Chapter 954
“Oh, Romandro.”
Count Jacques, strolling through the garden, spotted Romandro and greeted him warmly. It was barely lunchtime—had he already left work? Romandro gave an awkward smile and nodded in return.
“You were at the manor, then? You left some important documents behind.”
“My schedule was suddenly canceled. Should’ve sent someone, I suppose. Did you come back just for that?”
“Yes, the documents are crucial. And since I was out anyway, I took care of some personal matters as well.”
“A wedding?”
“Ha ha.”
The wedding was just around the corner. After more than two hectic months filled with palace events, Romandro wasn’t even sure how the preparations were going.
“I heard the Ministry of Magic is still swamped.”
“That’s right. The minister hasn’t returned yet, so nothing’s changed. I’m worried no one from the ministry will be able to attend the wedding.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re all family—they’ll make time to come.”
“…Just recently, Captain Han couldn’t even attend his own mother’s wedding.”
Romandro laughed, but inside he was quietly despairing. Nothing was going according to plan. He had hoped things would finally slow down by now! He wanted to enjoy a peaceful newlywed life! At this rate, he wasn’t even sure if he’d get a honeymoon—or any vacation at all.
Count Jacques frowned with concern.
“So it’s that bad, huh.”
“The weather’s nice today. It’s a rare day off—please, take a good rest.”
“Romandro, wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
The count gave a faint smile and winked.
“How are the kids doing?”
Romandro wasn’t sure who exactly fell under “the kids,” but he answered tactfully. The manor, usually noisy day and night, was now strangely quiet. He recalled what he’d seen and heard, then relayed it to the count.
“Miss Barsabe is handling things admirably, as the top recruit. Lord Xiaoshi has been praised without any complaints. The problem is Beric. The palace guard is running ragged trying to keep that wild colt in line.”
“Hahaha! I expected as much.”
“Last night, he broke into the kitchen and raided the storeroom. We spent the morning making new locks and calming down the furious chefs.”
“You were the one who calmed them?”
“Well, technically, my fiancé did.”
Count Jacques nodded approvingly. He knew better than anyone how much that kid could eat! It wouldn’t be long before a knife fight broke out between him and the kitchen staff—who weren’t exactly pushovers themselves.
The count smiled gently, as if hearing news from his distant grandchildren.
“They’re all doing well. That’s something to be proud of.”
“Among them, Ian is the most impressive.”
“Ah, right. Have you heard the rumor?”
The count snapped his fingers as if suddenly remembering, signaling Romandro to sit opposite him. Romandro, clutching his documents, sat carefully.
“What rumor?”
“About the Alphat manor.”
“The manor of Crony Alphat?”
“Yes. The one Ian refused to inherit, so it’s been empty.”
Why bring up Crony now? He’d been dead for over ten years.
Though the count prefaced it as a rumor, Romandro listened intently. Knowing the count’s character, he wouldn’t waste time on trivial gossip—especially when he knew Romandro was busy.
“Apparently, there was a light seen recently.”
“A light?”
Count Jacques pursed his lips and shrugged. He didn’t know the details, but if there was light in the manor, that meant someone was inside, right?
“Though it’s been empty for so long, it’s a prime manor right in the center. It’s not the kind of place a blind vagrant would sneak into for shelter. We should send someone to check it out.”
“Understood. I’ll inform Ian.”
Though Ian had refused the inheritance and had no legal claim, there was no one else to call the owner. If anything happened, Ian needed to know. The count smiled and nodded.
“I haven’t seen Ian in a while myself. Wish I had time to tell him personally.”
“Without Ian, nothing gets done at the Ministry of Magic. And with Minister Arena gone, everyone’s holding on tight to him. Even I eat at the palace with them, but it’s rare to see him.”
“He’s at the age to serve the empire now. But tell him not to overdo it.”
“Will do.”
“And you, too. A groom who looks worn out isn’t a good look.”
“Ah, yes, yes. I’ll try.”
Romandro rubbed his cheek, secretly pleased. That sounded like a polite way of saying he’d lost weight.
As Romandro stood, Count Jacques gestured for him to go.
“Well then, Count. Enjoy your rare day off.”
“Thank you. Get going.”
Romandro tucked the documents under his arm and hurried off. The count watched him leave, then added more tea leaves to his cup.
‘Why would the lights suddenly come on?’
Who could have come after ten years? If it were just a blind vagrant, as he’d joked, he’d feel more at ease. But this sudden rumor stirred an uneasy feeling.
“It feels like former Minister Crony has come back to life.”
What nonsense. Count Jacques frowned and strained the tea leaves.
‘Crony? If lights appeared in the quiet manor, the natural assumption would be the caretaker…’
Who could have seen the lights and immediately thought of Crony? Even if the former Minister of Imperial Defense were to return, what purpose would spreading such a rumor serve?
It seemed nothing more than a ridiculous, crude political ploy. The motive was unclear, making it all the more unsettling.
“Butler.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Any eyewitnesses yet?”
“We’re investigating, but the rumor has spread widely, so it’s taking time to find them discreetly. My apologies.”
“Strange. The rumor itself is odd, and it’s spreading fast…”
“I’ll send out more people.”
The palace hadn’t heard the rumor yet. Romandro was likely the first.
That was normal. Rumors always reached the subject last. Whether the subject was Crony or Ian, he wasn’t sure.
‘Once the rumor reaches the palace, I’ll check the Imperial Defense Department’s reaction.’
Their response would reveal whether this was just baseless chatter or a subtle, strategic move.
“Troubles like this right after the kids enter the palace, huh.”
Tsk tsk. Count Jacques savored the bitter taste lingering on his tongue. Though the sky was unusually clear, the reflection in his teacup was dark—tainted by the tea grounds he hadn’t filtered out.
“The manor, you say?”
Romandro met Ian as soon as he entered the palace. Ian was in charge of the important documents, but the more Romandro thought about the rumor on the carriage, the stranger it seemed.
“…That’s odd.”
Ian set down his pen and tilted his head.
Romandro eagerly agreed, while Ian kept signing documents, dipping his pen in ink.
“Right? I think so too. I mean, the manor could have its lights on—what’s so strange about that? And the rumor’s about the previous owner who died over ten years ago! No one would make that up without some intention.”
Ian pondered for a long moment, then rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window.
“Let’s send the caretaker first—”
“They’ve already been sent. The report should be coming in.”
“Also, spread the rumor to the Imperial Defense Department and see how they react. Xiaoshi can handle it. He’s new enough that it won’t be a stretch.”
If Count Jacques had heard that, he’d have smiled proudly. A sixteen-year-old thinking like someone decades older.
But Ian remained uneasy, lips pressed tight.
‘…Crony?’
A name long faded from memory. The first chapter of his life, a bitter fate that had turned everything upside down. Back then, as a child, he’d vowed before Minister Arena to avenge his parents. Thinking about it now was both pitiful and almost laughable.
So why was that name resurfacing?
‘Could there be conflict within the Imperial Defense Department?’
Whether the rumor was true or not, the mention of Crony was suspicious. He was the former Minister of Imperial Defense, after all. Perhaps factions had formed for unknown reasons.
If so, those people had too much time on their hands. If it was just internal nonsense, it’d be better to clamp down on it now. The Ministry of Magic was being worked to the bone, yet they were stirring up trivial distractions…
Knock knock.
“Romandro, a message for you. It’s from the manor’s caretaker.”
“Oh! That was quick. Let me see.”
Romandro unfolded the note, reading it with a puzzled pout.
“Ian, the caretaker says there’s no one in the mansion. No sign of a fire being lit… There’s a bit of dust swept away on the floor, but apparently that’s just from the occasional rat scurrying through, so it’s nothing to worry about.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Still, should we try leaking some rumors to the Imperial Defense Department?”
Ian nodded slightly as he handed over the signed documents, silently asking for the favor. Romandro gave a light salute, as if to say, “Don’t worry about it.”
“This kind of thing is actually my specialty,” he said.
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Well, I just never had the chance to show it off before.”
Only after Romandro left with a sly grin did Ian finally relax the tension in his face.
Alright, time to shake off these memories. Crony is dead and won’t be coming back. That’s an undeniable fact. And right now, Ian has piles of paperwork and trustworthy colleagues by his side. With his worries set aside, he dove back into his work.
Screeeech.
Meanwhile, as soon as Romandro stepped outside, he rifled through his papers to find a case related to the Imperial Defense Department. It was actually a discarded file, but he planned to sneak it in unnoticed to gain natural access. Unlike the administrative office, the Defense Department rarely saw visitors, so thorough preparation was necessary.
“Well, well, long time no see!”
“Romandro from the Magic Department? What brings you here?”
In front of the Imperial Defense Department building, a guard greeted him warmly. Ever the smooth talker, Romandro waved the papers.
“Just some business at the palace, you know how it is.”
“Where should I escort you?”
“No, no, I know my way around. Hey, have you heard the rumors?”
“Rumors? What rumors?”
“Oh, you haven’t? Never mind then. I’d better keep my mouth shut before I get scolded for gossiping.”
Romandro snapped his mouth shut with a playful pout and turned away, but the guard naturally fell into step behind him. What’s this? If you’re going to do something, just do it. If not, then don’t! The guard ignored the hint and subtly followed.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing much. Or maybe something. You know how rumors are—nine parts nonsense, one part truth.”
“Exactly. I’m worried it might be something problematic for the Imperial Defense Department.”
Worried? More like curious, you idiot! Romandro poked the guard’s side and whispered.
“Crony.”
“Huh?”
“Former Minister Crony, you know him? They say he’s alive.”
“Whaaaat? That can’t be!”
“Right? Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?”
“Of course! If he really came back, that’d be huge news!”
“…Huh?”
Romandro froze at the unexpected reaction. He’d meant it as a sarcastic ‘nonsense,’ but the guard had taken it completely the opposite way.
A legendary hero who marched north for the empire, fought the underground god, and died in battle! If he’s alive, that’s a true legend!
Romandro blinked, momentarily speechless. What is this? This isn’t what I expected.
Wait a minute…
Suddenly, he had a vague sense of the real purpose behind the rumors swirling around. Was it a test to see the current Imperial Defense Minister’s standing? Or to gauge public opinion within the department?
Who on earth is behind this?