The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 34 (Part 2):

I looked back at Count Furst.

His eyes were filled with certainty.

If he had known this all along, he wouldn’t have spoken neutrally about Duke Balkan in the carriage. He would have considered him an enemy that must be killed at all costs.

In other words, the Count became convinced that he was the culprit during this meeting.

“Why do you think Duke Balkan did it?”

Count Furst’s eyes narrowed halfway.

“Duke Balkan let his guard down. He probably thought it would be fine since three years had passed. So he revealed his true intentions, which he had never shown before. But I haven’t forgotten what happened that day. I can’t forget.”

It was somewhat disjointed, so I asked directly to be sure.

“You think Duke Balkan assassinated your wife in order to marry his daughter to you?”

“Yes, Ran. That’s what I think.”

His words were filled with indescribable anger.

I hesitated a bit, but I still couldn’t tell him about the jester incident.

If I were to bring up the subscription service, I would have no choice but to talk about Fabre, who had thwarted numerous assassination attempts, and I had promised not to speak of that.

Moreover, even if I did tell him.

Count Furst would surely try to capture that jester to find out who ordered his wife’s assassination.

No matter how rational he is, when it comes to his dead wife, he’s likely to act impulsively.

But the more you stir up the underworld, the stronger the stench it gives off, and the person doing the stirring ends up covered in all sorts of filth.

The best way is not to tell him and handle it myself behind the scenes.

“I’ll look into the incident from three years ago in my own way. If it turns out that Duke Balkan was indeed the one who ordered it, we can seek revenge then. It’s not too late.”

“No, it will be too late. Duke Balkan won’t wait until then. As soon as we leave here, there’s a narrow valley. His black knights might be lying in wait to take my head.”

I glanced at the Count.

His eyes were so full of anger that they had completely lost their usual intelligence.

I met his gaze and said:

“Duke Balkan is giving you a chance. He’s saying, ‘If you become my son-in-law, I’ll help you. But if you refuse, I’ll destroy your current position no matter what losses I incur.’ Something like that.”

“I don’t know.”

“If he was going to act right away, there would have been no need to talk about selling shares. Why mention that if he’s just going to assassinate you in the valley? He could just kill you and take over the company.”

The Count’s mouth opened slightly.

He soon closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, then sighed and said:

“Hoo. Now that I hear it, you’re right. Once I got the idea that Duke Balkan killed my wife, hoo. I started seeing him only as an enemy. But not yet. Right. You’re right. It’s not to that extent yet. Because there’s no compelling evidence that he’s the culprit.”

There was still anger in his voice.

But it seemed to have changed color.

From red to blue.

This should be good enough.

“I’ll take responsibility for looking into it. Leave that part to me, and for now, try to find a way to save the company. The fate of the Furst family is at stake, after all.”

Count Furst nodded slightly, agreeing with my words.

As we exited through the entrance we had come in, a loud voice was heard from one side.

“Count! You’ve come out! Are you alright? We were very worried that something might have happened to you.”

The knight commander, who quickly ran up to us, brightened upon seeing the Count.

He’s certainly a pure-hearted person.

Just incompetent.

“I’m fine. Did Duke Balkan do anything to you?”

“No. He didn’t do anything. The black knights also left quietly, escorting the nobles.”

“That’s good then. We’ll return to the mansion.”

“Yes. I’ll guide you to the carriage.”

Afterwards, we slowly moved to the point where the valley began.

The carriage and coachman were there, just as they had been before we left.

As he boarded the carriage, Count Furst said:

“You’re certainly right, Ran. It seems Duke Balkan is still watching me for now.”

He loosened the scarf around his neck and relaxed his body with a relieved expression.

I sat across from the Count and said:

“Is there anyone else you suspect?”

The Count shook his head tiredly.

“I’m not the type of person who makes enemies. While many may envy me, there shouldn’t be anyone who wants me dead.”

“Aren’t those the same thing?”

“They’re different.”

“Still, among the many nobles, there must be at least one or two. There are plenty of people with twisted minds.”

“For envy and jealousy, you just need to throw them suitable bait. Make it so that even if they distrust me, they can’t do without me. So it can’t be that.”

Giving those who envy you no justification to hate you.

How meticulous must one be in words and actions to achieve that?

“I see. Then I’ll look into Duke Balkan’s side for now. It probably won’t take long…”

Zzzzt.

At that moment, goosebumps rose all over my body, forcing me to stand up abruptly.

“Ran? What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t take my eyes off a certain direction.

“It’s approaching.”

“What is?”

“Powerful magical energy.”

Count Furst furrowed his brow.

“Could it be that the Duke’s mage is trying to attack us?”

“Yes, it seems so. But…”

“But?”

I flung open the carriage door. Then I leaned halfway out, focusing my eyes in the direction I sensed the magical energy.

There was a giant eagle soaring through the sky.

That eagle was also looking directly at me.

Dangun

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