Episode 44
“For your information, I imbued that stone with some of my divine power so it can be tracked.”
Cassium had no way of knowing whether Lize had taken it inside or left it in her office.
If they were going to retrieve the stone, it was better to rely on Julius’s help.
“And just in case, I also set up a mechanism so that the red marking on the stone would disappear, making it look like an ordinary rock.”
“Was that also done to help me?”
“Now that you’ve returned, either the stone needs to be retrieved, or all traces of it being you must be erased so that Lady Lize doesn’t get unnecessarily suspicious.”
“Do as you please.”
Cassium answered as he opened the window. Julius stood beside him and asked,
“Have you thought about the proposal I made last time?”
He was referring to the suggestion to leave the window open on the full moon night.
Even though he knew it would make Lize suffer more.
“If that’s the reason you’re helping me, I’ve already told you—I won’t do it.”
Cassium’s voice dropped lower.
“You never told me that.”
“I told you in rabbit language.”
“…Excuse me?”
As Julius looked at him in confusion, Cassium suddenly seemed to recall something and walked toward the bookshelf.
He pulled out a book, opened it to a random page, and stared intently at it.
“What are you doing?”
Julius asked beside him. Then, seeing Cassium pick up the pen from the desk without a word, he gave a knowing nod.
“Let’s go.”
Cassium placed the pen neatly beside the book and then leaped out of the window.
He landed lightly on the grass and gestured impatiently at Julius, as if wondering why he was still up there.
Julius looked down with reluctance, but when he saw Cassium’s face harden even more, he sighed and jumped out of the window.
The two men started running toward the Erne Knights’ headquarters.
***
The Elders’ Meeting Hall
“Apologies for being late.”
A hush fell over the hall.
For a moment, the elders were speechless at the sight of Cassium walking in, looking perfectly composed.
“Is that truly Sir Balteire?”
Breaking the silence, one of the elders posed the question. In response, Cassium pulled out a small dagger.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
The moment he finished speaking, a blue aura enveloped the blade.
It was aura.
“What do you think is more likely? That someone identical to me possesses aura, or that I am truly Cassium Ruden Balteir?”
Cassium spoke calmly as he withdrew the blade.
“Ah, though I’m not sure if black magic could achieve something like this.”
“Black magic?”
The moment he mentioned those words, the atmosphere in the hall sharpened instantly.
Cassium silenced the flood of harsh words from the elders in an instant.
Seeing him standing there—calm, yet exuding a weighty and resolute gaze—no one dared to bring up the topic of appointing a new division commander.
“I was away conducting an investigation into black magic.”
Investigation…? But he was turned into a stone…
“Is that true, Captain Daislan?”
“Yes. It was a classified investigation, so we minimized contact even within the order. We determined that about three days of limited communication with Sir Balteire would be manageable.”
Captain Denver spoke as if he had known all along, his ability to adapt seamlessly nothing short of astonishing.
“I can’t disclose the exact details of the investigation yet, but over the past decade, the number of reported cases related to black magic has increased more than sevenfold.”
Cassium continued as if he had prepared in advance.
“This clearly indicates that there is a specific source behind it. And eradicating that source is the current mission of the Erne Knights—the duty of the empire’s knights.”
His tone and gaze were so unwavering and sharp that even a sliver of doubt about him could not take root.
Even if I were an elder, I would have believed every word he said.
“Since Sir Balteire has returned, let us conclude the discussion regarding the leadership of the Black Panther Division.”
Captain Denver’s voice commanded the atmosphere of the hall.
“Does anyone else wish to speak?”
If they ended the meeting like this, the matter would be settled without any further issues.
But at that moment, an elder sitting at the far left raised his hand.
“How exactly do you plan to eradicate black magic?”
The elder tilted his head slightly and gestured toward Cassium.
“I acknowledge your exceptional skills, Sir Balteire. But I am too old to simply wait and trust a declaration.”
The elder then turned his gaze to Captain Denver.
“Of course, Sir Balteire’s return is good news for Erne. But perhaps it is the greed of an old man—I would like a more concrete answer. What is the direction of the investigation?”
Hearing the difficult question, I thought about how I would answer if I were in Cassium’s position.
‘I could give a general response… but would that elder be satisfied with it?’
Captain Denver listened carefully to the elder’s words. Then, as soon as he finished speaking, he responded.
“We have deliberated extensively on this matter and have ultimately decided on a course of action.”
Hearing his prepared-sounding response, I also focused intently.
Since up until recently, Captain Denver believed Cassium to be dead, this was clearly an impromptu answer.
Yet his tone and expression were so convincing that even I, who knew the truth, found no reason to doubt him.
“We are currently preparing to launch a joint operation between two divisions under Erne.”
A joint operation?
The four divisions within Erné bore the same knightly name, but they operated independently.
Their atmospheres differed, as did their specialized areas of expertise.
Because of this, there had never been a long-term collaborative mission between divisions.
‘This won’t be easy.’
Still, the rarity of such an attempt within Erne would spark curiosity and hope among the elders.
‘As expected of Captain Denver. But which divisions will be collaborating?’
One would undoubtedly be the Black Panther Division.
‘Could it be the division where Senior Yannis is?’
It certainly wouldn’t be the Golden Lion Division.
Captain Denver was well aware that putting me and Cassium together would not be beneficial.
“The joint operation will be carried out by the Black Panther Division, led by Division Commander Balteire, and the Golden Lion Division, led by Division Commander Artiel.”
“…?”
Captain…?!
For a moment, I doubted my ears. My gaze met Captain Denver’s.
‘Act as if you knew all along.’
That was the message in his eyes.
Just as my head was spinning, an elder’s voice rang out from the council seats.
“A joint operation, you say. Then when is the operation’s progress report scheduled?”
The moment the elder’s question was heard, the captain gestured at me, signaling for me to answer.
“…….”
Unable to withstand his gaze, I finally stood up and turned to face the elders.
“We plan to report at the elders’ meeting two months from now.”
Under the intense pressure, I instinctively answered as if that had been the plan all along.
‘Ah, I’m doomed.’
I kept my expression and gaze serious, but internally, that was my immediate thought.
Murmurs spread throughout the hall.
‘…Was two months too long? Or was it too short?’
However, no one brought up the duration any further.
“The investigation must be conducted thoroughly.”
That was the final remark from the elders.
“Then, this meeting is adjourned. We will reconvene at the next regular session.”
The attendees all rose from their seats simultaneously.
As I watched the elders leave the hall, I remained dazed by the weight of the joint operation.
‘But for now…’
I turned to look at the man standing a slight distance away from me.
Cassium had, in the end, remained as the commander of the Black Panther Division.
And.
“…….”
He had returned.
As a person once more.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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