Chapter 614: Direct Arrest
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 614: Direct Arrest
The Bugard Estate.
Count Bugard, having recently returned from the imperial palace, lay in his rocking chair, trying to soothe the mental trauma he had just endured.
During their forced stay at the palace, Her Majesty the Empress—seemingly worried they might be bored—had actually summoned that bastard, the Pink Bear, to keep them entertained.
Heh, the Pink Bear. Entertainment...
The boredom was certainly gone, but the price was that the bastard had cornered several high-ranking ministers all night to discuss big chests, perky butts, and provide a detailed critique of a book of "indescribable artistic photography" he’d pulled out of nowhere.
What was the point of a critique? Every man sitting there was a geezer between fifty and eighty years old. Did he think they could just magically reclaim their virility?
If the former Saintess hadn't stormed in later, half of those old men would probably have died from a burst of high blood pressure.
...However, torture aside, Count Bugard could not afford to rest just yet.
He suddenly opened his eyes and said tonelessly, "You failed?"
"...My apologies, Father."
Orlando, who had entered the room by pushing his own wheelchair rather than relying on a servant, lowered his head. "That brat is stubborn as a mule. I was afraid that using force would only add to our crimes, and besides, I still felt a shred of sibling affection, so..."
"Useless!"
A teacup was hurled at him. The tea, which a maid had only just brought in, was still scalding as it splashed all over Orlando.
Count Bugard looked coldly at his only son, making no effort to hide the disappointment in his eyes. "Why are you always such a waste? You can't even handle a small matter like this, yet you still dream of inheriting House Bugard?"
"I am truly sorry..."
Orlando bowed his head even lower, letting the tea drip off him.
"Hmph."
Count Bugard snorted coldly. He suddenly turned to look out the window, whispering under his breath, "Even the weight of the entire House Bugard didn't move her. She really does have the same temperament as you."
Orlando’s eyes twitched at the mention of "that woman," but he didn't dare show any emotion. He simply asked, "Then... Father, what should we do next?"
"What to do... Colluding with the Inner Council is a capital offense. It must not involve the entire family. House Bugard has spent generations climbing to its current position; it cannot be destroyed by my hands."
Count Bugard paused in thought, then looked at Orlando. His voice suddenly grew much gentler. "Therefore... I have no choice but to sacrifice you, my son."
"Wha—"
Orlando froze, his face turning pale instantly. "No... No, Father, you can't do this!"
"And why not? Orlando Bugard is Robin, but Robin is not Bugard. As long as we prove that, the current Empress isn't a bloodthirsty person. Given she has just ascended the throne, her priority will be the stability of the Empire. She shouldn't go as far as exterminating the entire House Bugard at a time like this," Count Bugard said expressionlessly.
"Nonsense! That's nonsense!"
Orlando was so agitated he nearly leaped out of his wheelchair. He pointed at Count Bugard and shouted, "The 'Robin' disguise was something you gave me! Otherwise, with my status, how could I possibly—"
"Shut up! A failure has no right to bargain. Who do you think you're—"
Count Bugard’s expression turned icy. He cut Orlando off and waved his hand, unwilling to listen to any more nonsense. "Someone, come in."
"I am here." The old butler, his hair streaked with white, stepped forward with a bow.
"Take this rebellious son who defied the Emperor, break both his arms, and deliver him to the palace to atone for his crimes!"
"As you command!"
"Oh, and one more thing."
Count Bugard stopped the old butler, who was already dragging the struggling Orlando toward the door. He pointed to his own throat. "Make sure he doesn't talk too much."
"I understand."
The old butler nodded knowingly. Though he looked ancient, he moved with ease as he dragged the reasonably powerful Orlando out of the room.
Orlando screamed in rage, but Count Bugard remained deaf to it. He merely sighed, looking away as if he couldn't bear the sight.
"Alas, what a misfortune for our house. I trust Her Majesty will understand my position."
Soon, a blood-curdling scream echoed from outside, followed by silence.
...
A moment later, the old butler returned. His clothes were as neat and clean as ever, without a single drop of blood.
"Is it handled?"
"Yes."
"No loose ends?"
"All evidence linking the matter to House Bugard has been disposed of. The Young Miss... Ariel’s attempt to raise money did indeed give us time to react. However..."
The old butler hesitated. "In my humble opinion, I doubt this alone will be enough to satisfy Her Majesty. She does not seem to be a foolish or merciful ruler. In the past few days, many nobles in Belland have already been purged. Her methods seem even more cold-blooded and aggressive than her father's."
"Heh, of course. How could the woman who emerged as the final victor be fooled by such petty tricks?"
Count Bugard gave a self-deprecating sneer and looked at the three letters he had just prepared on his desk. "That is why I must employ other means as well."
*
The Imperial Palace remained grand and noble, but the atmosphere at night had grown cold and solemn recently. Even the passing palace maids walked with hurried steps, not daring to stop and chat.
The Royal Knight Order and the Royal Mage Corps stationed here had been temporarily deployed to guard Belland, preventing those driven to desperation from doing anything reckless. At the same time, they were using the opportunity to thoroughly flush out any remaining "rats."
The newly ascended Empress seemed intent on using this chance to sweep away all the long-standing corruption in the capital.
Consequently, while the palace had cut back on lighting expenses recently, the temporary administrative hall remained brightly lit.
Ariel walked out of the hall.
She had just reported everything she had discovered to Celicia, presenting a list that could effectively wipe out the remaining dregs of the Inner Council. For such a great contribution, she had received Celicia’s praise and an invitation to dinner when things settled down... yet she wasn't as happy as she expected to be.
Perhaps it was because she had done something that, to an outsider, seemed incredibly stupid.
"Sigh... Seriously, why did I do something so retarded?"
Ariel clutched her chest in agony and looked up at the sky with a long lament. "That was... five million Emiels! I gave it all to Orlando! Damn it, why did I have to act so cool and give him everything? He wouldn't have known if I’d secretly kept a few hundred thousand. Now... I'm a pauper again!"
Going from having a small fortune to being soul-stirringly poor in an instant—life’s great joys and sorrows were nothing more than this.
Fortunately, she was used to black bread. Eating it for a while longer wouldn't kill her.
"Are you alright?"
"Who's there!"
Ariel turned around alertly.
"It's me." A figure was leaning against the wall at the corner.
"Tsk, why is it you?"
Ariel clicked her tongue, her expression turning to one of instant disdain. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to comfort you."
Muen brushed back his fine golden hair and smiled. "How could I stand by and watch when a sad, beautiful girl passes by?"
"Blegh."
This time, it wasn't just disdain; it was pure disgust.
"Enough, enough. Who knows what wicked schemes you're cooking up now? I don't want to see you. Once I've snatched Liya back from you, then we'll talk. At that time, I'll thoroughly enjoy the look of a loser on your face."
"So you already know?" Muen blinked in surprise.
"Do you take me for an idiot?"
Ariel sneered, waved her hand, and walked away, wanting nothing more to do with him.
Muen watched her back and suddenly sighed softly, his smile fading. "I'm sorry."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I was the one who suggested to Celicia that you investigate this... but I didn't know Robin was actually..."
Muen finally understood why the conflict between Ariel and the Inner Council never erupted in the original story. With the previous King still alive, the Inner Council would never have stepped into the light.
And as long as they stayed in the shadows, Ariel was technically a member of the Inner Council herself, even if she didn't realize it.
"What does that have to do with you?"
Ariel paused and looked back. "I was the one who did the investigating. I was the one who chose not to cover it up. And Orlando was the one who did those things—maybe even the entire House Bugard. What does any of that have to do with you?"
"..."
Muen opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
Of course it had nothing to do with him. He really had just come to comfort her.
But in reality, those events didn't seem to have affected the Child of Destiny at all... or perhaps they had, but her mental fortitude allowed her to ignore the impact.
Right now, it seemed more important for her to figure out how to avoid eating black bread and return to a life of having chicken legs for every meal.
"Since it has nothing to do with you, don't act all hypocritical in front of me. Is this 'nice guy' act how you tricked Liya? Let me tell you, I, Ariel, have been a player in the field of love for years. I only like delicate little beauties; I won't be fooled by you."
"...Heh, fair enough."
Muen suddenly laughed and scratched his head. "I guess you don't need comforting after all."
"What do you mean I don't need it? You make it sound like I'm made of steel," Ariel rolled her eyes.
"I'm leaving."
"Goodbye."
"Tsk, don't act like we're old friends. I haven't forgotten what happened before."
Ariel pumped her fist aggressively. "Don't let me catch you slipping, or I'll show Liya what the right choice really is. I'm not giving up!"
"Alright, alright..."
Muen waved back helplessly.
It seemed he really needed to keep his distance from this Child of Destiny. If she ever found out that not only Liya, but even her future target, Celicia, was currently in a state of "passionate infidelity" with her so-called fiancé... she might actually try to kill him if she got the chance.
He still had to maintain a healthy respect for the power of a Protagonist.
"Oh, right."
To his surprise, Ariel, who was about to leave, suddenly turned back with a mischievous grin. "Since you were at least trying to be kind, let me give you a warning."
"About what?"
"You're in danger!"
Ariel pointed at Muen, making no effort to hide her schadenfreude. "Based on the information I've gathered, my 'dear father' isn't the type to take a loss lying down. To save House Bugard, he's very likely to make a move against you."
"Against me?"
Muen pointed at himself, looking puzzled. "Where are we? This is the imperial palace. Celicia... Her Majesty is still my fiancée. How is he going to move against me?"
Was he going to come over and drown him in spit? Or hide at home and draw circles to curse him to death?
"About that..."
Ariel was about to say something when her eyes flicked to the side, her smile widening. "It looks like they're already here."
The sound of rhythmic marching footsteps echoed. Muen frowned and looked over to see a squad of Royal Knights approaching.
"Muen Campbell! You are under arrest!"
The leading knight pulled out a document and held it up for Muen to see. His expression was grim, his voice ringing with authority.
"You have been reported for colluding with Evil Gods, bewitching the monarch, and debauchery in the inner palace! These are heinous crimes! Come with us!"
"Huh?"
Muen froze. "Colluding with Evil Gods?"
"What?"
Ariel, who had been ready to enjoy the show, was also stunned. "Debauchery in the inner palace?"
...