Chapter 96:

Never before had the Status Window given a reward in this manner.

A turning point?

Did it mean a major change had occurred in the story?

If so, that wouldn't explain the lack of reaction to the story lines I had changed until now.

‘Does it only react to Valheit’s death?’

I had been continuously reducing the death probability, but the fact that it was labeled a turning point must mean I had discovered something incomparably more important than before.

The slight problem was that it didn't tell me what that something was….

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Stop ignoring me.”

“Ah, I had something to think about. What did you say?”

“I asked if you’d be okay while I go guard Regina. Listen to me.”

It took a moment to understand the question.

What did her guarding Regina have to do with me being okay?

“I can take care of myself. Since when did we care for each other.”

“This time the circumstances are a bit different. I have a bad feeling about this.”

Til gnawed on her fingernails, a rare sight.

No, I think this was the first time I'd seen it.

I had a similar feeling too.

Watching Regina rush off, saying she was going to investigate something.

“This incident certainly doesn’t seem like a simple conspiracy or plot. But is that a reason for me to tremble in fear?”

“…Well, I guess nothing would happen to an old snake. Fine, I’m going to work.”

As I watched Til's back as she grumbled and left, I briefly thought about stopping her.

If the Status Window was telling me it was important, it could be dangerous.

‘She has the count shadow corps, so she should be fine for now.’

Right now, it was better to be more concerned about Regina's side.

The cliché of helpers dying after obtaining important information was common.

I didn't want to imagine such a situation.

‘Ruhindorf. I should start by finding out where it is.’

It seemed I would be busy with some basic investigation for a while.

While I'm at it, I should also think about what skill to get next.

***

“The increased surveillance since Brauder’s kidnapping has made things difficult.”

On the rooftop of a shabby building deep within the residential area of the Imperial Capital, someone was muttering.

With only a large raven nearby, he looked like a madman talking to himself.

“Your skills must be rusty! Who’s on your tail that’s making you whine?”

The raven let out a caw, and with it, a human voice.

It was a sight that would have made anyone faint from shock, but there was no one who could see the top of the tallest building in the vicinity.

“Mainly, there is Werner Chartra’s investigation team and the Imperial Police, the First Duke’s Three Blades, Vestol’s Security Bureau, and Valheit.”

“…Certainly annoying.”

The raven, which had been cawing frivolously just a moment ago, muttered as if whispering.

The man calmly waited for the raven’s next words.

“The next plan, where was it again? Was it Rudolf?”

“It is Ruhindorf.”

“Aha, so that was the name. Are the preparations over there finished?”

“It is in the final stages.”

“Good. When the preparations are done, let’s clean up the collaborators. Quietly and cleanly. You know what I mean, right?”

The man nodded his head.

It meant to kill everyone who could be killed.

He already had a rough idea of how to handle things, but one person's disposal was ambiguous.

“What should we do about Timershi?”

“Ah, that family lover. A very wholesome young man. Let’s leave him be. Instead.”

The raven lowered its voice again.

It was a gloomy and irritable tone, completely different from the light, bouncing manner of speaking from before.

“Make that little brother of his pay the price for messing things up.”

After the man bowed his head and turned away, the raven once again made a loud noise.

“Wait, wait. You said Valheit is also on the chase, right? I don’t care about the others, but keep that man in check moderately.”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll trust you and go have some fun.”

The raven flapped its large wings and flew across the Imperial Capital.

The man, who watched the scene for a moment, went down to the lower floor.

“What did he say?”

In a small, attic-like space, four or five people were gathered, looking at him.

The atmosphere was calm, but a subtle anxiety lingered.

“He did not blame us.”

The tension that had filled the attic dissipated in an instant.

There were no changes in their expressions, but I could feel they were relieved.

“Once the preparations for the Ruhindorf plan are complete, we will cut off the tail.”

“How much of it do we cut?”

“The Assembly of Well-being, the People’s Medical Center, and Brauder Stetten. He especially said to make the last one pay the price.”

A quiet sigh flowed out at the word ‘price.’

No one here enjoyed doing such things.

But what could they do?

That was the nature of their work.

“How many days until all the supplies arrive in Ruhindorf?”

“It depends on how fast those Borgia bastards are, but it should be done in 4 days at the latest.”

“Good. Then starting in 3 days, we will take care of them one by one. You can handle this much on your own, right?”

“What do you plan to do, Commander, while we are cutting off the tail?”

After a moment of silence, the man uttered gloomily.

“I have to tie up Valheit’s feet.”

At those words, everyone in the room gave the commander a look of pity.

***

“Welcome, everyone, to the premiere of Piercing the North Wind! This premiere has been specially sponsored by the Sixth Duke. A round of applause for the Sixth Duke who provided his support, please.”

A thunderous applause poured out.

People are always generous to those who give things for free, no matter what it is.

Giuseppe Sicilienne responded to the cheers with humility and grace.

At his response, the applause continued a little longer.

“Also, a round of applause for the Third Duke, who came to see the premiere today.”

The host’s voice and the applause were much smaller compared to Giuseppe’s.

It felt like they were showing only the bare minimum of courtesy, so to speak.

Timershi, as if in response, also reacted with just enough courtesy and no more.

The host quickly changed the subject and began to throw out precautions and jokes.

I, sitting between the two dukes, received no introduction or applause and sat comfortably.

“It is an honor to be in such a place with you two.”

“The honor is all mine, Count Valheit.”

The Third Duke tried to package himself as arrogantly as possible, but his voice trembled, failing to produce even half of the intended effect.

He had at least raised his voice during the Dukes’ Council when Johann Geller was present, but now that his guardian was gone, he seemed to have tucked his tail between his legs.

“There’s still plenty of time before the performance begins, would you like to go around and greet people, Count.”

Unlike the lower floor, where all attention was on the stage, the nobles seated on the upper floor were captivated by the two dukes and one count.

“It’s a bother. I will remain seated.”

“Then I shall go alone.”

Before Timershi could say anything, Giuseppe left his seat.

The fidgeting Timershi gave up on following his uncle and kept his seat with an uncomfortable expression.

Though I knew that Giuseppe had intentionally left us alone.

“I am sorry about the incident in Kranacht, Lord Timershi.”

“Mm… thank you.”

As soon as Kranacht was mentioned, he expressed his discomfort with his entire body.

Inwardly sneering at the fidgeting Timershi, I feigned innocence and continued to bring up uncomfortable topics.

“Is there any good news regarding your younger brother?”

“I believe that is a rude question.”

“My apologies. I spoke out of concern, but I failed to consider the Duke’s feelings.”

“Hmph.”

He looked like he wanted to bolt from his seat at any moment, but he wouldn't have the nerve to do so in a place where so many eyes were on him.

A Duke causing public trouble with Count Valheit would be a headline even the most pretentious Imperial newspapers would find hard to resist.

“I thought you would return to your domain right after the Dukes’ Council, but you’ve stayed for a long time.”

“One must enjoy cultural life like this from time to time, mustn't they? And well, something came up that needed to be handled.”

“In the Imperial Capital?”

“Yes. Someone created a troublesome matter.”

“Who dares to bother Count Valheit.”

It was a sarcastic voice, but to me, it just sounded like a whining child.

Even though I hadn't lived as long as Valheit, I had no problem dealing with a hot-headed twenty-year-old.

“These are matters that the Duke does not need to know. But since you seem curious, let me tell you….”

When I paused for a moment, Timershi turned his head as if he wasn't interested.

Or maybe he didn't want me to see his expression.

“I received a petition that the loan sharks from Vestol were going too far. Have you by any chance heard of the Assembly of Well-being?”

“I have heard of it. I came with Brauder a few times.”

“Then this will be a quick story. They were extending their hands not just to Vestol people but to citizens of the Empire as well, so I made a slight adjustment.”

“Did you make them withdraw?”

“I can’t go that far. They haven’t committed a crime, after all. However, I did warn them to be careful.”

Timershi opened his mouth to say something, but I continued speaking faster than he could.

“The rumors related to a place called the People’s Medical Center were also quite loud, so I paid a visit.”

“The doctors who used curses?”

“When I met them in person, they were just ordinary doctors. Doctors who do quite a good work, at that.”

Timershi did not reply and merely nodded his head.

It seemed he was hoping that if he pretended to be uninterested, I would give up and leave on my own.

Not a chance.

I’ll torment you until your ears bleed.

With every piece of information I revealed about the Assembly of Well-being and the People’s Medical Center, Timershi’s lips grew drier and drier.

Regardless, I kept talking.

“Chairman Paolo was walking around with his shoulders all puffed up, threatening people to pay back their debts, and he looked so ridiculous. If you had seen it, Duke, you would have surely laughed.”

“Mm.”

“Perhaps he was self-conscious about going around collecting debts, so he also threw out an empty promise to support the People’s Medical Center even more. Where did he say he was going next.”

“Did he even tell you that?”

“As you know, aren't the people of Vestol quite talkative?”

Timershi clenched his teeth and swallowed the curse that had risen to his throat.

I could feel his hatred for Paolo, who had blabbered such important information.

“Where did he say he was going?”

As the barely composed Timershi asked weakly, I replied with a bright smile.

“He said it was Ruhindorf. If I can’t remember it, it must be an insignificant place.”

“Probably so. The Count is also a man who discusses national affairs, so you must know not to be swayed by such stories.”

“Wise words. Did Johann teach you that.”

“No.”

Timershi, after a curt reply, turned his head away again.

I followed closely behind him, leaning my body forward.

“Why did you allow the Vestol bastards to enter your land?”

Timershi, his eyes wide, stared at me.

His pale face was a sight to behold.

“I thought Lord Timershi disliked Vestol.”

“Th-that, that is there any justification to stop doctors from treating people?”

“Is that really all there is to it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You must not be unaware that I went to Kranacht.”

If I pushed just a little more, this weak-willed young man would confess everything.

One more step.

Let's push just one more step.

“You know something about the plague in Kranacht, don’t you.”

“I, I…”

Boom!!!

At the ear-splitting explosion, Timershi could not finish his words.

Something exploded right below us.

I reflexively thrust out my staff to activate a barrier, but I was a little too late.

I felt my body floating up, and then….

We plummeted straight down to the floor below.

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