Chapter 47 – Blessing in Disguise

Arriving at his office in the morning, the Director of Palace Affairs saw the headline articles of two newspapers placed on his desk.

[Inquisitor Massacres Count Who Slaughtered Capital Citizens… Entire Empire ‘Shocked’ -Imperial Daily-]

[Does the Order Directly Challenge the Empire’s Jurisdiction… Rumors of a Declaration of War Emerge -Capital News-]

He did not bother to look into the content.

Because he knew exactly who the inquisitor mentioned in the articles was.

‘To think he would self-destruct like this.’

He had been constantly hearing about him from a subordinate planted in the Heresy Inquisition Bureau.

He had even heard that he was targeting the count recently, but he had doubted it.

Because he thought he wouldn’t be that much of a fool.

And yet…

A hollow laugh escaped him, to the point where he wanted to rebuke himself for thinking so.

‘He was a more foolish fellow than he looked. How could he, a lord who even commanded an autonomous territory…’

Count Gerard.

He possessed authority that was counted among the top in the empire, and commanded vast wealth and a wide territory.

Even the imperial family recognized his influence and paid special attention to him, to the point of attaching a Guard knight to him while he stayed in the capital.

Yet he massacred such a person for a truly ridiculous reason, merely because he slaughtered citizens.

Even if dozens or hundreds of imperial citizens were ground away, it was incomparable to the count’s life, and to think he did not know that.

‘Rather, this is for the best. With this, I can expel that eyesore of a fellow.’

The Director of Palace Affairs suddenly wondered about the face of the director, who could be called his backing.

Could he shield him even after knowing what he did?

Even if it were him, who had deep ties with the imperial family and various nobles, it seemed difficult.

Unexpectedly, it was a pleasant morning.

Knock, knock!

The sound of knocking was heard, and his private secretary announced someone’s visit.

It was Lucian, his subordinate and a heresy inquisitor.

“You’ve arrived.”

Vane welcomed him with a smile.

Because what news he would deliver was all too obvious.

On the other hand, Lucian’s expression was not very good.

“Your Excellency, have you heard the news?”

“I heard some idiot of a fellow massacred the count? No matter how guilty he was, for an inquisitor to lack such common sense…”

Before Lucian could say anything,

his words continued.

“It’s for the best. No matter how much the director, who would be second to none when it comes to shielding his own, tries, he won’t keep such a fellow around. If it were merely the order’s business, it might be different, but this is an act of directly challenging the empire’s authority. No matter how justified the crime was, a mere inquisitor who is not even an imperial judge massacred a count.”

Lucian was certain.

That he had only read the headlines of the articles.

“Your Excellency. Actually…”

“Why? Is there something else you want to say?”

“The young lady is involved.”

“What?”

If it was the young lady he spoke of, it was definitely his younger sister, born late in his parents’ lives.

The one who had grown up quietly without causing trouble even once until now.

As she was a sister who would soon marry and belong to another family, there was no reason to keep her in check, making her the only surviving relative.

“Aria?”

“Yes, the inquisitor said he would take responsibility for the matter, and the one who massacred the count was the young lady.”

The Director of Palace Affairs could not speak for a while.

“Aria killed the count? Not the inquisitor himself?”

“That… yes, indeed. It is an accurate fact without a shadow of a doubt. I have completed several verifications.”

The Director of Palace Affairs, whose expression sank heavily, sat down in the seat used for receptions.

Then, he pressed hard between his eyebrows.

“Why… did it turn out like that? She is not a child who would lack common sense and act that way just because that inquisitor ordered it. She is not that much of a fool.”

“Regarding that, I also don’t…”

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped naturally.

He thought it was a good thing, but it turned into a problem that troubled even him.

“We must just cover up this matter.”

The massacring of the count had now become a story that was unwelcome to anyone.

The commander would not be able to say anything since he was his own member anyway, and he himself was in a position where he could not say anything since a family member was involved.

If the two most important figures in the order did not make an issue of it,

in the end, that incident would be kept silent within the order.

And if the empire made an issue of it, the position the order would take at this time was determined.

Because the order would never bow down under any circumstances.

“The only saving grace is that it is not the imperial family of the past. To think that foolish and incompetent Emperor fellow would be this helpful. If he had the sovereign power of the past, we would probably be trembling, but that is all in the past.”

Spilled milk.

He spun this in a positive direction.

“Rather, this is for the best. I must take this opportunity to establish discipline firmly. Making it known that if anyone gets on the bad side of the order, they won’t be safe. Even if that person is a count. How is my idea?”

Lucian bowed his head with a sly smile.

“Excellent. I dared not even think in that direction.”

“Indeed. This is the right way.”

“Before long, our authority will surpass the imperial family. Then it seems your authority, Your Excellency, will also rise along with it.”

A crisis is rather an opportunity.

Brightening up at the unexpected thought was only temporary, as his expression slowly sank.

“Call Aria. Tell her I have something to say.”

* * *

Upon the Director of Palace Affairs’ summons, Aria went to see him.

“Aria.”

“Yes, Brother.”

The Director of Palace Affairs looked at his younger sister, who sat in an orderly posture without disarray.

Although the sister’s habit, which deviated somewhat from form and could be called extreme, was an eyesore, other than that, everything was neat and she was a child who lacked nothing compared to daughters of other prestigious families.

“I did not know you would trouble me. I think this is the first time, isn’t it?”

“Is that so?”

Aria seemed to truly think of the matter as of no consequence.

“Do you even know what you committed yesterday?”

“Yes, I know. I killed His Excellency the Count, who slaughtered citizens, in the act. But I merely obeyed the order of my superior. Since I am a knight from the imperial army who follows orders strictly.”

Although there was nothing crooked in her answer, Vane frowned deeply, perhaps displeased by it.

“Just because it is an order doesn’t mean you must follow it. Furthermore, you can’t be ignorant of what it means to kill a count?”

Aria, who had been looking straight ahead without disarray, cast her gaze toward Vane.

“Are you trying to blame me right now?”

Although she was his younger sister and her age was extremely young compared to his,

that gaze was quite chilling.

“You hated being pointed out by anyone. That was why you liked remaining without disarray within discipline. That is my observation from watching you since you were young.”

“It is highly unpleasant that you, Brother, who know that well, are blaming me. From my standpoint, disobeying a superior’s order was a bigger problem. Disobedience is not a virtue an attendant should possess. Obey without thinking. That is what I learned in the military and in organizational society, though?”

Even the all-powerful Director of Palace Affairs had no choice but to back down a step in front of his bold younger sister.

“Right, so it was an order?”

“Yes, I obeyed the superior’s order. If there is a problem, call the Inquisitor who directed that work, not me.”

“The Inquisitor? Wasn’t he the one disputing that position with you until just recently?”

“Still, a superior is a superior.”

“Have you even acknowledged him?”

She responded with silence.

“Hmph, it seems he is more capable than he looks, seeing as you show him courtesy. I know you better than anyone. Your showing courtesy means you are acknowledging the opponent.”

This was also displeasing, but since she was his sister, Vane decided to hold his tongue.

“I will resolve that matter. I happen to have a good idea, so it will flow in a good direction instead.”

“Is that for me? Or is it for you, Brother?”

“Both. You are my only sister. And as long as the Sanctum name is involved in that matter, I too won’t be able to escape that responsibility.”

She suddenly thought of him, who said he was targeting her brother.

“Brother. Since I came to visit, I also have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t you think the inheritance is excessively concentrated on you, Brother?”

“That talk again? How about just getting married instead? Twenty is just the right age, so I will arrange a matchmaking meeting for you. If you marry into a great family that is in no way inferior to our family’s assets, you will also be satisfied.”

“What if I refuse? I have no intention of getting married. And I would rather die than live together with a dirty man I do not acknowledge.”

“As a rule, there is a time for everything. Even if you miss the marriageable age, you would somehow marry because of the family’s influence, but to marry into a good family, you must keep the timing. It doesn’t work just by insisting on your stubbornness like that.”

“I will say this clearly here. I will not live as your political tool, Brother. If you plan to forcibly link me with someone, you had better reconsider that thought once again.”

“You should say that after meeting them first. Is it right to set it in stone from the very beginning like that?”

“You said you knew me well, right? The same goes for me. I also know you, Brother, better than anyone else in the world.”

Vane gave her an unpleasant look, but she ignored it and continued talking.

“You are someone who weighs your own gains and losses more than me, Brother. Naturally, you have absolutely no interest in my happiness. It is obvious you view me merely as a card that is useful to play.”

“Aria…”

“I don’t make empty promises. I have absolutely no intention of marrying the partner you arrange, Brother, and I think I must take back a portion of the inheritance concentrated on you.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, when have I ever made empty promises?”

A hollow laugh escaped him.

Why were the members of this family all in this shape and state, without exception?

In the end, this child was also not different at all from the siblings who had died before.

A heavy silence descended between the two, and Vane was lost in thoughts.

He felt it was a waste to throw her away, but one thing was certain: she was a family member and no one else, so the conclusion was reached that one cannot fool blood.

‘I intended to spare only you, but…’

“Fine. I will yield a little for your share.”

Without showing any delight, she responded with a cold gaze.

“I am not a person satisfied with a little. I want my rightful share. Fortunately, there are only the two of us, you and me.”

“I see. I shall think more about it. Oh, and.”

Vane stood up from his seat.

Then he went to his desk and brought an invitation.

It was for the violin concert to be held shortly.

“It is a concert hosted by this brother of yours. Since it is a gathering where various VIPs of the order will attend, you, as a Sanctum, must definitely attend, right?”

The invitation placed right before her eyes.

She also did not fail to understand what that meant.

She, who had shown no change in expression all along, smiled faintly for the first time.

“Yes, I will attend. If this is your will, Brother, I must go.”

Of course, her subsequent expression was slowly sinking.

* * *

The director’s office he visited after receiving a summons.

The director was showing his back, looking out the window.

“Did you call for me?”

He could guess the reason for his summons roughly.

It was probably because of the count.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes, I came immediately upon hearing that you called.”

“Do you know why I called?”

“Yes, I know.”

Several days had passed since the count’s death.

During that time, various stories were exchanged within the order, and the same was true outside the order.

“Your superior must be away on a trip right now.”

“Yes, Inquisitor Ludrick has not returned yet.”

“Probably, if Ludrick had been there at that time, he would have stopped you. He surely would have. Since he is that kind of person.”

“Even if he had, my judgment would not have been different.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

A steadfast appearance.

Smiling faintly, the director continued.

“I called you directly because there was no one to convey my words. Since I felt I should tell you the story that was finalized among ourselves.”

He turned around.

His expression was neither heavy nor light.

“Even if you had massacred any believer without guilt, I would not have called you to this place. It might vary depending on who it is, but even if it were a bishop, I wouldn’t have called you. Because that is precisely the power our inquisitors possess and their natural right.”

Rashid stood proudly and listened carefully to his words.

“The discussion is finished. The order has decided to commend your judgment as a righteous decision. Simply put, it means you did well in killing the count.”

He had expected to some extent that the order would not make an issue of his action, but to think they would even commend it.

“Is that so? I didn’t know you would go as far as commending me.”

“Hearing it at first, it might not make sense. Since it is natural to scold you, yet why even commend you.”

“No. I have a rough idea of the reason. Is it because of the order’s authority?”

To think he recognized it accurately.

Just looking at his scheme of cleaving the count while involving even the Sanctum family, he was a very clever fellow.

“You know it well. The order is viewing this matter as an opportunity. There was even talk of re-establishing our authority, which had been suppressed by the imperial family. It means putting our authority above the imperial family.”

“I see.”

The corners of Rashid’s mouth curved minutely.

Since the matter he worried about turned out well instead, it was a natural reaction.

“Regarding this matter, the order’s stance is firm. Whatever the empire and the imperial family’s position may be, they will unconditionally cover for you. It means openly protecting you. That’s why they decided to commend you, and the same goes for me. No matter what they say outside, I will protect you. Since we have already agreed to do so.”

His words continued.

“And since we decided to commend your work, I will also reward you with a promotion. A formal promotion, that is.”

“If you say it is a formal promotion?”

“You will continue to work under Inquisitor Ludrick, but your title is now Chief Inquisitor.”

Just like that?

“Thank you.”

“It is extremely rare for a newly entered inquisitor to sit in the position of Chief Inquisitor without experience. But it was not entirely non-existent. Most representatively, there was Sir Varasha. As a war hero, she held the title of Chief Inquisitor as soon as she entered the Inquisition Bureau. Though in truth, I lured her in as Chief Inquisitor.”

His words continued.

“Still, learn the work more before you become independent. There is still much to learn, but since you are a Chief Inquisitor, you will receive appropriate treatment. Usually, it is not needed, but an official vehicle will also be provided.”

“Is that so? That is good. I was borrowing and riding the abbot’s vehicle anyway.”

“Oh, and the order naturally won’t make an issue of it, but we don’t know about the empire or other sides. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”