A few days after the trial, Bippy was inside a cave in the South, laughing hysterically at Perry.
“That Robley outfit looks great on you! It’s like you were born to be a Southerner!”
Bippy pointed at the golden trumpet and green shield emblazoned on Perry’s chest, mocking her. They had taken the outfit as a trophy after the senior knights fought Robley’s knights in the Elliwood Forest.
“Who do you think you are to laugh at me? You look like a bandit from old era!”
Perry scoffed at Bippy, who had intentionally smeared soot on her face to make herself look dirty. She wore farmer pants on the bottom and armor on top, creating a mismatched look typical of bandits wearing stolen clothes.
“Can you both keep it down?”
Before the other knights could scold them, Esther spoke sternly.
“And Perry, I told you not to show off the insignia too boldly—just a little is fine.”
Esther handed Perry a vest to wear. She made a face of dismay.
“But it’s too hot! Ever since we got to the South, I’ve started breaking out in heat rash!”
Watching Perry whine about the scorching heat, Esther clicked his tongue.
“You know the fastest way to get out of here? Get the job done right the first time.”
So he insisted she put on the vest. Perry grumbled under her breath but eventually slipped it on. Seeing the other knights and Esther layered in clothing made it hard for her to continue resisting.
“I’ll say this again, so listen closely, Perry. You’re a Robley soldier pretending to be a bandit. Today, you can’t use any Northern fighting or sword techniques. Just use the spear skills that the Robley infantry taught you these past few days.”
Esther handed her a spear, and Perry swung it confidently.
“That’s right. No matter how urgent things get, you can only use that.”
As Esther praised her, Perry puffed her chest out, glancing at Bippy.
“And Bippy, you need to stay here in this fake bandit hideout. Keep an eye out for Robley’s pursuers coming…”
“If I spot them, I’ll report back immediately. And I’ll act like we weren’t waiting for them and just flee in a hurry. Right?”
Bippy boasted, already knowing the drill.
“Oh, I forgot to mention. We need to burn the fake letter to the Grand Duke saying our plan succeeded and that we’re moving the flu to the East. That’s the most important part.”
“Don’t worry about that. Another knight will handle it.”
“What if I forget? I should remind you.”
“You need to focus on your own job.”
Esther almost reminded her to mind her own business but decided against it.
“And if you both end up needing to fight and get your faces revealed…”
“Don’t leave a single one alive!”
“Kill every last one of them!”
Bippy and Perry shouted simultaneously. Watching the two answer so eagerly made Esther feel a twinge of unease. He worried about whether these disaster twins could pull off the plan without causing trouble.
He wished he could move alongside them to resolve any issues that came up immediately, but this time, he couldn’t.
“In this operation, the flu cannot afford any mistakes. Creating discord between Robley and Camelon is secondary. You must focus on transporting the flu—it’s the top priority.”
He couldn’t disobey the vice-captain’s orders.
“They need to learn to operate without your supervision sooner or later. How long will you keep babysitting them? If something goes wrong, they need to sort it out themselves. If they can’t, then they’re as good as dead.”
The vice-captain warned that if the operation went wrong because of the two of them, he would personally see to it that both of them—and Esther, for his lax training—would face severe consequences.
“You two shouldn’t be so excited right now.”
Esther felt a headache coming on.
“But Esther, if we complete this mission without a hitch, the lieutenant said he might give us even more important tasks!”
Perry turned to Bippy, insisting she heard it just as clearly. Bippy nodded eagerly in agreement.
“Right! He even said he would let us take the exam to become official knights in his name!”
“Then we might get to protect Lady Britia!”
Seeing the two of them dreaming big, Esther couldn’t help but chuckle dryly.
“Do you even know what this exam is that the vice-captain promised you?”
They exchanged glances, then shrugged their shoulders.
“No idea.”
“We don’t know. He didn’t tell us.”
Esther figured it was probably a challenge where they had to beat him to earn their knighthood. There was no way these two, who couldn’t even best him, could defeat the lieutenant.
Watching them get all worked up over their fantasies made Esther sigh.
“Just be careful. I can’t help you from the sidelines.”
“Come on, it’s not that hard. We can handle it!”
“Esther still thinks of us as kids.”
Perry and Bippy pouted, insisting they were taller.
With those sulking faces, it was hard not to treat them like children.
“Keep your faces hidden. If you’re recognized, report back quickly.”
Esther left the two of them, anxious as he made his way to his designated position for the operation. He hoped he could reunite with them in the capital without any incidents.
—
Duke Camelon slammed his fist down on the desk after receiving a hasty report.
“What do you mean the flu was stolen by bandits?!”
The rampant bandit activity was nothing more than Robley’s excuse for hiking transportation fees. The Duke found it hard to believe the report.
“They were too strong to be just ordinary bandits.”
“So you’re saying that after being beaten by these so-called ‘ordinary bandits,’ you’re using that as an excuse?”
The Duke gritted his teeth, striking the desk again in frustration. The knight, feeling wronged, insisted.
“This isn’t just an excuse. They were using the spear techniques that Robley infantrymen employ. It’s a distinctive style, and I remember it clearly.”
Besides, he distinctly heard the soldier he fought against muttering to himself.
“Oh, I was told not to use my usual spear techniques. What should I do? I’m going to get in trouble.”
Although the helmet obscured his face, the voice belonged to a young man. The knight was convinced that his foolish mistake had exposed their identity.
“Robley…?”
The Duke mumbled, shock etched on his face. If it was Robley, they would undoubtedly know when and how the flu was being transported.
“Yes. That greedy bastard won’t be satisfied with just the transportation fees; he’ll want the flu for himself.”
Moreover, there was the matter of the return of the Lockhart estate. The Duke had helped Duke Robley avoid significant losses. However, Duke Robley had different thoughts.
“I will not forget the price for this, Duke.”
Hadn’t he worn a sullen expression while saying that? Remembering that, the Duke clenched his fist tightly.
“Is this what you call ‘payment’?”
The Duke gritted his teeth, his face reddening in anger. Just then, his steward entered the office and approached him.
“Your Grace, Brian Radars wishes to speak with you. He has urgent news regarding Robley.”
“So, he’s come with information to sell…”
As he gestured for him to enter, Brian walked into the office.
********
That evening, Brian visited Sig’s mansion.
“I did as the Duke instructed and spoke with Duke Camelon. I casually mentioned that Duke Robley had reached out to Devon about purchasing the flu.”
He wondered when he had become a lackey for a madman, following his every order without even being paid for it.
Brian reflected on how pitiful his situation was. If he had known it would come to this, he should have accepted the offer to buy information when it was first presented. He regretted that decision, but it was too late to change it now.
Brian felt that his weaknesses were fully exposed. However, it wasn’t all bad that his vulnerabilities were known.
Whenever Brian cooperated, Sig would speak positively to Harty, complimenting him on being capable or intelligent.
‘So that’s where you’ve been so busy lately; looks like you’re working hard after all.’
Initially, Harty responded gruffly to these remarks. But his tough demeanor was just a facade; the compliments had a significant effect. Whenever Sig acknowledged Brian, Harty remained in good spirits. A happy Harty became kinder and didn’t tell him to leave.
A kind-hearted Slanford!
Even though he knew he was being used, Brian found him too charming to refuse. This was why, despite feeling overworked without pay, he couldn’t bring himself to defy Sig’s orders.
“Does Duke Camelon believe you?”
“He completely believes it was Duke Robley’s doing. I made sure to phrase it well.”
Brian flashed a grin at Sig.
“Right.”
At Sig’s indifferent response, Brian shot him a sidelong glance.
He should be acknowledging Brian’s efforts, which would encourage him to say nicer things to Harty, but he seemed preoccupied with his lacework.
Brian thought it was absurd how intensely Sig was focused on something that didn’t suit him. If he were truly terrible, Brian could have laughed at him, but the surprising level of skill only made him feel worse.
Brian let out a long sigh, almost for effect.
“I struggled, worrying that they might catch me in a lie while trying to keep my cool. And you wrap it up in one word, just like that.”
He hoped for some acknowledgment of his hard work, but Sig didn’t take his eyes off the lace, not even glancing at him.
“Tell Slanford that you’ve been very helpful lately.”
As Sig said this, Brian felt a flicker of hope before the cold demeanor brought his spirits down again.
“If you could also mention that I’m risking my life and going to any lengths for the Duke, that would be appreciated.”
Finally, Sig tore his gaze from the lace to look at Brian. But it was only for a moment; soon enough, he was back to his work.
“If you go to Robley, make sure to drive the wedge in further.”
With Sig’s promise, Brian’s lips curved upward this time.
“What should I feed Robley as false information?”
“Tell him that the Duke has betrayed Robley and promised the southern lands to the Vizhreng Alliance.”
“Haha, that will definitely make Duke Robley jump out of his skin.”
Brian laughed, clearly amused by the thought.
