As I think back, Arthur’s answer was, of course, expected.
The Dark Cult wouldn’t be caught so easily. Even if they had somehow been discovered, they wouldn’t have dispatched only this level of force.
At the very least, the Empire’s Royal Guard or the Holy Kingdom’s Inquisition should have been involved to justify it.
The danger that had infiltrated even the imperial family was the Dark Cult.
Of course, the Holy Kingdom, which inherently had to distance itself from the Dark Cult, as well as the Empire and the Kingdom of Myths, would want to eliminate any potential risks as soon as possible.
The ability to touch royalty meant, essentially, that there was no one who could not be touched if they set their mind to it.
If I’m not mistaken, the royalty and nobility of the Kingdom of Myths must have been somewhat shaken by this for a while.
Yes, I had anticipated this.
But it was a fact that left me deflated to receive such a straightforward answer.
It seemed Reynolds had a slightly different opinion.
“There wouldn’t be any reason to take useless poor people unless there’s another motive. To put it bluntly, they could establish an orphanage and legally secure free labor by exploiting children.”
“…Lord Reynolds.”
Arthur intervened with a weary voice, but Reynolds merely scoffed.
The conversation had already progressed considerably.
Still, my question remained ongoing.
It was because an overwhelming amount of information had been suddenly given.
For now, I pressed my temples to calm my throbbing head. I needed time to organize my thoughts.
Ultimately, my question was directed at Reynolds.
“Wait, weren’t you here to pick up Senior Elsi?”
“I came for that and also for other matters; otherwise, there would be no reason for me to come to this rural territory.”
So it seemed that the magic troops of the Rainelle Clan were indeed scheduled to be dispatched, and the reason for the dispatch of the higher-ranking Reynolds seemed to be just that.
Only someone of Reynolds’ caliber could subdue Senior Elsi.
But of course, the head of the family, Count Rainelle, couldn’t be away for long.
Having realized this, I could only let out a wry laugh.
It turned out that this was not just a matter involving Senior Elsi. Countless issues were tangled together related to the incident I was investigating.
Whether I should call this a stroke of luck or misfortune.
As I looked confused, Arthur clapped his hands together.
The sound served to refresh the atmosphere yet again.
Arthur struck the conference room table with his weak arms, and even that only made a faint noise.
“……Anyhow! After the monster raid incident at the Academy, His Majesty has felt a great sense of alertness. So, orders were given to investigate any suspicious incidents comprehensively.”
When it came to the Emperor’s orders, no matter how much the Rainelle Clan might resist, they had no choice but to comply.
According to the subsequent explanation, missing persons incidents within the Rainelle territory had become quite rare. For them, there was no need to head all the way to the Percus Manor.
But the fact that the Emperor had taken an interest in this case was the problem.
In a sense, it was merely an incident of unidentified persons gradually disappearing.
From the start, the poor living in the outskirts were not within the management purview. There were limits to what the powers could accomplish.
Nevertheless, now that the Emperor’s command had been issued, it was impossible to process this matter carelessly.
Something must be accomplished.
One reason why Arthur’s complexion was so dark may have been this kind of pressure.
“And fortunately, there is a proud hero in Perkus Manor, isn’t there? A collaborator personally appointed by His Majesty…”
“…You’re not talking about me, are you?”
I had thrown the question just in case, but the usual response to such inquiries was always the same.
“Yes, it’s Sir Ian Percus.”
I put my hand into my pocket and fiddled with the imperial seal.
Even without showing the bloodline letters, the moment I revealed it, I could obtain all kinds of conveniences.
The imperial seal meant that I had received recognition from the Imperial Court.
Fortunately, it seemed that Arthur and Reynolds were still unaware that I was the owner of the imperial seal.
Arthur had been treating me somewhat too well, but it seemed to be simply because I had caught the Emperor’s eye due to my exceptional talent.
It was truly a remarkable matter.
A second son from a rural baron family being treated with such regard.
However, Reynolds scoffed again at Arthur’s words. His transparent eyes were fixed on me.
“…Let’s see if you’re worthy of being a match for Elsi.”
After that, there were various discussions, but the conclusion was singular.
It basically meant I was being told to get back to work as soon as I returned.
While I had expected this ending, I could only accept the papers Arthur handed over with a glum face.
They contained various pieces of information.
In particular, a map indicating areas within the Percus territory where missing person incidents were common immediately caught my eye. I glanced at Reynolds to gauge his reaction as I murmured.
“A map describing the geography of the territory is a strategic asset…”
“Are you saying you don’t trust me?”
With that chilling voice, I had to shut my mouth.
Had he not been Elsi’s uncle, I might have argued back at least once.
But regardless, Elsi and I were now practically inextricably linked.
There was no need to unnecessarily conflict with Senior Elsi’s family.
Nonetheless, unable to completely dispel my dissatisfaction, a long sigh escaped my lips.
“…When should we start the investigation? It feels frustrating thinking about how the territory’s people are disappearing even now.”
“First, take a moment to relieve your fatigue, and start tomorrow.”
At Arthur’s words, I clicked my tongue and tucked the map into my pocket.
I didn’t know when Senior Neoris would arrive. Until then, I had no choice but to depend on the information Arthur provided.
“If that’s the case, I should at least bring up the situation with my companions tonight.”
It would be several times better than going out to investigate alone.
After all, although there was still no evidence, I was convinced that the Dark Cult was involved in this incident. A letter from the future hinted at this.
And if the Dark Cult was behind it, it could not just be an ordinary incident.
Especially since it involved something that the Dark Cult had cleverly prepared over several years.
I would never allow them to interfere.
I suddenly recalled the head of the woman who had burst into madness.
The Dark Priest Miltram.
His specialty was biological modification. Strangely, I felt a premonition that my connection with him was not over yet.
He had said that he would not keep me waiting long.
If he was the mastermind behind this incident, I couldn’t begin to imagine what kind of pain the missing persons were experiencing.
It was at this moment that I left the conference room with a somber expression.
Reynolds spoke to me in a still subdued voice.
“…The Rainelle Clan has yet to acknowledge you.”
I had never sought their acknowledgment in the first place.
It was just that Senior Elsi had rashly declared me as “Master.”
As those rebuttals lingered in my mind, I held them in. After all, rebelling now would only result in losses for Senior Elsi, not for me.
“The destiny of Rainelle will be decided by Rainelle itself. So, Elsi’s fate is still undecided… Whether you can become the son-in-law of the Rainelle Clan depends on this matter.”
With those words, Reynolds turned away and walked off.
I swallowed a bitter smile, then shook my head.
I understood Reynolds’ feelings.
His niece had suddenly called an outsider “Master.” In his eyes, I must have appeared as one of the lowest forms of trash, and he would be anxious about whether I was toying with Senior Elsi.
So I shouted at Reynolds’ broad back.
“…About Senior Elsi.”
Reynolds’ steps halted abruptly.
His unreadable blue eyes turned towards me.
“She is a precious person to me. I may not know if there’s some misunderstanding.”
“Hmph,” Reynolds scoffed and resumed walking.
However, the one reply he gave me was the most positive remark he had made since we met.
“I will be watching.”
A bitter smile crossed my face upon hearing that.
There would be no incidents significant enough to disappoint Reynolds for a while.
If there was a possibility, it would likely just be Senior Delphine or Senior Neoris doing something unexpected. But there was no way those two would act rashly.
Delphine held social prestige, and Neoris was someone who could reveal her status.
With a sigh, I gazed out of the window at the Perkus territory.
My hometown, in this rural place.
I would leave yet another bloodstain behind.
And that night, when news arrived of a beautiful lady knight’s visit, I stepped into the yard.
There stood a stunning beauty with striking blue hair. As soon as the woman turned to me backlit by the moonlight, she seemed flustered.
Then, she bowed her head deeply and said,
“I-I have arrived as you ordered! Master!”
That statement instantly dropped the temperature around me several degrees.
