Chapter 14

Episode 14

The moment I stepped out of the Lady’s chambers, the tension drained from my body. I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

‘So far, so good. She’s just curious.’

I shuddered, hoping her unreadable gaze wouldn’t haunt my dreams.

The Lucius Inspection Unit was just the tip of the iceberg. I still had no idea what the mastermind was planning.

I recalled the thirty investigators I had met earlier.

They might not have been knights, but they were highly skilled. Even for the Duke’s beloved daughter, maintaining a private army was a different matter entirely.

It was expensive and could attract unwanted attention.

Could this be a hidden route, a secret path designed by the developers?

I mentally kicked myself for not playing the game beforehand.

‘Regardless, I can handle this situation by the book. The Lady has given me permission. But…’

Following the rules wouldn’t be enough to become her left hand. I would just be another expendable pawn.

‘There’s a more interesting way to do this.’

I caressed the vial of Mana Tea in my pocket as I left the inner castle.

As I walked down the corridor leading to the outer castle, I encountered a familiar figure approaching with an elegant gait.

I recognized her and stopped, bowing politely.

“Good afternoon, Lady Rosalyn. You look lovely today.”

“Oh my, Sir O’Brien. What a pleasant surprise.”

Her gaze was a bit too intense for my liking. Lady Rosalyn was notorious for her numerous lovers.

But no one dared to criticize her. She was the Duchess’s lady-in-waiting, a close confidante with considerable influence in social circles.

Her parties were legendary, considered one of the most prestigious events in the Dukedom. Even nobles from the capital attended.

(TLN:P.Roslyn)

She wasn’t as important as the Lady, but it was wise to stay on her good side.

“I hear you’re quite busy these days. Something about a situation in Baron Gerard’s territory…”

Her tone was laced with curiosity.

Had the rumors already spread to the social circles? Or…

“I’m currently investigating a matter there. It’s too early to say anything definitive.”

“I see. Please be careful. Baron Gerard’s territory has always been a bit…complicated. But there’s a reason they’re so prosperous. It’s a land of opportunity.”

A land of opportunity?

She left me with those cryptic words, her fan fluttering as she walked away.

‘I feel like I’m surrounded by traps.’

I needed a break. I rode towards the Walker estate. It felt strange calling it the Walker estate, but it was my family’s home.

When I first arrived in this world, I had found the name ‘Walker’ rather ironic.

It was a name that suggested a life of servitude.

“Welcome back, Master. I trust everything is well?”

Balzac, the head butler, was waiting for me, as if he had known I was coming.

“So far, so good. But I’m exhausted. Prepare a bath for me.”

“As you command.”

He moved with a practiced efficiency.

The bath was refreshing. I planned to take a nap, then return to Baron Gerard’s territory.

I emerged from the bath and lay down on the spacious bed, closing my eyes.

Balzac entered, carrying a tray.

“Master, this will help you sleep.”

“What is it?”

“A herbal liquor.”

The mastermind, the cryptic butler…everyone seemed to be testing me. I didn’t even bother using ‘Mind’s Eye’. I simply took the cup and downed it in one gulp.

It burned all the way down.

“…That’s strong.”

“There’s something I need to discuss with you, Master.”

“Make it quick.”

He took the cup with a graceful gesture, placing it back on the tray.

“I understand you’re busy with your duties as Inspector, but there are still some administrative matters that need to be addressed.”

It was the price I paid for my sudden promotion.

I had been spending more time at the Inspection Unit headquarters than at the estate. I lay back down on the bed.

“How long have you been a butler?”

“Fifteen years, Master.”

“Then you should know what to do. We don’t even have any land. What kind of administrative matters could there possibly be? Just handle it. Being an honorary knight doesn’t mean I’m above such trivial matters.”

“Very well, Master. I’ll take care of the estate management and the servants’ wages.”

“Do as you see fit.”

But he didn’t leave. Was there something in that drink?

“Is there something else?”

“There is one thing that’s been bothering me, Master.”

I opened my eyes and turned to face him.

“You seem to doubt my loyalty. I understand I haven’t been with the Walker family for long, but…”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

He was thinking the same thing I was. It was almost comical.

“You’re more sensitive than you appear. Listen, Balzac. Trust isn’t given, it’s earned. Prove yourself worthy, and you’ll have my trust.”

“Thank you, Master.”

He was intelligent. He understood my meaning. He bowed and left the room. I drifted off to sleep.

Two hours later…

A maid woke me up. I felt refreshed, my body light and energized. Perhaps Balzac’s herbal liquor wasn’t so bad after all.

“Your horse is ready, Master.”

“Good work.”

I mounted the horse and was about to depart when I stopped.

“Balzac, that liquor you gave me…it was quite effective. Leave a bottle on my nightstand.”

“Yes, Master. I’ll also send a few bottles to the Inspection Unit headquarters.”

He was a quick learner.

I turned my horse around and rode away.

***

“Master?”

Selendis stared at me, her eyes widening in surprise. I was covered in blood.

I had encountered bandits shortly after leaving the capital.

They were bold enough to set a trap on the main road, hoping to ambush a merchant’s carriage. Unfortunately for them, I was the one who triggered it.

They tried to kill me, hoping to sell my belongings.

I responded with ‘Automatic Combat’.

Their blood splattered everywhere. I had just taken a bath, too.

‘There’s a reason they say ‘good things don’t last’.’

“There was a minor incident on the road. I’m fine.”

“Here.”

Selendis offered me a white handkerchief. I took it and wiped my face.

The handkerchief was ruined.

It wasn’t just blood it was bandit blood. It was a nice handkerchief, too. I felt a pang of guilt.

“I’ll buy you a new one.”

“It’s fine, Master.”

Selendis and Jericho had set up a camp near the bandits’ hideout. It was essentially a temporary office.

We entered the tent.

Jericho was buried in paperwork. He had dark circles under his eyes. He had been working all night.

“Oh, Master. You’re back already? It seems you encountered some trouble on the road.”

“The security situation is abysmal. Make sure to include that in your report to the Lady. An Inspector was attacked by bandits near the capital.”

“Hahaha, as you wish, Master.”

I pulled up a chair and sat down.

“Have you located Satyr?”

“Yes, Master. He’s currently holed up in the Gerard Trading Company headquarters. He hasn’t left the building since the incident. He’s a tough nut to crack.”

He was more than just tough.

If he had the Seven as his subordinates, he was likely far stronger than them.

“Any movement from Baron Roman?”

“Not that we’ve been able to confirm. But he did send a letter of protest regarding the incident.”

“Protest?”

Jericho retrieved a letter from a pile of documents and handed it to me. It was outrageous.

“He’s threatening us? He should be thanking us for investigating this matter.”

“I agree, Master. He’s clearly underestimating the Inspection Unit.”

Baron Roman’s tone was polite, but his message was clear. He denied any involvement and threatened retaliation if we didn’t handle the situation properly.

I folded the letter and handed it back to Jericho.

“What about the testimonies of the victims?”

“We’ve secured enough to arrest Satyr. But that’s not the problem.”

“You can’t connect him to Baron Roman?”

Jericho approached me with another stack of documents.

“Our investigators recovered numerous documents and records from the hideout, but there’s no evidence linking him to Baron Gerard. See for yourself.”

“I don’t need to see it. Cease the investigation. We have enough evidence.”

“Sir?”

Both Jericho and Selendis frowned.

“Shouldn’t we investigate further? We need more evidence to arrest Baron Roman…”

“We’re not arresting Baron Roman. Even if we brought him to trial, he would receive a light sentence.”

Especially with Hylix backing him up.

I didn’t say that out loud. I intended to handle this personally.

“Then what are we going to do?”

“We’re going to raid the Gerard Trading Company headquarters and eliminate Satyr.”

“Eliminate him?”

Jericho was understandably confused. Why would we kill a key suspect?

“I’ll explain later. Assemble the investigators. We’re moving out.”

We marched towards the Gerard Trading Company headquarters. The streets were deserted, an eerie silence hanging in the air.

“I think they know we’re coming.”

“Satyr might be aware, but the others are probably clueless. Surround the building and arrest anyone who acts suspiciously.”

“Yes, Master.”

Selendis issued the orders, and the investigators moved with a practiced efficiency. The headquarters was quickly surrounded.

“Breach!”

Selendis charged forward, her shield glowing with aura. She slammed it against the main door, shattering it into splinters.

*BOOM!*

I activated ‘Automatic Combat’.

But it was too quiet. There was no one inside, just dust and debris.

“Lucius Inspection Unit! Surrender your weapons!”

Selendis’ shout was met with silence.

The corridor branched off to the left and right. A staircase leading to the upper floors was visible in the center.

“Lady Selendis, do you know what all corrupt officials have in common?”

“I’m not sure, Master.”

“They enjoy looking down on people from the highest point.”

She understood my meaning and followed me up the stairs.

We reached the top floor.

The layout was different. There was only one corridor, leading to a large door at the end.

*BOOM!*

Selendis smashed the door open with her shield. She had a bit of a temper, didn’t she?

“Why the hell did you break down the door? It wasn’t even locked! You crazy bastards!”

Satyr was sitting in a chair, a thick cigar clenched between his teeth.

He had the classic villainous smirk.

He crushed the cigar in an ashtray and drew a dagger, his aura flaring.

“Well, well, well. Look who it is. Should have taken care of you back in that old man’s shack. My brothers seem to have taken a liking to you. I guess I’ll have to repay the favor. Don’t take it personally, alright?”

*Slice!*

“…Huh?”

Satyr’s head rolled off his shoulders, his expression blank. I picked it up and said,

“He has a point. Next time, check if the door is unlocked before you break it down, Lady Selendis.”