The Aftermath (4)
Jeron ate a late breakfast with Count Renkai.
Today was undoubtedly a day to celebrate.
Sir Garcia had captured the bandits plaguing the territory, and every single gold bar they had tried to smuggle out had been successfully recovered.
And that was not all.
By using Bankers to squeeze Viscount Rebion, Jeron stood to gain far more. It was a source of boundless joy, yet looking at Count Renkai made Jeron feel as if the hangover he had barely shaken off was creeping right back up on him. No matter how much Jeron loved alcohol, drinking to the point of blacking out three days in a row was simply impossible.
What if the Count suggested another round of drinking and singing today?
As a lower-ranking noble, Jeron would have no choice but to play along.
“In my heart, I would love to stay here for a whole month to deepen our friendship, my brother. But I must head back up to the capital at noon today. It truly is a shame.”
“Oh, no! I feel exactly the same way, brother. The time I spent with you these past two days is something I wouldn't trade for anything!”
“Bwahaha! I knew you understood your older brother's heart!”
Jeron took a sip of his clear, warm soup and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
If he had to drink with the Count again today, his stomach would have dissolved completely.
Jeron's insides were only just beginning to settle, yet the Count kept smacking his lips in lingering regret. Fearing the man might suddenly decide to stay another day, Jeron subtly nudged him toward the door.
“I had the carriage you will be riding in modified slightly.”
“Oh? Modified my carriage?”
“I plan to sell a new model of carriage in the near future. While carriages are an excellent means of travel, riding them for long periods tends to make one's bones scream in agony, does it not?”
“Indeed it does.”
“The carriage I prepared this time has a device installed to absorb some of that shock. The auxiliary parts are easy to attach and detach, so if they happen to break down, you can simply remove them.”
“Oho! Since you made it yourself, I have high expectations!”
The Count beamed at the unexpected gift.
He shifted in his seat, looking as if he wanted to board the carriage this very instant.
This was perfect.
If only to test out the new carriage as soon as possible, the Count would not suggest staying another day.
After they finished eating, Violet brought in two cups of tea.
“By the way, I heard on my way here... Was it truly that fellow Rebion who tried to make off with the gold?”
“To be precise, it was one of Viscount Rebion's vassals who attempted to take it. Fortunately, I dispatched men in advance to arrest him.”
“And what does that mean? It means the Viscount is pulling the strings from behind.”
“I do not know if he will open his mouth.”
“There is nothing torture cannot solve. Make him speak and secure a confession. As long as you have a written confession, I will use my authority as Royal Inspector to transfer the main castle of the Rebion territory to you.”
Jeron was startled.
He had considered the possibility of swallowing the Rebion family whole, but he had not expected Count Renkai to offer such direct assistance.
“To... to think you would help me to such an extent.”
“Is it not the way of our world to repay trust with trust? You are gifting this older brother a new carriage, so this is the least I can do.”
“Th-thank you.”
Count Renkai was indeed a high noble.
Representing the King meant wielding immense power, and the Count knew exactly how to swing that weight around.
It was a stroke of absolute luck to have secured the friendship of such a noble instead of making an enemy of him.
“Can you get it done by noon?”
“I can! I will make sure of it!”
“Hahaha, then I shall begin preparing the documents.”
“Yes, sir!”
Jeron replied swiftly.
Because of his schedule in the capital, the Count had to depart today. As long as they extracted a confession from Baronet Bankers, the documents would be drawn up. After that, Jeron could take Rebion's main castle at his own pace, even without the Count present.
After breakfast, the Count returned to the guest quarters.
Jeron went back to his office and immediately summoned Lady Leila.
“You wished to see me?”
“It seems an opportunity has found us.”
“An opportunity...?”
Jeron recounted the conversation he had just shared with the Count.
Though her expression barely changed, Leila seemed highly intrigued. If they could swallow all of the Rebion family's lands, Jeron's standing would skyrocket.
Of course, destroying the Rebion family in this manner would cause some friction in the capital. However, it would not be a problem in the north.
They already had a strong alliance with Count Hanes, the ruler of the northern region.
In the capital, Duke Langton and various other nobles would act as their shield.
It would be impossible for Rebion to wriggle out of this. He would be charged with defying a royal decree.
In a kingdom where sovereignty belonged to the King, directly defying a royal order could be treated as treason.
Though it was a sudden plan, the feasibility was incredibly high.
“...It is indeed a massive opportunity. We must extract a confession before noon.”
“Is it possible?”
“I have heard that Sharlen, the operative who performed exceptionally well this time, is highly skilled in torture. She happens to be conducting a new mission near the main castle. Shall I call her in?”
“She doesn't know I am the leader of Dark Moon, does she?”
“She will find out today.”
Jeron thought for a moment, then nodded.
To be an officer of Dark Moon, one had to know the leader's face.
“The only issue is that her face will be exposed to us. But then, an officer rarely has to show their face directly to the outside world anyway. If her face is ever compromised, we can simply transition her to the territory's official intelligence department.”
Farrow Territory, Main Castle.
Early this morning, Sharlen had received a new order from headquarters. She was to keep a close watch on Baronet Bankers, as Viscount Rebion might send operatives to break him out.
She had gladly accepted the command.
The prison was located beneath the lord's castle and was heavily guarded. Headquarters had likely issued the order out of abundance of caution, but it did not matter. She could treat this mission as a brief rest.
Staring at the secure entrance of the dungeon, Sharlen tilted her head.
It is a bit strange.
She was trying to deduce the connection between Dark Moon and the Farrow family.
When they first discovered the men smuggling the gold, she had expected the main forces of Dark Moon to deploy and seize it. Instead, the Farrow family's private soldiers had suddenly appeared, wiped them out, and dragged Bankers away. The gold had also ended up in the hands of the Lord of Farrow.
As she was lost in thought, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
“Gah!”
“Why so startled?”
“M-Master Evan?!”
“Quiet. Are you trying to advertise to everyone that we are watching this place?”
“I-I apologize.”
She realized her blunder immediately.
As expected of Master Evan.
Until he tapped her shoulder, she hadn't sensed a thing. For him to appear so suddenly meant his stealth skills were beyond imagination.
“This mission is canceled. Follow me.”
“Is there another assignment?”
“We are going to meet the leader of Dark Moon.”
Through the secret passage in Jeron's office, Lady Leila, Evan, and Sharlen entered.
“It has been a while, Evan.”
“Greetings, Commander!”
As Evan dropped to one knee and bowed his head, Sharlen, wide-eyed with shock, quickly followed suit. An operative of Sharlen's caliber would have immediately grasped the situation. Jeron did not need to explain at length.
“Are you Sharlen?”
“Yes! Greetings, Commander!”
“How do you feel, now that you know I am the leader of Dark Moon?”
“Dark Moon has shown us boundless grace. Knowing your identity will not shake my loyalty.”
Jeron looked between Evan and Lady Leila. They both gave a small nod. It meant Sharlen's loyalty check was complete.
“I hear your interrogation skills are top-tier. What do you think? Can you extract a confession from Bankers?”
“If you brief me on the details, I will make him speak without fail!”
“Get the details from Lady Leila. If you succeed, I will give you a choice between becoming an official officer of Dark Moon or working in the territory's intelligence department.”
“Thank you, Commander!”
The Castle Dungeon.
Baronet Bankers hung from the wall, bound in heavy iron chains. He could already feel the rust irritating his skin. Though he had only been held for half a day, the extreme stress had turned his face deathly pale.
Clink. Clank.
As if preparing for a session, various specialized tools were being laid out in neat rows. Knives, awls, branding irons, and pliers of all shapes and sizes.
Bankers knew all too well what those were used for.
A moment later, a strikingly beautiful woman with platinum-blonde hair entered the cell. She wore black attire, and her hair was tied back tightly.
Seeing a beautiful woman in a dungeon brought a brief, fleeting sense of relief. But that relief vanished instantly when she spoke her first words.
“Where are the castration tools?”
“The... castration tools?”
“You didn't prepare them?”
“I-I apologize. Isn't castration usually a last resort?”
“We don't have time. Cut it off first, then we talk.”
“...!”
Bankers tried to scream, but the sound caught in his throat.
These absolute maniacs! What? Start by castrating me?!
How could a woman talk so casually about cutting off a man's most precious parts?
Bankers began to tremble violently. The beauty who had just walked in now looked like a demon straight from hell.
The vicious witch barked at the guard.
“Go fetch a livestock gelder immediately!”
“Yes, ma'am!”
Step. Step.
The witch approached. As she drew closer, Bankers thrashed wildly against his chains.
Shlick.
She drew a heavily rusted dagger. If he was cut with that, the infection alone would ensure he wouldn't survive, even if he was spared.
“Should I just slice it off? Dying from lockjaw down there must be quite painful.”
“Aaargh! Get away! Get away from me!”
Screeech!
She dragged the dagger along the stone wall. The screeching sound sent goosebumps all over Bankers' body, pushing him to the brink of madness.
She flipped the dagger in her hand and spoke.
“I'll give you one last chance. Just one. I'm not a very patient person.”
“W-w-what do you want!”
“All you have to say is that Viscount Rebion was the one who ordered the theft of the Farrow territory's private property. That's it.”
“But—!”
“Fine, have it your way.”
Clang!
Her dagger struck the wall, throwing sparks. She then made a few practice swings right in front of Bankers' groin. Her movements were fluid and practiced, as if she had severed countless others before.
“Since I called the gelder, we can at least stop the bleeding. Who knows? If you're lucky, you might survive.”
“Aaaaah! You cruel bitch!”
Bankers writhed frantically. So that was why she had summoned a livestock gelder!
She spoke in a casual, offhand tone.
“Anyway, the moment the confession is signed, an army will be dispatched to drag Viscount Rebion here. I don't know what you're so afraid of. Have you said your goodbyes to your little friend?”
The witch smiled cruelly.
From behind, the guard's voice echoed.
“I have brought the livestock gelder!”
“Perfect! Let's begin. Let's make this... fun.”
Trembling like a leaf, Baronet Bankers screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing through the dungeon.
“I'll confess! I'll confess! This was all Viscount Rebion's doing! That man had absolutely no intention of obeying His Majesty's orders!”
The witch grinned.
Her silhouette, cast by the flickering torchlight, looked like a devil. Terrified by the grotesque sight, Bankers finally wet himself.
“You should have said so from the start.”
Bankers had just looked into the eyes of a true demon.