CHAPTER 112
CHAPTER 112
ID Card
In the capital of the Holy Eldar Empire, Dunaise, there was a luxury hotel reserved for foreign envoys.
Hotel Sarkas.
This elegant Art Nouveau building, constructed from a blend of steel and glass, was positioned to overlook the river while facing Karl Bridge, the gateway to Dunaise. Staying there were Gimmel, the state preceptor of Garmhau, along with his disciples, including the First Prince, Kais, and his entourage.
As the sun set, lamplighters moved along the riverside streets, magically illuminating the streetlights. With long poles, they removed the hoods of the lamps and cast light-emitting spells on the mana stones inside, bringing the lights to life.
As the riverside lamps lit up one by one, the night scenery became breathtaking.
Watching this view, First Prince Kais sat on the hotel terrace.
“Your Highness. The window side poses a risk of sniper attack.”
Rinser, a female demon and one of the prince’s attendants, voiced her concern.
“Do not worry. If I were to die from such a trivial attack, I would not be fit to become the king of Garmhau anyway. This night view is worth that level of risk.”
“But…”
“Enough, Rinser. Look at the width of this river. No one could possibly strike His Highness from such a distance.”
Another attendant, Kamain, seemed to trust the prince’s abilities and supported enjoying the scenery rather than worrying about snipers.
Outwardly, they were posing as a group of foreign traders. Disguised in human forms, they carefully observed the hotel entrance, windows, and surroundings while staying cautious within their rooms.
“Still, the Emperor doesn’t seem to be making any suspicious moves.”
Rinser said, scanning the surroundings through an opera glass without lowering her guard.
“From their perspective, we are very valuable guests.
Their enemies are already divided and fighting among themselves. There is no reason for them to interfere and unify their enemies.”
Veras, a cold-looking young man with glasses, analyzed the Empire’s intentions.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“Excuse me. Lord Gimmel, Countess Polchen has requested an audience.”
“Countess Polchen?”
Aura Polchen, Isolde’s mother and the Emperor’s consort, had come to visit Prince Kais and his group.
“Yes. She is quite famous in high society. She has taught etiquette to numerous nobles, and also…”
She is the Emperor’s consort.
While it was an open secret in high society that Countess Aura Polchen was the Emperor’s lover, it was not something that should be directly stated to foreign dignitaries. It might be hinted at in private, but not openly when she herself had come to visit.
“Let her in.”
Soon, Countess Aura Polchen entered, accompanied by her attendant, a masked maid.
“It has been a while, Prince Kais. And Lord Gimmel.”
Prince Kais did not respond to Aura’s greeting.
As Aura Polchen was considered of low birth in Garmhau, it was forbidden for her to speak directly with royalty.
Gimmel welcomed her in his stead.
“It has been a while, Aura. But as far as I know, you belong to the intelligence bureau and have sworn loyalty to the Grand General, have you not?”
“The one I serve is, above all else, the people of Garmhau themselves.
If there is someone who can liberate the people of Garmhau, I will offer my loyalty regardless of their status.”
In other words, she could change her allegiance depending on the situation.
Though it sounded like she upheld a greater cause, it was the classic statement of a double agent.
“So, may we interpret that as you pledging loyalty to Prince Kais?”
Veras adjusted his glasses as he asked. It was a question whose answer was already obvious, yet he asked it deliberately.
Her response did not deviate from expectations.
“I cannot make such a guarantee.”
“Insolence! How dare someone of low birth mock His Highness!”
At that moment, the hot-tempered Kamain drew his wand as if he had been waiting for this.
But the prince stopped him.
“Enough. Asking a question when you know the answer will not be favorable—how cruel of you, Veras.”
“My apologies. But it was a necessary question.”
“This was not the place to ask it. She is the Emperor’s consort. Were you planning to hold her accountable here in the imperial capital?”
They could not attack the Emperor’s consort in the heart of the Empire, so asking her about her allegiance was foolish.
What if Aura Polchen had openly insulted the prince?
Would they punish her?
If they did, they would become criminals within the capital.
If they did not, the prince’s authority would be undermined.
In such situations, it was better not to engage at all.
Prince Kais pointed this out, looking at his attendants with clear disapproval.
“As expected, Your Highness is wise. I can see why Lord Gimmel places such trust in you.”
Aura praised the prince, but in truth, it was no different from insulting his attendants.
The prince is wise, but his subordinates are lacking. Lord Gimmel must be relying solely on the prince.
That was the implication hidden in her words.
The attendants caught on to the nuance and bristled with anger, but no matter how furious they were, they could not act against her here.
“So then, Countess Aura Polchen. What brings you here?”
“I came to deliver this.”
Aura Polchen took out something resembling a transparent necklace.
It was an ID card embedded with an RFID chip.
On its surface were intricate characters in an ancient language used for magical incantations. It read “Plain Games Co., Ltd.”, though no one in this world could understand its meaning.
“…What is this?”
“It is the seal of the Academy.
With this, one can become a director of Dunaise Academy.”
“……”
Everyone was startled upon hearing that.
“I heard that Grand General Bernhardt already possesses one. Could it be—?”
“Ah, the one held by General Bernhardt is different. This is one that was newly discovered.”
Aura Polchen smiled as she spoke.
“To bring such a valuable item… thank you, Countess Polchen. What would you like in return?”
“In return, please think of the people of Garmhau.
Ah, and my unworthy daughter is enrolled in Dunaise Academy. Should she ever be in danger, I ask that you look after her. Now then, as the night grows late, I shall take my leave.”
Aura Polchen gave her farewell and departed.
The prince looked at the ID card—the seal of the Academy—in his hand and let out a wry smile.
“An unexpected treasure has fallen into my hands. From the looks of it, Aura Polchen is neither on my side nor on Bernhardt’s. Could this be the Emperor’s move?”
“…Ah.”
Veras and Rinser let out quiet exclamations.
As soon as Aura Polchen left the room, movement began to stir in what had seemed like a peaceful riverside scene outside the window.
Human silhouettes shifted within the darkness.
In other words, without their noticing, several agents had been hiding along the riverbank in front of the hotel, observing them.
Though the distance was great, the fact that even the prince’s attendants had failed to detect them…
“What shall we do, Your Highness? This could be a trap.”
“A trap? Even if it is, we cannot refuse this gift. If we reject it, both my enemies and allies will begin to doubt my capability.
Even if I cannot meet the expectations of my supporters, should I not at least meet the expectations of my enemies?”
Prince Kais picked up the Academy’s seal and steeled his resolve.
After Magram’s afternoon class ended, it was time for evening break.
The Zephyros students gathered around Isolde, who had missed the earlier class.
Rudolf approached her and asked,
“Are you alright, Isolde? Where were you? It’s unlike you to skip class.”
“Ah, I felt a bit unwell, so I took some… rest.”
Isolde made an excuse.
Since the academy administration had kept her dungeon entry and cooperation with the demon detachment a secret, her explanation did not seem suspicious.
“I see. You did seem off since yesterday. Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, I am better now.”
Isolde felt a pang of guilt at Rudolf’s concern.
He had no idea that she was a half-demon, nor that her mother Aura was a demon spy. It made her feel as though she was deceiving him.
Just then, her friends approached her.
Kate, Nora, and Mina—girls she associated with in high society.
They wore the same cruel, mocking smiles they always did.
“Ah, Isolde. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes.”
“You missed something really amusing. Do you know what that Lady Idnia did in the morning class?”
“What did she do?”
“She suddenly ran out in the middle of class saying she needed to go to the restroom.”
“The restroom? She said that out loud during class?”
For a noble lady like Idnia to raise her hand and announce she needed to go to the restroom…
To commoners, it might seem trivial, but to nobles, it was an utterly shameful and horrifying act.
Even for a girl of a modest background, it would be embarrassing, let alone a daughter of an elector duke’s family.
“Yes. Honestly, a noble lady should maintain her dignity. To say something like that so shamelessly…”
“It was hilarious.”
The noble girls continued to gossip, laughing at Idnia’s shamelessness.
In the past, Isolde would have joined in, subtly mocking Idnia along with them.
But now, she could not.
Idnia had rushed out of class to save her. To ridicule her for that would be utterly disgraceful.
She does not care about becoming the subject of others’ ridicule.
Then again, would someone who stood alone against a demon detachment really fear the petty gossip of young girls?
Isolde recalled Idnia’s dignified figure.
The way she faced the demon detachment, exuding overwhelming presence like a conquering ruler…
‘Ah…’
Without realizing it, she had thought of her as gallant, admirable—even heroic.
Isolde shook her head.
She was grateful to Idnia, but her circumstances were too complicated for her to fully trust her own feelings.
‘I am grateful, but her sudden appearance itself is suspicious. How did she know exactly where I was in the dungeon? The fact that a mere student appeared like that is strange.’
Isolde felt gratitude, fear, and suspicion toward Idnia all at once.
That was why she could only say this:
“Please stop. You all do not know Lady Idnia’s true nature. She is truly frightening. She exists on a completely different level from us.”
“…What?”
“Huh? Isolde…?”
The girls were taken aback.
Until now, Isolde had always joined them in mocking Idnia. Seeing her suddenly turn serious left them confused.
Moreover, she was not simply telling them to stop insulting Idnia.
Here, Isolde’s cunning shone through.
She knew that if she simply told them not to insult Idnia, they would not listen. Worse, they might feel betrayed and turn hostile toward her for abandoning their shared mockery.
To prevent them from disrespecting Idnia while also avoiding their resentment, this was the best approach.
“…What do you mean, Isolde?”
But she was not the only one listening.
Rudolf had also been paying close attention to her words.