Episode 164. The Approaching End (4)
“I had a lot of fun coming here, but now I feel frustrated.”
Chloe looks out the window with a sour expression. The Imperial Army troops protecting her, an Imperial noble, have doubled, if not tripled, compared to before.
Given the size of the force alone, it seemed possible that even if they advanced immediately to Capotini, the city could be taken in two or three hours.
“Captain of the Guard.”
When Chloe turned her head, there stood the Imperial officer in charge of guarding her quarters.
“With this many troops, wouldn’t it be better to send them to schools and cities? It seems a bit inefficient.”
The captain shook his head.
“That cannot be, my lady. The Imperial Army currently finds no need to deploy troops other than to protect the Imperial nobility.”
“Who decides what that necessity is?”
Silence. Rather than being rude, it was more like she had no right to answer. Chloe let out a deep sigh so everyone could hear.
“Then how is the school secured?”
“Capotini is a city belonging to the Kingdom of Nice. Therefore, it is said that the soldiers of the Kingdom of Nice have strengthened the city’s security. Also, the school has its own security posture with professors.”
“Anyway, the military city won’t send any troops other than those needed to protect me?”
“Yes.”
Since completing the empire, Lilic has been building ‘military cities’ in each kingdom’s territory.
The military city was the check and balance of the empire that controlled each kingdom. The newly reinforced imperial troops in Chloe’s residence were also from the nearest military city.
“There must be a proper purpose for sending troops to a military base.”
“If it is for a good purpose?”
“In addition to protecting the imperial nobility as it is now, its purpose is to expel rebels and guide the kingdom.”
This was a perfect example of a sortie situation.
“… Phew, I see. It would be better if the city was guarded by the royal army.”
After that, the captain of the guard politely greeted them and left the reception room. Celesne, who had been watching the conversation between the two, approached Chloe.
“It can’t be helped, my lady. You are more important to them than the royalty here in Nice.”
“I know, I know. Whoever killed the professor won’t be able to come near here. Of course, he didn’t intend to come in the first place.”
“That’s something I don’t know, miss.”
“Is it possible that this level of security could be breached?”
That wasn’t what it meant. Even to Celesne, the reinforced security system was perfect. It wasn’t just about increasing the number of soldiers.
Considering that the killer was a 5-star warrior, soldiers of a level that could stand against him were also on standby.
“That’s not what I’m saying. Even a five-star drone wouldn’t be able to get through this guard and target the young lady.”
Was it only a 5-star unmanned unit? Even if it was a higher level unit, it was nearly impossible to break through this security system.
“Then what do you mean you don’t know?”
“wait a minute.”
Celesne looked around. She was checking the condition of the soundproof curtain. After making sure that the conversation wouldn’t leak out, she opened her mouth again.
“That was the murderer’s intention.”
“That unmanned vehicle could be targeting me?”
“Maybe.”
“Then why did you kill Professor Kaizen?”
Celesne checked the soundproofing again. Chloe scratched her cheek. She thought she knew what the real purpose of this conversation was.
‘You’re trying to tell a story about Per.’
Per. The real reason Chloe came to Capotini. Witherspoon’s father’s order was to protect Per.
But why is that connected to Professor Kaizen’s murderer?
‘Oh! No way?’
“The guy who killed the professor has something to do with Per?”
As the name Per was pronounced, Celesne’s sharp eyes turned to the surroundings again.
The high-dimensional soundproofing was perfect, and the security forces surrounding the mansion were also strong. However, the weight of the secret was not light, so it was inevitable to be cautious.
“Who was Professor Kaizen? He was the trace of Per that we found.”
“Well, if not, then I wouldn’t have created a ‘fake book’ that doesn’t even exist.”
‘A Collection of Conversations with Enzo Lorenzini’. The moment Chloe saw the book on the list of books Professor Kaizen had given her, she couldn’t help but be surprised.
So I went to see Professor Kaizen before Rubin. But Kaizen was out of the office, so I couldn’t talk about the book.
A fake book. Later investigations by Celesne revealed that no such book existed.
“But then Professor Kaizen suddenly died.”
Celesne continued speaking.
“The attack in the cave alone was not enough to determine their intentions, but Professor Kaizen was murdered in his home right after, so it became clear. That unmanned man had to kill Kaizen.”
Chloe nodded quietly. It seemed like a plausible inference given the limited information available.
Moreover, the one who killed Kaizen was no ordinary murderer. He was a 5-star warrior. That is why Celesne could not help but be worried.
If Per is involved in Gaizen’s death, Chloe, who is looking for Per, could also be in danger.
“Finding and protecting Per. The task the Lord has given me is important. But the safety of the young lady is the most important thing to me.”
“Tch, not me. I don’t mind being less safe, so I’d rather find Per quickly. Hmm… Why is it so hard?”
The big task given to me by my father. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. But it was more than I expected. It was as if someone was keeping the child named Per hidden.
“But that five-star man. Is he trying to kill Per, or is he trying to protect him?”
“Whoever it is, it’s not Witherspoon’s family. That’s the point. If it’s not Witherspoon, it means it’s the Lorenzini family.”
Celestia’s voice became stronger.
“Then it doesn’t change the fact that Perga is dangerous. Only the Witherspoons are trying to protect their rich family.”
As the conversation continued, Celesne checked the security status several more times. The result was the same. There was nothing to be concerned about.
She was just overly sensitive to the fact that her opponent was a five-star drone. That was all she had to do.
But now, the conversation between the two was being leaked. From the moment the captain of the guard left the room until now, without missing a single thing.
There was someone who broke through the Imperial Army’s security system, infiltrated the villa, and immediately went into the living room in search of Chloe’s traces.
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It was Rubin in the ‘shadow curtain’.
Rubin had been hiding in the living room wall for quite some time, but he was still holding up well.
‘It’s already been an hour.’
Since it had come to this, I was determined to push myself to the limit. The things I learned here were worth it.
‘So the Witherspoons are involved in the Per thing too. I expected that… But anyway, what should we do about Chloe?’
Rubin’s eyes darkened significantly.
Chloe wasn’t initially a target of caution. Of course, she didn’t take the excuse that he was an exchange student from Americmana lightly. She was sure there was another story behind it, but she just didn’t know it was Per.
Then, little by little, Chloe entered Rubin’s surveillance network. The Imperial Order, the Chain of Awakening, Enzo Lorenzini…
As these facts came to light one after another, Chloe’s appearance naturally became a target of caution.
What was decisive were recent events.
A fake book with the name Enzo Lorenzini. At that time, there was someone who inquired about the book before Rubin, and that was Chloe.
I thought it would be like that because he was a child with a very high passion for learning… … .
In the cave, I became convinced when I saw Celesne confronting Rosenthaler.
‘Because I felt that Celestia was conscious of Kaizen during outdoor classes.’
Because Celesne followed Kaizen out to the cave entrance, she was able to intervene when he was attacked by Rosenthaler.
And that’s not all.
‘If I had recognized this situation as a danger, I would have left Capotini for Chloe’s sake. But I didn’t.’
Even the children of the mediocre nobles were all leaving Capotini, crushed by the atmosphere of fear created by the five-star unmanned forces. However, Chloe, an imperial noble, did not do so.
Was it because the Imperial Army’s security system had become more solid? No. Chloe had a reason why she had no choice but to remain in Capotini.
‘Because I failed to achieve my goal of finding Per.’
So, as soon as Rubin learned the Shadow Curtain, he chose the Witherspoon family’s villa as a place where he could use the spell.
It was clear from the moment she got here that Chloe was looking for Per.
… But, there was one thing that bothered me.
The word ‘protection’ that comes up in their conversation from time to time. It doesn’t mean that they’re protecting the imperial noble Chloe. It means that they have to protect Per.
‘At first, I thought it was the Ministry of Magic, which was in competition with the Imperial Department.’
That didn’t seem to be the case.
‘If what they say is true, they are not the ones who want Perna Enzo to awaken. They just want no one to die.’
Moreover, the Witherspoon family, McEwan Witherspoon, one of the four living great wizards, was one of Enzo’s sponsors.
It was the Witherspoon family who once protected Enzo and even advised him to take his son to Capotini.
‘What are you planning?’
Is this a deception operation aimed at awakening people while pretending not to exist? Or, as Chloe says, is it purely for the peace of the wizarding community?
‘Enzo said that before he went to Hitan’s Canyon Prison, he was under someone’s protection. Hitan kept asking him about it, but he didn’t answer.’
Rubin didn’t press Enzo on that point either. He thought it wasn’t important now that Selok was awake, since Rubin was the new guardian anyway.
but.
‘What if that guy was McEwan Witherspoon?’
If so, that means the Witherspoons are more deeply involved in the Per and Enzo issue than we might think. They are someone Rubin must consider in order to make Per his ally.
at that time.
The conversation between the two people, which had paused for a moment, resumed. Rubin focused on the dark smoke that had spread out.
“…and I got a new call from Americmana today, Miss.”
“From your father?”
“Yes, all follow-up measures for the Lorenzini family are ready.”
“Follow-up measures? Other than changing your identity?”
“Yes, I have prepared an island for those rich people.”
Speed, that is, the ‘sub-island’.
Americmana, the island in the sky. It was a strange territory where a giant mana stone floated high above the ground, and a human settlement was established on top of it.
There were also numerous subsidiary islands floating around the territory, which people called ‘speed’.
The speed was small compared to the main island, but it was by no means an uninhabitable place. Rather, it was closer to a dream land where everyone wanted to live.
‘As far as I know, moving into Speed is proof of your close relationship with the Witherspoons.’
It was a widely known fact. To become the master of speed was to be accepted as a member of the imperial aristocracy, the Witherspoon family.
The owner of speed was granted absolute protection only from Americmana, and could not treat any noble of the empire as he pleased, unless they were of the royal family.
‘If they move into speed and change their status, the Lorenzini family will be able to completely escape the imperial edict.’
Not only that. There may be differences between Samhwi and Wonhwi, but you will also be able to receive advanced education that you cannot enjoy in Capotini. You will be able to legally explore the magical knowledge that Witherspoon, a magician, possesses.
If Oscar has the potential, it will definitely shine in Won-Hwi’s curriculum.
‘But that doesn’t mean we can feel at ease right now.’
It’s all speculation. We don’t know what McEwan Witherspoon really means. We can’t know what he’s thinking until we do some research on him or talk to him in person. At least now is not the time to jump to conclusions.
‘I should meet Enzo.’
There were still things to be confirmed with Enzo. If he also absolutely trusted the Witherspoon family, it would be okay to consider Witherspoon as a potential ally.
‘Then, I can trust and leave it to Per. So that he can embark on the path to becoming stronger than before his return.’
* * *
That evening.
Enzo was surprised as he wandered around the secret area of the Rhapsody Hall. He felt nothing, but the shadows distorted and a shadow appeared.
There was definitely nothing there just a moment ago. A shadow curtain! Rubin suddenly remembered the new technology he had learned while experimenting today.
“Luden?”
Then, Rubin walked out of the darkness with his black eyes flashing.
I left here just a few hours ago, and it feels a lot different now. No, it’s even a little chilly for some reason. It’s like the day I first met Rubin in the ‘Valley Prison’.
“Is there a problem? Or, to Perhan?”
“I came because I had something to check.”
“What should I check?”
“You don’t have to worry. There won’t be any harm to you or Perga. But you have to be honest with me.”
Rubin was wearing a black robe, not a wizard’s robe. His eyes were filled with determination, and there was a coldness to them that Enzo could not even imitate.
I could sense that Rubin would make some big decisions based on his answers.
“…Be honest.”
“It should be. Because the answer could mean life or death for Chloe Witherspoon.”
“… … ?!”
As Rubin mentioned Witherspoon, Enzo felt his legs give out. Rubin saw that and pretended to look.
“That reaction, I think you have something to say about the Witherspoons.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“Thank goodness?”
Rubin took another step toward Enzo. It wasn’t a threatening gesture, but it was enough to make Enzo feel threatened.
As if I was facing an extremely evil monster right before my eyes, my body wouldn’t move against my will.
“Thank goodness. I thought you had already taken action.”
That statement that he could kill Chloe. It’s so unrealistic that people would laugh if they heard it.
Because it was as if I was speaking with the life of the child who was a magical genius of the century and was under the protection of the Imperial Army in my hands.
But Enzo didn’t think it was unrealistic at all. Rubin’s ruthlessness, his outstanding abilities, and the majestic, pitch-black, unidentifiable family behind this child…
So right now, what Enzo was worried about was Chloe Witherspoon.
“Once I confirm this, I will act immediately. So please answer me. Can I consider them as enemies?”
