novelnext Chapter 200 : Spring of Arfe (4)
Chapter 200 : Spring of Arfe (4)
Upon seeing Robert calmly waiting for her, Michelle pulled a chair over, sat down beside him, and asked,“So you've gone crazy enough to want to get caught? A wanted fugitive came all the way here. Didn't you notice all the Imperial Council's attendants waiting downstairs?”
“Come on, you think I'd miss that?”
Robert glanced down below the window and let out a sigh.
“This was the only way I could get a private audience with our esteemed Head of House. Had to take the risk.”
“Enough provoking me. Just get to the point. Someone like you wouldn't come looking for me without a reason.”
At Michelle's firm words, Robert smirked.
“You've really never changed. Still as cold as ever.”
“Thanks to you.”
“...Fine. Before we get to the main topic, let me tell you something you'll find interesting.”
Spreading his arms wide, Robert said,
“Among the direct bloodline members with warrants out, only Father and I are still free. Even Chloe, who was so obsessed with catching you, is probably sitting in prison by now. What a shame.”
“...What about Mikhail?”
“Preparing to flee overseas. Father too.”
“...I thought he'd at least try to survive by cooperating with the Platinum Dawn Society.”
“As expected of Michelle Bernhardt. You think on an entirely different level from those idiots.”
Nodding to himself, Robert continued.
“On the evening the will was authenticated, Charlotte Platina came to Bernhardt.”
“I know.”
“......Looks like Maximilian told you.”
“But even he probably doesn't know what happened afterward.”
“The truth is, Father made an unreasonable demand of the Chairwoman.”
For the first time, curiosity appeared in Michelle's eyes.
“...A demand?”
Apparently having no intention of hiding it, Robert began recounting the events in detail.
“I used my code to control the servants, and as a result, all the supplies have been transported. Doesn't that complete our deal? We've delivered our end of the bargain, so by the rules of business, you should be giving us something in return.”
“...Very well. What do you want?”
“Create another organization under the Society and let me manage it. Incorporate the mercenary corps into it as well. Oh, and I'd like you to teach me the method of using the code you demonstrated last time.”
A bold yet reckless demand from Edgar, who had nothing left to lose.
Charlotte's response went beyond ridicule.
It was outright contempt.
“Why should I?”
“W-What?”
“You're no longer useful to me. And someone who isn't useful... is someone I don't need.”
“K-Kugh?!”
“If it were Johann Bernhardt, perhaps. But it's far too wasteful for someone like you to possess a code of this level. I'll be reclaiming it.”
Michelle abruptly interrupted Robert's calm narration.
“...Wait.”
She looked genuinely shocked.
“Permanent Brands... can be transferred like that? How?”
“How would I know? It made no sense to me either.”
“......”
“Father never imagined the other side possessed such an absurd ability. Even so, his demand was a bit too hasty... though I think the Chairwoman would've killed him eventually anyway.”
Robert said Charlotte grabbed the speechless Edgar by the collar, threw him onto the floor, and spat out those humiliating words.
“You wanted to turn the Platinum Dawn Society into a subordinate organization of House Bernhardt, didn't you? What a shame. Both this organization and House Bernhardt are far too valuable to be ruled by someone as weak and foolish as you.”
“Ghk...!”
“There aren't many people worth using among your forces, but the supplies will be a tremendous help. Thank you for all your hard work, former Head of House Bernhardt.”
“Y-You bitch...!”
“Or would you like to receive the Society's code even now? Swear your loyalty to me, and I'll spare your life.”
“......”
“No matter how humiliating or disgraceful the situation is, you'll do anything if it means surviving. That's always been your way, hasn't it?”
The moment Charlotte stepped forward to finish off Edgar, who couldn't even respond under such overwhelming contempt...
Robert took advantage of that brief opening and escaped with Edgar.
“But that was all. Saving ourselves was the best we could do.”
“...What happened to the mercenary corps?”
“I kept them hidden instead of letting them join the Society. I had a bad feeling for some reason.”
Learning another piece of the truth she hadn't known was valuable...
But it wasn't enough to shake Michelle.
“I've heard your sob story. So you're saying you're victims who were exploited by that woman too.”
“So what?”
“You didn't come all the way here just to say we should join hands because we're fellow victims.”
Michelle's cutting words made Robert awkwardly scratch his forehead.
“You really know where to hit... Fine. Let's get to the real point.”
He extended his right hand toward her as if offering a handshake.
“You know the saying, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' How about believing in that old truth just this once?”
Robert Bernhardt offered two bargaining chips.
The first.
The full strength of House Bernhardt's mercenary corps.
“That includes me. I can't let those bastards win anymore. If it's a battle against the Platinum Dawn Society, I'll commit the mercenary corps' full strength to support you.”
The second.
Information about Charlotte Platina's weakness.
“Have you ever fought her yourself?”
“...I haven't, but I know someone who has.”
“You don't even have to say it. Eugene Carter, right?”
“Believe whatever you want. Just keep talking.”
“Well, fine. The reason I escaped with Father was because of that woman.”
Robert grimaced as he recalled his encounters with Charlotte.
“I've participated in battlefields all over the world as the captain of the mercenary corps. I've fought more than enough powerful humans and Beast Monsters.”
“But that woman...”
“She didn't feel powerful.”
“She felt dangerous.”
“She wasn't an enemy you could overcome.”
“She felt like a disaster you could only run from.”
Saying that, Robert pulled a small, thin book from his coat and handed it to Michelle.
“...What's this?”
“The Biographical Dictionary of the Citizens of the Kingdom of Rubea. Twenty-ninth revised edition. It's only a copy, but House Bernhardt is the only place in the Empire that has preserved the original in its entirety.”
“......”
“The Society probably has plenty of similar materials as well.”
Opening the dictionary, Michelle instinctively searched for Charlotte's name.
《Charlotte Platina / 1200―》
《Olivier Platina / 1197―》
“Charlotte Platina, born in the year 1200...”
“See the name Olivier below? He was one of the heroes who saved the Kingdom of Rubea. Both of them lived over two hundred years ago.”
“I saw them at the Society. In the History of the Kingdom of Rubea and Imperial Chronicle Volume One.”
Robert's eyes widened in surprise.
“...What? You already knew? More importantly, you've been to the Society? Why?”
“I didn't know their birth years... but with that age difference, they were obviously siblings.”
“Very close siblings.”
Ignoring Robert's question entirely, Michelle continued her deduction.
“A hero named Olivier has never been recorded in the history of the Holy Ribenia Empire.”
“And Charlotte is someone who desires the Empire's destruction.”
Olivier Platina died in April of 1232.
The Kingdom of Rubea fell in August.
During that same period, the Holy Ribenia Empire was founded.
“If the founding of the Holy Ribenia Empire is connected to Divine Archer Olivier's death...”
“If the Empire abandoned him to die during that process, then erased even the record of his existence...”
“Then it's only natural for his younger sister, Charlotte, to resent the Empire.”
Recalling what Rubia Magnus had said during their previous meeting at the cathedral regarding contracts and bargains, Michelle muttered,
“A contract with Beast Monsters...”
“The erosion of consciousness.”
“Mimicry.”
“A resurrection occurring decades earlier than natural emergence...”
Then, combining it with a record she had seen in the History of the Kingdom of Rubea, she arrived at a possibility.
“How long is the average resurrection period for the SS-Rank Monster Beast, Mastema of Hatred?”
Thursday, April 21.
At exactly four o'clock in the afternoon, the operation to assassinate Crown Prince Abel Ribenia began.
“Carter!”
“Over here, Instructor!”
After reuniting with Edel and Lea, who had been waiting at the entrance of the Imperial Palace, we briefly went over the order of operations.
“...That's all. I won't be taking questions.”
“......”
“Let's go.”
Afterward, we immediately began the diversion.
Approaching the captain of the palace guards, who looked utterly bewildered by the sudden arrival of the Imperial Special Operations Force, Lieutenant General Alvin spoke.
“We request your cooperation for a training exercise, Captain.”
“...What kind of training?”
“A drill preparing for a Beast Monster infiltration within the Imperial Palace. Its purpose is to evaluate how quickly you can repel an internal surprise attack and how long you can hold out until the main force arrives. We ask for your cooperation.”
“Huh? Commander! Even if it's an emergency drill, how can you bring your men here without any prior notice?”
“Because it's an emergency drill. If everyone knows in advance, it becomes nothing more than a routine defense exercise, doesn't it?”
“Even if you weren't going to tell us the details, you should've at least informed us that a drill was taking place—”
This time, Edel stepped in.
“I authorized it.”
“P-Princess Edel!”
“I've heard Beast Monster appearances have been increasing lately. The Imperial Palace should be making preparations too. Stop complaining and gather the Imperial Guards and attendants. During the exercise, the Imperial Special Operations Force's orders take priority. Understood?”
The captain still hesitated.
“B-But...”
Edel leaned over and whispered something into his ear.
His eyes widened in shock as he hurriedly looked around before nodding.
“Understood!”
Watching him leave to gather personnel, I asked,
“What did you tell him?”
“That it was an Imperial Decree.”
“Ah...”
“That timid fool would never dare go ask Abel to confirm it himself. Now then, we should get moving too.”
After leaving the Special Operations Force in charge of directing the drill...
We headed toward Rachel's residence to negotiate with her.
“Is this your first proper meeting with Rachel, Carter?”
“I don't think seeing her during the conference really counts.”
“She might try to pick a fight, so keep that in mind. Though she won't be interested in you anyway.”
“In that case, wouldn't it be better if I just waited at the entrance...?”
“Come on. We still have to declare war.”
“She'll be our enemy from this point onward.”
As we entered the residence, several of Rachel's personal attendants and maids hurried over.
“...Princess Edel?”
“What brings you here, Your Highness?”
“And that man is...”
Facing their obvious confusion, Edel answered with a fearless smile.
“Hurry and lead the way.”
“I've come to give my sister my answer to the proposal she made.”