Chapter 418

As for Rose Dwynn, she had never left the Magic Department or the palace. It had almost become a fact that she had escaped using the Warp Gate research facility of the Magic Department. Of course, since it was not a certainty, the border between the palace and the Magic Department remained tense. Rose, Vertus, and Harriet left the Magic Department building. The agents followed from a distance, and we walked quietly to the palace. Vertus looked very uncomfortable, and he had every reason to be. It was a situation where something had happened inside the palace, and the culprit had not been caught. "We can't catch him, but we can find out a few things." Vertus deduced the truth through the incidents that had occurred and those that had not. "He was after the origin of the magic book, not the magic book itself. If what the dying man said was true." Rose was more curious about the origin of the magic book than the magic book itself. "But the sacrificed wizards didn't know the origin of the magic book. The important thing is that the people who are highly likely to know that origin were not attacked." She had the confidence to escape from the Magic Department, but she was the only one who knew the origin of the magic book. In other words, she couldn't touch the emperor. Therefore, Rose's skills were impressive, but she was not skilled enough to break through Tetra alone. Of course, where would such a skilled person be? "If he infiltrated the palace to this extent... If he's a minion of the Demon King, we're in trouble." Vertus was lost in thought for a while. Of course, there was no connection between Rose and me, but it was natural to think that if something suspicious happened in the empire, it might be the work of the Demon King. "I don't know if I can ask you this, but... Where did the magic book actually come from?" That was the decisive reason why Rose killed people. "I don't know either." Vertus didn't know either. "Charlotte brought it from somewhere." With that, I could only know where the magic book came from. I thought it was brought by adventurers from the Lich's Tomb, but it was a magic book that Charlotte brought from the underground of the Demon King's Castle. "Wait, isn't Charlotte in danger then?" I asked nervously, and Vertus shrugged his shoulders. "Well, very few people know that the stolen magic book was brought by Charlotte, and none of the people who died yesterday knew." Fortunately, Rose couldn't find out that the origin of the magic book was Charlotte and had to escape from the palace. "I heard that he is likely to think that the tomb of Lich is the origin of the magic book. I don't know why... If he really did this to find out the origin of the magic book, he might have gone there." Vertus looked at Rose with a subtle smile. "And, Rhinehardt, you seem to know the real origin of the magic book." "...." "Well, I'm not going to force you to reveal it." Rose would have escaped from the palace without finding out the real origin of the magic book from Vertus' words. Then Charlotte would not be in danger. If Rose's guess was correct, the agents would soon approach the tomb of Lich located in Darkland if they hit Kantus Magna. They would think that the real origin of the rare magic book was the tomb of Lich, not the underground of the Demon King's Castle. Even if the real origin was not there, Kantus Magna would approach there just because of the rumor that rare magic books were found in the tomb of Lich. Something was coming. I couldn't know what reality this warning of my heart would become and what would come in front of me. And. "Your Majesty!" Someone came running with an urgent message from afar. When the messenger who had rushed to where we were in no time whispered something to Vertus with a desperate expression, Vertus' eyes narrowed fiercely. "....What? Are you sure?" "Yes, Your Majesty." When Harriet and I looked at him, Vertus chewed his lips. Whether he was surprised or angry. Maybe both. "There seems to be a secret room in Rose Dwynn's house. It seems to have been discovered just now." A secret room. Was there any evidence there? "But the stolen magic books are still scattered there?" "What?" "....What the hell is going on?" Vertus cursed at this incomprehensible situation. * * * Vertus, Harriet, and I left the palace. Vertus said he had to check it himself, and I felt the same way. "...." "What is this...." "It's real...." When we entered the secret room hidden in Rose Dwynn's house, there were numerous magic books scattered on the floor. It was clearly a considerable scale. Considering that Charlotte brought it alone, it seemed that a magic backpack or something was used. It was confirmed that Rose had stolen the magic book and escaped from the palace. The important thing was that he had left the stolen magic books scattered in the secret room and disappeared. It was certain that he had checked the contents of all the magic books, as they were all unfolded. The important thing was why he left them scattered like this when he needed the magic book if he was Kantus Magna. "Do you remember enough of the content to make a copy? 'I didn't think this room would be discovered...' Vertus nodded at Harriet's words. He couldn't have left it to chance that the secret room would be discovered. He looked grim. Why, for what reason? I was wondering the same thing. The guy who is presumed to be Kantus Magna disappeared with the magic book. Of course, the magic book itself may not be important to Kantus Magna. They may have a special device for recording and remembering magic. But one thing is certain. The scattered magic books indicate that Rose Dwyn moved quite hastily. 'That guy probably went to Lich's tomb.' Vertus and Harriet nodded at my words. If Harriet's words were correct, Rose Dwyn had been curious about the origin of the magic book and if the origin was more important than the magic book itself, he was very likely to have gone to Lich's tomb with incorrect information. If someone plans to take the magic books before someone else breaks into Lich's tomb, Kantus Magna's full force may not be enough to fight with only the power of Antirianus and the Black Order inside the dungeon. Vertus was so angry that he shouted. 'Yes, it would be better to find out what's in the heavily rumored Lich's tomb and get the skull of the guy who messed up the palace.' Vertus shouted to the agents waiting outside the secret room. 'Summon Shanapel and the Imperial Mage Corps!' The angry prince's cry echoed. After Kantus Magna, the Empire's elite headed for Lich's tomb. The incident was getting huge. Vertus looked at me with a serious look. 'Reinhardt.' 'Yes.' 'You go too.' Vertus' judgment was different from what I expected, that he would exclude me. 'If you broke into Lich's tomb to catch the suspect of the assassination case that took place in the palace, there would be no better achievement for a rookie knight.' Vertus was making a judgment to use this situation to the extreme. For the achievement of a knight. I also had more than enough reason to go to that place personally. 'Okay.' Vertus nodded at my answer. 'Me, me too!' And Harriet, who couldn't stay still, intervened. 'I want to go too...' She felt a sense of responsibility for this situation, and it was natural for her to want to go even if I was going. Vertus looked at Harriet quietly. Anyway, Vertus didn't want me to catch Rose Dwyn and break into Lich's tomb myself." Most of the work will be done by Shanapel and the Imperial Mage Corps, and I will just contribute to the results. In reality, there is little danger for me. "Sure, if you want to," so Vertus accepted Harriet's request without belittling or ignoring her courage. * * * Vertus told me and Harriet to join the Imperial elites heading to Lich's tomb. However, we couldn't leave immediately because it required preparation to gather them and decide who would go. Shanapel knights and Imperial mages are not always stationed at the palace, as they are sometimes dispatched for various missions, so it takes time to gather them. At least a day. We had one day left. So, Harriet and I decided to return to the temple to prepare. Vertus will return to the palace to discuss with the emperor about this matter. It was clear that a fight that was too dangerous would take place. I joined for the sake of the new knight's achievement, and Harriet joined because she felt responsible for the situation. And I had to deliver this news to Lucynil as soon as possible. Kantus Magna will come, but more importantly, the full force of the empire will be poured out. Harriet's expression was serious. "It will be dangerous?" Harriet, who had been silent, just said that. "It will be dangerous. Of course." "...." "Not us, but the people there." "....What?" Harriet made a new sound at my sudden words. "No, it's obvious. The Imperial Mage Corps, which the archmage leads, and the swordmasters will surround us, and we will face dangerous people." That's the problem right now. The empire's top elites, who are clearly not enough to handle the level of troops in the maze, are expected to crush subordinates and alliances that are not many! We don't have to worry! They should worry! "Is that going to happen...?" "Of course. So, we'll just watch from a distance and it'll be over." That's the problem. Let's say we catch Rose Dwyn. Then, the royal family is much more likely to do it than me. Then it's impossible for me to get information. I followed Vertus's order to go, thinking that there might be a way. What should I do about this? We have no danger. Even if Kantus Magna's mage has a few, they can't handle the empire's top elites, so that's what I think. We had to go back to the temple and deliver the news quickly. * * * There were many clues. But Charlotte suddenly said to Ellen. Let's stop today. Let's go back to the temple and cool our heads. Charlotte's eyes were filled with fear and dread. A feeling of not wanting to know something irreversible. Hoping that it would remain as a possibility. Ellen and Charlotte both felt the same complicated emotions. Knowing how each other felt, they decided to take the decisive final step later. They planned to go to Relia, or Elena's statue, tomorrow in Goseong Epiax. After returning to the temple, Ellen and Charlotte went back to their dormitories. Even if they tried not to think about anything, people tend to think about something. However, they did not want to be certain about anything until something was confirmed. Until something was confirmed, there was nothing. It was scary and terrifying not to know something, but Ellen wanted to see Reinhardt. They could not stop now, so Ellen and Charlotte had to find out more. And they would find out more. So, for now, everything could just be misunderstandings and delusions until it was proven otherwise. That is why Ellen knocked on Reinhardt's door. Reinhardt seemed a bit surprised when he opened the door, but he let Ellen in. Ellen sat on Reinhardt's bed, and Reinhardt sat on the chair in front of his desk. Ellen asked Reinhardt what happened at the palace today. Ellen saw them leaving the temple and heard from Charlotte, so she knows roughly what Reinhardt did today. She wondered if there was anything she could find out about the incident involving Herriot... If Reinhardt was involved in it. But Reinhardt, who always takes care of and watches over everyone, wouldn't do that. If that were the case, there would be no reason for Reinhardt to try so hard. There must be a misunderstanding that arose from the situation that happened to fit. "Did you find out anything?" "......I don't think there was anything we could find out more with us there. Well, what Herriot knew was a bit of a hint..." They talked about what they did today, what they will do tomorrow, and what they will eat tonight. Ellen turned her head to Reinhardt. Reinhardt meets Ellen's gaze somewhat awkwardly. Reinhardt is Reinhardt, and Ellen is Ellen. They can still be that way to each other. "Reinhardt." "...Uh." So, while we're still us to each other. Ellen wanted to do what she could do now, but wouldn't be able to do later. Ellen cautiously hugged Reinhardt's neck. "!". She kissed him. Ellen could vividly feel Reinhardt's body stiffening as she hugged him. After the short kiss that felt like eternity, "I'm sorry..." Ellen apologized quietly, her lips slightly moist. Reinhardt's eyes widened not because he was embarrassed, but because he was surprised by Ellen's sudden action. Without saying anything else, she left Reinhardt's room.