Case 35: Turmoil.

Case 35: Turmoil.

*****

3:26 P.M., July 2nd, 1753, Aragon Empire, Crimson Palace.

''I'm telling you for the fourth time now that it wasn't us!'' A middle-aged man shouts angrily, his usual benevolent face nowhere to be seen. This is the first time the church has been involved in one of these meetings, and what he got was a baseless accusation.

''And how can I trust you, Archbishop Henry? Clearly, the Marquis's guards were killed by the paladins, only with offensive divine magic can someone poke small holes through bodies like that.'' Another man refutes.

''Stop it, Duke Forbes, there is no evidence that the Church did it. But, the intruders were aiming to rescue the slaves, maybe the Marquis shouldn't have bought them in the first place. They have only targeted slave owners, you know? You of all people better be careful.'' A man presumably in his thirties replies sarcastically.

''Hah, are you implying that they will come for me next? Laughable, you underestimate me too much, Duke Spencer, there's hardly anyone who can match me in this empire. If those cockroaches dare to attack me, they'll know fear!''

''...We're going nowhere.'' The Emperor says annoyedly, besides him are his two sons.

He is exceptionally pissed off today, mainly because this morning, the brutally mutilated corpse of Marquis Eliot was found near the palace. And now he has to summon an emergency meeting with all the available high nobles and other forces to deal with this.

Just a few hours before, a report from the late Marquis's wife saying that unidentified intruders had raided their mansion and that the Marquis was missing came in as well.

There are only twelve Marquises in the empire, so losing one is obviously a pretty big deal. The Marquis's son, Derrick Eliot, who is shaking with a pale face at the end of the table, is also here, mostly to receive the title and resume the late Marquis's work as soon as possible.

After some hours of discussing to properly fill in the vacuum of the late Marquis, the meeting's topic has switched to the intruders.

''As I said before, I think these are the same ones who have been attacking our nobles for the last few years. Their motive is the same.'' A noble speaks up.

''But the group before this didn't use this kind of magic.'' Another noble says.

''Actually, assuming it wasn't the paladins, what kind of magic can drill such clean holes into the human bodies? It's even strong enough to pierce the barriers of two decent tankers as well.''

''Hah~ That's why I said, just don't buy slaves anymore, and you won't be targeted. It's that easy.'' Duke Spencer says with a frown. ''And Your Majesty, I plead, please make an effort to stop these kinds of crimes.''

''...I will think about it.'' The Emperor replies annoyedly.

In the end, the meeting ended with no clear answer as to who the intruders were. The son of the late Marquis got his title in a hurry, and now he has to come back to his mansion to resume the work.

It was decided that Marquis Eliot's death would be officially announced as an accident after a few days.

Walking in the hallway outside the meeting room, a young man in his twenties with a fierce expression seems very frustrated, the attendant beside him tried his best to calm him down earlier, but it didn't work.

''Those goddamn scumbags...'' William curses.

Born as the second prince of the empire, William is ambitious, he wants to sit on the throne, and he wants to see his country grow to be the very best.

''What's wrong?''

''The heir of Forbes also said that all of the slaves are in their main estate.''

''...Don't tell me...''

''I'm going to save them. Please lend me a hand.''

''...That... Is very risky.''

''I know, but I can't ignore this.''

''...''

''...''

''You know what? Fine, I'll contact Duke Spencer and the church to have them mobilize their forces. The archbishop seemed exceptionally pissed off today when he heard about Duke Forbes owning slaves, maybe I can get him to join. And I'm going as well.''

''Are you sure, brother?''

''I am, I can't let my sister charge in alone, no?''

''That's my brother.''

Christina chuckles.

*****

''So, let me explain the plan once more. Firstly, we will wait for the moment when security is the most laxed, then we will infiltrate like the last time to find out the layout of the estate, as well as the exact locations of the slaves and Duke Forbes's bedroom.'' Adam says.

''Once we're done confirming the Duke's state, our members will report back the information, then, Her Highness will use the Hecate II with super AP rounds to hopefully shoot Duke Forbes to death while he is sleeping, and that will be the signal for us to all went in, prioritize knocking out normal workers, but shoot anyone on sight if they try to guard the slaves.''

It's nighttime, and we're now in the meeting room underground again, with our new information.

Our investigation team has also been verifying what the late Marquis said, and apparently, the information is very likely to be true, Combined with what we got out of the guy earlier in the morning, we decided to finalize our plan today and proceed as soon as possible.

''Yes, it would be better if the Duke wasn't there, but... He's already on his way back to his estate.'' Isabella complains. ''If only we knew this earlier...''

''Well, worst case, just run away first, we can always do another raid later.'' I chime in.

''You're right, Your Highness. We still need to rescue more people.'' Isabella sighs.

Well, we need to travel for a day to get to his territory, so better hurry up, I suppose.