Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Royal Audience and Countermeasures
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4
Dray reluctantly agreed to check if there were any open positions at the Magic Tower.
If there were, it wouldn't be a pipe dream for Lewis to get hired there.
Good for you, Lewis.
Having a solid junior opens doors for employment....
If that happened, we wouldn't see each other as often as we do now, but Lewis had to live his own life.
Plus, the higher Lewis's status rose in the Magic Tower, the better it would be for preparing against the Federation in the future.
Connections really are the best, huh.
I hated using them like this, but there was no choice.
It wasn't for personal gain—it was for world peace and the future.
That's why I'd left the Academy and come all the way to the palace annex.
Clank. The page stopped, the sound unique to heavy plate armor echoing.
The annex, adorned in black and gold, had a charm all its own, distinct from the white splendor of the palace proper.
Amid it all, the page in her pristine white armor stood out whether she liked it or not.
"Here."
With those curt words, the page carefully rapped on the ornate, massive door.
"Theo Agrit requests an audience."
From beyond the door—easily over three meters tall—came permission to enter.
The page immediately opened it and turned to me.
"Go in."
She seemed even more terse than usual.
Maybe because this was Ludwig's usual residence, she was extra on edge.
It was a fine knightly demeanor.
I passed through the door without a word.
The annex was decorated entirely in black.
This room was no exception—walls, floor, furniture, everything pitch black.
Moreover, all the decorations and accents were in gold, creating an almost pathological sense of uniformity.
"Thank you for summoning me today, Your Highness."
Ludwig, clearly at home in the annex, sat in the high seat, leg bouncing idly.
For a moment, our eyes met, and he broke into a bright smile, beckoning me over.
"Not at all. Last time I came to you, so it's only proper to invite you to the annex at least. Besides, this is a matter that can't leak out. Come, have a seat first."
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
I sat on the sofa Ludwig had indicated.
The Esterro Academy's facilities were impressive, but... the royal family was on another level.
The sofa enveloped my body in an almost eerie softness.
It was so comfortable I could drift off to sleep if I let my guard down.
"I received the item from last time safely. It took quite a while to sort and catalog, but I was able to examine everything meticulously, nothing missing."
"You're referring to Wifera's ledger."
"Yes, it was impressive that you managed to obtain it. And the contents were impressive in another sense entirely."
As he spoke, Ludwig quietly lowered his gaze.
From his deep breath, it seemed he was suppressing rising emotions.
Given Ludwig's personality, he must have struggled to stomach all the crimes listed in that ledger.
Especially since nobles and officials were implicated— I could only imagine how tough it had been for him to process it.
"There are far too many selfish people in this country. It was lamentable beyond words."
"As you mentioned, I've prepared the evidence. May I ask about the plans going forward?"
"Ah, I intended to tell you. For now... it's hard to move immediately. The scale is too vast; a hasty move would let too many slip away. We need time and preparation to weave a net that lets not a single one escape. Of course, preparations on that front have already begun."
Ludwig turned his gaze to the page.
Was she at the center of whatever they were building?
"It'll take time to prepare in utmost secrecy so nothing leaks, but it'll be a thorough net. Since you brought me the ledger, I must repay you with results."
Ludwig's demeanor as he said this held a gravity impossible for a twelve-year-old.
His green eyes gleamed sharply beneath golden hair that blended into the black-and-gold room.
It was the impression I knew: the benevolent prince.
To the kingdom's people, always compassionate; to sinners, stricter than anyone.
Especially unforgiving toward crimes by nobles and those who fed at the nation's trough, Ludwig was the epitome of noblesse oblige.
I hadn't expected that side to show so soon.
Without sheathing his sharpness, Ludwig beckoned the page.
"See to the final preparations. Page."
The page bowed respectfully and left the room.
Only then did Ludwig revert to his innocent self, beaming widely.
"Well then, I've kept my promise, so it's time for proper compensation. Is there anything you need? I'll do whatever I can."
"It's not fully resolved yet. I'll take the reward after the matter's settled."
"Hm, you're cautious. Suit yourself if that's what you want. You could start thinking about it now."
I didn't really want anything as a reward.
Especially not a medal—I'd decline that.
"More than a reward, I'd like to participate directly in resolving the incident."
"Why? You've already done more than enough—overdone it, even. From here, it's my responsibility, so you can rest now."
I wanted to rest, but I couldn't.
If Ludwig crushed Wifera completely like this, I wouldn't be able to keep my promise to Kyriakos.
Hiding that, I slowly moved my lips.
"I've felt so much from this. The rampant crimes in the back alleys, drugs and cartels, and above all, corrupt nobles... As one sitting at the fringes of nobility, I can't just stand by and watch such ills. I may not represent the nobles, but I have a duty to correct their misdeeds."
Noblesse oblige, in other words.
It was a reason Ludwig couldn't refute.
"I looked into you from the coast, but you're no ordinary person. Our homeland faces... so many problems right now. Yet with people like you, there's still hope for the Tekat Kingdom."
The effect was immediate; Ludwig nodded vigorously, moved.
"I must learn from that spirit. I've had to stay hidden without a way forward... but as one with duty and power, I can't stay like this. Ah, yes. From now on, I need to act too."
Wait—stayed hidden?
Had he deliberately concealed his abilities until now?
That had to be it; otherwise, it didn't add up.
For a mere twelve-year-old Ludwig to analyze that vast trove of data and prepare to strike Wifera and the rotten officials all at once in just days.
I'd overlooked it because I'd subconsciously blended my memory of the benevolent prince with the current Ludwig... but now it was clear.
The Ludwig before me was no different from the benevolent prince I remembered.
The only difference was whether he stepped forward or deliberately lay low.
Hm... I haven't made any mistakes around him so far, right?
Probably not....
-You're scamming the prince now too? Your silver tongue's already top-class.
Quiet, demon sword.
I didn't want to go this far either.
"The previous king's relic must have recognized that quality in you and chosen you as its master."
Ludwig's words sent a chill through my veins.
Unconsciously, I touched the Absolute's Ring on my finger.
"...You knew?"
"I wasn't sure at first sight. I checked the records to confirm. It was the Absolute's Ring left by our founding king. I heard it had been lost long ago... but for you to have it, what a marvel."
Of course Ludwig, as royalty, would know the first king's relic.
Logically, the Absolute's Ring was a cultural treasure of the Tekat Kingdom.
"I should return it."
When I asked cautiously, Ludwig unexpectedly shook his head with a smile.
"It's said the Absolute's Ring chooses its own master. Since it chose you, you're its owner. Returning it would just make it a museum ornament. Better for someone who can use it to do so."
The rune on the ring didn't mention that effect.
Still, relieved I didn't have to give it back.
Its recharge time was long, but the Absolute's Ring was like an extra life.
"Thank you."
"Not at all. It chose you for your qualities. Wear it proudly."
Of course. From today, I'd wear it with full confidence.
I'd been doing so already.
"Head back for today. I'll send word when preparations are ready."
"Thank you for your consideration in all things."
"That's my line. Without you, I wouldn't have moved at all."
I bowed to the smiling Ludwig and left the annex.
Finally, all preparations were in place.
All that remained was rounding up every last member of Wifera.
5
Meanwhile, at the upscale restaurant "Golden Table," not far from the palace.
It was peak lunchtime, yet only one man dined inside.
Even in broad daylight, the dim interior hid his face.
He simply savored his leisure with aristocratic poise, another man seated before him as he ate.
Leisurely, he sliced a thick chunk of French rack lamb with his knife.
He speared the tender cut, juice dripping down, and tore into it with his teeth.
With each chew, juices burst forth, butter soaking in, dripping from his lips.
It was unrefined for the setting.
But no one could call him on it.
The man's name was Maximilian.
Boss of Wifera, who had all of Esset's illicit organizations kneeling beneath him.
To point it out meant certain death—plain as day.
Clink. Only the sound of cutlery continued.
Martin, from the royal treasury department, sat before Maximilian, swallowing dryly in anxiety.
Maximilian's gaze fixed unwaveringly on him.
Even in the dark, his beast-like eyes gleamed emotionlessly.
Those near-void eyes had the power to corner anyone.
Maximilian knew his gaze was a weapon.
It didn't matter if the target was a thick-skinned veteran of over fifteen years in the royal treasury.
Status and rank aside, shaking the human core yielded predictable reactions.
Like a sturdy dam crumbling helplessly once holed.
Just pierce the first hole—that was enough.
Maximilian set down his fork and knife, wiping his mouth with his palm.
He cleaned the glossy oil from his hand on a napkin and murmured softly.
"The third prince has started moving...."
"Yes. We dispersed the routes to track it, which took time... but he's definitely increased expenditures on the knights."
Martin replied as if he'd been waiting.
His voice was frantic, as if a second's delay meant death.
"You know why."
"Well... if I may be so bold, it seems he's targeting Wifera...."
At the mention of targeting Wifera, Maximilian's eyebrow twitched.
"Martin, you're a good friend. Good friends deal in certainties. For groundless rumors, what should I do with you? Troubling dilemmas keep piling up."
"I-I'm certain! I risked my life to get info only his inner circle knows...!"
Maximilian drummed the table with his fingertips at Martin's desperate plea.
The rhythmic scrape grated the nerves, but Martin didn't dare complain.
One slip, and that rack-slicing knife would surely slit his throat.
"Then we nip it in the bud before it grows."
Maximilian tossed a bulging pouch to Martin.
Like a dog handed a treat, Martin excitedly opened it.
Even in the dark, the golden gleam made him bow deeply in thanks before fleeing the restaurant.
"Stealing the ledger from the secret vault must be the third prince's doing."
Only then did Maximilian pick up his utensils again, muttering bitterly.
Losing the ledger whole was a painful blunder.
But that was it.
"To think he believes that lets him do something—still so childish."
For evidence to be accepted wasn't about authenticity.
It was who accepted it, whose money they took, whose orders they followed.
Even against a prince, that didn't change.
And it wasn't exaggeration to say half of Esset already danced to Maximilian's tune.
"The young prince has bared his fangs, so a gift is in order. Yes... first, let's catch and kill the rat who stole the ledger."
With his chilling voice, the clashing of cutlery resumed in the darkness.