Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 327

“Considering the dragon went out of its way to destroy it, it’s probably related to Chernion or Luce.”Arendt’s light voice broke through the uneasy silence of the conference room.

“And since Lexion says he doesn’t know anything about it, it’s likely that it’s something that was only passed down in the Chernion Cult… but there’s no way to confirm it now unless we ask them. Well, that’s not a bad idea either.”

“…Ask? You’re joking, right?”

Llewellyn, who had been silent for a moment, asked reluctantly, but Arendt simply ignored him.

“Anyway, Nikephoros blew up the entire territory to keep his real motives hidden, and he probably also proselytized to the people of the territory. Did the Marquis find anything?”

Zakar, wearing a similarly unenthusiastic expression as Llewellyn, replied.

“Not yet. The Royal Knights and the elven warriors have been patrolling the borders together and even finished interviewing the stewards stationed at the castle, but they haven’t found anything suspicious.”

“Perhaps.”

After a brief pause, Isabella began to speak.

“Could it be that the enemy’s grasp has not yet reached Marquis Raytar’s territory? It could all just be our unfounded concern.”

“That would be very good, Your Highness.”

But she was silenced by a cold voice. Arendt crossed his arms with a look of displeasure.

“It seems like things might be worse than we thought.”

“What do you mean, worse?”

“As you may know, the Neumann Merchant Group and its information network have also expanded within the Nephele Kingdom. They also have some connections with the Explorer’s Union spread across the continent.”

When she hurriedly pressed for more, Arendt continued in a blunt tone.

“So I gathered some information in the hopes that I might find something. It seems that something unusual has been happening at Count Motier’s house much earlier than we thought.”

“What?”

Isabella and Zakar couldn’t help but doubt their ears.

Laius, who had been listening quietly, urged him on.

“Keep talking.”

“I would have done it even if you hadn’t said anything. Anyway, when I asked you about this and that, all you kept saying was that it was a peaceful territory with no major incidents or accidents, and that it was a small city where the lord and people were all innocent, which bothered me a bit.”

Isabella’s face hardened. Arendt glanced at her and crossed his arms.

“It’s an area where no one pays attention, so it’s the perfect environment for them to spread like poison.”

“…”

The Crown Princess couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

“No matter how remote the location, the goods used in the castle have to be brought in through external merchants, but I heard that they stopped trading with some merchants a while ago. They said that the reason was that the fishing and grain harvests last year were not good, so the situation in the territory was not good.”

Since it was not an area with much money, no one found that excuse strange.

“And on the other hand, he started selling off the expensive items inside the estate one by one. But most of the items were said to be collectibles or luxury items owned by Count Motier.”

Arendt shrugged.

“The lord who was selling the goods didn’t look too bad, so they just let it go, thinking it would get better soon.”

It wasn’t anything particularly noteworthy. Count Motier’s territory depended on the agriculture and fishing of their people, so things were bound to change slightly each year.

Moreover, Count Motier was known to care for his people, so it was not at all strange that he would sell his personal collection for them.

But this was the result of missing each and every one of those little signs.

“They had prepared to sell their assets and disappear in advance. However, since everyone in the estate, including the Count, went about their daily lives as if nothing was happening, no one noticed.”

“…”

Although the tone was light, as if he was telling a story from a faraway place, each word felt like a knife piercing through Isabella.

“There’s one more big problem. The timing of this incident is…”

Arendt looked at Isabella and muttered.

“It was before the battles in the Lucain Kingdom, Everan Kingdom, and in the Great Temple of the Caerleon Empire.”

A cold silence fell over the conference room.

Isabella pressed her lips tightly together and lowered her gaze.

She was trying her best not to lose her composure, but she couldn’t stop the hand on her knee from shaking slightly.

“Maybe it’s not just Count Motier’s territory. No, maybe something similar happened outside the Nephele Kingdom. For now, I’m using the connections between the Neumann Group and the Explorers’ Union to trace the suspicious places.”

Although Arendt said that, Isabella still said nothing.

Arendt, who had been staring at her, spoke coldly.

“Princess Isabella, Your Highness. Are you listening to me?”

“Ah.”

Only then did Isabella come to her senses and lift her head.

Cool golden eyes stared straight at her, as if waiting for her to say something.

Isabella barely managed to move her dry mouth.

“I’m sorry, Sir Arendt. I was listening. This is my… no. The royal family’s oversight. Even if the royal family is in disarray, they should have taken better care of the country.”

“No, Your Highness. Such words…”

Laius tried to comfort her, but Arendt suddenly intervened.

“It was your mistake.”

Isabella hesitated at the spiteful remark. Zakar pointed out irritably.

“Sir Arendt, your words are harsh.”

“Why? I haven’t said anything wrong.”

But Arendt simply answered nonchalantly.

“This is what happened because they didn’t properly guard the foolish former Crown Prince. They let that idiot out into the world and ended up wasting their energy cleaning up after him.”

Isabella’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Zakar, who was about to say something more, also stopped.

“Thanks to that, I also had a terrible time. Actually, it’s not totally Alois’ fault… it was mostly Lexion’s, who stirred up that idiot.”

Arendt glanced at the black bird still sitting on his shoulder.

Then the bird began to peck Arendt’s flowing hair as if protesting. It was a gesture that seemed to say, “Are you really dissatisfied?”

“Lexion is paying his dues, so I’ll just collect the price over and over again. Later, Your Highness, give that bastard Alois a good beating. Who knows, maybe that will appease you a little?”

Arendt rubbed the head of the annoying bird.

“Anyway, there’s nothing we can do about what’s already happened, so we need to focus on resolving it. Honestly, I have no idea what we should do exactly, but I’ve already asked them to report to the royal family as soon as they find out anything so the results should come soon.”

“…”

Even after he finished speaking, Isabella just stared blankly at Arendt. They were harsh remarks, but she was able to read another meaning in them.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Arendt noticed the gaze and frowned.

“Even if you look at me again, I’ll still be handsome.”

“…”

Her mind was thrown into confusion.

Llewellyn nodded as if he understood Isabella, who couldn’t hide her bewildered expression.

“Sister, this bastard has a really weird personality, right?”

“…”

Isabella couldn’t bring herself to deny it.

It was a moment when the words “thank you” that had risen to the top of her throat returned down smoothly.

As always, Laius, unsure whether to praise or scold Arendt, put his hand on his forehead and let out a short sigh.

In times like this, it was best to quickly bring the topic back to the original one.

“Although we have done our best to be vigilant, there are limits. After this matter is resolved, it would be best to discuss it separately and come up with a plan. Of course, the Caerleon Empire will also do its best to help.”

As Arendt had said before, they were only strangers, unable to interfere in the affairs of the kingdom more than was necessary.

“Thank you, Captain Laius. As soon as I return, I will discuss this with His Majesty and come up with a solution.”

Isabella, having gathered her wits, answered calmly.

“I don’t want to rely too much on the Caerleon Empire. The fight against the Evil Cult isn’t just the job of the Caerleon Empire.”

If things continued like this, they would only become a burden in the end. At the moment when Laius was about to nod seriously at her calm determination…

Someone knocked on the door, somewhat hastily.

“Your Highness, are you there? I have something urgent to report!”

Then, Captain Neville’s urgent voice was heard.

They jumped up from their seats, sensing that something had happened.

“Come in.”

As soon as Isabella gave permission, Neville opened the door and rushed inside.

“Your Highness, we’re in big trouble!”

Isabella asked him again, her expression clearly showing her confusion.

“Captain Neville, what’s going on?”

Neville, his face turning pale, stammered his report.

“Well, someone who lost his memory has appeared.”

“What?”

When Isabella asked, confused, Neville started talking again.

“There are only about ten people identified so far. And the number is increasing little by little. It includes the Marquis’s aides and several of the estate’s managers… some are causing fits or causing trouble, so the Royal Knights are trying to subdue them.”

“Ten people?”

Zakar muttered vaguely. It was also surprising that even the Marquis’ closest aides were in such a state.

Llewellyn also burst out laughing in shock.

“It’s no wonder Marquis Raytar didn’t know what was happening in the territory right next door.” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

If the aides and officials were spies, it would not have been difficult to cover the eyes and ears of the Marquis.

“It seems like they plan to abandon this territory.”

At that moment, an unusually clear voice woke everyone up from their confused minds.

Those in the conference room looked at Arendt as if they were possessed.

“They have abandoned the believers here.”

The apprentice knight’s golden eyes were calm and collected.

Laius also answered calmly.

“That means the enemies will soon attack here.”

It was a bone-chilling remark.

Isabella, pursing her lips, ordered Neville.

“Captain Neville, lock up the spies for now and relay the situation to Marquis Raytar. Then, assemble the remaining personnel immediately.”

“Lord Zakar, please prepare the Imperial Knights and Elf Warriors for battle and gather them in one place.”

This time, Laius made a request to Zakar.

“Understood. Captain Neville, go.”

“Yes!”

Neville, who had been blankly staring, nodded in surprise.

Just as Neville was about to leave the conference room with Zakar, Isabella called out to him.

“Captain Neville. And one more thing.”

“Yes, yes! Your Highness! Give your order!”

Neville turned around hastily again.

“On the way back…”

Isabella looked straight at him and gave her order.

“Bring me my sword too.”

For a moment, Neville looked dumbfounded, not understanding the order properly.

And a moment later, Neville, who finally understood Isabella’s words, opened his mouth wide in shock.