Threats to the Family (1)

<Side : Patient Forbidden>

『Martyr’s Moon – 11th (Evening)』

【Day 1 of Imperial Invasion】

“Ugh… Ah…”

“Ah, Father…! Are you regaining consciousness?”

“Arc?”

My hazy consciousness returned, and Arc was in front of me, startled.

“Where is this…”

“It’s Father’s office. After you suddenly collapsed in the Training ground, we rushed you here and I’ve been taking care of you.”

Collapsed…? Me?

“Tell me exactly what happened.”

It’s strange. I clearly remember noticing the suspicious behavior of those two and rushing to the Training ground to protect Arc…

But the memories after that are blank, as if they were artificially cut out.

“Father came to the training ground where the new guards I was with were, scolded Samson and Francis, and then collapsed as if having a seizure.”

Arc explained the events while I was unconscious in an orderly manner, with a calm expression.

Damn it… Even after hearing that explanation, I can’t grasp anything.

“More than that, Samson… Who exactly is Samson? Elaine is…”

“Yes? Father. Isn’t that the name of Princess Materi’s missing guard? Why suddenly that… Ah, are you perhaps talking about Samson?”

Sam, son…? Ah, right. That was the name.

Why am I making such a mistake…

“Well, the two do look alike. Brown skin, blonde hair, and sparkling green eyes. If it weren’t for their build and atmosphere, I might have even mistaken them for sisters for a moment.”

Arc closed her eyes slightly, resting her chin on her hand, as if recalling the physical similarities between Elaine and Samson.

“More importantly, Arc. What about the others? The temporarily conscripted guards. Where did they all go… Keugh…”

But this is no time to be doing this.

The reason why I suddenly fainted is unclear, and the source of my memories up until now is also unclear, but there was one thing I was sure of.

Samson and Francis. Their suspicious behavior could pose a great threat to my daughter… Arc, so I rushed to where they were.

I’m relieved that Arc doesn’t seem to have been harmed by them, but I can’t let my guard down.

“Ah… For now, the physical examination for the temporarily conscripted personnel has been postponed for two days. It didn’t seem like the atmosphere was right for it today anyway, and tomorrow I have to go to the Jericho Walls to install Soundproofing Magic…”

According to Arc, it seemed that they would not have the opportunity to approach my daughter until at least tomorrow.

However, the fundamental problem had not been resolved. After all, the cancer called Samson and Francis was still rooted in the body called the Imperial palace and had not left.

“They… went to the guard barracks, did they?”

“Yes. They are guards, even if they were temporarily hired. It’s only natural, but the two of them were assigned to the women’s quarters. They’re still… women, even if they’re big?”

Arc’s face flushed slightly, as if she had momentarily recalled the two’s violent bodies.

A body that even other women couldn’t help but notice… That physique, which could never be achieved through normal training or natural talent, must have been created with some kind of Magic or drugs.

“Arc.”

The sky was already dyed black, and the moon was hanging in the sky, replacing the sun.

An unexpected threat had come to our family, and I had to get myself and my precious daughter out of danger before more time passed.

That was what I had to do as a Father… to protect the last gift my wife had left behind.

That’s why I called Arc. Calming my mind, with a steady voice.

“Yes… Father. What are you going to say?”

Arc turned her head and looked at me. Her face was still full of worry, but her words contained a question.

That was understandable. If I thought about it coldly from Arc’s perspective, I had rushed to the Training ground and suddenly collapsed, and Arc still didn’t know the reason why.

“You must stay away from Samson and Francis… You must not even have a conversation with them, let alone contact them. They are dangerous people.”

Arc looked bewildered for a moment after hearing my words. She seemed to sense that I was serious, but she didn’t seem to fully understand the meaning.

“Dangerous? They’re muscular and have pretty big breasts, but… they’re still people, aren’t they? I didn’t feel like they were subversive when I looked at them…”

“No. They are not just ordinary guards. The reason I collapsed just now was clearly because of the Magic they cast on me.”

I shook my head and strongly denied Arc’s words.

And I was going to make up a reason why I collapsed, to instill hostility and wariness towards them in Arc.

It’s just an assumption… but maybe this is the right answer. There’s no other explanation.

“I don’t know what they’re plotting, but what’s certain is that their intentions are not good, and not for the sake of the Empire or world peace. They are clearly trying to harm the people here.”

Why did it have to be guards?

There must be other ways to enter the Imperial palace. But they infiltrated the Imperial palace just after Sultan issued an order to bring in outside personnel because of the shortage of guards.

And behind Sultan, there is an evil being plotting to throw the Empire into chaos.

This is no coincidence. I can say that with certainty. Everything is intertwined like a net.

“R, really? Father…? Father’s words have never been wrong…”

Arc took a step back with a surprised expression. However, it seemed that a piece of doubt still remained in her, but it was enough to instill wariness for now.

Rather, I would question Arc’s innocence in not even suspecting these people I met for the first time today…

Arc is still at an age where she needs to learn about the world. I, as her Father, must guide her.

“Arc… Those two don’t use ordinary Magic. They can wield ominous Magic from an unknown source, and they used it to plunge me into confusion and illusion. I rushed to the Training ground because I thought they were trying to threaten you, and my memory has been cut off since then.”

I tell Arc my assumption, which is fictional but at the same time closest to the truth.

“Samson and Francis. I’m not sure what those two did to me, but one thing is clear. They will be a great threat to you too. So… please listen to this Avi’s request.”

“F, Father…”

Arc seemed confused after hearing the conversation that I would never have had under normal circumstances.

The doubt in her eyes gradually faded.

“They were temporarily hired under Sultan’s orders, and they used their influence to get my permission to become members of the Empire. If I rashly raise questions, I will incur Sultan’s wrath.”

I speak calmly again. To rationally convince Arc that I have not come to a conclusion recklessly.

For a moment, I almost blurted out the idea of escaping from the Empire, but I had decided to talk about it after the preparations for the escape were roughly in place.

“Their Scent. That is, their body odor, including sweat, seems to bring pleasure to humans and reduce hostility. So, as I said before, you must never go near them and even have a conversation with them.”

“T, then my senses were manipulated…”

The possibility is low, but I don’t have the certainty that it didn’t happen.

Yes. This is enough to instill hostility towards Samson and Francis in Arc.

“The possibility is generally low, but it is undeniable that Scent is related to the mind.”

“Really, really!?”

Arc was unintentionally surprised.

She had withdrawn her suspicious gaze, but she finally seemed to understand that there was a suspicious atmosphere.

“Yes. I, Patient Forbidden, the chief physician, am sure of it.”

“Hoo… I understand. Father.”

And finally, Arc opened her mouth and let out a sigh.

“I’ll keep my distance from them for the time being. But I will see with my own two eyes who the really dangerous people are.”

It would have been better not to get involved in the first place…

But it’s enough to have this much suspicion and wariness.

Besides, she said she would only watch from afar. That point was even more commendable.

“Hoo…”

I also let out a sigh of relief at Arc’s answer.

At least she said she would keep her distance from them… That alone was reassuring.

“Samson and Francis. We must find out what the two of them are hiding. Leave that to me. Arc. It’s good for you to observe, but keep in mind that not getting involved is the top priority… Keugh…”

Just as I was about to get up from the bed after saying that, I felt a slight pleasure disguised as pain all over my body again.

“F, Father…!? A, are you okay? It’s not time to rest yet…”

“I’m… okay. I’m, I’m okay.”

I am ready to do anything to protect Arc, the last connection with my precious wife, and for the peace and protection of our family.

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