Birthday Trap 13
Bergson wasn’t experienced enough to withstand the wrath of a battle-hardened knight commander. Having spent his days in the comfort of the Ministry of Magic, basking in power, he was no match for someone like Hegaty. His face pale and body trembling, Bergson was rendered speechless. Count Mellers, casting a glance of mixed confusion and annoyance at the quivering officer, made it clear that Bergson’s outburst was unexpected. It was evident that Mellers, who was tasked with moderating the meeting, found the interruption unwelcome. However, he soon composed himself and turned to Hegaty with a calm expression.
“You’re entirely justified in your stance, Commander Hegaty. This meeting is not meant to denounce you. Our goal is to uncover the truth and decide on an appropriate course of action based on the facts.”
Hegaty listened silently to the count. Unlike Bergson, Count Mellers was rational. However, it wasn’t unusual for words and true intentions to differ. Both Hegaty and Danhill understood that this meeting was not convened solely to uncover the facts.
It was clear that at least some of the nobles sought to bring down Hegaty and Danhill for reasons of their own. While Bergson’s words likely didn’t reflect the consensus of everyone present, it was possible that some were looking to hold Hegaty and Danhill responsible for the deaths of the two mages, aiming to have them removed from their positions or demoted.
“Now, about the other matter. Was it the Knights who subdued and purified the monsters?”
“No.”
Hegaty’s answer was firm, though Count Mellers seemed unsurprised by the response. He calmly asked, “Then who was it?”
“We don’t know. As we advanced toward the center while slaying monsters, we were attacked by a large group of them, which forced us to temporarily retreat as we were nearly wiped out. It was during that retreat that the area was bathed in a light, which appeared to be a purification spell. It’s likely that someone cast the spell at that time.”
“And you didn’t see the caster?”
“No.”
The site of the monster stampede was vast, and the realization that the light might have been a purification spell only came after they had activated a teleportation spell to retreat. It was a thought that had only occurred to them after they had recovered from their injuries and discussed it with the other knights. Hegaty didn’t plan on sharing these details, but it wasn’t unusual not to witness the caster in such extreme conditions. Count Mellers nodded with a sigh, saying, “I see.”
“So it wasn’t a natural dissipation.”
“Monsters don’t just naturally disappear,” Hegaty corrected the count’s musings. The nobles who governed lands frequently plagued by monsters nodded in agreement with Hegaty.
Bergson, who had been silent since being overwhelmed by Hegaty’s words, muttered bitterly in a low voice, “How disgraceful to retreat. Knights who protect the kingdom should fight to the last.”
This time, not only Hegaty but also Danhill turned a gaze as cold as ice toward Bergson. Some of the other nobles also directed chilly looks at the officer. Despite this, Bergson remained defiant, folding his arms with a sullen expression. Hegaty seemed ready to ignore him entirely, but Danhill spoke up instead.
“It seems you’re unaware of the rarity of magic knights.”
Bergson’s face flushed red with anger at the mocking tone. Unlike his fear of Hegaty, he didn’t seem intimidated by Danhill. However, Danhill continued speaking before Bergson could retort.
“Except for the holy mages, only magic knights can reliably defeat monsters. Other knights or swordsmen may fight, but mastering both magic and swordsmanship to a level sufficient to deal with monsters is extremely difficult. It requires not only talent but also significant effort and time—meaning that magic knights are irreplaceable—even more so than mages.”
Danhill’s words, delivered with a calm expression, left Bergson shaking with anger, his mouth opening and closing without sound. He seemed about to say something more, but Duke Ealdred intervened.
“Indeed, your points are well made and logical. We should not dismiss the words of those who risked their lives on the front lines. Rather than condemning you, I believe we should be grateful and reward your efforts. In fact, it is the Ministry of Magic’s lack of adequate support during this unprecedented crisis that should be addressed.”
Indirectly criticizing the Ministry of Magic’s uncooperative attitude and the condemnation of the knight commanders, the duke then looked around at the assembled nobles, as if seeking their agreement. Even those who had initially sided with Bergson reluctantly nodded under the duke’s gaze.
“What are your thoughts, Prime Minister?”
Finally, Duke Ealdred turned his gaze to Duke Clark. Duke Clark, who had been silently observing everyone, eventually curled his lips into a smile.
“Indeed, setting out to subdue monsters without adequate preparation is inexcusable. It risks not only the knights but also the lives of the citizens. That said, this event was unprecedented in history, so it’s understandable that not everything went as planned. We should take this as a lesson for the future.”
With two of the three Great Ducal Houses present expressing the same opinion, there was no noble willing to oppose them. Bergson bit his lip and hung his head. However, Duke Clark continued.
“Had the Knights been responsible for subduing the monster stampede, they would have deserved a reward. But it seems the deed was done by some unknown spellcaster. Normally, we would seek out such an individual to bestow a reward upon them, but… finding them now would be difficult.”
Too much time had passed, and it was better to allocate resources to the restoration of the affected areas than to spend time, money, and manpower searching for someone whose whereabouts were unknown.
Duke Ealdred nodded in agreement with Duke Clark’s reasoning. Count Mellers sought the opinions of the other nobles, and once the majority agreed, the matter was settled.
Hegaty and Danhill, thinking it was time for them to leave, began to move, but Marquis Finch stopped them. Some of the nobles looked puzzled, but Duke Ealdred and Duke Clark seemed to understand what Marquis Finch intended to say, quietly waiting for him to continue. Marquis Finch then cast a meaningful glance at Nicholas Bergson.
“Is it not a problem that fifteen highly valuable magic knights perished in this incident?”
Given the flow of the conversation, it was clear that Marquis Finch was suggesting that the Ministry of Magic’s decision to keep the holy mages in the capital and not send them with the knights to subdue the monster stampede was at fault. Moreover, if Hegaty’s testimony was true, the two mages who accompanied the knights could be seen as having endangered their lives.
Bergson’s face contorted.
“Th-that is—”
He opened his mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come. Marquis Finch pressed on.
“Director Bergson, there are also rumors that you are unable to properly oversee your subordinates.”
Hegaty and Dunhill couldn’t quite grasp what Marquis Finch was implying, but it was clear to the others. Some of the nobles wore expressions that suggested they found the marquis’s words reasonable. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room, which was finally broken by Duke Clark.
“Everyone makes mistakes. It is certainly a tragedy and a great loss that fifteen knights have fallen. However, if it were a mistake made repeatedly, it would be one thing, but to lay blame for a single mistake seems… somewhat excessive.”
Marquis Finch narrowed his eyes at Duke Clark. He appeared displeased but quickly masked his emotions. Bergson, wide-eyed, stared at Duke Clark before hastily averting his gaze to the floor, his hands clenched tightly. Duke Ealdred also voiced his agreement with Duke Clarke.
“That seems fair. I suggest that the director devise a plan for future actions and present it to the advisory council for review. Would that be agreeable?”
“No objections.”
Duke Clark nodded. The bluster Bergson had shown earlier was gone, and he bowed deeply in deference.
*****
That night, in a dimly lit room, the man appeared agitated. Despite the luxurious decor and the incense burning, he had no leisure to enjoy the scent. He asked the elderly butler tersely.
“What’s the status of the ‘vessel’?”
“The creation is progressing smoothly. It is scheduled to be completed by tomorrow night, so we are only waiting for the right moment.”
“That’s the only good news.”
The man smiled with the corners of his mouth raised, but his expression quickly soured. “Everything else is a failure,” he spat out. The butler listened in silence to his master’s words.
“The knights and the Ministry of Magic are all half-hearted. It was a mistake to leave it to those empty boastful fools. Issuing ultimatums to those incapable was a futile effort. But we’ve invested money and time, so it can’t come to a halt here.”
“Understood.”
“Dispose of the useless ones, and then—dispose of any sources of unrest as well.”
Hearing his master’s growl-like commands, the butler nodded. His long service to his master was due to his ability to easily read the unspoken intentions, and his pride lay in fulfilling all of his master’s demands, no matter how difficult.
“I will conduct a search for the one who used the purification spell. As for the director, we will have him removed at the appropriate time.”
“Do that.”
Only then did the man finally take a sip of the hot wine offered by the butler. He savored the aroma and quenched his thirst slowly. The butler, who had been observing, finally spoke up.
“Regarding the matter of the assassin we discussed before…”
“Have they been found?”
The man asked with a hint of eagerness, perhaps anticipating the news. The butler neither confirmed nor denied but calmly relayed the facts he knew.
“We have made contact with a candidate. They are expected to arrive here in a week.”
“I see.”
The man snorted. The butler refilled the empty wine glass. Taking the glass, the man stared into space for a while before breaking into a pleased smile.
“Once they arrive, decide which task will be their first job—think about it.”
“Understood.”
The butler nodded and then left the room to fulfill his master’s wishes, ensuring that everything would be carried out without fail.
–
Chapter 87