Chapter 976

Merni hummed a tune as she looked around the Imperial Guard office. Maybe it was the memory of Herchi’s final expression, but she just couldn’t stop humming.

Honestly, was she really wrong? There were three captains of the same rank, yet she was the only one backing Ian Hadel, steering the atmosphere of the Imperial Guard in his direction. From Merni’s perspective, it was only natural to find that irritating.

Tap. Tap tap.

Suddenly, a gentle knocking came from behind. Someone was cautiously tapping on the window, calling her. Merni grinned and nodded.

“Well, what brings you here?”

“Greetings, Captain Merni.”

“I thought you were busy with your duties.”

“Busy? I doubt anyone’s busier than the Guard.”

It was an officer from the Imperial Defense Department, someone she’d gotten to know in passing. He claimed he was just passing by, but Merni immediately knew he was lying—the main palace and the Defense Department buildings were on opposite sides of the city. She asked directly.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“Well, I was wondering how things are at the palace. It’s supposed to be a bit chaotic these days, right?”

“Yes, that’s true. Back when the previous captain was in charge, things were peaceful—I was even a little envious. But I seem to have no luck with this.”

Her words teetered on the edge between bluntness and rudeness. The officer leaned casually against the window frame and asked,

“I hear the workload’s tough.”

“Don’t even mention it. I’m losing weight nonstop.”

“Is it hard to find a moment to rest?”

“A moment? Well… I guess it depends on how you make time.”

So, what exactly brought him here? Merni had a good idea but played dumb.

The officer glanced around before motioning her closer.

“To be honest, there aren’t many departments capable of restoring order in the palace.”

“That’s right.”

Only three: the Magic Department, the Imperial Guard, and the Imperial Defense Department. The officer frowned, clearly concerned.

“When opinions clash, factions form. When factions form, the palace inevitably falls into disorder. Wouldn’t it be better if the departments responsible for keeping order quickly aligned their views? Captain Herchi has already turned his back, so Captain Merni, why don’t you act as the mediator?”

It was a discreet suggestion to meet with the Crony faction.

Despite the cautious tone, Merni readily agreed.

“Alright.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I can’t keep running on emergency duty forever. I’ll come out tonight or by dawn.”

“You’ve made a wise decision, Captain.”

“Hey, I’m not doing this for myself. It’s all for the palace.”

“Of course, of course. For the palace!”

The officer grabbed Merni’s hand and proudly patted her shoulder. Then, as if testing the waters, he added,

“By the way, I heard the Imperial Guard is a bit short-staffed right now. Beric and that Barzabe apprentice, I mean.”

“Oh, those two?”

Merni scratched her ear and replied,

“Apprentices are kind of optional, but in times like this, even a cat’s help would be welcome. It’s a shame.”

“They’re under house arrest, right?”

“Yes. Beric was exceptional from the start, but the timing is suspicious. I think there’s something else going on.”

“Something else? Like what?”

“I don’t know exactly… Herchi’s true intentions are a mystery. Maybe they sidelined him because he’s from the Artan tribe.”

The officer pretended not to hear Merni’s muttering and looked away. Just then, some staff members approached from a distance.

“Well then, I’ll be waiting.”

They exchanged a brief glance and casually turned away. The staff peered curiously through the wide-open window of the Imperial Guard office but said nothing.

---

“…I’m screwed.”

Beric slapped his forehead. The pot was burnt black, coffee cups with broken handles lay scattered, and crumbs filled the cracks in the wooden floor. For some reason, his siblings’ dolls were wedged into the shattered window.

“If Helna and the kids come back, I’m dead meat.”

Damn it. Was it really this hard to cook for himself? Beric ignored the mess in the kitchen and living room and flopped onto the sofa. Even though the dolls blocked the window gap, a cold breeze still slipped through.

“I’m bored. Hungry. Bored. Annoyed…”

He muttered as if half out of his mind.

He was close to his limit. His tunnel digging had stalled because of a huge rock. He wanted to blow up the rock and the whole house, but if he did, Helna would really tear him apart. No way was he going to get whipped by his sister now that he was grown.

Creak.

Knock knock.

Just as he was stewing in frustration, a knock came from outside. Beric’s eyes snapped open, and he sat up.

“Huh?”

“Are you there?”

“I’m here! I’m here!”

Bang!

Beric jumped up and flung open the door. Standing there was an old woman, barefoot and scruffy, who looked genuinely surprised to see him in such a state.

“What is this? Why are you here? Helna and the kids aren’t home. Have you checked Gus’s tavern across the street? They say there’s a new menu! Oh! Do you have any alcohol? If not, could you bring some?”

“…I came to share some good news.”

The old woman hesitated under Beric’s barrage but then introduced herself.

“There’s a humanities lecture in the building right across the street. If you’re interested, come by. They’re offering free snacks and tea. Here, this is an invitation cookie.”

Beric snatched the flyer from her hand and tilted his head. Humanities? Is that something to eat?

The old woman patiently waited for his response, debating whether to mention that he was holding the flyer upside down.

“Free snacks and tea?”

“That’s right.”

“The building across the street’s been empty for a while.”

“They just rented it recently.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

The old woman smiled kindly and glanced toward the building.

“If you go now, the meal’s free too. Want to come with me?”

“Now?”

“It’s right there. Just a stone’s throw away.”

She said this while glancing around. Crony had seemed suspicious, but to her, it looked like an ordinary house—just a bit dirty, broken in places, and with deep scratches here and there.

‘No noticeable traps or anything.’

She needed to find out if Beric was really confined because of house arrest or if there was something else keeping him inside. The old woman smiled awkwardly, sensing Beric’s intense gaze.

“A stone’s throw, huh.”

“You’re always welcome—”

“Hey, old lady. Do you know how to make toast?”

“Huh?”

“Come here for a second.”

“Oh my! Whoa!”

Beric pushed the old woman inside, and the flyer she’d brought fell to the floor.

“…?!”

From inside a carriage nearby, the old woman’s companions peeked out in surprise. Barzabe and the mage lowered their telescopes as well.

“Alright then—”

As soon as the front door shut with a creak, Beric’s eyes gleamed as he showed the old woman the kitchen.

“Clean this up and make some toast, then we’ll go to that humanities lecture.”

“…It’s humanities, not ginseng studies.”

“Whatever! It’s still unpopular, right? That’s why they have to go around recruiting people. Am I right?”

The old woman scowled and looked around the kitchen, which resembled a pigsty. How on earth did coffee stains get on the ceiling?

She hesitated for a moment.

‘…Should I just leave?’

No, this was a rare chance to get inside the house without suspicion. She could find out exactly what Beric was doing, what he was waiting for. Bringing back that information would earn her a hefty reward.

“…This is intense. Really intense.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, you remind me of my grandson. If you clean this up, we can go to the humanities lecture together. I think you could use some culture.”

“Maybe. Right now, I need booze and meat. Heh—”

Heh—what a laugh. The old woman grumbled, grabbed a rag, and started tidying up. She didn’t forget to put bread in the pan and pulled some nearly spoiled vegetables from the fridge.

Clack clack clack!

“Oh, you’re good. Quick hands.”

“If you want to act like a decent person, you should be able to do this. Stop hanging around and go sit over there. If you get bored, just eat some cookies.”

“Oh, right. Cookies.”

Beric sprawled on the sofa and tore open the cookie package. At the rustling sound, the old woman glanced at him slyly.

Inside those cookies was a strong laxative that caused severe stomach pain. She wanted to see if he’d stay cooped up inside despite the agony…

“Oh, right.”

Just as Beric was about to swallow a cookie, he suddenly stopped and looked at the old woman. She jumped, hurriedly wiping the table.

“It’s rude to eat before the guest.”

“…Is it polite to make a guest do housework?” The old woman shook her head, her lips twitching.

“I don’t like sweets, so you go ahead, Lord Berrick. I made these myself—they’re really delicious.”

“Really? Just for me? I’m going to gobble this up all by myself.”

“Of course.”

Please, just do that. The old woman scrubbed furiously, eagerly waiting for Berrick to devour the cookie. Just as Berrick opened his mouth wide to take a bite, he suddenly tilted his head, as if something had occurred to him.

“But—”

“But what now? Honestly, I might be eating this cookie until sunset at this rate.”

Why so talkative? The old woman was about to snap in irritation when Berrick muttered, puzzled.

“How did you know my name was Berrick?”

“……!”

A long silence stretched between them.

The old woman spun around to face him. Berrick froze mid-bite, blinking with a serious look in his eyes.

“I-I saw your nameplate outside!”

“But the nameplate says ‘Helna.’”

“Well, we’re neighbors, so I might have… heard something?”

“My name?”

“Isn’t that right? So, you must know.”

Berrick snapped the cookie in half with a soft crack.

“Grandma.”

“Y-yes?”

“You try it first.”

“Old folks aren’t supposed to eat sweets.”

“You should. It’s better that way.”

Or else I might just do something about your remaining front teeth. Berrick shot her a warning glance, and the old woman wiped cold sweat from her brow.

A moment later—

“Oh?”

Pffffft!

Boom! Crash!

“……!”

“……!”

From a distance, Barsabe and the mage dropped their telescopes in shock. An explosion had erupted inside Berrick’s house in an instant, shattering every window with devastating force.

Barsabe grabbed his sword and sprinted toward the windows.

“Mage! Activate the protective barrier immediately!”

“Wait! Barsabe, hold on!”

“Yes?”

“Look!”

Startled passersby froze in place, but a group of men crossing the street caught their attention. Men riding in a carriage—all heading straight for Berrick’s estate.

Barsabe and the mage exchanged glances and nodded.

“They’re here.”

“They’ve arrived.”

Whoosh!

The mage immediately sent a signal to Ian using magic, while Barsabe leapt from the window and dashed toward the carriage.