Chapter 27: The Scent of a Greater Crime

Chasing those light cavalry right now was impossible.

They were deliberately fleeing at full speed—what means did I have to catch them?

I’m not a bird; I can’t catch horses that are already far away.

Then only one option remained.

‘Beat the mustache and something will come out.’

Plus, there were the five knights who had fallen from their horses earlier.

I should at least be able to find out why Skyler tried to snatch the bandits.

But surprisingly, that wasn’t easy.

“I exercise my right to remain silent. This concerns a dispute between noble houses, so summon the family head. I am Viscount Denzel Morales.”

That’s what the mustached man said.

Here, “family head” meant Duke Sierre.

By taking this stance, there was nothing I could do immediately.

‘I’d love to use the classic method.’

A few solid punches and he’d sing like a canary.

But that was out of the question.

The Empire’s highest judge engaging in illegal interrogation?

Moreover, the other party was a vassal of the Sierre ducal house.

It would be impossible to completely hide it.

If I resorted to water torture or sandbag treatment, my honor would be tarnished.

“Fine. Then you lot will be handed over to the prosecution.”

“This happened near the capital, so send us to the capital guard.”

Viscount Morales demanded with a confident face.

He must have gained momentum seeing me take a step back.

But I had no intention of granting his request.

“Got connections with the capital guard?”

“Of course not. I’m simply asking for due process. By the law.”

The classic line of criminal scum.

When you press for overdue payments, they dodge by saying the company is struggling.

In modern society, failing to collect small debts was common.

That’s when they say “let’s do it by the law.”

Same thing now.

The ones who always play dumb are the ones who spout this nonsense.

But I shook my head and pulled out a thick book.

Flip-flip-flip-flip! Thud!

Pages turned quickly.

My hand stopped in the middle.

“See this?”

“What is it?”

“What else? The Imperial Code. Here, read from this part.”

“‘Cases recognized by the court may be ordered investigated at the court’s discretion’?”

“Me? The Empire’s highest judge. This case? I experienced it personally.”

…

The statute conveniently omitted the word “where.”

Meaning: investigate wherever I damn well please.

“Anything else to say?”

“No.”

“Good. Sir McNeill!”

I immediately called my bodyguard knight.

Even if the capital was close, controlling over a hundred people was difficult.

If I just let them go, they’d all escape halfway.

Naturally, I—who possessed overwhelming force—had to accompany them for safety.

And I needed support personnel.

I couldn’t stay on edge 24 hours a day.

“But where the hell did this guy go?”

Yet Cordel McNeill, who should have come running at my call, was nowhere to be seen.

He had definitely been fighting the Sierre forces just moments ago…

‘Ah.’

A sudden memory made me snap my fingers.

The heavy infantry had shields and were tightly grouped.

But Cordel had no such protection.

He must have been caught in the shockwave of Doom’s Retribution.

Then he should be sprawled somewhere nearby.

Sure enough, a low groan came from the roadside bushes.

“Ughhh… Y-Your Highness…”

“Oh, Sir McNeill! You’re alive?”

“I almost died, though.”

“You look perfectly fine, so stop talking nonsense and get out here.”

“Y-Yes…”

Cordel rose from a pit beyond the bushes.

From the start, that level of attack couldn’t kill a man of his skill.

Even the heavy infantry who hadn’t awakened aura had survived.

So of course he was fine.

‘This bastard’s faking it.’

I glanced at Cordel’s face.

His expression was the same as always.

But his complexion seemed strangely pale.

And he kept sneaking glances at me.

At that moment I realized.

This blindly loyal bodyguard was inwardly trembling with fear.

‘Well, it’s understandable.’

Crimson flames wrapped in blue lightning.

A giant hammer crashing down and shaking the earth.

Anyone who witnessed that would react the same.

It wasn’t just the spectacle.

Cordel McNeill was a knight who had reached a considerable realm.

He must have directly felt the extreme power contained in Beast’s Heart and Doom’s Retribution.

I smirked and said,

“Sir McNeill?”

“Yes?”

“Tie up all those guys.”

“Me?”

“Who else? Take the mercenaries and capture every last one.”

“My duty is solely to protect Your Highness…”

He was surprisingly stubborn.

I thought he’d become more obedient, but his nature hadn’t changed at all.

But no matter how thickheaded, real threats work.

Slide.

The moment I drew the gavel, Cordel hurriedly moved.

“Of course it’s my job! I’ll be right back!”

One thing was now certain.

This guy responded better to the stick than the carrot.

‘Every bastard needs the same solution.’

Taming Cordel was something time would handle anyway.

Right now, it was time to follow the stench of crime emanating from our little darling—Skyler Sierre.

Of course, after first sending these rotten bastards to the prosecution.

***

Viscount Denzel Morales and the knights were sent to the capital.

I lost the captured bandits, but the trail hadn’t vanished completely.

‘The core is Skyler Sierre anyway.’

It was obvious to anyone that the ducal heir was backing the bandits.

Dig around and something would surely turn up.

“So all you’re going to do is squat here? In front of the Sierre mansion?”

Cordel McNeill grumbled, his face full of discontent.

He too had been forced into unintended surveillance.

What could he do when the person he was guarding insisted on staying?

“To find evidence, we have to stake out for days if needed. Kids these days have no grit.”

As if I’d go easy just because they’re the same noble faction.

I clicked my tongue, and Cordel let out a hollow laugh of disbelief.

“You’re literally one of those ‘kids these days,’ Your Highness.”

Truthfully, I was on the younger side.

Even counting my real age from Korea, I was younger than Cordel.

I was just acting superior because of my rank.

“Ahem! It’s just a figure of speech. Look, I’m out here doing the work myself.”

“So why exactly are we doing this?”

“We have to catch the ones backing the bandits. Think about it. Bandits this bold just one day from the capital? Is that normal?”

“Of course not. And those probably aren’t the only ones.”

“Then someone has to root them out.”

“My point is—why does it have to be Your Highness?”

“Because no one else will. The moment you start, the Sierre ducal house pops out—who would dare touch it?”

Cordel opened and closed his mouth, unable to retort.

Honestly, he had nothing to say.

No matter how many times he thought about it, I was right.

Wasn’t the position of High Judge created by the Emperor for exactly this?

To uphold justice without yielding to any pressure.

“That may be true, but couldn’t we work more efficiently? This is a bit much.”

“Want to sneak into the mansion and search for evidence?”

“Would that be allowed?”

Cordel’s eyes sparkled with expectation.

He was a Black Agent of the Imperial Guard.

Not only outstanding in combat, but highly skilled in espionage.

Infiltrating a ducal mansion would be child’s play for him.

That would make gathering evidence far easier.

But I gave him a pitying look.

“I’m the pinnacle of the Empire’s judiciary—how could I allow that?”

In Korea’s criminal procedure law, there is the exclusionary rule for illegally obtained evidence.

Evidence not collected through due process lacks admissibility.

Of course, the Imperial Code had no such thing.

Medieval law was full of holes.

But this principle had to be upheld, even implicitly.

This was a romantic medieval world.

Without honor and justification, nothing could be done.

“So we can never take the easy path.”

“Don’t worry too much. Our main force is heading west, right? They’ll let their guard down.”

I had sent away all the mercenaries, porters, and even the carriages.

Now only Cordel and I were staking out near the Sierre mansion.

The whole world would think I had already left.

Our little darling Skyler Sierre would have no choice but to move.

He’d mistakenly believe his range of action had widened.

‘Whether he tries to extract the mustached guy or contacts other bandits—he’ll do something.’

Thieves always twitch first.

And sure enough, as expected.

In the dead of night, movement came from the Sierre mansion.

Dozens of carriages quietly slipped out the back gate and scattered in all directions.

Incredibly stealthy and swift.

“Wait. What happens now? They didn’t spot us, did they?”

Cordel looked confused as he watched.

I had anticipated some movement.

But sending out dozens of carriages at once?

What the hell was this?

But I shook my head firmly.

“They’re aware of us, but that’s not why they’re doing this.”

“Then?”

“Look at what they’re doing. Even compared to a Black Agent, it’s not far off, is it?”

I meant: judge objectively. From your perspective as a professional, not trying to downplay them.

“No, that’s a bit…”

Cordel smacked his lips.

Their actions were undeniably professional.

Even I, an espionage amateur, could see they moved in perfect unison.

“They must run decoy operations like this regularly. Meaning they have that much to hide.”

“So what now? There’s only two of us.”

“What do you think we should do, Sir McNeill? I’d like the expert’s opinion.”

“If it were me, I’d rob the empty house first—but that’s not allowed, right?”

“Skip the pointless suggestions or we’ll lose them all.”

“We pick one and follow. They can’t do this every day, so eventually we’ll catch a tail.”

Honestly, I thought the same.

We’re only two—there’s nothing else we can do.

Split up and do our best.

“You follow the ones heading toward the capital.”

“And Your Highness?”

“I’ll take the opposite direction.”

“Yes, then I’ll see you at the rendezvous.”

In a world where communication is only by letter or magic, setting time and place is basic.

We agreed to meet back at the hideout near the Sierre mansion when everything was done.

After Cordel left, I mounted my hidden horse.

‘Honestly, I don’t have high hopes.’

Because they were heading deep into the mountains in a long line.

What could possibly be in a place like this?

An area with almost no human presence—only monster packs.

Yet the carriages’ movements were strange.

They scattered briefly, then subtly regrouped.

And soon converged in one spot.

‘Why would they gather in such a remote place?’

There must be something here.

I concealed myself in the bushes and carefully observed the camp.

Then I caught a glimpse of something.

White skin clearly visible despite the orange campfire.

Clothing that must once have been luxurious.

This was absolutely not a person who belonged in the wilderness.

‘Why is a noble lady in a place like…’

I stuck my head out further to see clearly.

Thanks to the enhanced vision, the view became sharper.

Then the flames flared high.

And her face came clearly into view.

‘I’ve seen her somewhere before.’

Of course, not me personally—Abel’s memory.

Was it Princess Eustia?

A distant relative, and they had run into each other a few times in the capital.

Though it was quite a long time ago.

But wait—this could become a massive diplomatic incident.

If they had really kidnapped royalty from a neighboring country…

It seemed our little darling had gone properly insane.