Ch.166166. The Imperial Succession War

“Captain. Why on earth did the young master summon us all the way to Demeia? The Count himself gave strict orders to refrain from external activities.”

“If he gave permission for us to go, he must have his reasons. We just follow orders, that’s all.”

“Even so, curiosity is curiosity. Aren’t you curious?”

“He’ll tell us when the time is right. What would blockheads like us know about the intentions of our superiors?”

“Fuck. What a refreshingly straightforward conclusion.”

“Shut your mouths, you bastards. This isn’t Lithuanian territory; it’s Demeia Academy City. We’re here representing the Hart County. If you act recklessly here, you’ll deal with the consequences. I won’t let it slide.”

Leila glared at the two men with fierce eyes as she listened to the banter between buzz-cut Johnson and shaggy-haired Roel.

Having thought she wouldn’t have any business with Gilbert for a while, her heart was now pounding with anticipation at his sudden summons.

She wondered if it was inappropriate to harbor such feelings toward her lord, but can one truly control the heart?

Leila was already preoccupied with calming her foolishly excited heart.

In the midst of this, she had brought along the two most skilled Rangers, but they were acting frivolously beside her, which only added to her unease.

It was understandable that her nerves were on edge, especially since she was on her way to meet someone she desperately wanted to impress.

“Hey, hey, the Captain is on edge because that day…”

*THWACK!*

“YEOW!”

The tactless Johnson insisted on adding one more comment and received a smack to the back of his head with a loud thud.

The relatively more perceptive Roel kept his mouth firmly shut and said nothing. Experience had taught him that saying nothing was the best way to preserve one’s well-being when facing their irritable captain.

After passing through the checkpoint of Academy City Demeia, the three asked a nearby guard for directions to where Gilbert had summoned them. Though they received suspicious glances due to the recent academy attack, the guards relaxed when they saw the Hart family emblem on their chests.

In fact, their attitude turned favorable, and when the three heard why, their shoulders instinctively rose with pride.

“So you’re from the Hart County. I apologize for my rudeness. Recent troubling events have made us all a bit sensitive. I see you’re looking for Lord Gilbert. My position is too humble to properly thank Lord Gilbert, but during the recent incident, my younger sister’s life was saved thanks to him. Please tell him that I will definitely repay the debt I owe him.”

“You mean the young master. I’ll certainly convey your message.”

“Thank you. I believe the students are currently staying in temporary dormitories. It’s an unavoidable measure given the time needed for academy repairs.”

“The damage seems more serious than expected.”

Anger filled the guard’s eyes. It seemed the fact that his sister’s life had been in danger was what fueled his rage.

“It’s because of those damned New Resistance bastards. They’re carrying out indiscriminate terrorist attacks, claiming they want to turn the Empire into a republic. Despite innocent citizens suffering, they say such sacrifice is necessary for revolution. How can one not be angry?”

Leila could understand his anger. Certainly, a place without a class system would be an ideal world with freedom and no discrimination for all. That was why people joined the New Resistance—to create such an ideal with their own hands.

However, freedom always came with responsibility. In reality, the so-called paradise of the Republic was still a place where civil wars never ceased. Even if one lived freely there, there was no guarantee that such freedom would last.

Moreover, the Empire was relatively generous to commoners compared to other monarchies. Of course, with a class system in place, there were nobles who abused their power and injustices occurred everywhere, but it couldn’t be said that such things happened without exception.

In fact, Leila herself and the man before her had received help from such nobles. She couldn’t shake the thought that they were at least better than the New Resistance, who carried out indiscriminate terrorism.

“I’ve gone on too long. To reach the temporary dormitories, just follow this path straight ahead.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“Not at all. Compared to the favor Lord Gilbert did for me, this is nothing.”

After parting with the passerby, Leila’s group walked in the direction he had indicated. Johnson grumbled about how far it was, and Leila had to pat the back of his head a couple of times before they finally reached their destination.

While showing the Hart family emblem to the guards at the entrance, Leila carefully observed her surroundings. The temporary dormitories appeared to be several luxury hotels that had been rented out, ensuring no discomfort for the residents.

Was this befitting the Empire’s finest educational institution?

It seemed these places had been specially selected for the noble children who would be staying there.

“Thank you for waiting. We received word from Lord Gilbert to escort the three of you.”

Lord Gilbert…

Leila felt an inexplicable sense of pride and satisfaction at the respectful guard’s demeanor.

It pleased her greatly that the once reckless young master had been knighted and now commanded respect from the guards of the Empire’s finest academy.

The guard led them to a hotel with an exceptionally luxurious exterior. Upon entering, they found the interior decor was just as splendid as the outside.

As a Ranger with exceptional talent, Leila immediately noticed that this was no ordinary student residence. It wasn’t because of the lavish interior and exterior, but because she could see through the security magic embedded throughout the place.

Besides the defensive magic created with mana, there were also physical traps. These peculiar traps, which would only activate if someone attempted to force their way in from outside, seemed to have been set up not too long ago.

There were so many that the place could be called a dungeon or fortress, causing Leila to tense up. The relaxed nerves she had due to Gilbert’s summons were now pulled taut again.

“Captain, what kind of place is this?”

“Did the young master get into some kind of trouble? This looks like a level of confinement.”

Johnson and Roel’s gazes also sharpened. Even to the eyes of these high-ranking Rangers, this place seemed extraordinary.

The fact that this place thoroughly prevented external intrusion meant, conversely, that no one could escape either. Though it was unlikely that Gilbert, with his recent good reputation, would do such a thing, the defense system was impressive enough to make one think so.

“Stop with the useless talk. The fact that this place has such a defense system could also mean that there are important figures here.”

“I suppose that could be true. I keep forgetting that the young master has changed.”

“Johnson, if you say anything strange about the young master, you’ll lose more than just your hair.”

“…That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?”

While Johnson was grumbling, a man descended from the central staircase.

The moment Leila confirmed the man’s identity, she felt her heart begin to pound uncontrollably. However, trying her best not to show it, she knelt on one knee before him and bowed her head.

“Hart County’s direct Ranger unit, Golden Mane’s Captain Leila and two others. We have arrived as per Lord Gilbert’s orders.”

“Hmm. Rise, Captain Leila. Thank you for coming such a long way.”

His hair, longer than when he left Bismarck, hung down like a lion’s mane, somewhat unkempt. It wasn’t as disorderly as during his wastrel days, but neither was it styled like that of typical noble children.

Leila searched for a word to describe his appearance and found one that fit perfectly.

Wild charm.

An untamed wild charm emanated from Gilbert.

“First, follow me. This is not a conversation to be had here.”

Gilbert led Leila’s group to a room with sound-blocking magic. It was a place set up for future strategy meetings, and he had already obtained permission from Seraphina to use it.

Leila’s group also recognized the barrier set up here and realized that the upcoming conversation would be no ordinary matter.

“I will explain why I called for Captain Leila and the two squad leaders.”

“Understood.”

“You may have guessed to some extent, but I called for you because I need the strength of the Golden Mane, which can rival even the Empire’s finest Ranger units.”

“Whatever the order may be, we will follow it.”

“Since you say so, I’ll get straight to the point. Captain Leila, along with Squad Leaders Johnson and Roel, find the New Resistance insider hiding within Demeia Academy.”

“An insider, you say?”

Leila’s eyebrows twitched at the mention of an insider. Hearing that there was a New Resistance insider in Demeia Academy, which could be called the Empire’s finest educational institution, made her head spin.

But the astute Leila could guess the general situation even before hearing the full explanation. It had seemed strange that the academy, which had one of the strictest security systems in the Empire, had allowed multiple Resistance attacks. She never imagined such a secret was behind it.

Or more accurately, she had suspicions, but having it confirmed directly from Gilbert’s mouth made it concrete.

“As you’ve probably noticed, the breach in Demeia Academy’s defenses is likely the work of an insider. However, it’s nearly impossible for me to find this insider. Even if I were lucky enough to discover their identity, I would have no way to prove it.”

It was impossible for him to find an insider who had been hiding their identity all this time. His specialty was controlling what he boarded, not rooting out traitors and gathering evidence.

That was why Gilbert had contacted the Hart County and called for Leila’s group. According to the tactical combat setting, there was no better Ranger than Leila with her intact physical body.

“That’s why I need the strength of the Golden Mane.”

“I understand the situation completely. But Lord Gilbert, the Hart County has traditionally taken a step back from imperial politics. As far as I know, you are currently in the Imperial Princess’s faction. Does the Count know about this?”

Although Leila was willing to follow any of Gilbert’s orders, she couldn’t help but ask this question. Not wanting him to get into trouble, she wanted to know if their dispatch reflected the will of the Count of Lithuania.

“Captain Leila, anyone who collaborates with the New Resistance, who stirs up trouble in the Empire and makes citizens tremble in fear, is no different from a traitor. As the Hart County, which has guarded the Empire’s gateway and protected its peace since the Empire’s founding, we cannot tolerate this. The Count has also approved this.”

Indeed, it was with the approval of his father, the Count of Lithuania, that he was able to call for the three core members of the Golden Mane. Reporting to the head of the family was inevitable when requisitioning the captain and squad leaders.

Nevertheless, the reason Leila reconfirmed this fact was that she was concerned it might have been Gilbert’s unilateral decision. Gilbert, not disliking her concern, smiled faintly.

“I understand Captain Leila’s concerns. But you need not worry about that. What I ask of the captain and the two squad leaders is merely to find the traitor who has committed treason against the Empire. This does not go against the will of the Hart County, which protects the Empire.”

“I will obey your orders.”

Quickly disarmed by Gilbert’s smile, Leila immediately composed herself and bowed her head. With justification and Gilbert’s orders given, her duty was clear.

The Hart County’s Ranger unit, Golden Mane.

It was time to demonstrate their true worth.