Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Giant's Fitting End
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For a giant's end, it was anticlimactic, but it suited him better than dying a natural death. That was the kind of man Gesthalt had been.
His senior must have finished tying up loose ends the moment he sensed his own death. Just leaving the notebook for Willet was proof enough of that. So why hadn't he left a single word for the daughter he cherished so dearly?
He recalled Gesthalt overlooking the enemy lines from atop Saturn. Beneath the bold tactics his senior had shown lay meticulous calculations at every turn. Never missing the smallest detail and turning it to his advantage—that was his senior's way.
Perhaps even the massive chaos that the family head's absence would bring was just another piece in his senior's design.
"Your senior left the young lady a task. And he gave you clues so she wouldn't wander lost."
"That means..."
"Why not hand over the key now, so she can make her own decision?"
"The young lady couldn't accept the truth right now. She graduated from Schola with top marks, but I can tell. Her heart is far too delicate."
"When, then, do you think she'll be ready to face the truth?"
Willet couldn't answer. Ariel, who had stepped out of the shop, was looking their way. She must have grown curious about the situation outside since Willet hadn't returned.
"There must be a reason your senior entrusted the truth to you, not the young lady. Perhaps he even meant for you to pass Tiyan's fate to her instead. Depending on who you hand the notebook and evidence to, the situation could change entirely."
"I won't betray the young lady. Even if it means Tiyan falls."
"Then burn every piece of evidence your senior gave you and stay by her side. At least that way, the mother and daughter won't fall out, and Tiyan will keep breathing—for a while, anyway."
Willet stared at the notebook in his hand. A storm of emotions flickered in his eyes.
"Do you think that's the right choice, Lord Lander?"
"There's no right choice. Only the one you'll regret a little less. Whether you leap into the flames with her or turn away—that's in your hands now."
"Can we escape those flames?"
"You'd know better than I. Your senior had a sharper eye for people than I ever did."
Having heard that much, Willet pulled out the photo he'd been holding back. He made a resolved expression and held it out.
"You should take this, Lord Lander."
"Are you sure?"
"It's no different from returning it to its original owner, so please accept it without burden."
He took the photo. In it, Gesthalt laughed heartily, as if asking one more time for help.
Even if it looks that way, nothing's coming out of me, Senior, Lander thought as he tucked the photo into his bosom.
"The young lady or the lady of the house—which do the family's knights follow more?"
"They're staying neutral for now. Officially, the young lady has succeeded as family head, but the lady handles all internal affairs in practice."
"They won't interfere in family matters until a true master emerges."
"Probably."
"Then now's the perfect time. Miss it, and the young lady's position could grow precarious. Other nobles might overlook an illegitimate heir, but a First-Class Noble can be replaced even if legitimate."
"The lady won't move against the young lady right away. It would arouse suspicion."
"That's what you think. This fight might already be over. By the time you realize it isn't, the lady could have all her preparations complete."
Willet furrowed his brow. His mind must be spinning with complexity. There were no perfect strategies in warfare. Only the best ones to avoid the worst outcomes.
"Assuming the worst tends to keep it at bay. I've said all I can. The rest is up to you two."
Ariel was approaching. He gave her a nod and took his leave. This much should keep him from catching flak if he ever met his senior again down the line.
Back at the inn, he lay on the bed. He stared at the photo Willet had given him for a while before closing his eyes.
He seemed to doze off briefly, but sunlight was already filtering through the window. He tossed, trying to sleep more, but footsteps forced him upright. They stopped at his door.
He splashed water on his face to chase away the drowsiness, then spoke.
"Come in."
Marie opened the door and entered.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes. It was the deepest rest I've had in ages."
Marie set a basin and towel on the table.
"I heard you don't like having a valet."
"I'm just not used to someone doing things for me."
"If it's that, shall I handle it? I never missed a perfect score in servant training."
Marie smiled. He chuckled and dipped his hands in the water. It was just the right temperature for washing. He gave his face a light rinse and dried it with the towel.
"So Marie trained at Stoa."
"Yes. One of the rare early graduates."
If Schola was the empire's pride, raising the brilliant talents to lead the future, Stoa trained those who supported the empire from the shadows.
Among the empire's think tanks, Stoa was the most secretive, so this was his first time meeting one of its graduates.
"I've gotten reports on you before, but this is my first time seeing one in person."
"That's because we can't exactly show our faces. Unlike Schola grads."
"How did you end up with someone like Bank? Even as a political officer, he shouldn't cross paths with Stoa."
"It was a bad connection. And he seemed so hopeless without someone watching over him, I had no choice but to join up."
"Bank's got some serious luck with people."
"Can't deny that. Sounds like boasting, but I'm definitely capable."
Marie folded the towel and hung it beside the basin.
"Last night, some Tiyan folks slipped out of the territory."
"Looks like they've made up their minds."
"If you wish, Lord Lander, I can gather intel through our Holy City contact."
"No need. It's not my concern. I'll check the results later on my own."
Marie smiled faintly and picked up the basin.
"How would you like breakfast? Shall I bring it here?"
"I'll go down."
"May I join you?"
"As you like. Oh, have the two downstairs regained consciousness?"
"Yes. They're both awake. Probably finishing the explanations and signing contracts by now."
"Good."
"If you want, we could go see them now."
"I'd rather eat first. I don't skip meals."
"Eating on time is important. I'll head down first."
Marie left with the basin.
He dragged a chair to the sunlit window. He laid his sword across his lap and wrapped cloth around his index and middle fingers.
He dabbed olive-tinted oil on the blade. It was a sword he liked more the more he saw it. It would serve well until he reclaimed his original one.
Sword at his side, he headed downstairs. No other guests in sight. He sat at the table where Marie waited.
"Before you eat, here's this."
Marie handed him a thin silver plaque the size of half a palm. Proof of membership in the Hose Guild. Issue date and responsible party were inscribed at the bottom.
"I'll stamp it. Thumb, please."
Marie spread a paper covered in complex script on the table. A contract scroll. She placed the plaque on it, and he pressed his thumb where she indicated.
A faint prick like a needle sting, then the paper glowed red.
"If you lose it, the guild can reissue, but the process is a hassle, so try not to."
"I'll keep it safe."
Marie folded the scroll and set it aside. A man waiting at a distance took it away. Someone he'd seen at guild headquarters.
"You're traveling quietly, but things keep piling up here. Any vegetables you don't eat?"
Marie said as she portioned food onto plates.
"I eat anything."
"If you get a chance, tell our boss. Maybe he'll stop being picky."
"Starve him a few days, and he'll eat weeds."
"Good idea."
He popped a tomato in his mouth and chewed slowly. Even in war zones, he always took his meals leisurely. One of his few pleasures.
"You're timing your departure with the Arone Company's schedule?"
Marie asked, gently swirling her wine glass.
"Yes. I'll hitch a ride with them to Dun."
"Dun. Complicated place. Crowded with people, packed with buildings. Planned city concept, so it was fascinating my first time. Drainage beats even the Holy City's outskirts."
He set down his fork and said,
"Guild's Ans told me they detained a 3rd Class Aristocrat at entry to Dun."
"Dun these days? Totally plausible."
"Even with the Holy City in chaos, that level of scrutiny seems off. What's going on?"
"Multiple factors. As you said, Lord Lander, the Holy City's a mess first off. The Emperor, First-Class Nobles, feudal lords, council elders—all fearless when it comes to blood, now at each other's throats. Whew."
Marie shook her head lightly, as if the thought alone gave her a headache.
"And?"
"A massive merchant caravan from the Allied Kingdoms is entering Dun. To celebrate the second anniversary of the armistice. Ceasefire or not, Dun's administration can't help getting touchy. And finally..."
Marie lifted her chin and continued.
"There was an attempt to smuggle out a core module for the Giant Soldiers under production in Dun. Not public knowledge, of course."
"Reason enough to detain a 3rd Class Aristocrat."
"Whether Allied Kingdoms' doing or some empire insider craving Giant Soldiers—still under investigation. Those bureaucrats are probably sleepless. Fail to catch the tail, and special inspectors from the Holy City descend. Might as well go to hell; no one survives an inspector probe."
He nodded. As Marie said, bureaucrats under special inspection would dry up like husks.
"Guess I'll have to lay low in Dun."
"Smart. But Dun's not much of a tourist spot. You got business there?"
"Just a stopover. Have to pass through to reach Conne anyway."
"Conne. Famous for its lake. Blue by day, green by night. Heard tons about it, never been. Tell me your impressions when you see it."
"Will do."
He wiped his mouth with a napkin, finishing the meal. They sipped tea and continued chatting.
Not useless talk like power struggles or faction intel, but handy stuff: nearby sights, famous restaurants.
"If you go to Dun, visit the Fairy's Inner Court. Their chef's no joke. If a new culinary maestro emerges, he's top contender."
"Definitely. But a famous place like that—reservations must be tough."
"An Imperial Knight Commander could walk in, but you, Lord Lander? Lucky to get a table in a month."
"Might end up staying over a month in Dun. Thanks for the tip. I'll try it and report back."
"Looking forward to it."
Lander smiled and rose from his seat.