Chapter 51: Verifying Answers

Chapter 51: Verifying Answers

The battle on the hills ended in an overwhelming victory.

The Gotilova had the terrain advantage, and the Atururu excelled in speed and manoeuvring compared to the Ghafur cavalry, who were slower and heavier. The result might have been obvious from the start.

After the pursuit we decided to return to the capital, escorted by the Atururu. The Gotilovas will be going back to their own territory. Well, the Gotilova tribe didnt bring their horses with them, so Im surprised they even made it to the hill.

I have completely lost the touring party and there must be some confusion in the capital about my safety. I need to return before the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies do something unnecessary.

The problem was how I should act once I return. The Chancellor and Regent factions will blame me, and I have the chance to reduce that criticism but I will be eliminated if I overdo it.

Since I had abandoned the small fortress while I was fleeing, I had Timona prepare a regular carriage for me to return in.

This one had no annoying rules unlike the small fortress. It was a good opportunity to talk with Timona and Rosalia about how they should act once they return to the capital, so we all got into the same carriage but

there was a stranger here with us.

This man unexpectedly appeared when we got into the carriage. He had white skin, silver hair that reached down to his waist and his eyes remained closed.

He was dressed as a clergyman but was wearing a sword on his belt. He introduced himself as Defrott le Moissan.

Would it make things clearer if I say I am Count Palatine Alfred Vedetts son?

I glanced at Timona who nodded, then turned to the man who called himself Defrott.

I have heard your name before, and I understand that you are currently the cardinal. But you cut off your ties with Count Palatine when you entered the clergy. What business who instructed you to come here?

Rosalia, who was sitting next to me, stiffened and our Atururu escorts put up their guard.

Well, this situation was perfect for an assassin since people would normally be off guard after a victory. The head of the Western Church is the Chancellors brother. They have reasons for wanting me dead too.

Father [1]TN: He uses a weird term Ive never seen before has told me to protect His Majesty. And provide you with some help. First, please take this.

With that, he pulled out a book from his pocket.

What is this?

This is the Holy One Churchs original scripture.

After a moment of silence, Timona was the first to speak up.

Thats impossible. There are only a few copies of the original scripture, and they can only be found east of the Heavenly Mountains. They are national treasures if they are found, and you treat it like this.

Yes. Of course, this is a translation of the original. It is translated into the Bungdalto language so that His Majesty could read it easier. But I am confident thatI have translated it quite accurately. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have if you will allow me to accompany you to the capital.

He translated the original scripture which should not exist to the west of the Heavenly Mountains Is he connected to another sect? But then he wouldnt approach me with such dubious methods. I dont know how high a cardinal is, but he is most certainly a clergyman from the Western Sect. A clergyman will be immediately burnt for heresy if he is found to be connected to another sect.

Then, is the owner of the original scripture also a Western clergyman? But the original scripture hasnt been discovered in the Empire until now No, its possible for it to exist here if it has been kept a secret for a long time. I have to be wary of the Great Leaders since their brains are only filled with politics. Is this father at odds with the Great Leader?

Ah, I see. Him? Thats why Defrott appeared now I see. Alright.

Alright. Ill hear more about what you have to say inside the carriage. Ive made all you worry. Everything is alright.

I pulled Defrott into the carriage after saying this to the Atururu tribe.

I intend to point this out when I return to the capital and thereby reduce his power.

Now, my guess is that It clearly started with the Chancellor. He wanted to withdraw to his own fief, so he passed my information onto the Republic of Ghafur. However, he probably only told them the vicinity I was in. If there were any movements from Ghafur then he planned on using that as a reason to return home.

He planned to withdraw even if the Republic of Ghafur had only sent spies or scouts.

Then the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies learnt of the Chancellors plans. He used this to discredit the Chancellor and raise his own reputation. The Chancellors honour would be damaged if the Emperor was attacked in his fief. If someone in the Regent faction defended the Emperor, then his own prestige would rise. I dont know what exactly he had in mind but he could have asked the mercenaries who the Chancellor employed to attack the approaching army then retreat before they suffered any damage.

Count Vadpo was deployed so that the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies would get credit for defending me, that was why he panicked when the Ghafur forces attacked before schedule and made the mistake of fleeing first.

There was someone who saw this back-and-forth situation as an opportunity. He had the Ghafur army attack in full force and sent the Gotilova and Atururu tribes to the Emperor to protect him. If Im not mistaken, he may have been the person who set up the hill as the battlefield.

The Gotilova territory was in the mountainous regions near the Heavenly Mountains to the east of Lord Rauls fief, but the hill where the battle took place was in the north-western part of Lord Rauls fief. They had traversed a long distance which would have taken several days even on horseback. It was safe to assume that that person had been aware of the Ghafur armys attack for several weeks.

He took caution to inform Salomon of this information in advance so that he could control the Emperors movements to some extent. He stalled the Ghafur army with false information about the Emperor being in the city to prevent them catching up to the Emperor. He really did an amazing job.

Defrott laughed. His laugh seemed to indicate that I was correct.

First, he wanted to ruin the reputation of the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies at the same time. Second, he wanted to bring the Emperor and the Gotilova and Atururu tribes together without the Chancellor or the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies noticing and have the Emperor win them over to his side. And lastly he wanted the Emperor to know that he had a supporter.

And his fourth reason which I hadnt stated was probably because he knows I am a reincarnated person. I think he wanted to convey that to me.

I know where he got his information from. It was from that reincarnated man who was dressed in a butlers outfit. That was why he was there on the battlefield. He may not have been visible, but he was there using all the magic that he knew to let me know that he was there.

He must have provided this information because he thought it would be beneficial for me to have more allies. So, I guess hes almost willing to accept my proposal. Wonderful.

His participation in the fight might have been his way of apologising for telling someone else that I was reincarnated.

But I dont blame him for that. He is not my vassal yet and I have gained a powerful ally because of his actions.

Most importantly, I dont have proof, so I cant rebuke him if he feigns ignorance.

Well, lets not talk about him for now.

And lastly he wants to confirm if his intentions have been properly conveyed. That is your role, Defrott le Moissan. Your so-called father is that person. Am I correct?

Excellent, Your Majesty. It seems that Fathers message has been conveyed perfectly.

The question was who is this father He is someone who is in a high position within the Western Sect and doesnt belong to the Regent faction. I could identify him if I wanted to but Ill stop. Hes supporting me this openly, so hell contact me if he needs to.

I believed that it would take a few days to get an answer What should I do?

Hmm? Thats great.

Then Ill read this translated scripture, and Ill ask questions if I have any. Is that alright with you?

Yes, of course.

I dont know if this is an accurate translation of the original, but this is the first time that Ive read the scriptures. This is necessary to live in this world and I must finish reading it before we arrive at the capital.

The scripture was written in ridiculously small letters to fit everything in. It was difficult to read in a carriage that was shaking violently but I surprisingly got used to it.

Rosalia, who was peeking at me from the side, soon felt sick and fainted.

Oh yeah, Ive never gotten motion sickness before even in my previous life.