Neoris, the senior, seemed a bit紧张 as she began to speak hesitantly.
“Umm, first of all, there’s not much information even if we limit the scope to the Academy and its surroundings. The conclusion is that there is only one procession scheduled.”
Upon hearing her words, my eyes twinkled with interest.
The statement that there was only one meant that all possibilities had been thoroughly investigated. Indeed, in the short span of a few days, she had done her best.
Naturally, a follow-up question escaped my lips.
“Only one?”
“Yes, only one. It’s the procession that traditionally takes place during the Academy’s annual ‘Return Festival.'”
At the mention of the ‘Return Festival,’ it struck me like lightning.
Ah, I’d forgotten.
After the final exams at the Academy, there’s about a two-week break until the grades are announced.
Following the announcement of the scores, the students gather in groups and form a procession that marches through the city from the Academy, an event known as the ‘Return Festival.’
This marks the official end of one semester at the Academy.
It’s a ceremony with many meanings.
Once the grades are released, those who have failed are also announced. These students must then leave the beloved Academy and return home in solitude.
Thus, it serves as a final opportunity for the failed students and their friends to reminisce about their Academy days. Moreover, it’s the day when the top students from each department reveal themselves to the public.
Because of the significance of this event, it’s a principle that not only the students but also many professors participate. The route from the Academy to the city center is a major thoroughfare.
Though one might call this procession a ‘train,’ the reason I didn’t immediately connect the letter I received with the Return Festival was justified.
Even if it were the Dark Cult, it would be unimaginable for them to attack such a formidable procession taking place in such an open space.
With literally thousands of Academy students and professors participating in the march, it could hold its own even against an army.
To attack a procession of this magnitude would naturally require an overwhelming force, and this wasn’t simply a question of possibility or impossibility.
Rather, the question was whether it was worthwhile.
If Neoris’s information was correct, then the ‘Eye of the Dragon’ mentioned in the letter must hold a value comparable to that required force.
As my gaze deepened, Neoris hurried to continue.
“Additionally, there’s no solid information on any caves. The only noteworthy thing is that some unidentified burrows have recently been discovered on the outskirts of the city.”
“What about their size?”
Neoris, as if trying to read my intent, glanced briefly into my eyes. Realizing something, she answered promptly.
“Not large enough for a person to enter.”
She had keen perception, yet I still had to click my tongue in disappointment.
According to the letter’s content, something had evidently happened between me and the sender inside a certain cave.
Therefore, the cave mentioned in the letter should at least be large enough to accommodate a person.
There would be no need to consider caves too small for a person to fit.
My expression grew serious again because I couldn’t find any meaningful clues about the ‘cave,’ which seemed to be an important piece of information.
Neoris noticed my discomfiture and appeared increasingly nervous.
Of course, it wasn’t entirely her fault. If I had given her more specific criteria, the search could have been more efficient.
Realizing this belatedly, I added conditions.
“Find caves large enough for a person to enter. And not just newly formed ones—look for any hidden or public caves.”
“…As you wish.”
Neoris bowed her head without a word, completely acquiescing to my command.
She now resembled one of my subordinates. Whether her deference was genuine or not was up for debate.
I couldn’t read her expression as she bowed her head.
Still, she moistened her dry lips with her tongue before delivering what seemed to be the final and most important piece of information.
“And regarding the ‘Eye of the Dragon’… ”
Her speech suddenly halted.
I wasn’t sure why at first, but as time passed, I understood.
It was the sound of someone approaching.
Despite their caution, neither Neoris, who belonged to the Intelligence Department, nor my recently heightened senses could be deceived.
Two people. Neoris went further, deducing their identities.
“…It seems to be Her Imperial Highness, the Fifth Princess, and her royal guard.”
The Fifth Princess was Shi-en, and her royal guard was undoubtedly the knight Airen.
Both had ill-fated connections with me.
Honestly, I didn’t harbor any personal animosity toward them, but currently, my relationship with the princess was adversarial. The awkwardness of meeting them remained unchanged.
Neoris stared at me, as if asking for instructions.
Even without her asking, I knew there were only two choices.
Should I reveal the character mark of the dragon’s blood and explain my identity? Or should I deceive and move on?
I pursed my lips and fell into deep thought.
The former was a way to immediately resolve all these problems.
If I revealed the character mark and explained that all the incidents of that day were for the princess’s sake, misunderstandings would be resolved, and the swords pointed at me would retract.
However, the former choice carried two significant concerns.
Firstly, the more people who knew I held the character mark, the more dangerous it became—for me.
Particularly, the princess was perilous.
Unlike Neoris, she had the direct authority to consult the emperor without going through official reporting channels.
Moreover, according to the letter, I had endured misunderstanding and condemnation without a word until the last moment—why?
It was reasonable to infer that there was a valid reason for my silence.
While I was lost in this contemplation, Neoris prompted me.
“If you’re spotted with I-an, your true identity might be questioned. Should we move out of sight before it gets any closer?”
“It’s too late.”
I replied flatly.
My instincts told me that the approaching figures had already zeroed in on our direction.
Attempting to hide would only raise suspicions further.
Neoris, her eyes wide with doubt, asked me again.
“But if the Fifth Princess and I-an’s clear association with the News Department becomes this public…”
“We’ll give them a reason.”
Even without being the Emperor’s emissary, there must be a reason compelling enough for the News Department to side with me.
Neoris’s face froze in bewilderment as I asked her,
“Neoris, are you good at screaming?”
“What? What do you mean…?”
Just then, the presence of the princess and her royal guard was right outside.
Neoris panicked and urged me.
“I-an! We must hide immediately…”
“Neoris.”
At the exact moment when the princess and the royal guard carefully emerged from the bushes,
The sound of an axe biting into flesh spread.
Neoris’s eyes bulged in shock, emitting a terrifying scream.
“Yy, Kyuh, Kyaaaaaa!”
The woman tottered, falling to her knees, her eyes now full of vivid fear.
Dropping to one knee, I met her gaze.
“…Didn’t I tell you not to question?”
Recalling the words I spoke before, Neoris’s face paled.
She bowed as if forgetting that anyone could see her, her trembling voice breaking as it emerged.
“Pl-please forgive me…”
It was an excellent performance.
I secretly smiled in satisfaction.
Neoris’s acting ability was truly exceptional. It looked as if she genuinely feared me.
Even though I had signaled her before striking with the axe, aimed only to damage cartilage, not pierce deeply.
I decided internally to raise my estimation of Neoris; she was worth frequent collaboration.
*
Neoris struggled to suppress her stifled sobs.
The horrifying memories of her past swept through her mind.
She remembered the acrid smell of alcohol poured over her fiery body, the humiliation of bowing her head while drenched in dishwater, and the hatchet that ruthlessly shattered her shoulder joint.
Neoris hated I-an.
She never wanted to see his face again.
No, she wanted to kill him.
Though she wished to assassinate him, I-an was the holder of the character mark, and rebellion was impossible for Neoris.
This reality filled her with a profound sense of helplessness.
Neoris genuinely hated I-an.
