Chapter 40 | Clue
translator/editor: astralch | editor: ghost
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As he spoke, Phermos nodded along.
[Phermos] “Anyway, as I ca here to say…..”
[Rienne] “Before you continue, I have to ask……What happened to your face?”
With a bewildered expression, a stunned Rienne approached Phermos as she waited for his answer.
One side of his face had turned completely black and blue with a bruise. She rembered his face looking cleaner than that when she last saw him, dragging Linden Kleinfelder out of the King’s Office by the neck.
[Rienne] “Are you alright? Who did this to you?”
[Phermos] “Ah, well this is…..”
Phermos glanced to his side, making brief eye contact with Black.
[Phermos] “I’m just grateful this was the extent of it.”
Only a fool would misunderstand that. It was obvious the person responsible was Black. Rienne turned to him, her surprise clear as day as she grabbed him by the arm.
[Rienne] “You hit him? But why?”
Black looked at Phermos and glared fiercely, but it was already too late to take his words back. While Black stayed quiet, Phermos quickly rushed to open his mouth and answer.
[Phermos] “It’s my own fault. I didn’t intervene and diffuse the situation fast enough. Because of my inadequacies, your wrist was injured, Princess.”
[Rienne] “. . .”
Rienne narrowed her eyes, her forehead creasing as she looked at Black.
[Rienne] “But I don’t think hitting anyone was the appropriate response. I……I’m not sure sothing like that is praise-worthy.”
Rienne thought there was probably a reason why Phermos took his ti in reacting, and she was already making a guess in her mind.
He probably didn’t want to be caught coming and going from the office without the proper permission. Not to ntion he must’ve been curious what Rienne was doing, talking to Linden Kleinfelder like that.
In retrospect, thinking about it made her head swim.
She didn’t want to imagine how differently things would’ve turned out had she shown any sign of cooperating with him rather than being threatened.
[Black] “I didn’t an to hit him.”
When he said that, Black’s voice was just as devoid of emotion as usual.
But sohow, he seed embarrassed.
[Rienne] “You didn’t?”
[Black] “. . .”
Black was completely silent, but his lack of words still managed to convey a story. A story where, by the ti he’d co back to his senses, he’d already thrown a punch before hearing the entire explanation.
Sensing Black was in trouble, Phermos scrambled to fix things.
[Phermos] “Again, it’s really my own fault. Thank you very much for your concern, even if it was because of you that this happened in the first place…..Ah, but I’m plaining….”
[Rienne] “Hah…….”
Rienne shook her head, sighing.
[Rienne] “It’s not my place to judge the Tiwakan’s military discipline, so I won’t say anything else. But your presence, Lord Phermos, within the King’s Office was still unacceptable. I will deliver a more reasonable punishnt later.”
[Phermos] “Yes, of course. I humbly await your decision.”
[Rienne] “But what were you doing in the King’s Office in the first place?”
[Phermos] “That’s……..Well, there was sothing I wanted to look for in the royal records. As I was trying to deal with the work my Lord entrusted to , I discovered there were things I needed to know about Nauk. I didn’t wish to disturb you with every little thing, Princess.”
That didn’t make a whole lot of sense.
The only thing of value in the King’s Office was the royal seal. Perhaps if this were Linden Kleinfelder they were talking about, he might have so use for it, but it wasn’t sothing Phermos had any reason to desire.
[Rienne] “…Fine then. Next ti, please request permission before entering. Now, what happened to Linden Kleinfelder?”
Phermos, whose conscience felt prickly this entire ti, allowed his mind to be taken away from that line of discussion.
[Phermos] “I put the him in the sa room as the illegitimate son. I didn’t realize noblen could be so lively. The jail’s been rather noisy for a while now.”
[Rienne] “I suppose I should’ve guessed. He’s not the kind of person to take sothing like this quietly. And…..what of the other Kleinfelder?”
[Phermos] “He’s staying well-behaved. I was wondering if he knew anything about the ‘proof’ that was spoken of earlier, but he seed to know nothing.”
[Rienne] “I see.”
[Phermos] “In my opinion, this ‘proof’ of theirs never existed in the first place. It was only ever a ruse used in order to deceive you, Princess.”
[Rienne] “I agree. If it existed, I don’t think they would be able to keep it to themselves for so long.”
[Phermos] “Yes, they could’ve used it to their advantage much sooner. Like using it to claim the marriage as invalid, for example.”
[Rienne] “Indeed.”
To Rienne’s surprise, the conversation was short and to the point.
Anyone looking at Phermos would guess he was an extrely learned man, but it went beyond simple intelligence now. He’d only been in Nauk for a short ti, and already he’d managed to hone in on Linden Kleinfelder’s habits.
[Phermos] “But there is sothing more believable he speaks of. He keeps ntioning sothing called ‘The Treaty of Risebury’. Do you know anything about this?” (1)
[Rienne] “Unfortunately, I do.”
[Phermos] “My apologies if I’ve brought up a sore topic.”
[Rienne] “It’s a peace treaty signed between the elders and advisors of the aristocratic delegation during the reign of the previous king. Most of the rights the Kleinfelders now currently enjoy were earned during that treaty.”
[Phermos] “A peace treaty……..as a result of a civil war?”
[Rienne] “As far as I know, yes. The drought lasted far too long and the only person the people could turn to for help was the king.”
Phermos clicked his tongue.
[Phermos] “As if that’s not bad enough.”
The peace treaty was signed during days Rienne couldn’t even rember and it represented the sha of the royal family. As the drought continued, the king was the first to feel the financial burden, so he levied taxes against the nobility.
The nobles opposed his decision and ford an army around the Kleinfelders, starting a war that teetered on a rebellion.
The king was given no choice but to sign a treaty to end the conflict, but all it did was serve to gag the royal family.
[Phermos] “Then, is it true that the decision to punish must be unanimous if the person on trial is a representative protected under the treaty?”
[Rienne] “I’m afraid, yes. That is also true.”
[Phermos] “So you’re given the option of wiping out all noble families or to destroy the treaty itself?”
[Rienne] “There isn’t a single noble family that would agree with eliminating the treaty.”
[Phermos] “Oh? So would it just be better to kill them all?”
For a mont, Rienne thought he was making a joke. After all, the topic was broaching nonsensical territory. But the second she realized he was serious, she calmly shook her head.
[Rienne] “Nauk would just be torn apart.”
[Phermos] “The nobility aren’t that great in number……though, Nauk is a place built on close family ties. There are the common folk to consider, as well as the loyalty of those who work in noble hos. Those people have families of their own who would be caught up.”
[Rienne] “Exactly my point.”
Phermos sighed, making it clear his earlier statent was definitely not a joke.
[Phermos] “I tend to forget how complicated politics can get. War is far simpler.”
Just as Phermos finished muttering to himself, Black uttered a single word.
[Black] “That’s saying too much.” (2)
[Phermos] “………Ah, right.”
Phermos’ attitude quickly changed, as if on a whim.
[Phermos] “We must find a way to change the treaty so that we can hold a trial.”
That was an idea that long since existed in Rienne’s mind. But no matter how much she thought about it, the fact remained that she had no power to do so.
[Rienne] “The only exception to the treaty is the Temple.”
[Phermos] “The Temple?”
[Rienne] “Yes. The Temple has the ability to overturn the judgent of all trials by delivering the word of God to the people instead.”
[Phermos] “Ah, I see.”
[Rienne] “But therein lies the problem. Part of the Treaty of Risebury stipulates that the delegate leader of the aristocratic delegation has the power to appoint the next High Priest. Ever since then, the High Priest has lived in the pocket of the Kleinfelders.”
[Phermos] “Oh.”
A glimr of light reflected off of Phermos’ monocle.
[Phermos] “Isn’t the High Priest’s chair currently vacant? Has his replacent been decided?”
[Rienne] “Not yet.”
A dark shadow was cast over Rienne’s calm eyes.
[Rienne] “He had a reason for doing what he did. Linden Kleinfelder sought to delay the wedding with this.”
[Phermos] “Hm…….So he was responsible for killing the High Priest?”
[Rienne] “Likely.”
[Phermos] “Ha! It’s like this country has a second king who fancies himself a tyrant.”
[Rienne] “. . .”
Rienne’s face twisted, like she’d eaten sothing bitter.
The treaty the previous king signed had turned into a carnivorous worm, eating away at the royal family, bit by bit. It gnawed away at their little kingdom, quickly and quietly consuming the royal family for all it was worth.
And all Rienne could do as she passed the days away was watch it happen, clearly in front of her.
It was her greatest weakness. A sense of sha and distress gripped her as all of it was laid bare in front of Black.
[Black] “Then let’s deal with that first, and then do a trial.”
Black stepped in again.
[Black] “Find the one responsible and get him to testify what the delegate leader made him do. Unless the priests are brain dead, they’ll understand themselves what path will let them live the longest.”
Phermos groaned.
[Phermos] “Well……The investigation is taking more ti than I thought it would, so not much progress has been made. The priests and the servants all wear the sa clothes and their daily routines are a bit vague so they’re hard to follow………We just need more ti.”
[Black] “How much more?”
As Black’s words fell off the tip of his tongue, Phermos pulled back, his eyes shaking.
[Phermos] “That’s……”
[Black] “Well?”
[Phermos] “I’m not sure…… But I’ll find it sohow, my Lord. Actually, I found one clue that’s worth looking into, but I was putting it off because I wasn’t sure the best way to go about it. But if the Princess allows , I’ll do it now.”
[Rienne] “What do you need?”
Before Phermos even had a chance to truly ask, Rienne was already ready and willing. She probably didn’t realize it herself, but her voice was shaking and full of anticipation.
[Black] “Princess.”
Black called out to Rienne.
[Rienne] “Yes?”
When Rienne turned her head to look at him, he lifted up her wrist.
[Black] “You’ll get hurt again.”
[Rienne] “…….?”
Unconsciously, Rienne was gripping her fists so tightly she could’ve made marks again. Black took her clenched fist into the palm of his hand, using his other to loosen her fingers one by one.
[Black] “Unless they’re made by , I don’t want to see any more wounds on your body.”
[Rienne] “. . .”
With those words, Phermos’ lips slightly parted in silent shock, but Rienne was also surprised, albeit for a different reason.
[Rienne] “Are you planning on hurting ?”
There were lots of different kinds of marks one would leave on the body of their lover. Based on how he said it, evidently Black talking more about a strong embrace, rather than an actual wound.
But looking at Rienne’s face, it was obvious that aning went clear over her head.
Even Phermos, who had zero interest in the affection shared between humans, understood what Rienne did not.
[Black] “You don’t understand what I’m saying?”
[Rienne] “I’m not sure. Common sense is telling you’re speaking in jest, but you don’t look like you’re joking, Lord Tiwakan.”
[Black] “………I have to be more careful.”
Black gave a short sigh.
[Black] “I didn’t an it like that. I’m not going to hurt you.”
[Rienne] “I know. I’m aware you care for a lot. I won’t misunderstand you like that.”
[Black] “. . .”
Listening to their conversation, Phermos couldn’t bear to look at Black’s face, so he respectfully turned his head to the side.
[Rienne] “Now then. Tell what it is you need permission for.”
Phermos furiously nodded his head, still avoiding looking at Black.
[Phermos] “The clue was bloodstains. Whatever wound they ca from must’ve been quite severe, given how much blood there was.”
[Rienne] “Blood?”
[Phermos] “Yes, but when I inspected the body of the High Priest, there was no wound that could’ve bled like that.”
[Rienne] “Hm……..”
[Phermos] “If not him, then it must’ve co from the perpetrator, so there should be a wound on their body. And circumstances indicate that whoever they are, they must’ve co from the Temple.”
[Rienne] “I see………”
[Phermos] “So if you will allow , I’ll request all the priests remove their clothes for verification. If any of them have a wound that has yet to heal, there’s a great chance they’re the culprit. It’s the only clue we have as of now.”
[Rienne] “You’ll need to have each of the priests disrobe and verify them individually. It won’t be easy.”
[Phermos] “Yes. And I’m uncertain whether they’ll cooperate in the end.”
Then, Black threw out an idea.
[Black] “Just force them.”
[Phermos] “Well……Of course, that’s an option, using force or intimidation to do it………but it’s the Temple. If we move in like that, things could get ugly, so I figured it would be best to ask the Princess ahead of making any moves. Will you allow , Princess?”
[Rienne] “If it’s for the sake of finding the High Priest’s murderer, then we must do what is necessary, even if it’s uncomfortable….. Although……”
A thought crossed her mind.
The image of blood seeping under one’s thick robe ca to her. A servant of God, who sat completely still even as soone beat him—praying for penance.
A servant by the na of Klimah.
[Rienne] “I t soone who was bleeding the other day.”
[Phermos] “What?”
Phermos couldn’t be more thrilled.
Having all the priests undress would’ve been doable, but it was much better to find another avenue to simplify things if they could.
[Phermos] “Who was it?”
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T/N: (1) “Risebury” should be pronounced “Reese” like Reese’s Cup and “bury” like berry. I thought about spelling it as “Reeseberry” just to help readers understand the pronunciation phonetically, but I stuck with the raw’s spelling because it looked nicer lol.
(2) In the raws, this was one word.
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