to change the future (4)
The one who called upon returning to the palace was George, who had stayed behind to gather information.
I was curious about what information he had found since he healed his mother, and also because it was for personal reasons.
smart-
“Come in.”
George came in, exuding an air of annoyance, almost at a loss for words.
As expected, his attitude did not change.
As soon as he entered the office, he raised his glasses and said.
“You look different than before.”
The first thing they said about seeing each other after a long time is a floating voice saying that things have changed.
When I looked at him with eyes that I couldn’t understand, he shrugged his shoulders and added an additional explanation.
“It is a story that the prayers felt by Her Highness have changed.”
“Can you tell me that?”
“I’m only half joking. If it was the feeling of a wild beast before, now I feel the atmosphere of a predator waiting for its prey.”
“Hoo.”
Should I say unconscious?
In fact, after absorbing mana in the hiding place, there was a layer of room for action.
It was part of that to try to get information from the assassins who would have killed them all without asking or questioning.
‘Of course, I had no intention of being lenient.’
I wasn’t soft enough to forgive those who took my life.
However, it was true that I took my time in the process of handling this.
“Looks like you have eyes.”
Should I really call her future staff member…? … .
I was already looking forward to how helpful the information he gathered would be.
My thoughts were revealed from the corners of my mouth that slowly rose.
“Then, let’s start reporting soon.”
“yes.”
Then, he took out a piece of paper he had hidden in his bosom.
It was a memo pad, roughly scrawled.
“I have confirmed that some nobles are moving public opinion against Your Highness.”
“I guess so.”
“Twelve just confirmed. Suspiciously, six of the nobles were people who did not have much contact with Asus, the cause of public opinion deterioration.”
At this point, all seven nobles joined Asus.
Excluding Viscount Honoreo, whom I killed, there are six.
The six nobles George had not mentioned were inevitably the remnants of Asus.
I nodded and started reading the note he had written.
– Around 16:00 on May 10th. An attendant of Count Valmons spreads false rumors among the attendants of the palace.
– Around 17:00. The attendant had a secret meeting outside the palace with Viscount Lukinz’s subordinates.
– Sending and receiving suspicious correspondence. After that, they each left their seats after an interval of 10 minutes.
– Around 11:00 on May 11th… … .
The contents are generally listed in chronological order.
It was noticeable that the investigation focused on the forces that aggravated public opinion and whether the order was faithfully fulfilled.
My first thought was this.
“Your handwriting is bad.”
“I remember that His Highness was not formidable either.”
“I will not deny that.”
Bad handwriting anyway.
I didn’t show it, but the notepad I was handed over wasn’t very satisfactory.
On a rather subtle level.
Because it was an area where anyone could do this kind of research.
‘Did I expect too much?’
Come to think of it, the content was just disappointing.
How could a new aide who had just entered the royal palace bring the information he wanted?
It was even more so when it was an investigation of nobles.
‘Still, at this level, the heart attack is enough.’
I leaned against the backrest and put my feet up on the desk.
It was after that that the second notepad was handed over.
“… … This?”
“We questioned the relationship between the six nobles and conducted an additional investigation.”
“Hmm.”
Well, what I wanted in the first place was to draw information by merging it with my knowledge. Because it was just that.
I received the notepad and read it with as much anticipation as possible.
and.
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
The moment I read the first part, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Because it’s so different from what you expected?
Is it because the investigation is at such a pitiful level that you can’t remember what it looked like before returning?
no.
-The six nobles did not usually have any acquaintances, but there are common elements.
-The fact that everyone owns the iron mine in their name, and the fact that they are supplying it to a certain merchant in the capital.
– In order to confirm this fact, he infiltrated the merchant and stole the ledgers.
I could express it in just one word.
“Crazy.”
I’m not insane.
Are you saying you secretly infiltrate that place and bring out the information?
Even if that method was second, it would not be something to be taken lightly if caught.
“I said that you could use any method, but I didn’t even tell you to rob the ledger.”
From noble mtl dot com.
“I had no choice but to proceed with the investigation.”
Admit it.
I was wrong.
No matter how young and inexperienced he was, he was the staff member of the Carrot Federation Empire.
There were still too many things I didn’t know to judge him with my judgment.
‘To think that they would act like this only with the fact that they were supplying goods to the same company… … .’
Eyes that read the flow.
In the process, there must have been George’s touch and conviction that I did not know.
Thanks to that, I didn’t think of going down the corners of my mouth as I read the next content.
-As a result of synthesizing the contents of the ledger, it is certain that the iron ore is in the hands of a certain nobleman.
-It was judged that he probably did not want anyone to know the flow of goods.
-However, since the main ledger was not acquired and all subsequent traces were erased, further tracking was impossible.
The page had been torn to the end of that sentence.
But this was enough. You don’t have to read the back to know.
“Awesome. Thanks to you, I am convinced.”
“What does that mean?”
“About the identity of the forces trying to oppose me.”
I have already organized the dynamics of the nobles based on my memories before returning.
Relationships that take into account all the factors no one knows at this point: politics, business, geography, and so on.
If you had a little bit of physical evidence, did you say you were sure?
Since the physical evidence was right in front of him, it was foolish to act cautiously.
That’s why I had a cold smile on my face.
‘Duke William. Are you aiming for the throne this time?’
Duke William, who was the maternal grandfather of the 2nd prince and held the position of the first person and the first person before Asus ascended to the dukeship.
Unlike before the return, when he had a solid position as the crown prince thanks to Asus, he seemed to be trying to make a fool of himself this time.
I enjoyed this moment with my arms crossed leisurely.
‘It’s interesting.’
By now you should have heard that the assassination failed.
It must have been news that I had been looking forward to, but I couldn’t help but regret it.
Perhaps, due to his personality, the duchy’s artifacts wouldn’t have been left behind.
‘It’s only natural that he moved to keep his mouth shut.’
It was safe to say that there was no need to think about the Assassin’s Guild anymore.
While I was thinking that, a frowning George asked me a question.
“You mean you could figure out the background of the nobles just by looking at this?”
“hmm.”
“… … .”
But I still don’t get it.
Or maybe he thought I was bluffing.
I must have been more confident than anyone else in this field.
“Your research direction was not wrong. The information I brought was also quite useful.”
“It will be so.”
“But in the end, I couldn’t finish it until the end. Why do you think it is?”
There must have been difficulties that prevented the collection of information.
It could be a lack of hands, or the wall of social status could have narrowed the range of action.
However, that was just an excuse to excuse one’s own shortcomings.
“How much do you know about Esteban’s relationship with the nobles?”
“… … .”
“The six nobles are not related to Asus? If so, what do you think is the reason?”
“… … that.”
“The reason is simple. It’s not that I’m not related, it’s that I couldn’t get close to Asus, the center of the King faction.”
The most basic of information collection is determined by how diverse the knowledge oneself has.
For some, it’s conclusive evidence, and for others, it’s trivial chatter… … .
This is literally the realm of ‘basic’.
But what about George?
Even though it is located in the countryside, I picked up a lot of information while working at a merchant.
I was well aware of my ability to grasp the flow, so I was able to penetrate the core with confidence while working on this project.
But that’s all.
“You are only sure of what you see. You could say it covered your eyesight.”
What if he knew a little bit of basic information beforehand?
You might have noticed some opposition that inevitably couldn’t keep close to Asus.
Of course, at the end of that, he would have pointed out the fact that the roots of the six nobles extended from Duke William a long time ago.
The fact that he blindly believed only in his abilities and made mistakes that even beginners would not make.
This was the reason George’s weapon was sublimated into a disadvantage.
“Every situation has an intention. And information always has an axis that runs through it. Why did I have you gather information, now you know why?”
“… … understand.”
“Good.”
I put the notepads in the drawer and raised the corner of my mouth.
This must have been a positive experience for him as well.
I will work even harder to rebuild my shattered pride.
It was possible to kill two birds with one stone, since I was able to accumulate the experience I had intended and learn about the newly appeared enemy.
“The report is over, so go out and see.”
“All right.”
“Until special instructions are given, you will be taught under the Baron.”
“yes. Enough then.”
clap-
“You seem agitated.”
So George left the office with an expression of realization.
It must not have been an illusion that the eyes looking at me were a little distant.
“Well, I’ll take care of myself, so I’m less worried… … .”
Now it was time to take care of personal affairs.
I took out the ring I had tucked away in my pocket.
It was the ring that Baron Vidor had found in his hiding place.
ugh-
“Hoo?”
A guy who is afraid to pick it up and releases the hidden magic power.
Is it some kind of self-protection?
I couldn’t damage my body because it was protected by an aura, but I was interested in a more intense reaction than I thought.
“As expected, it is an ancient artifact.”
Among the most valuable artifacts, the artifacts of ancient mages were of course the best.
Aside from its performance, since it is such an ancient object, its discovery itself is a rare case.
It was probably something the black magicians had arranged for research.
“You were lucky.”
Of course, if you ask if ancient artifacts are unconditionally good, it wasn’t.
On the contrary, in most cases, the performance was noticeably lower than that of modern ones, and artifacts known to have good performance are expensive and rare, so it is difficult even for nobles to see them.
And in that sense, this artifact was different.
“Magical imprint.”
When activated, it is absorbed into the body and strengthens the user, hence the name.
While restoring the user’s physical condition, it also improved the overall physical ability.
Performance that can be said to be subtle in a way.
However, the greatest advantage of the magic imprint was the convenience of not having to activate it cumbersomely because it automatically absorbed mana in the air.
And this was a great advantage enough to try using it even at the risk of the irrationality of not being very effective.
“… … Of course, that is the story now.”
I looked at the ring and smiled lightly.
An anti-magic defense artifact.
The magic imprint was an item whose true value was revealed by a wizard after about 10 years from now.
To be precise, the method of activating the intact ‘imprint’ has been revealed… … .
Until then, it was nothing more or less than an easy-to-use artifact, and it was also true that most of them were treated so poorly that they were consumed for the mages’ research.
‘In the end, even I couldn’t get a good quality magic stamp until the end.’
I smiled and grabbed the ring.
If you look at the transparency of the black marble, it is at least a superior item.
The details would be known only after appraisal later, but at this level, there was nothing wrong with using it right away.
If you really don’t like it, you can dismantle the imprint.
Swoop-
I slipped the ring on my right index finger and flicked it.
A kind of signal to start now that you are ready.
Fortunately, the artifact seemed to understand the user’s intentions.
ugh-
Around the ring, mana in the air began to be absorbed.
activation has begun.
“Oh, indeed.”
It was grandiosely called activation, but in fact, there was nothing to call it a process.
Only the mana absorbed in the atmosphere permeated his forearm, and the only thing he could see was the translucent form of mana being absorbed into his forearm.
… … Unfortunately, that was really the end.
“Is it literally Dragon Head Sami?”
The mana that came into his body was moving organically and covering his whole body before he knew it.
Normally, I would have thought that activation was over at this point, but the real start was now.
Because I haven’t activated the ‘intact’ imprint yet.
where then… … .
I brought the top-notch magic crystal I had prepared in advance to my forearm.
Then, while muttering a simple starter word to activate the imprint, he began to tighten his grip.
“Engrave.”
Clink!
The mana flowing from the magic stone began to cover the forearm where the energy of the ring was absorbed.
If the absorption of courtesy was the process of making a path, now it was the stage of magical coating on it like a tattoo.
And the pain was worse than burning the skin.
“It’s hot.”
There was no way that she wouldn’t feel any pain from channeling magic power through her skin.
However, for me, who had already entered the superhuman stage, it was just a stinging feeling.
So, I sipped the teacup on the desk and waited for the process to finish.
After a while.
-ping!
The ring crumbles into the air, and all activations are finally over.
White light mana was subtly hovering over the geometric tattoo on his forearm, and instructions on how to use the artifact flowed naturally into his head.
This black tattoo was the true form of the magic mark.
… … Let’s see.
My right hand naturally went to the magic tool in the room.
Then, a slight tingling sensation was felt, and the mana flowing through the magic tool instantly faded.
I nodded quietly, seeing the mighty mana I felt in my arm.
“I’m satisfied with the high rating.”
magical obstruction.
It was a unique ability of the magic imprint that could temporarily scatter the target’s magic by consuming the accumulated mana in the tattoo.
In other words, it was said that magic tools such as artifacts could be neutralized.
However, even that cannot be said to explain all of these artifacts.
The more magical energy in the air is absorbed, the higher the rate of assimilation with the imprint, and if synchronization goes beyond a certain level, stronger power will be obtained.
A power that is incomparable to such a temporary disturbance of magical power… … .
“There are more things to be concerned about.”
Swoop-
Before I knew it, my eyes were on the calendar hanging in the office.
Four days remained until the Federation Empire’s delegation arrived.
“wait.”
Not only the Federation Empire and Asus’ gang, but even the enemies within who dared to assassinate me.
Now was the time to reveal the tyrant’s moves in earnest.