Back to the Past (6)
“what? Suicide?!”
The king jumped up from his seat and shouted. Because there was a report that I didn’t expect at all.
At this, the knight who continued the report nodded while wiping cold sweat.
“That’s right. The fact that he was involved in the rebellion was discovered and we understand that he committed suicide.”
“Then, what happened to the information about the accomplice?”
“I apologize. When we found it, it had already stopped breathing… … .”
“Huh!”
I thought it was a heaven-sent opportunity, but I never thought I would blow it up like this… … .
The king, holding his aching head, sighed and said,
From noble mtl dot com.
“Are there any new discoveries?”
“yes. First, as a result of checking the nobles who were acquainted with Viscount Honoreo, most of them were superficial acquaintances who were not involved in this incident.”
“… … and?”
“In addition, based on the obtained password, we are closely examining the Viscount’s safes found in the mansion.”
“for a moment.”
The king raised his right hand and stopped the knight’s report. His eyebrows twitched as he felt doubts about the conversation.
“You got the password? Didn’t he say he was already dead when he found the viscount?”
“That, that… … .”
The knight, who had been biting his lip in trouble, replied in a crawling voice.
“I have completed the code based on the documents submitted by the First Prince.”
“… … Is that document proof that Viscount Honoreo participated in the mutiny plot?”
“That’s right.”
“It was Prince 1 who found out that he was involved in the rebellion, and it was Prince 1 who brought confirmation about this. The one who gave the clue to the password was the first prince… … .”
“… … .”
Among the Knights under direct control of the royal family, the Argon Knights are in charge of the 3rd Knights. Unlike the Royal Guard Knights who guard the palace and the Sun Knights who fight at the forefront of the war, they were not knights specialized in combat.
What they are fighting for is internal order. It is a kind of investigative team that collects intelligence and moves to enforce justice.
So, what should be embarrassing now should not be the king, but the Argon Knights, who have been working diligently on spying.
“Wasn’t the Argon Knights investigating Viscount Honoreo in the first place?”
“that is… … That, yes.”
“her! He insisted on helping the first prince to punish them, but did he mean that all he did was serve as a maid? It would be fortunate if you didn’t grab the first prince’s ankle like this.”
“… … I have no face.”
“Tsk, that’s it. This time, I trusted Prince 1 entirely and entrusted it to him.”
The knight bowed his head deeply and showed an attitude of reflection. In the meantime, the king’s head was filled with thoughts about the first prince.
‘Allen Esteban. When did you grow up like this… … .’
It reminds me of the memories of the time when I delegated full power.
The day I called the first prince after his self-reflection period was over to inform him of the current situation.
Even while informing them about the nobles who opposed the establishment of the Ministry of Information, they would spare their words as much as possible, hoping that the weak first prince would not be hurt.
but… … .
– Trust me and let me do the work.
As if nothing had happened, the son was smiling coldly while brushing his hair.
Aside from feeling a sense of heterogeneity, I was taken aback by how confident he was.
As if you really expected this situation… … .
Because he asked for it so confidently, he entrusted everything as if possessed, even in recognition of his credit for uncovering the Asus incident.
But what is this?
Less than a week has passed since he delegated full authority over the Asus case.
In that short moment, to solve the problem and come back, there was a degree of greatness.
“What is the public opinion of the nobles?”
“Most of them seem to be trying to save themselves from sparks. Of course, public opinion admiring the abilities of the first prince is dominant.”
“… … is it.”
Public opinion was not bad even though he had already knocked out two nobles. Anyway, to the nobles, only the appearance of leading the way for the country is reflected.
From my father’s point of view, it wasn’t bad, it was a perfect situation.
‘However, if it overflows, it’s not enough.’
The series of purges that have continued since the time of Asus will inevitably create anxiety and fear among the aristocrats.
Especially now that sensitive matters such as the information department are overlapping.
In the end, it didn’t matter how Prince 1 was holding the information.
‘I hope it goes well… … .’
What was on the king’s mind right now was not anxiety about the future.
Between the nervousness of wanting to build a better country and the worries about the son who carries the burden.
Before he knew it, Prince 1 was no longer a weak being who created anxiety in the king’s heart.
“Then what is Prince 1 doing now? Are you finding out any additional information about the ringleader?”
“… … That is.”
This time, the knight who was in trouble in a different sense said, scratching his head.
“The evidence is sufficient, so he told me to take care of it, and withdrew from this. When you say you have work to do… … .”
“… … .”
In an instant, the evaluation of the first prince was about to change again.
* * *
After taking a day off, I immediately summoned Baron Vidor. Then, not long after, the door of the office opened and the baron appeared.
George, who followed as if it were natural, was a bonus.
“majesty. Did you call?”
“hmm.”
“I heard that with Your Highness’ insight, you caught a noble who participated in the rebellion conspiracy. You are so amazing.”
“Looks like rumors have already spread.”
Although it was said for example, it was not wrong because it was all designed.
by the way… … .
He summoned Baron Vidor, but it was George who stood out.
A black suit and a silver chain that deviated from the simple attire of earlier. Even though it didn’t look right, it was definitely an impression that symbolized an aide of a baron-level noble.
I tilted my head at the slightly puzzled situation.
“George is dressed strangely.”
“I’m sorry. Actually it… … .”
Baron Vidor held out the papers in his bosom with a stiff face. At first glance, it seemed that there was a sentence about appointing an aide.
“It’s an aide appointment… … .”
“I decided to follow Your Highness’ will to appoint George as an aide, but I judged that he would not be able to properly carry out his will simply by receiving an education.”
“I appointed you as an aide under you for better practical training?”
“Yeah, yes. Apparently this happened, and if Her Highness is uncomfortable… … .”
“Good job.”
“… … Cancel immediately… … yes?”
Baron Vidor quickly changed into a bewildered expression. I said, putting the papers in the first drawer of the drawer.
“Isn’t that the decision you made with me in mind? Why are you making that face?”
“Ha, but… … 1 How dare you find someone who will become the prince’s aide… … .”
“I prefer situations that will benefit me more than useless ostentation.”
No matter how much the action was done without permission, it can be tolerated if it was right as a result.
Of course, even more so if it was an impeccable judgment like this one.
“Please continue to work hard for me.”
“Wow, I’m sorry.”
“Then let’s get down to business.”
gulp-
My voice lowered as I looked at the calendar on the other side of the office. My mood changed in an instant, and the baron’s neck trembled.
“What is the official schedule for this month?”
“A month from now, a diplomatic delegation from the Commonwealth Empire will officially visit the palace.”
“Right. Have you finally taken the bait?”
Asus, who attempted to assassinate the king and rebel, was no longer called a count.
Also, his family is waiting for the day to die in the prison of the royal palace.
It was an established fact that the Viscount Honoreo would also be like that.
In the midst of that, the strong protest sent to the empire must have been too heavy a topic to pass on. But it wasn’t about them that mattered now.
“What else?”
“There is nothing planned right now.”
“It’s been a month… … It’s pretty short.”
Saliva leaks out without my knowledge.
A month until they come. That time was the only time to prepare for the opaque future.
‘What I know of in the future is when the sequence of events meshes like a cogwheel.’
However, it was already clear that the future would be greatly distorted in the aftermath of my actions.
In particular, killing Count Asus, who was the closest aide to the king and the focal point of the nobility, would not be light.
‘As if there were people who tried to restrict my actions.’
Although I had strengthened my position by showing the image of a righteous royal family, it was only natural that forces against me had arisen in return.
That’s why I had to move steadily from now on and prepare my footing. Even if the pressure of the empire came in, it was a solid foundation that could withstand it.
I said to George, who still had a puzzled look on his face.
“The reason I need you. Can you guess now?”
“… … Well, I think I heard that you bought my job processing ability high.”
“It’s not those superficial reasons I want to hear.”
George flirting with me as if asking why I was asking such a thing. As if he noticed something, he reluctantly nodded and continued.
“Like embezzlement, deceit, or conspiracy. What would you like to do in secret? Just like you showed me this time.”
“hmm.”
“Among them, if it’s what Your Highness wants… … I think it’s about gathering information.”
“Accurate.”
“Now, wait a minute!”
A conversation between the two of us where something progresses at a fast pace. In the end, Baron Vidor, who did not understand the situation, hurriedly joined the conversation.
“What is going on?”
“A secret act? What kind of nonsense is embezzlement?”
Is it out of the blue?
Couldn’t that word come out without a reason? I threw an answer in a nonchalant tone.
“Of course, his abilities are specialized for that kind of thing.”
“Ah, specialized in that kind of thing… … Yes?!”
He grinned as he faced the baron, who was gradually changing into a shocked face.
“Have you not heard yet? The fact that he is a criminal who committed various scams in the guild?”
“Uh, what the hell is that… … .”
“Looking at the reaction, it seems that you didn’t hear.”
Did you voluntarily appoint me as my aide without knowing that? I said, patting the baron’s shoulder, who was making a bewildered expression.
“You don’t expect the right education. If the baron family’s budget becomes empty, I will pay it back instead.”
“Ahh!”
Then, the baron shows strange behavior while muttering incomprehensible words such as ‘I was ruined’ or ‘I was tricked’.
Leaving this behind, I approached George.
“Information gathering. That’s the first order I give you. You may use either method.”
“… … Well, I roughly understand what you mean.”
“You seem to be confident.”
At first glance, it seemed like an easy answer, but to me, who already knew his ability and personality, saying that I knew roughly was the most reliable sentence.
“So, what information should I collect?”
“Are you aware of my current situation?”
“I’ve heard that public opinion among the aristocrats has fluctuated after killing Asus.”
“I know you well.”
I nodded and spoke.
“Apart from the idiots we killed this time, there must be people who manipulate public opinion. Let’s get to know each and every one of them.”
“… … Is that the end? At least come with the weaknesses of the nobles… … .”
“I hate giving orders twice. Did I just ask you to find out about that?”
Then he narrowed his brows as if he didn’t like it.
“You look down on me.”
It feels similar. I didn’t doubt that ability, exactly, but I thought it was a lack of experience.
I purposely pushed him with a smirking tone.
“You can think whatever you want. I gave you plenty of time, so you won’t use the acclimatization period as an excuse, right?”
“You may regret that it was useless information.”
It didn’t matter what information was brought in from the beginning.
Even a trivial piece of information he brought could be an important clue to me, who knows the future.
‘It’s just a matter of combining the flow of events.’
That doesn’t mean that the information he brought was useless. Rather, it can be said that it is the most necessary information in the current situation.
The calculations had already been completed.
All of the subsequent actions.
but.
‘… … There must be something that needs to be dealt with before that.’
My gaze fell on George, then dropped.
It was a surprisingly calm gaze.