“Don’t forget. I’ll make you repay every favor you owe me with interest when the time comes. You better not refuse me at that time,” I said.

The boy in front of me smirked devilishly and answered, “Naturally.”

Ugh! Why is he so irritating! Can’t he ever react like an average youth?! But I guess that’s what makes him different…

I watched Vincent as he left. In the short time that I interacted with him, many inconsistencies kept showing up. It all started about a year ago when he was severely beaten at Duke Evergreen’s estate. Ever since then, his character’s changed drastically. I even heard that he stopped approaching women. Don’t tell me! An image of a hammer cracking open nuts popped up in my mind; I hastily pushed it aside.

“There’s no way… Right?” It would be a shame really…

I returned back inside to the ballroom. Whenever there are significant events where the upper nobility gathers, there’s bound to be friction. The aristocracy is a rare kind of breed. Where else would you see creatures that politely greet each other while plotting to murder their entire family behind each other’s backs?

I grabbed a drink off a passing servant and waltzed into the throng of masked devils. Passing by a particular lady of the court, I heard her electrically-charged gossip shooting off into the headless chicks surrounding her.

“Did you hear about my Madam? I recently found out there might be something going on with her and a retainer of my lord’s…”

“No way~!”

“Really~? Tell me more!”

I didn’t stay longer to listen to the rest of the conversation. The nobility, if they weren’t backstabbing each other, they would rather waste time creating drama. This is why I despise this kind. Instead of using their time to develop themselves and their character, they use it on petty squabbles. That’s why I fully support the actions of Prince Lexus. It’s time to cleanse the filth from the upper class.

My job today was to blend in with the crowd and gather intel. And I might’ve just stumbled upon an interesting bit of information.

“Viscount Pernia, have you heard about the royal family’s actions when dealing with Count Montefort?”

“I don’t believe I have. Would you care to elaborate?” Two men were sipping wine from their glasses while standing beside a pillar.

“After conducting their investigations, the royal family concluded that Count Montefort’s sheltering of a criminal organization was an unfounded claim. If you ask me, I swear that they are just doing this because the Count is a supporter of their rule. What say you?”

“Hrmm, I don’t particularly have an opinion about the royal court’s decision. However, I do worry much for the people of Rohan. They must’ve suffered greatly.” Viscount Pernia frowned. He was part of Duke Evergreen’s faction and thus maintained a wait-and-see position.

“Doesn’t it anger you how the royal family is playing favorites? Isn’t this a sign of corruption?” The other lord was obviously opposed to the royalty faction.

It seemed Viscount Pernia wasn’t interested in speaking more on the subject, so I left and went to a different area of the ballroom. This time, I saw a few lords from the nobility faction that I recognized. They were lords from the southern regions of Eidolon and dealt a lot in trade and commerce.

“The Merchant Union have been complaining more and more about the taxes of my fief. The problem is, I can’t do anything about it. I haven’t changed it ever since I took it over from my father!” A noble complained to his buddies.

“Aye. It’s the same for me.” A fellow-sufferer patted his friend on the back.

“It’s not necessarily because of the taxes being too high, but the dangers on the road have increased. They are taking too many risks for the amount of profit they earn. An acquaintance I know recently sent me a request to increase the patrols of my fief.” A third one chimed in.

“You don’t suppose it’s because of that thing that happened recently in Count Montefort’s…”

“Shh!” He silenced his buddy and looked around a bit before saying, “It’s exactly that. There have been increased attacks on merchants in the roads around Rohan. Any merchant cart not bearing the royal crest have been robbed and pillaged. So now merchants have begun to refuse traveling south to the rest of our fiefs. At least, that’s what I heard.”

“Those damn royals!” Another man cursed, outraged by the scheme cooked up by the royal family.

“Shh! Do you want your head…” He made a slicing gesture and nervously looked around.

“Enough of this talk. I don’t feel safe speaking of such in this place.” The three nobles quickly walked off. I stayed a bit longer, so to not draw any suspicions before walking away.

This time, I spot a few notable lords from the neutral faction. The neutral faction and their lords are an enigma. I just don’t understand why they aren’t joining the royalty faction, because it’s evident that the nobility faction is corrupt and abusing their lineage to take advantage of the less fortunate. By choosing not to side with either side, the neutral lords are turning a blind eye to corruption and in my eyes, are just as bad.

Even though I don’t utterly despise them, I still think that they might just be waiting to take advantage of the chaos during an opportune moment. So it’s a good idea to keep watch over their actions. Therefore, I casually joined a few youths that I’ve seen time to time at the academy; they’re the children of a few lords of the neutral faction, and I’ve seen them around Vincent from time to time.

“Karl, are you ever full?” The blonde complained. This person is Lionel Richard. He’s the son of Baron Richard, a vassal of Count Redwall.

“I will be full when all the food in the world is in my stomach!” The large youth stated righteously back. His hands were holding a drumstick each like he was ready to play a drum solo.

Karl Brennigan. Son of a Count of the northeastern noble’s neutral faction. He was always picked on by other children of nobility until Lionel took him under his wings. Finally…

“T-trade has decreased by 30% in the southern region. I-I don’t think it’s good, b-but w-who am I to complain? The trade in m-my father’s fief increased by 20%!” Samson happily chirped out.

“And when did you care so much about this stuff?” Lionel shot back.

“C-can’t you see, Lionel?” The boy fearfully stammered back, “M-more trade means more taxes! More taxes mean more money! And more money means a bigger allowance!”

“You and your gambling addiction. When will you learn that…” Lionel began flexing, “Looking strong and cool is the ultimate beauty in life. Don’t you agree?” Lionel turned in my direction. I’m surprised that he had time to pay attention elsewhere other than himself.

“*Cough* Strong and cool is good,” I remarked, trying to blend in. “But just looking strong and cool is a bit…”

“You…” Lionel paused and studied my face a bit, his eyes narrowed as if he’s trying to dig up my secrets. “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before. Are you one of my fans?”

“…” The nerve of this guy! He asked me out just the other day, and he already forgot who I am?! If I weren’t on a mission right now, I would’ve slapped him silly! “You must be jesting, Student Lionel. I’m a good friend of Student Vincent.”

“V-Vince? I don’t think I remember seeing you…” Samson spoke up, looking wary.

“Do you have any food?” Karl asked.

“I don’t have any fo—“

“Then I don’t know you.”

“…” What is up with these people? Why does Vincent know so many “special” people?

“I was the person that handed you the contribution points…” I answered Samson.

“That’s right!” The boy’s eyes lit up like fireworks. “I remember you! You’re a good friend of Vince! Lionel! Don’t you remember her?”

“Hrm…” Lionel crossed his arms and thought long and hard for a good second before saying, “Since Sam spoke up for you, I guess I can allow you to stay and worship me.” He tilted his head in a 45-degree angle, looking saintly.

What do I do at this point? I was speechless that these three clowns managed to pull me along to their pace. What I wanted to know was their opinions on the matter of the three factions.

“Student Lionel is a very ‘cool’ individual. You know what is more cool? Speaking about what you think is happening in the kingdom.” I carelessly tried to steer the conversation in the right direction, hoping they might say something useful.

“No, no, no, you got it all wrong!” Samson spoke up. “What’s coolest is money! With money, you can buy so many things! That’s the coolest! Of course, I still think looking cool and strong is also cool.” Samson appeased Lionel.

“Food is cooler,” Karl stated his case and went back to eating.

“…”

I got out of there. I have much more respect for Vincent now. Being able to deal with these… people on a daily basis will make someone go crazy. Just how does he do this?

After leaving the three idiots, I managed to gather a bit more information and quietly left the venue. I was starting to feel that the duke and his daughter were keeping a close eye on me. Thus it was time for me to leave and report the results of my investigation.

I made my way through the streets of Gawain, heading to the center of the capital city. In a small side-corner of the castle walls, I knocked a few times and was led inside and entered a wing of the royal palace. In a lit room that resembled an exotic jungle of exquisite luxury, a young man laid on a chaise lounge chair, reading from a textbook as thick as a grown man’s thigh.

“Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Lexus. I’ve gathered the information that you’ve asked of me.” I kneeled down as per protocol.

“Speak.” Crown Prince Lexus spoke lazily.

“The nobles’ reactions regarding the royal court’s investigation on the Montefort case is mixed. The neutral lords expressed no opinion on the decision, but a couple has shown that they appreciated the increased trade in their region due to the actions of the crime network in Rohan.”

Crown Prince Lexus sat there, revealing no emotion on his face. He was already starting to exhibit the aura of a leader. This was a regular occurrence for me, aside from giving me orders, he hardly ever speaks about anything else other than his goals.

“Continue.”

“The nobility faction lords have expressed their suspicions about the connection between Guernica and Eidolon. They have found out after the royal court indicted Count Montefort’s steward for the Montefort case. Somehow they were able to obtain the pass that the merchant carrying the goods obtained from the bandits in Rohan. They saw that the pass had the seal of the Montefort House.”

Crown Prince Lexus frowned for the first time throughout the conversation.

“This is quite a problem.” Crown Prince Lexus said. “As my personal maid, you should know how much of a problem you’ve caused me.”

He was speaking about the Rohan investigation. If I hadn’t gone with Vincent back then and aided him in his mission, the bandits hiding within Rohan wouldn’t be exposed so early. The Crown Prince was planning on using them to weaken the forces of the southern lords, but they were exposed too soon. The connection between Eidolon and the spice land to the south, Guernica, was also exposed. I made a huge blunder, and the Crown Prince was the type to dispose of people that have outgrown their uses.

“M-Master! I am still thankful to you for saving me back then. If it weren’t for Master, I cannot imagine where I would’ve ended up. Therefore, I’ve done everything with Master’s interests in mind.” I bowed my head in servitude. The Crown Prince was responsible for saving me from the slavers that captured me from Honkai, my homeland. He even took me in and taught me how to take care of myself. Even now, he plans to let me return home. Once he’s crowned king, he wants to secure a trade alliance with all the kingdoms on the continent.

“Oh? Do tell me. What do you mean by those words, Aya.” Crown Prince Lexus finally showed a different expression from his usual listless look.

“I found great promise within the youth that I helped. Even using many of my sources, I still cannot understand the depths of his strength.” I began to explain.

“Is this about the fool of the Redwall family? Vincent something?”

“Silverlight, Master,” I answered for him.

“Oh yes, the majestic House of Silverlight. What a shame really, to have fallen so far to only a pair of mother and son.” Crown Prince Lexus remarked while looking disgusted.

“The House of Silverlight? Isn’t the House of Silverlight only a fallen noble family?” In my investigation, there was mention about the Silverlight house, but other than being a fallen noble house, nothing else found.”

His handsome features grew darker on his face. “Forget about those two. If the mother still retained her honor as a woman of noble birth, I wouldn’t have such a poor opinion of her, but she had to go and carry a bastard child.”

“What?!” My head shot up in shock. “Master, how come I’ve never heard of such a thing?”

The crown prince listlessly shrugged, “It’s widely regarded in the upper circle as a taboo. The daughter of the Silverlight family lost her mind after her country was razed down by demons. Ever since then, her mental development stagnated, retaining the mental age of 16. Then she had to go and have a truss with a stranger outside the Redwall House…”

“No way… Doesn’t that mean…” I recoiled from the shock.

“Her child is a bastard child. Can it not be any clearer? Viscount Redwall has red hair and green eyes. The Silverlight girl has silver hair and blue eyes. The son also has silver hair and blue eyes.”

“No way…” I fell down in shock. A buried secret was just revealed to me tonight, and I’m not sure how to interpret this. Does Vincent know? Should I tell him?

“If that isn’t enough to dissuade you, there are also other telltale signs. The House of Silverlight is famous for its heritage of great mages. They were famous enough to put our court magicians to shame. Even many magisters gathered in Valencia to learn from the Silverlight family. Then what do you think I expected when the son was born?”

“Master, there’s no need to explain any further.” A nauseating feeling continued to expand in the pit of my stomach. I knew the answer to the crown prince’s question. Vincent was tested for the gift of magic and failed. Such a pure bloodline was tainted. That could only mean one thing…

“If you understand, then there’s no need to bring that person to our side. Focus your efforts elsewhere. For example, I found an amazing gem that needs polishing.”

I managed to pull myself up to my feet, but I cannot help but feel a sort of guilt for Vincent. Did Vincent’s past really matter? While thinking about him, I recalled his words.

“Is Master speaking about William?”

Crown Prince Lexus expressed surprise but then smiled with an “as expected” look on his face. “It’s good that you haven’t focused solely on one person. Yes, William has potential. I want you to groom him to become my sword in the future. Stop focusing on Vincent and instead, raise William. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.” I steeled my heart and answered him. The day when I return home was just around the corner. To do so, I’ve sacrificed too much.

“Very good. You may leave.”

“Understood, Master.” I bowed and left. It felt like a part of me was shaken up and wanted to deny everything I was told tonight.