Reconnaissance (3)

The events that took place at the end of Sinistra's stage happened so consecutively, almost like a wave, that I couldn't pay much attention to the other details. However, I do remember a few things clearly.

The reason Vittorio was kidnapped into Sinistra's underground labyrinth was because some loose-lipped person revealed the connection between the gang of vagrants and us. And I also recall what happened in that underground maze.

Leonardo, quickly noticing my discomfort, grabbed Lopez by the collar, lifting him up and threatening him. Lopez struggled, gasping for air like someone about to pass out.

"Cough, why, why are you here…?"

"Nice to meet you again— I heard you took the title of Count? Glad to see you're doing well."

When I opened the gold-leafed decoration box on the shelf, I found a heavy glass bottle filled with fine wine. It seemed to be a gift for Godric. A luxury item meant to win the king's favour as the new Count of Bermont. It was elegantly stored with a wine glass in velvet lining.

The scene of Godric receiving the gift and smiling gently was easy to imagine, but he would likely only show appreciation when receiving the gift, and after that, he probably wouldn't give it much thought.

I lazily waved my hand to signal Leonardo to put him down, and Leonardo roughly set Lopez down and glanced at him indifferently.

Lopez, still coughing, quickly spoke up.

"I-I didn't expect to see you again. I didn't expect to meet you in such a humble place…"

"We were on our way to the Vernis Mountains. It would have been a shame to miss such a big event, wouldn't it? I figured you'd be here too, so I decided to stop by and congratulate you on the way."

Pop! I easily uncorked the bottle and poured wine into a glass. Lopez froze, and I offered him the glass.

"Here, drink."

"Thank you…"

Lopez trembled and forced a smile. He seemed to hesitate, as though he didn't want to take a sip of the wine, but when we stared at him persistently, he had no choice but to gulp down a sip.

I rested my chin in my hand and stared at him.

Lopez, who had dramatically cooperated with the tomb robbery in exchange for the vast vineyards and the spoils of Leovald, had helped lure the Count for us after being persuaded. But in the end, Lopez hadn't been completely loyal.

"Honestly, I was debating until the last moment whether to offer you a congratulatory drink or force you to drink a harsh one. How's the taste? Since it came from the vineyard you've been wanting so much, the quality should be excellent, of course."

Lopez stiffened and opened his mouth in surprise. However, the wine he had already swallowed would not come back out. I gently reminded him of his past actions with a kind tone.

"Well, you did push the existence of my little errand boys onto your brother at the end, didn't you? Thanks to that, many of my beloved little ones were quite frightened. It was upsetting."

This wasn't just about Vittorio, but a reference to all the little ones in the dark alleys of Sinistra, especially the ones involved in that shady business.

I scolded him lightly but firmly, using a tone that clearly reproached him.

"You're ungrateful."

"S-sorry! My brother, he threatened me, so…!"

The man, his face drained of colour, fumbled for an apology. While I casually swirled the wine glass in my hand, he crawled almost on his knees to beg for forgiveness.

"I was foolish and made a mistake!"

"Ah, I didn't expect you to go this low. Why are you making everyone uncomfortable like this? You'll hurt your knees. Sit down."

With a kind tone, I lightly scolded him. His complexion turned so pale that all the blood drained from his face, leaving him with a faint blue tint. He sat in the chair across from me as I gestured.

Lopez, belatedly, noticed someone else in the darkness besides Leonardo and me, and he flinched in fear. Raul, who was standing guard at the door, like us, was draped in dark cloth, covering his whole body, but his sharp hazel eyes were the only thing visible, filled with disdain.

Of course, this disdain came from Raul's personal regret and hatred for the nobility. His expression wasn't fake; it was genuine, making it much more natural. Lopez, feeling utterly deflated, averted his gaze.

Eventually, he trembled at the sight of the wine glass I hadn't even touched. His face showed worry, as if he were afraid I had poisoned the wine he drank.

"Aren't you being a little too scared when we haven't done anything yet?"

Of course, I hadn't poisoned it, but I deliberately allowed the misunderstanding to persist to create the right atmosphere.

"I'm sorry our last one ended that way."

"Compensation, if there's anything I can do to help, I'll do anything. Please have mercy…"

"Let me think about it."

As I slowly dragged out my words in a thoughtful manner, Lopez desperately clasped his hands together.

"Ah!"

With a quick snap of my fingers, Lopez jolted upright in his chair, nearly leaping out of it in surprise. He was startled to this extent.

"I happened to hear an interesting story. I hear you're going to the Vernis Mountains with Duke Marchez and the young master of the Ertinez family?"

"Y-yes, that's right. If you're dissatisfied with those men, I can always lure them out for you…"

This man is always ready to stab someone in the back.

It wasn't surprising, but I couldn't help but pout beneath my mask in annoyance. Leonardo, interpreting my discomfort, firmly grabbed and then released Lopez' nape, signalling him to keep quiet. As always, his actions were impressively smooth and efficient.

'I'm amazed at how naturally he does that. He can't perform any other tricks, though.'

I inwardly admired him and refocused on Lopez.

"I know your specialty is betrayal, but what we need this time isn't that."

"Then you want me to escort you to the Vernis Mountains…?"

"We don't need that either. If all three families are travelling together, it shouldn't be too hard to blend in during the confusion."

"Ah."

Lopez seemed to think that he would be forgiven if he played some role in the situation, and he wore a rather desperate expression.

"I was just hoping to have a conversation with the noble lords. Of course, you'll help, right? After all, we have a debt between us."

"Y-yes, yes. I am truly sorry…"

Just as Lopez' tongue was about to loosen again, I waved my hand dismissively to cut him off. In order to speak with Duke Marchez, who was cautious enough to conceal his identity and set up shadow operatives, I felt that a bit of preparation would be necessary.

'First, I need to confirm if Duke Marchez really suspects Godric.'

And if everything goes well, it could turn out that not only the Ertinez family, who had been preparing to move alone, but also a much stronger ally could be gained as a result.

Sub-writer 1 and Godric are the same person, but I can't be sure that defeating the writer will automatically lead to Godric's downfall. Every story has its own logic. We need to push Godric out in a way that makes sense, even from the stage.

For example, revealing the atrocities the king has committed over the years and how he murdered the national hero to expose him and depose him. Perhaps that will become the key condition that leads to the conclusion.

'If Godric obtains Leovald's corpse and secures the , then Sub-writer 1's victory is assured…'

If we, and the characters who were sacrificed to Sub-writer 1's personal desires, can remove the roles he has inhabited from the stage, it will be Leovald's victory.

I vaguely began sketching out a plan for the ending, which had until now been unclear, and glanced at Leonardo. His face was hidden by his mask, so I couldn't see his expression.

Sometimes, I wonder.

Half of the scenario for you has already passed, and only the remaining half is left. I know this because it is based on a story with a structure of rising action, climax, and resolution, so I know at which point things will happen and how it will eventually conclude.

But I wonder if you're feeling something similar?

Are you becoming aware that the moment for revenge is drawing nearer?

If you can't be sure of that, what exactly are you enduring this long process for? Just my meager consolation and self-belief?

I glance at Leonardo's face, hidden beneath his mask and cloak.

For some time now, he has either been wearing a shallow smile in front of me or showing only his gentle, tender side, making it hard to imagine him sharpening his sword for revenge, filled with hatred. Still, there must be moments when he feels frustration or a sense of helplessness.

'…'

Breaking free from my thoughts, I return to the main point. I needed to briefly discuss a few plans to ensnare Duke Marchez.

By the time the conversation ended, Lopez, who had misunderstood everything, awkwardly asked about the antidote. Since there was no reason to clear up his misunderstanding, I simply mixed a little of the usual spices I carried with me into a plain glass of water and gave it to him.

Lopez gulped down the salty, peppery water in an ambiguous ratio and then showed a relieved expression.

I threw the remaining wine out the window.

Lopez probably thought I was concealing traces of poison, but in reality, I had simply prevented that man from aligning himself with Godric and becoming the second Count of Bermont.

Since the most valuable offering was gone, he wouldn't be lingering near Godric until he came up with another gift or method to win the king's favour.

After taking all the necessary steps, I looked down at Lopez one last time.

"Viscount."

Lopez seemed to want to correct himself and say 'Count,' but he remained silent.

"You'd better not make the same mistake that displeases me again. Understand?"

He hurriedly nodded. I stood up, brushing my hands off. I gave Raul a brief glance, and he stepped forward, giving the lord a sharp blow to the back of his head.

I would have preferred to leave with an elegant and meaningful exit, but every time I thought of how that man had caused Vittorio to be captured in the labyrinth, I couldn't hold back the urge to slap him.

With a screech, Lopez fainted and was roughly tossed onto the bed. We left the guest room without another word.

Later, Raul spoke.

"If what you're doing with the commander is smacking the back of some annoying noble's head, then I'm all for it. I think it's great!"

"Huh?"

"Sometimes, the world needs things like this."

He had a refreshed expression, as though he had shaken off all his frustrations during the night's walk.

Of course, it wasn't long before he realized that we'd have to squeeze into the same bed and, like a drenched wildcat, he jumped up and ran off to another room. Oh well.