Chapter 160

Episode 160

“The investigation is over. You’ve worked hard, so you can go back now.”

“A-Am I going to live?”

“That’s not for me to decide. I just conducted the investigation. But since you confessed, it will be taken into consideration.”

“…”

I added with a light smile towards Coriolis, “And one more thing. Don’t worry, Count Apellai is doing well.”

“Huh? What? Oh…”

Coriolis’s face fell. He finally realized he had been tricked.

So what can you do about it?

You might ask why I told him something I didn’t have to.

Arthur, during his time as a prince, had harmed countless people. The “messes” Coriolis mentioned weren’t about compensating the victims but silencing them.

In short, Coriolis was also an accomplice to some extent.

Whether it was voluntary or not, he continued to hold his position even though he could have resigned.

‘Small greed leads to disaster.’

That’s why I gave him a minor punishment.

As we left the interrogation room, officials were waiting. They were trusted individuals who had served Prince Karma for a long time.

Jericho handed them the interrogation records and explained, “There’s a confession from a man named Coriolis. It states that Count Apellai is involved in illegal activities, so please continue the investigation.”

“Oh, really? Thank you for your hard work. We’ll take it from here.”

The officials looked like they had struck gold. This was why one’s usual conduct was important.

Apellai had often used his powerful position as Minister of Foreign Affairs to pressure officials. Now he would pay the price.

Selendis, Jericho, and I started talking as we left the dungeons.

“What do you think about Jimbolba?”

“Considering Apellai’s position as Minister of Foreign Affairs, it’s not that surprising. Ugh, this guy is just full of dirt, no matter how much we dig.”

“I agree.”

Jimbolba was the name of a kingdom located in the far east of the continent.

It had become a vassal state of the Empire long ago and was a weak nation that served as a puppet. They would surrender their entire country if asked.

But there was a reason why it wasn’t forcibly annexed.

It was sometimes used to cover up the Empire’s wrongdoings. If it were annexed, it would become part of the Empire, so its independence was maintained.

The fact that Count Apellai was connected to such a place meant there might be clues we had overlooked.

“Remember when we were gathering information about Arthur and his mother? All those involved had disappeared or died.”

“That’s right. It was very clean.”

“Don’t you think we know where they disappeared to now?”

Jericho was startled.

“Are you suggesting they were taken to Jimbolba?”

“It’s far, but I don’t think it’s impossible.”

“I agree with you, my lord. We need to thoroughly investigate that place. Arthur is dead, but Count Apellai is still living comfortably.”

Jericho nodded at Selendis’s words and pumped his fist.

He was also one of those who found Count Apellai repulsive.

“Alright! This time, we’ll definitely find clues. I swear on my family name!”

Should I be thankful he didn’t swear on his grandfather’s name…?

“But can’t we talk after we eat something? I’m starving.”

“It wouldn’t do for our hardworking officer to collapse from hunger.”

Should I use the “Jericho Chance” after a long time?

He wouldn’t complain since I hadn’t used it much lately.

“Selendis, Jericho, how about we eat out to celebrate the start of our new mission? We’ll be working hard, so we need to eat something delicious beforehand.”

“I’ll follow your lead, my lord.”

“That sounds great! I know a lot of good restaurants from deploying informants in the capital. Just tell me what you’re craving, and I’ll recommend something.”

“The place with the smallest portions and the highest prices. And some top-quality wine would be nice.”

Jericho’s face lit up.

“Wow, our Inspector has become generous after becoming the Plenipotentiary. You always ate so frugally, but you’re treating us today?”

“Of course, it’s the Jericho Chance.”

“…”

Jericho looked like he was about to cry.

“Your salary more than doubled. What’s wrong?”

“This is the capital, where the highest officials reside! A provincial scribe’s salary will disappear in an instant.”

“So, are you saying the people of the Tulu family go back on their word?”

“…That’s not what I meant. Let’s go. Tsk!”

Since the payer was decided, the menu chooser was also decided. Jericho led us to a magnificent building.

It was a restaurant called ‘Le Bernardin,’ a place I had heard about from the princess.

“This is it. It’s one of the few places where you can taste authentic Imperial cuisine. It’s a historic establishment that’s over 500 years old. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a cultural institution.”

“Have you been here before?”

I asked casually, but Jericho, perhaps offended, grumbled, “As I said before, it’s a place I could only dream of with my meager scribe salary.”

“It went from ‘provincial’ to ‘meager.'”

A middle-aged man who looked like a waiter approached us and greeted us with a bow.

“Welcome. Excuse me, but do you have a reservation?”

“No. I am O’Brien, vassal of Kalisto and head of House Walker. I came here on the recommendation of an acquaintance.”

His eyes lit up at my name.

He seemed to know that I was the “Plenipotentiary” of House Kalisto. Well, a waiter at a high-end restaurant should know such things.

“It’s an honor to serve such an esteemed guest. Is this your first time at our restaurant? Allow me to guide you.”

We were led to a private room with a comfortable sense of seclusion. It could seat about six people, so we settled down comfortably.

The waiter brought us menus.

But I returned them and stated my request.

“Please prepare the most expensive dishes in this establishment. I’d like to taste all the delicacies. And the finest wine as well.”

“As you wish.”

The light shone on Jericho, but his face was pale.

“You were serious.”

“Serious about what?”

“About cleaning me out! Who orders without even looking at the menu?!”

“Shh, be quiet. Cultured people don’t make a fuss in restaurants.”

Jericho’s face turned red.

“How can you say that…!”

“Calm down, Jericho.”

Actually, it was just the “Jericho Chance” in name. I was planning to treat them after a long time. We were overflowing with money after discovering more gold nuggets.

But suddenly, Jericho sighed and closed his eyes. Then he grinned.

There’s a reason for everything.

I was about to ask him why, but Jericho cleared his throat and spoke first.

“Well, never mind. I’ll treat you today, so eat to your heart’s content.”

“Why the sudden change of heart? You looked like you were about to die just now.”

“I wasn’t going to tell you this, but…”

I knew human psychology well.

Starting a sentence like that was a clear sign that he couldn’t wait to brag.

I urged him a little more, and he finally confessed.

“Actually, I received a letter this morning. It was from Lady Sapiella. So I’m in a good mood, and well, you both helped me…”

So that was it.

Well, for Jericho, who had lived his entire life as a demon hunter, a sudden spring breeze must have been incredibly sweet.

“It’s amazing you kept it a secret for so long. May I ask what it said?”

“Oh, it was nothing special. She just thanked me. She asked me to convey her thanks to you and Lady Selendis as well. And she said we’re welcome to visit her atelier anytime.”

The wine arrived first, and we raised our glasses with joyful hearts.

“To Jericho’s spring day.”

“S-Spring day? The Lady must have just been being polite.”

“With that kind of reasoning, I’m disappointed you’re the office manager of the Inspection Unit. The atelier we were invited to is not a place anyone can enter. She wouldn’t say that out of politeness.”

“…You’re right, aren’t you? Hehehe. I wish I could rush over there tonight.”

“Let’s toast to that feeling.”

*Clink!*

A clear, crisp sound rang out. We took a sip of wine with happy hearts.

The dishes we ordered arrived soon after.

The waiter pointed at the dishes and began explaining.

“First, let me introduce the appetizer. This salad may look simple, but the fish from Port Bellium, the suckling pig from the Ibera region, and the freshly harvested vegetables create a fantastic harmony with our signature sauce.”

His tone reminded me of Sommelier from the Lucius Club. The dish looked delicious.

“Please also pay attention to the bread, butter, and cheese. They are top-quality ingredients supplied to the Imperial Family. Their simple yet soft texture will stimulate your appetite.”

We helped ourselves to the bread and salad. It was decent, but my taste buds, accustomed to instant food, found it a bit bland.

“We won’t be able to eat like this when we go to the north, right?”

Jericho asked, and Selendis brushed the breadcrumbs off her hands and replied, “It’ll be difficult to even fill our stomachs with rations. I heard even the nobles there live a hard life.”

“They live like warriors, not nobles.”

“I’m already getting chills. Ugh, I can’t believe people can live in such a harsh place.”

“The situation for the Nordics is even worse. Beyond the northern gate, there’s constant snowfall.”

When I first heard about the north, I was surprised. It was quite different from the Earth science knowledge I had.

The reason was simple.

There were forces of nature in this world that didn’t exist where I came from. Mana, aura, divine power, and demonic energy.

Weather patterns could change depending on how these forces balanced each other.

I suddenly wondered how much snow and ice had accumulated in the north. It must be beyond comparison to Antarctica.

“Excuse me for interrupting your meal, sir.”

This time, a different waiter entered. He seemed to be a manager-level employee.

“What is it?”

“There’s someone who wishes to meet Sir O’Brien. I’d like to ask for your permission to bring them here.”

Surprised, I asked who it was.

“It’s Prince Chertan and Minister of Internal Affairs Scala.”

“How could I refuse a request from the prince? Please bring them in.”

It seemed he had complained to the Minister of Internal Affairs after failing his mission in the north.

I wasn’t interested in Prince Chertan. Minister of Internal Affairs Scala was more likely to be helpful to me.

As the one in charge of the Empire’s domestic affairs, he would have insights on the north.

“It’s been a while, Sir O’Brien.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here. How have you been?”

“I’d like to offer you my condolences. I heard you suffered greatly from the Muon and Arthur incident.”

“My loyalty to the Empire and the Imperial Family remains unchanged, Your Highness.”

After the formal greetings, I had the opportunity to face Minister Scala.

I had seen him once from afar when he visited Kalisto for Lady Lucia’s marriage proposal.

And now, he was the person I needed to pay the most attention to in this situation.

I immediately activated ‘Mind’s Eye.’