DBOFS 70

Chapter 70

“Strange? What’s strange?”

Faced with that gleaming gaze, I blurted out, much like a man eager to show off.

“Layer’s Marchioness. Or, to put it in your terms, Princess Irene.”

“……!”

At the words that followed, Jade’s eyes widened. Alucas, feeling slightly smug, quickly moved on to the main point.

“The client wasn’t Marchioness Layer but her. And we delivered the person as instructed. But……”

Princess Irene herself, upon seeing the result Alucas brought, showed not the slightest hint of joy.

“Isn’t that natural?”

Jade was not surprised.

Having started to suspect Princess Irene, she had already gathered rough information about House Layer.

Years ago, a plague had struck Layer, a true disaster. The vassals suffered greatly, but the biggest blow fell on the Layer family itself.

‘Everyone in the Layer family except the current Marchioness died.’

The previous Marchioness of Layer had been known for having many children.

From his first wife, he had a eldest daughter and eldest son. After her death, he married a second wife and had one son and three daughters.

Thus, Prince Nabi of Layer, who was originally Princess Irene’s husband, was the child of the second wife and, in terms of succession, wasn’t even tenth in line.

‘That’s why the late Duke Godwin had such a meltdown.’

The eldest daughter and Prince Nabi, the heir of Layer, had an age gap of over twelve years.

By the time Prince Nabi became an adult, the eldest daughter and eldest son were already married with several children.

‘In short, Princess Irene and her children were destined to fall to a minor branch of the Layer family……’

But fate had other plans.

One day, a powerful plague struck Layer.

According to Alucas, the one who spread the plague was a descendant from the sister’s side of the late Marchioness.

‘Did they expect the succession to fall to them if they wiped out the family?’

However, what the culprit did not anticipate was that Princess Irene had temporarily left Layer, and both Prince Nabi and young Lenor were with her.

Upon hearing of the disaster, the couple quickly returned, took control of the family, and swiftly contained the plague.

“Since it was a hateful enemy who wiped out the Layer clan, it’s not like she could have been entirely happy about it.”

“No, that wasn’t the only reason.”

Though her expression betrayed nothing, Alucas, perceptive as ever, noticed.

Princess Irene had been in despair.

“……!”

Jade, piecing together the information Alucas had relayed in her mind, flinched.

‘This is…… worse than I expected!’

Her face, which she had managed to keep composed in front of Alucas, darkened helplessly.

“Impressive.”

“……Huh?”

What, what? Could it be that he noticed……

“Princess Irene,” the mercenary king said with a sly smile.

“She was almost cast down from the minor duchess position by her traitorous younger brother, destined to become a minor branch wife, yet she stopped at nothing and eventually claimed the head of the family.”

“…….”

“And when her misdeeds were about to be exposed, she quickly took her children and fled to Godwin, and now she’s even aiming for Godwin’s succession……. Truly, she’s no ordinary woman.”

Exactly the kind of chaos Ruken would love.

Alucas was about to elaborate on his thoughts when……

“……Indeed.”

He paused at the sight of Jade before him.

Her face, dark moments ago, brightened instantly; her once gloomy eyes now sparkled.

“Certainly, Princess Irene is an extraordinary person.”

As if in relief.

‘Relief? About what?’

Alucas immediately realized why Jade felt relieved—because of his shallow and obvious deductions.

‘Hmm?’

He knew his assumptions had been too surface-level and obvious.

He hadn’t done a truly serious deduction. Layer or Godwin were none of his concern; whatever happened to these great families was not his business.

So, Alucas had no reason to pay attention to matters that were none of his concern.

‘But…… what if there’s something?’

Something he had missed, something that made Jade tense and freeze like this. Then……

“Jade?”

Better be careful with my words. Alucas smiled faintly, meaning to test her.

“……Hmm, I think it’s not such a simple matter.”

Jade, realizing her inner thoughts were exposed to Alucas, spoke up.

“Why?”

“Even if we generously assume that Princess Irene had ambitions to seize Layer, I doubt she would spread a plague.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a plague.”

An uncontrollable variable. Moreover, if she wanted to claim Layer as her own, it would be even harder to attempt.

‘Layer is a trade hub. One misstep and everything collapses.’

Better to take the blame for poisoning neatly than risk a plague getting out of hand.

‘The real culprit likely acted with a mindset like, “If I can’t have it, I’ll kill them all!”……’

Such a plan is difficult unless the odds are extremely low.

“And it’s probably pure coincidence that Princess Irene was away from Layer.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Considering the timing and the age of Layer’s second prince…… Princess Irene was likely pregnant then.”

“……!”

No matter how power-hungry someone is, they wouldn’t gamble with a plague on their home ground while pregnant.

It would risk the life of the child and herself.

“She probably had to leave Layer due to pregnancy or other physical issues. Naturally, her husband and child would accompany her.”

“……Of course, the family would care for the pregnant woman.”

Alucas finally seemed convinced.

Jade, honestly, found it a bit ridiculous.

‘Really, how indifferent are you to Dimuard?’

He should have realized by age that it made no sense.

But Alucas has always been utterly indifferent to things or people that don’t interest him.

‘And now, that’s fortunate. Because if my guess is correct……’

The fact that Alucas even showed the slightest curiosity was the problem.

‘I must not let Alucas take interest in this matter.’

And Jade knew better than anyone how to divert his attention. She reached out.

“……?!”

Alucas froze, thinking he had missed something, as Jade pulled his hand and began to trace his palm with her fingers.

“……Guided contact? Isn’t that a nuisance, Minor Duke Godwin?”

“Shh, this is the information fee.”

People like Alucas don’t just give information.

Naturally, she could demand payment, and if it wasn’t given, she could make him pay forcibly.

‘Better strike first!’

Alucas watched her fair, delicate fingers dance across his broad palm.

“…….”

The tingling and electric sensation in his palm stopped as her fingers traced out letters.

[Ariheid.]

It was the name of his only sister.

“……How dare you.”

Alucas’ face turned terrifyingly fierce.

That name, unlike Layer or Godwin, should not be tossed around lightly.

Like on the café terrace when they first met, Alucas, stirred, instantly shredded the friendly atmosphere and radiated killing intent.

Clang—!

A thin ceramic teacup shattered under the force of his aura, spilling tea everywhere.

“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but if you’re pretending to know……!”

His roar ceased with the next letters.

[Imperial Empress.]

In an instant, his fierce aura subsided.

“……I already know my sister’s situation.”

But that was it.

“You’re not going to tell me that this is all the information you have to offer, are you?”

It better not be. Alucas’ voice remained threatening.

‘……She did manage to change the topic.’

Jade ignored the prickle of danger and continued to trace letters.

Considering Alucas’ effort, he likely knew even that his sister was secretly held by the imperial family.

‘Which is why I’m sending a message in such a conspicuous way.’

Sister, I’m here.

If you’re trapped, run.

I can protect you!

Since she couldn’t send it directly to her sister trapped in the palace.

‘But my sister wouldn’t have responded to messages for years…… and Alucas probably doesn’t know why.’

Then she must inform him. Jade finished the letters and lifted her hand.

[Golden Seal.]

With that, she drew her finger across her neck.

“…….”

Faced with an intangible death, Alucas could not breathe.

Click, the door closed.

‘The information fee has been fully collected.’

Her face, usually languid and playful, now solid with determination.

‘I’ll see him again in the capital.’

He would probably come to me then, seeking a way to break the golden seal.

‘Good, this works out.’

I was already planning to adjust Plan A.

Though the plan to seize the jade with Harris’ help remains, involving others would reduce risk.

Of course, things might not go as intended, but the priority now is to get Alucas out of Godwin.

‘With Harris absent, the greatest risk is Alucas.’

Paranoid, maybe, but I suspected as much.

The recent dungeon incident might also be to drive Harris out, just like Alucas.

‘Then, Princess Irene’s real goal……’

My hurried steps stopped at that moment.

“Oh my.”

The shadow that had dominated my mind until now smiled gently before me.

“Where are you rushing off to?”