Ashler’s statent made those around him uneasy. If Norhox had said it was an accident, it would have been a good thing for them to accept. However, if it had been arson, they would have been unnecessarily suspected as the culprit.
What was surprising was Norhox’s response. Instead of shouting that it must be the work of those targeting the King’s Heart, he simply glared at Ashler once and then replied lightly. His words flowed smoothly as if he had prepared them.
“It’s indeed true that the fire was an accident. The Regas I trained apply ointnt to their bodies every evening as a daily routine. So, we have to be careful not to start a fire since we use oil. When I was still in charge, I always emphasized and repeatedly emphasized, and there has never been a single accident. But as soon as it was out of my hands...”
Norhox coldly spat out while surveying the wreckage.
“Such an unfortunate accident happened. This is clearly the responsibility of the managent.”
Norhox’s intention to emphasize the accident was clearly evident to anyone. They had to hold the manager, the war profiteer, accountable. Erei stepped forward as if to assist Norhox and testified.
“I was about to ntion this to the new manager, but...”
Erei pretended to have a regretful expression and bit his lower lip.
“He seed out of his mind, possibly drunk, so I couldn’t make a proper report.”
Then he wiped away the tears that were welling up in the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand.
“I told them to be careful, but they all tragically died pitifully.”
“How many of those pitiful Regas are there in total?”
“Pardon?”
“You are grieving to the point of shedding tears, so you must know well. How many people burned to death inside?”
In response to Ashler’s unexpected question, Erei stamred in confusion.
“W-Well, of course, I know that.”
“How many?”
“That’s...”
How could he know how many pieces of trash were gathered to fra the war profiteer?
Erei turned his troubled eyes to Norhox as if asking for help. Fortunately, Norhox, displeased with Ashler’s tone, interjected into the conversation.
“Why do you want to know such trivial things? You can count the bodies inside to find out!”
However, Ashler responded coldly to Norhox’s outburst.
“I have counted. There were sixteen bodies. Were there indeed sixteen Regas inside?”
“Yeah. If you counted, then that should be correct, right?”
Erei confird, “Yes, there were 16.”
However, Ashler’s eyes beca even darker as he looked at the two of them. It was clear that they didn’t even know how many people had died inside the quarters.
Thus, they would likely accept the number, including Abel. No, they probably didn’t even properly check his face in the first place. They just mistook Abel for their own Regas and took him away, thinking that they only needed a sacrificial victim to turn into a pile of ashes overnight. Ashler clenched his fist unknowingly, and he heard Norhox’s words.
“What you need to do now is to bring the war profiteer responsible for this ss and hold him accountable. What are you still doing? Hurry and inform His Majesty...”
“Those who died inside were all lying quietly in their beds.”
Ashler interrupted Norhox’s words and spoke in a cold voice.
“The fact that they did not escape, even as they were about to be burned to death, ans they were either unconscious or already dead. Isn’t that right?”
Norhox’s eyes narrowed at the question. Only then did he finally realize that Ashler wasn’t simply trying to confirm the facts.
This arrogant guy. Is he going to help the war profiteer?
“No, they must have fallen into a deep sleep. This is an accident. Do you have anything else to say? If it’s arson and murder, I think I might know who the culprit is.”
Norhox glanced around at the emperor’s soldiers. His warning was clear.
He would accuse them as the culprits.
At this point, the opponent had to bow their heads and retreat, giving up the war profiteer, and that was the sa thought that the other commanders had, including lmond, who had been watching from afar. Ashler would follow Norhox’s intentions.
“If you know the culprit, I would appreciate it. If there’s even the slightest possibility of arson and murder, I want to catch the culprit for His Majesty’s safety.”
However, a completely unexpected answer ca from Ashler. Surprised, Norhox raised his eyebrows, but Ashler emphasized through gritted teeth.
“I will find the person who killed His Majesty’s Regas and personally behead them with my own hands.”
****
Clang!
As the silver goblet thrown by Norhox hit the ground, red wine spilled and stained the floor.
“Ashler, that insolent bastard.”
Norhox, unable to contain his anger, pounded the table with his clenched fist several tis.
‘Until the safety within the unit is confird, we will place soldiers around you, Marquis. Please refrain from moving as much as possible. Of course, you will also not be allowed to et His Majesty.’
Is his purpose to help the war profiteer and prevent him from eting the emperor?
Norhox was infuriated that he had failed to respond properly to Ashler’s words. For a mont, he misunderstood. There was genuine anger hidden in Ashler’s words about finding and beheading the culprit himself.
He didn’t notice Ashler’s subsequent attacks because he was wondering why he reacted like that to a Regas’ death. Because of this, only the war profiteer ended up spending a comfortable night drunk. The plan to deliberately make him drink using Erei went all in vain.
Norhox couldn’t contain his anger until dawn and then stood up. He had to show Ashler a lesson. Backed by nurous soldiers, he was getting too arrogant, so he had to shatter his delusion.
Norhox grasped the docunts he received from Truyde in his hands and rose from his seat. He had wanted to see the emperor’s disappointed face when he presented them, but suppressing Ashler was more urgent now. He had to make that bastard kneel at his feet imdiately.
Norhox wasn’t the only one who spent the night wide awake. In the quarters, which had turned into a mourning place, the butler and lmond sat like lifeless dolls, their expressions vacant. Nani also stood nearby, guarding them with a blank expression.
Aside from them, Ashler, Roster, and Kin were in the quarters, having a serious conversation that had been ongoing since earlier but had long since stopped. They had been shocked just the day before by the news of the reincarnated emperor’s Regas, only to find out that he had died again.
Roster, who didn’t know Abel, was the least affected, but he couldn’t ask for more details. Kin, with a complex look mixed with guilt at the news of Abel’s death, tightly closed his mouth, and Ashler stared at the empty space with a cold expression that had never been seen before.
“It seems to be a problem even if His Majesty awakens.”
After confirming the outside becoming bluish, Roster finally spoke after a long ti and asked Ashler.
“Do you plan to inform His Majesty about this?”
Ashler couldn’t answer, but Kin next to him responded confidently.
“We have to inform him.”
“Then, His Majesty will be enraged at the King’s Heart and fight them to the end?”
Ashler asked with a hint of accusation, and Kin turned to him with calm eyes. He had once wished for Abel’s death, so whatever he said would only sound like an excuse. Still, he shook his head slowly.
“No. It doesn’t matter if he abandons everything in anger and leaves for a place where no one {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} knows.”
As Ashler looked at him with a suspicious gaze, Kin casually added:
“I just don’t want to beco like those King’s Heart bastards.”
“......”
“Regardless of the outco, he must be inford. If it is soone he truly cherished, he must know the truth even more.”
“Even if that leads to an outco Sir Kin doesn’t desire?”
It was a question to confirm Kin’s sincerity. And once again, Kin nodded.
“Yes, even if my wish is shattered, it doesn’t matter.”
However, Ashler sensed sothing strange in Kin’s voice as he answered. It felt like he had found a different way rather than giving up or accepting the situation.
What could it be?
As Ashler pondered, the entrance to the quarters opened, and the blue dawn light ca in.
“Marquis Norhox wishes to see you.”
Ashler coldly replied to the soldier’s announcent.
“Tell him I will co when the day gets brighter.”
However, the soldier approached Ashler with an awkward expression and whispered softly.
“He is waiting in front of your quarters.”
In front of the quarters?
For soone who would usually summon others at will to co directly here himself... However, Ashler bitterly swallowed his frustration and stood up. It seed that Norhox was considerably offended by being ignored in front of the burnt quarters. Though it was unclear what Norhox would say after coming so early, it was obvious that if Ashler didn’t go out, Norhox would insist on eting the emperor. Ashler stood up and spoke to the other two.
“I’ll et with Norhox and return. Whatever he has to say...”
“Sir Ashler.”
The soldier interrupted cautiously and threw an awkward gaze at Kin and Roster.
“He has requested that all the commanders accompany you. He particularly emphasized that the 1st Battalion Commander must co.”
Especially the 1st Battalion Commander?
Everyone looked at Kin, but no one could think of a specific reason why Norhox would single him out. What nonsense was he planning? As Ashler got up, he tried to dissuade Kin from going.
“It would be better if you don’t go.”
At this, Kin tried to argue, but Roster also intervened to stop him.
“Norhox must be trying to find so fault with you by pointing you out specifically. It’s best to listen to what he says first and respond accordingly. For now, don’t show yourself.”
Kin frowned with dissatisfaction but took a step back as if he understood. However, he didn’t forget to add:
“I’ll hide and watch.”
Norhox had never t Kin in person. Even if he had investigated him, Kin’s low status before the war ant he wouldn’t know his face for sure. That much should be fine. Ashler and Roster agreed with his words and left the quarters.
On their way to et Norhox, Ashler’s group expected nothing more than an extension of what he had claid last night — that the fire that killed the Regas was the fault of the war profiteer. Therefore, they should bring him to account for his cri. However, Norhox, who looked down at Ashler’s group from atop his horse, spoke unexpected words.
“Have you found the culprit of the arson?”
“No. We are still searching.”
Ashler replied, glaring at Norhox. Norhox read the emotion in Ashler’s gaze but smirked provocatively.
“If you need help, let know. If it’s arson, I, too, want to catch the culprit no matter what. But...”
He trailed off, then erased his smile.
“I think I know who the culprit is.”
“In that case, please enlighten us.”
Ashler muttered in a low voice, suppressing his anger. It might not be a surprise if Norhox’s next words were as expected. Norhox raised his hand and pointed at Ashler’s group.
“The culprit is among you.”
“......”
“Did you not hear? The culprit is among you.”
Roster looked like he was about to draw his sword, but fortunately, he restrained himself with clenched teeth. anwhile, Ashler took a step forward, his expression turning murderous.
“We all risked our lives for His Majesty on the battlefield. That was only possible because we swore to follow no one but His Majesty. So, unless there is clear evidence, accusing us as culprits is the sa as considering all of us as culprits. Is that what you an?”
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