Chapter 10
I tried to turn away from that pitiful face and took a sharp metal pick out of my spatial bag.
Magic always leaves traces, so in times like this, it was better to use old-fashioned methods.
Compared to the traps scattered throughout the labyrinth, this is nothing.
With a small click, the door opened in an instant.
“……?!”
Elhart’s eyes went wide, as if startled.
How cute.
No, why am I acting like this again?
This is no time to be distracted.
I need to search quickly and get back to the room before the shift change.
“I’ll check the desk area.”
Meaning, you check the other places.
“That sounds like a good idea.”
Elhart followed close behind me.
“…….”
I couldn’t tell from his expression whether he was doing it on purpose or just oblivious.
…Having him help would be useful, though. I can’t verify the accuracy of these documents myself.
I started scanning quickly, beginning with the desk and moving on to the documents in the filing cabinet.
Some of them had been hidden deep using devices, but I wasn’t someone who couldn’t find such things.
Elhart helped me sort and organize the documents I found.
And then….
What’s this?
Not even five minutes into the task, I was overcome with intense rage.
Internal documents from the Bardia Treasury? A military budget proposal that should be top-secret is circulating on an enemy nation’s desk?
I was so dumbfounded my hands trembled.
I don’t know how many traitors there are, but it seemed they weren’t just selling information—they were handing it over on a silver platter.
The royal asset investment plan would be difficult to obtain except by direct members of the royal family, though?
What was even more shocking was that Elhart didn’t seem particularly surprised to see these.
That must mean he already knew everything.
“Why do you leave those who sell classified information unchecked instead of rooting them out?”
“Currently, Bardia is under the control of those who favor becoming a vassal state of the Cradion Empire.”
“So there’s no one left to defend the country?”
I gritted my teeth and asked. A bitter expression flickered across Elhart’s lips.
“How could that be? It’s just that they were the ones purged first.”
“…Like you?”
“Yes. Like me.”
A moment of silence passed.
I quietly gazed into Elhart’s calm, steady eyes.
You haven’t given up yet, have you.
There was no resignation or despair there.
Only the firm resolve of someone who still had a task ahead of them.
Let’s go back together, Elhart.
I repeated to myself words that were still too soon to say to him.
I will stand by your side.
I swear by the founding king: the traitors of Bardia will offer their necks the day I return.
And it won’t be just their worthless lives.
They will lose all their carefully accumulated wealth, power, and honor.
But first, I need to deal with this place.
So that they never dare to invade again.
These bastards know the internal situation of Bardia as clearly as if they were looking at the palm of their hand.
Looking closely at the documents, there was one piece of a puzzle that couldn’t have been completed by traitors alone.
I picked out several documents that clearly showed such inconsistencies and showed them to Elhart.
“Do you know who wrote these?”
“Viscount Marcel and Count Cohen. Both are close aides to the Emperor.”
“Have they ever visited Bardia?”
“Not that I know of.”
I made a mental note of those two names, along with Laedric Bellow, the head of the Foreign Ministry.
“It’s time to head back… Wait.”
Elhart’s expression hardened too, as if he’d noticed something similar.
From what I’d gathered, the central palace here had a system that completely locked down from 10 PM to 4 AM.
They diverted all personnel needed for internal patrols to external security and placed security magic on the building itself, apparently rigged to trigger an alarm if tampered with.
Thud… Thud…
The footsteps we were hearing now meant one of two things.
Either the owner of the central palace’s security magic, or intruders like us.
Neither option was welcome.
Where should we hide?
Just as I was nervously scanning the room, Elhart tugged at my sleeve.
He was pointing to a cabinet.
Can he even fit in there…?
I had my doubts, but with no other place to hide, we had to try.
Fortunately, the inside was deeper than I’d expected.
Elhart had to practically fold himself up to fit, but there was just enough room for both of us.
I noticed this last time too—he runs warm.
We were pressed so close together, almost embracing, that I could feel the heat of his body clearly through the thin fabric.
Good thing he’s flexible.
He seemed a little tense.
In the worst case, I could knock them out before they see us.
Though it was unlikely they’d open this cabinet full of miscellaneous supplies in the Foreign Minister’s office.
I didn’t think our infiltration had been discovered.
I’m not that incompetent.
I was just curious who would be wandering around at this hour.
They’re not walking cautiously—probably the security personnel.
Though it sounded like there were two of them, the security officer plus someone else.
Someone used to walking silently.
I only sensed their presence now that they were right outside the Foreign Ministry’s corridor. They must be skilled at concealing their mana…
Huh? This mana scent…?
I recognized it immediately because I’d taken note of it during the day.
It’s the Crown Prince. Why is he here at this hour?
I tilted my head back to look up at Elhart.
His golden eyes, clearly visible even in the deep darkness, had been fixed on me for some time now.
Meeting his gaze, I mouthed the words:
C-r-o-w-n P-r-i-n-c-e.
It was dark, but we were close enough. He must have understood.
“…….”
Elhart’s throat bobbed as he stared at my lips.
I could feel the heavy pounding of his heart through where our bodies touched.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told him. Now he’s all worked up.
Getting this flustered will get us caught even if we wouldn’t have been otherwise.
It’s okay. Nothing’s going to happen, I mouthed, then carefully moved my hand to pat him reassuringly.
Elhart parted his lips slightly, as if to answer me.
But just then, the outer door from the corridor into the Foreign Ministry office opened.
It seemed they, too, had business here.
I unconsciously held my breath.
Elhart followed suit, his chest no longer rising and falling.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. My inexperience led to this mistake…”
“Mistakes happen to anyone.”
Their voices drifted faintly through the door.
“But don’t forget: sometimes a small mistake can cost you your life.”
His voice was cold and chilling—completely different from what I’d heard during the day.
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
A frightened reply was followed by a low chuckle.
“No need to tremble like that. Just do your job well.”
“Th-that’s right.”
“Good. So you must not make any mistakes tomorrow.”
Tomorrow? What had he ordered the mage to do?
“You remember their appearance?”
“Of course.”
“If they refuse, don’t push them. Report to me immediately. Remember: you must never arouse suspicion.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
It might have nothing to do with us, but it bothered me.
Especially since we’d been suddenly invited to a palace banquet.
I wondered if Elhart had any idea.
“……!”
When I pulled my ear away from the cabinet wall and lifted my head, I was extremely flustered.
S-so close…
Elhart must have leaned in too, to eavesdrop on their conversation.
His face was right in front of me.
My gaze was drawn to his trembling red lips.
The neat white teeth visible through the slight gap between them were pleasing to the eye.
And his breath, reaching me, felt hot and sweet…
Wh-what, wha…!
I startled myself and jerked my head away.
I must be going crazy.
This was clearly a side effect of years of forced celibacy.
Or perhaps a side effect of borrowing the powers of greedy demons.
