I Regressed to My Ruined Family – 65

 #I returned, and my family was ruined (66)

“…You’re going to deal with the Grand Duke?”

“Yes.”

The bishop took a sip of tea and looked at the count.

“The situation doesn’t look good. You know about the Grand Duke, don’t you? He probably won’t compromise.”

“…So?”

“We will help you.”

“Does the order dislike the Grand Duke too?” “We didn’t have anything against him personally, but his recent actions have been quite disturbing.” The bishop smiled faintly.

The Grand Duke.

He was a thorn in the side of the Narakus Order.

The Ardan family had opposed the dragon clan they served.

However, if that were all, the bishop would not have taken action himself.

The death of the black mage who was mining metal.

The death of the chief priest who managed the printing office.

The ban on the distribution of the Dragon Clan Scriptures.

He had gone far beyond what the order could tolerate.

“How dare he touch the tribute.”

The Grand Duke.

Recently, he began slaughtering nobles, causing the distribution of rare metals in the west to decrease dramatically.

On top of that, he took away Melaisis, a magician who could convert metals into higher quality ones.

This was fatal.

The dragon tribe.

They would not be able to meet the quota of tribute they had to pay to them.

They could hold out for a month or two.

But if more time passed, they would surely be reprimanded by the archbishop.

“There isn’t enough time to gather the tribute.”

Then there was only one solution.

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To earn enough merit to atone for their sins.

The bishop smiled slyly under his robe. It was a smile that gave off an inexplicably eerie feeling.

Irda swallowed hard and nodded.

“How do you plan to help?”

“Isn’t the reason the count cannot attack the grand duke because he is afraid of being caught?”

“…”

The Grand Prince is a descendant of a great hero.

If he dies, someone will have to take responsibility.

The Kingdom of Haidern won’t just stand by because of public opinion.

A thorough investigation will be conducted.

Then who will be named the most likely suspect?

Someone who has a grudge against the Grand Prince and has the power to assassinate him.

The most suspicious person could only be himself.

No matter how carefully Irdan moved, it was impossible to escape the kingdom’s investigation network.

Once caught in the investigation network, his family would be destroyed.

That was why he couldn’t attempt assassination recklessly.

It was at that moment.

“With this, we can shift the blame onto someone else, can’t we?”

Ir-dan’s eyes widened when he saw the items that had been poured out of the bishop’s robe.

“This is… the emblem used by the royal knights of the Kingdom of Lime-Del, isn’t it?”

“You have a keen eye. That’s correct.”

The Kingdom of Lime-Del.

It was one of the kingdoms located in close proximity to the Kingdom of Haidern, and it had been in conflict with his country for a long time. How on earth did he get this emblem?

The bishop smiled quietly at the curious gaze.

“If you have any doubts, check it carefully. This is not a fake.”

Irden examined the emblem closely and nodded. It bore the marks of time.

“This isn’t just a cheap imitation.”

This was the real thing.

“…How did you get this? The Kingdom of Lymdel must guard it closely…”

“The Order has many connections. Can’t you see the picture? A family of war heroes. Their heir is rapidly rising in power.”

“…And the Kingdom of Lymdel felt threatened, so they sent their royal knights to assassinate the crown prince?”

“That’s right. I am very familiar with the sword techniques used by the royal knights of the Kingdom of Lime Del. I have a magic spell prepared for such a situation. Would you like to see it?”

Before he could answer,

the bishop drew his hand in the air.

The wall of the office cracked open.

The count’s mouth fell open at the sight of the bishop’s magic.

“…No! How can magic erase the traces of swordsmanship…?”

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Even the count had never seen such magic before. The bishop spoke to the count, who was staring wide-eyed.

“It is one of the spells we have recently developed. What do you think?”

The sword marks left by the magic.

Even if properly investigated, it was so intricately crafted that it would be difficult to suspect anything.

Gulp.

Irda swallowed hard.

The picture was too good to be true.

If there was clear evidence such as the emblem and sword marks, even the investigation team of the Kingdom of Haidern would have no choice but to suspect the Kingdom of Lime Del first.

What he offered was a carrot.

A sweet carrot dripping with honey.

“Will you cooperate with us?”

“Huh. You’re making it impossible for me not to cooperate. Let me ask you one thing. Does the cult plan to send reinforcements?”

“I will accompany you.”

Judging by the fact that he had infiltrated his own office without attracting any attention, the bishop was a formidable master.

Even if he was underestimated, he must be a magician on par with the knight commander of the domain.

It couldn’t have been better.

“…The knight commander and the deputy knight commander. Add to that all the elite knights you’ve secretly trained.”

One seven-star knight.

There were ten six-star knights. Even if the Grand Duke was a god of swordsmanship, it would be impossible to stop them all fighting together.

And if the bishop accompanied them?

It would be an assassination mission that couldn’t fail even if they wanted to.

Was that all?

All responsibility would fall on the Kingdom of Limdel, and he would naturally escape the investigation. He couldn’t help but feel reassured.

“That should be more than enough reinforcements.”

“Let’s find out the Grand Duke’s schedule.”

“We will help you.”

Since the goal was assassination, it was best to strike when the Grand Duke had the fewest people with him. The first priority was to investigate his schedule.

The bishop held out his hand, and the count grasped it tightly.

* *

It had been about two weeks since they returned to their domain. During that time, Ethan had been observing Irdan closely.

He was quieter than expected. He paid the taxes as promised in one day and even began to ban the distribution of the Dragon Clan Scriptures.

“Hm.”

He thought of Irdan.

Was he a calm and collected man?

Ethan didn’t think so.

If that were the case, why would he obey orders so obediently?

“He must have something up his sleeve.”

It must be because he believes in something.

At that moment.

“Your Highness. It is Lawrence.”

“Come in.”

Silvia entered the office and handed him some documents. The information she gave him contained details about those who had recently entered Plesthan.

His eyes lit up as he looked over the documents.

“Hm. So someone from the sect has been sent in?”

“Yes.”

Silvia nodded.

With Irdan cornered, there would naturally be more eyes watching the Grand Duke.

That was why they had been combing through the city’s entry and exit records recently.

“Only one person was found?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Ethan shook his head. The details of Lawrence’s investigation were written down in the documents. She had set up a triple filter to catch the spies.

This meant that anyone who wasn’t extremely skilled would inevitably be caught.

‘Compared to Irdan’s spies, who were all caught…’

Only one member of the sect was caught. Even that one lost all traces after entering the city.

Count Irdan and the sect.

This showed how extreme the difference in level between the two organizations was.

‘The one who was caught isn’t a bishop-level mage.’

Even someone as talented as Lawrence would not have been able to detect a wizard of that caliber.

The Order and Irdan.

They sent their agents into the city at a very opportune moment. Almost simultaneously, at that.

“It’s possible that the two of them joined forces.”

Both were forces that would have no reason to hold a grudge against him. It would not have been surprising if they had formed an alliance.

Ethan asked after reading the last page of the document.

“Hmm. Are you going to adopt the sect’s methods?”

“Yes. I learned a thing or two while tracking the traces. Just as the Grand Duke accepted the techniques of the dragon clan, our intelligence organization is also going to try adopting the methods used by the sect’s spies.”

Of course, they weren’t going to adopt the exact same method. Silvia had already refined the method they used to make it much cleaner.

Ethan nodded and said,

“Leak some false information. Tell them we’re planning a secret investigation.”

“…Your Highness. Are you not going to send any knights with us?”

“That’s the plan.”

“…I am well aware of your skills, but this could be dangerous.”

The Narakus Sect.

Silvia had been investigating the sect recently.

She hadn’t been able to catch them, but she clearly understood how powerful they were. How else could they have spread throughout the Zeno Empire and other kingdoms?

Not only had the sect and the count joined forces, but they were also keeping a close eye on the Grand Duke. It wouldn’t be surprising if they sent assassins.

If that happened,

even the Grand Duke’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed. Ethan shook his head in response to Silvia’s words.

“Still, the knights are out of the question.”

If the dragon slayers were in large numbers, it was highly unlikely that the enemy would approach. But if only a few accompanied him?

It was possible to protect one person, but it was impossible to protect all the knights.

The dragon slayers had only just begun their training, so they would be wiped out if they were attacked in large numbers.

“Even if we take someone with us.”

There was only one person worth taking with them, and that was the doppelganger.

Ilia.

It was just then.

“Then how about taking Ilia with us?”

“Ilia?”

“Yes. The enemies don’t know anything about Ilia yet, so even if she comes with us, they won’t think much of it. At least, that’s how she looks.”

That wasn’t wrong.

If anyone saw Ilia without knowing anything, they would think she was just a girl around ten years old.

Moreover, Ilia’s ability to change her appearance wasn’t “magic.” It was simply one of the characteristics of her species, the Doppelgangers.

Unless one’s magical prowess surpassed Ilia’s, it was impossible to see through her true form.

In fact, even Ethan hadn’t seen Ilia’s true form when he first encountered her.

He had revealed her true form because he knew the future.

“A high priest might be able to recognize Ilia’s level of power.”

Those who were barely present in the kingdom would not take action over such a minor matter.

“At best, a bishop would take action.”

He had fought against the chief priest.

And he was able to learn a good breathing technique from him.

Then what about a bishop?

He would naturally have a higher level of training.

Once he figured it out through combat, it wouldn’t be difficult to make it his own.

Ethan looked at Silvia.

It was advice given purely out of concern for him.

There was no reason not to listen.

“All right.”

“Then I’ll speak to Ilia separately.”

“Yes.”

Silvia stepped out of the office.

Ethan looked at his body.

He had already entered the third stage of circulation, the stage of embodiment. This was the stage where the flesh had completely adapted to fire.

Once he entered this stage, it was possible to turn his flesh into fire itself.

However, he didn’t use this ability unless it was a critical moment because it consumed a tremendous amount of mana.

That was also why he had decided to go out on his own without thinking about Ilia.

A new level of growth.

At this level, he believed he would not lose to a mere bishop. Soon, the office door burst open.

It was Ilia.

She looked at Ethan with a haughty gaze and said with a cough.

“Huh! I heard everything from Silvia. You need my help ‘very, very desperately’?”

“It’s not that desperate…”

Before he could finish, Ilia immediately interrupted him.

“I am busy, but I can spare some time for my employer. I will gladly help you.”

“Are you a good fighter?”

“Although I had a hard time against you, I am a skilled mage! Besides, I wasn’t even in ‘battle mode’ when we last fought.”

“Battle mode?”

“I’m talking about my appearance. I can’t fight well unless I look like this.”

A small wand was already in her hand. Ilia swung the wand around and said,

“Any ordinary magician would be finished with just one of my spells. Of course I can fight well.”

Ethan nodded and said,

“When we go out on patrol, that bishop might come looking for us.”

“Bishop?”

“He’s probably a tough guy.”

“…I see.”

If that terrifying knight thought so, he must be more than just a nobody.

“Should I take care of him?”

“Yes.”

“Hm. Now my true worth will be revealed!”

May the bishop appear before her.

She prayed.

That way, the grand duke who accompanied her would clearly realize her true abilities. The moment the true worth of the grand magician would be revealed.

Even that blunt man would have no choice but to utter praise that surpasses mere compliments.

Ilya’s eyes sparkled.