Chapter 48

Episode 48

For the next two days, the Lucius Inspection Unit conducted a thorough search of the area.

Thirty investigators, divided into four teams, combed the vicinity where we had been attacked. Jericho and Selendis tracked any traces of demonic energy.

In the end, we found no clues about who or what had controlled the monsters.

“We only found traces of monsters. No demonic energy was detected. We searched a 10-kilometer radius around the forest, so we’re certain.”

Jericho handed me a single-page report. Usually, his reports were over ten pages long.

It meant there was little to report.

“So we can assume that the ‘Dark Soul’ hasn’t resurfaced?”

“Yes, I’m certain. If someone had it, I would have sensed it.”

“Alright. Send this report to House Caribe. They probably don’t know we investigated the forest.”

“Understood.”

Investigating another noble’s territory, especially a Count’s, could be misinterpreted. It was sometimes done for military reconnaissance.

But this was an exception.

Lady Lucia had been attacked, and our knights had suffered casualties.

House Caribe couldn’t complain. The banquet they held when we arrived was essentially an apology.

“Shall we depart for the capital tomorrow?”

“No, the day after. A messenger from House Caribe arrived. Their knights will escort us until we leave their territory. They need time to prepare.”

“That’s good, but won’t it hurt Sir Darius’s pride?”

“There’s no need to misinterpret their goodwill.”

Sir Darius knew the monsters had acted with intelligence. That’s why he accepted the offer.

It would be foolish to refuse out of pride.

I handed the documents back to Jericho and stood up to stretch.

“Selendis, it’s time for practice.”

“I’ll prepare right away.”

Moments later, Selendis appeared in a dress.

It was borrowed from the villa, as she didn’t have one that fit. But her natural beauty made anything look good on her.

The dress accentuated her figure in a way her armor never did.

Why am I suddenly talking about dresses?

A few days ago, we had formulated a plan for when we reached the capital. It was risky, but I intended to ask Lady Lucia to dance at the Imperial banquet.

I planned to impress the audience with a seemingly perfect performance.

Of course, Prince Arthur might not react as expected, but we needed to create any variable we could.

“How did you know Lady Selendis could dance, Inspector? I’ve never seen her in a dress before.”

“I have my ways.”

I smiled mysteriously. I didn’t elaborate out of respect for Selendis’s privacy.

I had deduced from various clues that she was likely from a fallen royal family or a prominent noble house.

My suspicions were confirmed yesterday during our first dance practice.

Selendis had perfect etiquette ingrained in her.

“Let’s begin.”

“No need to be so formal. Relax, it’s just practice.”

Selendis took my hand, her gaze lingering on me. Jericho began playing the violin.

We moved to the rhythm.

“We’ll do the turn we practiced yesterday. On the count of… three, two, one.”

I raised my hand above my head, following yesterday’s lesson.

*Swish*

Selendis gracefully spun. I felt the tension in our hands as she moved away, then relaxed as she returned to my arms.

We continued without further instruction, repeating the steps we had learned.

After one song, we took a break.

“How was it? Good enough?”

I asked Jericho, who had been watching. He gave a thumbs up.

“It’s not just good, it’s amazing! You’ve improved so much in just two days. You should join high society instead of the Inspection Unit!”

“I have an excellent teacher.”

Selendis bowed slightly at my words. She was being modest, but she truly was a great dance instructor.

Her concise instructions were always on point. She had given me many corrections yesterday.

My natural talent also played a role.

I wasn’t particularly gifted in dancing, but I was good at physical activities in general. I was quick to learn new skills.

I often thought the saying “know one, know ten” was made for me.

Fortunately, my aptitude and senses hadn’t disappeared when I possessed this body.

“I was planning to learn dancing anyway. I want to attend Lady Rosalyn’s social gatherings when we return to the Dukedom. She invited me once.”

“Ah, I see. That could be our fourth mission.”

Lady Rosalyn was a Viscountess and one of the Duchess’s closest confidants.

I had never attended a social gathering before, nor had I been interested. But I had a specific reason for wanting to attend hers.

It was because of the Baron Gerard incident.

I suspected those words held more meaning than they appeared to.

Baron Gerard’s territory was a hub for underground activities. Human trafficking and other illegal activities were tolerated there.

Moreover, Lady Rosalyn was connected to both Baron Roman and Lord Hylix.

Given her reputation for having many lovers, she was likely involved in these underground activities.

That’s why a thorough investigation was necessary.

“Any news from Baron Roman’s side?”

“It’s too quiet. There’s been no movement since Lord Hylix’s visit.”

“Too quiet… Is the Lady still receiving donations?”

“Yes, they’re coming in regularly. Don’t worry, I’m keeping track. I sent this month’s receipt.”

I chuckled at the word “receipt.”

“He might have realized we tricked him by now. We need to be cautious. We don’t want to be caught off guard.”

“Sigh, I’m reminded again how fortunate I am not to be your enemy, Inspector. It gives me chills sometimes.”

I smiled wryly and stood up. I extended my hand to Selendis.

We continued practicing late into the night.

***

About two weeks after leaving the Caribe territory, we arrived at Arcnest, the Imperial capital.

It was a majestic city with a thousand years of history.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that human civilization began and progressed here.

Unlike the provincial territories, magic was evident everywhere in the capital. It was the result of “magitech,” the fusion of magic and technology.

“It’s incredible. I thought it wouldn’t be much different from the Dukedom’s capital.”

Jericho explained in response to my amazement.

“It’s to be expected. The Imperial court has three court mages. Each one is powerful enough to conquer a kingdom.”

“Why doesn’t our Dukedom have mages?”

“Mages are considered strategic resources. Private use is prohibited. Well, it’s possible with the Emperor’s permission, but that’s practically impossible.”

“But doctors are okay?”

“Medicine is for everyone. Anyone can learn and practice it. Besides, healing magic isn’t considered real magic. You know that, right?”

The distinction seemed artificial.

Surely there were people secretly using magic for personal gain…

Jericho’s family was a prime example. They were a family of mages, or more accurately, demon hunters, but they used magic.

Of course, Tulu, Jericho’s homeland, was in the far east, outside the Empire’s territory, so it might be an exception.

Perhaps there were other places like that, just as ‘Dark Reign’ had established a magical kingdom in the past.

“There’s a magic tower in the capital. They train future court mages there. It’s a secret facility, so we can’t visit, but there’s plenty of information available.”

“We have a skilled mage right here, so we don’t need a tour.”

“Hahaha, it’s nice to hear a compliment for once. But the magic my family uses is different from what they practice here. Our magic specializes in combating demons, while theirs focuses on elemental magic.”

I was familiar with elemental magic. It was a magic system based on the four elements, commonly used in games.

Derived from that were spirit magics. In a Korean game, there would probably be spirit summoners somewhere.

“Elemental magic, like earth, fire, wind, and water?”

“You’re well-informed. There’s also non-elemental magic. The five-element theory is currently popular.”

“So you can’t use elemental magic?”

“I can, but I’d be less powerful than someone who specializes in it. The basic principles are the same. It’s all about how you utilize magical power.”

Now that we had arrived in the capital, it was time to pursue one of my personal goals.

“Can anyone learn magic?”

“Of course not. If that were the case, mages wouldn’t be so rare. It’s difficult to even sense mana. Of course, white magic like healing is different. That’s closer to divine power.”

“I heard that with enough training, anyone can reach a certain level with aura.”

“Aura is largely influenced by mental strength, but magical power is different. It’s a force of nature itself. That’s why only chosen individuals can use it.”

“It sounds like you’re starting to brag about yourself.”

“No, no, of course not! Hahaha.”

I lowered my voice, speaking so only he could hear.

“I want to try learning magic. You said it starts with sensing mana, right? Can you teach me?”

“…I can teach you, but I can’t guarantee results. If you’re okay with that, we can try.”

I wasn’t being reckless.

I was a possessed individual. I had gained various abilities as a special perk. It was natural to think I might be able to use magic.

Currently, I was only using ‘Automatic Combat’ for physical attacks. If I could learn magic, it might open up more diverse combat options.

As we talked, our carriage entered the city’s checkpoint. Sir Darius, who was at the front, stepped forward.

“Are you from House Kalisto?”

“Yes, I am Darius, Vice-Commander of the Azure Dragon Knights. We’re escorting Lady Lucia. We’re scheduled to enter the palace tomorrow to meet Prince Arthur.”

“Welcome. His Highness has specifically ordered us to treat you well.”

“We’re grateful.”

I had an uneasy feeling.

Shouldn’t they have sent someone to greet us? I suddenly thought that the prince might be even worse than we had heard.