ââ November 1st. Knight Order Conference Room.
âThe painting itself is a fake.â
Today, November 1st, the verdict of forgery was delivered, but letâs turn the clock back a little.
Before Operation âPath of Dreamsâ was completed, and before the cartel was crushed and the ledger was obtained.
Before the sudden scandal caused the Imperial Guard members who had taken drug money to panic and abandon their mansions, and before any operational meetings could even take place.
I had mobilized Schatz and her subordinates to secure Goebel's painting. I had the forgery made first, then swapped it out.
So that I could kill Goebel whenever I wished.
I had clearly told Chiron.
That I had âalreadyâ secured the evidence to kill Goebel.
But the reason Fellier's inscription ended up being forged as well was, honestly, a coincidence.For secrecy and perfection, I hired counterfeiters who didnât understand the Imperial language and instructed them to replicate both the interior and exterior exactly the same.
They dutifully copied everything, even the sentence Fellier had etched on the canvas. They probably mistook it for the artistâs signature.
â.......â
Because of that, the meaning behind the expressionless face I wore as I looked at Adria right now was simply, surprise.
It was unexpected.
Perhaps I had overestimated my own information, the unfair asymmetry of Regression.
Adria, regardless of my intentions, had conducted her own independent investigation and reached the âpaintingâ. Her ability to infer the truth from an empty void far exceeded my expectations.
The only issue was that she lacked the absolute time to review the whole picture.
......Be humble, Maximilian.
From the very beginning, every one of these people was more capable than you.
Talents of the Empire who had brought down the Empire itself... people that your weak, pathetic pre-Regression self could never have even dared to look up to.
âIf the painting itself is a fake.â
At someoneâs words, everyone turned to look.
It was Kentz Bertem.
âThen it lacks evidentiary value. Thereâs no way to know whether someone fabricated and planted it.â
Adria quietly lowered her head.
Her effort to protect Anton had ironically shortened her own time. It was because Adria's competence had overlapped with my operation.
Perhaps the world runs on luck.
ââ November 1st, 13:00
1:00 p.m. that afternoon.
In the end, Goebelâs detainment was lifted due to insufficient evidence, and we each returned to our offices.
***
ââSrrrrk.
The interior of a luxurious car moving quietly and smoothly. Goebel let out a hollow laugh as he looked out at the Empire's scenery passing by.
âSo it was fake, huh.â
A strange smile spread across his face, and an indescribable emotion began to swell within him.
The scenery outside the window, its colors were radiant. The fading sunset looked like the blurring of an oil painting.
Had twilightâs ambiguity always been this beautiful?
"More than a fake, it was a conspiracy! A false accusatiâ â â âââ âââ ââ â ââ ââââ â â â â â ââââ ââ â â âââ â â ââ â âââ â â â â â âââ ââ â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â ââââ â â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â â ââ â ââââ â ââ â âââ â âââ â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â âââ â â â ââ âââ â â âââ âââ âââ ââ âââ âââ â â âââ âââ â â â âââ â âââ âââ â â ââ â âââ â â âââ â ââââ â ââ âââ â â ââ â â ââââ â â â âââ ââââ â âââ ââââ â ââââ â â â â â âââ â â â â â ââââ â ââ ââââ â â ââ âââ ââââ â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â â âââ â â â â âââ ââ â ââ â ââââ â ââ ââââ â ââ â ââââ ââ ââ ââââ ââ âââ âââ ââ â âââ ââ â â â âââ ââ âââ â â ââââ â ââ ââ ââ on!"
Beside him, Brigadier General Alfred wore a face full of righteous fury.
âThey forged the cartelâs handwriting to frame you, Commander! Those damn Knight Order bastards!â
Of course, that probably wasnât the case. It was something that wouldâve been easily exposed with an art appraiser.
That cunning bastard Fellier mustâve pulled this stunt by bribing an art auction to save money.
But ironically, thanks to that man, Goebel had survived this time.
"We can't just sit still! First, tear up that list. It's time for us to make demands!"
Maximilianâs earlier words about âhaving to offer a fingerâ no longer applied.
On the contrary, they now had something to gain.
âHa... This is ridiculous.â
"Yes! Truly absurd, and utterly outrageous!"
The dead bastard saved his life... Goebel closed his eyes, feeling an emotion he couldnât define.
Screech.
The car stopped. It was Kentz Bertemâs estate.
As Goebel stepped out, Kentz, waiting in the garden, approached with arms wide open.
âGoebel! My dear friend.â
âKentz, itâs all thanks to you.â
The two men smiled and embraced. There was an age difference between them, but bound by the ties of their faction, they treated each other without pretense.
âCome in. Iâve prepared a banquet to celebrate your safe return.â
They entered the mansionâs banquet hall together.
On the table were delicacies from land and sea, and wines aged for decades.
Clap clap clap clapââ.
They welcomed Goebel, the man of the hour, with applause, clinking their glasses in celebration of victory.
Smiles, anger, joy, irritation, relief, gratitude⦠all sorts of muddled emotions splashed about like saliva.
"Kentz. While we're at it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to prepare to cut off the Sentinel's limbs."
Kentz took a sip of wine and replied casually.
âIâve already prepared a letter of protest to send to them.â
Goebel listened to Kentz's plan with a look of displeasure.
âOnce we start shaping public opinion through the media, they'll have no choice but to answer for the crime of falsely detaining the Commander of the Imperial Guard.â
Such pleasant words to hear. Goebel quietly smiled at the corners of his mouth.
âI like that very much.â
Draining his glass, he spoke with a rather contemptuous air.
âAnd this time, Iâm thinking ofââ
Suddenly, a certain face appeared in his mind. Goebel recalled the anger he had briefly set aside.
âMaximilian. Iâm thinking of summoning that arrogant knight to the Imperial Guard.â
At his words, Kentzâs eyes widened. The other members of the Guard reacted similarly.
But soon enough, everyone applauded the decision, deeming it just, and smiled while hurling insults at Maximilian.
Naturallyââit was nothing but delightful.
***
ââNovember 2nd, 15:00
The next day. A meeting was held at the Knight Orderâs round table. I was present as a key member of Operation âPath of Dreamsâ.
It was personally presided over by Deputy Commander Anton, so the atmosphere was extremely heavy.
âAdria.â
Chiron growled with great hostility. I hadnât told him everything yet.
You have to deceive your allies first to deceive your enemies. And in fact, Chiron was acting even better than an actor.
"......Take a good look at what you've done. Your petty ambition has tarnished the greater cause."
Adria said nothing. Even with ten mouths, she would have had nothing to say.
Still, it ad been too great a blunder. The knights' greatest weapon, the authority to detain, had failed, and it had given the Imperial Guard an opening to counterattack.
âJust you resigning wonât solve anything.â
Chiron clenched his teeth.
âKentz Bertem and the Imperial Guard have already formally requested a reduction in the Knight Orderâs authority. Theyâve united over this issue.â
A reduction in the Knight Orderâs authority. Or perhaps another watchdog to watch over the knight order.
To such an absurd load of bullshit, even the Kandel family and the Grossman faction, the other pillar of the Imperial Guard, were also showing signs of tentative agreement.
It was something that absolutely must not come to pass.
"Is self-destruction your hobby?"
Chiron glared at Adria as he asked.
â.......â
Adria gave no response.
Chiron flicked a ballpoint pen off the desk.
âI asked if it was your hobby.â
Then he picked up the pen from the person next to him and threw that one too.
Flick.
He picked up another from somewhere and threw it again.
Flick.
The knights in the meeting room silently followed the penâs motion with their eyes.
"Self-destruction, I asked if it was your hobby."
Flick.
Where are all these pens coming from?
Flick.
It seemed childish, like a game kids would play, but the anger was real. When a person gets too angry, they become this petty.
Flick.
He threw another pen.
Suddenly, I recalled a pulp novel I had secretly read as a child.
Adria and Chiron. If the timing had been just right, could these two have gotten close?
âI asked if it was your hobby.â
When there was still no answer.
âIâm asking youââ!â
Chiron slammed the desk and shouted. He had every right to be angry. She had spoiled what was practically a done deal.
Adria quietly opened her mouth.
"As a high-ranking knight, I will take full responsibility."
âWhat kind of responsibility could you possiblyââ
âQuiet.â
Anton cut in, low and firm voice.
âWhatâs done is done. Damage control comes first.â
Suddenly, Antonâs gaze shifted to me.
âMaximilian. Goebel has just requested a conversation with you. He wants to speak directly at the Imperial Guard Headquarters.â
A conversation. It was, in truth, a summons.
They seemed to be trying to humiliate me by summoning me to the Imperial Guard, but it was exactly what I had been waiting for.
"Yes. Understood. I'll head out right away."
I answered calmly and stood up. The other knights seemed rather surprised by how readily I complied.
âBefore you go.â
Chiron stopped me.
"What are your thoughts, Maximilian? On this whole situation."
I remained silent for a moment, then looked between Adria and Chiron before answering.
âI believe itâs no oneâs fault.â
It was a gesture to teâ â â âââ âââ ââ â ââ ââââ â â â â â ââââ ââ â â âââ â â ââ â âââ â â â â â âââ ââ â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â ââââ â â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â â ââ â ââââ â ââ â âââ â âââ â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â âââ â â â ââ âââ â â âââ âââ âââ ââ âââ âââ â â âââ âââ â â â âââ â âââ âââ â â ââ â âââ â â âââ â ââââ â ââ âââ â â ââ â â ââââ â â â âââ ââââ â âââ ââââ â ââââ â â â â â âââ â â â â â ââââ â ââ ââââ â â ââ âââ ââââ â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â â âââ â â â â âââ ââ â ââ â ââââ â ââ ââââ â ââ â ââââ ââ ââ ââââ ââ âââ âââ ââ â âââ ââ â â â âââ ââ âââ â â ââââ â ââ ââ ââ ll him to dial it back. Internal division only benefits the enemy.
"Then, if you'll excuse mâ â â âââ âââ ââ â ââ ââââ â â â â â ââââ ââ â â âââ â â ââ â âââ â â â â â âââ ââ â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â ââââ â â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â â ââ â ââââ â ââ â âââ â âââ â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â âââ â â â ââ âââ â â âââ âââ âââ ââ âââ âââ â â âââ âââ â â â âââ â âââ âââ â â ââ â âââ â â âââ â ââââ â ââ âââ â â ââ â â ââââ â â â âââ ââââ â âââ ââââ â ââââ â â â â â âââ â â â â â ââââ â ââ ââââ â â ââ âââ ââââ â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â â âââ â â â â âââ ââ â ââ â ââââ â ââ ââââ â ââ â ââââ ââ ââ ââââ ââ âââ âââ ââ â âââ ââ â â â âââ ââ âââ â â ââââ â ââ ââ ââ e."
With a brief nod, I left the conference room.
Now, it was time to go meet Goebel.
***
Imperial Guard 1st Corps Headquarters.
I was willingly walking down its long corridor. The gazes the Imperial Guard members directed at me were quite varied. Some reluctantly saluted, some simply ignored me and walked past, and others, as if the rumor had already spread, snuck glances at me while hiding their smirks.
âAh. Knight Maximilian.â
As I stood in front of Goebelâs office and was about to knock, his adjutant stopped me.
âPlease wait a moment. His personal schedule isnât finished yet.â
The adjutant held the rank of major.
A mere Major was blocking my way, but it was fine.
âVery well.â
I chose to wait patiently.
I sat in a chair placed in the corridor and quietly passed the time.
Tick-tockâ tick-tockâ
The clocks hanging around headquarters were irritating.
Tick-tockâ tick-tockâ
Even with my eyes closed, I could hear the sound.
Tick-tockâ tick-tockâ
A rhythm that was regular for everyone else, yet for me alone, not regular at all.
Tick-tockâ tick-tockâ
Not time itself, but merely the movement of gears doing a poor imitation of time.
Tick-tockââ
Eventually, 60 minutes past the appointed time had gone by.
Creeeak.
Only then did the door open.
âOne moment, please.â
But the adjutant didnât let me in right away; he first went inside to ask for Goebelâs permission.
Another ten minutes passed like that.
An hour and ten minutes wasted in vain.
âYou may enter, Knight Maximilian.â
I was led in by the adjutant. Goebel greeted me in an extremely arrogant posture.
"Mm. Sit."
He pointed curtly at the seat across from him. I sat down. Goebel seemed to believe that the dynamic between us had reversed, and he put on an expression of feigned sympathy.
"......How unfortunate."
A faint smile hovered on his lips.
âLord Bertem is very angry right now. As for me, Iâm trying to understand your youthful hot-bloodedness.â
He crossed his legs right in front of me. Clearly, he had taken it to heart.
âWell, my conditions are simple. Have the Imperial Guardâs charges all withdrawn by the Knight Court. And issue a formal apology statement.â
I stared at him intently.
âOh, thereâs no need to mention your name specifically. Since it was that crazy knight Adriaâs doing, a general apology statement from the Sentinel will suffice.â
Goebel bit down on his cigar and spread both hands.
âWhat do you think?Sounds like a perfectly reasonable demand, doesnât it?â
Without a word, I leaned back deeply in my chair, straightened my disheveled uniform, and crossed my legs.
â.......â
Goebelâs expression stiffened at my attitude.
I murmured to him, as if letting out a sigh.
"You still don't understand, do you."
"......I think you're the one who doesn't understand."
Chik, chizik. Goebel lit his cigar.
"Do you not grasp the severity of the situation? The knights' detention authority is being discussed for removal as we speak."
Smoke rose thickly, and his voice gradually grew louder.
âThey call knights the Empireâs watchdogs, but who watches the watchdogs, huh? Even within the Imperial Palace, thereâs talk of creating an external audit authority for the Knight Order.â
He began listing off several legislative proposals. These were the worst laws, prepared long in advance, that would actually be introduced if the Imperial Guard gained the upper hand.
"Then go ahead and stop them."
â......What?â
Goebelâs brow furrowed. He stared at me for a moment, then let out a dry laugh and removed his monocle.
âMaximilian Ebenholtz.â
Daringly, Goebel recited my full name.
âYou're an impudent, ill-mannered young man. I let things slide because youâre Sebestianâs son, but you just keep pushing your luck?â
This man had finally revealed his anger. It was what I had hoped forâwhat I had, in fact, deliberately provoked.
"Commander Goebel. The ill-mannered one here is you."
â.......â
Goebel closed his eyes tightly. He took a deep breath to suppress his rage. At the very least, he wasnât soâ â â âââ âââ ââ â ââ ââââ â â â â â ââââ ââ â â âââ â â ââ â âââ â â â â â âââ ââ â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â ââââ â â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â â ââ â ââââ â ââ â âââ â âââ â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â âââ â â â ââ âââ â â âââ âââ âââ ââ âââ âââ â â âââ âââ â â â âââ â âââ âââ â â ââ â âââ â â âââ â ââââ â ââ âââ â â ââ â â ââââ â â â âââ ââââ â âââ ââââ â ââââ â â â â â âââ â â â â â ââââ â ââ ââââ â â ââ âââ ââââ â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â â âââ â â â â âââ ââ â ââ â ââââ â ââ ââââ â ââ â ââââ ââ ââ ââââ ââ âââ âââ ââ â âââ ââ â â â âââ ââ âââ â â ââââ â ââ ââ ââ meone easily swayed by emotion.
âHaa.......â
He let out a sigh and shook his head slowly.
"......I wish you would accept these terms. In our Empire's system, the balance of power still needs to be maintained. What I mean is that 'that place' shouldn't crumble this quickly."
He was echoing words I had once said in the interrogation room to him. And I, in turn, clicked my tongue at how truly pathetic I found him.
"You really don't understand."
I pulled a sheet of paper from my inner pocket and handed it to him.
"......What's this now."
Just as Goebel was about to toss it aside in irritation.
"It's the location where the genuine painting you received from Fellier is being stored."
In an instant, his hand froze.
I calmly settled into my seat.
âLet me ask you. Do you really think Fellier would have gifted you a fake? He had already planted evidence, anticipating your betrayal, and yet you think heâd hand you a fake?â
Goebelâs pupils trembled violently.
"If that's what you thought, Commander, then you've let your guard down so far that your judgment has gone dull."
I remained perfectly calm. Goebel stared at me in a daze.
The one who speaks first always ends up in the weaker position.
â......What do you mean by that?â
Of courseâit was Goebel who broke the silence.
"I had it made."
âWhat......?â
His pupils widened in shock, and I continued in a bitter tone.
âThe fake. I had it made and had it placed there myself.â
Goebel looked down at the paper.
The location was Kronen Schatzinsel. An art storage record.
âIf youâd like, I can take you to Canilan to verify the original. Ah, do you know what the originalâs signature is? Itâs a blood inscription made with Fellierâs own blood mixed with mana. It canât be forged, and its validity as legal evidence is beyond question.â
Goebelâs face creased with tension. His expression seemed to ask:
Why?
âIt was a gesture of respect, and the price of a deal. I expected a knight like Adria would eventually appear, after all.â
That was a lie.
âI intended to tell you everything once the incident was over. But Adria discovered it far earlier than I expected.â
Even so, it didnât matter. Politics, broadly speaking, is not much different from piecing together a puzzle.
If a situation had unfolded, one simply adjusted one's position to fit the already broken shape.
"But Goebel, you really are......"
I let out a hollow laugh.
âDisappointing.â
â.......â
Goebel said nothing. It was as if he had been struck mute.
ââTick.
I looked at the desk clock in Goebelâs office.
"One hour and 40 minutes. No, adding the 140-minuâ â â âââ âââ ââ â ââ ââââ â â â â â ââââ ââ â â âââ â â ââ â âââ â â â â â âââ ââ â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â ââââ â â â â ââ ââââ â â âââ â â ââ â ââââ â ââ â âââ â âââ â ââ ââââ â â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â âââ â â â ââ âââ â â âââ âââ âââ ââ âââ âââ â â âââ âââ â â â âââ â âââ âââ â â ââ â âââ â â âââ â ââââ â ââ âââ â â ââ â â ââââ â â â âââ ââââ â âââ ââââ â ââââ â â â â â âââ â â â â â ââââ â ââ ââââ â â ââ âââ ââââ â âââ â ââ â â âââ ââ ââ â â âââ â â â â âââ ââ â ââ â ââââ â ââ ââââ â ââ â ââââ ââ ââ ââââ ââ âââ âââ ââ â âââ ââ â â â âââ ââ âââ â â ââââ â ââ ââ ââ te round trip, a total of 4 hours. Commander, you have wasted four hours of my time."
I slowly rose from my seat, looked down at him, and added coldly.
"If you wish to compensate for that, you'll need to move quickly."
Goebel blankly stared at me. He just sat there, motionless.
âWhat are you doing?â
I said to him, still dawdling.
âYou need to move.â