Chapter 133

Chapter 133 Confirming the investigation part 2

“…The enemy of the Boltique family, huh…”

While mulling it over, I muttered to myself .

“Is their target me, as the rumors say? Or could it be Dida?”

“Dida seems like a more likely possibility . If they were going against you, even if they won, it would be very difficult to go from there . ”

“True . But if the rumors are correct, I also…no, I see…”

“Yes . It seems like it was someone who learned about this incident and wanted to take advantage of it . Milady, you have also consolidated surveillance of Van out of concern . ”

In response to what Dean said, I smiled in exasperation . I spoke up again .

“I can’t figure out what the second in power of the Boltique family is thinking . Perhaps he’s working with enemy organizations . But the fact that he’s been using the Boltique name is undeniable . It’s quite possible that the missing goods are in their territory . But whether or not they will side by me is a mystery . If they’re investigating too, however, then…”

“It means that at least they don’t want to become public enemies with the Armenia family . If possible, they want to return the missing items and then deal with the whole thing in private . ”

“If only they could deal with it that quickly . ”

“Perhaps even internally, they don’t know where each family member’s loyalty lies?”

“Ah . In that case, the search itself has sunk into chaos . Or perhaps they’re negotiating…”

“Yep . At a time like this, the second in power can’t slip up . ”

“Dean, help me grab a map . ”

To soothe my own nervousness, I inhaled deeply .

“If that’s the case, even if I don’t command the guards to show up, Dawson will still move out, and Dida will be in danger . Even though he has acted the way he has, he’s still a knight . Plus, he’s a knight with quite the sense of morality…As for the others, they’ll probably also consider the possibility of interfering in other territories and fail to actively participate . Whatever he’ll think of, he’ll be able to act on . ”

The duty of a knight is no more than to protect royalty and the capital .

Even if they do have more power than that, most knights are of noble birth and have many connections . When they choose to interfere in the activities of other lands, their actions will be doubted because of how it relates to their family’s interests . That’s why they don’t often interfere .

More importantly, this is land belonging to the military .

But Dawson would probably jump right into the mix without a second thought .

If he hadn’t grown at all since he chased me out of the academy…then he would still be a courageous, tactless man .

“Here’s the map…please take a look . ”

I glanced over the map that Dean gave me . As I looked, I compared it to what I had in mind, and organized the information I knew .

“Dean . Do you know where the Boltique family is based?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to…is that off-limits?”

I hadn’t even finished my sentence when his expression turned serious and stiff . He shrugged .

“…Not really, I shouldn’t say that . After this investigation perhaps we’ll know . Merchants have wide circles . I’ll say this: I think you know the first in power . At times like these if you’re the first in power you can’t lose control . ”

“Just now…”

“…I say that, but most of it is just guesswork . ”

As he said that, he laughed awkwardly .

“Yep, I somewhat know them . I say that, but of course I’m unaffiliated with all of this, so I don’t know the main members of the organization . ”

“You really are full of surprises . ”

I mumbled this as I turned toward him .

“Do you find me hard to trust?”

He asked, looking at me .

Not just his words, even his eyes seemed to be asking me what I was thinking .

“It’s all quite amazing . I wasn’t thinking that at all . Perhaps I’ve lost my right to be substitute leader . ”

I smiled bitterly .

To meet my gaze better, he squatted down slightly to look at me as I sat there .

The distance between us became even smaller .

My heart began to beat faster .

Ah, damn it . Don’t be so undignified! I scolded myself .

“You haven’t lost those rights at all . ”

“Is that so?”

“Yes . Please, use me any way you need . If it’s you, anything is okay . I swear that for you, I’d be willing to give up everything . Am I useful to you?”

“…You are . You are . ”

His words carried a bit of humor, and I laughed .

“Well then, Dean . Lend me your strength . ”

“I’ll do what you say, milady . What do you want from me?”

“I want to meet with the first in power of the Boltique family . If we leave now, is it possible?”

“If we’re heading toward where they’re based, then yes . ”

“Take me there then, Dean . We need to go quickly…and help Dida . ”

“No matter what?”

“Yes . As we speak now, danger might be closing in on Dida . Dawson might be moving out as well…is there any reason to hesitate?”

There was all that, and the fact that we could potentially close in on one of our goals: making contact with the Boltique family .

“I understand . But milady…”

“What’s the matter?”

“Consider changing into something you can move around more easily in . ”