TFR 53

chapter 53

Marco shook the vial filled with black powder — the same poison that had attacked Rosellina.
The components of the powder were mostly toxic minerals found in abandoned mines or materials commonly used in bomb-making. The mixture was so complex that it was impossible to determine where it had been produced.

After carefully examining the contents, Cesario proposed a theory linking this case to the Catnip Village incident. Marco pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Cesario might have a point. Catnip Village had been involved in mining for a long time. The abandoned mines were nearby, and there were reports of hazardous materials being unearthed.”

“I disagree.”

Dantes cut in sharply, glancing at Marco and Cesario before continuing.

“In Catnip Village, there was a clear intention to delay our march. There were no serious injuries, and the antidote was simple enough.”

“That’s true. It was resolved relatively quickly, too.”

“The key point is — they deliberately avoided killing anyone.”

Marco nodded in agreement. Even the soldier who had been most severely affected was now almost fully recovered, able to live normally again. Some minor scars or side effects remained, but they were fading with time.

“This case is different. Both the target and the objective are completely separate. Whoever did this moved with the intent to kill. As long as Roberto died, they didn’t care who else perished alongside him — whether it was during his meal service or in the rescue attempt. They didn’t care who died.”

Dantes categorized the two incidents as fundamentally different, based on their sheer brutality.

“The culprit behind the Black Tower incident is bold — perhaps even reckless. I’d wager they’ve already prepared both a scapegoat and a convenient motive. If we had to group them with anyone, I’d say they’re more likely aligned with Port — or at least share his ideology.”

“Now that you mention it, it does sound that way,” Marco said, frowning. Whichever side it was, it was clearly an unpleasant faction. Cesario spoke next, his expression grim.

“It’s not Marquis Turzak’s doing. He’s too much of a coward to pull something this reckless.”

“Or maybe someone’s exploiting that very perception — the fact that we underestimate him,” Dantes countered.

“But you saw how that old man trembled the day you returned, Dantes. I doubt he’s capable of this.”

Marco dismissed the idea as unlikely. Gunter scratched his head, trying to find a more optimistic angle.

“Anyway, we’re starting to get a lead on whoever spread this poison. Once we catch him and beat the truth out, won’t we have our answers?”

“That depends on whether we catch him before someone silences him first,” Marco muttered, as if it were a foregone conclusion.

Moments later, the door opened. The head of security entered, bowing deeply before speaking.

“The perpetrator of the Black Tower incident has been found dead, Your Majesty. Suicide. He worked as a gatekeeper at the west entrance — apparently drowning in gambling debt.”

“See? See? These kinds of scum never change. Always the same story,” Marco clicked his tongue.

Dantes sighed and asked the security chief,

“And what happened to his debts?”

“His colleagues recently helped him repay them, Your Majesty. There’s no indication that a large sum of money exchanged hands.”

“When was the repayment made?”

“On the very day Your Majesty returned to the palace.”

Dantes looked down at the report. The dead man’s debts had been paid by three colleagues in total.

“They weren’t from the same post, or even the same background. How did they become close? Gambling buddies?”

“They shared the same lodging quarters. The palace provides their housing.”

“And how many live in one lodging?”

“About eight to ten, Your Majesty. I’m not certain of the exact number—”

“Why are you asking all that, Dantes?” Marco asked, clearly puzzled.

Dantes skimmed through the documents again as he replied.

“If he was so deep in gambling that he couldn’t possibly repay his debt, then those three should’ve known better. It’s hard to believe they’d offer that kind of money on their meager wages. And if they were truly close, they would’ve helped him sooner — before it reached this point.”

“Now that you mention it, that does sound suspicious. The timing’s a little too perfect to be coincidence — and gambling debts aren’t small change.”

Dantes had no intention of closing the case just because the supposed culprit was dead. He planned to dig until there was no doubt left.

“What are those three doing now?”

“Nothing unusual, Your Majesty. Still on duty. No absences.”

“Investigate all three. And the others in their lodging as well.”

“They might lay low for a while once they sense suspicion,” Marco said. “This could take some time.”

Dantes nodded — but he clearly had no intention of waiting passively.

“Then we’ll make them move.”

“How?” Gunter asked curiously.

Dantes didn’t answer. Instead, he handed the papers back to the security chief.

“We’ll decide the rest at tomorrow’s council meeting — in front of everyone.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The security chief bowed and quickly exited. Marco let out a short whistle and stretched.

“Ah, it feels good to be back in the palace. Our Majesty’s judgment seems to be back too.”

“Marco.”

“Hey, don’t scold me — that was a compliment.”

Marco stuck out his tongue playfully. His teasing meant that he was relieved — relieved that Dantes had regained his composure instead of being consumed by rage.

Dantes sat back down at his desk, his tone turning serious.

“You all have work to do.”

The three men turned their eyes toward him — unwavering in their loyalty, ready to do whatever he asked.

“Who would do such a thing?”

“A gatekeeper, apparently. Took money for it. They say he killed himself.”

“The atmosphere’s so tense now. You can’t even breathe properly around here.”

The nobles clicked their tongues. Even before this, the court had been on edge, as Dantes’ mood had been tested again and again. Now, with the Black Tower scandal, the morning council was suffocatingly grim.

Mildred Turzak seized the moment to voice his opinion, subtly raising his voice above the others.

“Isn’t all this because His Majesty was too slow to punish Roberto Brida?”

“The Marquis is right. If His Majesty had executed Roberto Brida as soon as he returned, none of this would’ve happened.”

Another noble backed Turzak. Watching the exchange silently, Duke Deket Wood finally spoke.

“Every decision His Majesty makes follows a clear order and reasoning. Despite that, rumors continue to spread — why is that?”

His tone was far harsher than his son Cesario’s ever was. Standing beside him, Lucel Griffin added dryly,

“Oh, come now, Marquis. Surely you understand. You’re just pretending not to, aren’t you? Testing where the others stand. And the fools agreeing with you — they’re the real idiots, aren’t they?”

“W–What did you just say, Sir Griffin? Did you just call me an idiot?”

“Gentlemen, enough,” said Duke Andre Peril smoothly. “At a time like this, when things are already dire, what good does it do for the king’s advisors to bicker among themselves? How can we possibly assist His Majesty if we’re divided?”

His elegant tone only made the hypocrisy more apparent. Deket and Lucel exchanged glances and stepped back. Peril’s words — though polished — reeked of self-serving diplomacy. Still, such behavior was typical of House Peril.

Marquis Turzak, however, couldn’t let it end there. Feeling cornered, he added stubbornly,

“It is not the ministers’ duty to blindly praise every decision His Majesty makes!”

“Marquis…” someone tried to stop him, but he ignored it.

“It is our duty to correct His Majesty’s errors when necessary!”

At that very moment, a quiet voice cut through the hall — the kind that froze blood.

“Then tell me, Marquis Turzak — what exactly do you believe I’ve done wrong?”

“H–Huh? Y–Your Majesty… when did you—”

“It seems there’s much dissatisfaction about my supposed delay in punishing Roberto Brida,” Dantes said calmly, though his tone carried thunder beneath. “Did you think I’d show him mercy?”

He drew a firm line across the controversy that had been whispered about behind closed doors.

“He insulted the royal family — insulted me. Did anyone truly believe I would spare him?”

“Your Majesty, that’s not what I—”

“So what then? Do you take the Emperor of Delion for a sentimental fool — blinded by some childhood friendship? Or perhaps you were hoping, as the gutter gossip suggests, that there was some secret motive behind my hesitation?”

The nobles paled. No one had expected Dantes to speak so openly, or so furiously, about the rumors everyone had been too afraid to mention.

His closest aides — Cesario, Marco, and Gunter — had no choice but to intervene.

“Your Majesty, I’m sure the Marquis meant no such thing. Please, consider his intentions—”

“Cesario! Silence. As my advisor, your failure to report such talk to me makes you just as guilty.”

“……”

Cesario tried to speak again, but Marco placed a firm hand on his shoulder and shook his head — not now.

Dantes’ voice grew colder, sharper.

“Since everyone is so eager to know Roberto Brida’s fate, I’ll announce it here and now.”

The chamber went deathly still.

“Roberto Brida is sentenced to death.”

The three aides flinched in shock but dared not speak. The grand hall froze solid, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over it.