Episode 111. ceryl (4)

“You are thorough.”

After several hours of searching through the forest, Seryl and the assassins hadn’t found the remains of the wardens, let alone a piece of clothing.

“I think I heard that wardens carry hunting guns. Fail, can’t you even find bullets?”

“I understand that the silver bullets used by the Wardens completely melt after a certain period of time after they are triggered.”

“Then, as expected, we need to find the body that must have been buried somewhere.”

Kegar, who was watching the search site with Seryl, said.

“The Wardens treat darkness like space magic. You can pull out or stow their armor in the shadows. Surviving wardens may have gathered and kept all the bodies and personal belongings of the dead in it.”

“To keep the corpse in the shadows and carry it… ?”

“It is said that the darkness they cast is Esca’s arms, so the corpse will not rot inside it, and it must be a space with a deep meaning to the extent that the body of a colleague is stored there.”

“Hmm… . Okay. It’s a little annoying, but I still have plenty of time.”

Seryl, who still did not reveal herself in the carriage, confirmed again with Kegar.

“Didn’t you say that the wardens who had infiltrated the study of mana reduction theory never sought cooperation from the Empire or received permission to investigate?”

With only the report that the Dipels raided the Caldera Lab in groups, even Obama would not have been able to understand why they were aiming for the biggest celebration of the Imperial mages.

“Even though he said that Dippel and vampires should be viewed as completely different beings, you can tell by looking at the fact that he entrusted the investigation of the first tower to me, who hates vampires.”

Obama knows nothing about the true meaning of mana reduction theory.

You don’t know why the Dipels were near the Caldera Lab, or why I mentioned vampires in the Dipel raid, so you entrusted me with the investigation.

So, from the point of view of the emperor, who had built a solid cooperative system with the different races, it was clear that he thought it almost impossible to blame the damage caused by the dipels to the vampires.

‘but.’

If the bodies or belongings of the guards who trespassed without permission are found at the crime scene… .

Unexpected evidence and claims will drive Obama into a corner, and soon the balance, which has been maintaining a precarious balance, will tip completely.

“If the Wardens entered the laboratory while chasing a group of Dipels, there would be no reason for them to sneak in without asking for the Empire’s cooperation.”

Suspicion of the inspectors who infiltrated the core research institute without permission from the Empire to investigate.

And, if rumors spread in the imperial family that Kiruna’s professors and other scholars were killed by Dipels at the site.

“Vampires whose prestige has already fallen to the point where it will be difficult to escape from the suspicion that the increase in the number of Dipels is due to the vampires looking after them. The vassals will strongly insist on taking revenge on Esca Castle for ruining one of the most important festivals in the Empire… . At that time, even Obama won’t be able to wrap around vampires anymore.”

Tomorrow at noon, when the observers arrive here.

If public opinion can be swayed by evidence that the Observers have been infiltrated, anyone who dares to interfere with my research will fall into the hands of the Empire.

Because of that, Seryl had to secure the bodies and belongings of the wardens who had infiltrated today.

“The barrier is intact, and the remaining days are long. Even if the Ian faction, which is under the control of the Imperial Knights, finds out about our plan, there is no way to interfere.”

“You are getting it.”

“But, since there are many eyes around me… . It wouldn’t hurt to give her one last chance to beg for mercy.”

Cheryl ordered Kegar.

“I will directly proceed with the interrogation of those involved in the case. Bring Ian.”

* * *

According to Mel’s story, Cheryl hasn’t been seen in public in nearly 10 years.

She had been secluded in her bed, holding other heirs to the throne in check, and controlling the state of the empire.

The fact that Seryl came out of the imperial palace to solve the case on her own means that research on mana reduction theory is a serious matter that requires breaking her mysticism… .

‘So, why did you do such a reckless thing… . While already having enough power.’

Even when she was still, she was the second-in-command in the imperial family, and the most likely candidate for the next emperor.

No matter how much I thought about it, there was no reason to act so suddenly.

‘As if being chased by something… .’

Following Seril’s will from Kegar, I was taken by two imperial knights and knelt in front of her carriage.

At the place where the bodies of the fallen wardens were collected, the rain-soaked leaves were drying and giving off a scent as if they were near a river.

“Meet the first princess.”

“You are the master of frills. These days, I hear that child’s name often in my ears… . Did your grades go up a lot? I wonder how you kept that distracted kid in the classroom.”

“I just wanted to help Princess Frill’s passion for learning.”

“Anyone would say that… . If I had approached the naive princess and made her stand out as a replacement for me, her head would have been blown off the spot.”

“… .”

Assassins were waiting in the empty carriage, and Kegar was also guarding Seryl’s side.

I was summoned alone for the purpose of interrogation, and it was no different than being surrounded by enemies… .

Seril seemed to have no intention of using unreasonable force in front of the imperial knights who were closely watching me from both sides.

If she had completely taken over the Imperial Knights, I would have lost my life right here.

opportunity remained.

“Every time I hear rumors that Frill forgets his dignity as a member of the imperial family and freely wanders around with commoners, I’m worried that he might be fading the authority of the imperial family, which should shine above all else. It’s nice that the youngest has become interested in magic, but teach her the things you need to protect as a princess.”

“… I will obey your order.”

“yes. Let’s talk about the youngest. Ian, let me ask you directly. Have you had any contact with the Vampire Wardens within this lab complex?”

“… There is not.”

It was fortunate that she was able to come here with some knowledge of her plan, since she was arrested after receiving a report from the guards who were tracking her.

“The moment it is revealed that you lied to me, even if you are favored and expected by the youngest, I shall have the right to sentence you to summary execution. Can you swear to the goddess that you’ve never had contact with the Wardens?”

“I swear.”

“… It’s fun.”

Seril will not be able to directly reveal the reason for finding the warden’s body in front of the imperial knights.

In other words, it means that the previous question has no effect other than giving me psychological pressure.

I was able to fight with her like this and get her to the point.

“Yes, there is no way that a teacher of children in Kiruna would swear falsely to the goddess… . I didn’t doubt you.”

“… .”

“According to Kegar’s report, there are circumstances in this laboratory to suspect trespassing by the guards. I have yet to find any evidence to prove this.”

“… .”

“And, since there may be people who have been in constant contact with them and helped them infiltrate… . I was going to interrogate everyone but you. Don’t worry too much.”

“I understand the will of the princess.”

“yes. Then, I swear to the goddess, I want to get help from you, who said you didn’t help the vampires infiltrate.”

“If I can be of help to the princess, even if it is weak, I will be more than happy.”

“Hmm-. To think that Professor Ian would help so wholeheartedly. My, I want to show this to other vassals who frame you.”

“… .”

“Ian, let’s assume you’re a collaborator who helped the Wardens. Since the knights of the imperial family are blocking all sides, it is impossible to escape, and in the end, it is a situation that is in danger of being caught in my search net and sentenced to death within today.”

“… That’s right.”

“Now, in this situation, how can I conciliate you? I’ll tell you what I think, so tell me your opinion.”

‘… It comes out like this.’

I calmly waited for Seryl’s conciliation.

Seryl looked down at me for a long time as I bowed her head, as if deliberately taking a break, and slowly opened her mouth.

“If you or the other collaborators have a deep bond with the Wardens, we wouldn’t want them hiding here to be captured by the Imperial Knights, subjected to terrible torture, and then eaten by wild dogs.”

“I guess so.”

“Your names will come out of the mouths of the guards during torture, and you will want to avoid facing the same fate.”

“… Yeah.”

“Then, how about making this suggestion to everyone in the hotel? Within an hour, if you provide evidence that the wardens have infiltrated this place, I swear to stop the pursuit… . How about it, is it an attractive proposal from the point of view of a collaborator?”

“Can’t the collaborators who want to hide their identities directly present evidence to the princess?”

“You can suggest that the evidence be placed on the hotel hallway within the agreed time. For an hour, they’ll have guards in the hallways, and they haven’t decided which floor hallways to put them on. In the meantime, just quietly submit the evidence.”

“… If it’s evidence, what exactly are you referring to?”

“A body or a keepsake. As long as you are still in contact with the surviving wardens, their clothing is fine.”

“… .”

“I don’t want to shed any more blood here. Isn’t it a place where too big a tragedy has already happened? The observers will come tomorrow, but there shouldn’t be a bloody smell in the banquet hall.”

She tried to change the location of the performance presentation, but she couldn’t break the pact with Caldera, which was supposed to exchange knowledge once every five years, due to human circumstances.

“Even the enemies will admire the princess’s benevolence.”

“yes. I did not come to avenge the victims. This is to give the emperor a satisfactory explanation of the incident… . If I obtain only the evidence to prove the wardens’ infiltration, the edict given to me will end. After that, the right to move the Imperial Knights will also disappear from me. Could there be any better news for the collaborators?”

I replied in agreement with Meriel’s tongue-in-cheek muttering, “How can you be so shameless?”

“If I dare to give advice to the princess… . No matter how talented the Imperial Knights are, it will be difficult to catch the Wardens hiding in the shadows of this vast forest. Even the collaborators must know this.”

“… under.”

“If the princess professed that there was no conclusive evidence that the guards had infiltrated, they would have no choice but to think that they would hold out until the observers came and the guards had a chance to leave the scene.”

“If they are not truly afraid of me, then you are right.”

To me who kept silent, Seryl spoke in a cold voice.

“Certainly, as you said… . It’s hard to catch the warden with just the knights. It’s not that we haven’t taken measures. The reason I tried to hand over this proposal was because I didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere of the festival any more.”

“… .”

“then… . Why do people fear and revere the monarch? It will be enough if you make me realize where that fear comes from.”