Chapter 45

In the house on the noble street, Chester and I were having a conversation, with Jeffrey listening in.

"Is the man's name Gunther Bahl? There's a possibility it's an alias. If you met him during your active years, we need to investigate this. Can you tell me his characteristics and any points of concern?"

Chester asked while taking notes. I searched my memory as I watched him. I first explained the brawl incident that led to my meeting with Lord Cedric, as told by Gunther, and then described Gunther's physical characteristics.

"Gunther is in his late thirties. He is 180 cm tall, weighs about 70 kg, and is slender. His hair is dark brown, and his eyes are a dark brown. He has no moles on his face, neck, or hands. There is a thin scar about two centimeters long on the back of his right hand. He learned swordsmanship from his father, so he has sword calluses on his palms. He said he used to enjoy fishing as a child and caught many large fish, but whether his childhood environment is true or not is unknown."

"We need to verify that."

"Yes. He has no problem with Ashbury language and no Randall accent. His walk has no distinctive features. He has pen calluses on his right index and middle fingers. He has one male servant, but I haven't seen the servant."

"Understood. I'll have someone in Randall investigate immediately. Thank you for the information."

"You're welcome."

I was about to drink my tea but stopped halfway. I should probably mention the last remaining point.

"I know it might be presumptuous, but I think we should investigate the men who approached Gunther in the duchy. The probability of a brawl happening at the exact time and place Lord Cedric was walking, especially on the day he was inspecting martial arts, seems very low."

"It could be orchestrated."

"Yes, if it was orchestrated, what was Gunther's purpose in approaching Lord Cedric?"

"I'll investigate. Thank you for the information."

After drinking a cup of tea, Jeffrey and I left Chester's house.

※...※...※

After seeing us off to the door, Chester returned to his room, sighed, and ran his hand through his short red hair several times.

"Truly impressive. I wish he would become our instructor. Of course, Viscount Asher wouldn't allow it, and he probably doesn't want to return to this world either."

It was almost midnight, but Chester hurried to Mike's house on horseback. Information about Victoria was highly confidential, managed only by Chester, Mike, and Edward. No other members of the group, the royal family, or the prime minister knew the true identity of Anna Victoria Asher. Therefore, they couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

Mike's residence was in a part of the capital's commoner district close to the noble district. It was a four-story stone building, and Mike was single. When Chester knocked lightly on the door, a peephole opened, but Mike's figure was not visible. He was probably checking Chester through a different peephole while opening the usual one.

The sound of the lock clicking open, and the door opened a crack.

"Mike, I'm sorry to bother you at this hour."

"It's fine. You must have felt it was necessary, right?"

Chester nodded and accurately relayed the information he had heard from Victoria.

"I see, well done. Send a messenger to have someone in Randall investigate. Keep Victoria's involvement confidential."

"Yes, sir."

The next morning, Mike was summoned to the castle by Edward Asher. Edward slid a piece of paper across his desk to Mike.

"Have this information verified."

The paper listed the details of Gunther that had already been sent to a messenger. Comparing the two, the information from Victoria was more detailed and thorough.

"I sent a messenger to Randall last night to investigate this."

"Yes, I heard it from her."

"Yes, she stopped by Chester's place on her way back from the ball last night."

"I see. It's a relief to know she doesn't harbor ill intentions toward our country."

"Absolutely."

"Mike, did the information from her seem more detailed?"

When Mike relayed the information from Victoria, Edward said,

"While dancing, she managed to provide all that. Impressive."

He wrote down the points Victoria had pointed out on the document he had provided, looking satisfied. Edward gestured for Mike to leave, and after Mike exited, he stood up and looked out the window.

"Should I inform Lord Cedric about this? No, that won't do. He's a poor liar and might be detected by Gunther. I'll tell him after the investigation confirms it."

Now, they just had to wait for the report from the Kingdom of Randall. Edward had Gunther investigated while the Duke of Cedric was staying at the castle. It was soon discovered that Gunther, at his request, was staying at the Flood Hotel in the South District. Edward decided to send a young man as an employee to the hotel immediately.

"Hey, you there, bring Riley here."

"Yes, sir."

Riley, a young man, soon arrived, standing nervously in front of Edward.

"You'll be infiltrating the Flood Hotel. I want you to be assigned to the room of a man named Gunther Bahl. We'll arrange for you to be assigned to him. Investigate all of Gunther's actions."

"Yes, sir."

Riley left the Department of Institutional Maintenance and Management immediately. Edward had other urgent matters to attend to regarding Gunther. He went to the prime minister's office alone.

Prime Minister Stanley was writing at his desk. When informed of Edward's arrival by a maid, he looked up and removed his glasses.

"What brings you here? It's unusual for you to come in person."

"There's something that concerns me."

"Oh?"

"According to reports from our agents in the Kingdom of Subart, some of the nobles there are acting suspiciously. Several nobles with military influence are becoming more active. They are repeatedly conducting drills 20 kilometers from the Western Forest."

Stanley gazed at the paperweight on his desk for a moment before shifting his gaze to Edward.

"Is the Kingdom of Subart targeting our gold mines?"

"Probably. And there's another concern. Recently, the food of Princess Delphine has been poisoned twice."

"Yes, I've heard. The taster was poisoned. Has the culprit been found? No, I'm sorry. Investigating suspicious activities within the castle is my responsibility."

"Please don't worry. The person who attempted the poisoning is currently being searched for. Please wait a little longer."

Stanley looked at the painting of Prince Conrad's wedding on the wall.

"Our country has managed to avoid war by skillfully involving trade and diplomacy, and by welcoming princesses from neighboring countries in turn. It was the turn of the Northern Kingdom of Eiger for Prince Conrad."

"The next turn is the Kingdom of Subart. They might be trying to expedite their turn."

The prime minister pondered for a moment.

"However, if anything happens to Princess Delphine, the Kingdom of Eiger won't remain silent. They will insist that the next princess must be from Eiger. With the discovery of the gold mines, this is certain. Besides, they are such a devoted couple. I must protect Princess Delphine at all costs. As I grow older, the death of someone younger than me is hard to bear, especially if it's a murder. I don't want to carry such a burden in my remaining years."

Stanley closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, looking tired.

"Edward, do you think the attempted poisoning is the work of Subart?"

"Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't. But with the gold mines involved, it's hard to say. There's also the matter of the Sacred Forest."

"Is there any evidence that it's Subart's doing?"

Stanley kept his gaze on Edward, who also maintained eye contact.

"None."

"However, assassinating the princess within the castle is no longer possible. Her meals are under constant guard from start to finish."

"The Saint Florian Festival is coming up soon."

"Ah, yes, that's right."

The Saint Florian Festival was two months away. The princess had the traditional role of announcing the festival in the square, a role that had continued for 150 years.

"Killing Princess Delphine in front of thousands of people is almost impossible, but if the assassins manage it, we need to be prepared."

"Wait, wait. Everything is still at the hypothetical stage. First, let's focus on the Saint Florian Festival. Edward, I'm sorry, but can you take charge of Princess Delphine's protection during the festival, separate from the knights?"

"I understand. Please prioritize your health, Stanley."

"Yes. But perhaps it's time for me to step down."

He lowered his voice.

"If there's a possibility of assassination, we need to use a body double. Do you have someone who resembles Princess Delphine among your subordinates?"

"Yes, I'll have Luna do it."

"It's fortunate that we have someone who resembles her."

"Indeed."

Edward bowed and left the prime minister's office.