Chapter 131

Episode 131

“Mother, I don’t understand what’s happening. My brother has been arrested for treason?”

Prince Romero was once again in a private meeting with Duchess Guinevere.

This had happened right after their first conversation about the succession a few days ago. Things were moving too quickly.

“I think Inspector O’Brien went too far this time. There must have been a way to resolve this quietly.”

“It’s hard to say he went too far when Lucia authorized it. He has justification, doesn’t he? It was a mistake for Hylix to associate with that Roman fellow in the first place.”

“Could this be… something you planned, Mother?”

“Don’t be absurd. It’s against the law for a mere woman to interfere in family matters.”

“I can’t believe it. But the Sir O’Brien I know wouldn’t fabricate lies. Something must be going on.”

Duchess Guinevere sighed and looked at her second son’s face.

“Don’t you understand yet? Inspector O’Brien caused this commotion in the middle of the night to help you.”

“…Sir O’Brien did this for me?”

“I asked him before. Who would be the most suitable successor for House Kalisto? He answered you.”

“I-Is that true?”

Romero couldn’t hide his joy. Guinevere smiled kindly and nodded.

But they had made a crucial mistake.

If they had considered Lucia as a potential successor, the answer would have been different. They hadn’t realized it.

“So, prepare yourself for what’s to come. Your brother will be out of commission for a while.”

“Understood, Mother. But what about Viscountess Rosalyn? I assume she was arrested as well.”

“The family won’t fall apart just because we’re missing a lady-in-waiting. We’ll have to wait for the results of the investigation.”

“What should I do specifically?”

Guinevere took a sip of her tea and pondered for a moment.

“The timing is perfect. Train the soldiers, conduct a large-scale monster subjugation operation, and earn some merits. This opportunity won’t come again. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Romero suppressed his excitement.

Because someone came to mind. Oracle, the strategist. She should have made an appearance by now, but she had been silent.

She was renowned for her brilliant strategies.

Could she be plotting something?

But as his mother had said, this opportunity wouldn’t come again. Romero made up his mind and summoned the Azure Dragon Knights.

“We’re entering a state of emergency. As some of you may know, my brother was arrested today for conspiracy to commit treason.”

The knights stirred. But the commotion didn’t last long.

They had also realized something.

If they used this opportunity well, they could shed their label of “eternal second place” and become the family’s First Knight Order.

And most importantly, they could make their captain the master of House Kalisto.

“Sir Darius! Take command of the emergency operation immediately. We’ll launch a large-scale monster subjugation operation. The operation will cover the entire territory.”

“As you command, Captain!”

“This operation is different from the others. I won’t tolerate any failures. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

The knights saluted and shouted in unison. Romero felt a thrill, as if the throne, which had seemed so distant, was now within reach.

***

While the Duke’s castle was in turmoil, we arrived at the old Inspection Unit headquarters.

The knights dragged Hylix, who had been transported in a cargo wagon instead of a carriage, to the ground.

This was another entertaining aspect of the operation.

“Ugh! Let go of me, you bastards! Don’t touch me with your filthy hands! I’ll walk!”

Hylix was still throwing a tantrum. Well, I would probably be lashing out too if I were in his shoes.

He had been arrested in front of countless knights and servants. He would never forget today’s humiliation.

And the fact that he had been transported in a cargo wagon instead of a carriage added insult to injury.

“You’ve successfully completed the mission. Good work, my lord.”

“It was quite a spectacle. It’s a shame you missed it. Where’s Rosalyn?”

“I apprehended her and detained her inside.”

“She must have resisted fiercely.”

“She calmed down after I suppressed her with my aura.”

It seemed like Selendis had also completed her mission. I patted her shoulder and entered the old Inspection Unit headquarters building.

Lady Ionia and the soldiers stood up and saluted as I entered.

“Everything alright?”

“Yes, no problems.”

They couldn’t directly interfere with the Inspection Unit’s affairs.

But as members of the Walker Knight Order, they could protect Selendis and me. So, they were maintaining a safe distance.

“We don’t know what might happen now that Grand Duke Hylix has been brought here. Be on high alert, especially for any unexpected actions from the Black Dragon Knights. Protect Knight Selendis.”

As long as Selendis was holding the fort, there wouldn’t be any major problems even if the Black Dragon Knights attacked.

And this investigation had been ordered by the Duke himself.

They wouldn’t act rashly unless their emotions got the better of them.

“Jericho, arrest all the remaining suspects immediately. Don’t go yourself; send the investigators. You can execute anyone who tries to escape or resist.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll give the orders right away.”

“But is Oracle really not involved in this?”

“I found it strange too, so I checked several times, but her name wasn’t on the list.”

Oracle von Maylense, the unparalleled genius.

It was unsettling that she, Hylix’s childhood friend and right-hand woman, was still silent.

‘But I doubt she would betray the Grand Duke so easily.’

It was better to be safe than sorry.

My priority was to interrogate Hylix and the other ringleaders and create an investigation report. I had to submit it to the Duke by tomorrow.

“Alright. Come to the interrogation room when you’re done. I’m going to start with Rosalyn.”

“Yes, sir.”

The investigators, having received their orders, moved swiftly. It seemed like we would be able to gather all the main suspects before morning.

I entered the room where Rosalyn was detained with Jericho.

She looked disheveled.

Her hair was a mess, her makeup was smeared with tears, and her dress was torn, exposing her cleavage.

“Sir O’Brien! I’m innocent! Why am I being detained here?”

That venomous expression hadn’t changed.

My “Mind’s Eye” immediately told me it was a “lie.” She was lying about being innocent.

It seemed like I didn’t even need to use “Mind’s Eye,” but I decided to keep it activated just in case.

I pulled up a chair and sat down. Jericho sat at a nearby table, preparing to take notes.

“Everything you say from now on will be recorded. It could be used against you, so you better tell the truth.”

“I asked you a question! Why have you arrested an innocent person?”

“We’ll get to that.”

I held up the secret ledger, which had been admitted as evidence.

“This is a secret ledger written by Baron Roman himself. It’s a record of the discussions held in a secret society called ‘Eclipse.’ Are you a member of ‘Eclipse’?”

“I’ve told you countless times! I have nothing to do with it!”

A “lie” reading. It was frustrating that I couldn’t explain this convenient ability to others.

I tossed the ledger aside, a bit irritated.

I stood up and approached Rosalyn, lifting her chin with my finger.

“Do I look like I’m joking? Do you think denying it will justify your actions?”

“T-Today’s incident… Count Apellai will surely…”

“Count Apellai won’t help you. You know that, don’t you?”

I had accurately struck a nerve, exposing her hidden anxiety. Rosalyn’s eyes widened.

“Do you think he’ll risk everything just because you slept with him a few times? I’m surprised the queen of the social scene couldn’t even figure that out.”

I took out a letter from my pocket. It was one of the fresh pieces of evidence that had arrived yesterday.

“Look closely. What does it say?”

It was a letter from Count Apellai himself.

The content was simple.

He swore on his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs that he had no connection to “Eclipse” or Viscountess Rosalyn.

I had prepared this in advance, anticipating this day. Charlton, the head butler at the Kalisto mansion in the capital, had been a great help.

He had approached the head butler of House Manald at a gathering of head butlers in the capital and secretly delivered my letter.

And the results had exceeded my expectations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs wouldn’t risk everything to protect an aging and insignificant woman.

“Ah…”

The life drained from Rosalyn’s face.

“According to Imperial and territorial laws, those who conspire to commit treason can be sentenced to death. You donated a large sum of money to Eclipse, and there’s evidence that you attended their meetings. The coded ledger has been deciphered. And Duke Kalisto has reviewed it and ordered an investigation.”

“…”

“If you show remorse, your sentence might be reduced. But if you continue to resist, I’ll have no choice but to carry out His Grace’s will.”

I returned to my seat and resumed the interrogation.

“I’ll take into consideration the fact that you’re the Duchess’s lady-in-waiting and have served House Kalisto for many years. Now, tell me. What does the phrase ‘When the eclipse ends, the sun rises again. For the new sun that will illuminate Kalisto!’ at the beginning of the secret ledger mean?”

“…”

“I thought my intentions were clear, but was I not forceful enough? I don’t like repeating myself.”

Rosalyn was finally overwhelmed by my gaze.

This wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t received the letter from Count Apellai.

“You’re… right. Eclipse was… a group that sought ways for Prince Hylix to become the successor… sooner.”

“Sooner?”

“His Grace is in good health. We had to find a way. There’s a saying that Swordmasters live long lives.”

It was like Archmages living long lives. Mana and aura prevented aging.

Duke Kalisto was one of the best Swordmasters in the Empire.

It was reasonable to assume that he could live for over a hundred years.

“Did you actually take any action?”

“No. Everyone was just boasting.”

Surprisingly, this was the truth.

“Do you think I can believe that, now that the treasonous plot has been exposed?”

“It’s true. Who would dare to harm His Grace?”

“Then, what was the plan?”

Rosalyn, half out of her mind, confessed everything they had planned, even though they hadn’t taken any action. And it was all true.

Some of it was recorded in the secret ledger, so it could be cross-checked.

“Can I… can I live? Will you show me mercy? Please tell me you will!”

“I’m conducting the investigation, but His Grace will make the judgment. Keep that in mind.”

I ignored her desperate pleas and moved to the next interrogation room with Jericho.

Hylix was tied to a chair.

“Look who we have here. A distinguished guest in a humble place. Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that? Was my joke bad?”

Hylix glared at me with murderous intent.