Chapter 27

As Latil brought Klein into the dining room, the courtiers who had been waiting there exchanged surprised glances. Their looks seemed to say, "So you chased each other around and ended up coming together, huh?" No matter what they said, Latil calmly took a seat at the most prestigious place at the table. Even though he hadn’t given any prior instructions, the courtiers skillfully brought in two servings of the meal. It was a simple meal, as usual, consisting of salad, baked bread, jam, butter, milk, and soup. Klein, who had been there before, naturally took a seat next to Latil. After the courtiers placed the food and retreated, Latil, holding a fork, glanced at Klein. How long had he been waiting in front of his room? Klein was already drinking the soup, seemingly very hungry. Despite his urgency, he still managed to maintain a proper demeanor. As Latil started eating, for a while, the only sounds in the dining room were the quiet sounds of the two of them eating. Even the sounds of eating were minimal, making it very quiet. After filling his stomach to a satisfactory level, Latil tore a piece of bread and called out to Klein, the prince.

“Klein.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“Do you have any idea who threw the stone?”

“I don’t care about other people’s affairs.”

Latil burst into laughter. It wasn’t because he thought Klein was the culprit, as the head butler had suggested. He was just curious. But the straightforward and honest answer made him laugh. Not worried, not indifferent, not even a guess—just no interest.

‘He’s a weirdo, but he’s amusing.’

The head butler had accused Klein of being the culprit with personal bias, but Latil somehow didn’t think so. Despite not knowing each other for long, Klein didn’t seem like the type to secretly throw a stone out of spite, even if he was upset. He would throw it openly if he did.

“Even if the culprit might throw a stone at you next time, aren’t you worried?”

Finding his answer amusing, Latil teased, and Klein replied immediately, “No.”

“I’m not the type to be a sitting duck. I can defend myself if attacked.”

‘A sitting duck…’

Latil nodded, recalling how Klein had silently moved between chairs before. Indeed, he seemed to have exceptional physical abilities.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

‘No, I wasn’t worried.’

“Sure.”

Latil tried to suppress his laughter and tore another piece of bread. As he dipped the bread in the soup, he noticed Klein was still looking at him. He hadn’t finished eating yet. Why was he staring so intently?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Curious, Latil asked, and Klein unexpectedly asked a question.

“I heard there’s a Black Forest mark on the late emperor’s tomb. Has the investigation made any progress?”

“It’s still under investigation. Why do you ask?”

Klein’s question seemed out of place. Although he was beautiful, Klein didn’t seem particularly intelligent. He was known to be a poor student. Yet, he was asking such a serious question at a time when he should be flattering.

“Black Forest is probably not the culprit.”

His answer was equally serious.

“Why do you think so?”

Klein furrowed his nose.

“Once, my older brother, Hyacinth, tried to hire Black Forest but was refused.”

‘So that’s how you know about Black Forest. But still…’

“Hyacinth? Who did he want to kill?”

Klein raised an eyebrow as if the question was obvious.

“Prince Heum.”

‘Ah, that makes sense. He was a rebel.’

“Why were they refused?”

“They didn’t want to get involved with the royal family in any way.”

“Wow.”

“What does that ‘wow’ mean?”

“Not that you’re stupid, but you gave a proper answer, which was helpful.”

“…”

“No, I don’t mean you’re stupid. I really mean it was helpful.”

Latil had also found it ambiguous to consider Black Forest as the culprit. The letter with content opposite to the Black Forest mark, and the mark appearing months later, were among the reasons. Klein’s words added to his doubts. It probably wasn’t Black Forest’s doing. But the culprit… why risk implicating Black Forest?

* * *

The help Latil received from Klein wasn’t just the information he provided. Unintentionally, Klein also opened up a new investigative approach for Latil.

“Bring Kalain and Tashir here.”

There was no need for concubines to always be by his side. While noblewomen like Lananwen and Gestra might be like flowers in a greenhouse, a mercenary king or a merchant heir who had grown through various experiences might know something about the Black Forest. After a moment, Kalain and Tashir entered the office. It was their first time, but Kalain walked in without hesitation. Tashir, on the other hand, approached cautiously, looking around.

‘Even in such a place, their personalities show.’

Finally, the two stopped in front of Latil’s desk and looked at her. Their actions on the way in were different, but they both seemed clueless about why they were called.

There was no need to beat around the bush. Latil asked them directly.

“Does anyone know anything about the Black Forest?”

Tashir raised an eyebrow, while Kalain remained expressionless, just looking at Latil.

“I assume you both have heard about the recent events. Haven’t you?”

While only a few knew the contents of the letter, the tomb graffiti was too obvious to be unknown. Both admitted it.

“About the late emperor’s tomb, yes, I’ve heard.”

“I’ve heard.”

“Because of that. One of you is a famous mercenary, and the other is a merchant. You must have some connections with such groups, good or bad.”

Kalain and Tashir glanced at each other. Latil waited for their answers. Kalain spoke first.

“A person who was targeted by the Black Forest for assassination once hired me for protection.”

‘Indeed, you have connections.’

“Did you meet them directly?”

“Yes.”

“What were they like?”

“…”

Kalain furrowed his brow slightly.

‘Ah, maybe the mission failed? Did you lose to the Black Forest?’

Latil carefully observed Kalain, wondering if she had asked too directly. The answer was unexpectedly calm.

“I saved half but couldn’t save the other half.”

“You only partially succeeded?”

“Yes. I can’t reveal the specific details of the mission.”

Latil was about to ask why, but Tashir, who had been listening, interrupted.

“Yet, you’re still alive, aren’t you?”

What do you mean? Latil glanced at Tashir, who whispered.

“The Black Forest is known for seeking revenge with a hundred men when one is defeated.”

“Really?”

Latil’s eyes widened as she looked at Kalain. Kalain, however, only furrowed his brow and glanced at Tashir.

“Is that a lie?”

Latil asked again. But Kalain, looking troubled, didn’t answer. He seemed to be avoiding the question.

“Is it true? Kalain, can’t you see the emperor?”

Latil lightly tapped the table and waved her hand in front of Kalain’s eyes. How many fingers? Finally, Kalain turned his head to look at Latil, but his expression remained serious. His serious answer was simple.

“I don’t know.”

“Ah… you don’t know.”

Latil nodded. Was that the reason for the long pause? But soon, she understood why Kalain had looked at Tashir strangely. How could Tashir know something Kalain, who had fought the Black Forest, didn’t?

Latil turned to Tashir, who was still smiling enigmatically.

“Tashir, you seem to know a lot about the Black Forest. Do you have any connections?”

“Connections?”

Tashir finally turned to look at Latil. His eyes, which had startled her when they first met, curved into a smile.

“The Black Forest is a service company I run, Your Majesty.”

A moment of silence. Latil drew her sword and placed it at Tashir’s throat. Tashir, instead of drawing his own sword, raised his hands in surrender and quickly said,

“Please listen, Your Majesty.”

“You’re a merchant. When did assassins become merchants? I knew it from your face. You’re a drug dealer.”

“Drug dealer…?”

Tashir muttered, sounding aggrieved, and quickly answered.

“It’s a company authorized by the late emperor.”

“What?”

Latil furrowed her brow. The sword blade moved closer to Tashir’s throat, but he continued to look at her with dark eyes, not taking a defensive stance.

“The Black Forest is authorized by the late emperor, the previous emperor, and even the first emperor.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means they are not the culprits.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Usually, when the throne is passed or a will is left, the leader of the Black Forest is called to meet the next in line. It’s a highly confidential matter.”

As Tashir said the word ‘confidential,’ he glanced at Kalain, who was still looking at him with an unreadable expression. Tashir tried to lower his hands but quickly raised them again when Latil pressed the sword to his throat.

“To run the country, such things are necessary. Dangerous tasks that must be done but can’t be done legally.”

“What kind of tasks?”

“Like when a criminal is clearly harmful to the country, but evidence is destroyed, making a trial useless…”

“!”

“More accurately, the Black Forest doesn’t just do assassinations; they handle such tasks.”

“But why are they known as assassins?”

“To divert attention.”

“To assassins?”

“Yes. They leave a mark only when they assassinate, to divert people’s attention. They want it to seem like they only do assassinations, not other tasks.”

“…”

It made sense, but it was hard to believe immediately. The late emperor, who could confirm it, was in his tomb. As if thinking the same, Tashir said,

“I have documents with the seals of all the emperors. Would you like to see them?”

The emperor’s seal could not be forged. It was made with sacred power by the high priest, making it easy to verify. Latil slowly lowered her sword but remained on guard.

“But why didn’t you come to my coronation, Tashir? Why did you come like this?”

Tashir rolled his eyes and, as Latil gripped the sword hilt again, slowly spoke.

“To be honest, I thought you might be upset, but…”

“Speak.”

“To be honest, from our side, it was difficult to trust Princess Latrasil.”

Latil’s eyebrow twitched.

“Why would it be hard to trust me?”

“You were one of the suspects in the assassination of the late emperor… Oops. No hitting.”

As Latil moved, Tashir quickly stepped back. Latil unclenched her fist.

“I won’t hit.”

She hadn’t meant to hit. She was thinking about the letter left at the late emperor’s tomb. The claim that Latil had killed the late emperor. If one person said it, it was just a rumor. But if a completely different person, especially from a secret group her father had, also considered her a suspect, it was suspicious.

‘Clearly, I suffered from the late emperor’s death. Why would they think that? Or could Tashir have left the letter?’

“What’s the reason? Why did you consider me a suspect?”

Latil didn’t mention the letter and asked. Tashir glanced at Kalain, indicating it was difficult to say with him there.

“Leave, Kalain.”

Latil wanted to hear Tashir’s explanation and ordered Kalain to leave. But Kalain stood firm, saying, “It’s dangerous.”

“Nothing is confirmed yet, master. What he’s saying about the ‘emperors’ secret organization’ is still a claim.”

Tashir, instead of getting angry, smiled and pointed at Kalain.

“Speaking of danger, Your Majesty, isn’t Kalain more dangerous?”

What does that mean? Latil raised an eyebrow, and Tashir explained mockingly.

“The Black Death is notorious for doing anything for money. Isn’t that right, Mercenary King? You don’t take assassination jobs, but you’ll go anywhere and kill dozens or hundreds for money. You even kill your client the next day. To call us, who are loyal to one person, dangerous…”

“…”

“A dog with shit on its tail barking at a loyal dog?”