The Worm in the Lion’s Belly 8

After the Advisory Council meeting, Riley returned to his office and, a little while later, welcomed his fiancée who had come to visit.

“Sasha, you must be tired.”

“I haven’t done anything special today. You are the one who must be tired, Will.”

When Liliana asked how things had gone, Riley smiled in satisfaction. The Advisory Council meeting had gone better than he had expected. When he briefly explained the situation, Liliana’s smile also deepened.

“It is a blessing that Lord Playstead supported you.”

“I didn’t have time to lay the groundwork with him beforehand. I was worried about how things would turn out, but I’m glad it went well.”

Before attending this Advisory Council meeting, Riley had met with Knight Commander Hegarty and Vice-Commander Spencer, and had also consulted with Clyde and Austin. He had anticipated that ordering a background check on everyone working in the palace and all the knights of the Royal Knights would be met with opposition. Marquis Scone, in particular, with his son as the captain of the Eighth Squad, would surely scheme to at least keep the investigation from reaching the Knight Order.

So, Riley and the others had considered the nobles’ personalities and interests and planned how to present the matter.

“It was a help that Marquis Scone spoke up first. If he had said that it was fine to investigate the Knight Order but not the palace, I would have had to present my trump card as evidence.”

“If they knew that we were aware the report had been falsified, they would surely move to destroy the evidence quickly.”

Riley nodded at Liliana’s point.

If they knew that he was aware the report had been falsified, the mastermind would surely dispose of the spy infiltrated in the palace first. The person who was capable of assassinating the two captured assassins within the Knight Order’s facilities could easily kill a civil or military official working in a place they could freely enter and leave without anyone knowing.

But fortunately, it was Marquis Scone who had started the argument. To protect his son, he had insisted that the Knight Order was innocent. As a result, the argument that the people working in the palace should be investigated later did not see the light of day. Thanks to that, they were able to proceed with their plans as intended with just the argument that there was no reason not to investigate the Knight Order, which was the executive unit and clearly had traitors in it.

“You have the civil and military officials in question under surveillance, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course. They’re just pawns anyway, so there’s no point in catching them. Though I don’t think they’re in direct contact with the mastermind.”

But still, by monitoring the movements of those who were working with an innocent look on their faces, there was a possibility of finding some breakthrough. On top of that, by announcing the investigation this time, they were sure to make some move. That was what Riley was aiming for.

“Also,”

Riley continued. He had set another trap. His eyes sparkled mischievously as he peeked at Liliana’s face. Liliana, who had not heard what Riley was plotting, tilted her head in confusion.

“I asked Earl Mellars and Marquis Finch to select the people who will conduct the background check. The list they are gonna provide will surely have spies mixed in. I’ve also ordered Marquis Finch to submit a list of candidates, so any names that overlap with the ones he submits are likely not spies.”

Earl Mellars and Marquis Finch were at odds with each other. Though the marquis seemed to be more hostile towards Earl Mellars, they would both surely try to sneak in their own people. Since it would be suspicious if everyone was their man, the majority should be harmless to Riley.

“Do you believe that both Marquis Finch and Earl Mellars will plant spies?”

“Yes, probably. But the one involved in this incident, between the two of them, is likely Earl Mellars.”

Riley’s guess seemed to be the same as Liliana’s, and she agreed, “That is true.” Riley, who had been watching her with amusement, lowered his voice.

“Actually, it was Clyde who proposed this method.”

“—My brother did?”

Liliana’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected name. Seeing that she apparently hadn't heard, Riley repeated, “Yes, Clyde did.”

Initially, Riley had been struggling with how to smoke out the traitors. Even if they had no intention of doing so, if they were acting as the hands of someone who wanted to harm Riley, they would have to be severely punished. But the problem was how to expose them.

It was none other than Clyde who had given him the advice. He said to deliberately entrust the selection of the investigators to those who were suspicious and those who were not. That way, a few would surely plant spies, and if they were from opposing factions, there would definitely be a difference in the selection of people.

“Even if not spies, it could serve as a means to reconfirm the factions, he said. I thought he was right, so I took his suggestion. Both Austin and I are not very good at that kind of thinking, so Clyde has been a great help.”

“Is that so. I am glad that my brother was of service.”

Liliana smiled. But her expression did not show much emotion. On the contrary, Riley sensed a color similar to impatience and felt a sense of unease. But Liliana’s expression instantly returned to normal, and Riley narrowed his eyes suspiciously, wondering if what he had sensed was just his imagination.

But before he could ask, Liliana spoke calmly.

“It seems today’s Advisory Council meeting was a success, so I am sure the selection of the Royal Guard will proceed smoothly as well.”

“—Yes, I hope so. I’ve asked for reliable and skilled individuals, regardless of status or age.”

Liliana tilted her head. The part about not being concerned with age seemed to have caught her attention.

Normally, the Royal Guard was chosen from among the most skilled individuals. Therefore, there was a strong tendency to select young and strong knights. But Riley had declared that he didn’t even care about age. In other words, he didn't care if they were young or old.

“Does that include their future potential?”

“Of course. And it also includes those who may have retired from the front lines but have sharp minds.”

Riley smiled. If they were young but had the potential to become one of the most skilled individuals in the future, that was fine. If they were older but quick-witted and highly capable, they could be appointed as the head of the Royal Guard. It was the ideal image that Riley had been thinking about for many years.

Of course, in reality, the selection of the Royal Guard was almost complete. The list of knights selected by Commander Hegarty and Vice-Commander Spencer was already in Riley’s hands. Unlike the personnel of the palace, the personnel of the Knight Order were all known to the commander and vice-commander, so even if it took time to find suspicious individuals, it was easy to find reliable ones. One of them was, of course, Austin Ealdred. One of Riley’s candidates for close aide.

At Riley’s explanation, Liliana nodded quietly with an expression that said it was a matter of course.

Perhaps because it had been decided at the Advisory Council meeting to investigate the officials of the palace and the knights of the Knight Order, Riley’s expression relaxed as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. But he quickly remembered something and his face tightened.

“And then there’s the human trafficking, which Commander Hegarty is also helping with. There hasn’t been much progress, so I think we should come up with a different strategy.”

“I can't think of a good idea,” Riley muttered. Liliana, who had been watching his profile, suddenly thought of something.

“Will. Regarding that matter, it would be best if we could obtain evidence, wouldn't it?”

“—Evidence would be best, of course. Sasha, what are you thinking?”

“It is nothing of great importance.”

Liliana smiled brightly, but Riley didn't seem to believe her. He looked at her with a questioning gaze, but Liliana’s expression didn't change, and she didn't open her mouth.

But in her mind, she was quickly making plans. The target was the head of the Marquis Tanner family, Sean, but given his personality, he probably wouldn't make it easy to find evidence. But he had a clear weakness. Sean probably thought of it as nothing more than a disposable pawn, not a weakness, but it was a standard tactic in war to aim for a small hole used to transport food and waste to destroy a sturdy enemy castle. And Liliana had an idea of who that pawn was.

—Lady Malvina Tanner. The young lady who had vied with Liliana as a candidate for the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

＊＊＊＊＊

Marquis Scone had returned to his mansion in the capital and was pacing his room in irritation.

Outside, it was already dark, and the moon was illuminating the night sky. The servants were all asleep, but he was still in his nightclothes and had not even gotten into bed. He couldn’t possibly sleep, he thought, and poured himself a glass of distilled liquor that he had had his butler bring and downed it in one go.

Recalling the contents of the Advisory Council meeting made him furious, and the marquis cursed the young Crown Prince. If his words were to leak out, he would surely be imprisoned for lèse-majesté, but fortunately or unfortunately, all the servants working in his mansion were carefully selected and tight-lipped.

Furthermore, only a very limited number of people were allowed to enter the section where the marquis’s office was located. It was stipulated that a butler must always accompany an attendant or a servant when they entered the section for cleaning, and only the marquis’s heir and the butler were allowed to enter the office and bedroom, including for cleaning.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Marquis Scone’s shoulders twitched, and he turned around and asked sharply who it was.

“My lord, Lord Bruno has arrived.”

“Enter.”

The man who entered had a nervous look on his face. Bruno Scone was the marquis’s second son, and he was the proud son who had risen to the rank of captain of the Eighth Squad of the Royal Knights.

“Father, I was told you called for me.”

“Yes, I did. I called for you, the captain of the Eighth Squad.”

At his father’s growling voice, Bruno’s eyebrows twitched. But other than that, he showed no change, and he stared at the marquis with a cold gaze. At his son’s silent prompting, the marquis snorted.

“At today’s Advisory Council meeting, it was decided to conduct a background check on the knights of the Knight Order.”

“—A background check, you say?”

“That’s right. You know that the Crown Prince was attacked by assassins. Because information about his unofficial inspection was leaked, that little brat suspects that there may be a spy in the palace and the Knight Order.”

Even though he might be under suspicion himself, Bruno’s expression didn’t change at all. And the marquis, who was angry and had had a little too much to drink, didn't notice his son’s lack of reaction at all.

“It’s too late now, yes, too late! A background check now won't get rid of all the corruption. That young fool who doesn't even understand that is getting too clever for his own good.”

Breathing out the smell of alcohol, the marquis gnashed his teeth. Judging that he was about to devolve into complaining, Bruno called out again, “Father.” The marquis turned his murderous eyes on his son. But his son, who had served as the captain of the Eighth Squad, didn't flinch at all. On the contrary, he looked straight back at him.

“Thank you for the information. I was not aware of the contents of today’s Advisory Council meeting.”

However, Bruno continued. His upturned gray eyes shone with a dangerous light. It was a sharpness similar to that of an assassin who had survived many deadly situations.

The marquis, faced with a being who should have been his son, flinched. The marquis, who had devoted his life to domain management and building connections in the palace, had ordered others around but had never held a sword or shield and fought himself. And having lived protected by guards, he had rarely been in danger.

“However, I would like to reassure you, Father. I have left nothing that connects to our marquisate.”

“—I, I see. That is good, then.”

Though he stammered, the marquis tried his best to maintain a haughty air and nodded. He would rather die than let his son know he had been intimidated. Of course, even if Bruno had noticed that the marquis was putting on a front, he would not have made the mistake of letting it show. If he were that kind of person, he would have been kicked out of the Knight Order long ago.

Neither Knight Commander Hegarty nor Vice-Commander Spencer were the kind of men who could be deceived by such tricks.

“Is there anything else, Father?”

At his son’s flat question, the marquis shook his head.

“No, there is not. As long as you do not sever the path to our family and you achieving your ambitions and prospering, that is all I ask.”

“As you wish.”

Bruno nodded quietly. And as if to say that if there was nothing else, he had no reason to stay, he turned to leave, but then he stopped. Marquis Scone raised an eyebrow suspiciously and watched his son. Looking over his shoulder at his father, Bruno said, “I also have a report to make.”

“What is it?”

“It is regarding His Majesty the King.”

“Ah, that story about the suspicious sorcerer who is examining his condition.”

Yes, Bruno nodded. It was about two years ago that an unknown sorcerer had visited the palace with a letter of introduction from Lord Playstead and examined the king’s condition. Marquis Scone had only heard that the king’s condition was fluctuating.

But Bruno seemed to have more detailed information than the rumors that were circulating.

“It seems the sorcerer in question has reported to His Highness that His Majesty was surely cursed by someone. It is likely only a matter of time before the caster is identified.”

“—I see.”

Marquis Scone nodded vaguely. He hadn't heard the details of what had been done to the king. He had only heard from Earl Mellars that the late Duke Clark had handled everything well. And he had also heard that it was the Director of the Ministry of Magic, Nicholas Bergson, who had actually done it. Even with just that information, he had a vague idea that curse magic had been used. But the marquis was not familiar with curse magic. So Bruno’s warning didn't feel very real to him.

“Then I will take my leave.”

Bruno bowed and, this time, left the room. After seeing him off, the marquis sank into the sofa with a thud and drank the distilled liquor. He closed his eyes and thought.

“—There’s no need to tell him. It’s just a matter of one sorcerer’s head.”

If it became known that he had cursed the king, Bergson would not get away with it. But he was just a man who had risen to the rank of director without a title. To Marquis Scone, he was not an important existence. Besides, Duke Clark, who had been pulling his strings, was no longer here. Even if Bergson were to be captured and executed on suspicion of cursing the king, the marquis believed it would not affect the future of the marquis or the Grand Duke Franklin Slibegrad he supported.

On the contrary, his pride would not allow him, a marquis, to convey such a trivial matter to the count. Such messenger-pigeon-like tasks should be done by the lowly, not by someone of the marquis’s standing.

Having thought that far, the marquis suddenly smiled cheerfully.

He had been worried that the investigation of the Knight Order would endanger not only Bruno but himself as well, but Bruno had given him his seal of approval that there was no problem. Bruno was a capable son who had risen to the rank of captain of the Eighth Squad of the Royal Knights at a young age. The marquis acknowledged his second son’s intelligence capabilities.

“In that case, are we not safe?”

Looking at it from a different perspective, the future seemed nothing but bright. If they could just get through this large-scale investigation, the marquis’s men could even gain the trust of the royal family. That would make it easier for them to operate than ever before.

With a sigh of relief, the marquis left the glass of distilled liquor and headed to his private chambers. He felt he would have good dreams tonight.

—-

Toc

Chapter 193