Chapter 18: Honest Concern

Inner City, Minister's Mansion.

The corridor of the mansion's study was adorned with lavish stone carvings. On both sides of the corridor, above the marble-carved fireplaces, hung oil paintings depicting the noble family's history.

The entire study's floor was made of precious redwood, covered with carpets imported from foreign lands. The patterns were intricate and complex, the colors vibrant. Even the walls were decorated with exquisite murals and antique wall clocks—every item in the room was steeped in historical value.

Beside the fireplace were two ancient leather armchairs, covered in thick velvet and red fabric embroidered with gold. Anyone of low status who dared to sit on them would feel deeply inferior.

At this moment, in this luxurious and refined study, two people were seated and conversing.

One of them had icy-blue hair and eyes. Her pristine white military uniform sharply accentuated her valiant aura.

The other was a gray-haired, bearded man who looked well over fifty. Yet his presence was calm and commanding. Whether it was the luxurious fur coat draped over his shoulders or the various gemstone rings adorning all ten of his fingers, everything about him exuded extraordinary status.

These two figures within the study were none other than the two most powerful political figures in the Empire: General Esdeath and Minister Honest.

"General, I heard that you let Night Raid's assassins escape last night. Is that true?"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Honest took a large swig of wine worth a fortune and spoke with casual indifference, "Word has it that at least three members of Night Raid appeared last night. Such an opportunity—and they slipped away. What a waste."

"They're nothing but a group of skulking rats. If they escaped, so be it," Esdeath replied indifferently. "Now that I'm back, they won't be able to run wild for much longer. You need not worry, Minister. I said I'd take care of them, and I will."

"I've never doubted your abilities, General. In fact, half of the reason I'm still comfortably seated in my position is thanks to you," Honest laughed heartily, clearly not taking Night Raid seriously.

Although those assassins had earned quite a notorious reputation within the capital—especially among the lower and middle nobility, where everyone feared they'd be the next target—Honest had no concern for his own safety.

To him, Night Raid was nothing more than a group of annoying flies.

Their only advantage lay in their ability to remain hidden. But once the Empire got a hold of their whereabouts, exterminating them would be effortless.

Now that his most reliable partner had returned to the capital after pacifying the northern and southern war fronts, the downfall of Night Raid was merely a matter of time.

What concerned him more was something else entirely.

"So then, General, why didn't you make a move last night?" A glint of curiosity shone in Honest beady eyes. "You and the Three Beasts—four against three from Night Raid—should've held complete advantage. If it was to lay a long-term trap, I'd understand. But you didn't even send pursuers. Not even a token attempt to track them back to their base. Honestly, I can't make sense of it."

"Hmph..."

Esdeath let out a cold snort, offering him no courtesy. "I think that's not the real question you wanted to ask, is it?"

"Haha, the General sees through everything."

If anyone else dared speak to him in such a tone, they'd likely be dead within three days.

But being needled by Esdeath, Honest didn't even flinch. In fact, his smile grew even wider.

"There are rumors saying that you've found your long-lost younger sister," Honest said with a beaming smile. "And the reason you didn't pursue them last night... was because you reunited with her. Is that rumor true?"

"It is."

"Congratulations, congratulations! That's a momentous occasion worthy of national celebration!"

Honest clapped his hands enthusiastically, as though he too had reunited with his own long-lost sister. He spoke with genuine excitement, "The General holds an exalted position, and naturally, your sister's status is equally noble. Does the young lady have any preferences? I'd like to prepare a modest gift when I pay my respects."

"No need. But I appreciate the Minister's thoughtfulness on behalf of Yoshino. She's not very fond of strangers."

As she spoke of her sister, a faint smile curved Esdeath lips. "Besides, whatever she wants, I'm already scrambling to buy it for her. I'll be the one cherishing this rare opportunity."

"Well, if the General insists, then I won't overstep."

Watching Esdeath reaction closely, Honest gaze deepened.

From his position at the pinnacle of power, a remnant of the old court, he had witnessed many capable ministers, loyal officials, even conniving schemers—all of them irrevocably changed by family.

Whether it was threats to their loved ones, whispers from a newlywed spouse, or the birth of a child, their thoughts, plans, and even allegiances could change drastically.

That's why, upon learning that Esdeath had possibly found her long-lost sister, a faint unease stirred in his heart.

After all, Esdeath was his most powerful trump card.

To secretly control the Empire while turning it into his playground of indulgence, Esdeath power was indispensable.

She craved only the thrill of battle and had no interest whatsoever in politics.

And that's exactly why Honest valued her.

He controlled the court from the shadows, granted Esdeath the freedom to wage war, and in return, she did his bidding and solidified his dominance within the government.

Because of their aligned interests, the two had become allies.

But if this woman were to change because of her sister's return, his position in court would be jeopardized.

He wouldn't fall entirely, of course—but he also wouldn't remain as unchallenged and unrestrained as he was now.

"Uncertainty... Uncertainty... I detest uncertainty the most."

Though he wore a warm smile on the surface, Honest sighed deeply in his heart.

"Now, because of that girl Yoshino... who knows how long it'll take for Esdeath to shift her attention back to Night Raid."

He knew full well how deeply Esdeath cared for her sister.

In fact, one of the conditions for their original alliance was that Honest would help her search for Yoshino within the Empire.

Though at the time, he had only made a symbolic effort.

After all, he was familiar with Esdeath background. He genuinely didn't believe that a frail girl could have survived the chaos of war. Even if she had somehow made it, there was no way she could have endured the harsh, snowy wilderness alone.

But as it turned out, he was wrong.

The ghost who should've perished had returned.

Esdeath, who once had no attachments, was no longer alone.

"What a bother..."

Honest drained the last mouthful of wine from his goblet.

"Just in case... I'd better prepare a backup plan."