Chapter 25 : Suspicious Encounter (2)

“Greetings. I am Jacob, serving the Panario Family.”

“…Hello. What brings you here?”

Glenn, still wary, stared intently at the man before him.

The middle-aged knight named Jacob smiled gently and replied.

“I apologize for the intrusion. The people who requested this came from our side, but I never expected thieves to mess with a private order.”

“Hmph, so you came to escort the private order?”

“That’s right. Also… the Viscount said he would very much like to have Prince Glenn accompany us if possible.”

“…Me?”

“Yes. Rumor has it that you saved our territory’s people several times. This is a gesture of thanks from them, so we hope you will join us.”

Look at these bastards.

Sensing something odd, Glenn let out a quiet chuckle.

“But… the timing is quite suspicious. You appeared right after we drove out the bandits.”

“Yes, unfortunately, when we tried to intervene, it was already too late. So, we thought it best to report directly to the Viscount and accompany you together.”

“Oh, so it’s your idea to have me come along?”

At that moment, Jacob’s left eye twitched.

It was a split second that only someone as observant as Glenn could catch.

“…The Viscount has always taken an interest in Prince Glenn. Naturally, I came to know this.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“What will you decide? Of course, we don’t intend to force you. If you refuse, we will only escort the private order.”

“…Wait a moment.”

Turning his back, Glenn glanced behind and met the expressionless eyes of Sir Nedian.

Pretending to adjust his belt, Nedian raised his hand just above his navel and gestured subtly.

From a perfect angle visible only to Glenn and Nedian, a brief signal carried a simple meaning.

“Surround.”

Hah, so it wasn’t a request to escort—it was a threat.

That sly bastard.

This time, Glenn sent a glance toward Saintess Monica.

When their eyes met, she smiled faintly as if she didn’t understand English.

…Are they all in on this? That’s a relief.

Lowering his gaze for a moment, Glenn fell deep into thought.

If we fight here? We’re definitely at a disadvantage.

Not only would victory be out of reach, but the private order could get hurt as collateral damage.

So that’s out.

What if we just back down? Would they really let us?

And what about the private order?

Too uncertain. Also out.

“There really is only one option.”

Muttering softly, Nedian quietly fiddled with the hilt of his sword.

Glenn smirked at the effortless acting, causing Nedian to frown.

Ignoring that, Glenn turned his back again.

With a smile, he said, “Fine. We will accept their hospitality.”

Jacob sighed shortly and nodded.

“…We’re honored to be able to escort you. Then we shall proceed.”

***

The Herne Order’s priests, the Lion Knights including Glenn, and the crowd Jacob brought all formed quite a long procession.

Jacob, cunningly, positioned himself at the front and the very rear to flank them.

Probably to prevent any sabotage on his part.

Nedian had been uneasy about this situation from the start.

He simply couldn’t figure out what Glenn was thinking.

“What are you thinking?”

Nedian casually steered the conversation to Glenn’s side.

Glenn answered nonchalantly.

“About what?”

Both spoke a little quieter than usual.

Perhaps to prevent eavesdropping.

“Have you noticed already? This is a trap.”

“I know. That’s why we’re going.”

Nedian frowned.

“Huh?”

“If a lion goes into a trap, who should be afraid? The trap, or the lion?”

Nedian’s eyes widened.

“You plan to turn the trap against them?”

“Exactly. Let’s see if those bastards can swallow us whole.”

Confident in his attitude, Nedian let out a short laugh.

Meanwhile, the initial anxiety started to ease bit by bit.

It was a fascinating phenomenon, even to think about it oneself.

“What about the knights?”

“Most seem unaware. But Crok and Tristan are suspicious—they’re keeping an eye on things.”

“Right. They’ve had a keen eye since I beat them at betting before.”

“…You mean your duel with Tylan? When was that?”

“Not too long ago. Three months? Two months? Time flies.”

“You sound like an old man.”

This time, Glenn frowned.

“Is that what you think? Eredin said something similar before leaving.”

“Don’t tell me you’re feeling your age? Sometimes I think you’re older than the Tylan.”

“Tch.”

It’s only natural.

Mentally, he’s definitely the elder.

As Glenn smiled awkwardly, Nedian spoke again.

“Should we give the others a hint?”

“That’d be good. But don’t make it too obvious—just hint around.”

“Hmm… understood. I’ll relay it subtly.”

“Or better yet, set up a training schedule as soon as we arrive.”

“Huh?”

“If they try anything, it’ll be when we’re unprepared. You get it?”

Nedian’s expression stiffened, understanding the meaning.

“You mean I’m supposed to lead those reckless fellows around?”

“Just keep it light.”

“…Phew.”

They had to shatter the hopes of those who thought they’d get some rest in the estate.

Thinking about it made Nedian uneasy.

“They say those who are criticized live longer.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Then I’ve had enough already.”

“Hmm, that’s good. Live long.”

“Then what about the private order?”

“Hmm…”

Glenn turned his upper body slightly and looked at the priests.

Monica walked quietly toward them, lowering her eyes.

…Can I trust her?

“Let’s wait a bit longer.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not yet certain.”

“Are you suspicious they’re in cahoots?”

“Maybe yes, maybe no…”

“I don’t think so. If they were, they’d have initiated the attack themselves.”

“The thieves, the private order, and even the Panario Family right there. If they were all in on it, it’d be like a play.”

“That’s a bit much…”

“I know, I’m just throwing out a possibility.”

“Alright, understood.”

After the brief discussion, the two men’s gazes calmed.

By now, a large estate came into view on the horizon.

***

“What? What nonsense is that? Why did that scoundrel suddenly jump out here?”

“Well, I’m not sure either…”

Jacob stammered in response to the Panario Viscount’s angry shout.

His fury grew even stronger.

“You idiot! You should have known and reported!”

“I’m sorry… but by the time we discovered it, the mercenaries were already swarming.”

“That’s why I told you to observe carefully from the start! What are you going to say to the Sailharun Count? Huh?”

“…I apologize.”

If it were up to me, I’d bind that foolish knight and beat him senseless.

But now was not the time.

If they don’t deal with this quickly, all the conditions Sailharun demands will become meaningless.

Jacob carefully spoke again amid the Viscount’s brooding.

“Viscount, how about inviting Prince Glenn along as well?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“The Sailharun side definitely wants to obstruct that guy.”

The Viscount gave a brief nod, as if urging him to continue.

“Better to bring him in… then we can quietly deal with it.”

“Are you serious?”

“Isn’t that exactly what the Sailharun side wants most?”

Jacob’s suggestion left the Viscount deep in thought.

The Panario Family’s path was clearly blocked.

Ever since the Arian throne passed into the hands of the damned Stauffen Family.

Since his father’s time, the family has been politically opposed to Stauffen.

They had desperately tried to prevent the Stauffen from ascending, but failed.

Eventually, the throne changed hands, and the opposition, including Panario, fell into a dire crisis.

“Damn that Stauffen scum.”

This fight cannot be won.

There was no political figure in the opposition with the cunning and experience to match that seasoned fox.

That was now the Viscount’s final conclusion.

Then what? Should they just sit back and be purged?

Just as he was wrestling with these thoughts, a message arrived from the Sailharun Family in the Republic of Lepent.

They promised cooperation, offering a bridge to cross over to the Empire.

Not a bad proposal, he thought.

Their goal was to drive out Glenn, the heir to the principality.

Investigations revealed Glenn was a pitiful rogue.

Yet recently, he somehow won a duel against Sailharun.

Moreover, the two families of the principality have long been famous enemies.

The motive behind this proposal was clear. At least, it wasn’t a deception.

And what could the dying Panario Family possibly gain by deceiving?

The Viscount organized his thoughts and grabbed Sailharun’s extended hand.

“If we’re going to do this, better to do it decisively.”

“Indeed. The message about the religious conversion ceremony has already been delivered. It’s too late to switch sides now.”

Thus, the plan centered on the religious conversion ceremony.

It was a method proposed by the Count’s side—simple yet powerful.

The Arian Kingdom had no strict religious enforcement, making this plan feasible.

First, use the conversion ceremony as a pretext to summon the Herne Order’s priests.

Then, secretly hire mercenaries disguised as enemies to attack the priests.

The mercenaries are bold enough, especially given the recent unrest in the north.

Finally, spread rumors that the attacking bandits were actually hired by Arian.

Not a lie, just the truth.

Since the kingdom and principality have historically been hostile, the rumor would spread like wildfire.

Then Glenn’s position, with business in the kingdom, would become extremely precarious.

In other words, sow discord between the principality and the kingdom. That’s the core.

Originally, that was the plan, but now a slight change was necessary.

There would be no great loss in killing Glenn.

“Fine. Then go immediately and bring that guy too!”

“Understood. But what if he refuses?”

Refuse the invitation?

…They hadn’t thought of that.

“Attack.”

“Huh?”

“If that happens, no choice but to kill him.”

“Is that really okay?”

“We can blame it on him killing the priests.”

Eventually, Panario will join the Empire.

After that, the kingdom and principality’s affairs won’t concern us.

Yes, this is the right choice.

The Viscount shouted again at the foolish knight who was still hesitating.

“Hurry up and move! Now!”

“Yes, sir!”

“That idiot… hah.”

This idiot was not a knight born of the countryside.

Though his own father was from the back alleys, this guy was different.

“Phew… Empire noble, huh… heh.”

It’s pointless to be a noble in such a petty country.

Only an Empire noble would match his dignity.

His eyes glittered with greed.