Chapter 53

Gunter Bahl was reading a letter from his homeland in one of the hotel rooms.

The letter was written in the language of the eastern kingdom of Randall, but the writer was his father, the Duke of Eagar.

The content of the letter continued with seasonal greetings and inquiries about Gunter's well-being, but at the end, it read:

"I am worried about the maple tree in the garden, as it seems to be withering. On the other hand, the laurel trees are suddenly thriving, and I fear the garden will be overrun with laurels."

Gunter's face darkened as he read this.

"There isn't much time left."

The Kingdom of Eagar, located to the north of the Ashberry Kingdom, uses a maple leaf in its royal crest.

The leading noble family supporting the Eagar royal family is the Aldran Duke's family. Gunter Bahl, also known as Grayson Aldran, is the fifth son of the Aldran Duke's family.

With the Eagar king aging and his health declining, the seeds of a succession struggle are beginning to sprout within the country. The day when the king will abdicate in favor of the crown prince is near. Various schemes are in motion, targeting this transition.

Grayson Aldran recalled the mission his father had given him a year ago.

※...※...※

"Grayson, there is something I can only entrust to you. It concerns the future of this country."

"Father, please don't speak in such formal terms. Just command me. I will fulfill your orders, even at the cost of my life."

"Then I command you. Pretend to be a noble from Randall named Gunter Bahl and infiltrate Ashberry Castle. Protect Lady Delphine."

"Protect Lady Delphine? Could there be someone in Ashberry Castle who is targeting her?"

"There is. Fortunately, you are a unique noble who became a soldier despite being a duke's son and have never appeared in public. In Ashberry, you will pass as the second son of a baron from Randall."

His father looked straight at Gunter. His eyes were beginning to cloud, a sign of the aging process that no amount of effort could stop.

"Baron Biar is gathering anti-royal nobles. They intend to eliminate Lady Delphine to prevent the Ashberry Kingdom's army from intervening in a civil war. They already have agents inside Ashberry Castle. I need you to take action without being detected. Funds will not be spared. The day when the Biar faction plans a rebellion and tries to break the alliance between Eagar and Ashberry is near. Protect Lady Delphine from them."

"I understand."

"Our family's movements are already under surveillance. I cannot provide you with additional personnel. Can you manage on your own? I have prepared a false identity for you."

"Leave it to me."

After accepting the mission from his father, he moved to the Kingdom of Randall. From there, he traveled by ship to Ashberry's port, entered the territory of Lord Sedric, and used the duke's love for martial arts to gain his favor.

Accompanying Lord Sedric to the capital, he now had free access to the castle as a friend. Everything had gone smoother than expected up to this point.

"Now, what should I do next? I can't get close to Lady Delphine, and forcing my way in would be too dangerous. Perhaps I should try to recruit some of her maids as allies first."

However, as a guest, it was impossible to become close to the head maid, Elly. She always moved with a group of maids and was usually with Lady Delphine.

The next best option was a recently assigned maid. After much effort, he learned about this "newly assigned maid," but she never seemed to appear.

"What's going on? How does she eat and sleep? She can't be working non-stop, can she?"

He couldn't enter the royal family's living area, and his attempts to contact the senior maids were unsuccessful. Gunter had no idea that the maid he was looking for, the one closest to Lady Delphine after Elly, was Victoria. He continued to worry outside the royal family's area.

Moreover, he had to practice swordsmanship with Lord Sedric, keeping him busy.

Gunter was anxious. Lady Delphine's food had already been poisoned twice.

So, he decided to take a risk and obtain a servant's uniform. The power of the gold coins he secretly gave to a servant was impressive.

"I want to get closer to a beautiful maid," he said with a grin, and it was readily accepted.

(They are quite naive. They didn't even verify my identity as a duke's friend.)

The male servant's uniform did not have the detailed rank distinctions of the maids' uniforms.

He used this to his advantage, carrying a cylindrical box as if it contained a hat and entered the royal family's living area.

"Hmm? That maid looks familiar. Hmm, hmm? Huh?"

Gunter did not ignore his intuition. He had learned from his military days to clarify any doubts, no matter how small.

So, he immediately decided to follow the woman he recognized.

According to his memory, she was a viscountess. There was no way she would be working as a maid. Even if a noblewoman worked in the castle, she would always wear her own dress.

The maid in the uniform walked briskly, descended the stairs, and crossed the terrace, her movements becoming increasingly suspicious. Gunter, suspecting he might have found an enemy infiltrator, gradually closed the distance.

When the woman entered an empty room, he followed, opened the door, and stepped in, only to lose consciousness.

※...※...※

On my way back from checking a glass bottle in the lower maid's room, I realized I was being followed.

The carpet muffled the footsteps, but it was probably a man. What should I do?

At the very least, I wanted to see the man's face, so I walked in circles around the royal family's area.

Convinced I was being followed, I entered a small room and waited.

When the man entered the dark, unlit room, I punched him in the stomach, then hit him on the back of the head. He didn't lose consciousness, so I wrapped my arm around his neck from behind and applied pressure. Finally, he passed out. I opened the window curtains to check his face in the moonlight...

"Oh my. It's Gunter Bahl. Wearing a servant's uniform, you can't make excuses if you're caught. That was quite a reckless move."

First, I needed to call Mike, who was waiting for me. But I couldn't leave Gunter lying in the middle of the room.

I rolled Gunter, who was about 50% heavier than me, onto his back.

I lay perpendicular to him, grabbed his left leg below the knee, and used his right shoulder as leverage to roll him over.

"Phew!"

I stood up with Gunter wrapped around my neck. I thought my knees or waist might protest, but they held up. Keeping my center of gravity in mind, I opened the door at the back and carried him into a small room like a closet. I had already confirmed that it contained only occasional-use items like vases and chairs.

I dropped the heavy Gunter onto the floor, quickly tied him up, and stuffed a handkerchief in his mouth to prevent him from making noise. I always carried a thin rope and a knife since starting work in the castle.

"Now, I need to tell Elly I'll be late."

I ran to the guard protecting the royal family and said,

"Please deliver a message to Elly. Tell her, 'Kate is delayed because of Mike's business.' It's urgent."

Then I ran off.

(Hang in there, Gunter. I'll bring someone skilled in interrogation right away.)

I went to our usual meeting place. Mike was there and immediately sensed something was wrong from my appearance.

"Is something wrong?"

"I have Gunter Bahl tied up. Please take care of him and take him away."

"Understood. Let's go. What did Gunter do?"

"Yes. Just come and see. Let's go."

We walked quickly to Gunter's location, maintaining calm expressions.

Mike, seeing Gunter crammed into the small room, murmured, "You carried him here alone?"

The expressionless Mike approached Gunter, examined him, and spoke.

"I know you're conscious, Gunter Bahl. Open your eyes."

"Ugh."

"Why were you wandering around in a servant's uniform?"

"Ugh."

I drew the dagger strapped to my thigh and asked,

"Gunter Bahl, were your companions the ones who poisoned her?"

"Ugh."

Gunter's eyes widened, and he shook his head. I wanted to question him further, but I needed to return to my shadow work. This was now Mike's job.

"Unfortunately, I need to return to work."

"Understood. I'll take care of him."

"Thank you. I'll take my leave."

Good. I had a productive night.

Satisfied, I headed back to Lady Delphine's room.

★The technique Victoria used is known as the "Ranger Roll" in modern times. It is a method to quickly lift and carry a person who is heavier and unconscious.

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