There was a checkpoint at the entrance to the territory.
'It seems they take public security very seriously here.'
As he approached the gate, Eric presented his identification badge, revealing his affiliation and status.
“Did you say you were Mr.
Chester of Duke Brant's family?”
"Yes."
If he had come as a duke from another territory, it would definitely cause an uproar, which might hinder his investigation.
‘Moreover, if I met the Countess as a Duke by chance, it would definitely arouse suspicions.’
“Mr.
Chester, can you remove your hood?”
Eric frowned.
'The inspection is more thorough than I thought.'
Despite him presenting his identification badge, they insisted on checking Eric's face.
Honestly, given Eric's skills, he could sneak in unnoticed, but his purpose in coming here was to gather information, not assassination.
Therefore, undergoing identity verification like this was more convenient.
‘Since it is a rule within the territory, I have no choice but to comply.’
When Eric finally removed his hood, the soldiers guarding the gate stiffened together.
“What's wrong?”
In response to Eric's question, they cleared their throat and said, “I can understand why you cover your face.”
“Indeed.
If you show that face, there will be chaos.”
It was a subtle compliment, but since Eric didn't particularly like his appearance, he showed a look of displeasure.
“Can I go now?”
“Yes, come in.”
Eric covered his face with the blanket again, and was about to enter the village when he noticed a carriage coming out of the gate.
Most people wouldn't have seen it, but Eric's sharp eyes clearly saw the person inside the carriage.
'Could it be...?'
Eric's face hardened when he realized who she was.
Finally, his lips parted.
“...Cornelia?”
I sighed as I looked at the child who cried himself to sleep.
'Finally, calm down.'
I thought about taking Damian with me, but the round trip would take about four days, and there were many dangers on the way.
Moreover, the capital itself was not entirely safe.
‘If anyone recognizes me… Damian might be in danger too.’
The Duchess and her son, who were thought dead, are alive.
Those who were punished in the process would have their eyes turned upside down.
Since Damian, my son, also had a claim to the throne, it was impossible to predict Franz's actions, given that his current position was in danger.
'Then there's that letter I received from Baraqel not long ago…'
“[Madam Countess, I have confirmed that firearms of unknown origin are circulating within the capital.
They appear to be less effective than the ones I made, but given the similarity of their principle, they are likely based on my firearms.]”
The current situation in the capital was going a little differently than the future I knew.
So I chose to leave my precious baby behind.
“Sardine, I'm counting on you.
Don't forget to give the child medicine.”
"Don't worry."
Before long, Sardin had reached a point where he could use his aura freely and was on the verge of becoming a transcendent being.
Moreover, the knights trained by Sardin were reliable, and the security level in our territory was very excellent, so there wouldn't be too many risks.
I looked at Janet as she got into the carriage.
'Besides, Janet will be by my side, so she won't be able to do anything foolish.'
“Let's go then.”
At Marquis Philippe's urging, I climbed into the carriage.
As the cart started moving, I started to see pedestrians in the street.
Soon, as we approached the gate, I noticed soldiers standing at attention, checking on visitors.
'True, I did not strengthen administration and security in vain.'
Most troublemakers will be liquidated right at the gate.
In addition, the personal information of territory residents was carefully managed by administrators, resulting in a relatively low crime rate.
I looked at the palace in the distance.
'Yes, there should be no problems for the next four days.'
I covered my face with a veil over my black hat, leaned back in my chair, and closed my eyes.
'I'm tired, so I'll rest my eyes for a bit.'
The cart passed through the gate and left the territory.
Eric, who had been watching the carriage drive away, soon laughed an empty laugh.
'It can't be her.'
Her hair was blonde.
She was wearing a veil over her face, so he could not see her features well.
However, he thought it was her.
'Maybe because I miss her.'
For years, whenever he saw someone who looked even slightly like her, he would sometimes mistakenly think it was her.
And every time he was sure it wasn't her, he felt desperate.
So, this time too, maybe it was just a mistake.
Thinking like this, his rationality returned.
'Right, the mourning outfit and blond hair… that woman must be Countess Heard.'
I came here to find out who the Emperor cared about, but I didn't expect to miss her like this.
At that moment, he felt a presence.
'Six, they are very skilled killers.'
They were heading in the direction from which the cart had passed previously.
'Should I follow them?'
For a moment, Eric thought about it, but then his gaze cooled, and he clenched his fists.
'No, it has nothing to do with me.
Especially if it's related to the Emperor.'
After all, Marquis Philip was in that carriage.
‘A man of his caliber should be able to handle everything.
I have no need to interfere in other people's affairs.'
After a while, Eric stared at the Count's residence in the distance.
‘What matters now is what the Emperor is hiding in this territory.’
“Are you sure that Duke Brant left the palace?”
“Yes, it seems he left without notice, so we only learned about it later.
Currently, Ivan is tracking him.”
Reinhardt frowned upon hearing his subordinate's report.
“That idiot.”
Currently, the ring of the head of the family is believed to be in the possession of Duke Brant.
However, it was impossible to forcefully steal the ring from the Duke, who was a sword master.
So he made 'that thing' and handed it to Ivan, telling him to take advantage of the opportunity to poison him and kill him by surprise, but things did not go as planned.
“So, have you found out where the Duke is?”
“Yes, according to the tracks, it seems he was heading east.”
At those words, Reinhardt slammed his hand on the desk.
Knock-!
“Damn, what did you say?”
The East was where Cornelia, Countess Heard, resided.
'Could he have realized that Cornelia is there?'
For a brief moment, he thought about it, but then Reinhardt shook his head.
'no.
As far as I know, he hasn't discovered anything yet.
He's still searching for Cornelia's body.'
So why did Eric Lennon Brant leave for the East?
Reinhart then thought of someone Eric had been observing until recently.
‘He must have been investigating the Emperor and followed when the Emperor’s dog headed there.’
He clenched his fists tightly, with veins sticking out.
‘How dare that trash that grew up in the slums…’
Although it was a coincidence, Eric Lennon Brant was getting closer to Cornelia with alarming speed.
It would only be a matter of time before that damned idiot recognized her.
'If they meet...'
Even though Cornelia left Duke Brant desperate at not being able to love, there was still a bond between them through their child.
If they meet, Cornelia's heart might be shaken by the child.
'That's why I told the dog I placed near Cornelia to take advantage of the opportunity to deal with the child…'
The spy refused, using the excuse that there was an obstacle guarding Cornelia and the child.
'But is this the only reason?'
With thoughts full of poison, Reinhardt frowned again.
'Anyway, since Eric Lennon Brant has gone east, how should I deal with this?'
Reinhardt was considering whether he should take action himself.
At that moment—
Knock knock-!
“What's wrong?”
In response, his assistant rushed over anxiously.
“Sir, I apologize for the interruption, but it is an urgent matter.”
"to talk."
“It has been reported that the Marquis of Argens, after investigating the Countess Heard, sent several assassins in an attempt to intimidate her.”
"What did you say?"
The dog seemed to have lost his mind when he was left alone.
At that moment, the assistant continued.
“However, we received word from the spy that Her Highness the Princess has set off for the capital.”
“Really?
It seems that the Emperor, that old man, is finally doing something that I can approve of.”
Now that Cornelia was not in the territory, there was no need to worry about her being infected.
At the same time, Reinhart realized something.
'She wouldn't have taken the child with her to the capital, so it's very likely that Cornelia's child is still in the territory.'
The tension on Reinhardt's face eased again.
'Maybe I can handle these two troublesome matters easily.'
He gave instructions to his subordinate.
“Inform Ivan.
When he reaches Heard’s territory, assassinate the child and pin the charge on Duke Brant.”
"concept!"
As the subordinate left the room, Reinhardt instructed his assistant.
“I will be going to the palace soon, so get ready.”
“Yes, understood.”
As the assistant was about to leave—
“Oh, and tell the servant to have my best clothes ready.”
Reinhart's face, as he said this, looked strangely excited, like that of a teenage boy.
“Yes, understood.”
Once the assistant left, Reinhardt, who was left alone, smiled as he looked in the mirror.
For a moment, he practiced a fake smile as if he were rehearsing a kind and friendly expression.
"Hahahaha!"
Then, with a laugh bordering on madness, Reinhardt's face turned red.
“Cornelia, imagining you crying really brings me joy.”