The Emperor's Commission
The work of an Inquisitor was sometimes a little trying. Squelch. Squelch. In a darkened chamber, the wet sounds of flesh meeting flesh echoed softly. Beneath the crimson glow of hidden lamps, men and women mingled shamelessly, baring their sins. Women in low-cut gowns that left their ample breasts exposed traded partners with feverish abandon, turning the night into a sweltering haze of lust.
"Your husband hasn't found out, has he?"
"Of course not. He's at the border right now."
Occasional whispers of betrayal drifted through the air, mingling with the slick, obscene sounds and the pale, naked bodies occasionally illuminated by the lamplight. This was the Night Salon—a clandestine gathering where married nobles indulged in thrilling affairs.
Honestly, once a target's location was confirmed, these tips were among the easier assignments. Were there other kinds of tips? If there weren't, the Inquisitors of the family affairs division wouldn't have earned the mocking nickname "Adultery Investigators." If all we did was receive pre-chewed information, we wouldn't even be called investigators. Depending on the case, we sometimes had to identify the target from just a few clues, or investigate secret social gatherings like this one.
Yes…
"It's been a while, Priest Jenkinson Beckett. Since your ordination ceremony, I believe?"
This assignment was exactly that sort of case. The moment I saw the informant, I knew it would be difficult. This was the kind of matter no ordinary Inquisitor would dare touch.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The informant was none other than the Emperor of the great Luca Empire—Eldor Ozen. A long name for a great sun, indeed.
"Speak freely. We're hardly strangers. Ah, how is Greg faring?"
I couldn't let that affable middle-aged man's casual greeting fool me. This man, who looked so pleasant, could at any moment send someone he disliked to the salt mines or have them hanged in the square. He was the sort who could smile while chatting, then turn around and order a family's assets seized. That was the Emperor standing before me.
"He's the same as always. I haven't seen him in over a month myself."
It took three full weeks by train to reach the Empire. Three weeks—that was all. In that sense, the world had improved considerably. In the past, traveling meant trembling at the threat of monsters and bandits, and the journey from Rucella to the imperial capital had taken at least three months. But the genius mage Rumel had invented the magic train, ushering in a revolution. Bandits couldn't breach the train's security magic and vanished as a profession, while monsters learned to nest far from the tracks. People could now travel safely, and exchanges between nations had increased accordingly. Sometimes carriages were still used, but only to reach the nearest station. In fact, the coachman had taken Drina only as far as the station; after that, the travel money I'd given her would have seen her through. I'd made sure her clothes contained enough for the fare.
"That friend of mine has always been hot-tempered. When Jim first visited the Rucella Kingdom… I still remember what your father said."
The Emperor smiled at the memory. Back then he had been young, not yet Emperor. He had been sent to the small kingdom to gain experience; the Empire's harsh policy was that if a young imperial died abroad, so be it. Rucella was where Eldor had been sent, and the moment the Margrave saw him, he dragged the prince straight to the hunting grounds.
"He just said, 'A man ought to know how to hunt, right?' and hauled him off. That friend of mine really was something."
Afterward, they had hunted enthusiastically with falcons and become close enough that they still exchanged occasional greetings. That was the story. I still didn't understand how such a man had won the Emperor's favor, but…
"I've rambled too long. Let's move on to business."
I wanted to stop talking about my father. Even knowing it was rude, I asked to get to the point. The Emperor looked momentarily surprised, then smiled.
"Haha! You certainly take after Greg in that regard. He hated small talk too."
Despite my reaction, the Emperor seemed amused and finally got to the matter at hand.
"I trust Bishop Silvestina has already explained the basics. I asked for the best Inquisitor because this is a difficult case."
I tilted my head. That was because…
"I'm sorry, but all I was told was to hear the details on-site."
That had been the entirety of what my superior, Silvestina, had said.
"…That woman does have her issues. Very well. I was going to explain anyway."
Honestly, I had questions from the very beginning. Even if such a salon existed, why was the Emperor himself getting involved? That doubt was quickly answered.
"My daughter seems to have been frequenting an unsavory social gathering lately."
Of course. If royalty was involved, it made sense. Especially when it concerned the imperial family's dirty laundry—fewer people knowing was better.
"I want you to investigate it. At the very least, finish before her husband, Duke Gilbert, finds out."
The Emperor added that last part. I sighed.
"Even if she's royalty… she won't escape punishment, will she?"
If it was true, no one could avoid punishment, no matter their bloodline. The Emperor fell silent for a moment, then asked,
"…Even if I command it?"
I nodded. The Emperor sighed, made a pained face, looked as though he might lash out at someone, then finally resigned himself.
"Yes, you are that kind of man. I will leave the matter of her punishment to the Church."
He gave up more readily than expected. I had been prepared for possible conflict with the imperial knights, but his reaction was surprising—until I remembered Duke Gilbert was involved. Duke Gilbert, the Empire's proud symbol and undisputed strongest man. That was why the Emperor was desperately trying to keep even his own daughter within the family fold. And now that daughter was committing adultery… This was bigger trouble than I'd thought.
I scratched my head, realizing I had taken on something far more dangerous than expected.
Well… There was no helping it. I was a servant of the gods. If it was to carry out Lady Yuno's will in this world, I could not back down—even if the other party was royalty, even if she was Duke Gilbert's wife.
So I calmly read through the documents the Emperor handed me. A secret social gathering…
Maybe I should start by investigating this side first.
Honestly, investigating the Emperor's daughter directly would be difficult. Unless she agreed to meet like the Emperor had, even a servant of the gods would struggle to get an audience with someone of that rank. And who would willingly meet an Inquisitor who calmly asked, "May I confirm whether you're committing adultery?" No one. So there was only one option, as the Emperor had said: determine whether the salon she was suspected of attending actually existed, and if so, where it was and who attended. That was the best approach for now.
—
After Jenkinson left the audience chamber…
"Has that priest already gone?"
The moment the monstrous priest disappeared, Eldor felt his disguise itch as another monster arrived.
"Yes. Are you satisfied with this?"
Eldor asked with a weary face as he looked at the man whose appearance alone drew admiration. Dazzling golden hair, a height nearing two meters, and large, gentle-looking brown eyes—anyone would think him a kind person. But Eldor honestly feared him.
"Duke Gilbert."
This man was the Empire's proud symbol—Duke Gilbert. At the Emperor's question, he nodded with a soft smile.
"Hehe, he looks the same as ever, so I feel a little relieved. More importantly… it's truly unfortunate. Adultery. Lady Yuno would surely be saddened."
Speaking as if it's someone else's problem. Eldor was dumbfounded. His own wife was involved in this matter, yet the man spoke with cold detachment, as though it had nothing to do with him. The Emperor didn't like that attitude, but the Duke's power was indispensable to the Empire. Uncontrollable power should ideally be eliminated, but when even that was impossible, one had no choice but to appease and embrace it. In Eldor's eyes, Gilbert was exactly that kind of power. No matter how displeasing, he had to be kept close.
"That man will definitely see this matter through. That's the kind of person he is."
Gilbert said this while taking a sip of the tea he had brought himself. Noticing the Emperor's gaze, he added with a playful tone,
"Ah, I should have brewed some for Your Majesty as well."
Eldor shook his head at the cheeky remark.
"No need. More importantly, you seem to trust that friend quite a bit."
When Eldor asked with genuine surprise, Gilbert closed his eyes for a moment.
Trust…
"I suppose I do trust him."
So this was what trust looked like. Gilbert smiled at the thought. Truly, this man was endlessly fascinating no matter how many times he saw him.