Chapter 161

Episode 161

He offered me a handshake with a friendly expression.

“Sir O’Brien, if I recall correctly, this is our first meeting. Is that right?”

“Yes, it is. I’ve been wanting to meet you, Your Excellency.”

“Oh, there’s no need for formalities. The Plenipotentiary is no different from the Duke himself. You are House Kalisto right now.”

The Minister of Internal Affairs’ eyes began to gleam.

Bright white.

I hadn’t asked many questions yet, but it was a good start. At least it meant he didn’t hold any grudges against me.

‘It won’t be difficult to win him over.’

I knew many words that appealed to those in power.

It wasn’t just from my experience in my previous life. After a year of navigating the massive organization that was Kalisto, it became second nature.

“The Plenipotentiary is a temporary position. It wasn’t a position I sought. There was an unfortunate incident, but it will be resolved quickly. Once that happens, I’ll have to return to being Baron Walker, so I need to think about that time.”

“It seems you want to keep seeing me for a long time. Well, alright. Do as you please.”

“Thank you. It’s a humble setting, but would you care to join us?”

Chertan and Scala readily accepted.

Jericho, on the other hand, had the opposite expression. He must be distressed by the unexpected additional expenses. Moreover, the prince and minister would probably have picky palates.

“We’ve ordered some food. If you haven’t eaten yet, we can order more.”

“No, we ate together earlier. We just came for some tea.”

“Don’t you enjoy alcohol?”

The conversation with Chertan naturally continued. He replied with a bitter expression, “My brother is carrying a heavy burden. I shouldn’t be getting drunk when the situation is so unstable.”

“I heard from Prince Karma. I’m truly sorry about the situation in the north.”

“I hear the Lucius Inspection Unit has been tasked with appeasing the Margrave?”

“That’s correct, Your Highness.”

Chertan sighed deeply.

“It won’t be easy. I’m telling you this for the first time, but the Margrave didn’t even meet with me. He acted as if he had already made up his mind.”

“That’s outrageous. How could he be so disrespectful to Your Highness?”

“I gave up on the succession long ago and have been assisting my brother. Almost everyone knows that. The Margrave probably thought I was just a messenger.”

A white light appeared in the prince’s eyes.

Surprisingly, it was true.

‘I thought he would have some ambition, but there’s no falsehood at all. That’s unexpected.’

Anyway, I listened attentively to his next words.

“He didn’t even touch the wealth and food sent by the Imperial Family. I think the relationship with the Imperial Family has reached a point of no return.”

“Don’t worry too much. Our Inspection Unit will try to resolve it.”

I meant it sincerely, but Chertan chuckled.

“Well, I know you’ve been doing a great job. But this is a national issue. The Margrave is threatening us with the northern gate. Don’t you understand what that means?”

Chertan frowned as if he didn’t understand what I meant. Scala, on the other hand, seemed to know that I could use magic.

“Your Highness, Sir O’Brien is a magician. Sir Jericho, who’s beside him, is also a magician. That’s how they subdued Arthur.”

“…What? Is that true? But how?”

“There was an emergency meeting at the Imperial Palace while you were in the north. I heard about it from Prince Karma.”

Scala told Chertan some of the decisions made at the meeting.

In short, Prince Karma had covered up the fact that Jericho and I hadn’t registered as magicians.

“There was strong opposition from the officials. But in the end, it was House Kalisto that gained justification. Of course, our future is only guaranteed if we succeed in this mission.”

Scala subtly hinted at me.

He was right.

We were only pardoned for past transgressions. To continue operating freely, we had to resolve the situation in the north.

“Now I understand why you won the duel. That’s amazing. So you’re proficient in both swordsmanship and magic?”

“Not to that extent. I’m training every day, but I still have a long way to go.”

“I envy Duke Kalisto. To have not one, but two magicians!”

He might also be thinking, ‘Are there other families secretly possessing magical forces like House Kalisto?’ There must be some somewhere.

But that wasn’t my concern.

To change the subject, I set down my fork and knife and asked Scala, “Your Excellency, have you received any reports about Jimbolba?”

“I haven’t heard anything. What’s wrong? It’s practically under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

Domestic affairs and diplomacy were often at odds. One often had to be sacrificed to achieve the other’s goals.

Naturally, I knew that Minister of Internal Affairs Scala and Minister of Foreign Affairs Apellai had a deep-seated conflict.

I decided to add a little shock to the already tense situation.

“Before coming here, I interrogated the servants imprisoned in the dungeons. A fellow named Coriolis told me something interesting. He said Count Apellai was cleaning up Arthur’s messes, and the name Jimbolba came up. From his close aide.”

“…You’re saying something I can’t just ignore. Are you suggesting the Minister of Foreign Affairs engaged in inappropriate activities in Jimbolba?”

“The officials are investigating, so the truth will be revealed soon.”

I just nudged it slightly, but it seemed the string snapped. Scala’s expression turned serious.

I skillfully changed the subject.

“But I’d like to talk about the north. Prince Karma said the Margrave ultimately wants fertile land, but I disagree. I don’t think it’s a problem that can be solved just by giving him land.”

“If they have land to farm, they can solve their logistical problems. Then they can switch from defense to offense.”

“Your Excellency, maybe it’s because I’m from a commoner background, but I think the people of the territory have different desires.”

I remembered the days when I struggled in a freezing basement studio apartment.

What I craved the most back then was “warmth.”

The people of Whitefield County were in an even harsher environment. They were facing nature itself.

Hunger could be somewhat alleviated by food supplies. But extreme cold couldn’t be solved by help from others.

I wanted to talk about that.

“So when I go to the north, I want to see how the people live. If we can find what they truly desire, there might be room for negotiation.”

“Many scholars have already concluded that there’s no solution for the north. Are you suggesting you’ll defy the laws of nature?”

“How could a humble person like me go against divine providence? I’m just trying to find a way out.”

After a few more exchanges, the two excused themselves and left.

It was Scala who initiated the departure. He must have been eager to check on Count Apellai.

I had brought up the Jimbolba issue with some calculation. Even I found dealing with superiors tiresome.

“Wow, this place is delicious! We should come back again! Hahaha!”

Jericho had another reason to be happy.

Scala had paid for our meal. Thanks to him, we ate to our heart’s content.

“Now that the Minister of Internal Affairs has taken the bait, the Imperial Palace will be in an uproar again. At this rate, even the mighty Apellai won’t last long.”

“We’ll have to wait and see. Remember, we haven’t caught the fake Arthur yet.”

“Do you think he might have escaped? Would he give up power so easily? He’ll have nothing if he becomes a fugitive.”

“That’s human greed. It’s like a disaster we deliberately ignore, even though it’s right in front of our eyes.”

I had seen it many times in my previous life.

“Give all the Inspection Unit’s data on Arthur and his mother to the Minister of Internal Affairs. As a thank you for today’s meal. It might be helpful.”

“Yes, can I send it tomorrow? I want to eat something hearty and relaxing today.”

“As you wish.”

For the next week, we ate and played to our heart’s content. It felt like we were being rewarded for all our hard work.

If things had gone according to plan, we would be enjoying a vacation in Caleon with the Lady right now.

I wondered if the mastermind was doing well.

As I was lost in thought, a messenger sent by Lucia came to see me.

“The Lady asked me to deliver this order to you, Inspector. And she also sent this.”

The messenger brought not only the Inspection Unit order but also a small, beautifully wrapped letter.

I set aside the order and opened the letter sealed with the Kalisto family crest.

— To my dear Aubrey.

It was the Lady’s handwriting.

I barely suppressed a smile. The messenger was still standing in front of me. I continued reading the letter with a serious expression.

— It’s been quite a while since you left. I’m doing well. Everyone must be working hard in this heat. It seems dedicating oneself to the family is no easy task. I’m always grateful.

The Lady shared what had been happening. Her colloquial style felt as if she was whispering next to me.

— Sir Edric’s flustered look is always amusing. Want to hear about it? We were solving a difficult math problem in class today, and I found the answer first. It was so funny to see him flustered. You should have seen it, Aubrey.

Today’s letter was quite honest. If I didn’t know she was the mastermind, I would have thought she was just an ordinary girl.

— You probably won’t be back until autumn, right? It’s a shame we couldn’t go see the summer sea, but I heard the autumn sea is beautiful too. I’ll be waiting for you.

With all my heart,

Lucia.

Wait, the autumn sea…?

Hadn’t she given up on that? As expected, the mastermind’s level of obsession was extraordinary.

But it would be difficult.

To see the autumn sea, I would have to complete the mission and return within two months, but this wasn’t that kind of mission. I hadn’t even found a clue yet.

I finally opened the mission order.

— Appease Margrave Finwinter and resolve the crisis in the north.

The ninth mission had officially begun. I carefully tucked the order and letter into my pocket.

“Inspector, if you have anything to convey to the Lady, please give it to me.”

“Did she ask for a reply?”

“She didn’t say anything about that.”

I was about to write a reply but stopped. I suddenly remembered the Lady teasing me when she handed me .

“Tell her that I’ll complete the mission in the name of the family and the Inspection Unit.”

“Yes, Inspector. Take care.”

The messenger left.

I immediately summoned Selendis and Jericho. We had made enough preparations. It was time to depart for the north.