Chapter 337: Bread and Dagger (35)
Chapter 337: Bread and Dagger (35)
Senior Neris arrived early.
It had been only a single day since I began staying at the military camp in the coniferous forest. I received a summons from Senior Neris at the crack of dawn and stepped out of my tent.
As always, it was a clandestine call.
The Imperial Intelligence Agency always carried tools that emitted minute sound waves. These tools had a function that allowed them to resonate with specific objects, one of which was the seal tucked inside my shirt.
The Imperial Seal, engraved with a dragon.
It was proof that I was a close confidant of the Emperor and that a branch of the Imperial Intelligence Agency had been assigned to me. In truth, I didn't even know how I had obtained this seal.
I had only heard the rough details from the Sword Duke.
Apparently, I had gone on a rampage in the interrogation room of the Imperial Intelligence Agency's headquarters.
Of course, it wasn't actually me, but the 'me' from the future. I didn't have the skill to pull off something like that.
Regardless, he was a man of many talents. It was only natural, considering he was playing the hero in the future.
I still didn't have the confidence to live like him.
To follow that life's trajectory, sacrificing everything one by one for the sake of the world.
The current me lacked both the ability and the resolve.
I was simply doing what I had to do, one step at a time.
Meeting Senior Neris today was part of that.
The coniferous forest was essentially enemy territory. Not only the elves, but even the Yurdina military camp had to be viewed with suspicion.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the worst-case scenario.
On the frontlines, every single piece of information was precious. The presence or absence of reliable intel determined whether one lived or died. And yet, I was told not to trust my own side's information network.
In that case, I had no choice but to call in another ally.
At the very least, Senior Neris was unlikely to betray me.
Unlike others, she knew of the existence of my 'Dragon Blood Runes.' This meant she understood better than anyone what it meant to be my enemy.
As if to prove this, Senior Neris always showed me a submissive attitude.
Today was no different.
As soon as I reached the outskirts of the camp, a shadow dropped from a tree. The woman immediately knelt, and a respectful tone flowed from her lips.
"I apologize for being late, Sir Ian."
Actually, she had arrived earlier than I expected.
I didn't know what kind of 'education' she had received from the future 'me,' but Senior Neris tended to be excessively nervous whenever she saw me.
From my perspective, it felt a bit unfair. Hadn't I only shown her kindness?
Even if there had been that unfortunate incident during our first meeting where I spilled whiskey on her instead of water.
Of course, I didn't intend to lay out all those long-winded excuses. I simply swallowed my bitterness and offered her a gentle compliment.
"No, you actually arrived earlier than expected. You've worked hard to come all the way to the North."
At my words of praise, Senior Neris's body flinched.
Then, she looked up at me with a questioning gaze.
It was a look filled with disbelief. It was a clear indication of how I was perceived in Senior Neris's mind.
I was used to this treatment by now, so I didn't even feel sad.
I simply wanted to get straight to the point.
"Senior Neris, I'll be blunt. I need you to help me gather information."
Senior Neris didn't offer any reply.
She simply waited quietly for my next instruction.
"Someone is intentionally cutting off the information heading to Senior Delphine. We need to find the mastermind behind this and also gather information regarding the elves' evil cult."
"Yes, I understand."
Her answer came without a moment's hesitation.
Her tone was so resolute that I felt foolish for having worried about how to phrase my next words. I kept my mouth shut for a moment.
Senior Neris, on the other hand, looked calm, as if this was exactly how things should be. She nonchalantly added a few more words.
"However, there is something I would like your permission for. I took the liberty of bringing someone along, thinking they might be of help..."
"Do as you wish."
Now it was Senior Neris's turn to fall silent.
Her breath hitched for a second, and a strange look was directed at me. It was a gaze filled with complex emotions.
Regardless, I showed Senior Neris my trust.
Just as Senior Neris trusted me, I intended to trust her.
Above all, I had the reliable support of the 'Dragon Blood Runes.'
"It's the task you've taken on, after all. Besides, if I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have called you here in the first place."
On the contrary, Senior Neris seemed even more uncomfortable with my praise.
After hesitating for a while, she lowered her head even further and replied.
"Ye-yes..."
Was it my imagination that her cheeks seemed a bit flushed?
Clearing away useless thoughts, I clapped my hands as if I had just remembered something and added.
"Ah, and could you also keep an eye on Her Highness the Princess?"
At my words, Senior Neris briefly showed a puzzled expression.
Of course, it was only for a fleeting moment.
Realizing her slip, Senior Neris immediately bowed her head. Even though she had received an order to watch a member of the Imperial Family, she didn't even ask for a reason.
As if her mouth was parched, she moistened her lips with her tongue and answered.
"Ye-yes! I shall obey your command."
"Don't misunderstand. I don't mean for you to monitor her strictly... it's just, she's been on my mind lately. She might fall into danger, you know. Since she is someone with dragon blood in her veins, just report her general movements to me."
It was an excuse that felt a bit awkward.
It was because I lacked the time to fully fabricate a story. In truth, I didn't even know why I wanted to monitor the Princess.
However, if even the Saintess wasn't the witness from that night, then the only remaining suspect was naturally the Princess.
And her behavior last night had been a bit strange as well.
In many ways, she was someone I couldn't help but be concerned about. Of course, using official power for this was a separate issue.
I decided to comfort myself by thinking it wasn't exactly a 'directive.'
Right, it was a 'favor.'
A small extra, something asked between one human and another.
It was while I was trying to ignore the voice of my conscience with such sophistry.
Senior Neris, watching my reaction, asked cautiously.
"Um, Sir Ian? May I introduce the person I brought with me...?"
"Ah," I let out a soft exclamation without thinking.
I had forgotten because I assumed she would handle things well, but Senior Neris had said she brought another companion. It was only natural to introduce them to me.
I nodded immediately.
"Yes, yes. Of course you should. But who in the world..."
It was then that I felt a hesitant presence.
It was right behind the tree where Senior Neris had been hiding. I hadn't noticed because I had let my guard down, but I could feel a faint sound of breathing coming from back there.
Perhaps I hadn't noticed because there wasn't even a shred of hostility.
Furthermore, the person's presence was incredibly faint.
My eyes naturally turned toward the source of the sound. There stood a small girl with gray hair.
She was someone who looked familiar.
After narrowing my eyes and thinking for a moment, I soon guessed her identity.
"...Avian?"
It was Avian, the elf I had a brief encounter with before.
Whether her treatment had been successful, no scars were visible.
That was a relief. Even though she was a woman, I had beaten her while trying to minimize permanent scarring, and it seemed my efforts had paid off.
However, the part that flustered me was the clothes Avian was wearing.
It was an outfit any noble would have seen.
Whether they lived in a mansion or a castle, nobles did not soil their own hands. This was thanks to the existence of those who performed such roles in their stead.
The servants.
To be precise, the clothes Avian was wearing belonged to the category of a maid's uniform.
As if her attire was shameful, faint tears welled in Avian's eyes. Her trembling body vividly conveyed her feelings of resentment.
It was understandable.
Avian had strong pride as an elf. That meant she hated humanity just as much.
And yet, she had to wear the uniform of a maid who served humans.
It was in poor taste.
I looked down at Senior Neris with a somewhat appalled expression, but she instead wore a triumphant look.
The woman proudly introduced her to me.
"This is Avian, the maid who will serve Sir Ian for the next few days."
And then, sobbing, Avian knelt before me.
The way she even bowed her head was a posture of complete submission.
"P-please... take good care of me..."
I had no choice but to fall silent once again.
With only one question in my mind.
Just what on earth did she do to Avian?
Senior Neris only wore a meaningful smile. Her deep green eyes were sparkling with motivation for the first time in a long while.
She looked exactly like a senior officer delighted to have a new subordinate to torment.
It seemed Avian's road of suffering was only just beginning.