chapter 223. The Fruit of Evil Karma (5)

Crown Prince Riley Williams Slivegrad was face-to-face with his fiancée, Liliana, in his office, having a meeting. Entering the room with a tense expression was Miles Spencer, Vice-Commander of the Royal Knight Order.

"What is it, Vice-Commander Spencer? Has something happened?"

"I have a report and a consultation for Your Highness."

Answering, Spencer glanced at the attendant waiting in the corner of the room. Noticing that gaze, Riley told the attendant to leave the room. Once the presence of the attendant who bowed and left vanished from in front of the room, Spencer turned his face to Riley.

"May I set up a soundproofing barrier in this room?"

"Soundproofing? That's thorough."

Riley smiled slightly and quickly set up the soundproofing barrier himself. Spencer opened his eyes wide for a moment at that speed but said nothing, immediately broaching the subject.

"Actually—this morning, Nicolas Bergson was confirmed dead in his solitary cell."

"What?"

It was a completely unexpected report. Not only Riley, but Liliana sitting next to him blinked in surprise.

"Bergson died?"

"Yes. It is believed to be a cursed killing."

At the words cursed killing, Liliana gasped without realizing it. Riley gently reached out and squeezed his fiancée's freezing hand. Liliana was usually composed and showed no fear even in situations where she should feel danger. Feeling strange that she was shocked by the words "cursed killing," Riley decided to listen to Spencer's story first.

"You say cursed killing, but I thought the Knight Order's cells had magic and curse-sealing arrays applied."

"Exactly as you say. However, those arrays are effective only against normal magic and curses—in other words, only when casting a spell outside the body."

Spencer's explanation was concise but a bit hard to understand. Riley narrowed his eyes listening to the Vice-Commander's explanation, but noticed that Liliana's cold, slender hand twitched. He directed a concerned gaze at Liliana.

"Lady Liliana, if you wish, would you like to rest in the adjoining room?"

"No, I am fine."

Liliana shook her head quietly. However, her complexion was slightly pale. Though concerned, seeing Liliana's resolute expression, Riley gave up on persuading her. He squeezed Liliana's hand stronger and turned his face to Spencer.

"In other words, you mean a curse was implanted inside Bergson's body?"

"Unless we think so, it doesn't add up. The guards say they didn't leave their posts, so it's hard to think an assassin infiltrated, and in the first place, the state of that corpse—it's impossible unless it was magic or a curse."

Spencer nodded gravely. But the Knight Order's investigation stopped there. Grimacing painfully, Spencer let out a small sigh.

"With the Commander's intention as well, we are keeping this matter quiet. We silenced the discovering guard and had him take on duties attached to the Commander for a while. Aside from the guard who found him, only Commander Hegarty and I know of Bergson's death."

"Splendid judgment. Keep it quiet for a while."

"As you command. However, Your Highness—to determine the cause of death, we need the cooperation of a mage knowledgeable about curses."

If it spread that Nicolas Bergson's life was taken on the very day he was captured, people criticizing the Royal Family and the Knight Order would certainly emerge. Even if they didn't voice it openly, malicious gossip spreads easily. With the Grand Duke's faction gradually gaining power now, the Ministry of Magic was a major force they wanted to secure.

Riley looked down slightly to think. However, it didn't take much time to reach a conclusion.

"In that case, let's ask Petra Muirulainen. She is knowledgeable about curses and keeps her mouth shut."

"May I call out to her?"

"Let's see—no, I will pass the word. I'll have to tell Ben-dono anyway."

If the Knight Order suddenly called out to Petra, suspicious people might emerge. But if Riley contacted Ben, no one should suspect anything.

"Understood. Then—I apologize for the trouble, Your Highness."

"I don't mind. Let's see, I promise to tell Ben-dono by the end of today."

At Riley's words, Spencer bowed seemingly humbled. Shaking his head saying he didn't mind, Riley asked a question instead.

"Regarding Bergson, it was unfortunate, but what happened with the investigation of the other mages?"

"Yes. It is proceeding smoothly. Apparently, many were in cooperative relationships, so it is taking some time to grasp the timeline and human relationships, but—the materials Ben Draco-dono investigated and compiled previously are proving useful."

"Is that so? That is good."

According to Spencer's brief explanation, there were several central figures regarding the embezzlement. It was said that Second Rank Sorcerer Barry was especially involved in huge embezzlement. He was promoted to Second Rank five years ago when Ben Draco was expelled from the Ministry, but apparently, the story was that he paid Bergson. Furthermore, since his tenure at the Ministry was long, he flaunted it and forced unreasonable demands on young mages and civil officials.

"It seems he blackmailed accounting officials to secure money he could use freely. And there seem to be many mages who followed suit to benefit from it. However, since what they did was only embezzlement—even if judged, I think it will end with expulsion from the Ministry and, depending on malice, revocation of mage qualifications."

"Truly good for nothing."

Riley sighed as if he had a headache. Noticing that Liliana's hand had finally become warm, Riley floated a smile and glanced at his fiancée's profile close by.

Returning his gaze to Spencer, the Knight Order Vice-Commander was looking at Riley and Liliana with an indescribable expression. However, realizing Riley was looking at him, he immediately averted his gaze politely.

"In other words, embezzlement was constant in the Ministry of Magic. It was truly good that we planned to capture the Director and all the mages simultaneously. Otherwise, many would have escaped."

Mages working at the Ministry have a strong sense of clannishness. On top of that, those dipping their hands in fraud often have a strange sense of solidarity. Therefore, although Riley and the others had identified that the caster who cursed the King was Bergson at a fairly early stage, they dared to withhold information and planned to purge the Ministry in secret. They issued secret orders to a very small number of trusted people and made arrangements so the Grand Duke's faction wouldn't know.

"To reliably bring the Ministry of Magic into the King's faction, we had to wipe out the mages supporting Bergson. Naturally, we cannot punish those who have committed no crimes, but—looking at the report, almost all mages who committed crimes had connections with Bergson. And the number of mages remaining in the Ministry with personal interests with Bergson has become something that fits on one hand."

Good work, when Riley thanked him, Spencer bowed deeply saying, "Ha, I am grateful for your undeserved words."

To secure power within the Kingdom, it is necessary to suppress the nobility, the Royal Knight Order, and the Ministry of Magic. Until now, the King's faction supporting Riley and the opposing Grand Duke's faction were almost evenly matched. If anything, the Grand Duke's faction was slightly superior.

The nobles were divided into King's faction and Grand Duke's faction, the Royal Knight Order including the Commander and Vice-Commander was mostly King's faction, while the Ministry of Magic was completely Grand Duke's faction with Director Bergson. To incorporate the Ministry into the King's faction, the Director had to be a King's faction mage. Fortunately for the King's faction, Bergson had his hands in various crimes.

Riley asked Spencer if there was any other information obtained.

"Were there any other problems?"

"That is—"

Spencer hesitated. The fact that he didn't deny it immediately meant there was something else weighing on his mind. However, it was rare for Spencer, who always spoke frankly, to hesitate.

"There was a sentence in Ben Draco-dono's report suggesting there were mages dabbling in forbidden arts. However, even after interrogation, we cannot find a single mage suspected of being involved in forbidden arts."

There are those involved in spells akin to forbidden arts, he continued. But in reality, there was only evidence that Bergson cursed the King, and nothing else could be found. Perhaps there really is nothing, but a sense of incongruity remains, Spencer said.

Riley groaned low. In purging the Ministry's personnel, the information on embezzlement and fraud that Ben Draco had been collecting little by little for a long time was extremely useful. Expelling mages who committed crimes from the Ministry was one of Riley's cherished desires. Not only for the reason of opposing the Grand Duke's faction, but the purpose of returning the Ministry to its proper form undoubtedly existed.

Therefore, finding mages involved in forbidden arts had a higher priority than finding mages doing fraud like embezzlement. However, it was also certain that they couldn't be found easily.

"It might be faster if we had Ben Draco-dono investigate, but—even if he interrogated them, the mages probably wouldn't open their mouths stubbornly."

When Riley grumbled with a sigh mixed in, not only Spencer but Liliana nodded deeply.

Within the Ministry, Ben Draco's popularity is divided. He is viewed favorably by ordinary young mages and conscientious old mages, but he was detested by mages connected to Nicolas Bergson and Sorn Greed. Hearing rumors of the mages captured for crimes like embezzlement, one could predict almost certainly that they were birds of a feather with Bergson.

"Regarding forbidden arts, let's have Ben Draco-dono and Petra Muirulainen-dono probe from inside the Ministry from now on. The Knight Order, please continue the interrogation of the mages."

"As you command."

Bowing his head deeply, Spencer seemingly had no other business and left the room after saying a greeting. When the Vice-Commander's presence was far away, Riley turned his whole body to Liliana sitting next to him.

"Sasha."

The girl with light green eyes looked up at Riley. Her expression was calm, and no emotion like the fear she exuded when Spencer said "cursed killing" could be glimpsed. However, Riley had no intention of overlooking the crack Liliana finally showed.

"Can you tell me what you thought when the Vice-Commander said 'cursed killing' earlier?"

"—I do not quite understand what you mean."

Just as I thought, Riley tightened his face that was about to break into a bitter smile.

He didn't think from the start that Liliana would honestly confess her inner thoughts just because he asked normally. But this time, Riley had no intention of backing down.

"Usually you are unfazed no matter what happens, but the moment you heard Bergson was cursed to death, you trembled, didn't you? Your hands became cold too. Because you thought of something terrifying, that feeling showed in your body."

Riley stared at Liliana sincerely and told her. Holding her slender hand, not allowing her to avert her gaze, he urged a reply silently. Liliana had a vague smile on her face as if troubled for a while, but perhaps realizing Riley had no intention of backing down, she let out a small sigh.

"—It is not a big deal. I just thought of one possibility."

"One possibility?"

"Yes."

To Riley asking in wonder, Liliana nodded quietly.

"Is it related to the Director's cause of death?"

"It is."

Liliana dropped her gaze to the floor for a moment, then slowly raised her face. And in a small, slightly raspy voice, she whispered the possibility that floated in her mind to Riley.

"I thought... perhaps the Director had a Curse of Subordinate placed on him."

That was an unexpected word for Riley. Of course, as Crown Prince, Riley learned from far more books regarding all times and places than general nobles.

Naturally, knowledge regarding forbidden curses was included in that. So as knowledge, he knew of the existence of the "Curse of Subordinate." However, the details were not written in the books Riley studied, and there should be no one who could use it.

"Impossible—no, but we should consider it as a possibility. I have heard that the Curse of Subordinate includes content to kill the target. But is there anyone in our country currently who can use the Curse of Subordinate?"

If Ben Draco and Petra Muirulainen said it was impossible, it must be nearly impossible. But Riley didn't know if those two knew the details of the Curse of Subordinate.

Liliana answered dispassionately.

"Thinking normally, I think it does not exist, but—however, perhaps."

Riley noticed Liliana's fingertips were cold again. Putting strength into the holding hand, he called her name, "Sasha." Liliana's eyes focused and looked at Riley's pupils nearby.

"You don't have to worry. I will handle it somehow. Besides, we are requesting cooperation from Ben Draco-dono and Petra Muirulainen-dono—if we ask those two, it will be reassuring."

"You are right."

Liliana pulled up the corners of her mouth. Feeling incongruity in that expression, Riley tried to speak, but Liliana opened her mouth faster than him.

"Will, I am grateful for your concern. Time is precious, so let us return to the meeting."

"————Right."

He couldn't agree from the bottom of his heart, but certainly, as Liliana said, there wasn't that much time. He needed to meet Ben Draco in the afternoon and confirm the final schedule for the future. The meeting with Liliana was in anticipation of that conference.

"Then, let's begin."

Riley let go of Liliana's hand and picked up the documents on the table. When he handed the documents to Liliana with a bright smile, she also responded with a smile unchanged from usual.

****

—Nicolas Bergson died.

When she heard that news, what floated in Liliana's mind was the word "Impossible."

(Bergson—died?)

And the cause of death was said to be "cursed killing."

Her head went blank with impatience, and she felt her body temperature being stolen rapidly from her fingertips. And suddenly realizing, she was wrapped in something warm. Turning her gaze casually, Riley, exuding worry, was warmly wrapping Liliana's frozen hand.

The hand, which had become a size larger than Liliana's before she knew it, had sword calluses and was hard and rough. But that warmth was comfortable, and Liliana let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. Finally, her head started to spin.

While listening to the conversation between Riley and Vice-Commander Spencer continuing dispassionately, Liliana was recalling the content of the Otome Game she played in her previous life alone.

(In the game, Bergson should have lived.)

Since Ben Draco exists—and since he returned to the Ministry of Magic, there is no mistake that it has already deviated from the content of the Otome Game. In the game, Ben Draco did not exist in form or figure. Because he was already gone, the capture target Belasta Draco entered the Ministry of Magic as the youngest member. However, he naturally did not become Director.

In other words, there was a Director of the Ministry of Magic in the game world. And the Director's name was "Bergson"—the name Nicolas didn't appear, but it was almost certainly him. The Bergson of the game lived until the final stages. His end wasn't described, but at least expressions hinting at death existed.

That was why Liliana thought that even if Bergson were captured, he wouldn't die.

(Besides—killed by a curse, that's—almost like)

It didn't take much time to arrive at the thought that it might be the "Curse of Subordinate."

It is not impossible to curse someone to death with general curses. But for that, the timing of death was far too exquisite. Usually, cursed killing takes time. And while an approximate period can be specified, one cannot kill at a specific date and time. It would be possible with magic, but magic cannot be used in the Royal Knight Order's dungeon.

A curse implanted inside the body, and presumably one that can kill at the exact time the caster wishes—the only thing those two facts pointed to, as far as Liliana knew, was the "Curse of Subordinate."

("There is no caster who can use the Curse of Subordinate, because that spell is a forbidden curse, and there are no books detailing it in this country—")

That is common sense. However, Liliana had just one clue.

(That day—right before I killed Father, Father tried to place the Curse of Subordinate on me.)

In other words, the late Duke Clark knew how to cast the Curse of Subordinate. It wasn't necessarily true that no one else knew. But the possibility was extremely low.

(If the caster dies, the curse should vanish. But Bergson's curse did not vanish.)

The possibility that fact points to is only one.

Wanting to suppress the creeping dread, Liliana unconsciously pressed down on her chest.

(Father should have passed away. After all, I killed him with these hands.)

And Father's body was processed by Clyde. She saw Father's figure in the coffin with her own eyes. Undoubtedly, Father died.

Yet—the "Curse of Subordinate" placed on Bergson activated. Perhaps Liliana's father had taught someone how to cast the "Curse of Subordinate." But that possibility was extremely low. If he had no resistance to teaching others, her brother Clyde would have been taught the Ducal House's work much sooner, and authority would have been transferred at an earlier stage.

The former head, Abram, was of a nature to want to grasp everything himself, and he never let go of what was important.

Would that father teach the "Curse of Subordinate," a forbidden curse, to another person?

It is all just Liliana's deduction. Perhaps a completely different fact exists. However, to Liliana, the series of deductions seemed like nothing but the truth.

(—Is Father... alive?)

How good it would be if she could laugh it off as absurd. But even trying to laugh it off, the fear suppressing it was greater.

"Sasha?"

What's wrong? Riley asked with a worried expression. Liliana smiled and shaken her head.

Riley says he wants her to tell him what she is thinking. But to tell him that, she must reveal everything—that Liliana killed her father, and that her father could use the Curse of Subordinate.

There was no way she could do such a thing. 

---

Toc

Chapter 224