TDSFE 41

chapter 41

It was only natural for Redford to mention Lowenheart. When investigating the previous disappearance of Kroil, they had discovered that the guild was secretly transporting a corpse overseas. They had been unable to determine where it was headed or for what purpose. However, seeing the similarities between the current disappearance and the Kroil case, they concluded that the current incident was an extension of the past one.

If that were the case, then foreigners should be the first suspects. It wasn’t just Lowenheart who would be targeted—any foreigner would be under suspicion. Given his status, Lowenheart was a representative figure among them. Yet, since Tesia trusted him, Redford hoped for his innocence. No—he hoped he was the culprit. This contradictory feeling churned within Redford. As someone who liked Tesia, he wished that a powerful rival like Lowenheart would disappear—but at the same time, he didn’t want Tesia’s heart to be hurt. Redford let out a bitter smile.

“Prince Lowenheart isn’t the culprit.”

“Do you think so too, Didi?”

Seeing Tesia’s face brighten twisted Redford’s heart. But, as a thoroughly powerless man, he could do nothing.

‘I… like you, Tesia.’

I’ve liked you for a long time, even though you get emotional over other men. Redford held back the words he couldn’t bring himself to say today. Yes, he was here partly to take advantage of Valkyrie’s crisis. Yes, he was here to shake Tesia’s fragile heart…

‘Once this is resolved, then.’

For now, she needed someone to comfort her, not someone to confuse her further.

“I never thought something like this would happen in Valkyrie.”

When it came to Valkyrie, it was natural for Tesia to act without hesitation.

“Tesia… I don’t know how to comfort you, but if you need help, I’ll always be by your side.”

“Didi… thank you. Just knowing you’re here is comforting.”

Tesia’s eyes shone with trust. As Tesia’s friend, Redford had earned her steadfast confidence. He smiled bitterly once more.

“I promise I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“What are we going to do? Seems like the Knights have started moving too.”

Annoyed, the guild leader spoke, and Viktor curled his lips into a grin, then shrugged as if it didn’t matter.

“What does it matter? As long as this incident is handled, that’s enough, right?”

“Aren’t you thinking ahead? We’re trying to stay as covert as possible, right?”

“Don’t worry, I did it right. You’re the one doing well, aren’t you? If you get caught, we’ll have to abandon this route.”

“You should focus on yourself.”

The leader cut him off coldly. Viktor snickered and nodded. Today was his day off. And of course, it was Viktor who had helped kidnap the people distracted by the Spring Festival by stealing the work schedule. Thanks to him, they had compensated for the previous losses. The plan was running smoothly. Viktor cast a sly glance downward.

“How’s the princess seduction going? Why hasn’t there been any progress? You were so confident.”

“You need to see the sky before grabbing the stars, right? I have to see the princess first before trying anything. How can I seduce someone I can barely get close to?”

“The princess… isn’t she often with the Knights?”

“She’s always with Prince Lowenheart, so it’s hard to even catch a glimpse. Don’t you know the rumors spreading through the system, Master?”

Bang! The leader slammed the table and ground his teeth, glaring at Viktor with murderous intent. The coldness in his eyes made it seem like he could tear Viktor apart at any moment.

“Did you forget that Prince Lowenheart is another one of our targets? What if the rumors are true and he marries the princess? What will you say to him then?”

“Tsk.”

Viktor scratched his head. He had to do something. Indeed, while they could manipulate Prince Lowenheart, touching the Empire’s son-in-law was a different matter. At this point, letting the prince slip away was not an option.

“Use a definite strategy!”

“All right.”

Viktor ground his teeth at the repeated scolding. He had already gone to great lengths to align his schedule with Tesia’s. Thanks to this, tomorrow morning’s patrol would pair him with her. In the past, he might have resorted to dirty tricks. In old times, women’s purity was paramount, and any scandal meant marrying the man involved. But now, in this era of free love, even Emperor Helios’s schemes were not criticized.

‘Princess Tesia…’

If necessary, there were other dirty methods to employ. The world had developed in ways that offered endless possibilities.

That afternoon.

“What are you saying? Kroil’s ID is still being used?”

“Yes, Commander.”

“We recovered Kroil’s body. You’re telling me his ghost is wandering around?”

Tesia’s face showed confusion. Reports kept coming in that Kroil’s ID was being brazenly used. Alex continued reporting with gritted teeth.

“It doesn’t seem like that. Someone is clearly impersonating him, hiding behind the identity of the deceased. I think that person might be the culprit in this incident.”

“…Using Kroil’s death.”

“Yes. It’s a vile tactic. In the name of the Valkyrie Knights, we must find this person and make them pay for their crimes!”

It was a situation no one wanted to believe. After all, they had committed the despicable act of endangering Empire citizens—could they not touch the deceased knight? Yet, what was even more infuriating was that Kroil’s ID being used was a knight ID. The special IDs of the Valkyrie Knights could not be used by anyone outside the order. The Duke Umberto’s family managed the Empire’s magical formulas and security. The ID, crafted by Umberto’s predecessors, could not be used without being part of the order. Those unaware of this would dare to impersonate the ID, only to be caught and dragged to the guards.

“This confirms there’s a traitor inside.”

Crrack. Tesia crumpled the papers. Redford, reviewing the schedule with her, swallowed hard.

“Track the route, Alex.”

“Yes, Commander!”

With Alex gone, only Redford and Tesia remained.

“Tesia.”

“Don’t comfort me, Didi. This… this is a humiliation I’ve never experienced before. How could the Valkyrie Knights do this?”

How could she trust her comrades after such a betrayal?

“It’s just one slimy fish muddying the waters. Once we expel them, everything will go back to normal.”

“And if it’s more than one?”

“We’ll find them all and eliminate them. I’ll return a clean order to you.”

Redford’s voice was firm. Tesia’s expression softened slightly as she nodded. Redford was now revising the schedule. Starting tomorrow, the updated schedules would be distributed every morning, a task handled by Redford, who had nothing to do with the order. Tesia couldn’t stay angry at him and forced a smile.

“You can swear if you want. This is definitely something to be angry about.”

“This… this worm worse than a reptile! What the hell goes on in their head to do something like this? Damn it!”

Tesia could no longer hold back her anger. Her frustration was fueled by the lack of leads.

“Let’s catch them quickly and ask them ourselves. See what’s in their head.”

Tesia nodded firmly.

“Thank you.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

Redford smiled freely, and Tesia returned his smile, though her eyes still held a sharp glint.

Lowenheart ran his hand through his hair. This could have been an opportunity for him too, but he had overlooked that it might be someone else’s chance as well. Redford had seized that opening. When suspecting someone internal, an outside perspective is naturally needed. Unlike someone who could only step back and support, Redford had become the operative. What was more maddening was that he too was under suspicion. Upon joining the order, he realized that Kroil’s ID was circulating and that internal betrayal had caused an information leak. Naturally, foreigners were being suspected in connection with the previous incident. Tesia likely wouldn’t suspect him. But what made Lowenheart uneasy was Redford, who was investigating him. Tesia knew he was a candidate for fiancé but did not know he had come here with intentions to use her. Once Redford dug into Lowenheart’s movements, it would only be a matter of time before she found out. Redford was cunning, and comparing Lowenheart in Tirana Ban to Estonia, he could easily notice the differences. Lowenheart kept a low profile there, but here he did not hide. He had also come under the pretense of being an international student and quietly settled in the order as a healing mage. Clearly, this suspicious behavior was to approach Tesia deliberately. While most fiancé candidates came to bask in Tesia’s influence, the real problem was that Lowenheart had fallen in love with her.

‘I don’t want Tesia to misunderstand me.’

It was better to confess personally. With that thought, Lowenheart came to see Tesia late that night.

“Tesia, are you in?”

Hearing she hadn’t returned to her room, he went to her office. The door swung open.

“Ah, Hart!”

Tesia, dressed casually, came out. To his surprise, she wasn’t alone.

“Lord Redford…?”

“We were looking over some documents while having a snack. What’s the matter?”

“Let him in.”

At that moment, Lowenheart couldn’t shake the feeling that he had become an intruder. This had turned into Redford’s opportunity. Damn it.