Ch#187
A few days later, the investigation team returned after securing clues related to the cultists.
According to their findings, rituals worshiper Tiramer were indeed being held regularly on the outskirts of the village.
Furthermore, reports followed suggesting a high probability that the ringleaders were in collusion with the Zram people. In recent months, the volume of logistical trade for certain residents had increased noticeably.
It appeared they had been acting as intermediaries, concealing looted goods before passing them off to Zram people disguised as itinerant merchants.
The investigation team immediately conducted a covert sweep, apprehending those who had colluded with the enemy and locking them in the dungeons of Raedgo Castle. Following a harsh interrogation that included torture, they were able to extract several pieces of information regarding the Zram.
“It seems the raiders have been evading pursuit by dispersing and disguising themselves as peddlers or mercenaries during normal times, only reconvening when they intend to carry out a large-scale raid.”
Baredon spoke as he ascended the stairs leading from the underground torture chamber, tossing aside his blood-stained gloves.
“They seem to have informants spread throughout the East. I’m told there are even three individuals within Kalmor cooperating with the Zram.”
“Did you get the names of the informants?”
Lucas asked half-heartedly, slumping in a stiff wooden chair as he flipped through a bundle of parchment documents.
Baredon shrugged.
“Two of them. One is a wool merchant named Tarnek, part of the woolen goods guild, and the other is an apothecary named Silvar. They don’t seem to know the identity of the third one.”
“Ha! And you believe that?”
“Seeing as they held out until their finger bones were completely crushed, it seems to be the truth.”
Baredon let out a sigh, massaging the back of his stiff neck with one hand.
“Well, anyway, finding two is enough. Now we just have to bring them in and make them talk about the date and location where the raiders will gather. Then we can wait for the right moment to wipe them all out at once… By the way, what have you been looking at so intently?”
Baredon frowned and leaned over his shoulder to peer at the parchment. His expression turned to one of bewilderment when he saw the portrait of a woman drawn in silverpoint on the yellowed paper.
“What’s with the drawing?”
“These are the candidates for my future fiancée, sent over by my dear elder brother.”
Lucas spoke petulantly, tilting his chair back and rocking it to and fro.
Instantly, a delighted smirk played on Baredon’s lips.
“His Grace the Grand Duke certainly never lets things drag on. With this kind of momentum, the Sheikan family will be celebrating a grand occasion soon, won’t they?”
“You’d best hide those teeth before I crush your face.”
The young man, who had been grinning, immediately tucked his lips in at the growled threat.
Glaring at him with an annoyed gaze, Lucas irritably flipped the portrait over. This time, the face of a girl with a round face and large eyes appeared.
Recognizing the person, Baredon exclaimed in a welcoming voice.
“Oh, it’s the lady of the Kalihof family! She’s a lady famous for being incredibly kind and deeply devout. Her age seems appropriate, too… She seems like a perfect match for you, young master.”
“I’m not into women who look all soft and round like this.”
Responding indifferently, Lucas flipped the parchment again.
Baredon tilted his head.
“Then what kind of woman is your type?”
“A woman with fair skin and a slender neck.”
He replied dismissively while closely examining a drawing of a woman who looked somewhat strong-willed, but then he felt a strange gaze on him.
Lifting his head, Lucas met Baredon’s peculiar expression and furrowed his brows.
“What? What’s with that look?”
“No, it’s just… with those criteria, I feel like you’d only find a spouse among the Ossirian nobility.”
Baredon spoke evasively, a faint, awkward laugh escaping him.
Lucas replied in a flat tone.
“I’m just saying that’s my preference. Realistically, marrying a daughter from an Eastern family is the best course of action.”
“Well… that would certainly be more helpful in strengthening internal solidarity.”
The problem was that among the daughters of suitable families, there wasn’t a single one who caught his interest.
Clicking his tongue, Lucas flipped through the portraits before finally standing up. He felt like using them as kindling for a fire, but he held back, fearing the repercussions.
For now, it was best to at least pretend to follow his brother’s wishes on the surface.
He rolled up the bundle of parchment, stuffed it into the pouch hanging from his belt, and walked briskly out of the barracks. Then, he issued instructions to Baredon, who was following behind.
“Assemble the investigators immediately and have them keep a strict watch on the apostates. Tell them to be extra careful so the criminals don’t catch wind of anything and flee.”
“And what about you, young master?”
“I have to go report the findings from the interrogation to my brother.”
Lucas replied with a troubled face and turned to head down the stairs.
By now, Barkas would likely be in the conference room, locked in a heated debate with the lords of various regions over the reorganization of the guards throughout the East.
Actually, this worked out well. He would just leave the report with the squire waiting in the office and make a quick exit.
He strode along the passage atop the inner castle wall. Just then, a shrill voice reached his ears.
Inadvertently casting his gaze below the railing, Lucas stopped in his tracks when he spotted Talia and Laina facing off on the path leading to the garden.
As if fueled by immense rage, Laina was snapping in a sharp voice, while the Dire Wolf bared its teeth at her. Seeing this, the guards rushed to stand between the two.
After a moment of palpable tension, the Grand Duchess, glaring at Laina with eyes as cold as ice, soon led the wolf away in the opposite direction.
Having watched the scene with bated breath, Lucas finally ran down the stairs.
“Laina!”
His younger sister, who was heading toward the inner gate as if going to the stables, looked back.
Lucas signaled the soldiers to step back for a moment, then grabbed his sister’s wrist and moved to a secluded spot.
“What did you say to sister-in-law?”
“Is that why you stopped me? To ask that?”
Laina let out an exasperated laugh as she roughly wrenched her wrist from his grip.
Lucas looked down at his sister with a stern gaze.
“I told you to stop picking fights with her at every turn. Whether you like it or not, Talia Roem Sheikan is the Grand Duchess of the East. Why don’t you realize she could make things very difficult for you if she really wanted to?”
“You’re talking as if you’re actually worried about me.”
Laina sneered spitefully.
Lucas flared up, his voice rising.
“Of course I’m worried about you! Who else would I be concerned about if not you?”
The smile vanished from Laina’s lips as she stared at him with a strange look. Feeling his face grow hot for some reason under her gaze—as if she were looking right through him—Lucas looked away.
“Anyway, don’t go looking for trouble for no reason. There’s already a mountain of headaches to deal with…”
“Don’t act like you and Brother are the only ones who care about this family.”
Laina’s voice suddenly took on a sharp edge.
“I worry enough about the East too.”
“Then stop causing unnecessary problems and—”
“The one causing problems isn’t me, it’s that woman!”
Laina’s reddish-brown eyes flashed as she glared at him.
“Why don’t you see that witch is the root of all our problems! Everything has been a mess since she arrived! On top of that, she brought a monster like that into the castle and is causing all sorts of strife, so why are you only blaming me…!”
He hurriedly covered his sister’s mouth.
“Please, Laina! Do you really not know what will happen if this gets back to Brother?”
“Let go!”
Laina pushed him away roughly with her arms, which were toned from horse riding. She then gritted her teeth, shooting him a venomous look.
“Do you think I’m doing this simply out of spite? I only questioned her because she was acting suspiciously!”
“Sigh, what kind of baseless accusation is it this time? Just stop…”
“I’m telling the truth!”
Laina fumed.
“Do you have any idea how many times I’ve seen that woman sneak out of the castle at dawn? She’s definitely up to something suspicious every night. The death of that healing sorceress is suspicious, too! On the day that mage disappeared, that woman snuck out of the castle with her wolf!”
He looked down at his sister with a skeptical eye.
Every entrance to Raedgo Castle was strictly sealed at dusk. Not even a mouse could slip out without the permission of the night watch. How on earth could the Grand Duchess be going in and out of the castle?
“If that’s true, why hasn’t anyone besides you seen her leave the castle?”
“That’s…”
Laina’s eyes darted around as if she were conflicted, but she soon fell silent.
Lucas let out a long breath.
“Stop with the groundless slander. You’re an adult now. How long are you going to keep acting like a spiteful child?”
At his somewhat annoyed words, his sister’s slender face froze coldly. Glaring at him with bloodshot eyes, Laina abruptly turned around.
“Think whatever you want.”
She then passed through the inner gate and crossed the training grounds.
Lucas, watching her retreating back as if rooted to the spot, roughly ruffled his hair.
