Chapter 151: When the Dead Awaken
Chapter 151: When the Dead Awaken
— The Miracle Behind the Curtain —
The first to react to the sound of coughing behind the curtain was Johannes.
He practically shot up from his seat. With swift hands, he pulled the curtain aside — and there, Isaac slowly turned his head, lifting his heavy gaze to meet Johannes’.
The Giltheons, trailing behind, froze in a stunned silence.
It wasn’t until a faint glimmer of life flickered in Isaac’s once-empty pupils that they all realized — he had awoken.
“…Commander?”
That fragile voice escaped cracked, bloodless lips. Only when Isaac laboriously raised a trembling hand did the Giltheons finally exhale, breath they hadn’t realized they’d been holding.
Coming to their senses, they scrambled to examine his body, then darted outside to summon a doctor.
Isaac Prim — the man who could very well tip the balance of this entire conflict — had opened his eyes against all odds. That alone was enough for Johannes to feel as though hope had been plucked from the depths of despair. Isaac would be the key — the one to unlock the door that would crumble the throne.
And once that door was flung open, the truth behind the explosion would come spilling out. Of course, they still had to consider the possibility: that Edward already knew Isaac was alive.
The doctor arrived soon after.
“It’s a miracle,” he murmured. “Usually, being unconscious for ten days is tantamount to death… but this? This is truly unexpected.”
He didn’t seem particularly brilliant — one of those worn-out, secretive doctors who avoided official hospitals. Still, it was clear the Giltheons had been careful in choosing him.
With an air of fatigue, the doctor ran several familiar tests.
“Is he stable now?”
“Now that he’s regained consciousness, the worst is over. Honestly, I thought he’d never wake again.”
His expression softened slightly as he added that the remaining traces of poison in Isaac’s body were faint — unlikely to cause further complications.
After handing over prescriptions and instructions, the doctor finally departed.
Isaac, clutching the bedrail with frail fingers, began to lift himself. And now — clearly seen — he was a haunting sight to behold.
His hair, long and unkempt, hung like the withered strands of a corpse. His skin was parched, taut against bone, almost mummified. His hands, skeletal and discolored, looked one step from decay.
Johannes met Isaac’s eyes with a solemn, stony gaze. His own features were furrowed in a storm of thoughts.
“Why is the commander here…?” Isaac rasped, his voice strained. “Didn’t I tell you… this place must remain absolutely secret?”
As he summoned what little energy he had, his glare turned to the Giltheons. One of them, looking guilty, answered cautiously.
“Certain circumstances forced our hand.”
“…And do those circumstances justify this?” Isaac murmured bitterly.
“This is a time where caution is paramount… I told you, didn’t I? If there’s a reason… you need to explain it clearly. Properly.”
He took a shallow breath, pausing to steady himself.
“…Otherwise, our contract ends here.”
“Of course we understand,” one Giltheon said quietly.
Now torn between duty and dread, the Giltheons hesitated. Should they tell Isaac about the explosion in Mussen? About Edith’s kidnapping to Barberine Castle?
His body was still frail. If they burdened him with such truths now, it might undo the fragile thread tethering him to life.
“If we give a reasonable explanation,” one finally asked, “will you accept it?”
But Johannes had no such hesitation. His voice came cold, deliberate — unflinching.
“You act as though you’re afraid. But this isn’t the time.”
“What are you saying?” another Giltheon snapped, alarmed. “What do you mean — ‘are you ready to accept it’?”
“It’s nothing dramatic,” another interrupted quickly, shooting Johannes a warning glance.
But Johannes needed more. He needed ammunition — a swift, lethal strike against Edward Windsor.
He couldn’t afford missteps now. Not when Edith was in greater peril than ever.
Still… he wouldn’t expose Isaac to the world. Not like this. Not in this condition. Edith didn’t deserve that kind of heartbreak.
First, he had to extract the information he needed — the kind that could pry Edith free from the palace’s jaws.
He said nothing. One of the Giltheons approached and whispered under his breath.
“You don’t plan on telling Isaac everything… do you?”
Johannes didn’t respond.
Then Isaac called out, his voice soft but cutting through the air like a blade.
“Commander.”
“…….”
“I… had a terrible dream. Or maybe it wasn’t a dream. I heard your voice…”
“What are you talking about?” Giltheon asked, visibly confused.
“I heard you say Edith. Has something happened to my daughter…? Please… tell me it’s not what I think…”
His body convulsed with violent coughs.
Johannes knew he could not stall forever. Isaac’s behavior made it clear: he was not yet ready to handle the whole truth.
Still, he had to say something.
“Edward Windsor has made his move.”
Isaac trembled. His eyes flicked away from Johannes, his voice faltering.
“…Prince Windsor…”
“We’ve been investigating his background for some time. Now, we’re digging deeper — for his weaknesses.”
Johannes studied Isaac’s lifeless eyes.
He wasn’t going to talk. Johannes knew it.
Why?
Because Isaac had likely planned to move in secret — to gut Edward from the shadows, without leaving behind a trace.
But things had already spiraled. Too much had been seen. There was no turning back.
Johannes continued, voice devoid of emotion.
“Until now, we’ve been cautious. But from this point on, we’ll push further — even if it means crossing lines.”
“…….”
“Before we move forward, though, I want Sergeant Prim’s opinion. Just one question.”
“…Ask.”
“How many times did you have direct contact with us?”
Isaac didn’t hesitate.
“Only once. The Alchemist Village — that was the first and last time.”
“Nothing else? No letters? Notes?”
“I don’t recall. My health declined so sharply after that… I barely had the strength to breathe.”
So the man Johannes met in Herzburg — that had truly been Isaac. The rest… it had all been Giltheon’s doing. Giltheon, the traitor.
“There were several attempts to reach us — all under your name. Even your wife received some messages.”
“…What?”
Isaac’s eyes widened. Even the Giltheons were caught off guard.
They hadn’t known. But then again — they’d trusted blindly. Trusted too much.
The youngest among them had carefully, methodically, deceived them all — for far longer than they’d realized.
One by one, the Giltheons began to laugh — bitter, hollow laughter echoing in the silence.
Johannes, irritated, sighed. And then — he dropped the final bombshell.
“Edward Windsor may know of Edith’s ties to Lady Russell.”
The Giltheons jolted. Isaac blinked, as though he’d been struck.
“…What did you say…?”
“He may even know you’re alive.”
Of course, Johannes didn’t truly believe the traitor had revealed that last detail. Isaac’s condition made it unlikely. The youngest Giltheon had probably assumed he’d die, and saw no reason to mention it.
But Johannes needed something — anything — to shake Isaac loose.
And so, he spoke one final time.
“If there is anything — anything — you can offer that might help us seize Edward’s throat… now is the time to say it.”
