But I couldn’t ask. Just as I doubted him, he doubted me too.
If he were to ask me back about why I know so much about black magic, then I would have no answer.
Therefore, we will continue this relationship, both doubting each other and, at the same time, wanting to trust one another. Until trust comes to an end.
Acknowledging that ambiguity gave me relief. Both wanting to trust and doubting were my own feelings.
So, embracing all possibilities, I just needed to do my best with what I could.
* * *
The next morning.
As soon as I arrived at work, I noticed a large heap of flowers piled up in front of the Ruby Knights building entrance.
Passersby glanced at them curiously, but no one dared to touch them, as if sensing something was suspicious.
‘…No way.’
I hurried over, intending to investigate the heap of flowers.
But faster than that, the petals scattered in all directions, and at the same time, with a bang, a puff of smoke exploded outward.
“……”
A card floated into the air, fluttering before landing on top of my head.
‘So it’s from the real Heilbronner…’
I let out a bewildered laugh and grabbed the card from the top of my head to read it.
[April 3rd, 10 p.m.
In place of the imposter who has claimed the name of the great thief Heilbronner,
I will protect the Silver Magnolia Branch during the Lunar New Year Festival.]
Just that brief message revealed the true intention of the Phantom Thief Heilbronner.
‘Good. Let’s both work hard, Young Duke.’
With that resolve, I quickly headed to my office.
It was time to report this new development to the city hall and ensure that the Ruby Knights would not be excluded from the situation.
* * *
When I arrived at the city hall with the message, they were clearly shocked by the announcement of the ‘real’ Heilbronner.
But of course, they couldn’t ignore it, so they reluctantly ordered me to bring the original note to the city hall.
I left Sir Sein and Billy as backup and headed to the city hall with Lan. Since the city hall was within walking distance from our knights’ office, we didn’t need to ride horses.
“…Do you think the one who sent the note today is the real one? And the previous one, the terrorist threat, was fake?”
Lan asked nervously, seeking my opinion. Although I knew the answer, I only replied within the scope of what could be inferred from the current information.
“That’s something we don’t know yet, but I think we should respond with that possibility in mind.”
“I guess so…..”
“Is there something bothering you?”
“Ah! Well… Yes, I’ve always thought there was some kind of moral line in Heilbronner’s crimes. After joining the Ruby Knights and reading the detailed reports, I felt even more strongly about it.”
She cautiously expressed her opinion.
“That’s why this threat felt off… If the one who sent the warning letter today is the real one, and the other side was an imposter, it would make sense to me.”
“…Yes, I feel the same way.”
“Really?”
Lan’s expression brightened immediately.
“Of course, it’s true that Heilbronner is a criminal who violates the Empire’s laws… But thanks to him, some major crimes have been uncovered…”
‘Sir Lan, so you’re secretly a fan of Heilbronner.’
I wondered if Ludger would find that amusing later. Hiding my own amusement, I responded calmly.
“Yes, but capturing him is still our mission. However, we can’t entirely deny some of the things he’s uncovered.”
“Ah…Yes! Of course! I haven’t forgotten our mission.”
Lan straightened up, her expression growing serious again.
“And practically speaking, we can’t say this new warning letter is from the real Heilbronner just yet.”
“Practically speaking?”
I squinted my eyes.
“Because of the scope within which our knights can be involved in this situation.”
* * *
We entered the conference room inside the city hall. After greeting politely, I glanced around at the attendees.
I didn’t respond to Gustav except sending a cold stare.
The more I reacted, the more that guy seemed to get out of hand. The more I got excited or angry, the more I’d lose. It was not because I was scared of him. It was because I was disgusted by his shit-like face.
“We don’t have much time, so let’s get to the point. Captain Clara, please bring out the warning letter.”
“Yes, here it is.”
I held out the card-shaped warning letter toward Mayor Angela. After briefly scanning it, she placed it down dismissively.
“…So one side claims Heilbronner will destroy the Silver Magnolia Branch, and the other says the first one is an imposter and they will protect it?”
“That’s correct.”
“Hmm….”
Mayor Angela furrowed her brows with an expression of irritation before asking Commander Geloic.
“Commander Geloic, what is your opinion on this?”
“As I mentioned yesterday… the most important thing is to minimize the damage. If we can devise an efficient security plan for that, I believe we shouldn’t be picky about the means and methods.”
“Do you mean the cooperation between the Ruby Knights and Sapphire Knights?”
“Yes. Each will hold equal command….”
At that moment, Gustav raised his hand. He had his usual gentle smile.
“Vice Captain Gustav, do you have something to add?”
“Yes, if I may speak?”
When the mayor nodded in permission, Gustav smoothly began speaking with his usual fluent tone.
“Looking at Heilbronner’s past crimes, it seems strange that he would resort to a terrorist threat.”
“…….”
“However, seeing today’s new warning letter, I’m now convinced. The previous terrorist threat wasn’t from Heillbronner, but from his imposter.”
‘So this is how he’s going to play today.’
The bastard Gustav seemed to be trying to use even the new warning letter that had arrived today for his own benefit. The words that followed were exactly as I had expected.
“So, I believe the Ruby Knights should focus on ‘protection of the Silver Magnolia Branch’ within the scope of Heilbronner’s warning letter today, and the Sapphire Knights will take charge of counter-terrorism and the main command.”
I had already heard from Ludger that this bastard was trying his hardest to exclude me, so it didn’t affect me much.
In that case, all I had to do was shatter his arguments with my own logic.
I gave a cold smile and raised my hand towards Gustav, who was smiling at me as if to show off. Mayor Angela granted me permission to speak.
“Vice Captain Gustav’s reasoning makes sense. However…. this issue isn’t something that can be dismissed on such flimsy assumptions, is it?”
“That’s true. What’s your view, Captain Clara?”
“It is currently impossible to know whether Heilbronner’s threat is limited to the Silver Magnolia Branch or if it will shake the safety of the entire festival. As the knights dedicated to tracking Heilbronner, the Ruby Knights, too, must strive for counter-terrorism and the safety of the citizens, don’t we?”
Although we were armed with an official investigation, Gustav’s and my arguments were simple.
Gustav argued that ‘Heilbronner’s warning letter has come to the Ruby Knights, which limited them to protecting the Silver Magnolia Branch and not to intervene’.
I argued back that ‘Given that a terror warning has come under the name of Heilbronner, does it make sense to exclude us, the dedicated knights, from the core of the response?’.
Gustav, understanding my point, quickly countered.
“I understand the noble intentions of the Ruby Knights, of course. However, realistically… wouldn’t it be difficult for the Ruby Knights’ limited personnel to cover this matter?”
I was wondering why he hadn’t brought that up. So he is complaining about manpower now?
“However, Vice Captain Gustav, this matter isn’t something the Sapphire Knights can handle alone, right? I’ve heard that additional manpower will be brought in from other knight orders for this matter, starting with the Diamond Knights.”
A terror warning has surfaced during the nation’s major festival. While each knight order has its own busy matters, they’ve decided to squeeze as much manpower as possible and allocate support to this matter.
In such a situation, the small size of our order shouldn’t have any impact on holding command.
And…. He wouldn’t think of bringing up the ability, would he?
“Furthermore, according to what the initial warning from Heilbronner suggests, there is a high possibility that this matter involves the appearance of ‘demonic creatures’.”
“……”
“As you all know, I single-handedly subdued the demonic beast Orthros, which appeared at a social gathering previously. I take pride in having reliable experience when it comes to dealing with demonic creatures.”
Though I was unconscious for two days after dealing with that snake-headed beast…. but this time, I wouldn’t let that happen again.
Mayor Angela, upon hearing my words, had a look of interest on her face. Beside her, Commander Geloic also chimed in.
“Yes, when it comes to fighting demonic creatures, I can vouch for Captain Clara’s skills, as I am the one who taught her.”
“Hmm… I see. Indeed, it would seem like a waste to deploy such a talent solely for the protection of the Silver Magnolia Branch.”
I restrained the upward curve of my lips and added calmly.
“Yes, I hope you will trust me with this. I will do my best to make up for the part we missed in the last collaboration with Heilbronner.”
With those words, I drove them back to the main point. After all, the Sapphire Knights was responsible for letting Heilbronner slip through their fingers right in front of them, so it was a subtle way of telling them not to act tough.
