Chapter 229: Rinella’s Destiny is Her Own (22)

Chapter 229: Rinella’s Destiny is Her Own (22)

Upon reflection, Arthur's response was only natural.

There was no way the Dark Order was going to be easily caught. Even if they happened to be exposed, the Imperial Family wouldn't have sent only this level of force.

For the authority to be balanced, either the Imperial Knight or the Inquisitors from the Holy Nation should have been involved, at the very least.

The Dark Order was the risk factor that had penetrated even the close associates of the Imperial family.

The Holy Nation, in inevitable opposition to the Dark Order since its beginning, was not the only one; even the Empire and the Ten Southern Kingdoms would want to cut off the threat as soon as possible.

The fact that they could touch the Imperial family meant there was no one they couldn't touch if they set their minds to it.

Perhaps even the royal and noble families of the Ten Southern Kingdoms would have been scared out of their wits for a while.

Yes, I expected it.

However, the straightforward response did bring some relief.

However, Sir Reynold seemed to think a bit differently.

"Other than that, there's no other reason to take useless commoners. Simply put, if they set up an orphanage and exploit the children, they can at least legally secure unpaid labor."

"...Sir Reynold."

Arthur reminded Sir Reynold with a tired voice. But he just snorted.

The conversation had been going on for quite some time.

Yet, my confusion was still there.

The reason was that I unexpectedly received an overwhelming amount of information.

I pressed my temples to calm the throbbing in my head. I needed time to organize my thoughts.

I originally had a question for Sir Reynold.

"Weren't you here to bring Senior Elsie home, Sir?"

“Well, sort of, otherwise there's no need for me to come to this countryside territory.”

So they originally planned to dispatch the Rinella family's mage corps itself. However, during the process, Sir Reynold, someone with a high rank, was chosen for dispatch for that reason.

Because Count Rinella couldn't afford to vacate his seat for too long, the only person capable of subduing Senior Elsie was Sir Reynold, who held a rank higher than hers.

Now that I understood the situation, I let out a bitter laugh.

Upon reflection, I realized that the problem wasn't related solely to Senior Elsie. There were also many issues connected to the investigation I was conducting.

I didn't know whether to call it luck or misfortune.

As I stared with a bewildered look, Arthur clapped his hands.

The clapping sound was effective in bringing about a change in the atmosphere.

In high spirits, Arthur then slammed the table in the conference room with his weak arms, although the sound produced wasn't particularly loud.

"...Anyway! His Majesty became highly alarmed after the recent demonic beast attack in the academy. So, whenever there's any suspicious incident, he orders us to investigate thoroughly."

There was no way the Rinella family, regardless of their strength, would disobey the Emperor's command.

In fact, according to the following explanation, the missing incidents within the Rinella territory were quite rare. So, there was no need for them to step into the Percus family's footsteps.

However, the issue arose due to the Emperor's interest in this case.

To be fair, it was only a case of unidentified individuals gradually disappearing.

Originally, the impoverished people living on the outskirts were not the subjects of management as there were limits to what power could achieve.

However, since the Emperor issued a command, it was impossible to handle it casually.

They had to achieve something, no matter what.

I suddenly recalled the woman who burst into maniacal laughter.

Dark Priest Mitram.

Her longevity was a result of biomodification. Strangely, I had a premonition that my connection with her was not over yet

She had assured me she wouldn't keep me waiting for long.

If she was the mastermind behind this case, it was hard to imagine the suffering the missing people were going through.

It was when I left the conference room with a downcast expression.

Sir Reynold continued to speak in his forever calm voice.

"...The Rinella family has yet to acknowledge you."

I never asked for acknowledgement in the first place.

It was just Senior Elsie who had declared me as a 'master' on her own.

Such retorts lingered on my lips, but I swallowed them. Rebelling now would harm only Senior Elsie, not me.

"Rinella's destiny is determined by their own. Therefore, Elsie's fate is still uncertain, and whether you can become a live-in son-in-law to Rinella depends on this matter."

With those words, Sir Reynold turned away, leaving me standing there.

Trying to suppress a bitter laugh, I soon shook my head in resignation.

I could understand his feelings.

The situation was his niece suddenly called another man 'master.' In his eyes, I might be perceived as the lowest of the low, and he could be worried, suspecting that I was playing around with Senior Elsie.

So, facing Sir Reynold's broad back, I shouted.

"...About Senior Elsie."

Sir Reynold's steps abruptly stopped.

His unreadable blue eyes turned towards me.

"She's someone important to me. So, there might be some misunderstanding."

Sir Reynold scoffed and continued walking.

However, the returning remark was the most positive thing he had said to me so far.

"I'll keep an eye on you."

A wry smile formed on my lips upon hearing those words.

The events that might disappoint Sir Reynold were not likely to happen anytime soon.

If there was any possibility, it would be Senior Delphine or Senior Neris acting unexpectedly. But it was highly unlikely for both of them.

Senior Delphine had social dignity, and Senior Neris was someone who could reveal her identity.

I sighed and looked at the Percus territory visible through the window.

I was destined to leave another set of bloodstains in my hometown, this countryside area.

****

And on that night, upon hearing the news that a beautiful knight arrived, I stepped out into the courtyard.

There stood a striking beauty with blue hair. The woman, facing away from the moonlight, hesitated as soon as she saw me.

Then, soon, she repeatedly bowed her head without hesitation and spoke.

"A-as you said, I have arrived! Teacher!"

Her words instantly lowered the temperature around me by several /genesisforsaken