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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The Third Strategy Meeting
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“Excellent!”
Werner clapped his hands, lightening the mood. He seemed to notice that, unintentionally, two grown men were cornering me.
“Then, shall I explain the details?”
“Yes, please. What did you mean earlier when you said it seems the warlocks have resumed their activities?”
This was what I was most curious about. I needed to know just how much Tristan and Werner had figured out.
“It’s just as I said. We’ve found several traces indicating that warlocks are once again active on this continent.”
“But… that’s impossible. After the Holy War three hundred years ago, all the warlocks were imprisoned on a remote island.”
*Though there are exceptions, like me…*
Tristan furrowed his brow slightly and replied.
“That was true. But the situation is quite different now, isn't it?”
The continent had recovered quickly, and over several generations, the sorrow of three hundred years ago had gradually faded.
The power of the Holy See today was worlds apart from what it was three hundred years ago.
“Ironically, without warlocks, the Holy See is meaningless.”
“The Holy See has been occupying a portion of the Belond Empire’s land for the purpose of defending against warlocks. They and the Empire renew the contract for that land every hundred years, and as it happens, the renewal date is this coming autumn.”
Werner’s explanation began to paint a clearer picture.
“In that case, the Empire is planning… not to extend the contract on the upcoming renewal date.”
“Correct.”
“But… then it makes even less sense. You said you found traces of warlocks on the move, didn't you?”
If there were warlocks, shouldn't they extend the contract with the Holy See? At my words, Werner smiled awkwardly and scratched his cheek.
“That’s the most difficult part… Warlocks are fundamentally identical to humans in appearance, and the remnants of black magic can only be detected by a cleric.”
He took a measuring device out of his pocket.
“This device was also created by the Holy See. So, if the Holy See insists, ‘A warlock has appeared!’, we have no way of verifying it ourselves.”
The situation was indeed complicated.
The Holy See, desperate to prove its worth, would want to invent warlocks even if none existed, and the Imperial Family had no means to determine whether their claims were real or fabricated.
So that’s why these two were investigating the existence of warlocks on their own.
*So they’re not acting because they’ve noticed something about me.*
That was a relief. If they were just worried the Holy See might be fabricating a crisis to secure the contract renewal…
*I just need to play along for now.*
Besides, this was quite useful information.
They didn’t even fully trust the device that tracked the remnants of black magic.
Even if they discovered real traces of black magic, they were more likely to believe it was a fabrication by the Holy See than the work of an actual warlock.
They would want to believe that, anyway.
*This is actually a good thing for us. It means that as long as we don't come into contact with the Holy See, the Imperial Family has no real way of identifying warlocks.*
Unless one was insane enough to use black magic right in front of a priest, it meant there was virtually no chance of being discovered through its remnants.
Just as I was about to let a smirk creep onto my lips, Tristan spoke.
“The most recent traces were discovered about halfway up the Rauden Mountains.”
*Cough!*
I choked, coughing repeatedly. Thankfully, I managed to cover my mouth with my sleeve, avoiding any disrespect toward Tristan.
“Oh my. Are you alright?”
Werner offered me a handkerchief.
“Ah, yes. I was just a bit surprised… The Rauden Mountains aren’t far from here, are they?”
“That’s right. They’re located just west of the capital. The Marquisate of Chambell is just over those mountains, so many people travel through there… It’s a serious problem.”
Right. And the national academy that Andrea attended was in the Marquisate of Chambell.
“...My younger brother often travels through there. He commutes to the academy. Are you saying traces of black magic were found there?”
“Ah, not to worry. The Capital Guard is paying special attention to that commuting route. The place where the traces were found is some distance from the path.”
Of course it was, since I’d driven the carriage up a rough mountain trail as a shortcut!
“Even so, you must be very worried.”
There was no one in the empire who didn’t know how much we siblings doted on our youngest. They seemed to take my concern as part of that, showing no signs of suspicion.
“However, as I said, we’ll need to investigate further to know for sure if they are truly remnants of black magic.”
*They’re real…*
“But when we went there ourselves, the device flashed red and whined loudly. Whatever it was, it seems the traces of a powerful spell were left behind.”
*Because I made three zombies…*
Werner deliberately lowered his voice to a chilling tone, as if to frighten me. But I was already terrified enough without his help.
A cold sweat was trickling down my spine.
“That should be enough of an explanation. And that we’re short on time.”
“Yes, Your Highness. You mean the investigation must be completed by this autumn.”
“Then you may return home and pack your things.”
“Pardon?”
I thought I had misheard.
“We will head to the Rauden Mountains ourselves early tomorrow morning. I want you to visit the site in person and determine if the traces left there are real.”
“But, Your Highness… Tomorrow is a holiday.”
“That is why we are going. If we were both absent on a weekday, would it not arouse suspicion?”
And I was reminded once again: even a benevolent boss is still a boss.
He seemed to have no doubt that I would endure all that trouble for his sake and accompany him to the Rauden Mountains on my day off.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He was right.
***
“We were lucky.”
Werner grinned. It was true; who would have thought they would learn of the Duke’s Daughter’s ability at such an opportune moment?
“The gods must be aiding you, Your Highness.”
“By forsaking the Holy See? If so, they are cruel gods indeed.”
“Your Highness. Someone might hear you.”
The Belond Empire officially recognized Heliosism as its state religion. Although the religious and political leaders were separate, the Holy See’s political interference had not yet completely disappeared.
If Tristan’s words were to reach the ears of the Holy See, they would gladly seize upon them to challenge his legitimacy.
“But isn’t it surprising? To think that the young lady once called ‘the blemish of House Walker’ would possess such an ability.”
Werner recalled the woman who had been sitting across from him just moments ago.
“I thought her un-Walker-like disposition was due to her lack of Divine Grace. It seems to be her natural temperament.”
Thanks to her kind nature, quite a few of the imperial servants admired her. Having observed her up close, she did seem to have a rather gentle disposition.
Sometimes, when she darted her eyes about, he wondered what was going on in that small head of hers. It was like watching a puppy cautiously eyeing a treat.
She hadn't even been able to properly refuse Tristan's unreasonable demand, fretting over it before finally agreeing.
Werner couldn't hold back his laughter.
“It’s rare to see someone like her.”
“One never knows.”
Tristan leaned against the window.
The Emily Walker he had observed was certainly someone who smiled often and spoke to people in a friendly tone.
It must have been humiliating for a Duke's Daughter to work as a scribe in the Imperial Palace. Yet she had followed his orders well, adhering to the principle of mutual respect regardless of status within the workplace.
“There are quite a few stories about her good deeds. Our investigation revealed that she’s kind even to the servants who bring her water. It seems she’s never done anything to earn anyone’s dislike. And she appears to have no political ambition.”
In Werner’s view, that made her the ideal ally. Who would have known the blemish of House Walker could be so useful?
Tristan looked down at Emily’s back as she walked toward her carriage beyond the window.
“A friend to all is a friend to none.”
His gaze grew cold.
“A person who is kind to everyone, in other words, gives their heart to no one.”
“Yes, yes, of course. It seems Your Highness’s suspicious nature makes no exception for the Duke’s Daughter.”
Werner laughed it off lightly.
***
“Alright, then.”
A tranquil darkness settled over the dining table. I met the gazes of my three siblings seated around the table one by one and solemnly declared.
“The third strategy meeting will now commence.”
“I have a question.”
“Questions are to be asked after raising your hand and being granted permission to speak.”
Yulia raised her hand with a sullen expression.
“Now then, let’s begin with the first item on the agenda…”
“You told me to raise my hand!”
“Just because you raise your hand doesn’t mean everyone gets a chance to speak.”
Yulia stared at me in disbelief at my logical rebuttal.
“Seriously, do we really have to do this in such a dark place?!”
She shouted, pointing at the curtains drawn over every window. The single candle, the only source of light in the room, flickered precariously.
“I was going for a ‘dark assembly’ kind of vibe, but I guess it’s not working… Still, isn’t it more comfortable when it’s dark?”
“Do you think we’re vampires?”
“Sorry. I’ve never been a zombie myself.”
There’s just that kind of image, isn’t there? A dark, gloomy gathering you’d associate with warlocks and their minions.
I thought they might be more comfortable this way, but it seemed it wasn’t to Yulia’s taste.
*Swish.* As she pulled back the curtains, the light of the setting sun crept inside.
The yellowish glow fell upon his cheeks, highlighting Edmond’s sharp jawline.
“…I heard what happened during the day.”
News of Isaac’s duel had apparently reached his ears already.
“And that you were away with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Hah. About that, things have gotten a bit complicated.”
I gave them a brief summary of what Tristan had told me.
How I had been caught in the middle of a standoff between the Imperial Family and the Holy See, and how I now had to give up my holiday to act as a black magic detector.
“Is he insane?!”
Yulia shot up from her seat.
“I know, right? To think I’d be dragged into the heart of the enemy camp…”
“Doesn’t that Crown Prince bastard have any decency?! What kind of monster makes you work overtime on a weekend!”
Ah, is that the problem?
I mean, that was also a problem, but I thought we had a much bigger one. I looked over at Isaac.
He wore a rare, serious expression, devoid of his usual smile.
He even patted my shoulder, careful not to let his wrist detach.
“Should we report him to the labor board?”
No, that’s not the issue
