Chapter 182…………………………………………
At that moment.
At the rare-book research foundation, recently thrown into chaos by the detection of “funds from an unclear source,” investigators from the Security Bureau stormed in.
“Raiding and confiscation in progress!”
The staff froze, eyes wide, standing up in shock.
“We’ve already done the confiscation, though.”
“Huh?”
“Earlier, they came and took all our materials away in boxes.”
“What are you talking about? When did we do that?”
The Security Bureau investigators stared at each other in disbelief.
It was only then that the faces of those who had finally realized the situation went pale.
About an hour away from there stood a small, haphazardly constructed building.
It was once a poultry farm that supplied eggs and chicken to the capital’s residents but had gone bankrupt due to a bird flu outbreak.
In the empty pens, where only drifting feathers remained, two people dressed in investigator uniforms were secretly rummaging through something.
One was a middle-aged woman with half-gray hair and a monocle; the other was a young man with a round, hamster-like face.
Amid the pungent stench of chicken droppings, they urgently rifled through the materials brought in boxes.
Their movements were so fast that it created the illusion that white afterimages of their hands lingered in the air.
After a long period of intense searching, they finally found what they were looking for.
“Editor-in-chief, this is it, right?”
“Oh! Yes! That’s it! Take good care of this. I’ll take care of this one.”
Evidence suggesting that the rare-book research foundation had a deep connection with a certain individual.
Melissa Gregory, editor-in-chief of , and Benjamin Edwards, the only staff member of the Black Rose Guild, carefully tucked the precious documents into their coats.
“The rest is useless, so let’s get out of here quickly. I think my sense of smell is gone.”
“Right? I feel like I’ve become a chicken.”
Editor Gregory rubbed her nose and glanced at Benjamin.
“By the way, not bad. I’ve never seen a guild staff member act as convincingly as an investigator in my life.”
“You flatter me. But you, Editor-in-chief, were the investigator itself. I almost hid under the desk, fooled by you.”
“No, I’m serious. Benjamin, have you ever thought about becoming a reporter?”
“Don’t tempt me. I’ll remain a guild staff member forever.”
“Hmph, alright.”
Gregory and Benjamin quickly removed their uniforms, buried them in the straw mixed with chicken droppings, and left.
Even though they checked several times before leaving, no one was watching them. Instead of the stench of chicken droppings, they were greeted by a sense of security.
“All right.”
The editor touched the documents she had hidden deep in her chest once again.
“I have to deliver this. Even if it costs my life.”
“Of course.”
A determined resolve appeared on both of their faces.
The next moment.
Without a word, both of them started running at full speed toward the royal palace.
Let’s save the guildmaster.
Let’s save the chief.
Under the same goal, the two figures quickly disappeared down the street.
At that moment, the reception room of the Sacred Palace.
In the thickening white fog, a loud thud! echoed.
Prince Dylan had collapsed face-first onto the table. The attendants and maids serving tea also lost their strength and staggered to the ground.
“No… what is happening…?”
The last attendant to enter was shocked and tried to dash outside.
But before he could open the door, someone blocked his path.
A man whose face was half-covered by a silver mask.
He stared down at the attendant, and with a chilling, grave voice that seemed to echo from a tomb, demanded:
“Answer me. Where is the maid Grace, who was transferred here a few days ago?”
The fog, already overwhelming everyone’s consciousness, was now accompanied by a command filled with divine power. The attendant could not resist.
“Th-that old maid Grace… she’s… taking care of the second-floor greenhouse.”
After answering, the attendant collapsed completely.
“The second-floor greenhouse…”
Luelian immediately turned around.
“Hurry. I’ll stay here and handle the aftermath.”
Serene pushed my back forward.
Holding a small sacred relic Luelian had given her to prevent losing consciousness in the fog, Serene’s brave and resolute stance looked like a general defending the rear.
I sincerely said:
“Thank you, Serene.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
Luelian also expressed his gratitude.
“Next time, let’s meet in court…”
When a Sacred Judge mentioned court, it usually carried a chilling implication, but this time, we all knew it meant something different: to clear her name and meet with dignity.
“Yes. I’ll pray. Go quickly. Time is of the essence.”
Serene spoke resolutely.
We left Serene in charge and quickly exited the reception room.
Only two of us stepped outside and closed the door, and the guards in the hallway looked at us oddly.
But they had no time to make a decision or act. As soon as a black shadow flickered, they all collapsed.
“Let’s go.”
Luelian sent me a look and led the way.
We crept up the stairs to the second floor, sticking close together.
Since the crown prince and second prince were incapacitated, there were far more guards than on the first floor. The atmosphere was extremely tense.
But Luelian was no ordinary man.
Thanks to his secret secondary occupation, he was highly experienced in situations like this.
Even knights who were ready to catch thieves would fall helplessly if a phantom thief appeared.
How much worse for unprepared guards?
Every flicker of the shadow brought them down without a clue.
The method was so subtle and silent that one might think the people fainted rather than died.
‘It’s fortunate our side benefits from this side job…’
Passing a large room crowded with guards made me uneasy.
Aldencis and Zikren had been inadvertently dragged into this. If I failed to fully expose Theseud’s crimes, the truth of this matter would remain buried in darkness.
‘They must all be judged.’
I reaffirmed that resolution as we passed through the guards.
We checked each room along the hallway until we found the one filled with plants.
An elderly maid draped in a shawl was watering pots, her back turned to us.
Luelian looked at me, silently asking if this was Grace.
‘Yes.’
I nodded, and he immediately entered the room.
His movements were so fast and quiet that no one outside noticed until the last moment.
How much less would the elderly maid notice?
Luelian reached right behind her, but Grace continued watering the plants, unaware.
“Grace.”
Luelian called softly. She finally turned, startled.
“…!”
Seeing us silently in the room, Grace was shocked.
She opened her mouth to scream, but before she could, Luelian gently covered it with his hand.
“Excuse me. This is to save your life…”
A flash of divine light emanated from his hand, and Grace’s body went limp.
She had lost consciousness.
‘Good.’
I glanced toward the hallway. The guards who had collapsed earlier were still unconscious. Listening carefully, there was no sign anyone had noticed and rushed over.
‘Perfect.’
I signaled to Luelian that the coast was clear.
He lifted Grace’s limp body and handed me the child-sized cloak he had rolled up.
I spread it over Grace.
Luelian was tall, so carrying an average-sized woman was easy. For a frail old woman, it made her look just like a child.
Like a child suddenly falling asleep and being rushed home by a couple.
We staged it perfectly and calmly exited the greenhouse.
We used the opposite staircase to sneak out through a side door on the first floor.
It took less than thirty minutes from entering the palace to safely getting Grace out.
Although it felt routine at the time, the moment we left the Sacred Palace, my heart began pounding like crazy.
‘Finally, we have the key witness!’
She had lost her tongue, but miracles always exist in human life.
And right now, the only human capable of creating a miracle was staring with burning eyes, ready for action.
I began to wonder eagerly what words she would speak once her tongue was restored.
