# 353
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353
“Hey, did you understand?”
Xian, who couldn’t wait, asked, and only then did Area’s answer come back.
[You said that Asuka was the son of Archduke Farnese and was actually a member of the royal family. I understand.]
Even though the word ‘royal family’ and Asuka do not go well together, I had already guessed that he might come from a great family.
Area’s tone was cold.
[Then you and Asuka will have no choice but to stay in the imperial palace for a while.]
It would be advantageous for Asuka to become a member of the imperial family. If he is recognized as the son of Archduke Farnese, Helmut will have a powerful ally.
Sian also thought the same thing.
“If only he changed his mind, it would be better for everyone.”
In any case, none of them seemed to respect Asuka’s opinion or value her happiness.
[You should be more careful. I don’t know how much Archduke Farnese might know. This is a matter that he cannot decide rashly. Just because Asuka wants to help Helmut doesn’t mean he can move the empire. Archduke Farnese is the emperor’s younger brother, not the emperor.]
Moreover, to be precise, Archduke Farnese was the type to make his own decisions and let Asuka follow.
No matter how hard Asuka insisted, there was a strong possibility that he would not listen.
[Furthermore, the empire is quite close to the temple. It is said that things have changed a bit under this emperor, but there are many believers within the empire.]
Area has researched in advance the countries that have collusive relationships with the temple. The Empire was one of them.
However, the temple has been making meticulous efforts to increase its influence in the empire. One of those efforts was to intervene in the dispute over succession rights.
They worked hard behind the scenes to place on the throne another prince who was easier to manage than the current, smarter emperor.
It was a risk to restore power by being aware that their power was decreasing and giving more influence to the most powerful empire.
Because of that, the emperor of the current empire did not look kindly on the temple.
Because of the existing relationship and problems with the believers, even the empire cannot rashly pretend to be a temple.
After ascending the throne, the current emperor accepted the letter of friendship sent by the temple as a courtesy to the winner, but that was all.
Those who took power after fighting a fierce war for succession do not forget their opponents and those who helped them. The same goes for the emperor.
‘If I helped my enemy and felt good about it, I wouldn’t be human. And since the emperor is also human, we have no choice but to bet on that.’
Xian carefully lowered his voice and whispered.
“Indeed, the imperial wizard could overhear our conversation.”
[I am not you and they cannot overhear my conversation.]
While connected to Area, the surrounding waves become blurred.
There is no archmage among the imperial wizards, and Area is already close to the level of archmage.
It would be difficult for a wizard to break through the magic of a stronger wizard than me, so the situation that Xian was worried about would not happen.
“You did well.”
Xian clicked his tongue and asked.
“Okay, I don’t know where you went, but are things going well where you went? “What about Helmut?”
[…It’s going well.]
It was a slightly spaced answer. Xian narrowed his eyes.
“What’s the problem?”
[It’s not a problem, but it’s not over yet. What’s good? I’ll try to compile the information you gave me. If you learn anything else, please let me know.]
“Yes, you too…”
Xian’s signal was cut off one-sidedly. It was very strange that the conversation stopped right after I had said everything I wanted to say.
Xian was just disappointed that he couldn’t boast that he was now able to freely use the imperial library.
“It’s ambiguous that things are going well.”
It was a draft where I had no idea what was being planned or what was being prepared.
Of course, at the point when I was captured by the imperial palace, it seemed better not to know.
“Anyway, is Asuka adjusting well?”
Sian looked out the window and muttered. That was the only thing there was nothing to do.
*
At that time, Sabbat and Jerome, who had been captured by the Imperial Knights, were imprisoned along with those they had mobilized.
“Why on earth should we be caught!”
“Let’s hear the reason!”
Despite the vehement protests, the Imperial Knights paid no heed and no explanation was given. Nobles receive different punishments than commoners.
Unless it is a very serious crime, it does not occur to a noble to be imprisoned.
Therefore, the anxiety of Sabat and Jerome, who were unaware of something that did not happen often, grew.
There was a musty smell in the prison, and they had to look out the bars of their narrow prison cells like caged animals.
Sabbat and Jerome made a fuss by banging on the bars whenever the guard showed up.
If their family knew about this, they would be able to get out of here. With that kind of faith.
However, the guard showed no interest in them, and one of the prisoners spoke up.
“It’s so noisy.”
“It’s unlucky to get involved in something like this!”
One of those commissioned by Sabat spat. Sabat turned his head towards him. His eyes seemed burning.
“How dare you say something like that! “Have you forgotten who you hired?”
Then the atmosphere inside the prison quickly turned hostile.
“No, handsome young master, don’t you understand the situation right now?”
“I’m having a hard time with my life because of someone!”
“Yes, you said you would deal with one commoner! “Do you think we’re being held here because of a commoner chick?”
It’s no different from receiving a fraudulent contract.
The people here were carefully selected to catch Asuka. They were all talented people.
Even if you were a self-respecting Sabbat, you couldn’t help but flinch when you looked at those people with such deadly intent.
“Well, since you are nobles, you might not die. How can you get out? But what about us?”
“My life is ruined anyway, but I feel so unfair and resentful that I want to vent my anger.”
There are shackles on his hands that restrict his movements. In this situation, page size is absolutely advantageous.
In the first place, it cannot be said that Sabbat and Jerome are better than them.
One by one they stood up. If things continued like this, something really would happen.
Jerome shouted desperately as he hit the bars.
“Jailer: There’s a riot here! We are nobles! Are you going to let us die!”
A pounding noise echoed outside the prison. Soon the guard appeared. I wasn’t alone this time.
There was a member of the Imperial Knights who seemed to have a high status, and a number of soldiers. The imperial knight who glanced around the prison gave instructions.
“We are starting an investigation into them. “Take them out one by one!”
I had no idea how much time had passed since I was imprisoned. I couldn’t even sleep, let alone eat or drink.
Sabat Rugal finally sat down in the interrogation room. I was alone, away from Jerome.
No matter what crime he committed in the first place, he should have been sitting here. Not a prison. No, it doesn’t even make sense to be here.
After waiting for several hours, the imperial knight came in and sat in front of him.
His eyes were fierce as he crossed his legs and looked at him as if observing him.
Sabbat Rugal protested strongly to the imperial knight.
“Something is wrong with this. I am Sabat Rugal. He is a descendant of a renowned swordsman! “You can’t treat me like this!”
Sabat Rugal was infinitely proud. Even though I felt something was strange.
To him, Asuka is just an arrogant commoner who has to pay the price Helmut had to pay.
The fact that that wasn’t true and that Asuka might not be as commoner as he thought was ruled out of his mind from the beginning.
The imperial knight responded harshly.
“I also come from a prestigious sword school, and that’s not important in this situation. “Do you know the crime you committed?”
“What crime did I commit?”
“Conspiracy and attempt to assassinate the royal family.”
Only then did Sabat Rugal’s eyes shake. He stammered, “What is that? “How can you say I committed such a crime? That’s ridiculous!”
“It is not officially known, but the person you were targeting is a member of the royal family. You can’t just ignore it just because you didn’t know. “I don’t know if you really didn’t know.”
The imperial knight’s eyes were sharp. Sabbat Rugal’s lips trembled. It was a reality I could not accept.
Conspiracy and attempt to assassinate the royal family. This is enough to warrant capital punishment even for nobles.
No, not only that, but the family can also be held responsible.
It was a serious crime that could have resulted in Marquis Rugal being stripped of his title. Asuka is not just a member of the royal family, she is the only legitimate child of Archduke Farnese.
Coincidentally, the Marquis of Rugal did not have an amicable relationship with the current emperor.
Even though he was not active during the succession war in the past, he sided with the opposing side of the current emperor.
Because it was a very strong family and a prestigious swordsmanship that produced many excellent knights, the emperor did not take a big risk.
“Nonsense…”
Sabat Rugal muttered with a pale face. The driver unfolded the paper in his hand and showed it to him.
“Furthermore, Jerome Gott said that you were the one who initiated all of this and that he couldn’t overcome your polarity and joined in. “There is evidence.”
“That traitorous bastard left me with him!”
Sabbat Rugal was excited and pounded the desk with his handcuffs.
For some reason, he seemed to have come to him a little late, so he seemed to have interrogated Jerome first.
Jerome Goat can say that. Because Sabat Rugal hired talented people to punish Asuka.
Sabbat Rugal spoke as if holding on to a lifeline.
“Uh, in our family….”
“The story has already been told in the Marquis of Rugal. I heard that the Marquis was so fed up that he requested an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. “They are already waiting for lenient measures to be handed down.”
The imperial knight grinned. It was not a smile filled with kindness, but an expression that seemed to be ridiculing.
“I am also curious about how you live after being kicked out of your family and becoming a commoner. Of course, that would be the most generous treatment you could hope for.”
The imperial knight added leisurely and stood up.
Sabat Rugal could not capture him. He just sat there with a bewildered look on his face.
