Chapter 75 – Special Mission

-Do you wish to accept the main linked quest ‘Protect the Representative of the Golden Age Party’?

-This quest will be completed if the party representative survives longer than the master of the imperial family.

-Upon completion, ‘All Stats +1’ will be given as a reward.

-You have accepted it.

Rashid mentioned the points to be careful of.

Because the conversations so far were on the condition that the Emperor’s authority was not in effect.

“Commander. As I said earlier, His Majesty may not, but Her Highness may possess the power of authority. Please avoid face-to-face meetings as much as possible and talk only through magic communication. If you meet face-to-face, the situation may change.”

“I will keep that point in mind too. I was also implicitly concerned about it.”

“How about…… wearing the demon eye suppressor instead? Even if it cannot block all the power of authority, it will be of some help.”

The Commander shook his head.

“That is a rude thing. I will pretend I did not hear it.”

It seemed there was a separate etiquette for vampires.

“Then just be careful about face-to-face meetings.”

“I will do so.”

“And……”

Rashid trailed off his words for a moment, as if there was something he wanted to ask.

‘Originally, it would be right for me to step forward, but because I already chose Kaiser’s side, I have lost the opportunity. But there is a way. The two under me are competent.’

Rashid had an important goal.

It was to secure the imperial family’s treasures.

Although the Blood Sword was optional, the Immortal Heart was essential.

‘I must secure it by all means. Not only for its simple value, but because it must not fall into Zodiac’s hands.’

If they missed the Immortal Heart, the transmission of the evil god would become something they could not stop.

Therefore, the recovery of the Immortal Heart was an essential task.

“This is a personal request. I want to plant one Inquisitor and my subordinate in the imperial family’s side.”

“What does that mean?”

“It is exactly as it sounds. I have a subordinate Inquisitor, and a competent subordinate assistant. I want to plant them in the imperial family’s side, can you exert some influence, Commander?”

The Commander tilted his head.

“What is the reason? Surely…… you aren’t thinking of something bad, are you?”

“No. It’s not that, but unlike me, my subordinate Inquisitor is in a position to clearly support the imperial family.”

The Commander’s suspicion was still present.

“Why are you making such a request?”

“Wouldn’t it be troublesome if the Inquisition Bureau also had only one position? So I plan to have my subordinate support the imperial family’s side.”

Although he packaged it like that, in reality, the purpose was to recover the Immortal Heart by using his subordinate.

‘Subordinates are originally meant to be used.’

“As you know, Aria Sanctum is a noble. Nobles generally support the existing imperial system.”

The Commander asked.

“Did she request this?”

“That is not it. It is merely to make the appearance look good. The Heresy Inquisition Bureau is the strongest group in the Holy Order. It is a big risk for such a place to support only one side.”

His words continued.

“It will look good if the Inquisitors and the knights show a balanced support for the imperial family.”

Among the Inquisitors, there was no one who publicly declared support for the imperial family.

Furthermore, as he said, Aria Sanctum was of a distinguished noble family.

Although her relationship with the Director of Palace Affairs was not good, the Commander did not look upon his sister unfavorably either.

In any case, it was she who had killed the Director of Palace Affairs.

“The appearance…… would indeed be good.”

“If there is a reason, it is to send her to observe the movements of the imperial family. Originally, it is not our job, but in times like this, there is no harm in being careful.”

“Now I understand. Is it a measure taken out of concern for your safety?”

It was fortunate that he misunderstood it that way.

“In fact, that is the case. I am in a situation where my relationship with Her Highness the Princess is implicitly uncomfortable due to the matter of Kaiser. If I start supporting Kaiser publicly, I do not think Her Highness will stay still. It is for monitoring that.”

Rashid continued.

“Just introduce them. In any case, the chemistry will match well. Won’t the imperial family decide whether to accept her or not anyway?”

“Just introducing them is not that difficult. Rather, they might even like it over there.”

Conversely, the Commander worried about him.

“Currently, the person of the Holy Order whom the imperial family considers most troublesome is none other than you. If your direct subordinate goes to them, they will suspect first, but depending on the case, they might use it conversely.”

Rashid smiled lightly.

“Our relationship is quite close.”

* * *

Returning to his office, Rashid called Aria and Karl.

Then, he issued a special order.

At the ridiculous special order, she was the first to speak out.

“Did I hear correctly just now? You want us to infiltrate the imperial family?”

“Right. Please infiltrate the imperial family instead of me.”

Karl was quiet, and only Aria was filled with doubt.

“Is there a reason?”

“There is only one reason you are infiltrating the imperial family. There is a treasure called the Immortal Heart in the imperial family. You must secure that.”

“If it is the imperial family’s treasure…… is it not theft?”

A faint smile hung on Rashid’s mouth.

“Right. It is theft.”

She had an expression of not being able to understand.

“May I ask why you are interested in such a thing, Chief Inquisitor?”

“Are you questioning your superior’s order?”

“I am asking because it seems very far from what an Inquisitor should do. We aren’t in this position to steal the imperial family’s treasure, are we? I think a reasonable cause is necessary.”

Rashid asked Karl.

“Karl, what are your thoughts?”

Karl was exactly as Rashid expected.

“I will surely accomplish any mission.”

It was a mechanical answer, and a very good attitude.

“Karl is like that, but you indeed have a lot to say.”

She glared with a displeased gaze.

“I am merely curious about the reason.”

The reason?

It was to deter Zodiac and prevent the transmission of the evil god.

But he could not say that reason in this place.

“Can’t you just follow? I have my own reasons, which is why I am ordering it.”

“But why aren’t you doing it directly?”

“I spoke with the Commander too, but I plan to publicly support the Golden Age Party. Once I have made up my mind to support them, going near the imperial family is difficult.”

“Then isn’t it difficult for us, your subordinates, too?”

Rashid shook his head.

“Although my stance is clear, you don’t agree with the revolution or the Golden Age Party’s ideology at all, do you?”

She did not deny.

“Yes, I loathe it, to the point of despising it. I am in the position of thinking the existing system is better.”

“Since you are a noble, naturally you would.”

“But I have no intention of publicly declaring support like you, Chief Inquisitor. I am just watching.”

“No. You must support them. At least support the imperial family and approach their heart. The goal is one. The recovery of the Immortal Heart.”

“Is the reason still a secret?”

Rashid was unchanged.

“Right. It’s a secret. Don’t even try to know. Because it’s just an order.”

“Let’s do it this way then. Although I think of it as an unjust order. If there is something I gain, I am willing to respond to that order.”

“Something to gain? Was there something for you to take from me?”

“Yes, there is. I plan to surely take at least one thing.”

She continued in a somewhat serious tone.

“Once the mission is completed, please let me decide whether to remain under you, Chief Inquisitor. I am saying this because it seems you keep trying to push me away lately.”

She was a quick-witted woman.

“You knew.”

“I think you even went to the Director to speak about it, but no. I want to decide the place where I will be.”

Although he tried to detach her because she was a hard-to-handle blade.

She clung persistently and did not think of falling off.

“Do you want to remain under me that much?”

“Yes, at least I am sincere.”

“Then you can prove it this time. Infiltrate the imperial family and recover the Immortal Heart I mentioned. Then, as you said, I will let you, not me, decide whether to be in that position.”

Only then did she show a smile.

“Yes, I will bring it to you. I do not know what you will use it for, but that is not for me to interfere with. I will surely bring it to you.”

“Karl, you go and help her too. It will be difficult alone.”

She showed confidence.

“I can go alone.”

“No. Karl will be needed. Because Karl is also competent.”

As expected, Karl had no hesitation.

“I will assist Deputy Inquisitor Aria and surely accomplish it.”

Before entering the mission.

Rashid gave her something like advice.

“Ah, if possible, it would be better to take a demon eye suppressor.”

“A demon eye suppressor?”

“The Emperor may not matter, but you must be careful of the princess. Because she may possess the authority that the Emperor lacks.”

It was an artifact that sealed the power of the demonic eye.

There were various forms, but most were in the form of glasses, like the one Kaiser was wearing.

Since she usually wore glasses, her contemplation was not long.

“I can just change my glasses. Since I always wear them.”

“And……”

Surely, if she went as a subordinate, the imperial family would suspect first.

This would be troublesome.

“Become a Chief Inquisitor. That will be better.”

She could understand the reason.

“You are always sincere in everything, Chief Inquisitor. I understand. Let’s do that.”

“The Director said so. That you blocked the promotion when you were about to be promoted.”

“Yes, because I thought you would kick me out.”

“I won’t kick you out, so it will be better to change your title to Chief Inquisitor. Because that will be better for performing the mission.”

If she went with the title of a subordinate, the imperial family would naturally show a rejection reaction.

But if she went as an Inquisitor with the same title, they might show a different reaction.

In any case, the princess considered him an eyesore.

“Act naturally as if you fell out with me. Whether they believe it or not is for them to decide, but depending on the acting, the mission will become easier.”

She spoke flatly.

“They won’t believe it anyway. I will just stand on the imperial family’s side from the position of defending the imperial family. The Golden Age Party’s ideology does not fit me.”

“That would be better.”

Thinking of the future, she also said this.

“Even if the title becomes the same, I plan to continue serving you, Chief Inquisitor, as my superior. Instead, if that thought weakens or disappears, I will become independent then.”

Honestly speaking.

If she fell off on her own, nothing would be as thankful as that.

I’d be more than glad.

“Do so. Do you have anything more to ask?”

She, who still did not leave her seat, opened her mouth.

“But in the meantime, what do you plan to do, Chief Inquisitor? Surely you aren’t going to play here while only putting us to work?”

“I have my own work to do.”

To the imperial family possessing two treasures, various flies would cling.

Could Kaiser not know this?

‘That Kaiser fellow must have prepared something too.’

He might hold something comparable to the imperial family’s treasures.

What that was would only be known by going and seeing, but.

At least they had to prevent the scale from tilting too much toward the imperial family.

“While you are suffering there, I will keep moving on the Golden Age Party’s side. We won’t see each other’s faces for the time being. Bury any yearning in your heart, and just accomplish the mission with a death-defying determination.”

“Yes.”

With a short answer, she left.

It was now his turn to move.

‘Time to go extort some money.’

What kind of treasure Kaiser would hold against the imperial family’s treasures.

Rashid was implicitly looking forward to it.

‘What does he have? He should at least hold something comparable to the imperial family’s treasures.’