CH 23

"...are these the attackers?"

"Yes. Me and..."

"Ezell Freudian, Captain of the First Squadron of the Court Mages."

"...We have both intercepted and restrained them. Some of them are still unconscious, but I'm sure they'll wake up in no time."

After restraining the attackers together with Edsel and carrying them to Duke Bernard, we explained the situation to the Duke and asked him to call the knights of the royal capital, although we felt sorry for him to call at this time of night.

The conscious assailants were staring at us sharply, but I think they knew that if they tried anything here, they might lose their lives immediately. They don't do anything in particular, nor do they show any signs of running away. Although they can't escape either way.

"You mean the servants of the one who put the curse magic on Sion. We'll have to interrogate them thoroughly and get them to talk."

"'I think I have a pretty good idea of who it is, though."

"What?"

I held out the dagger I had brought to the Duke, who frowned at me suspiciously.

He received it and his eyes widened when he saw the family crest that was engraved on it.

"...That's the family crest of the Count Glanz."

"It's very dumb and laughable, but I can only assume that's what they were using it for when they attacked me."

"...I knew they were idiots and fools, but not to this extent. But now that I think about it, some things do come to mind."

"Is that so?"

"Ah. It was after the dinner with that house that the curse magic bruise appeared on Sion. At that time, I took Sion with me as a show of respect, but... I guess that was a bad idea. I thought I was safe and everything was fine, but I had no idea this was going to happen."

The duke's hands are trembling as he grips his dagger in vexation.

I'm sure he's angry. He must be angry with Count Glanz for doing this to his beloved daughter.

If the child is that way, then the parent must be that way, too. The reverse is also true.

The worst-case scenario - or rather, the house will certainly be demolished. No, since they are using a prohibited magic called curse magic, they might even be guilty of death.

It's a matter of self-defense no matter what happens, but first we need to check the facts. Well, only a member of the family can lend out a dagger with the family crest on it, so the culprit is almost certain.

A little later, a young male butler - I believe his name was Athos - came up to the Duke's side and took a glance at those who were being held.

"Sir, the knights have arrived."

"Tell them to keep these men in the dungeon. It's also a good idea to have them deliver a memo with the details of their interrogation, so that you can get everything they have to say. Don't be afraid to be rough."

"All right, sir."

"Come on. You two must be tired. Get some rest."

The Duke gave us some words of appreciation.

We both shook our heads, though we were grateful for the concern.

"I'm sorry, but I have work to do at the royal palace, and it would be unbecoming of me if I were the only one resting here."

"I'm going to the dungeons with the knights. They all have grimoires that are higher than the Ritensho (Virtues), according to their magical reactions. It would be troublesome if they escaped, so I thought it would be better to stay with them. In the meantime, I'll be making a confession potion."

"I see. I'm sorry I got you into so much trouble."

Returning the bow, the Duke muttered ‘Hard workers’ and walked into the mansion.

To the side, knights were taking away the attackers. As I looked at them, I expressed my thanks to Edsel.

"Thank you. Your timing was perfect."

"'It was about as late as it gets, though. You took out most of them."

"'If you hadn't restrained them I would have let them go for sure. I'm sorry you have to guard the palace."

"Don't worry, it's just a way to blow off steam. I was just returning the favor for the mock battle."

"I see. Yeah, okay."

It was typical of Edsel that he didn't accept the gratitude honestly.

He quickly took out his pocket watch to check the time and said, 'I have to go, my men will be angry if I don't.' Then he left for the royal palace.

After watching their backs, I followed the knights to the dungeon.

Now, I've got a little more work to do. First of all... I'll have to make a confession potion! I need to make something one that's incredibly effective.

────── 〔✿〕Meanwhile〔✿〕──────

To put it simply, the assailants who took the confession pill I made easily cracked (I made it so that they would do so).

They told me that they had been hired and had been ordered to kill me, the guard of Lord Sion. The dagger in my hand was given to me by a man in a butler's uniform who claimed to be a proxy when They accepted the mission. They don't know anything about the identity of the man in the butler's uniform, but They do know that the master he serves is Count Glanz.

It was only this morning, when the potion was being mixed, that they gave up this knowledge.

I immediately ran to the Duke with a piece of paper on which I wrote down the information, and asked the maid to wake him up from his sleep. The duke, who had woken up from his sleep, looked quite cranky, but as soon as I told him that I had gotten the attacker to give up all the information, he seemed to switch gears and prepared himself in a good mood.

He seemed very happy that he had found out the identity of the mastermind who had cast the curse on his daughter. What I saw in his eyes, though, was fighting spirit itself.

He's also known as a skilled mage. You can tell that he is relentless.

Afterwards, the Duke went to the royal palace to tell His Majesty the King what had happened. I wasn't there with him, so I don't know the details, but I heard that he was quite angry.

Well, the fact that a nobleman, who should be a role model for the people, used magic, which is forbidden, and tried to bring down a single girl, even a duke's daughter, is unforgivable.

His Majesty takes this scandal caused by a nobleman very seriously, and after the facts are confirmed, the house will be demolished, and the Count and his eldest son will be tried and punished severely.

As for the capture, they said that they would send some court mages and also leave it to the dukes. If he resisted, there would be no mercy. It seems to contain such a message.

The day after the duke had an audience with His Majesty.

“Is that all the guards?"

The court mage who knocked out the guards who resisted in the mansion of the Count Grants - Edsel, the captain of the first unit - asks me, his subordinate mages who are behind him, and the knights of the dukes.

"I guess so."

"You didn't need us, did you? The captain and Mr. Serel took out most of them."

"...or rather, Mr. Serel, are you really Notensho (Powers)? I'm not sure if you're really a librarian or not. He's going toe-to-toe with the captain, and his magic skills are masterful to begin with."

"...or rather, Mr. Serel, are you really Notensho (Powers)? I'm not sure if you're really a librarian or not. He's going toe-to-toe with the captain, and his magic skills are masterful to begin with."

Edsel's subordinates started chatting with each other with an air so relaxed that it was hard to believe they were in enemy territory.

The court mages dispatched by His Majesty the King were the members of the first unit of the Mage Corps. The team is made up of Edsel and other skilled mages, and to be honest, they are overpowered for the capture of Count Glanz.

His Majesty really is a worrywart.

"Well, you guys just need to be there. The more people there are, the more impressive it will be, and the more scared Count Glanz will be."

"I think it will make him realize that we are here to capture him. Besides, I'll be in charge of escorting him after he's captured."

"How many people are there?"

"Just in case. His Majesty told me to go, so I had no choice."

His Majesty told me to go, so I have no choice.

But then, a dirty, angry voice came from ahead.

"Hey, you guys! What the hell do you think you're doing in my mansion!? This is an act of treason against the nobility and is punishable by death!"

"Yes, yes. You'll have to shut up for a bit, you criminal."

Edsel, who had instantly closed the distance, covered his right hand with steel and struck Count Glanz in the face with his tough fist.

His nose seemed to be broken, and his noggin was bent in a strange way, and blood spurted out. Oh, that's merciless.

"Aaaaahhh!"

"Yes, yes. It's noisy, so keep it down."

Edsel kicks the Count in the belly, which is full of fat, as if to push the Count to the ground holding his face.

The Count's body curls up as he suppresses a scream, showing no sign of the dignity of a nobleman.

"Edsel, that's enough. There's no need to hurt him. All we have to do is capture him."

"Why not? He's going to be tortured and tortured, and then tried and decapitated, Isn't he? I'm sure no one will complain if you vent some of your grievances."

"Did I say I had a grudge?"

I didn't think that Edsel had anything to do with Count Glanz.

One of the court mages behind me told me.

"A mage in the first unit lost his entire family to that Count a long time ago. I heard that the Count was doing whatever he wanted in his own domain."

"There are more crimes... Isn't there?"

A piece of paper with a magic formula on it that was placed on a nearby desk.

I've never seen this in general purpose magic, and... I'm pretty sure it's curse magic. Yes, the proof has been found.

"Count Glanz. You are accused of attempting to assassinate the Duchess Sion Bernard by using curse magic. Well, I'm sure many more crimes will come to light, but I'm taking you to the royal dungeon. Your son has also been ordered to be taken away as well.... Where did you hide him?"

"......"

The Count gritted his teeth and bit his lip.

Well, I guess that's the last of his pride. I don't need to ask him to talk here, I'll just give him a confession pill to make him throw up later.

"Then, lets get going."

Let's ask the knights of the duke's family to accompany us from here on.

They're probably more experienced than we are.

Count Glanz is taken away with a surprisingly calm and despairing expression on his face.

Now, what in the world was he aiming for?

I'd like to know a whole lot of things.