The Count conducted a thorough investigation at the site of the attack.
He brought along not only Sirien but also priests of the Order to perform a meticulous search of the area where they had been ambushed.
The investigation, undertaken just in case, yielded no significant results as expected.
No traces of magic could be found, and they simply cleared away the decaying monster corpses before concluding.
It seemed that Marquis Elloran wasn't foolish enough to leave evidence behind.
However, they weren't completely helpless in the situation.
After all, this was Edelmarion, the heart of the Empire.
While they couldn't prove the Count had been attacked by demons, the fact that monsters had attacked and caused casualties needed no further evidence.
The Imperial Guard of Edelmarion had confirmed the monster corpses and were thoroughly searching the surrounding area on our behalf.
Then Russel came looking for me.
Wherever he had been, a faint smell of blood lingered around him.
The distinctive metallic scent of blood was particularly strong.
It didn't seem like he had killed someone directly, but rather that he had been near old bloodstains.
I couldn't be entirely certain, though.
"Lord Razen? Do you have a moment? I have something to tell you."
"Yes. Do we need a private location?"
"Somewhere less crowded would be preferable."
We moved to a quiet room nearby.
Russel carefully surveyed his surroundings until the moment we entered the room, and even after entering, he kept his voice low.
With a grim expression, he began to speak.
"Do you remember the dwarf friend I introduced you to? The one with the rough manner of speaking."
"Yes, of course. It wasn't that long ago."
"I went back to find him after hearing your conversation. After all, we were attacked at the location he directed us to."
I recalled the tavern I had visited with Russel.
The dwarf who had spoken harshly to Russel. Despite spewing all manner of curses, his eyes had been filled with concern.
Their relationship had seemed quite close. Russel had lost a friend.
In any case, being ambushed at the meeting place meant one of two things:
Either the dwarf had betrayed Russel, or the dwarf had also fallen into the same trap.
My instincts leaned toward the latter, and it seemed Russel felt the same way.
"The branch was thoroughly 'cleaned out.' I found my friend dead with his tongue pulled out. I don't know if anyone survived, but if they did, they're probably not on our side anymore."
"His tongue pulled out?"
"Ah, it's the Rule of Silence. A punishment typically used for informants. Usually, they just cut out the tongue, but in severe cases, they make an incision in the neck and pull the tongue through it. Not a pleasant sight."
I'd heard of this before. I think it appeared once or twice in the original story.
The description seemed like a mix between Sicilian mafia methods and South American gang tactics.
There was a scene where Dersian became furious, calling it desecration of the dead.
Russel continued, swallowing his boiling rage or perhaps grief.
"But my friend was no amateur. He wasn't someone who would go down without a fight. Though he apparently couldn't resist the attack properly, it seems he had anticipated his own death."
Come to think of it, the dwarf hadn't even asked for our names.
Few people can withstand torture for long.
The dwarf probably didn't overestimate his mental fortitude, and the best way to prevent information leakage is to "not know" in the first place.
Even after our conversation ended, he had told us not to leave with him but to stay behind for at least 30 minutes.
He likely didn't want it to appear that meeting him was our primary purpose.
Russel handed me a bundle of papers.
"I found this in a place only I would know about. It's my friend's final possession. Please take it."
"Do you want revenge?"
"Yes. He was my friend for over twenty years. Since I couldn't protect our friendship, I at least want to collect a blood debt."
I accepted Russel's gift.
* * *
The castle in Marquis Elloran's domain was famous for being the largest and most splendid in the north.
The undisputed leader of the north. Although the Elloran family's influence couldn't quite compare to the western Ilensia or eastern Harmenia, at least the size and splendor of their castle was second to none.
And was the castle the only thing that didn't fall short?
Since the beginning of the Empire's history, the Elloran family had worked tirelessly to catch up with the pillars of the Empire.
For some reason, the previous Marquis hadn't shown much enthusiasm, but this generation was different.
The Marquis assessed himself as a man of both ability and talent.
Opportunity comes to those who are prepared, and great achievements are accomplished by those with ambition.
Unlike his father, he had ambition, and therefore, a duty to bring glory to his family.
From the highest point of the Marquis's castle, in a room adorned with brilliant jewels, a woman's sweet voice could be heard.
"I've completed everything as you instructed, my lord. All those detestable traitors are dead."
"Is that so? You've worked hard, my love."
"Oh my, naughty hands. The night is still young. You should still treat me as your maid for now."
"There's no one here now. Come to me. My arms feel empty."
"Hehe, if it's my lord's command."
The woman in the Marquis's embrace had deep black hair.
Her jade-white skin and downturned eyes exuded sensuality.
The Marquis's old-fashioned retainers despised his maid, Lisia.
She was a woman of unknown origin. It wasn't proper to keep such a suspicious person by the family head's side.
That woman only thought of manipulating the Marquis with her feminine wiles. The Marquis should cast out that seductress.
All were false accusations.
After removing those jealous old men, a clear path opened before him.
"Hehehe. Why is my lord so angry today? Aren't you happy with the good news I brought?"
"That vermin Isquente is still alive. Now he's roaming all over the capital, which worries me. I hear the investigators from the Temple will soon head to the northern front as well."
The Marquis hated Baron Isquente.
A detestable half-breed. A clown of low birth pretending to be nobility.
Since that cursed commoner began to rise, the north no longer recognized the Elloran family as its sole leader.
What exactly was he lacking?
He was born of a greater bloodline. He commanded military forces that Isquente could only dream of.
It was Elloran, not Isquente, who protected the north. The northern garrison was merely a hunting dog, not a guardian.
Yet the northern people followed Baron Isquente first.
Even after all this time, in the central government, Elloran couldn't stand alongside Ilensia and Harmenia.
The Marquis needed one decisive move.
To prove that Elloran simply hadn't needed to step forward until now.
A decisive move to demonstrate that Elloran was the true guardian of the north, and its status was by no means inferior to the two pillars.
"My lord always thinks too much. But my lord, everything will be fine. Can't complicated thoughts wait until tomorrow?"
"But... there are still official matters to attend to."
"If you play with me a little, I'll help you. Isn't it a waste for someone as great as you to spend time sitting at a desk?"
Lisia whispered softly.
"Besides, tomorrow you have to go to the capital because of Count Eshk. Leaving me behind. I'll surely be lonely without you. Won't you really play with me?"
The Marquis hesitated. Was this really acceptable?
But soon Lisia began to lick his hand seductively.
Her soft, moist tongue left saliva on his hand.
"Come now, my lord. You should look further ahead. Imagine the whole world praising your name and the House of Elloran. No, perhaps you'll achieve such great merit that you'll become a Duke. Would that make you the future Duke?"
The Marquis's eyes met Lisia's.
He loved her eyes. Those bewitching wine-colored eyes. Whenever he looked into them, he felt his heart being pulled toward her.
"You are a pioneer, my lord. You didn't cast me out despite my demon heritage. Such a magnanimous person you are. Surely you will one day become a bridge connecting the two races and leave your name in history."
Sticky, sensual sounds followed several times.
Blatant seduction. The Marquis was still young, and he wasn't one to hide his desires.
Before he knew it, his hands were exploring Lisia.
"I'm so looking forward to that day. The day when all those who failed to recognize your true worth kneel before you and sing your praises. Don't you feel the same, my lord?"
"I do... I do..."
"I'm so happy to hear you say that."
Giggle.
Lisia laughed. The Marquis laughed along with her.
The laughter of the couple soon turned into flirtation.
A heated passion spread throughout the Marquis's chamber.