Chapter 128
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Perna's Shadow
"How do you know that?"
The moment he heard the name Perna, Jeon couldn't help but press Taikan, who nodded as if he knew her well and even revealed that she was the host of the party where Tauns had vanished.
"Because I investigated it."
"Then why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"What would have changed if I had?"
But even as Jeon reacted sharply, Taikan responded calmly, showing no sign of being bothered by the probing questions.
"It would only have narrowed your perspective with half-baked information."
"Even so..."
"Besides, I didn't expect you to draw that much attention at the party. So, naturally, I had no idea you'd get directly involved with Helena or Perna."
Jeon had no retort to Taikan's continued words.
As Taikan said, Jeon himself hadn't anticipated drawing so much attention at the party.
Originally, the plan was to seek them out one by one and converse to learn more, but because they attracted too much notice, the others had approached first.
"Anyway, I do have the information if you want it... but honestly, I don't want to tell you. No, I wish you wouldn't get tangled up with them at all."
"Why is that?"
"It's dangerous."
Taikan's eyes held a firm resolve as he spoke.
"To be frank, Helena is shrouded in rumors, but nothing concrete is known about her. But Perna is different."
Helena, the closest aide to the Second Prince, was a figure surrounded by mystery and all sorts of rumors.
However, there was no confirmed evidence of her directly harming anyone or plotting schemes. Perna, on the other hand, was different.
"Anyone who gets involved with that woman always ends up with something bad happening."
People connected to Perna were always plagued by misfortune, and cases like Tauns vanishing were frequent.
Even the bad rumors about Helena could be said to stem from Perna's actions without exaggeration.
"In a way, all the negative rumors about Helena might as well have been created by Perna. So, I hope you stay away from her."
Jeon's mind grew complicated at Taikan's tone, which was resolute yet laced with concern.
'He's thinking this much about me?'
Honestly, their connection with Taikan wasn't that deep.
To put it bluntly, they were barely acquaintances, and it wouldn't be an overstatement.
Yet Taikan's sincerity was palpable now, leaving Jeon at a loss for words as he carefully chose his response.
But no matter how much he thought, Jeon only had one thing to say.
"I still want to know."
"Stubborn, aren't you."
Taikan scratched his head vigorously as he watched Jeon insist on knowing despite the heartfelt warning of danger.
With a faint hope, he warned Jeon once more.
"You could end up missing too."
"Yes. But I want to know."
Jeon's resolve was unshaken. Ever since his meeting with Helena, Jeon had decided he needed to learn more about her, even if it meant taking some risks.
'I have to know more about her.'
There was the matter of uncovering the circumstances around Tauns's disappearance, but he also sensed that Helena's value might be far greater than he'd imagined.
'She's definitely connected to Walter somehow.'
There weren't many who possessed Mysteries.
Yet, curiously, both Helena and Walter—two people operating under the Second Prince—both had them.
It felt too suspicious to dismiss as mere coincidence.
'She might know something about the Mysteries.'
And if that Helena truly had ties to the Luin Church as well...
'She could be a key figure linking the Luin Church, the Second Prince, and the Mysteries.'
His impulsive confession had been rejected as expected, but he couldn't miss the chance to gather information on her.
Thus, despite Taikan's warnings, Jeon didn't change his mind.
"Sigh, if you're that set on it, I can't stop you."
Taikan sighed, shaking his head as if conceding to Jeon's firm determination.
"Perna Alberto is the eldest daughter of Darius Alberto, captain of the Empire's 3rd Guard Corps. She's 33 but unmarried."
He rose from the desk facing Jeon and headed to the kitchen, rummaging through a drawer nearby.
"She looks like this."
Flutter.
With those words, Taikan pulled out a single sheet of paper from the drawer.
Drawn on it was the face of a noblewoman with medium-length hair reaching her shoulders and freckles dotting her nose.
"Her family being what it is, she learned swordsmanship and aura, but her skills are mediocre. I doubt she'd last five exchanges against the knight over there."
Taikan handed over the paper with Perna's face and rattled off her information smoothly.
"What makes her scary isn't her personal strength. It's her political maneuvering, the connections she's built through her position, and her family's power."
"So, there are more victims besides Mr. Tauns?"
"Plenty of suspicious cases. If we count them up... over twenty, at least among nobles, merchants, and those with some wealth and power."
Twenty people.
And that was just counting those with status and influence like nobles or merchants.
"Not a small number."
"Exactly. The problem is, there's solid circumstantial evidence but no hard proof. Plus, her family and connections mean no one dares investigate."
No proof, and no one willing to dig into it anyway.
Thus, those twenty victims of Perna remained missing, their fates unknown.
"I'll say it again: I don't want you ending up like that."
"Yes. It'll be fine. I won't let it happen."
"...Well, your confidence is reassuring."
When Jeon's expression didn't waver even at this final plea, Taikan nodded as if truly giving up.
"Can't be helped. Then you'd better start thinking about your next moves."
"Good idea."
Having given up on persuading Jeon, Taikan adjusted his posture and continued.
"You said the dinner invitation hasn't been set yet?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Don't go to Perna's place alone, then. Avoid anywhere her family's direct influence reaches."
"Any suitable locations?"
"Hm. Somewhere not too beholden to Perna, but with someone she'd underestimate."
Taikan pondered Jeon's question.
Perna wouldn't easily abandon her home ground if she had any sense, so they needed someone to lower her guard without being completely at her mercy.
"I know one person like that..."
"Hm? You have connections in the capital?"
Taikan, deep in thought, blinked in surprise at Jeon's interruption.
"Perna is a noble, after all."
"True."
"She can't be too rude to imperial family members, right?"
"Well... Ah! Dellingum!"
Taikan snapped his fingers, quickly catching on to Jeon's hint.
Indeed, no one was better suited to draw Perna in.
"I've already discussed dinner with Mr. Dellingum anyway."
Lena, who had been listening quietly, chimed in.
"Perfect. That gentleman would love more guests at his invitation."
"No matter how powerful her family, she can't harm an imperial like Dellingum."
High-ranking nobles might subtly look down on lower imperial family members like Dellingum, but it was always just "subtle."
Laying hands on an imperial family member in the capital was tantamount to madness.
"Any schemes she pulls would have to be small-scale."
It was the best choice to draw Perna in while drastically limiting her ability to act directly.
"Good. Set it up right away. I'll help with the preparations."
"Thank you."
Jeon expressed his gratitude to Taikan, who readily offered assistance, but he waved it off dismissively.
"Save the thanks. I won't charge you, so just come back alive. Bonus if you get news on Tauns."
In truth, Taikan was a fairly prominent figure in this world.
His willingness to help Jeon's group pro bono stemmed partly from guilt over Tauns's disappearance.
'Besides, this kid seems like he'll go far.'
Moreover, Taikan saw great potential in Jeon and planned to support him materially and otherwise as an early investment.
"Both Mr. Dellingum and Perna said any time works. How long for our preparations?"
"Not long. A week should do."
"Great. I'll contact them now."
And so, with Taikan's support, Jeon's group began preparing to turn the tables and invite Perna.
"Today, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Heh~ This should be fun."
The garden air held the warmth of midday sun. The woman under the parasol curved her thin lips into a smile, letting out a soft hum. Tilting the teacup before her, she fell briefly into thought.
"To think they'd invite me instead."
Perna Alberto. Her freckled face seemed innocently charming somewhere, but her eyes gleamed sharply.
Finishing her tea time, she rose slowly from her seat.
"Dinner time?"
"Yes."
"Our preparations?"
"We've selected the family's top picks."
"Well done."
Crossing the garden, she listened to her attendant's report. Her steps were leisurely, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Her remaining schedule was simple.
Selecting attire, grooming, and double-checking the faces of those departing for the evening dinner.
It was like inspecting the tools for tonight's feast.
"Like it?"
The black dress she chose was elegant yet ornate.
Delicate lace and accessories glimmered softly from her slender fingertips against the subdued black base.
Behind her stood fifteen men in black suits, silently awaiting her word.
"Then let's go."
After inspecting them, Perna walked toward the waiting carriage, and those behind her followed quietly.
As the carriage carrying her prepared to depart...
"Oh, right."
She spoke in a low voice.
All movement halted instantly. Placing a hand on the carriage window, she beckoned outside.
"You there."
At her call, a butler hurried over, unable to hide his flustered expression.
"The moment I leave, inform Lady Helena."
She wagged her fingertips lightly on the window frame and whispered lowly to the butler leaning close.
"Tonight, I'll be taking that man she's been waiting for."
"Yes. Understood."
With that, Perna closed the carriage window.
As the halted carriage began to move, she relaxed, leaning back.
Tonight. Someone would vanish from the world, and someone else would smile broadly.
Envisioning that future, Perna drew a serene smile on her face.
And her carriage rolled quietly toward the darkness.