Chapter 41 – Grand Mansion

Fitting for a count who ruled over an autonomous territory,

the scale of the grand mansion was not small, matching the size of the garden complete with a fountain.

The main building, situated on a flat land, consisted of grayish-white stone and a blue roof, and was characterized by classical columns and high arched windows.

The interior was orderly arranged with a wide entrance hall covered in red carpet, gallery-style corridors continuing along the stairs, a reception room for welcoming guests, and several multi-purpose spaces.

While the exterior was restrained, the ancient dignity and authority of a prestigious imperial family were revealed in every single decoration and structure, and particularly, as if they were sincere about art, numerous artworks extending from the garden captured the attention of visitors.

Arriving at the main building in a vehicle, Rashid and Aria passed through the entrance hall and arrived at the reception room under the guidance of the welcoming butler.

“Please wait a moment. His Excellency the Count will be here shortly.”

The butler guided Rashid to the tea table and began quickly ordering the servants around.

While waiting for the count,

Aria swept her gaze across the classical interior and offered a brief comment.

“There are quite a lot of artworks. As if he is sincere about it.”

“Why don’t you sit here too? You can sit, right? It seems your brother knows him too.”

Seats were plentiful, and she was also someone who was fully suited to sit.

Because she, too, was the daughter of a prestigious family.

But she refused.

“No. I will just stand, since I am an attendant. And I do not know the count. It is only my brother who knows him.”

There was no need to force her when she insisted on standing.

Soon, the count appeared, accompanied by two figures.

One could be easily predicted, but the remaining one was someone even Rashid did not predict at all.

‘Ryden?’

Ryden Pathfinder.

He was an imperial hero belonging to the Imperial Guard, a figure treated as a major named character in this world.

‘Is he attached for the count’s escort?’

Originally, the count was not a resident of the capital, so for his protection, the imperial family seemed to have treated him with special hospitality by dispatching even an elite knight from the Imperial Guard.

A handsome knight with blond hair and golden eyes.

He had participated in the war with the allied nations, known as the Grey Morning, and earned the title of hero at the young age of nineteen.

Currently, he was one of the two swords representing the empire.

‘To think I would meet him here.’

Ryden was lightly armed with a sword, dressed in the red uniform symbolizing the Imperial Guard.

The count reacted.

“Here you were. I ended up being late due to taking a walk with my companion. I ask for your generous understanding, Inquisitor.”

The remaining person brought by the count was Seraphine Arpeggia, whom he claimed to sponsor.

She was a silver-haired violinist and a Lazarus villain.

‘Long time no see, Seraphine.’

The protagonist who would before long perform the Sonata of World Demise.

Although currently hidden behind the count, she was the key figure Rashid was targeting.

Because among them, the main body was indeed her.

“Aria?”

Ryden, who followed the count, recognized Aria who was with Rashid.

Aria also gave a formal greeting with a dry expression.

“Senior, it’s been a long time.”

“Didn’t you become a knight? What is that outfit? Did you suddenly become a sister?”

“I came in the role of an attendant assisting the inquisitor here.”

“An attendant? You?”

Both had been senior and junior when they were at the academy.

Furthermore, they were comrades who fought in the same war.

Since it could not be said that they lacked intimacy, there were many things to ask, but because he was not the protagonist of the gathering, Ryden held his tongue.

In the meantime,

the count, keeping Seraphine behind him like a folding screen, sat facing Rashid across the tea table.

Gerard was a man with a fairly large build and a sturdy body.

“To think an inquisitor would ask to see me. It seems the amount I sponsor to the order was smaller than expected.”

To the words thrown jokingly with a laugh,

Rashid also replied lightly.

“It seems so, if it was enough to make me visit.”

“More importantly, what brings you here? I heard the story, but is it a matter that is so related to you, Inquisitor?”

Before Rashid could even continue, the servants brought over tea.

It was a red tea, and the count introduced it lightly.

“It is the specialty black tea of our autonomous territory. Its aroma and taste can dare compare to art. I absolutely never deal with anything that is not an artwork.”

That damn art.

Smiling bitterly, Rashid picked up the teacup and lightly savored the aroma.

It certainly did not seem to be a bluff.

“The aroma is very nice. Even without drinking, I can feel its sweetness spreading within.”

Gerard, wearing satisfaction, looked at a completely different place and continued.

“I heard there was an unpleasant incident in the capital.”

“Yes, I happen to be on my way back from that scene.”

“But why did you come to see me? It must be a matter that has absolutely nothing to do with me.”

“Do you truly believe it is unrelated?”

Gerard laughed lightly.

“You are just like them, Inquisitor. It brings to mind those foolish investigators who drove me as the culprit the entire time. They probably didn’t live out their natural lifespans. I don’t know the reason, though.”

“The form of the gory incident was extremely similar. Probably anyone with even a slight interest in that incident would have thought of you first, Your Excellency. Since you have a history of being on the suspect list multiple times.”

“Is that so?”

‘What is this guy?’

The count had that thought first.

“By the way, is this our first meeting?”

“Yes, it is our first meeting. Have we met before?”

“Although it is our first meeting, you know me very well. I don’t know you, though.”

“How could I not know someone who even commands an autonomous territory? I have long heard of Your Excellency’s reputation.”

Perhaps because he disliked trivial conversation,

the count asked point-blank.

“Speak frankly. What is it that you want, Inquisitor? I believe you must definitely want something.”

Rashid glanced at Ryden, who was positioned nearby.

‘To think he would be here.’

Ryden himself was not an enemy.

Since in terms of progress, he was an ally who was quite friendly to the player.

However, if he caused trouble here, that monster would turn into an enemy.

Because in any case, Ryden was a Guard knight attached as the count’s escort.

‘There were so many variables that I couldn’t predict it, but anyway, I didn’t come here to do anything.’

The purpose of Rashid’s visit was simple.

It was to lightly provoke him and to obtain the related quest.

Since if he came this far, the quest that had been quiet until now would definitely pop up.

‘This damn quest window is truly unpredictable. In the past, there was a lot of talk about bugs and whatnot.’

Sure enough,

fortunately, there was a message window rising in Rashid’s field of vision.

– Do you wish to accept the main quest, ‘Owner of the Gory Artwork’?

– Upon completion, ‘Sense +1’ will be given as a reward.

A main quest, no less.

While it was a natural thing since it was related to a Lazarus villain,

the thing that was slightly bothersome was its reward.

‘Is it Sense?’

What he needed was the Magic stat.

Since Sense was already sufficient.

Of course, it would be good if the value rose further, but what was immediately urgent was indeed Magic.

‘It can’t be helped. If I want to force the reward toward Magic, I have no choice but to dig into the Magic Tower or demons.’

Although the reward he would obtain right now was Sense,

Rashid did not seem to worry greatly.

The Sense reward was merely the beginning.

The main quest would continue to connect until he killed Seraphine, whom he was targeting, and the reward he would reach at the end was…

‘All Stats.’

A reward even better than individual stat rewards was precisely All Stats.

Especially regarding Lazarus villains, it was a reward that definitely popped up.

‘Because getting All Stats is no different from obtaining the Magic stat anyway.’

Wearing a smile, Rashid responded.

“I merely came as a warning. Because the unpleasant incidents that occurred in your autonomous territory, Count, somehow seem to be happening in the capital in the exact same way. And it happened to overlap with the timing of your visit, Count.”

The count let out a faint laugh, as if it was absurd.

“You are indeed very interested in me. I don’t know the reason, though. I believe you wouldn’t have come to see me for just such a reason. Is it really for that reason?”

“It is really for that reason. And on the side, also to get to drink this tea.”

He held up the black tea.

Though he only smelled the aroma, of course.

‘If I provoke him moderately, he will get competitive and won’t lay low. Rather, he will go around leaving evidence as if to mock me. “Catch me if you can,” something like that.’

In normal cases, one would lay low,

but that was a statement made without knowing the count.

He was bold, as if knowing no fear, and rather had a temperament of enjoying playing with the investigators.

‘His status is his status, but anyway, until now, it must have been a perfect crime.’

And the number-one contributor to that was precisely her, standing behind the count.

It was Seraphine.

As much as the count,

Seraphine, who was guarding against Rashid, stood like a folding screen and then took a step forward.

“Pardon my intrusion, but I will say a word. Inquisitor, the atmosphere seems excessively stiff… If you are not busy, would it be alright if I ease the tension with my performance for a moment?”

At this, the count raised his hand to stop her.

It was a signal not to interfere.

Instead, the count showed a good-natured smile.

“I understand perfectly. Everyone talks like that. Saying there is no reason. Saying they don’t want anything. I know it is all courtesy.”

Rashid held his tongue, and the count merely smiled, perhaps having his own thoughts.

“I will take care of it myself. I am sure you will also be pleased, Inquisitor.”

‘What is it?’

Was he going to send a bribe or something?

Whatever else it was, the reason he stopped Seraphine was firm.

Probably Seraphine wanted to dispose of him here.

Since she would have regarded him as just a cumbersome obstacle.

However, the count seemed to have a different thought.

“Oh, and. The music of her, whom I sponsor, can dare compare to the sacred sound descending from heaven. I don’t think it is something to play for you in a place like this, Inquisitor. Since a violin concert will be held shortly at the Basilica Choral Dome, how about you also attend and listen at that time? I am sure you will be pleased.”

“Is it an invitation?”

“Yes. Although the hosting itself is done by His Excellency the Director of Palace Affairs, as you can see, I have the performer with me, so it can be said that I am also involved. I cordially invite you. How about it?”

The count also added these words so he would not refuse.

“I heard it is a gathering where many VIPs, including those from the order, will attend. If you attend too, Inquisitor, it will definitely be helpful.”

To think he would set a trap like this.

Although it was a trap he would have fallen into if he hadn’t known,

that was out of the question.

‘Still, I have to pretend to accept. Since that woman, Seraphine, was planning to target me here.’

“If you say so, I must definitely attend.”

As the count signaled, one of the servants brought an invitation.

“This is an invitation from me. Since I am also an involved party and was allocated several good seats, I will give one of those seats to you, Inquisitor.”

Although he would throw it into the trash can anyway,

Rashid, accepting it for form’s sake, wrapped up the meeting.

“Since it seems we have nothing more to discuss, I should leave now, Count. Do not forget what I said. I gave you a clear warning.”

The count only showed a provocative smile without an answer.

Seeing that smile, Rashid thought to himself.

‘He won’t stop. He is probably confident that he won’t get caught. But that is your delusion.’

If one knew the countermeasure,

all one had to do was go and target Gerard.

‘Ryden won’t be there at that time either. Since he won’t do such a crazy thing while bringing along an escort who has kept his sanity intact.’

Once the meeting ended,

Rashid and Aria came out of the mansion under the guidance of Ryden, the count’s escort knight.

Outside, a vehicle was waiting, and before boarding the vehicle,

Rashid spoke to Ryden first.

“I meet the hero of the empire here. Earlier, I couldn’t speak to you because I was paying attention to the count.”

“Do you know me?”

“How could I not know? Ryden Pathfinder. The hero who saved the empire from the Grey Morning.”

When Rashid offered a handshake, Ryden did not refuse.

Rashid’s words continued.

“We won’t see each other often, but it won’t be bad to know each other.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Ryden.

To be precise, he was a figure heavily associated with Kaiser.

In the first place, the main narrative of the game, which served as the foundation of this world, was a story unfolding amidst the chaos of the transition period from an autocratic state to a republic.

‘Players usually had to make a choice. Kaiser, who walked the path of a dictator through a republic, and the Emperor, who wished to restore the authority of the imperial family. You had to choose one of the two.’

The funny thing was,

both of them were villains.

Kaiser, the iron-blooded dictator who accomplished everything from massacres to grand purges.

The Blood Empress, who opened the era of absolute reign of terror to regain past glory.

‘Probably, whichever one you chose, millions of people would be ground away.’

As for which of them to choose,

Rashid had also firmed up his mind to some extent.

‘It is right to go according to the route of the ending I saw.’