Uncollected Trade Taxes, Bribing Officials, Smuggling (2)
From the Imperial Capital, where the Inspectorate stood, to Casian County was a full three days by carriage.
That was the estimate if one traveled without stopping; with rest along the way, four days would be a safe bet.
It would be better to arrive as quickly as possible and begin the investigation. Even now, the Empire was being eaten away from within by more than a few parasites. They needed to be thrown into prison—or made into morning dew on the execution ground—as soon as possible.
That did not mean I needed to push myself to the brink, however. Once the investigation proper began, there was no telling how long it would take. The four days spent on the road might end up feeling like nothing at all.
So I built a travel plan that included rest along the way. On the second day, I intended to impose on Lidia's family home—the Eslend Duchy.
"Let's depart."
"Yes, sir. We'll be on our way."
The coachman set the carriage in motion. A faint vibration ran through the frame, and the scenery beyond the window began to drift slowly past.
He was a man I had hired myself after taking up work with the Inspectorate. The same was true of the steward who kept my capital residence, and of the household staff.
I wanted to build something of my own, free of the Lichtenhaus name. If I was ever going to put my father in the ground, I would have to sever a great many ties—and even these small things were part of that work.
Before long the carriage left the Imperial Capital, the most dazzling city in the Empire. Broad fields opened on every side, and not far off stood a forest thick with green. Through the small window I watched the blue sky and thought to myself that this business, too, would not be easy.
I noticed the anomaly only after a fair stretch of time had passed.
A tail…?
A single carriage was following at a fixed distance. That alone was not especially strange. We were taking the fastest road south, so overlapping routes were entirely possible.
The problem was that when I slowed, they slowed. When I picked up speed, they matched me. As if they were deliberately holding a constant gap.
Section Chief Albert's warning came back to me—that other departments had me in their sights. I hoped the suspicion would prove to be nothing more than my own overthinking. If it did not, I might have to draw my sword.
A good while after the sun had slipped behind the ridgeline, the carriage carrying Caenderic pulled into the church of a small village. Not long after, another carriage appeared out of the dark—its lamps unlit. It paused briefly at the church entrance, then rolled on.
Running beneath the moonlight, the carriage eventually stopped not far away, in a secluded stretch of forest well out of sight. A man climbed down, stretched, and spoke.
"So what's the plan?"
"What plan? Once the brat's asleep, we go in and—"
The second man to step down drew a thumb across his throat. Three more men followed. Including the first two, all of them wore clothes suited for easy movement and carried swords or daggers.
They were mercenaries—the kind who would take any job so long as it paid, and among them, the sort whose specialty was killing people.
A thoroughly bald man spoke up.
"You're sure this is fine?"
"You worry too much. We hit him while he's sleeping—what's some soft bookworm who never left his room going to do about it?"
"…The target is a Lichtenhaus."
"You think Lichtenhaus blood makes a man immortal? They die to steel and they die to arrows same as anyone else."
"Hrm…"
The bald man still looked unconvinced, but he let the matter drop. The purse on this job was simply too large. Once it was done, none of them would ever need to hire out as mercenaries again.
"All right. Let's grab something to eat, rest a bit, then move."
They lit a campfire beside the carriage and started cooking, hauling large rocks from the surroundings to serve as seats.
"Well then—dig in."
The mercenaries settled around the fire and were just about to lift their spoons when a voice drifted out of the dark.
"Mind giving me a bowl as well?"
They set their dishes down at once and drew their weapons, every face turning toward the sound. A figure stepped out of the shadows—immaculately dressed, a long sword at his hip, his gait carrying an unmistakable air of breeding.
Caenderic de Lichtenhaus. Their target.
He spoke.
"I'll give you a chance. Tell me everything you know—"
"Hey—do you even understand the situation? There are how many of us—"
Something flashed beneath the dim moonlight. Blood sprayed, and the head of the man mid-sentence parted cleanly from his body. Somehow, a sword was already in Caenderic's hand.
"I hadn't finished speaking… What thoroughly ill-mannered creatures."
Caenderic clicked his tongue and looked over the survivors. Terror had drained the color from their faces. Their will to fight was gone.
"Tell me who hired you. The first to speak lives."
"I-I don't know! The boss just ordered us here—that's all!"
The bald man protested as if the injustice of it offended him. The others were no better informed. Not one of them knew the truth of this job.
"Then who is this 'boss' of yours?"
"D-Dwinsen of the Dwinsen Mercenary Group. He's the one in charge."
"My thanks for telling me."
The sword, catching the moonlight, traced a fluid arc. A thin line followed its path—and the remaining mercenaries' heads tumbled to the ground. Crimson blood slowly spread into a pooling stain.
With that, the matter was finished. Caenderic drew a handkerchief from his breast and wiped the blood from his blade, then returned the sword to the scabbard at his hip and walked away.
After dealing with the mercenaries, I returned straight to the church. The lodging run by the parish was not half bad—far from luxurious, but reasonably clean. In other words, clean enough to sleep in.
Still… Dwinsen.
From what I had pried out of those men, it was clear someone was after me. Whether that someone was Dwinsen himself or merely the one who had paid him, I would learn from the man in due course—after I finished my business in Casian County.
Time passed, and the next morning arrived. At first light I boarded the carriage and set out once more for Casian County. The fastest route cut straight through the Eslend Duchy, so I intended to pay my respects to the Duke while I was at it. We would arrive sometime that evening, I expected.
Had those men been the only ones trailing me? Thankfully, nothing further happened before we reached Eslend Castle. The carriage gradually slowed, then came to a full stop. I waited for the coachman to open the door before stepping down.
"Caenderic. It has been some time."
"It has been some time, Your Grace, Duke Eslend."
"You gave me quite a start, turning up without warning. Come inside, come inside."
Lidia's father, Duke Eslend, welcomed me warmly despite the late hour. He led the way into the manor, and I followed him into the drawing room. Cups of steaming tea were set upon the table. The Duke took a sip, set his cup down, and spoke.
"Well then. What brings you here at this hour?"
"I am on my way to Casian County and thought I might stop to pay my respects."
"Casian County? Judging by your attire, I take it this is not a pleasure trip to the seaside…"
"Rumors have been circulating that the count has been engaged in corruption. I am going to investigate."
"Oh-ho."
The Duke made a soft sound of interest and sipped his tea again. His brow furrowed as he considered something, and then he spoke with great care.
"I have heard a few things in passing…"
"Anything at all would be welcome, Your Grace."
"It is unconfirmed, so take it as rumor. Apparently there are those who paid him under the table and never paid their trade tax."
Trade tax was levied on goods entering from foreign lands and goods leaving for them. Half went to the local lord to keep commerce running smoothly; the other half belonged to the Imperial treasury.
Waiving it at will was a clear crime. Taking bribes on top of that left nothing more to say. If the Duke's words proved true, Count Casian would have to answer for it before a tribunal.
"Thank you for telling me. I will take it into account during the investigation."
"I only passed along something I overheard—hardly worth thanks. More importantly, how are things with Lidia?"
"Much the same as always… Is there some concern?"
"I do worry about her. That clever girl thinks in ways I simply cannot fathom. I fear she may one day take a wrong path."
That, at least, I could deny with certainty. Lidia had never once taken a wrong path. But doing the right thing did not always make a choice righteous. The death I remembered for her was proof enough of that.
"I will go and see her."
"I would be grateful."
"Might I impose on your hospitality for the night? I will leave first thing in the morning."
"That is easily done. I will have the servants prepare a room."
"Thank you."
I bowed my head courteously from where I sat. After a little more ordinary conversation with the Duke, I left the drawing room and was shown to my quarters by a servant.
It was late evening when I finally came face-to-face with Lidia. I went to the annex where she was staying, and—
"Wh-wh-what?! Why are you here?!"
Lidia greeted me with eyes so wide they looked ready to fall out of her head. Who could have guessed the meeting would end the way it did?
"I'll help you. Work me as your assistant however you like."
And so, quite without intending to, I found myself with an assistant.