TISND Chapter 117

Chapter 117

The White Order of Knights.

Established during the current emperor’s reign, this order primarily served as an inspection agency, dispatched to various provinces to investigate and audit the lords’ corrupt dealings.

In the 11th year of the emperor’s rule, some nobles, exhausted by his incompetence, joined forces with his younger brother to stage a rebellion. Though the rebellion was suppressed, the emperor was so enraged by the act that he founded the order of knights.

In its early years, the White Order held immense power. As a military-led organization, it struck fear into the hearts of the nobility.

However, now that the emperor had ruled for over thirty years, its influence had waned. It had lost its former bite, becoming nothing more than a toothless tiger. The knights, emboldened by the emperor’s backing, had grown corrupt, clashing with both the imperial and noble factions. Furthermore, the emperor had lost interest in governing the empire.

As a result, the White Order had become a refuge for noble-born individuals of good lineage but lacking talent. After all, as an ‘inspection agency,’ it carried a certain prestige. Though they were still nominally sent to inspect military-gathering regions at the emperor’s command, in reality, these assignments were little more than leisurely travels.

Salizar Eskel was the commander of this order.

Of course, he had little to no talent with the sword. However, thanks to Count Eskel, he had managed to enter the order and secure the position of commander.

This was what intrigued Helena the most. There were many other prestigious titles to hold—so why had he chosen the White Order of Knights?

Today, Salizar had returned to the count’s estate, and at last, Helena had the opportunity to see him. He had always treated her like filth. Knowing that she was an illegitimate child, he had once thrown stones at her and spat on her when she was a child.

“What was your name again?”

As expected, his condescending attitude had not changed over the years.

The two of them sat in the reception room, waiting for Count Eskel to arrive.

“Fitsch? Zelona? Gorenne?”

Salizar chuckled, listing the names of well-known courtesans from the capital.

Helena, who had been silently observing him, finally replied.

“It’s Helena, brother.”

“Right, that’s it. But why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in the annex where you belong?”

“Father summoned me.”

“No way. Was it you who meddled in the maritime trade deal?”

As expected, his guard went up immediately.

He had already once been threatened by Laviel for the position of heir. Though he had inherited it simply by being the eldest son, his pride must have been deeply wounded.

“No, I only provided some information.”

“Don’t you dare try to climb the ranks like that bitch Laviel. If you do, you’ll end up dead by my hands. Got it?”

Even within the White Order, Salizar was often looked down upon due to his surname and incompetence.

He likely took out his frustration and stress on the powerless—mostly through drinking and women.

In any case, he was a man deeply plagued by inferiority.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, brother.”

“Kids these days don’t know how to recognize real talent. They just dismiss people outright.”

Being the eldest son had certainly made his life difficult. If anything, he had suffered more than Helena.

He was well aware that their father was dissatisfied with him, which only fueled his resentment.

He was undoubtedly desperate to prove his worth.

“If you ever have any concerns, please feel free to talk to me, brother.”

“You? Helping me?”

“I may not be able to help you directly, but I can listen to your worries.”

“Hah! Like Laviel, just waiting to stab me in the back?”

“No, I just feel bad for you. I want Father to recognize you.”

This was, above all, Salizar’s most desperate desire.

His eyebrow twitched.

“You really think so?”

“Yes. If you establish a firm position within the order, Father will acknowledge you.”

“But Father told me to stay put and not act rashly.”

“If you solidify your standing, he won’t be able to say that anymore.”

“Y-you think so?”

“Of course.”

Helena smiled sweetly.

“But how…?”

Salizar could not fight on the battlefield like other knights. But now, intrigued, he listened closely to Helena’s words.

“You just need to earn the recognition of someone more powerful than Father.”

“What?”

“His Majesty the Emperor.”

Helena continued.

“Think about the reason the White Order was created. His Majesty established it to monitor the military and curb the nobility’s corruption. But over time, the order lost its strength because it overstepped its bounds, relying too much on the emperor’s authority.”

“Then…?”

“You should fulfill the order’s true purpose, Brother. If you accomplish something that earns the praise of the empire’s people and gains the acknowledgment of the nobility, wouldn’t His Majesty recognize you as well? And if that happens, Father will have no choice but to trust you, too.”

“……”

“I’m not saying I’ll help you. You’re the one who must plan and execute everything. But I’m sure you’ll do well.”

Father is running late. I should ask a servant where he is.

Leaving behind a dazed yet euphoric Salizar, Helena stepped out of the reception room.

Salizar was someone with authority but no real ability.

Time was running short, and with the Countess keeping a close eye on her, she needed more freedom to act.

The first step was to create discord between Salizar, the Countess, and the Count.

Since their relationships were already bound by money, a little spark would be enough to ignite a full-blown conflict.

“Ah? You’re already out?”

Jane, who had been waiting outside the reception room, approached her.

“Yes. I wanted to give him some time alone to think.”

“Um, my lady… This weekend is Her Majesty the Empress’s birthday, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Why?”

“He’ll be there, won’t he? His Grace, Duke Frantor.”

Caligo.

At that name, Helena’s eyes flickered—just for a moment.

But only for a moment.

“I won’t think about him anymore. Right now… I just want to focus on my own matters,” she said.

—

“You did what?!”

Unfortunately, Salizar and Helena had one thing in common: once they set their sights on a goal, they charged forward without considering the consequences.

In just three days, Salizar uncovered and exposed the embezzlement of a noble, Viscount Aldrot.

He had been lazy and negligent, failing to do his job properly. But once he actually started investigating, he was able to achieve results.

As a result, Aldrot was promptly arrested and imprisoned, awaiting trial.

The unexpected success left the public stunned.

After all, everyone had assumed Salizar was an incompetent son compared to his father.

Still, exposing a corrupt noble was an achievement worthy of praise.

However, there was one problem—Salizar was great at charging ahead, but he had no awareness of his surroundings.

Charging forward without realizing the fires burning around him was nothing short of foolish.

“I handed over Viscount Aldrot.”

Just a moment ago, Salizar had been lounging smugly before Helena, scoffing at her.

Now, before his father, he wagged his tail like a puppy desperate for affection.

His face shone with expectation, as if waiting for praise.

Having spent his life being disregarded, he was clearly reveling in his accomplishment.

Should I say he’s even more childish than Joshua? No—maybe even more so than Jeremy.

He had grown physically, but deep down, he was still a child yearning for approval.

“You should have seen their faces when I started working! Father, they were all so shocked! I bet they were completely caught off guard!”

“Yes! Shocked! I am shocked!”

Count Eskel clutched the back of his neck in frustration.

“Do you even know who Viscount Aldrot is?! He was one of my most important business partners! How are you going to take responsibility for this?”

“He was corrupt! He deserved to be punished!”

“And since when is that our concern?!”

The Count demanded, utterly exasperated.

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