say that such matters should be handled personally to avoid trouble?”

 “But there’s no need for you to personally deal with these streets.”

 The two moved with their faces completely concealed by masks.

 Oberon continued speaking, deliberately omitting the title “Your Highness.”

 If anyone were to recognize Edmund’s presence here, there was no telling what might happen.

 The most concerning possibility was news of his frequenting this place appearing in the newspapers.

 Merely being associated with Curtis Street was enough to damage one’s reputation.

 “Since the other party moved personally to hurt my precious person, I think it’s best that I move personally as well.”

 At the word ‘personally,’ Oberon closed his mouth.

 He never imagined Lloyd would go so far as to visit the temple.

 She had coldly rejected him once before when she coughed blood in front of Lloyd. Her words then had been so frigid that Oberon thought he would never seek Clea again.

 But defying Oberon’s expectations, Lloyd ultimately appeared before Clea.

 Previously, she remained conscious even while coughing blood, but this time she collapsed.

 ‘Has her body weakened that much?’

 Oberon frowned upon learning that Clea was terminally ill.

 She had grown extremely weak.

 It was natural for her to weaken when she neither ate nor slept properly.

 “And I think it’s good to see with my own eyes what kind of deeds the young grand duke has been committing all this time.”

 This was something he had wanted to confirm for a while. Edmund thought now was the perfect time.

 Though concealed by Clea, Lloyd had committed considerable wrongdoing since their days at the academy.

 The fact that he frequently visited Curtis Street was something Edmund had already ascertained.

 Knowing about his visits to Curtis Street but not stopping him was a way to secure leverage.

 ‘I had intended to leave it as a means to tame the grand ducal family later, but I didn’t expect things to turn out this way.’

 The current Grand Duke was very respectful toward Edmund.

 He knew how to navigate social situations and understood his position well.

 In contrast, Lloyd failed to recognize his own limitations.

 Lloyd had always lived like an unbridled colt, occasionally testing Edmund’s patience.

 During those times, Edmund thought.

 That he needed to secure definitive leverage before Lloyd inherited the title of Grand Duke.

 For that reason, he had been quietly observing Lloyd’s actions without interference, but everything changed because of Clea’s situation.

 “What is your objective?”

 Previously, he hadn’t cared if Lloyd inherited the title of Grand Duke.

 After all, he too was the only descendant of the Persi family, just like the imperial family.

 But now, Edmund had changed his objective.

 That objective was…

 “Lloyd’s complete downfall.”

 He aimed to make Lloyd suffer just as much as Clea had suffered.

 Oberon showed no particular reaction to Edmund’s words.

 Believing that if he had already made up his mind, all that remained was to follow it, Oberon’s expression differed from before.

 “Then I think we should first find the ledger.”

 “Indeed. We already know which gambling house he frequents.”

 Edmund stopped in front of a gambling house.

 Befitting someone consumed by vanity, the most luxurious establishment caught his eye.

 It matched the name of the place Lloyd reportedly frequented.

 The two quietly sighed.

 Edmund smiled with interest, thinking that no matter how abundant the grand ducal family wealth might be, it couldn’t sustain someone addicted to gambling.

 “I wonder how much he has squandered.”

 Expecting it to be a substantial amount, he entered the building.

 The interior was quite clean. Even the patrons were all dressed lavishly, as if this were a place exclusively for premium customers.

 A waiter approaching them seemed intent on verifying their identity.

 Oberon whispered to him in a low voice.

 “Valhalla.”

 “Confirmed. Please wait a moment.”

 What Oberon said wasn’t a VIP free pass code or anything similar.

 It was something he had prepared for when they would eventually come looking for Lloyd’s ledger.

 There were people inside the establishment that he had planted. They looked surprised and flustered at their appearance.

 “Still not fully trained, I see.”

 “I apologize.”

 “I didn’t say that to reprimand you.”

 It wasn’t incomprehensible.

 They were probably agitated because they never expected Edmund himself to appear in such a place.

 After observing them, Edmund looked around the establishment.

 Inside were games for entertainment.

 There were quite a few people wearing masks like the two of them.

 Some people had lost money on bets, while others rejoiced at their winnings.

 Oberon clicked his tongue and said.

 “The young grand duke certainly had the nerve to frequent such a place.”

 “I suppose someone of poor character introduced him to it.”

 Edmund didn’t think much of it.

 Someone indecisive like Lloyd would easily fall prey to gambling.

 “Oberon, go check the drug ledger as well. I’ll be fine here alone.”

 “I cannot leave my lord alone in such a place.”

 “It’s alright. I came here prepared.”

 When Oberon hesitated at Edmund’s command, he showed him the sword at his waist.

 In Curtis Street, rules didn’t apply at all.

 Even if someone died, no one would care—Edmund had come to such a place fully prepared.

 Oberon had much to say, but he eventually seemed to acquiesce, nodding his head before heading to another location.

 “Everything is ready. Please follow me.”

 Edmund wanted to finish quickly and return.

 By now, Clea would have awakened.

 He wanted to hurry back to check on her condition.

 And he wanted to be by her side to support her.

 For that, he needed to quickly conclude his business here.

 Edmund followed the waiter deep into the establishment.

 ‘So places like this exist.’

They soon reached a place completely enveloped in an eerie atmosphere.

 It was an entirely different ambiance from the luxurious and splendid area before.

 More people were present at this location than earlier.

 They were all individuals planted by the imperial family.

 “We never expected Your Highness would come personally.”

 The highest-ranking person among those planted appeared and offered an awkward greeting.

 Edmund paid no mind to this while simultaneously asking about the prepared items.

 The man then wore a troubled expression.

 “You do have the documents, don’t you?”

 “Yes, we do. Anticipating that someone might take them, we’ve completed all preparations. However, there is one problem.”

 One of the managers moved to the side and showed something.

 Seeing it, Edmund momentarily laughed in disbelief.

 “I hope what I’m seeing is real.”

 “We’ve already verified everything. What Your Highness is looking at is all true.”

 Before Edmund lay an enormous amount of documents.

 He now understood why they had worn troubled expressions.

 It would take more than a full day for one person to transport all this.

 Edmund briefly examined the contents.

 “He’s been embezzling the grand ducal family fortune for quite some time.”

 “Even the butler who accompanied him tried to dissuade him from taking on debt, but he rarely listened.”

 This was almost equivalent to the grand ducal family’s annual budget.

 It gave him a headache to think that such an amount of money had flowed into Curtis Street, and into a single gambling establishment at that.

 The more money flowed in, the larger this place would grow, and as it grew, more people would visit.

 As more people visited, the place would grow even larger—a continuous vicious cycle.

 ‘Curtis Street needs to be uprooted as soon as possible.’

 He felt disgusted that gambling, drugs, and various crimes were openly occurring within the capital.

 Additionally, his hatred toward Lloyd intensified.

 It sickened him that someone who was supposed to be the heir to the grand ducal family made no effort to eradicate crime but rather enjoyed it.

 On the other hand, he smiled as he could envision how the proud Persi grand ducal family would end up once Lloyd inherited it.

 “I don’t need everything yet, just give me the organized summary. And continue to secure a list of the main clientele who use this place.”

 “I will obey your command.”

 Placing the organized summary in his pocket, Edmund imagined what would happen next.

 What would happen if the world learned that the son of the Persi grand ducal family had been openly committing such crimes?

 Considerable chaos would likely follow.

 There could be discord even within the emperor’s faction, but Edmund had no hesitation.

 ‘You started this first, Lloyd.’

 Even water stagnates when it remains still.

 Believing it necessary to drain old water and refill with fresh water, he saw no reason to hesitate.

 Edmund quietly left the establishment and met Oberon, who had completed his assigned task.

 “How did it go on your end?”

 “Records show he used it until recently.”

 “I see.”

 Nothing surprised him anymore.

 Edmund planned to leave Curtis Street immediately.

 Since time was tight, he intended to move quickly to the next destination.

 “Excuse me, do you have a moment?”

 Until someone approached them.

 “What you’re holding in your hands looks similar to what I’m looking for.”