Chapter 48 – Hidden Secret

The director, pausing for a moment, reluctantly broke the silence.

“I have said my piece, but there is one thing I would like to ask you.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Even though the matter turned out this way. Did you really… have to kill the count? I am asking this purely out of curiosity.”

What would be a good answer?

While Rashid was pondering, the director’s words continued.

“That the count possessed such a morbid hobby was something I also learned only after the incident broke out. Of course there are many problems, and I don’t understand it either. However, that does not become a reason to kill the count.”

In any case, he was an inquisitor.

He was not an investigator or a judge of the empire.

“I do not think you committed that act looking this far ahead. Was there by any chance some reason that I do not know of?”

Prior to answering,

Rashid happened to spot the invitation sitting on his desk.

“Were you also invited to the concert, Director?”

What a way to answer a question with a question.

“The Director of Palace Affairs recommended it. She plays the only sacred sound under heaven, right?”

“Are you going to attend?”

“Is there any reason to refuse? It is a gathering where quite a few VIPs other than myself were invited. I understand quite a few inquisitors were also invited, but are you not?”

Although the majority invited to the concert, including the director, probably had no particular thoughts,

the Director of Palace Affairs held an extremely dangerous thought.

Because he intended to clean out all those who were either his political rivals or would pose a threat to him all at once through that concert.

Of course, the host, the Director of Palace Affairs, would also take a hit to some extent due to that matter, but

what if there was no one left to say anything to him?

“If you keep it a secret, I think I can tell you why I targeted the count.”

“Tell me. I will surely keep the secret.”

Director Walter.

He was not originally a person who would remain in his position until the end.

If the Sonata of World Demise succeeded, the one taking over his position would be Lucian, the Chief Inquisitor and a minion of the Director of Palace Affairs.

Even if the Sonata of World Demise failed, his position would still be taken by Lucian.

That was how steadily the Director of Palace Affairs and Lucian had been preparing to eliminate him since long ago.

‘There is a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’

In order to win him over, Rashid decided to inform him of that matter, which had been a secret until now.

“The count was Seraphine’s sponsor. Seraphine Arpeggia, she is an enemy of the order whom I have been tracking since long ago. Actually, massacring the count was an unavoidable decision because he was her sponsor. Because as long as he was around, I could not touch Seraphine.”

“Seraphine Arpeggia?”

The director narrowed his eyes.

“Isn’t she the protagonist of the concert?”

“Yes, she is a violinist quite famous in the count’s autonomous territory and was in a deep relationship with the count.”

“Even if they were lovers, isn’t she just a mere violinist? You dealt with the count first just to catch a single violinist?”

“At a glance, she might not seem as important as the count. But in reality, she is the shadow power behind the scenes who manipulates the count. Although it is not known, it was all largely thanks to her help that Count Gerard came to enjoy that level of power.”

Rashid’s words continued.

“She is a performer who manipulates people with music as a weapon. People’s senses, emotions, and even nerves. A person exposed to her performance cannot escape her control. She has used her power to eliminate elements that could pose a threat to the count, and thanks to that, the count came to enjoy that level of power.”

“Was there such a thing?”

“Virtually, Count Gerard was nothing more than a shield for her. So the count was not very important to me, and the truly important one was she who commanded from behind the scenes. And she will definitely be a harm to the order.”

“Why do you think she will be a harm to the order? Is there a reason I do not know of?”

Rashid told him her story, which was entangled with the Director of Palace Affairs.

Having heard the story, the director reacted.

“If so, what is this concert? I understand it was hosted by the Director of Palace Affairs?”

“He probably hosted it knowing that.”

“Surely you aren’t telling me such an absurd story that the Director of Palace Affairs gathered the members of the order in one place to kill them with her musical talent?”

“At least, that is how I see it. And this must be kept completely secret until the day of the concert.”

Since he was not a person to talk nonsense, the director also seemed half-believing.

“I don’t understand. Although that Director of Palace Affairs is greedy, he is not that out of line. To gather members of the order like us in one place and eliminate us all?”

“Even if everyone is gathered, those who share their will with the Director of Palace Affairs will probably survive that concert. They would have planned it that way, and unless there is a countermeasure, we will be helplessly victimized by Seraphine. Because her performance is special and normally difficult to defend against.”

“…”

“If there is the magic called Silent Barrier, it will probably be safe. But as you know, members of the order are not familiar with magic. Furthermore, the Silent Barrier is an unpopular and non-mainstream magic even for mages. If her performance begins in a gathering where mages are assembled, almost the majority of them won’t be able to respond.”

“Then shouldn’t we stop the concert?”

At those words, Rashid shook his head.

“That won’t do. Since I know and am preparing, the major disaster you worry about probably won’t happen. What I am saying is that at least the worst-case scenario where the attending VIPs die won’t occur.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I know her performance well. The Sonata of World Demise she will play is a symphony composed of a total of four parts. As long as Part 3 is not performed, there won’t be any danger to lives.”

The director showed a figure of agonizing.

“Did asking to keep it secret mean you had no intention of stopping the concert in the first place?”

“Yes. If he senses anything, the Director of Palace Affairs will cancel the concert. Then nothing will happen. If that happens, the opportunity to catch Seraphine will also vanish, and we won’t be able to catch the Director of Palace Affairs either.”

“You were targeting the Director of Palace Affairs as well.”

“I intend to target both Seraphine and the Director of Palace Affairs at the upcoming concert. I ask for your cooperation, Director.”

Turning toward the window, the director placed his hands behind his back and did not speak for a while.

He must be agonizing.

It was not very long before he finished his thoughts and opened his mouth.

“Honestly, I cannot believe your words. Especially that the Director of Palace Affairs is plotting such a thing is a great shock to me too. But there is no way you would talk nonsense, so if that is really the case… it will be necessary to watch if it turns out that way. Since I also need certainty.”

“You must absolutely keep it secret. If there is a major change in the attendees or a strange sign appears, the concert itself might be canceled. Right now, even response is possible, but if the Director of Palace Affairs attacks in another way later, we might not even be able to respond then.”

“If the secret is that important, was there a need to tell even me? Since there seems to be nothing for me to do anyway.”

Everything was to win him over.

Currently, Lucian’s background investigation was starting in secret.

When the time came, he would step forward to attack him.

But if the director shielded him reliably, he would be able to ignore someone like Lucian, who was annoyingly clinging to him.

“That matter is merely a skirmish with the Director of Palace Affairs. Even if a problem arises with the concert, the Director of Palace Affairs won’t collapse all at once. I need your protection, Director, in the fight that will follow later.”

“The Director of Palace Affairs…”

The influential figure of the order.

He was someone whose influence in the order was definitely far superior to his own.

The fight with him would be something even he, as the director, must be cautious about.

“First, I will watch while pretending not to know. As I said, it is a matter where I also need certainty. But if the Director of Palace Affairs is indeed such a person as you say… then I will protect you at that time. Since it will be difficult with your strength alone.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way, isn’t your attendant the Director of Palace Affairs’ younger sister?”

“That’s correct, but the relationship between the two is not that deep. Family asset issues seem to be entangled. Thus, I am not being too wary and am just watching for now. Perhaps she will be of help to me.”

“Is that so? Then there won’t be any need to deploy her elsewhere.”

“Rather, if it is an enemy, it is better to keep them close. I am monitoring her well, so you do not have to worry too much.”

The matter of killing the count.

The promotion was not limited to him.

Having heard his words, the director also delivered these words.

“First, we must promote her. Convey it to your attendant. Congratulations on becoming an inquisitor.”

It was a joint promotion.

* * *

Arriving at his office in the morning, Rashid saw numerous congratulatory wreaths filling the corridor outside the office and even the stairs going up and down the building.

There were some of his own, but most were wreaths congratulating her appointment.

‘There is simply no comparison with me. Is she indeed the Director of Palace Affairs’ sister?’

They were wreaths that made him feel the Director of Palace Affairs’ influence within the order anew.

Rashid, who was about to glance over them and enter, happened to find one not-so-welcome wreath among those sent to him.

[Congratulations on becoming Chief Inquisitor]

[Wolfgang Kaiser, Representative of the Golden Age Party]

“…”

His name clearly written on the wreath was quite bothersome.

Since he was not even a member of that party and meeting him a mere two times was all there was.

How did this tactless fellow know he had become Chief Inquisitor and even send a congratulatory wreath?

‘I should throw this away.’

Stepping inside the office, Rashid came face-to-face with his subordinate employee who had arrived at the outer office in advance.

“…”

Why did she feel exceptionally unfamiliar today?

Was it because of her attire, which was different from usual?

Just as every time,

she was the one who offered greetings first.

“Good morning, Chief Inquisitor.”

As usual, she welcomed Rashid with extremely formal greetings.

Still, he should greet her.

“Congratulations, Inquisitor Aria. If you have nothing to do, I would like you to go outside and clear away one wreath.”

“Did you say a wreath just now?”

“There must be one sent by the Golden Age Party there. Clear it away.”

She pondered briefly, then soon complied.

“Yes, since I am still in the role of an attendant.”

Clad in the inquisitor uniform, she went outside, and Rashid entered his room and checked the nameplate.

Chief Inquisitor Rashid Preston.

‘Chief Inquisitor…’

Smiling slightly, he sat down, and after a moment, she, who had handled the matter, visited him.

“There is someone who requested to meet you today, Chief Inquisitor. Will you meet them?”

“Who is that?”

“It is the person you just asked me to clear away, Chief Inquisitor.”

“…”

“They said they know your hidden secret, Chief Inquisitor. Should I just ignore them?”

Pondering briefly, Rashid reluctantly complied.

Although it was not very pleasant, as long as there were no uncomfortable gazes or misunderstandings, he was someone there was no harm in meeting.

* * *

“Thank you for sparing your precious time.”

Rashid sat facing Kaiser, who was in a different attire than before, at a cafe in front of the Inquisition Bureau.

He had the posture of a young noble carrying a refined cane and wearing a monocle.

It was the typical appearance of Kaiser, but the face was different from the one he knew.

“How did you know I became Chief Inquisitor?”

“There is nothing that cannot be found with the intelligence power possessed by our party. You are still residing at the monastery, right?”

“You know all sorts of things. Well, the number of registered party members must not be small. Is that also the intelligence power of the members?”

“Yes, you can view it that way. In any case, congratulations, Chief Inquisitor.”

It was absurd, but more than that, he was curious about his purpose in visiting him.

Quietly chewing over it, Rashid broke the silence.

“Honestly, meeting you like this is not very welcome. Since I also have eyes on me now.”

“I know. But is there anything that would be a big problem just because we are acquaintances?”

“You aren’t saying that because you are ignorant of the things you go around doing, right?”

“I heard you are close with the commander here. Is it perhaps because of that?”

“You know it well. Even setting that aside, you have many problematic things, don’t you? Rather, what is the reason you came to see me?”