News of the High Elder’s escape sent the Imperial Palace into chaos.
The Emperor imdiately ordered pursuit parties ford and demanded the High Elder be found. Knights hastily grabbed their weapons and began the hunt. Naturally, they would never find him.
After all, you can’t locate a corpse that’s been thoroughly incinerated.
He burned rather well, I thought, considering his skeletal fra. Apparently there had been more fat on those bones than I’d anticipated.
I suppressed a snort of derision as I faced the Emperor.
Currently, I found myself dragged before His Imperial Majesty for tedious interrogation about my whereabouts during the High Elder’s supposed escape.
Nothing dramatic—just standard procedure.
“You truly had nothing to do with this?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I nodded with shaless conviction.
I’d left no evidence behind. The arrows had been retrieved, every footprint erased.
Besides, hadn’t I been the one arguing for the High Elder’s capture? Even circumstantial evidence wouldn’t point my direction.
The Emperor studied intently before releasing a weary sigh. “Of course. It couldn’t have been you. My apologies for dragging you here.”
“Not at all. I’ll do my utmost to help capture the criminal.”
“My thanks.” The Emperor managed a weak smile and gestured to his chamberlain. “Speaking of thanks—I realize I’m rather late in expressing my gratitude.”
The chamberlain carefully retrieved sothing from a corner—a small cushion bearing a blue-green dagger.
From its design, this was clearly ceremonial rather than ant for assassination.
The Emperor examined it approvingly before nodding to the chamberlain, who approached with the cushioned weapon.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Take it,” the Emperor said. “A gift from to you.”
I studied the dagger. The blue-green blade glead wickedly sharp, its surface catching light and throwing it back in brilliant flashes.
“… It’s Mithril.”
“Correct.”
Mithril—the divine ore that repelled evil, the strategic weapon I’d procured. They’d crafted a dagger from such material.
I couldn’t estimate what this would fetch on the open market.
“Did the Imperial smiths make this?”
“No. I commissioned the Smith Workshop in the rcantile Kingdom. Quite renowned, I’m told.”
Ah.
I knew the Smith Workshop well—House Artezia had regularly commissioned work from them before my regression. Founded by genius craftsn, though their youngest apprentice was the true talent. Could even draw thread from Mithril.
Judging by this dagger, the apprentice’s skills hadn’t yet gained recognition. With the senior craftsn still making their mark, it would be difficult for a junior to take up the hamr.
“Thank you.”
Even without the apprentice’s touch, this ranked among the continent’s finest daggers. Wickedly sharp and imbued with Mithril’s full properties despite crude craftsmanship.
With this blade, I could have defeated that Gargoyle far more easily.
As I accepted the dagger, the Emperor nodded with satisfaction. “Excellent. A weapon worthy of a hero.”
“It gains luster from Your Majesty’s generosity.”
“Does it indeed?” The Emperor chuckled and leaned back in his throne, then spoke in quiet tones. “My thanks. Because of you, my son can rest in peace.”
Rest in peace.
Honestly, I wasn’t certain about such things. Whether an afterlife existed, whether gods were real—I couldn’t say with certainty.
Even having experienced regression, I wondered: had it truly been divine intervention? If so, what did this supposed deity want from ?
I’d mulled it over long and hard.
Then I concluded: I’d fulfill whatever request this divine entity might have, provided it didn’t involve harming Lea.
Though that’s a matter for the distant future.
I bowed to the Emperor. “He surely went to a good place. He was such a brilliant soul.”
“Indeed he was.” The Emperor’s laughter held little mirth. “Go and rest now. I’ll arrange a proper reward for this service separately.”
“Yes.”
“And don’t worry about the High Elder. I’ll deploy the Empire’s entire military if necessary to find him.”
Murderous intent flashed in the Emperor’s eyes—killing rage promising to tear apart whoever he caught. I absorbed that bloodlust with a faint nod.
I’ve bought so ti, at least.
Everything had proceeded as anticipated.
While dispersing Imperial forces wasn’t ideal, it was far preferable to civil war. To hunt House Artezia properly, I’d need to weaken them further first.
Or strengthen our own ranks.
Imperial power alone wouldn’t suffice. These were people capable of making a Grand Master like the Duke of Praha disappear. To capture such opponents, we’d need at least another Grand Master or equivalent military force.
And for that, this thod is optimal.
Resolve flashed through as I contemplated upcoming plans. Conveniently, the Emperor dismissed at that mont.
“I’ve kept a departing man too long. You may go—hurry along and rest.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I bid farewell and departed the audience chamber.
* * *
After leaving the palace, I headed to the courier guild nearby.
Creak.
“How may we serve you?” A receptionist greeted with a bow as I opened the door. My attire imdiately marked as nobility.
“I need to send sothing via your fastest service.”
“Ah, then please co this way. For fifteen gold, you can use our express courier service.”
Fifteen gold… Rather steep, but I rummaged through my purse and found exactly that amount—my ergency funds.
Clink.
“I’ll take it.”
Expensive, but timing was everything for this task. What I was about to do would determine our fighting capacity against House Artezia.
I withdrew a pendant from my breast pocket—evidence of House Artezia’s corruption obtained from hunting the Goblin Lord. This pendant contained their shaful secrets.
With this, I could bring Educator Martel to Praha’s side. If that happened, our capabilities would grow exponentially.
He is a genius of education, after all.
Martel’s followers were scattered across the continent. If such a man beca Praha’s vassal, that alone would make House Artezia nervous.
I composed a brief letter to Martel: [I know about your grandson’s death.]
I folded the ssage and handed it to the receptionist, who smiled as she placed it in an envelope.
“Received. Thank you for your patronage.”
I waved dismissively and left the courier guild.
The first step is taken.
One by one, slowly but surely. If I continued preparing this way, the day of my revenge would eventually arrive.
Determination flashed through as I quickened my pace.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
“Sir Louis!”
I turned to see the First Knight Commander who’d accompanied to House Praha.
“What brings you here?” I asked.
The knight commander spoke with urgent expression. “Disaster!”
What fresh catastrophe could this be?
At this rate, I was starting to feel like misfortune exclusively targeted .
I sighed faintly. “Disaster? Has the High Elder been captured?”
“That’s not what matters to you right now!”
Should a knight commander really be saying such things about a direct imperial command?
I took a mont to examine the fellow. His expression seed genuinely urgent—sothing serious had occurred.
“Take a deep breath and speak clearly. What exactly has happened?”
The knight commander steadied his breathing. “House Dragunov has declared war. The target is House Berg. They claim it’s revenge for their family.”
“What do you an—”
I stared in disbelief. A declaration of war? Even if Count Dragunov was an idiot, surely he wasn’t that stupid.
“Didn’t he consider Imperial intervention?”
The knight commander fidgeted. “Our intervention has beco... complicated this ti.”
Complicated? How so?
“As I said—family revenge is the stated reason. Currently, all of House Dragunov’s family mbers are dead.”
“Excuse ?”
“And House Dragunov claims you were responsible for the tragedy. They say they have definitive proof.”
Proof?
Count Dragunov wouldn’t lie about such matters—if this were false, the Imperial Palace would obliterate his house for the insult. Which ant everything from the family massacre to this supposed proof was true.
Though I can’t imagine what this proof might be.
I sighed and turned my steps. “I suppose I’ll have to see for myself.”
“To your family estate?”
“Yes.”
I may be marrying out of the House, but they were still my family. I had to attempt a rescue at minimum.
Besides.
This reeks of orchestration.
Soone had laid a vicious trap—soone who wanted both Berg and Dragunov eliminated entirely.
I began reasoning through potential culprits. Who would benefit most from their mutual destruction?
Soone who could accomplish revenge, absorption, and making an example simultaneously while potentially gaining new allies.
Soone who knew I was currently at the Imperial Palace.
Combining these factors, only one individual ca to mind.
“Duke Artezia.” I muttered just loud enough for my own ears.
He’d used the High Elder to draw to the Imperial Palace, could make an example of Berg through extermination, and could absorb Dragunov’s vast capital.
Only one House possessed such capabilities.
A murderous smile flashed across my face.
Duke Artezia had set a trap for . Well then, common courtesy demanded I spring it.
I’ll play along this once. But things won’t go according to your plans.
I felt the weight of the dagger in my breast pocket, resolve hardening within .
Three days after quelling House Praha’s internal strife, war between noble houses had begun.
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