Let's Proceed to the Harbor

Twitch. Artie Shen turned behind her as she heard one of them say it. 'The archduke is eligible to be king because his wife was a princess? Well, that doesn't seem to be fair to the son of the king, but… I didn't expect Miel to be a prince.'

The gossipers noticed Artie look at them, and they all froze. They were traveling merchants, and their connections were way better than the locals in terms of what's happening in the land. After that dinner with the other nobles, how sure was Artie Shen that no one would recognize her?

"...is that her? The archduke's new wife? She looks so young..." one man whispered next to him, but his eyes were stuck on Artie's face. Instead of receiving an answer, the person he was talking to only nudged him away. No one wanted to be executed for gossiping against the archduke or his wife.

Barda realized what was happening, and so he spoke. "Lady Shen, ignore them. Lord Ellis had long dismissed his marriage with the princess. Not only was she barred from entering Ellis Plains, but the Emperor had also threatened to kill her on sight."

Artie then brought her eyes to the marshal's strong profile image. "...so Miel is..."

"The seneschal. Do not associate him with his birth mother now lest he will be upset." Barda sighed as if he witnessed something awful concerning the family affairs of the archduke. "Better keep that thought within you, Lady Shen. As for the legalities of marriage, the princess had no more claim on it.

"Neither was Lord Ellis eligible to the throne."

"I see. The people seemed to like him a lot though." Artie only hummed as she scooted back to her sitting position. "How many would love to have Larkin as king?"

'Like him a lot?' Barda's eyes squinted a little,

The marshal didn't want to answer that upfront, but he felt sorry for the angel who was getting a good feeling out of it. He then leaned down and whispered in a softer voice, "Lady Shen, don't misunderstand. The people only like Lord Ellis a lot more because the nobility worshiped him…

"And the king is inadequate."

Artie turned to the marshal who had pulled back and had been clearing his throat. During the questioning, there was nothing suspicious to be found. However, some travelers did speak of a strange ship at the docks. The people that came from it were all wearing black robes as well.

At this point, Larkin decided to see the harbor. He had heard everything that he needed to hear. It was time for the merchants to be released from custody. Seeing that Larkin was ready to move, Miel had ended the questioning.

Without even questioning the foreign lord…

"Hm? L-Lord Ellis, you're ending the Inquisition already? Could it be that you have gained the insight you wished after… after asking merchants?" Lord Trabolton was confused. Wasn't he a better resource than these merchants? Why was he not being asked? Moreover, they came to his rented villa.

"I had heard what the people had to say. I must attend to more important matters." Larkin got to his feet and left the table without regard to the other lord. If anything, he should at least send him off with a 'Lord Trabolton' before leaving.

However, there was none.

Lord Trabolton didn't know what was happening, but he didn't want to feel humiliated in front of all these small-time traveling merchants. He got to his feet and approached the seneschal who was giving further instructions to the merchants. "Ducal seneschal, please hear me out."

"What can I help you with, Lord Trabolton?" Miel knew that Larkin was doing it again. However, this time, it didn't feel out of line.

"Uhm, if I won't be questioned, then… what's the use of coming here?" Lord Trabolton was a seasoned traveler, and that was how he had enough credits to enter Ellis Plains. If the archduke was looking for something, then he must know about it, yes?

Then again, why hadn't Larkin asked him anything in particular?

Was he only terrorizing Lord Trabolton with the word 'Inquisition'?

Miel's eyes darkened. From his spot, he could hear the man talking non-stop with Larkin as if they were not there for the Inquisition. Did he think that the archduke was not paying attention to the testimonies of the merchants?

"I believe that your stories were well enough to serve as your part in the Inquisition, Lord Trabolton." Miel didn't show any hint of displeasure, and yet he was met with a glare from the foreign lord. He added, "Lord Trabolton, the archduke needs me by his side. We must leave. You've been kind to host—"

"Don't you dare dismiss me, you street child." Lord Trabolton huffed as he growled at Miel. "What is this whole fiasco? Setting an Inquisition and not following it through? You even dare trouble me and scare me with such a big word? What kind of game is this?"

Artie Shen stayed behind to wait for Miel because she wanted to talk to him on the way now that Larkin was extremely busy thinking. However, she didn't realize that Miel would be in trouble as soon as Larkin disappeared from everyone's sight. She picked up her dress to intervene, but Barda stopped her.

Miel remained impassive, but his eyes were as cold as Larkin's glare. He then nodded a little. "We'll be leaving now, Lord Trabolton." There were no more words for this old man.

However, as soon as he turned away, Lord Trabolton decided to use his right hand to grab Miel by the collar. This was just a ducal seneschal, a glorified housekeeper! How dare he turn his back on a city lord like Lord Trabolton?!

Bang! Someone groaned in pain, but it wasn't Miel. Even Miel was sweating from shock and pressure.

Everyone was preparing to leave, but a piercing shrill cry took all their attention. When they turned towards the source, they saw Lord Trabolton twisting in pain as a black snake circled around his right wrist, with its body constricting the blood from flowing.

Moreover, it came from a faraway direction… it seemed that Lord Ellis had used his left hand to summon something that could cross meters and halt Lord Trabolton's action. The archduke only huffed. "You dare lay a dirty hand on my seneschal?

"Lord Trabolton, you had seen me in person unlike most who come to my land. Now, I will have to ask you to leave. If you cannot follow the rules imposed by my soldiers, then Ellis Plains is not welcoming you. If you do not find yourself outside the plains before sundown, I will help you move."

"I… I apologize, Lord Ellis! I have done you wrong!" Lord Trabolton was turning green from the pain. The black snake was burning his skin, and he had no idea why even his bones were tingling.

Miel quickly got out of reach and turned to Larkin. "Lord Ellis, please. There are so many outsiders..."

Larkin only looked at Miel before releasing the foreign lord's arm. He then smoothed the seneschal's cape as how the seneschal would do it for Larkin. "Let's proceed to the harbor."

"Wow, so cool!" Artie giggled before approaching Miel. Her mouth had opened to speak, but she saw soldiers riding towards them in haste.

"Reporting to the Archduke!" The soldier even fell off of his horse as he forced his body to move… despite the abdominal wound that was now visible to them. "Bandits in the harbor! They're creating a bloodbath! Your Grace, please help us!"