SWNOVELXO Chapter 397
Regardless, now that I’ve heard the keyword “the princess’s secret order,” it seems better to ascertain the situation a bit more clearly.
Thus, I gazed intently at Mine Trimang.
“You mentioned it was the princess’s secret order. However… can we believe an order conveyed in words without the princess’s seal?”
It’s true that she hasn’t shown any means to prove her statement.
“Also, how can we trust the words of someone who suddenly brings a royal command here, of all places?”
It’s madness to suddenly throw out such an important statement in the garden like this.
In response to my reaction, Mine appeared to have expected this and began to respond calmly.
“The reason I am delivering the secret order to both of you now is that it was decided in the contract with the princess, and because this is the most discreet and secure location in the Duke’s family.”
She glanced down at the small table that stood between us.
On that table sat a flower vase with fresh flowers, a centerpiece for measuring distance with her gaze.
“Sometimes, there are moments when we need to share confidential discussions amidst the cultists. This space was specifically prepared by the Duke’s family for such occasions. The magical essence contained within this area extends about five paces from this vase.”
“This space was also used during the late king’s succession ceremony for deep conversations. While appearances may be visible, the exchanged dialogue is perfectly concealed by magical power, so rest assured that what is discussed within this area will never leak outside.”
“And we can confirm that all of this is true through the oath of mana and the seal that Princess Rephelia possesses.”
Mine Trimang slowly began to prove the truth of her words.
While sounds cannot be heard from outside the area, appearances can be seen. She refrained from pulling out a document or seal stamped by the princess.
To blend in naturally, she smiled and began to shake hands with Shione.
When she subtly turned her head toward Princess Rephelia, she seemed conscious of this and nodded gently, as if acknowledging that she was aware of the conversation we had shared, responding with a soft smile.
“Now, can you believe us?”
“Let’s hear more. I will listen. However… if this is a lie, you will have to face my archery skills.”
As she released her hand from the handshake with Mine, Shione made a faint smile, similar to hers.
Despite the smiling faces, her voice carried a chilling tone. If this were a joke with falsehoods, she threatened that the Master would shoot and kill her directly. The lack of a blink suggests that she felt the truth of it, hence this boldness.
‘Nonetheless, unless she had a lot of guts, she wouldn’t be stirring up this kind of trouble.’
I have heard there’s a spy among us.
Indeed, Shione sensed magic even from the noble who hailed from the extermination squad.
We focused on her words.
“The princess, while coordinating with the Alenarr Marquis Family in the north, discovered a den of cultists and eliminated it. During the interrogation that followed, she identified that there are spies within our kingdom.”
“And did you hear who that spy is?”
“No, the informant with the information died during interrogation, so we couldn’t learn about the perpetrator. However, we did manage to capture a situation where a spy conspiring with them agreed to trade information, having infiltrated deeper into the kingdom through this cult.”
“…That’s not good.”
As Shione said, the situation was indeed very dire.
Why does it seem that no matter how often we cut out the rotten parts, they keep sprouting anew?
The notion that they agreed to trade information implies that they belong to families well-established enough to receive invitations to this place.
Even if we cannot completely eradicate the demon, there are traitors seeking their own benefits through trade with the cultists.
“Therefore, the lady who first received the command from the princess requested that no one be informed of this until everyone gathered at the cult’s headquarters. The princess agreed.”
The reason I am hearing the secret order from the princess at this particular timing is presumably because of this.
It feels something is off regarding how the target has been directed toward Shione and me as well. Perhaps both the princess and lady had their reasons, and it may have been easier for them to prepare if we were completely in the dark about it.
Not knowing entirely and pretending not to know are ultimately different. Those with good instincts possess the talent to inadvertently read that difference. Wouldn’t they instinctively feel the discomfort? If the one intending to infiltrate the kingdom for trading information has that sort of talent, then they surely possess it well.
It seems they wanted our ignorance until everyone gathered at the cult’s headquarters.
‘Then, since everyone has finally gathered here, they must be telling us now.’
To share this information at this time suggests they have completed their preparations thoroughly to ensure that even if we sense discomfort, there would be no chance to escape.
“After preparing everything, what I have been commanded to inform you both is… the spies will bear their unique mark as informants on their bodies. So, Lady and Baron, you might be able to identify them more easily than others.”
Once again, where we are heading is a place where incidents and accidents never cease.
Once more, we found ourselves entangled in such matters, having attended the cult meeting which had seemed distanced from our usual checks.
After Mine, who delivered Adelhaite’s instructions, encouraged us to discuss further, we both expressed the same response.
“I never expected to get involved in such matters by coming to the cult meeting.”
“…That’s exactly what I was about to say. If even our sensitive kingdom is in this state, I wonder how things are going in other kingdoms. Ray, what you mentioned about the future feels increasingly believable.”
There are just so many shady characters roaming around the kingdom.
At this rate, one would wonder how the continent has not been trampled down by demons yet; it’s quite a marvel they are still holding out.
“The mark might mean that noble from the extermination squad might be the culprit.”
“I agree. I can’t think of anyone else suspicious aside from that person, and they have no reason to be dabbling in magic.”
Ultimately, our focus turned toward the knight from the extermination squad.
A woman possessed of a faint, subtle magic even Shione found puzzling.
If what Mine from the Intelligence Agency said was all true, then it’s not the empire, but a spy is hiding in league with the cult. There’s no one else I’d suspect more than her.
“For now, we should speak with Princess Rephelia first.”
We returned from the garden and approached Princess Rephelia once again.
As a princess, she ought to know all about this. She had been leisurely conversing with other nobles without a hint of tension when we reached her.
Upon noticing our approach, she excused herself from the others and smoothly approached us.
“The Trimang family is well-known for serving the royal family for generations. Mine Trimang has earned trust through her profound loyalty to the royal family.”
It felt as if she had been anticipating this moment since we first arrived at the Duke’s household.
“I believe Lady Mine has relayed a conversation worthy of satisfaction to both esteemed guests… how did you find it?”
As her previously plain voice began to spark with a faint flame, I could feel the refreshing vigor blooming within her.
“It was a worthwhile time. Both the Baron and I were able to reach a satisfying conclusion. It seems we can converse well together… Have you spoken with Lady Mine?”
“Of course. I share a personal rapport with Lady Mine and have spoken with her beforehand.”
In response to Shione’s words, Leona Rephelia’s smile deepened.
What Mine Trimang had shared with us appears to have been the truth. After all, those active within the Intelligence Agency would surely have overheard numerous stories and precedents from the royal family itself. It wouldn’t make much sense to brazenly fabricate lies about the princess or the late king.
Moreover, adding to that, she stated:
“Then, having discussed matters thus far… how about introducing you to those I wished to present to Master and Baron once the mood has warmed up, but what do you think now?”
To hear that there are people she wishes to introduce somehow took on a different meaning now.
Hearing this here means she already has the people she wants to showcase filtered and in mind, asking for us to confirm together.
Accepting her proposition,
“Then, allow me to introduce them. Here are precisely those five nobles I thought to introduce to both of you at this cult meeting.”
As Leona called, five nobles approached and gathered around the round table.
“Since we have an opportunity to gather in one place, it would be good to discuss matters for the kingdom. Everyone, isn’t that so?”
The covert operation to root out the spy within the cult meeting was finally commencing.