Chapter 76: Rumors
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Rumors
Herdin pulled a book on black magic from a bookshelf lined with grimoires.
For a long while, the only sound in the quiet study was the rustling of pages. Finally, with a soft sigh, Herdin closed the book and selected another.
But the new volume held no answers either.
A magic circle was drawn on the document Her Majesty the Empress possessed. And beneath it, it mentioned a form of black magic that links to the Second Condition of the Divine Beast's Contract…
Although what Blair had told him seemed to have little to do with the Empress's Palace fire, he decided to investigate it for now.
Why was Her Majesty the Empress looking into that?
He couldn't help but wonder what could be so important that Esmeralda had kept it a secret even from him.
However, he could find nothing related to the Divine Beast's Contract in any of the black magic tomes he owned.
Black magic books are banned across the entire continent, making them difficult to obtain.
Still, using the Delmark name would make it possible, even if the process was complicated and time-consuming.
Herdin paused his search. Through the window behind his desk, he saw Agnes and Blair walking in from the garden.
Since the kidnapping, Blair had carried on with her daily life as if nothing had happened—aside from being barred from leaving the estate.
He had expected her to be confused and unstable after suddenly recovering her memories, but her calm demeanor was the opposite of what he’d anticipated.
Why did her composure make him feel so uneasy?
It was precisely why he had summoned Agnes—to check on Blair’s condition one last time.
Eventually, the two women disappeared from view behind the mansion. Just as Herdin turned back to his desk, a knock sounded at the door.
"Your Grace, I'm coming in."
It was Ruth, who had been sent to assess the public sentiment.
"What's the atmosphere out there?"
"Just as you expected, Your Grace. Rumors have spread like wildfire. People are whispering that the Duchess was nearly kidnapped."
Between the full mobilization of the Delmark Knights and the fire at the villa where Blair had been held, the incident had become too large to be quietly swept under the rug.
In times like these, it was best to remain silent and let the rumors die down rather than step forward with an explanation.
Moreover, he wanted to make Katrina—who was surely watching their reaction with frayed nerves after her plan failed—even more anxious.
An anxious opponent was bound to make a mistake.
"If we don't feed the rumors, they'll die down on their own. Any news on the kidnappers?"
"No, not yet."
"They might have realized they were caught and cut their losses. Still, tell the men to keep a close watch. They could be trying to make it look like they've severed ties."
"Understood."
"And there's something else I need you to look into, separate from this."
Ruth pulled a notebook from his inner pocket. "Your orders, Your Grace."
"Investigate everything related to family power, forbidden contracts, and any black magic connected to them. No matter how trivial it seems."
Ruth flinched.
Black magic was banned across the continent for its inherent danger. The laws were so strict that anyone discovered to be a black mage could be executed on the spot. Merely investigating the subject carried the risk of severe punishment.
"May I ask the reason?"
"It's what Her Majesty the Empress was secretly investigating, even from me. The documents were burned, so I don't know the details."
"It may take some time… but I will look into it as quickly as possible."
Just as their conversation concluded, a cautious knock echoed.
"Herdin, it's me. Can we talk for a moment?"
It was Blair. She must have returned after seeing Agnes off.
Herdin nodded, and Ruth opened the office door for her.
"Hello, Madam. How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks to you. Thank you for your concern, Sir Ruth."
As Blair offered Ruth a bright smile, Herdin’s gaze grew cold.
"I'll leave you to your conversation, then."
Oblivious to Herdin's glare, Ruth concluded his greeting and departed, closing the door behind him.
Only then did Herdin notice the letter in Blair’s hand as she approached his desk. Recognizing it as a party invitation, he looked at her with questioning eyes.
"Why did you bring that?"
"I saw Mason about to throw it away, so I took it. I heard you ordered all banquet invitations to be rejected."
After rumors of the kidnapping spread, invitations from various noble families had begun pouring in. Many had sought to invite them before, but now their intentions were different. While some were surely extending a hand in genuine friendship, most were simply curious to see if the rumors were true.
He had instructed Mason to decline all of them. He had no intention of throwing Blair to the high society wolves as a piece of gossip.
But she seemed to have a different idea.
"While staying silent is one option, I think showing a composed front can also be a good strategy."
"So, you want to attend a banquet?" Herdin asked, standing up and leaning against his desk.
Blair nodded. "This whole thing happened because of me, so I want to take responsibility."
Her eyes shone with solemn determination.
"Please let me do this, Herdin."
Looking at her, Herdin let out a soft chuckle. His wife was far more responsible, fearless, and stubborn than she appeared. He didn't dislike that about her.
She's been cooped up in the mansion for nearly a week. Getting some fresh air wouldn't be a bad idea.
He took the invitation from her hand, unfolded it, and after a brief scan, handed it back.
"Do as you wish."
* * *
The guild member, dozing in the drowsy afternoon weather, noticed the long shadows of sunset stretching past the window. He stood up with a wide yawn. It was about time to prepare for the evening's customers.
As he was stretching his stiff body, the bell on the door chimed.
"Welcome!" he called out reflexively.
His face soured for a moment at the sight of the robed figure, but he quickly recognized her as the cleric from before, and his attitude shifted to one of polite deference.
"Ah, you've arrived."
"Is there anything to report?" Miella asked, skipping the pleasantries.
Her bluntness was slightly off-putting, but her commission fee was handsome enough to overlook it.
"Ah, yes. Please wait a moment." The man ducked behind the counter and pulled a sheet of paper from a thick notebook. "Last week, Countess Lorellain visited the Delmark Ducal Mansion."
"...The House of Lorellain?"
"One of Delmark's vassal families. The Countess is quite famous among noblewomen as a psychological counselor."
Miella recalled hearing the name before. As a cleric, she inevitably overheard noble gossip. Ladies of high society frequented the temple, and she was occasionally summoned to their estates—usually to heal a young master who had injured himself while playing too rough, much like her recent visit to the Delmark mansion.
"Considering Countess Lorellain visits the estate every week, we can assume there might be something wrong with the Duchess's mental or physical state," the man added, offering his own speculation.
Miella nodded slightly, agreeing with his deduction.
"And early the next morning, the Duchess suddenly took a carriage to the Imperial Palace. We couldn't follow her inside, so we don't know what happened there…"
"The Imperial Palace…"
"She was kidnapped on her way back that day. I'm sure you've heard about that, since the rumors are everywhere."
Of course, Miella knew. She was the one who had gone to the mansion to treat Blair.
"Since then, she hasn't stepped foot outside. She might be keeping a low profile because of the kidnapping, or perhaps she's conscious of the rumors."
"...I see."
"If there's anything else you're curious about, please feel free to ask."
Miella fell silent, lost in thought.
Who is the mastermind behind the Duchess's kidnapping?
The long-standing animosity between the Imperial Family and House Delmark, born from the Empress's Palace fire ten years ago. Blair, the sole witness, who had lost her memory. A counselor who visited her every week. Then, a sudden visit to the Imperial Palace, followed immediately by a kidnapping…
Why wasn't the Ducal family announcing who was behind it and retaliating? To uphold their prestige, they should be making an example of anyone who dared to cross them. They might not have found the culprit yet, but another possibility crossed her mind.
Perhaps it's because the opponent is someone who could also inflict damage on Delmark if they act rashly.
The new information and her existing knowledge swirled in her mind, assembling and disassembling until a clear conclusion formed.
Actually, it doesn't have to be the truth.
It just needed to be plausible.
What she wanted wasn't the truth, but a spark to drive a wedge between the Imperial Family and Delmark. If Blair became the victim of that spark and her connection to the Duke was severed, all the better.
Having formulated a new plan, Miella spoke. "Keep monitoring the Duchess's movements. And this time, I have a new request."
"What is it?"
Beneath her hood, Miella's lips were faintly visible.
"Spread a rumor," she whispered, her mouth curving into a satisfied smile.