“I was thinking—what if we offer Rosend as a sacrifice to the sea?”

“Ah……”

“There’s no need to stir up trouble with Aliche,” Daniel continued evenly. “And just as you said, there’s no reason to burden the Empire with concern either. Rather than that, wouldn’t it be better to offer him to the sea and conclude things by declaring Rosend’s death a s*icide?”

“…Your Grace’s words do seem to have merit. There’s no need to show excessive mercy to a serial murderer… and it would mean Lady Benia wouldn’t be alone in death either….”

Superintendent Andres supplied reason after reason.
But the conclusion was singular.

“Do as the Grand Duke wishes. I trust that the man who restored order to the Empire would not act outside the bounds of righteousness.”

“I appreciate your faith,” Daniel said faintly.

There was nothing in this world that could stop him.

***

Meanwhile, in the capital of the Hudson Empire—

The murder that occurred at Le Pah, along with the string of serial killings within the Empire, sent shockwaves through the Police Agency as well. Police forces in the capital surged toward Bernarde.

It had been only six hours since Rosend Bernarde’s arrest.

At that speed, it was clear that someone had deliberately spread the rumors.

“What in the world is going on?!”

“It’s chaos, my lord!”

The butler shouted, his face drained of color. The young count and the count himself bellowed back.

“What chaos?!”

“The police have swarmed the estate! All escape routes have already been blocked, and they’re arresting every servant in the mansion as well!”

“Those insane bastards! Do they have any idea how much money I funneled to them, pulling a stunt like this?! Was there no word at all from the Commissioner?!”

“Th-that is—”

Before the butler could finish, the door to the study flew open without permission.

It was Superintendent Filed who kicked it in.

He was notorious even within the Police Agency for his vile temperament—someone most people went out of their way to avoid.

“Why the hell are you here—?!”

Worse still, he was one of the few men Bernarde’s money had never reached.

“Why else would I be?” Filed sneered. “It means Bernarde is completely finished. What are you standing around for? Arrest them already!”

“Do you even know who I am?! Bring the Police Commissioner here at once! Then we’ll talk!”

Count Bernarde slammed his hand on the desk. Veins bulged at his neck as he shouted—but Superintendent Filed hurled back a string of curses without the slightest hesitation.

“Listen to the b*llshit you’re spewing. Seems the news hasn’t reached you yet. That precious Police Commissioner of yours resigned at dawn today. And he’ll likely be dragged off to prison soon enough. You can catch up with him there.”

“What? What are you talking about—”

Count Bernarde’s face drained of all color.

Only then did it truly sink in—something had gone catastrophically wrong.

His lips trembled.

“A-at least tell me what’s going on, d*mn it.”

“What else do you think it means?” Filed scoffed. “It means everything Rosend Bernarde’s been up to has finally come to light. Seems that fine son of yours has been killing people.”

“What nonsense is this?!” the count shouted. “What about what happened at Le Pah?! That wasn’t Rosend—it was Selenia! Count Marco said he’d testify to that!”

“Oh?” Filed drawled.

He gestured lazily toward the back.

“Sounds like Count Marco’s got something to answer for as well.”

There was a distinct gleam of satisfaction on his face. After all, he was a man who’d long seethed with anger while watching corrupt officers rise unchecked.

Filed issued a sharp order.

“You—take a few men and haul in Marco’s people too. Sweep them all up.”

“Yes, sir!”

“No—what do you think you’re doing?!” Count Bernarde roared. “This is House Bernarde! Do you have any idea how you’re treating us—!”

“House Bernarde, my *ss,” Filed cut in coldly. “There’s evidence now that your son is a serial killer. How are you still this clueless about the situation?”

Superintendent Filed sneered. At those words, Count Bernarde’s face drained of all color—he looked as though he might collapse at any moment.

“Rosend Bernarde will soon be sentenced to death. And you—no, House Bernarde—who aided his crimes and fabricated evidence to conceal them… this is where it all ends.”

At Filed’s gesture, both Count Bernarde and the young count were taken into custody. Watching them being dragged away with vacant expressions, Filed bit down on his cigar.

“…Justice is finally being set right. Isn’t it?”

***

Rosend blinked.

“D*mn it…”

His head felt like it was about to split open. His breath caught in his chest, and his entire body ached as though he’d been beaten senseless. Groaning, Rosend forced himself upright. He couldn’t remember anything after entering the room with the women last night.

He blinked again.

“Hah… where am I?”

“Where else?”

At the low reply, Rosend lifted his head.

It was dark and damp. The space was completely enclosed, surrounded by a massive cage.

Rosend blinked.

It took him a moment to adjust to the darkness.

His lips parted.

“…Grand Duke?”

“Good of you to recognize me.”

Daniel’s voice was cold.

“Your Grace, what is the meaning of this?! Where is this place? No matter that you’re a Grand Duke, I am of Bernarde blood! You will pay for this—!”

Strangely enough, he showed no fear—only brimming confidence.

Daniel let out a faint smile.
Rosend Bernarde truly deserved to die.

“Do you really not know why you’re here?”

“If this is because of Selenia, then are you really going to ruin a grand undertaking over a single woman? Can you truly afford to cast Bernarde aside? The old noble families will turn their backs on the imperial family!”

That was precisely why the old nobility were so difficult to touch.
Their solidarity was ironclad. To provoke one meant being prepared to face them all.

But this time was different.

“Don’t trouble yourself,” Daniel replied. “Your concern is so touching it nearly brings tears to my eyes.”

He mocked him with utter sincerity.

“Your Grace!”

“Stop calling out to me so desperately.”

Daniel let out a slow breath.