Chapter 7

Episode 7

After spending the night at the safe house, we stopped by the mansion to change into proper attire.

“Welcome back, Master.”

Balzac, the head butler, bowed his head.

(TLN: i considred chaging his name but ill keep it just for the fun of it)

Shouldn’t a proper butler express concern for his master’s well-being after a night of unexplained absence?

His name and his behavior made him a prime suspect.

“Was everything alright last night?”

“Perfectly fine, Master. Aside from your absence, of course.”

“I see. Prepare a bath for me. I have an audience with the Lady at the castle. And lay out some suitable attire.”

“Shall I prepare breakfast as well?”

“Something light will suffice.”

“As you command.”

I immersed myself in the warm water, letting the tension ease from my muscles. ‘Automatic Combat’ might have made the battle easy, but it didn’t offer any mental respite.

The heat soothed my weary body.

“Would you like more petals, Master?”

“That’s enough.”

A maid scattered red rose petals around the bath. Their fragrance filled the air, calming my mind.

I closed my eyes, sinking deeper into the water, my thoughts drifting.

‘This was the first time I truly utilized ‘Automatic Combat’.’

I had encountered a few ruffians on the streets before, but this was the first time I had engaged in a battle that involved unleashing waves of energy.

It was surprisingly easy.

I felt confident in my ability to face even stronger opponents, even in more challenging situations. In a way, that was the most valuable lesson I had learned from this mission.

‘Still, it wouldn’t hurt to develop a signature move.’

‘Automatic Combat’ had its limitations, even if I wasn’t aware of them yet.

It was always wise to have a hidden ace up your sleeve.

I had tried to discover other skills after awakening ‘Mind’s Eye’ and ‘Automatic Combat’, but my efforts had been fruitless. I had almost given up.

‘Well, I’m sure something will turn up eventually.’

This was a game, after all.

It was highly likely that my fate, or rather, the fate of this character I was inhabiting, was predetermined.

Perhaps I would acquire new skills as the main story unfolded.

A question arose in my mind.

‘If fate is truly predetermined, can I change it?’

Even I, someone who believed in forging one’s own destiny, couldn’t be certain.

This world was full of mysteries, things that defied logic and reason.

My head began to ache, so I shifted my focus.

‘Why were they trying to kill me?’

Or rather, why were they trying to kill both Selendis and me?

It was something I needed to ponder further.

‘It’s clear that I wasn’t their only target. Either they were Satyr’s men…or perhaps someone who opposed the establishment of the Inspection Unit.’

The first thing to consider in any investigation was motive. Who benefited the most from our deaths?

If Selendis and I had been killed in that ambush, the prime suspect would be Baron Roman, our first target, and his associates.

And perhaps even the political enemies of House Kalisto.

‘No, that’s going too far. The Inspection Unit’s jurisdiction is limited to our own territory. We can’t interfere in the affairs of other domains.’

Eliminating that possibility, I recalled Baron Roman’s polished facade, his charming demeanor.

I wondered what kind of monster lurked beneath that mask.

‘If the Lady sent those assassins to test my abilities…no, that seems less and less likely.’

Two of the masked figures had escaped.

‘If they were acting on her orders, they would have died rather than flee.’

Their escape suggested a lack of loyalty, a loose connection to their employer. It didn’t fit the profile of the mastermind.

‘Which means they were Satyr’s men. Or rather, assassins sent by Baron Roman.’

I finished my bath and found a light breakfast waiting for me. I ate slowly, savoring the simple meal, then dressed in the attire Balzac had prepared.

I donned a gray jacket over a simple tunic, the Lucius Inspection Unit emblem pinned to my chest.

“What’s the general sentiment? I imagine there’s a lot of talk about the Inspection Unit.”

“It’s been relatively quiet, Master. I’ll gather more information.”

The phrase ‘gather information’ struck me as odd. It wasn’t something a typical butler would say.

“Good. Keep me informed.”

Selendis entered, dressed in a smart uniform instead of her usual armor. It accentuated her figure, drawing the eye.

“How’s your wound?”

“It’s completely healed, Master.”

“Jericho seems to be quite skilled.”

We rode to the castle in a carriage. The gardens were bustling with activity, people strolling beneath the singing birds.

“Sir O’Brien!”

Lilith’s voice reached us as we entered the inner castle.

Her face was etched with worry.

“I received a letter. They said you saved my parents. I…I don’t know how to thank you…”

She was on the verge of tears.

I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I gestured towards Selendis, who discreetly handed Lilith a handkerchief.

“I was simply doing my duty as an Inspector. If you wish to express your gratitude, then direct it towards Lady Lucia.”

“Thank you, sir. I won’t forget this kindness. I’ll be sure to tell the Lady.”

“You’ve been instructed to avoid leaving the castle, correct?”

“Yes, sir. I understand. I’ll be staying here for the foreseeable future.”

I nodded and proceeded towards Lady Lucia’s chambers. The guards and knights recognized the Inspection Unit emblem and stepped aside respectfully.

The doors to her chambers were wide open.

Refined voices drifted from within. The Lady was enjoying tea with a group of older women.

“It seems the Lady has guests.”

“Lady Arisnel, Lady Rosalyn, and Lady Charlotte are here.”

I recognized the names.

Lady Arisnel and Lady Rosalyn were both ladies-in-waiting to the Duchess. They also held the title of Baroness and wielded considerable influence in social circles.

“I’ll return later. I’ll be in my office. Inform me when they leave.”

“You may enter, Master. The Lady instructed us to escort you inside.”

“Is that so?”

Selendis and I entered the room.

It was spacious, our presence barely noticeable.

“Ever since Count Caribe’s visit, the trade routes have been bustling with activity. The Duchess is overjoyed.”

“I heard they agreed to increase trade with the County.”

“Indeed. And that’s not all. They’ve also agreed to collaborate on monster subjugation. It’s a wonderful development.”

“I’m sure His Majesty will be pleased to hear this.”

They were only seeing half the picture.

Count Caribe had traveled a great distance. Increased trade was one thing, but collaborating on monster subjugation was another matter entirely.

Moving troops across borders would surely raise eyebrows among the neighboring lords.

“Don’t you have any inside information, my dear? You’re the Duke’s favorite, after all. Surely you’ve heard something.”

“Yes, do tell.”

The ladies revealed their true intentions.

If the Lady shared any information, it would spread like wildfire through the social circles.

Maintaining power in those circles required more than just beauty and noble lineage. Information was a valuable currency.

“I’m not privy to my father’s affairs. And even if I were, it wouldn’t be my place to interfere.”

She was being surprisingly modest, considering her role as the mastermind.

“You’re too humble, my dear. The establishment of the Inspection Unit was your idea, wasn’t it? It wouldn’t have been possible without your unwavering dedication to your family and your people.”

“My father and brothers handle the important matters. I simply assist them. And I intend to continue doing so.”

Her eyes met mine.

“It seems the man of the hour has arrived.”

“Man of the hour?”

The ladies turned to face me, their smiles laced with curiosity.

“Ah, Sir O’Brien. We’ve heard so much about your resourcefulness.”

“Indeed. You have quite the reputation.”

“Just a good reputation? You’re quite handsome as well. I imagine there are many ladies who dream of you.”

I was long past the age of blushing. The Lady gestured for me to sit beside her, but I remained standing, addressing the ladies with a polite bow.

“I apologize for interrupting your pleasant gathering, ladies. I have urgent matters to discuss with the Lady.”

“Oh, of course. We should take our leave. Shall we?”

“Yes, my dear. We’ll visit again soon. May you find peace.”

The ladies departed, leaving us alone. The Lady dismissed the remaining servants with a wave of her hand.

“I read Jericho’s report. You were ambushed during your investigation.”

She was well-informed.

Jericho must have a direct line of communication to her.

“It was a minor altercation. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capture any of the attackers, so we haven’t been able to identify their employer.”

“How is Lady Selendis’ injury?”

“She’s fine.”

Lady Lucia nodded and took a sip of her tea.

“I heard eighteen assassins were killed. That seems a bit more serious than a ‘minor altercation’. Do you require assistance?”

Damn it.

I had not told her about the full twenty, Cause I might have been able to prove her involvement.

I had deliberately avoided mentioning the exact number to Jericho, hoping to catch her off guard.

If she had sent those assassins, she would have known how many there were.

It was a trap, designed to elicit a slip of the tongue.

Still, it was a relief to know that she wasn’t behind the attack.

“We don’t require assistance. Lady Selendis and I are more than capable of handling this ourselves.”

“You seem confident. You’re even more skilled than I anticipated, Aubrey.”

“The attackers were rather incompetent. And of course, Lady Selendis is quite skilled. But it’s not every day that eighteen assassins are slaughtered so easily.”

Her gaze was intense, making me uncomfortable.

Before catching the mastermind’s attention, I had tried to avoid standing out.

But now it was a matter of survival.

I needed to earn her trust, become someone she relied on. Perhaps not her right hand, but at least her left.

It was time to take a gamble.

“This is no small matter. An attack on you and Lady Selendis is an attack on House Kalisto itself.”

“We’ll conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. But if I may, Lady Lucia, I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“Is your goal to become a wise and benevolent ruler?”

It was an unexpected question, but her expression remained unchanged. She simply smiled.

“You know as well as I do that I’m not eligible to inherit the Dukedom.”

“You might not be able to inherit House Kalisto, but you could establish your own kingdom. I’m curious about your true intentions, your hidden ambitions.”