Several nobles secretly smiled, thinking things were going their way.

The Duke, who had been quietly observing the meeting, stood up and received the Emperor’s command.

“What have you been doing with the investigation that you haven’t even reported yet! The longer your investigation takes, the longer the temple doors will remain closed! Speed up and investigate quickly!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Contrary to the nobles’ expectations, the Emperor urged the Duke to proceed with the investigation more quickly. Then, without even looking at Kaien sitting beside him, he called out.

“Grand Duke Kaien Blemer!”

Kaien also rose from his seat.

“Following the Grand Duke’s advice, we will wait for news from Lindal! If we miss the opportunity to stop the demonic beasts because of this, the Grand Duke will have to take responsibility!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Gladly.”

Kaien refused to bend his will to the end.

Having made the decision, they had to wait.

May it be the right decision.

The Emperor did not realize that he was praying to God in his heart.

***

Four days had passed since the news about Lindal was announced in the extra edition. The capital was still buzzing with stories about the village sacrificed to the demonic beasts in Lindal.

“What if they come all the way to the capital?”

“What should we do! Are there no damages elsewhere?”

“One newspaper, quickly!”

“They haven’t even dispatched knights yet! What is the Emperor doing?”

“With even the temple locked up, what are we supposed to do?”

Small screams, regretful sighs, and voices of anxiety erupted everywhere.

At the sound coming from outside the window, the corners of the mouths of three people gathered on the third floor of a building on the main street moved slightly.

They wore black robes and white masks covering their faces up to just below their noses, appearing to be an elderly, middle-aged, and young man.

But appearances could be deceived with magic as much as needed.

In their previous meeting, they had all appeared as boys.

“The temple investigation story lasted only three days. As expected of Master A.”

When the elderly man laughed and praised him, the young man called A smiled as if drawn.

“G, people are foolish. They may rise up in anger, but when something else happens, they turn their attention to it and quickly forget what they were angry about.”

“One incident with another.”

The elderly man was called G. The middle-aged man spoke briefly but was very satisfied with the result.

Investigators had stormed the temple, but there were a few hours between the time of the incident and Count Barcha’s accusation.

The temple usually kept double ledgers for other matters and left no evidence, but during those few hours, they had hidden everything that could be faulted.

However, there was nothing they could do about the various problems Priest Homer had created as he traveled around using curse identification as an excuse.

The Blemer family had thrown out evidence and witnesses in a short time as if they had been waiting for this day, making people realize that the seditious attempt against the imperial family was not a simple mistake.

“We had prepared in advance, but Homer was indeed the weak link.”

“It was a plan that anticipated failure. I just didn’t expect it to be detected so quickly.”

“These things happen.”

“I thought they would surrender when the temple locked its doors and demonic beasts appeared, but the Emperor is holding firm.”

A sneer hung on young A’s lips. Knowing the Emperor wouldn’t hold out for long, he considered it just a cute tantrum.

“We’ve drawn out the demonic beasts of Lindal, so let’s proceed to the next step. According to our purpose.”

“If it weren’t for our Shadow Society, Ingmier would have self-destructed long ago.”

“Let’s move the demonic beasts according to plan. Next is here.”

The young man pointed to a part of the Ingmier map spread out on the table. There was a fairly large village.

“Minor sacrifices are inevitable for progress.”

“If their deaths were used for Ingmier, they would consider it an honor even in death.”

The three people said simultaneously.

“All of this is for Ingmier.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Their subordinates, who never interrupted before they went out, wouldn’t disobey orders.

Unless it was an extremely urgent matter.

“Enter.”

The elderly man’s voice was soft, but a subordinate wearing a black robe and white mask entered and reported.

“An anomaly has occurred in Lindal.”

“What? There should be no reason for demonic beasts to be summoned.”

Anomaly. It was an impossible word for them.

The subordinate quickly moved his lips to release the information.

“The people of Roksia village in Lindal were not annihilated but were elsewhere that night due to a festival.”

“What?”

“What are you saying? There is no festival in that area.”

“The annihilation of Roksia village people was headline news four days ago, what are you talking about?”

They were people who thoroughly investigated and meticulously planned like weaving a net.

One of the cogs had gone awry.

The prostrated subordinate knew the seriousness well.

“The grand ducal knights boosted people’s morale by turning a village youth’s wedding into a grand celebration, making it a village festival. Thanks to that, they were able to avoid the danger of demonic beasts.”

“……Are you saying the news circulating in the capital is fake?”

“Yes. Only two victims. Everyone else is safe. I heard that a correction article will be published soon.”

“Does that make sense? Explain properly!”

The elderly man struck the table.

Even when plans went wrong, they were all part of the Shadow Society’s planning.

They had anticipated failure, but using demonic beasts was their unique power that no one could stop.

No one could stop it, only they could control and govern it.

But now, the plan they had been confident in had completely gone awry.

***

An apology for the false report that a village in Lindal had been annihilated by demonic beasts was published in the newspaper.

The knight sent to Lindal the previous day had brought news that the annihilation was completely untrue and had informed the Imperial City.

And an invitation to the Emperor’s banquet arrived.

“Rebecca! Did you receive an invitation too?”

Before entering the imperial banquet hall, I briefly stopped by the waiting room and found Rebecca sitting there with a lifeless face.

When she saw me, color returned to her gloomy face.

“Ivy! I heard you were coming.”

“Thank you for coming to my wedding. The Prince went to Lindal, right? Any news?”

“A letter arrived yesterday. He says he’s doing well and is safe.”

Rebecca’s eyes filled with tears as she clasped her hands together as if in prayer, apparently having suffered great anxiety during the time without news.

“That’s good. He must have arrived early.”

“My parents are also attending the banquet, but they called me first, and I had a conversation with Her Majesty the Empress.”

Seeing scattered cookies in the waiting room and several items that appeared to be Rebecca’s strewn about, I asked, and Rebecca’s smile crumbled.

“What’s with that expression? Did something happen?”

Rebecca opened her mouth to speak but then firmly closed it. She tried to raise the corners of her lips, but her cheeks trembled.

“Rebecca.”

I took her hand. It was as cold as a hand in midwinter, so I covered it with both of mine.

“Tell me. I don’t know if I can help, but just talking might ease your mind.”

“Well……”

Rebecca took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

“Her Majesty the Empress seems displeased that I grew up as a commoner and didn’t receive proper education.”

“Ah, Her Majesty did that……”

‘Right, such a thing happened.’

In the novel, the Empress, displeased with the female protagonist who married the Prince, torments her with words.

Regardless of whether the Count and Countess are present or other noble ladies are around, she subtly discriminates against her, saying she grew up as a commoner, didn’t learn noble etiquette, and is vulgar.

Since the other party is the Empress, the Count and Countess know but endure it internally, and the female protagonist also bears it alone.

At this point, she finds a mine and contributes to the imperial household finances, which somewhat softens their relationship.

‘And I took that mine to Blemer.’

My heart stung with guilt.

The decisive solution had become useless.

‘It’s become the grand ducal family’s property, so I can’t give it back now. What should I do? Is there no other way?’

While I was pondering, Rebecca continued her gloomy story.

“I’m still taking etiquette lessons, but I seem inadequate in Her Majesty’s eyes. From the way I hold my teacup to the way I walk, she says that’s not how someone in the imperial family should be……”

“Ah! That’s right, Princess Magnel!”

I finally remembered!

“What? The Princess? I heard the Princess is recuperating in the annex and hasn’t gone out for a while or received visitors. So I didn’t see her today either.”

“That’s exactly it!”

In the novel, the Princess helps the Empress ostracize the female protagonist, but later regrets her actions and takes her side.

“Become friends with the Princess and make her take your side.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened as I grabbed her hands.

“Since the Princess is recuperating in the annex, visit her often, saying you want to keep her company. You’ll see each other frequently after marriage, so it’s good to become friends in advance.”

Her eyes grew even larger, filling with joy.

She quickly understood my words.

“Even if Her Majesty says unreasonable things, wouldn’t she be more careful if the Princess stands up for you?”

“Ah……”

“It might take some time, but Her Majesty will recognize your true worth, Rebecca’.”

“Ivy, will the Princess really help me?”

“You did well in social circles too. You’ll have no problem.”

Rebecca’s chin trembled slightly.

Though she didn’t shed tears, her eyes reddened.

Even that appearance was pure and beautiful.

Rebecca became happy with the Prince as in the novel, but sometimes I feel sorry, wondering if I’ve taken part of her life.

Kaien, the priest, Edwin. I had taken the people who should have loved Rebecca.

It would surely help Rebecca’s future too.

“I’ll talk about the Princess at the banquet, so try bringing it up to Her Majesty. She’ll surely like it.”

“Ivy, thank you so much.”

“What did I do?”

Seeing Rebecca’s smiling face, I felt relieved.

I can’t repay the mine debt with just this, but it should be fine since the person involved is happy.

‘I’ll be on Rebecca’s side from now on.’

***

Duke and Duchess Teian were also present at the banquet.

“Good heavens! What a trick! Playing with people’s hearts!”

The Emperor raised his voice with a laugh, not hiding his good mood.

“If it weren’t for the Grand Duke, we would have been in trouble. You insisted on waiting, and this was the reason!”