Episode 71: The Assassin-Like Man
Once I had annihilated the Court of Justice members, the cursed seal on my right arm vanished without a trace.
“Lord Sharka, you did well.”
“Nicoletta, you were here?”
“Of course. Lord Sharka, your hands.”
“Ah, please.”
Nicoletta rinsed my hands with water.
Expressionless, she carefully intertwined her fingers with mine.
“Gwooo, how am I supposed to report this to the lord…!”
Getrude seemed to be here as well, groaning and clutching his head.
Quite a rare sight.
Getrude was so brave back in Naia, but he seems to get nervous about internal squabbles.
“Evangelist-sama… I’m sorry. We acted rashly…”
Dadinga and the young Military Officials.
Dadinga, representing them, voiced his apology with a hint of regret.
“No, you all did well. This time, the responsibility lies with me for not predicting the Court of Justice’s attack.”
Even so, who could have predicted they would do something so foolish?
It was like an accident.
“However…! Evangelist-sama, because of us, you are now in conflict with the Court of Justice…”
“It doesn’t matter. Besides, for me, it’s more important that you all are alive. If you’re still worried, you can repay me with your future achievements, alright?”
“Kuh! Understood! This Dadinga will strive even harder and train to never be defeated again. I will follow Evangelist-sama until the end of my days!”
Dadinga shed tears of passion.
“Yes, yes. Also, stop with that name.”
Well, that should be enough follow-up with my subordinates.
Looking at the people, some had collapsed, while others covered their mouths.
As expected, seeing nobles casually getting their heads crushed would cause such a reaction.
I need to restore their impression of me a little.
Aftercare is important in these situations.
“Everyone, I’m sorry. You’re probably suffering now, having lost many comrades. But from now on, I won’t let the Court of Justice do as they please. I will take responsibility and dismantle the Court of Justice. So please, continue to serve Ortenos.”
I can’t bow my head to the people, but I’ll make a declaration of resolve as a reminder.
After showing such a gruesome scene, it’s uncertain whether I’ll be seen as “the terrifying noble, Lord Sharka” or “the wise Lord Sharka who cares for the people.”
What will it be…
“Uoooooo!”
A cheer erupted that made me think the fortress was shaking.
Their pupils were wide open, like spectators at the World Cup final.
Pure fanaticism.
(So, so easily swayed…)
Is it okay to be this easily swayed?
Well, it’s better than being feared as a monster.
“Lord Sharka.”
“Ah, I know.”
Nicoletta seemed to have noticed the presence of strange individuals as well.
Using Magical Power Detection, I could tell that there were Satella-Class individuals besides the Military Officials.
First, the bewitching sister staring intently at me.
Then, several men and women dressed like nomads.
And then…
“Greetings, Lord Sharka.”
Suddenly, a black-cloaked, assassin-like man emerged from the crowd and stood before us.
His face was hidden by a hood, but his Magical Power Capacity was Satella-Class.
However, there was a strange aura about him.
“…Who are you?”
“I am a messenger from Alberto-sama, the First Prince of the Kingdom of Naia. I have a message for Ortenos.”
Hearing that he was from Naia, my eyes widened.
The Court of Justice was one thing, but a Satella-Class from Naia sneaking in was unexpected.
From a counterintelligence standpoint, the Military Officials would never allow him to enter.
(So, he snuck in, but how?)
…I see, he must have mixed in with the people’s luggage.
The Military Officials’ Magical Power Detection isn’t perfect.
If you try to hide skillfully, there’s plenty of room to conceal yourself.
Well, capturing and interrogating him is a given, but I can’t let them see my agitation.
“Oh? What business does the First Prince of Naia have with me?”
“Hmm, so you are different from what I heard, Sharka de Ortenos. In addition to your combat skills, you also possess boldness and charisma. It seems the rumors of you defeating Barbat-sama are true.”
The man paused, as if considering his words, before delivering a slightly embarrassing evaluation.
Is that what other people think of me?
However, I felt a slight discomfort with the man’s way of speaking.
He’s suspicious as hell, and I have a feeling I should throw him in a cell as soon as possible.
“If you’ve come to chat, then we’re done here. For now, you can be quiet in the dungeon.”
“Brave words, but you shouldn’t do that. It will be a loss for both of us.”
The man said, raising the corners of his mouth in a fearless smile.
His composure in front of me is a little unsettling.
Maybe I should let him talk a bit.
“Then get to the point quickly.”
“Very well, then I will deliver Alberto-sama’s message. ‘Withdraw from the Ceasefire Talks with the Kingdom of Naia—this is a warning.'”
The man’s words were strange to Ortenos.
I don’t understand Alberto’s aim.
“Huh? The Ceasefire Talks were originally proposed by Naia. What’s with this sudden change of heart?”
“The idea of the Ceasefire Talks was Luna-sama’s decision alone. It is not the consensus of the Kingdom of Naia.”
“I see, but Queen Carlina seems keen on it, though?”
The source is a letter from my father.
However, the Queen of Naia must have some ulterior motive.
That’s why he wrote to me not to let my guard down.
“Such weakness is not allowed in the Kingdom of Naia! We must not allow a draw at this stage! Ortenos must feel the same way!”
The black-cloaked man shouted.
He seems somewhat theatrical.
What is his aim?
“No, I have no objection to a ceasefire.”
“What?”
In the first place, I’ve decided to agree with my father’s opinion.
During the ceasefire, I can fully enjoy a sweet campus life with Elmia, so there are personal benefits as well.
Going on sweets tours and attending social parties every night sounds great.
Imagining the future, a smile naturally forms on my face.
Maybe I should provoke him a little.
“I’m generous, you see. I don’t mind letting you Naia folks savor a moment of peace.”
“You dare mock us!”
He’s too easily provoked.
Honestly, I feel like I’m being led by this man’s pace.
“Are we done here? You’re going to the dungeon now. I’ll have you tell me the rest later.”
“Fuhahaha…”
“?”
I declared triumphantly, but the black-cloaked man laughed fearlessly.
“Unfortunately, a ceasefire will not be achieved. You will soon know what this means…”
“? No matter what you say, the Ceasefire Talks are already set. There will be no changes now.”
“It is foolish to ignore our warning. You do not understand that you are already trapped in darkness. Ignorant mice who know nothing, that is what you Ortenos are. The only future that awaits you is being devoured by beasts lurking in the shadows.”
“…”
The man said something ominous.
“You will regret that choice. You will sink halfway with Luna-sama’s ideals.”
“You’re being so talkative, which is helpful. Now, let’s have you be quiet.”
Does this mean something will happen at the Ceasefire Talks?
Of course, it’s possible that the Naia side will set something up.
But I can’t grasp the intention of sending this man.
If I capture him, I can extract information and expose Naia’s plot.
It’s hard to believe they’d send him without any plan.
…Whatever the case, it won’t start unless I capture the man.
I decided to inscribe the Demon-Sealing Sigil on the man and began to gather Magical Power.
“Fuhahaha… My role is to stall you, and I’ve already achieved the minimum goal. The rest—our comrades will accomplish.”
Just as I was about to restrain the man, he said something I couldn’t ignore.
Moreover, he’s hinting at the existence of comrades.
“…Could it be, a diversion?”
Is that why the man’s behavior seemed unnatural?
If so, then all the conversations so far were to buy time to cause some kind of commotion in Bangwall.
This is bad, if that’s the case, I don’t know what the real target is.
“Fuhahaha… Despair, Ortenos. Haaaaaa!”
As the man shouted, his Magical Power exploded unnaturally.