Clack.

Xenia set down her teacup and continued speaking.

“The authority to investigate and judge matters within the territory lies with you, my lord. We only investigate what’s considered ‘unusual.’”

“……”

“For example, the Witch of Carnage.”

Frank’s back stiffened.

“Surely you’re not saying that witch is in our territory?”

“When the Witch of Carnage uses magic, she leaves behind a strong remains. It’s so unique and thick that it’s easily identifiable.”

“……”

“Our Knights Order has dispatched affiliated mages to every territory on the continent, and Quelk was no exception.”

Baron Frank’s face twisted.

That meant a spy from the capital had been openly operating in his territory.

But Xenia spoke on, unconcerned.

“We received a report not long ago that the Witch of Carnage’s mana had been detected. She’s such a major figure that I had no choice but to come personally.”

“……”

“Before I came to see you, I found traces of a battle in the open field north of the territory. Without a doubt, it was her doing. She fought someone.”

“Fought the witch, did they? Whoever it was, I’ll say a prayer for their soul.”

“I’m not so sure.”

Xenia furrowed her delicate brow.

“It might actually be the opposite.”

“Pardon?”

“On the way here, I heard a rumor spreading through the territory. About Mide Mohan. Apparently, a great mercenary arrested a notorious criminal who had been tormenting the people. And they say there was a woman at Mide’s side.” Thɪs chapter is updated by novel-fire.ɴet

Frank recalled the woman who had stood behind Mide like a lifeless doll.

That woman was the Witch of Carnage?

A cold sweat ran down his back.

“Looks like you recognize the description.”

“There was indeed a woman who accompanied Mide.”

“Tell me more.”

“Well… I never actually spoke with her. Mide led all the conversations while the woman simply listened.”

“The witch did that? She’s not the obedient type.”

“I’m just telling you what I saw. It felt like Mide had full control over the situation.”

A glint of interest appeared in Xenia’s eyes.

After a bit more conversation, she realized she had nothing else to learn from the baron and stood to leave.

She found a quiet bench in the garden, sat down, and took something from her coat.

It was a communication orb.

A device developed by one of the heroes who appeared during the descent of the Second Demon King—Archmage Iori Otix.

Xenia brought the orb to her lips and spoke.

“Father—no, I’m sorry.”

–Hm?

“Captain, I’m reporting in.”

–No need to be so formal. You’re still my daughter.

“That was a slip. I shouldn’t have said that during official business.”

–Fine, fine. So, did you learn anything?

“Yes. As we suspected, it appears to be the work of the Witch of Carnage.”

–I figured. Dammit, things were quiet for a while, and now this chaos.

Xenia shook her head.

Then, in a slightly quieter voice, she continued.

“I think it’s a bit different this time. The Witch of Carnage wasn’t alone.”

–What?

“My impression is… well, I don’t know if this term suits that witch, but it seems she has a companion.”

–That’s impossible.

“And not just any companion. Apparently, some lowlife caused a disturbance here in the territory, but the witch delegated everything related to the incident to her new companion. And that companion was…”

–Go on.

“Mide Mohan. You may not know him well, Captain, but in the mercenary world, he’s already reached the top. He’s a formidable expert.”

There was silence on the other end as if he were gathering his thoughts.

Xenia waited a bit longer and then asked,

“What should I do?”

–What happened to the lowlife? Another one of the witch’s poor victims?

“No, and that’s what’s strange. Mide turned him over to the lord and exposed all of his crimes. He was tried through formal procedures and is now imprisoned. Though… it seemed the trial had a personal grudge behind it.”

–Still, it followed proper procedures?

“Yes.”

Even as she said it, Xenia couldn’t quite believe it.

Who was the Witch of Carnage?

Thirty years ago, even after being completely beaten down by her father—this very man on the other end of the call—she had continued to commit heinous crimes across the continent. A criminal whose name would be etched into human history.

And now she’d gone and reported a petty criminal? And been welcomed by the people?

–I don’t understand it.

“Maybe she’s finally repenting. Perhaps what happened with you changed her mentally. Made her think, ‘I need to be humble.’”

Dame, her father, noticed that she had accidentally called him “Father” earlier but chose not to mention it.

Instead, he brought up something else.

–That can’t be. That was thirty years ago. And as you know, for the past thirty years, Neril has committed atrocity after atrocity—brazenly.

“…She did.”

Of course, that was a lie.

A hidden deal between the Empire and Neril.

The Empire promised her safety and compensation. In return, Neril accepted infamy under her name.

Nearly all the atrocities attributed to Neril after that event thirty years ago were actually committed by the Empire.

And leading that dark enterprise was the Captain of the Holy Knights of Light—Xenia’s father, Dame.

The tragic part? Xenia didn’t know any of that.

As Dame listened to his daughter’s report, he pondered:

‘Why? The Empire gains a villain to carry the blame, and the witch gains safety and rewards. I thought it was a fair trade—so why would she have a change of heart?’

Is she trying to clear her name now?

Did something happen to stir her feelings?

That would be a problem.

The puppet used to cover up the Empire’s filth must not rebel.

Meanwhile, Xenia asked,

“So what should I do now?”

–Hmm. For now, return to headquarters.

That’s when it happened.

For the first time, Xenia’s tone—until now full of respect and deference—changed.

She spoke in a cold voice.

“I refuse.”

–What?

“Oh—sorry. That came out wrong. I don’t mean to refuse. I just… want to ask why.”

Dame let out a low sigh.

Xenia’s tone earlier hadn’t come from mere professional enthusiasm .

And Dame understood exactly what she was thinking.

But he pretended not to know

–It’s too dangerous.

“I’m strong.”

–……

“This part won’t be on record, but I’ll say it clearly: I’m stronger than you.”

Realizing she was getting emotional, Xenia tried her best to calm herself.

Then she racked her brain.

She needed a logical justification for why she couldn’t return now.

After a short while, she thought of something useful.

“Captain. We need to confirm something. As I mentioned, she has a companion now.”

–……

“We need to determine whether this Mide person is a benefit to Neril or to us. Based on what’s happened so far, it looks like he benefits us—but who can say? I’ll find out myself.”

–Hmm.

“I’ll contact you after I locate the witch. Please send support then.”

Dame acknowledged his daughter’s skills.

He knew full well that Xenia could hold her own against Neril.

And that was precisely the problem.

‘With that upright personality, if she finds out about the secret contract between the Empire and the witch, she’ll cause a huge uproar.’

Especially if she finds out that ‘that incident’ had nothing to do with Neril.

After a moment of silence, Dame spoke.

—Even so, what if I order you to return?

“I’ll probably resign from the Holy Knights of Light. That way, I wouldn’t be obligated to follow Father’s orders.”

—What?

“I’ve been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of serving in the Holy Knights of Light. I just can’t accept stepping back when we’ve finally discovered Neril’s whereabouts after she’s been missing for years.”

At his daughter’s response, Dame instinctively realized—

That persuading her any further was impossible.

‘There’s no helping it. I’ll have to give Neril a heads-up first.’

He let out a sigh and said,

—In that case, swear to me here and now. Swear that you won’t confront Neril on your own even if you find her. That you’ll contact me immediately.

“Of course. I swear, Captain.”

—Good. Permission granted. If you need anything, let me know.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Just as the call was about to end, Xenia hesitated, then hurriedly blurted out,

“Um, and… ah, please don’t record this either. You absolutely must not.”

—Hm?

“I’m sorry for speaking so arrogantly earlier. Father.”

—…….

“I still do, and always will, respect you deeply. That’s all. Excuse me!”

Xenia abruptly ended the communication, almost like she was running away.

She realized her face must have turned red.

After lightly patting her cheeks to calm herself, she put the communication orb away.

When she rose to her feet again, there was no trace left of a daughter who admired her father.

What remained was only the face of the vice-captain of the Holy Knights of Light, carrying out her duty.

Neril seemed to talk a bit more now than she had before the regression.

Not that she had become chatty or anything.

Clatter. Clatter.

Inside the carriage heading for the Lior territory, Neril asked,

“Who’s the real Hero?”

“Huh?”

“You said before that the real Hero would appear later, properly, after receiving a divine revelation. And if my intuition’s right… you already have a guess who it is, don’t you?”

You’re sharp.

I shrugged.

“You wouldn’t know him even if I told you, but it’s a guy named Kaeld. Kaeld Wake.”

“Hm.”

“Word probably hasn’t spread this far yet, but he’s already pretty famous in the southwest of the Empire. He’s got five territories locked down tightly.”

Neril didn’t bother to ask how I knew that.

She must’ve known I wouldn’t answer even if she did.

I continued,

“So yeah, I’m a bit anxious. The real Hero I have to catch up to is already way ahead. I have to hit it big in the Lior estate.”

“…No.”

“Huh?”

“You’re the real Hero.”

“……”

“Let’s just call that Kaeld guy the fake Hero between us. Got it?”

Strangely, my chest felt a little ticklish at that moment.

I turned my head slightly—and so did Neryl.

For a while, we silently gazed out the carriage window.

[Seriously, you two are like moody teenagers.]

Then it happened.

A faint bluish glow suddenly began to radiate from Neril’s luggage.

With a face like she’d been expecting it, she rummaged through her things.

And pulled out a communication orb.

“Dame Seide. Captain of the Holy Knights of Light. Know him?”

“Yeah. Let’s listen together. Pretend you’re alone for now.”

“Sigh. Haven’t heard this bastard’s voice in a while.”

As Neril gently touched the orb, a deep, middle-aged voice came through.

—Neril.

“Dame. Long time no see. Not that I’m happy about it.”

—I feel the same, so I’ll be blunt. What the hell is going on in the Quelk territory?

“Already finished your investigation?”

Dame responded cautiously.

—Yes. For reference, the one who led the investigation is my own daughter.

“Xenia, was it? Well, you do seem to be stepping back from the front lines these days.”

—Here’s another reference: Xenia knows nothing about the contract between you and me.

Neril let out a short laugh.

“What? Wanted to look like a saint to your daughter, huh?”

—Don’t be cheeky.

“I was just stating the facts.”

—…In any case, since we found traces of you in the Quelk territory, the Holy Knights of Light had no choice but to investigate. Xenia will find you soon. So just… take it easy.

“You mean don’t bring up the secret contract and comply quietly with the interrogation?”

—No. You won’t even meet her in the first place. I already told her to contact me immediately if she finds you.

Dame lowered his voice.

—I’ll be sending a subordinate who knows about our contract soon. But if Xenia tries to contact you on her own before they arrive, just play along for a bit.

“Do I really have to go along with that? If it was going to be such a mess, you shouldn’t have sent your daughter in the first place. Just send another subordinate from the beginning.”

—If she hadn’t learned of your presence, maybe. But once she knew, I had no way to stop her. How could I possibly reject the vice-captain of the Holy Knights wanting to pursue the Witch of Carnage?

I nearly snorted at that.

‘That’s not it.’

[What do you mean?]

‘I heard something before the regression. This pursuit of Xenia’s is driven by personal feelings. So much so that even her captain’s orders couldn’t change her pursuit.’

Trail looked like he wanted to ask more, but before he could, Neril spoke.

Apparently, she was thinking the same thing I was.

“That’s really all there is to it? My gut says otherwise.”

—…You don’t need to know more.

“Ha. The little brat’s really grown up.”

—Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m asking as a favour. If everything wraps up well, I’ll reward you.

“Not really interested.”

—Don’t make me say it.

Suddenly, Dame’s tone turned cold.

—I’ll make this very clear.

“……”

—If you tell Xenia about our secret contract, I’ll burn that item I’ve been holding onto.

Neril’s face hardened.

—You’re quite fond of it, aren’t you? Burning it would be unfortunate, wouldn’t it?

“You bastard…”

—So let’s continue to maintain a cooperative relationship.

Dame said that, then hung up without waiting for a reply.

Neril’s mouth twitched.

“That son of a bitch.”

“That item? Did he get something on you?”

“……”

“Well, it did seem weird from the start. I couldn’t imagine someone as free-spirited as you cutting a deal with the Empire just for safety or some reward.”

I waited for a reply, but Neril’s lips never opened.

Then Trail suddenly spoke.

[Wanna take a look?]

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