Chapter 83

Episode 83

Next to the Inspection Unit headquarters was a small training ground. Hidden behind the building, it was a semi-secret space.

The sounds of heavy breathing and clashing weapons echoed from within. It wasn’t just one person multiple voices were chanting in unison.

Selendis was there, conducting personal training and instructing the investigators.

They were already an elite group, but Selendis’s guidance had elevated their combat skills to a new level.

The number of investigators had increased from thirty to forty.

The soldier who had blocked my path and expressed his desire to join the Inspection Unit had recently been recruited.

His name was Britz, if I remembered correctly.

He was a young man acquainted with Sir Paris, so I was keeping an eye on him.

The Inspection Unit investigators were often deployed on dangerous missions. They needed high combat skills to complete their missions and survive.

“You’ve arrived, Master.”

Selendis lowered her sword and saluted. The other investigators were about to stop their training, but I raised my hand.

“Continue your training. I’m here to see Selendis. We need to talk.”

“Yes, sir.”

The chanting resumed, and I entered the office with Selendis.

No one else could hear what I was about to say.

Selendis’s face tensed, sensing the gravity of the situation.

“Have a seat.”

“I’m fine standing. I’ll receive your orders.”

“This will be a long conversation. Sit down.”

Selendis finally unbuckled her sword, placed it on the table, and sat down. She avoided my gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor.

“I want you to answer my questions honestly. And you must not speak of what we discuss here to anyone. Not even the Lady.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You said you were from Savion before. What kind of place is it?”

Her gaze finally met mine. It seemed like an unexpected question.

“…It’s quite far from here. A small kingdom located on another continent, beyond the Veil Sea.”

“So, you crossed the Veil Sea to get here.”

“Yes.”

I paused, suppressing a shiver.

‘I never imagined the Lady’s influence extended beyond the Veil Sea.’

I had researched the Savion Kingdom before.

But there was very little information available. Only a few abstract lines in some ancient texts.

Now I understood why.

The Veil Sea was literally veiled. It was impossible to cross from this side.

The winds were unpredictable, and the waves were high, making it difficult for ordinary ships to even approach. There were occasional rumors of people finding a way to cross, but they were mostly empty boasts.

That’s why information was scarce.

The fact that Savion was a kingdom beyond the Veil Sea made the Lady’s status as the mastermind even more real.

It meant she knew how to cross the Veil Sea.

“What was your position there? I’m guessing you were a royal descendant or a high-ranking noble.”

“…”

“You don’t have to answer if it’s difficult. I have a different question.”

Selendis’s unexpected answer surprised me.

“I am a descendant of the Savion royal family. To be precise, I was the princess.”

“As I suspected.”

The mystery behind her blonde hair and blue eyes was solved. I wasn’t surprised, as I had already guessed it.

But I had a different question.

“The fact that a direct descendant of the royal family crossed a vast ocean, the Veil Sea no less, suggests that the kingdom has vanished. What happened?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I can offer you a drink if you need one.”

Selendis shook her head. I felt sorry for her, seeing her expression darken, but uncovering the Lady’s true identity was my priority.

“Again, you don’t have to tell me if it’s uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s alright. I was planning to tell you someday. I don’t want to hide anything from you, Master.”

“Thank you. Please, go ahead.”

I gave her enough time to compose herself. After a long silence, Selendis spoke.

“Savion was a peaceful place. My father’s benevolent rule brought prosperity and an end to war. But the people’s comfort meant a decrease in the nobles’ share. Those who had long harbored resentment towards my father and the royal family began to gather their forces.”

Nobles fighting to maintain their power was a recurring theme throughout history.

“Then, one day, a horde of monsters appeared at the border. While the Empire’s general led an army to confront them, rebels attacked the capital. It turned out to be a lie. The border was still peaceful.”

“How is that possible? To deceive the kingdom with such a large-scale misinformation…”

“It was the Prime Minister who orchestrated the rebellion. He controlled all the information within the royal family and had the authority to mobilize the army.”

“I see.”

“The Prime Minister killed my entire family. I barely managed to escape from the palace.”

She was then sold into slavery and endured countless hardships.

“I met the Lady when I was being sold to a noble family as a servant. Her informants attacked the carriage and rescued me.”

“And then you crossed the Veil Sea to this continent?”

“Yes. I was trained in the Savion royal family’s swordsmanship, so I was able to serve the Lady as a knight.”

This was enough information.

I didn’t want to cause Selendis any more pain.

“I’m sorry. I seem to have touched a nerve.”

“No, it’s alright. It’s actually a relief to finally tell you.”

“I have a different question. Is magic forbidden in Savion?”

“No. It’s a place where swordsmanship and magic naturally coexist.”

“You said the Prime Minister staged a rebellion. Did he learn forbidden magic? Or did he receive help from demons?”

This was my hypothesis.

Perhaps everyone the Lady had taken in was a victim of demons.

If Selendis’s past also fit this pattern, then “The Legend of Aldebaran” wasn’t just a novel. It was a historical record and a prophecy of the future.

“I… I don’t know. The Prime Minister I remember was a kind and gentle man. But in my last memory… he was a power-hungry demon.”

“We can’t rule out the possibility of corruption.”

“Like the Cliff incident?”

“Yes.”

We had witnessed it firsthand in the Cliff Viscounty. The “Dark Soul” had infiltrated the human world through unknown means, driving people mad.

There was no guarantee that such a phenomenon wouldn’t occur in the Savion Kingdom.

In fact, it was even more likely. Magic was taboo in the Empire and on this continent. It couldn’t be used openly.

But in an environment where magic was freely practiced?

It was highly possible for demonic influence to be mistaken for a magical phenomenon.

Selendis looked confused. I patted her shoulder reassuringly.

“Don’t dwell on it too much. I’ve satisfied my curiosity.”

“If it’s not too presumptuous, may I ask what you were curious about?”

“You shared your secret with me, so it’s only fair that I share mine. I believe there’s a reason why the Inspection Unit was created. The first clue is the connection to demons. I want to prove that everyone working in the Inspection Unit has been a victim of demons in some way.”

“It’s true that Jericho has such a background. But I’m not sure about myself. Whether the Prime Minister’s corruption was driven by greed or manipulation…”

This conversation might seem meaningless.

But I thought differently.

‘It’s enough that I’ve established a direction for my hypothesis. When we recruit new members, I’ll focus on this aspect.’

The Inspection Unit wouldn’t end with just me, Selendis, and Jericho. It wouldn’t be surprising if we recruited some exceptional individuals.

I decided to patiently wait for that opportunity.

Discovering that the Lady could travel beyond the Veil Sea was already a half-victory.

“Do you think Chloe is also connected to demons?”

“I doubt it. She’s just an administrative assistant. We should focus on the agent level.”

“What will happen to us if the connection to demons is revealed?”

I answered, recalling the latter part of “The Legend of Aldebaran.”

“We’ll be doing things we can’t even imagine now.”

“Understood. I’ll train harder for that day. Thank you for listening to my story.”

“I should be the one thanking you.”

We left the office. Just then, the secret passage in the headquarters opened, and Jericho rushed in, panting.

“S-Something terrible has happened! Inspector!”

“What is it?”

“Huff, huff… Give me a moment. I ran all the way here. I’m dying.”

Selendis helped him to a chair. He was drenched in sweat, his face flushed.

I wiped his forehead with the handkerchief I had given him before.

“Princess Beatrice… Princess Beatrice is here at the main castle!”

It was indeed unexpected. But it wasn’t a big deal. It was common for members of the royal family to visit high-ranking noble families.

“I don’t see why that’s a big deal.”

“She’s not here to see the Duke or Grand Duke Hylix. She’s here to see you!”

“…What?”

I had a feeling something unusual was about to happen.

I rushed to the main castle.

When I arrived at the outer gate, I understood how Princess Beatrice had managed to sneak into the Dukedom.

‘She only brought five escort knights?’

Moreover, they weren’t wearing the Empire’s emblem, which the Imperial Guard knights always displayed proudly. They looked like a group of wandering knights.

This was truly extraordinary.

‘There must have been strong opposition from the officials… Did she come here secretly?’

I recalled the princess’s flirtatious behavior in the palace, inviting me to be friends.

And then I remembered Jericho’s words.

He said the princess seemed to have found a strong rival after watching Lady Lucia dance with me.

Could she have come all the way here to dance with me?

My worries vanished when I saw Princess Beatrice, clad in full armor.

She wasn’t here to play.

“It’s even more delightful to see you here, Aubrey. How did you know I was coming? I didn’t send anyone ahead.”

“I rushed here as soon as I heard you had arrived, Your Highness. I apologize for not receiving you properly.”

“It’s alright. I wasn’t invited. I came here on my own accord. I hope I don’t get scolded by the Duke.”

The inner castle gates opened, and Duke Kalisto appeared with his vassals. He also looked surprised.

“Your Highness, what brings you here unannounced?”

“I hope you’re well. I came here without my father’s knowledge. So, please keep it a secret.”

His vassals gasped. But it seemed like this wasn’t the first time. Duke Kalisto chuckled.

“Hahaha. You’ve come for another training session, I see, Your Highness. Would you care to spar with me? It’s been a while.”

“Oh, no. I can’t possibly defeat you, Duke. That’s why I want a different opponent this time…”

Princess Beatrice’s gaze landed on me. Her sharp spear pointed in my direction.

“I want to spar with Sir O’Brien. What do you say?”