Abduction 2. Crown Controversy (1)

Most of the people sitting in the office looked tired, but the atmosphere of the space was bright. The coming kingship and the composition of the cabinet to support the kingship were in the final stages. The ministers looked at Count Agon as if looking at a ray of light in the darkness. He led the meeting, proposed suitable personnel, and neatly filled the vacancy of the state affairs meeting, where many major ministers were sacrificed.

“Now then, let’s move on to the last agenda for the day.”

The reaction of the first princess and the next king, Michel Loire, was not much different. It is difficult to understand what a king is and what is the responsibility of carrying a nation as a whole, but it was not the least of the hardships to properly cram the task of running state affairs into one’s head. In the meantime, the existence of Count Agon, who is in charge of most of the big and small affairs of the palace, is inevitably reassuring. Michelle looked at Count Agon. Michelle continued to speak in a powerful voice, as if she had gained courage from her upright appearance.

“The inauguration is approaching. I want to ask if the related preparations are going well.”

The ministers of the Treasury nodded confidently. Regardless of you, the ministers rushed to report on the preparations.

“Enough. It’s not flashy, it’s not long since the infighting has ended, so it’s solemn. But it will definitely show that a new era is opening.”

“The budget necessary for event planning and non-public activities has also been completed.”

“Thanks to the cooperation of the wizards, the reconstruction of the palace was able to be completed quickly. It’s probably an unspoken request to help rebuild the Magic Tower.”

At the word magic tower, Michelle’s forehead wrinkled.

“I think it’s too early to discuss rebuilding the Magic Tower. It is not too late to discuss after reestablishing the hierarchy between the magicians and the royal palace.”

“but… majesty. Even if it’s to prevent them from exile in other countries… .”

bang.

Michelle slammed the desk and covered her mouth instead of protesting.

“Ministers, don’t make any more statements defending mages. I will consider it a request from the wizards.”

exile? It was funny. It has been a long time since the palace has already brought talented people who will lead the future development of magic into the palace. And if you don’t establish a proper hierarchy between wizards and the royal palace, the wizards will one day try to rise to the top of the country again. Seeing Michelle’s sharp eyes, instead of mentioning the magician, Daeshin rolled his tail and bowed his head.

Michelle, who moderately subdued the minister, began reviewing the preparations for the inauguration ceremony again.

“Is Count Agon managing the seal of the kingdom, the crown, and the royal scepter?”

Ray Agon nodded slowly. Michel seemed proud of seeing through the demands of ministers and trying to correct the national standard.

“Yes. All items related to the national emblem are currently under the direct management of God. Speaking of which, let’s check the things that will be used for the coronation ceremony. id?”

During the brief break between the disappearance of Id, a servant belonging to the secretary’s office, the count continued to tell Michelle about the attitude he should have as a king.

“Your Highness, it is an extension of education, but you should treat it as if it were the body of the country. Remember why the theft of the Seal of the Seal had such a huge impact in the empires of the past.”

“I will listen carefully, Count.”

“After the upcoming coronation ceremony… ”

“Count!”

At someone’s cry close to screaming, Count Agon’s eyes met Michelle’s in an instant. Michelle put on a look as if she didn’t want to imagine what had happened, and Count Argon and she simultaneously turned their heads in the direction of the voice. Id, who went to find the director, was running around with a bluish complexion because he was tired of turning white.

“What’s going on?”

Count Agon’s hard voice and Id’s cold sweat all over his body seemed to sum up the whole situation. The eyes of all ministers and Michelle who participated in the state affairs meeting were focused on Id. Even if he wasn’t, he was a weak person, but Id became like he was about to pass out at any moment under the gaze of the ministers.

“Can’t you tell me!”

At Earl Agon’s prompting, Id swallowed dry saliva several times before speaking.

“The crown, the crown… !”

—

“… what is that again?”

“Senior, it’s a scorpion between the Count and His Highness.”

Headquarters of the 1st Guards, Escort Knights. Maxim looked at Id, who explained the situation in a trembling voice, and put on a dumbfounded expression. Christine bruised Maxim, but as if she was also embarrassed, she was smiling hard with only one corner of her mouth raised.

“So, I went to look for a crown to be used for the coronation ceremony on Count Agon’s orders, but when I opened the safe, the crown was gone, right?”

Dennis summed up the situation. Id shook his head and shook his head. Charlotte sighed loudly.

“And His Highness told us to search for the crown.”

“Yes, yes.”

This time, except for Charlotte, the other three sighed at the same time. For the time being, I expected that we would spend quiet and peaceful days without any major incidents, but it happened again after a while since the civil war ended. Dennis pressed his temple and turned his head to Maxim.

“It’s a big deal. To think that an incident like this happened right before the coronation ceremony… What should I do?”

Dennis’ voice seemed to overflow with worry. I wouldn’t know if it was something I could use my body for, but I wasn’t too confident about having to roll my head like this.

“I have to do something. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to mobilize all of the 1st escort… Well, it’s not like you can’t just take it from the beginning, so you’ll have to figure out the situation first.”

Maxim saw Id. Id was frightened by the knights’ glances and gestures and shook his shoulders. Maxim shook his head slightly in pity.

“First, could you guide me to where the crown was?”

“All right.”

Id nodded vigorously and left the seat. It must have been that he wanted to escape from the intimidation of the knights as soon as possible. The four knights of the 1st Guards looked at the messenger’s back and each sighed with concern.

Upon arriving at the palace, Count Agon greeted the knights with a face as if they were 5 years older. I don’t know if it’s from fatigue from official duties, or from the shock of having the crown stolen. Maxim looked at Count Agon, who explained the situation in a weary voice.

‘Maybe it’s both.’

“The crown, along with the royal scepter and seal of the kingdom, was kept in a room that kept the treasures of the kingdom. Until the coronation ceremony, I tried to take care of it properly, but… This must be all my negligence.”

The Count pushed against the wall on one side of the hallway. A door hidden in the wall rattled, revealing a dark hallway. At the end of the light from the lantern Count Agon held up, his pupils shimmered.

“This way.”

Count Agon held out his lantern in front of him. Should I say the national treasury? The room where the country’s most valuable items were stored remained undestroyed even during the war. While the three knights looked at their pupils in amazement, only Christine was staring at the doorway of the vault with a surprised expression.

“… It’s simple, but it’s got a really tangible magic. It would be much better than standing up and guarding people.”

“Do you feel that way?”

At Count Agon’s question, Christine nodded.

“As it is the place where the director of the bureau is kept, it is natural that it should be stronger than any other place, but… Even if you think about it, it’s really high-level magic.”

When Christine finished speaking, she took a strange breath.

“By the way… Is there anyone who stole the crown through such powerful magic?”

Christine was about to walk toward the door, but stopped. Christine’s face was pale in the glowing light of the lantern, perhaps from a terrible imagination. Maxim looked at her expression and approached her with concern.

“what’s the matter?”

“… Warlocks.”

Silence descended upon Christine’s slightly confused words. Dennis frowned, Charlotte bit her lip, and Maxim’s expression hardened. Count Agon seems to have maintained his composure, but he couldn’t stop the dark shadows from forming on his face. When everyone in the palace was trying to erase and forget the traces of Leon Benning, the darkest shadow of them all tried to grab their ankles.

“There are some guys we haven’t caught yet. Those who are so talented. They are the only ones who can pass the defenses here.”

Christine explained in a serious voice. The light of the lantern flickered like the ominousness of Christine’s words. Christine turned her head inward.

“I don’t have any confirmation yet… Let’s hurry and get inside. I think I need to take a closer look.”

“Okay. Let’s go quickly.”

At Christine’s urging, Count Agon answered with a rare trembling voice.

“Is His Highness all right? If, by any chance, the black magicians really invaded the palace, we must increase the guards and drastically increase the number of escorts attached to Your Highness.”

“It’s fine. Above all, Captain Hugo Berne is by your Highness’ side. Who would think of trespassing on His Highness’ residence?”

Count Agon dismissed the possibility, but Dennis only hardened his face even more seriously at the count’s answer.

“Attach someone to accompany you to your residence. It would be a good idea to enlist the Knights of the Ravens in this investigation as well. If possible, cooperate with the adventurers to defend the palace… .”

“I get it, I get it. I promise to do the best I can.”

Count Agon reluctantly accepted Dennis’s proposal with a slightly uneasy voice.

“But you can’t reinforce your defenses too obvious. When a new era opens, you can’t create a disturbing atmosphere. It is necessary to instill in the people of the court the idea that the shadows of the past have been completely washed away. This is just as important as practical defense.”

“All right. But at least, as much as Your Highness… .”

“I will call Captain Theodora. With her, you can safely entrust Her Highness with escort.”

When even Theodora was mentioned, Dennis nodded and kept his mouth shut. A subtle awkwardness pervaded the aisle, and Dennis and Charlotte glanced at Christine.

“Seniors, why are you looking at me?”

said Christine impatiently. No matter who heard it, it was a very uncomfortable voice. Dennis swallowed dryly and shrugged awkwardly.

“No, what… .”

Dennis’ gaze turned to Maxim. “Please, don’t spark this way,” Maxim wished earnestly in his heart, but he had no choice but to accept Christine, who had grown thorns. Maxim lowered his head and spoke to Christine, who strode forward.

“… what is it.”

“Shut up, old man.”

“yep.”

Maxim let out a deep sigh. Christine has also accepted the fact that she shares Maxim with other women, but has yet to openly say that she’s okay. Should I say it feels like seeing a puppy that was accidentally hit on the head while playing around? Christine’s imaginary ears and tail seemed to droop as she walked along.

“Come on, let’s start the investigation. Be sure to ask for permission before moving or touching anything here.”

After arriving at the center of the pupil, Count Agon spoke to the knights as if to soothe them. In a different sense from the theft case, the frozen atmosphere was at least relieved, and the party nodded with tension on their faces again.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Christine closed her eyes and sensed the magic of space, while Maxim, Dennis, and Charlotte searched the room. Count Agon was watching them quietly, and time was passing as he was just looking around the room. Christine would sometimes frown or let out a sigh as if she sensed something, and each time the knights couldn’t help but stare at Christine without even realizing what was going on.

-It’s been about an hour since I started searching like that. Dennis sighed, straightening his aching back.

“I have no clue… In the first place, I wonder if someone with the guts to break into a place like this and the skills to get out unnoticed would have left a mark.”

Dennis muttered, and Charlotte frowned.

“Don’t give up already, just look for it.”

“… Okay. But really, if there’s nothing, we’d be wasting our time here.”

At that time, Christine shook her head, finished her search, and joined the conversation.

“I really don’t know. I don’t even feel any remnants of magic. To the point where I wonder if it was stolen… .”

At Christine’s conclusion, silence hung over the space. Count Agon, who had been silent, rubbed his chin and finally opened his mouth.

“Then let’s do this.”

As the gazes of the knights gathered, Count Agon let out a small sigh.

“Dennis, Sir Charlotte asks for the security of the palace then. Maxim, Sir Christine, I beg you to guard this place.”

“… Are you saying that the culprit will return to the scene?”

Maxim nodded in agreement with Christine’s words.

“With so many rare items, you have to think it’s strange that only the crown is missing. It is certain that we must protect this place.”

Count Agon clapped his hands and clashed.

“Then, now that the conclusion has been reached, let’s move on again. If you need something like a meal shift or a bathroom, make sure that Sir Maxim and Sir Christine come out alternately. Please take good care of this place until I come back. He’ll probably be back around dawn or tomorrow morning.”

With his horse, Count Argon took Dennis and Charlotte out of the vault. Maxim and Christine looked at the three as they left, then at each other in disdain, then started staring at the wall of the room again.

—

‘… Did I just pretend to be pouting?’

how much time has passed again There was not much conversation in that void. Christine looked back at Maxim, blaming herself for her actions. Maxim was still cautious of himself. Should I keep an eye on it? If I knew we would be together like this, we would just talk like we normally do. Christine shook her head. If she goes outside for a while and then returns to her usual, bright appearance, the awkward atmosphere will ease a little.

Christine stretched exaggeratedly and looked back at Maxim.

“Senior, aren’t you thirsty?”

Maxim blinked, then smiled and shook his head.

“I’m okay. If you want to rest outside for a while, go.”

How quickly he realizes his ulterior motives. Christine smiled as if she knew but didn’t know and walked away.

“… I know. There are only a few hours left until dinner time, so I’ll be right back.”

Maxim looked at the blond sorceress as she disappeared with a cute trot. I should have heard the door open and disappear, but I didn’t hear it in the hallway even after a long time. As Maxim leaned down the aisle, furrowing his eyebrows in a strange way, he heard Christine’s panicked voice.

“Stop, senior.”

“what’s the matter?”

Maxim was fully prepared. Perhaps something had happened, Maxim’s body, which tried to move quickly, froze at Christine’s next words.

“The door won’t open.”

what is that again