CIATB Chapter 415: Discovering the Truth
Chapter 415: Discovering the Truth
Cantares’ gaze scanned Arendt from head to toe. Naturally, Arendt’s expression crumpled slightly.“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I thought it was worth taking a look.”
“I’m as handsome as always.”
The Crown Prince sighed deeply at the reply that came without a moment’s hesitation.
Seeing that sly face, all bandaged up with gauze and plasters for the first time in a while, gave him a pounding headache.
Jereon, who was staring blankly at the two people, muttered softly.
“Good thing I prepared some headache medicine in advance.”
“Don’t use your wisdom in a place like that, Jen.”
Cantares, irritated, changed the subject.
“Where are the others?”
“Since Lord Lexion is injured, there are limits to teleportation. The elf warriors decided to return slowly, and the knights have been split into an advance party and a rear group.”
Arendt shrugged.
“First, Lexion, the Captain, myself, and the minimum number of personnel needed to escort the prisoners have returned to the palace. The Captain asked me to tell Your Highness that he will come to see Your Highness immediately after the prisoners are secured.”
“I heard something from Count Stadler. You’ve come up with something interesting again? Research to neutralize the artifact that brainwashed them?”
Cantares, resting his chin on his hand, let out a brief laugh.
“I submitted the research budget and it was approved right away… But how much of the national treasury do you plan to empty out?”
“Your Highness wouldn’t even flinch over losing just that much. Everyone knows how solid the treasury of the Caerleon Empire is.”
“Honestly, such a shameless guy.”
Cantares grumbled irritably.
“Putting aside the research institute’s budget, why should I be responsible for paying for the relief supplies sent to the Lucain Kingdom? No, I have absolutely no objection to purchasing the relief supplies with my own money.”
Since they were allies anyway, they must send support.
The problem was…
“I really don’t understand why I have to get extorted by you.”
“Don’t you know about the commission fee? If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been able to get the items in such a short time.”
Arendt shrugged and chuckled.
“You said you’d give me plenty of fish, didn’t you? You haven’t forgotten that promise, have you?”
“…Seriously, an unnecessarily competent bastard.”
“I know that too. Being too amazing is tiring.”
“…”
While Cantares was silent for a moment, Jereon quietly approached and politely placed something on the desk.
It was a receipt.
Finally, Cantares sighed deeply and handed the entire slip to Arendt.
“What a stubborn guy.”
“It’s better to be thorough in your calculations.”
The look on his face as he took the receipt was of genuine satisfaction.
Although the bandages and plasters stuck here and there were a bit of a blemish on an otherwise perfect appearance.
Cantares burst into a brief, quiet laugh.
“Why does this kid love money so much? Are you collecting money to fund a rebellion or something?”
“Wow, you’re so perceptive. It’ll happen soon, so look forward to it.”
Watching the two people joke around with words that would get them arrested immediately, even if they claimed it was just a joke, Jereon could only smile as if he had let go of everything.
“Anyway, please lend us your training ground this time too. Lord Lexion needs to use it. I told him to just go to his lair since it’s a hassle, but he doesn’t want to leave his post in this situation.”
After a brief nonsense, Arendt changed the subject.
“You’re acting like it’s been entrusted to you completely… I see. Although hardly anyone comes and goes there anyway, I’ll make sure to control the access.”
Cantares grumbled, resting his chin on his hand.
“We’ll also need to secure a place to house the prisoners before Captain Laius arrives.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Count Stadler is already making preparations. They’ll just go through a few simple formalities at the palace and then they’ll be transferred there.”
Arendt added after a brief pause.
“…The captain tried to stop him, saying it might be dangerous, but he insisted because he didn’t want to keep the valuable test subjects far away.”
“…”
The Crown Prince’s expression turned awkward.
Regardless of whether they were Chernion’s priests or anything else, to Count Stadler, they all seemed nothing more than test subjects.
“Well, for now… alright. I understand. I should tell them not to spare the budget and to go ahead and use it.”
“For the time being, I plan to stay in the laboratory. It’ll be easier to respond if an escape incident occurs. Ultimately, the research is aimed at neutralizing the artifact…”
Arendt held up his gloved hand to the Crown Prince.
“I’d be better off participating in the experiment as I’m the one most familiar with using artifacts.”
“Do whatever you want. You don’t need my permission anyway.”
Arendt shrugged shamelessly as Cantares spoke angrily, leaning back in his chair.
“Of course. This is a notice. I must hand over the prisoners to the Count, so please prepare the relevant documents.”
“Alright, you damn bastard. And what about the ruins of the Lucain Kingdom?”
“It’s exactly as I reported. Please hear the details from Llewellyn and Captain Laius.”
“Ugh.”
At Arendt’s blunt response, Cantares scratched his head as if he was in pain.
He had already heard the general situation.
The saintess appeared, Arendt came into contact with her, and it even reached the point where related matters could no longer be mentioned directly.
‘What the hell is this guy…’
Cantares glanced at Arendt.
But as always, there wasn’t a trace of tension to be found on that smooth, shiny face.
‘You don’t even blink an eye.’
As if even the fact that he had a solo meeting with the enemy leader was nothing special.
Eventually, Cantares gave up trying to read Arendt’s expression.
“When do you leave for the lab?”
“This afternoon. I’m in charge and will be escorting them. Lord Lexion will stay at the palace for the time being, and once he recovers somewhat, he’s expected to join us in the laboratory.”
“You’re in quite a hurry. I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway…”
Cantares asked curiously.
“What’s the reason you’re quietly leaving your post? You’re usually the one who clings stubbornly to work during busy times like this.”
It was unlikely that Count Stadler, who openly favored him, would give him such a difficult task.
He didn’t know if it was because he was so focused on research.
Arendt shrugged.
“I thought it would be better to leave on my own accord than to be forced into exile.”
“What?”
Cantares frowned slightly at the vague answer. Then Arendt spoke with a visibly reluctant expression.
“The captain is grinding his teeth, trying to shove me off to some countryside villa. So, I’m planning to make a run for it before that happens.”
“…I see.”
Cantares was immediately convinced.
At this point, even Laius’ patience would have reached its limit.
“Captain Laius too… it’s impressive that he’s put up with it all this time, given his personality.”
“And there’s one person who’s going to be uncomfortable seeing my face for a while. I plan to stay away for a while.”
Cantares frowned at the unexpected words that followed.
“What? Who?”
“There’s one. You can probably tell just by looking at his face. He’s full of suspicion.”
Arendt responded calmly.
Throughout the journey, Richt did not say a word to Arendt.
It seemed like he had sorted out his thoughts to some extent, but it didn’t seem like he could completely calm down.
It would probably take some more time.
Because he never knew when his mind might change again.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but….”
Cantares tilted his head to the side.
“Still, it’s quite surprising that you’re the one to leave first. Isn’t it your style to tease the other person until they get fed up and drop out?”
“Are you avoiding it because you’re scared? Or are you avoiding it because it’s dirty?”
Arendt, shoving his hands deep into his pockets, replied calmly.
“And I absolutely hate getting bothered in all sorts of ways. That’s why I’m making a run for it.”
Rather than hanging around aimlessly and getting caught and being questioned about this and that, it would be better to quickly get away.
Cantares, who had been making a confused expression, soon waved his hand in dismissal.
“Understood, then go ahead. I’ll clean up the training grounds soon. Tell Lexion that.”
“Okay. I understand.”
“The documents will be ready soon, so wait in the dormitory until then. Judging by the looks of it, you’ll probably depart in a few hours, so you need to prepare before that..”
“It would have happened even if you don’t say anything. Goodbye then.”
Arendt nodded his head arrogantly, gave a brief bow to Jereon, and then left the office.
Jereon smiled as he watched the door close mercilessly.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Sir Arendt, but he’s still the same.”
“I don’t know whether to say it’s admirable how consistent he is?”
Cantares grumbled as he flipped through the papers.
Being like that consistently all the time somehow made it feel rather familiar.
“Haha. I’ll go and do some maintenance on the training ground for a bit.”
Jereon, laughing in agreement, bowed his head briefly and left the room.
Cantares, who was left alone, also began to move his hands busily.
Arendt returned to his dormitory to prepare to leave again.
The moment he opened his door, Arendt was met with an unexpected sight. He stood there for a moment, dumbfounded, and blinked.
“…What is all this?”
It was a spotless room, to the point where the knights often grumbled that it lacked any warmth or humanity.
It’s been a while since he sold off all the useless luxuries that used to fill the room.
But today, one side of the bleak room was filled with objects he had never seen before.
“…”
Arendt quietly closed the door and cautiously approached the unfamiliar objects piled around the table.
The topmost item was a bundle of tea leaves from the Khan Union. Attached to the package was a note from Arcus.
-This is a sample of a new tea imported through the Everan Kingdom. I’m sending it to you for testing, so please taste it and let me know what you think.
It seemed like he wanted to subtly ask how he was doing under the pretense of business.
“No way.”
Arendt casually threw the note on the floor and checked what was lying underneath it.
The medicinal herbs and snacks sent from the Neumann Merchant Group were neatly laid out.
“This old man is quite nosy too… Or maybe he had some fun with this deal.”
On top of the pile of items, unlike all the other luxury items, was a package wrapped in relatively simple packaging.
Somehow he thought he knew whose work it was.
Arendt opened it silently.
“That’s ridiculous.”
A hollow laugh escaped naturally.
It was because a shabby handkerchief, the kind you would find at a downtown general store, was revealed inside the package.
The enclosed note contained the names of the three little servants, written in Seton’s clearly legible handwriting.
As was customary among nobles when exchanging documents or gifts, it seemed like he wanted to leave a signature.
“Little kids imitating adults.”
It was quite crude for someone belonging to the Imperial Knights, but it was probably the best thing the servants could buy with their money.
Arendt stuffed the handkerchief right into his uniform pocket.
It just so happened that the space for the handkerchief that was given to Lexion a while ago but never returned was empty.
‘I guess I can just tell the servants to take care of the rest.’
He started getting ready to go out again.
There was a place he needed to stop by briefly before leaving for the laboratory.