Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Viper's Suspicion
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“Is it really okay to head there like this?”
On the way to Berti, Miron spoke up with a worried look.
“No need to worry. I've already sorted things out with Marquis Midas.”
“But... when you left Nile, the atmosphere seemed pretty tense. Don't we need to keep good relations with both the Marquis Midas household and the Philador royal family?”
It wasn't unreasonable for Miron to think that way.
The plan to play both sides—between the Philador royal family, who wanted to ditch Marquis Midas, and the marquis's house, who might become allies in the future—was entirely my and Dwain's judgment call.
Strictly speaking, this mission had two parts. First, escort Lady Aria von Wendinel of the Wendinel Ducal House to the capital, Berti.
Second, attend the banquet that the Philador royals were staging as a smokescreen to take down Marquis Midas—participating as an “invited” figure from an allied nation.
As always, my sharp instincts made it impossible to read Father's—Bacchus von Carviot's—thoughts or how far ahead he was planning.
Siding with Marquis Midas to seize Berti's walls was entirely my own unilateral decision.
Of course, if things went wrong, it was a perilously dangerous gamble that could see me vanish like morning dew on an execution ground in this distant foreign land.
But if I didn't get caught, it wasn't a crime. And I was confident I wouldn't.
Plus, if Marquis Midas overpowers the royals, it'll give our family a solid ally in the south—making it far easier to check the pesky Sword Family.
If I rapidly developed the Olivia territory and expanded our influence southward, we could pressure the Sword Family from both south and north.
Everything would be proven by the results.
Having sorted my thoughts, I patted Miron's shoulder.
“Miron, once we reach Berti, I'll have a favor to ask. When that time comes, don't overthink it—just trust me and follow my lead.”
Miron blinked in confusion but soon nodded.
“A favor? Don't say that, young master. I'm always ready to carry out your orders.”
What a good kid.
Saladin would've grumbled something like, “What shady scheme is this bastard cooking up now?”
I wondered what that guy was up to.
Thinking briefly of those back in Banten, I glanced up at the sky.
When we left Nile, the highest heavens had been filled with the chill air of dawn twilight. Now, a blazing sun hung there.
By now, things should be wrapping up.
A bloodbath probably started in the marquis's household shortly after I left, so by now—half a day later—it was likely over.
Marquis Midas has a fiercer side than I thought.
I'd suggested preparing a day or two after my departure, but the marquis had firmly shaken his head.
—We've long identified the spies. The coded messages they've been sending to the Philador royals? Deciphered ages ago. And I've reached my limit playing nice with the rats hiding in my house.
The marquis's eyes had gleamed chillingly enough to make even me flinch a little.
This is why you shouldn't live a life of crime.
Poking at someone who'd been quietly minding their own business had put them in a position to strike back.
We had only half a day left until Berti.
Tomorrow, the marquis's knights and soldiers would begin slipping into Berti bit by bit.
Three days until the appointed date.
The storm of blood was drawing near.
The capital of Philador Kingdom, Berti.
A city about 200 km northeast of Nile, once called the continent's greatest breadbasket.
That title had been stolen away once Nile's development finished, of course.
Maybe that's why.
Berti bustled with the developed vibe of a capital, but the citizens' faces lacked the characteristic pride of those living in a kingdom's heart.
“Young master, something feels... off, somehow.”
Even Miron put it that way from the carriage heading to the palace. That said it all.
Knock knock.
“Young master, we've arrived.”
The coachman knocked lightly on the carriage door and spoke cautiously.
He must've figured a guest visiting the royal palace was some high noble.
“You've had a hard trip.”
I paid the fare and turned my gaze to the visible palace.
It was tall.
Unlike other kingdoms, Philador's royal palace wasn't sprawling wide—it was narrow and soared high.
A unique Philador style, meant to lord over the kingdom's citizens from on high and assert authority.
Not born from an inferiority complex toward Marquis Midas of Nile, was it?
As idle thoughts swirled, we entered the palace, and a knight checked my identity.
“Carviot Count family... Ah! You're His Majesty's guest. Welcome, Young Master Jerome. This way, please. I'll guide you.”
The knight, apparently briefed in advance, personally led me to my room.
Step, step.
The high ceilings made our footsteps echo through the corridor.
Maybe the quiet amplified the awkwardness.
“Ah, young master. Was your journey here uncomfortable in any way?”
The guiding knight spoke up.
It was a casual question. Lady Aria von Wendinel from the Wendinel Ducal House had arrived two days ago.
They could've expected me anytime from two days ago at the earliest to yesterday at the latest.
Since it took a bit longer, it was natural to ask.
Or maybe it was just to break the awkward silence.
But for some reason, the knight's question felt off to me.
“Haha, traveling between allied nations? Hardly uncomfortable. If anything, those coming from Osiris Kingdom have it rough.”
The Osiris Kingdom—a powerhouse rivaling Ikenia, located in the far east of the southern continent.
Distance-wise, they should've arrived around the same time as me.
I tried steering the topic to Osiris to slip away, but the knight persisted.
“Hmm, as expected? Those from distant Osiris arrived this afternoon, just as you said, young master.”
He turned.
The knight escorting us to the room lifted his face guard and looked at me.
“So why did the young master of the nearby Shield Family arrive last?”
Depending on how you heard it, it sounded provocative—like “What kept you so late?” Miron bristled and stepped forward.
“How rude!”
“Stand down, Miron.”
But I immediately stopped him.
And for good reason. The face revealed beneath the visor...
Was one I knew well.
I've gotta watch my words from here on out.
This guy wouldn't miss even the tiniest slip-up—he'd sink his teeth in.
He looked a bit— no, a lot—younger than the face in my memories.
But that sly smirk and those snake-like, slanted eyes were unmistakable.
Philador's first prince and heir to the throne, Versailles Khan Philador.
The betrayer who'd spectacularly stabbed the alliance in the back during the war with the Holy Empire.
A man nicknamed the Viper.
“I greet Philador's First Prince, Prince Versailles. Forgive my failure to recognize you. There were circumstances in Nile territory, haha. I had to meet Marquis Midas, you see.”
The royals' spies had already swarmed Nile territory.
Given Versailles's nature, he'd long since learned via them that I'd visited Nile.
Better to come clean than spin a clumsy lie and invite suspicion.
“Oh ho, you visited Nile? It seems Young Master Jerome doesn't know why our Philador royal family invited you.”
Versailles smiled as he replied, but his words dripped with thorns.
He's openly suspicious.
Well, Versailles was called the Viper in the alliance, but his cunning and shrewdness were acknowledged by all.
He wouldn't swallow spy reports at face value.
“Haha, of course I do. Better than anyone. That's precisely why I had to visit Nile.”
Versailles walked on without responding, silently urging me to continue.
“As you know, we provided Nile with mana cultivation methods to survive the great famine.”
“Indeed.”
“And it's no secret—practically public knowledge—that those methods are why Marquis Midas is now plotting his 'rebellion.'”
Versailles halted and turned.
“True. It's put our royal family in quite a bind.”
His snake-like eyes fixed on me, brimming with reproach.
Is he worried his value to the Holy Empire drops if they cut Nile loose? Or does he just hate losing Nile for real?
I met his gaze without flinching.
“Ah, please don't blame the Carviot Count family. We were desperate for food back then too.”
“How could we not? Because of your family, a loyal house has turned traitor.”
He was trying to pin the debt on us somehow, but no chance.
I shrugged.
“If you see it that way, that's unfortunate. In any case, Marquis Midas's house is backed into a corner. So what do you think our family should do?”
And what the guests from other kingdoms were salivating over.
Versailles knew full well. He was after it too, deep down.
“...Find the whereabouts of the Flower Wheel, I suppose.”
“Exactly.”
I chimed in agreement.
“We can't just hand cultivation methods to outsiders in broad daylight. So...”
“......?”
“It's only natural we go first and track them down. If we can't find them... well, we might need the marquis to suffer a tragic 'accident.' He's the ringleader of a rebellion anyway—no big issue if he meets with misfortune.”
As I flashed a smile laced with killing intent, Versailles's expression softened a touch.
To him, that seemed justification enough for visiting Nile before coming here.
“Hahaha! They say Young Master Jerome's talents shine brighter by the day, unlike in the past. The rumors weren't wrong.”
Clank!
He opened the door to my room as he spoke.
“I'd love to chat more, but you two must rest. Given the gravity of the situation, I spoke out of concern. Forgive any offense.”
“No offense taken.”
“Understood.”
Versailles gave a brief knightly bow and vanished down the corridor, having finished escorting us.
Step, step.
Alone now, Versailles's footsteps echoed more clearly in the now-emptier hall, rebounding sharply.
In that silent corridor, a shadow attached itself to Versailles without a sound.
It should've been eerie, but Versailles spoke without turning, as if expecting it.
“Stick to Jerome von Carviot. Make sure he pulls no tricks until the royal event ends.”
“...Understood.”
Surprisingly, the shadow replied.
Slither—
The shadow then crawled away like a snake along the wall, vanishing somewhere.
“Jerome von Carviot... I can't read your game.”
Once the shadow was gone, Versailles muttered to himself.
Combining the spy reports with my responses...
It seemed clear Jerome had visited Nile to retrieve the cultivation methods—or squeeze more compensation from them.
But.
Versailles's instincts—honed by outmaneuvering ruthless siblings to become crown prince heir—told him Jerome was hiding something.
“Whatever you're thinking, Young Master Jerome... you'd best assume it won't come to pass.”
Whether retrieving the methods.
Or scheming with Marquis Midas.
Versailles was confident he could counter whatever Jerome was plotting.
No bug could ever beat a snake.
Clank!
Versailles lowered his face guard and strode leisurely down the corridor.