Chapter 134

Episode 134

“Before we continue, I have a question.”

This guy… Why was he stalling when everything was already over?

“Go ahead. But I’ll only answer one question. I’m a busy man.”

“Mars losing means your swordsmanship is superior to the Kalisto swordsmanship. How is that possible? I heard you learned martial arts at a rural academy.”

I wanted to carry around a manual and hand it out every time I got this question.

It was something I heard far too often.

Especially after defeating Prince Arthur in the capital.

“I’m surprised you’re asking something you already know. I defeated Prince Arthur. I surpassed the Bellatrix swordsmanship. Do you think I can’t handle the Kalisto swordsmanship?”

“…”

As expected, he couldn’t answer.

I urged him to get to the point, and the Grand Duke finally spoke.

“I’ll confess everything about Eclipse and the secret ledger. But I need your help.”

“How can I help you?”

Hylix hesitated. He must have thought his future depended on his next words.

Thankfully, he wasn’t stupid.

“I want to keep my position. As you said, I’ll refrain from any activities for a year. I’ll seclude myself and reflect on my actions.”

“Alright. It seems like we have a deal.”

“You can handle my charges, right?”

I smiled, feigning composure.

“Again, it doesn’t matter how involved you were. Do you think His Grace would take your life? You’re a member of House Kalisto. He’ll forgive you sooner if you show remorse.”

Hylix nodded silently.

I continued, “The Inspection Unit’s testimony will state that greedy officials formed a secret organization and seduced the innocent Grand Duke. The Grand Duke was involved in the organization, but he was merely enjoying the privileges of his birthright as the successor.”

“Please do that.”

“I apologize, but that’s not all. I don’t trust verbal agreements.”

Don’t play innocent.

“House Kalisto follows the principle of double jeopardy. You can’t be tried twice for the same crime. The testimony we write will be very beneficial for you. But wouldn’t we be at a disadvantage if you change your story later?”

“…What do you want?”

“It would be rude of me to make demands. Please tell me what you’re willing to offer, and I’ll prepare accordingly.”

Hylix fell into thought.

But he didn’t have many options. His life was in our hands.

He eventually chose the option I had anticipated.

“I’ll drink poison. You used a fake potion on Roman, right? You can use a real one on me.”

“It could be life-threatening. There might be side effects even if you take the antidote.”

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

I liked his honesty.

As if to prove his words, I took out a small vial from my pocket and placed it in his hand. I untied the ropes that bound him.

“This is a special poison made by the Inspection Unit. It’s a potent poison that weakens the body and eventually eliminates aura if you don’t take the antidote regularly. It won’t kill you, but you’ll never be able to sense aura again. Are you sure you want to drink it?”

Hylix opened the vial and drank the contents in one gulp without answering.

“Ugh…”

The effects were immediate. His skin turned pale.

I took out another vial from my pocket and gave it to him.

“Drink this. The antidote will keep you stable for a month. I’ll send you more every fortnight.”

“Should I thank you?”

“You don’t have to.”

Hylix took the antidote. His pale skin returned to its normal color.

‘Even Oracle won’t be able to identify this poison.’

Jericho had created this poison. It was a potent concoction, a combination of his knowledge of herbal medicine and the Tulu family’s secret techniques.

It was a bit ironic that Grand Duke Hylix was the first test subject, but I planned to use it effectively in the Inspection Unit’s future operations.

“Then, I’ll write the testimony and report to Duke Kalisto. Please stay here quietly until then.”

“…What will happen to Rosalyn?”

“Naturally, she’ll be executed. She insulted the Grand Duke of House Kalisto, after all.”

I left the interrogation room and instructed Jericho to write the testimony, relaying the conversation I had with Hylix.

“Hehehe! You’ve worked hard, Inspector. Everything has been perfectly resolved!”

“It’s all thanks to you. I just added a little spice.”

Jericho laughed heartily, but Selendis just bowed her head humbly.

“So, Grand Duke Hylix will resign from his position as captain of the Black Dragon Knights. Oh, what about Mars? He’s still unconscious.”

“He defied Duke Kalisto’s orders. We can’t just let him go. Interrogate him as soon as he wakes up.”

“Understood. He won’t be able to escape punishment, so he’ll lose his position as vice-captain. That means the Azure Dragon Knights will become the First Knight Order of House Kalisto.”

“That’s right.”

That was our goal. It would scatter the power that Hylix had held.

And naturally, much of it would flow to Lady Lucia.

“Jericho, send a messenger to the Lady immediately. Tell her that the first mission has finally been completed.”

“Understood.”

I left with Selendis. It was quiet now that the troublesome knights were gone.

We rode towards House Maylense.

Oracle was waiting for me, instead of retiring to her chambers.

“I apologize for visiting so late. I wanted to see you as soon as possible because the matter is urgent.”

“It’s alright. Please have a seat.”

A maid served us tea after we sat down. I activated both “Mind’s Eye” and “Automatic Combat.”

“A lot has happened in a day. You must be tired.”

“It wasn’t that difficult because I’ve been preparing for this for a long time. It was actually quite easy. Nothing unexpected happened.”

“Hehe, so you’re saying you outwitted me?”

“That wasn’t my intention.”

I didn’t want to waste time here. I got straight to the point.

“I discovered some interesting facts about you during the investigation. First, you’re not involved in the secret organization ‘Eclipse’ at all. Grand Duke Hylix also testified that he didn’t seek your advice.”

“Of course not. That Roman fellow is trash. I told Hylix to stay away from him, but he didn’t listen.”

“So, you’ve turned your back on the Grand Duke?”

Oracle, as if struck by my words, stopped bringing the teacup to her lips and glared at me.

“What do you mean?”

“According to my deduction, you, the Grand Duke’s strategist, have no intention of making him the successor. Am I wrong?”

“What nonsense. Even slander has its limits.”

My “Mind’s Eye” detected a “lie.” It meant my deduction was correct.

“Geniuses have something in common. They can turn their backs on their masters whenever they feel their vessels are too small. But you’re childhood friends with the Grand Duke. It wouldn’t have been easy to abandon him.”

“You’re more entertaining than a novel. Keep talking.”

“I only want to know one thing. Who are you supporting as the successor? Prince Romero or Lady Lucia?”

She didn’t answer.

“Mind’s Eye” wouldn’t work if she remained silent.

I rephrased my question.

“It’s Prince Romero, isn’t it?”

“No.”

“Then, is it Lady Lucia?”

“Well?”

I was half successful.

The first question had triggered a “truth” reading. It meant she wasn’t supporting Romero as the successor.

The problem was that her answer to the second question was ambiguous.

I had to change my approach.

“You have feelings for Lady Lucia, don’t you? She’ll be delighted to hear this. You’re a treasure of House Kalisto, Oracle.”

“You won’t get the answer you want by using leading questions. My plan isn’t that simple.”

“So, it’s neither of them?”

To my surprise, Oracle nodded.

A white halo appeared around her eyes. It meant she was telling the truth.

“Surprised? You must have thought I answered too quickly.”

“To be honest, yes.”

“I thought we could communicate because you’re also intelligent. I was hoping that we might share the same goal.”

It was true that she had turned her back on Hylix. And it was also true that she wasn’t supporting Lucia or Romero.

Then, the only possibility was that she was supporting a third party, someone who wasn’t a direct descendant.

Was that even possible?

“Are you planning to nominate someone from a branch family?”

“You’re so smart! I really like you. That’s right. I believe members of the branch families should also be included in the succession race.”

It was a radical idea.

Some families gave members of branch families a chance to become the head, but it was rare. It wasn’t a custom in House Kalisto.

It might have been possible if the direct descendants were incompetent. But Hylix and Romero were both qualified to be the successor.

To have such an idea in this situation…

“There are many criteria to be met to inherit the family. But in House Kalisto, there are only three options. And one of them is a woman. The pool of candidates is too small to choose someone to lead this vast family. We might be able to find the right person if we give more people a chance. We should formalize the succession test and give opportunities to those who are qualified.”

“Have you always thought this way?”

“No. At first, I thought the Grand Duke was qualified. But after observing him, I realized he wasn’t. People change. Their character, their abilities…”

Oracle’s eyes wavered slightly. I didn’t know what had happened between them, but it seemed like it wasn’t an easy decision for her.

“That’s a very progressive idea.”

“I suppose so. Human thinking always has its flaws, doesn’t it?”

“The world you learn about from books is completely different from the world you experience firsthand. Do you know what the slums in Baron Gerard’s territory were like?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“Your meritocratic ideals are delusional. Legitimacy might be a conceptual notion, but its influence is undeniable. Even if you succeed, it won’t last long.”

“That’s an interesting point. But aren’t you the same, Inspector? I think nominating someone from a branch family or having a woman inherit the family carries similar risks. What do you think?”

She was right.

But Oracle didn’t know something. That Lucia was the mastermind of this world.

“Let’s wait and see. Time will tell who’s right.”

I ended the meeting with those words.

Now that I had confirmed Oracle’s plan, it was time to win over Prince Romero.