Chapter 26
“Warlock!”
“Your voice is too loud, Commander.”
“……Warlock! Ooh, finally!”
Ethan Taton simply could not suppress his joy.
His voice was too loud. If someone were to overhear the word ‘warlock’, it was certain that Reinhardt would be pestered from all sides again.
Click.
Reinhardt opened the door to his quarters and calmed Ethan down as composedly as possible.
“Let’s talk inside. This isn’t a conversation that would do any good if overheard.”
“That’s an excellent idea! My goodness, you are so thorough even in matters like this. Truly reliable.”
Ethan’s lips were trembling. It was obvious he was desperately holding back a surging smile.
“So, a warlock? Is this related to a warlock?”
“That is correct. It’s not certain, but the possibility is extremely high.”
“If you’re the one saying it, then it must be certain. You have a very thorough personality, after all. Our Taton’s pride, Sir Reinhardt.”
Wearing an expression like a parent looking at their successful child, Ethan nodded in satisfaction.
“In any case, this is a very important matter. Truly important. So, what can I help you with? Just say the word. Even if you ordered me to bring the Mayor to this very spot, I’m confident I could do it.”
“It’s not me ordering you……”
“Right. It’s a request. As a knight to his commander.”
“……Yes.”
“Continue.”
Ethan’s gaze was burdensome. However, Reinhardt ignored it and continued speaking.
“I need you to call for Dame Evangeline. As soon as possible.”
“Dame Evangeline, you say! Of the Paganoa Knights!”
The expression on Ethan’s face grew even more vibrant. He was no different from a weed that grew well with just a little water.
“Leave it to me. That much is no difficult task. I have a personal acquaintance with Dame Evangeline. Besides, it’s a request from Sir Reinhardt! Dame Evangeline will surely come running at once!”
Ethan seemed utterly unable to suppress his smile.
“I will use all the connections I have to ensure your request is fulfilled swiftly. So this time…… no. No.”
Ethan swallowed the words he was about to say. Then, with a benevolent expression, he lightly patted Reinhardt’s shoulder as if in encouragement.
“Today, I have clearly realized something. This is not the kind of matter that can be accomplished by me pressuring you.”
“What part are you referring to?”
“It’s nothing. You don’t need to worry about it. This is entirely my personal wish. However, I believe it so.”
Reinhardt did not like Ethan’s expression. It was the expression of a parent who had no doubt their child would get into a top university.
“It seems you have a destiny, Sir Reinhardt. Meaning it doesn’t matter at all whether someone around you tries to stop you or pushes you from behind.”
“I……”
“I’ll be on my way. I must hope Dame Evangeline has no other duties. Until then, get plenty of rest!”
Ethan Taton, barely listening to Reinhardt, left the quarters with hurried steps.
‘He’s just leaving like that. Shouldn’t he ask for the details?’
Reinhardt smacked his lips with a bitter taste.
It was because Ethan’s words about destiny were bothering him.
And so.
Two days passed.
“We meet again, Sir Reinhardt.”
Evangeline appeared before Reinhardt, looking the same as always.
There was just one difference.
Instead of the cold and dry expression from when they first met, she wore a smile full of goodwill.
***
Inside Reinhardt’s quarters.
With all others completely blocked from approaching, Evangeline examined the object Reinhardt had casually taken out.
“This is……”
“I felt a similar aura to the one used by the warlock. It is ominous and sinister. It seems ordinary humans are negatively affected just by being near it.”
Reinhardt explained calmly.
He did not use the expression ‘Sealing Stone’. It was likely a word that had not yet appeared at this point in time.
Evangeline also looked grave. She snapped her head up and met Reinhardt’s gaze.
“Where did you acquire this jewel?”
“The Tax Collector of the Serigel City Hall was in possession of it.”
“And how did you come to know that fact?”
“As always, I had to. I simply found what needed to be found in the place I needed to go.”
“I see, so that’s how it was……”
It was nonsense that would not have worked on anyone else, but Evangeline seemed to accept it. Because the one she was talking to was Reinhardt.
Evangeline looked down at the Sealing Stone again.
To her, Reinhardt spoke naturally.
“The warlock I executed said something. That there was something he absolutely had to find here in Serigel.”
“He said that? Why did you not tell me?”
“I forgot.”
“Well, um, I see.”
Simply put, and with confidence.
When he answered with an expression that said he had nothing to be ashamed of, Evangeline, though reluctantly, was convinced.
‘What can I do? I saw what he did at the City Hall.’
Reinhardt had pushed back the aftermath of Black Magic. He had treated the people groaning in pain.
Evangeline had seen that sight.
Paganoa’s Inquisitor Bardo would have also testified to Reinhardt’s innocence.
In any case.
Adding that, Reinhardt got to the main point.
“I would like to ask you to take care of this. It is not something that can be handled in Serigel.”
“Paganoa should be fine. I’ll do as you say, Sir.”
“Thank you, Dame Evangeline.”
Evangeline tucked the jewel into her clothes. The ominous energy did not dare to penetrate the knight’s resistance.
“Is there anything else you require?”
“No. It’s just that you were the only one I could ask for help in a matter like this, Dame Evangeline. Thank you for your valuable time.”
“Not at all. This is something I should be thanking you for……”
Evangeline’s words trailed off.
Sensing that she was about to say something more, Reinhardt quickly concluded the meeting.
“It would be best if you get going. This is not an object suitable for keeping here for long.”
As he abruptly stood up, Evangeline looked openly disappointed.
It was precisely the reaction Reinhardt had feared.
“Dame Evangeline?”
“Ah, yes.”
At times like this, one must not give the other person time to think.
Reinhardt swiftly opened the door to his quarters and naturally led Evangeline outside.
‘I just have to see her off like this.’
If he could get Evangeline to return here, his plan would be a success.
He had maintained the relationship appropriately, while completely passing on the difficult task of the Sealing Stone.
“Thank you for your trouble in coming here. If something like this happens again, I will contact……”
Just as Reinhardt was about to bid his farewell.
“Sir Reinhardt! A moment of your time, please!”
With a loud clattering sound, someone in armor ran towards Reinhardt.
Recognizing the face, Reinhardt let out an unwitting, regretful sigh.
‘Jerad.’
It was Jerad, the captain of the Serigel Guard.
And for some reason, he looked extremely proud.
“Salutations! There has been progress in the matter you trusted us with! It is a matter that brooks no delay!”
“Not now…… Guheuk.”
[Injustice has been detected.]
*Listen to Captain Jerad's report and devise a countermeasure.
*If you ignore the injustice, the effect of [Justice] will decrease.
[Buff Applied: Justice x1]
[All stats increase by 47]
“……Report. Right now.”
A strange sound escaped Reinhardt’s lips.
Fortunately, neither Evangeline nor Jerad seemed to find it odd.
‘Of all the times, why now.’
Why was this news being delivered now, with Evangeline watching by his side?
The timing was truly uncanny, but now that the message had appeared, it was already spilt milk.
Reinhardt maintained his composure as best he could and listened to Jerad’s report.
“First, the Tax Collector is scheduled for trial on a total of seventeen charges! The Mayor has ordered a thorough arrest of everyone involved in the Tax Collector’s crimes……”
“That doesn't seem like a matter that brooks no delay.”
“Yes, that is correct. The important issue is what came from the mouths of Malcolm of the Rom Caravan and Ikron of the Miller Caravan.”
This was the real deal, as expected.
Malcolm and Ikron.
Just hearing their names gave off an air that it would lead to a troublesome matter.
“Do we really have to do this here……”
[Additional injustice has been detected!]
*Listen to Captain Jerad's report and devise a countermeasure.
*If you ignore the injustice, the effect of [Justice] will decrease.
[Buff Applied: Justice x2]
[All stats increase by 94]
“……I need to hear the details about that. Explain everything, without omission.”
“Yes, sir! The Rom Caravan will undergo an audit at the City Hall level. This is also the Mayor’s order. We have secured all the evidence for it, and only the execution remains.”
“And Ikron?”
“Yes, he testified about the Miller Caravan. Sir Reinhardt, it seems the Miller Caravan is deeply involved with warlocks.”
Guheuk- A strange groan escaped his lips again.
This time, Evangeline seemed to flinch. The look in her eyes as she watched him from the side was one of puzzlement.
‘This is driving me crazy…….’
But there was nothing he could do.
This was not a phenomenon he could physically control.
[Additional injustice has been detected.]
*The Miller Caravan is suspected of being deeply involved with Black Magic. Verify the information and act according to the results.
*If you ignore the injustice, the effect of [Justice] will decrease.
[Buff Applied: Justice x3]
[All stats increase by 141.]
“The, the basis…… for the suspicion is……”
“He said the condition of the Miller Caravan members was strange, one and all. A man named Ikron was not originally a member of the caravan, but a kind of broker……”
The explanation continued.
It was about how the condition of those belonging to the Miller Caravan had suddenly changed one day. As if they were soulless, like machines that only carried out the orders of the caravan leader.
‘It’s a warlock, alright.’
Reinhardt was certain as soon as he heard it.
In this world, there was no such thing as an ‘unexplainable phenomenon.’
If there was a result, there was a cause.
And looking at the result, it wasn't difficult to grasp the cause either.
“It was the same as the case we saw. The Minion of evil that you handed over, Sir Reinhardt, was also in that state! And that’s not all. According to new information from Lockfort……”
Captain Jerad added that an acquaintance of Ikron had sent news.
The Miller Caravan had recently been preparing to cross over to Serigel, even at the cost of enormous losses.
He didn't leave out groundless rumors either, such as the caravan leader Avara’s eyes momentarily turning red, or one of her hands turning into that of a monster.
‘This part must be an exaggerated rumor.’
Even if a demon had descended, something like that wouldn't happen.
It was impossible for a mere warlock to use abilities like physical transformation.
But in any case.
The Miller Caravan leader, Avara, was a warlock. Realizing this, Reinhardt forcefully suppressed a sigh that was leaking from the depths of his lungs.
“That is all I have to report! If there is any additional news, I will be sure to report it to you, Sir!”
“That’s very, much appreciated……”
“Not at all, sir!”
Captain Jerad looked very gratified, as if he too had accomplished something.
Reinhardt watched the back of his head as he walked away.
If he had his way, he felt like striking him down and knocking him unconscious.
‘So how do I handle this.’
His breathing ragged with anger, Reinhardt glanced furtively at Evangeline.
For some reason, Evangeline looked excited.
Just like Ethan Taton, she had the expression of a weed that grew well with just a little water.