Chapter 4.6

“I really didn’t expect that method to keep working.”

Rather anticlimactically, Brienne’s group reached the innermost corridor in no time. Anyone who came running at the noise or crossed their path was dealt with by Garzen using what he claimed was a sleep spell.

“I’ve got a big mana reservoir, but I don’t really know how to use magic. You’re the opposite, Miss. We’d make pretty good partners.”

“You don’t know how to use magic? But earlier you said you were Roetan royalty, and you used it just fine.”

The royal family of the Holy Kingdom of Roeta, who inherit divine power for generations, are said to be the origin of mages. That’s why Garzen emphasized his royal status. Brienne tilted her head, puzzled, and Garzen shrugged as he looked back at her.

“Well, it’s just that much. Not everyone with the same bloodline is gifted. Besides, I prefer fighting with my body.”

“So, in short, you’re saying you have no talent for magic.”

Lusell, who was walking at the back, chimed in playfully. Brienne turned to Lusell and asked,

“Then what about you, Lusell?”

“If you have to categorize me… I’m closer to a strategist.”

“So, basically, he’s not even a mage.”

Garzen picked up the conversation again.

“Miss, people who work sitting down like that—they’re born that way. Even the fat in their b*tts is different from mine.”

Finishing his words, Garzen gestured slyly at his own backside. Brienne, who had glanced down without thinking, quickly looked away.

Staring at someone else’s b*tt so openly… Her face grew hot. Garzen, noticing the change, came closer and chuckled.

“Wow, Miss, you really blush easily. Even in the Ford estate’s garden. You’re fun to tease.”

“…Instead of walking backward, how about you pay attention to what’s ahead? Though I do hope you trip.”

“Good point. Looks like we’ve arrived at the place we were looking for.”

“Oh, really?”

At some point, the tension had faded from Brienne’s group, and they chatted quietly as they entered the room with the altar.

However.

“This is… somehow unpleasant.”

People screaming, unable to escape burning houses. People struggling underwater with heavy weights tied to their ankles.

“Really. It’s chilling….”

On the altar, as big as a bed, were lit candles and countless mysterious drawings. Brienne, carefully examining the largest pictures, realized they were connected along the walls.

“Zen, Lusell. There’s a small door behind that pillar!”

Brienne pointed to a narrow arched door on the opposite side of the altar. Entering that room, they found what seemed to be an office space.

The notable thing was that one wall was covered densely in hieroglyphs.

Brienne, who was reading these unfamiliar characters for the first time in her life, narrowed her eyes.

“…What kind of writing is this?”

“It’s Roetan script. I haven’t seen it in ages myself.”

Lusell, unusually frowning, took a notebook from his coat. Brienne suddenly remembered the day she’d unintentionally overheard their conversation.

“Oh, come to think of it… You two always speak in the common tongue, even though Zen is royalty. Why don’t you use your native language?”

“Roetan language, whether written or spoken, is so difficult and complex that it’s been virtually extinct for ages. Now it’s classified as an ancient language, only used in scriptures. Remember what the guard mumbled earlier? Only someone like me could tell that was Roetan.”

“So even the royals don’t use it normally?”

Brienne knew Roetans used the common tongue, but not to that extent. Then again, it was a kingdom rooted in myth. When Brienne turned to Garzen with a surprised face, he nodded calmly.

“Yeah, except for major national events. We’re lucky to be born after the alliance was formed. Thanks to that, we can communicate in the common tongue like this.”

“That’s true….”

Brienne turned her gaze to the wall filled with hieroglyphs.

“Then it’s really strange. Why would Rontiano use a script even Roeta doesn’t?”

Garzen, stroking his chin, sighed and spoke.

“Well, it’s probably because they have something to hide. Something they absolutely can’t let be discovered. Lusell, can you read this?”

“Well, I only copied it down… But I did study Roetan script as a child. There was something I wanted to decode.”

“What? What was it?”

“The inscription on the tomb of the first Pope.”

“…Lusell, you didn’t just barge into places you shouldn’t, did you?”

Lusell jumped in protest at the suspicious look directed at him.

“Barge in…! Your Highness, did you forget I’m the second son of the Bartshire Marquisate, who guards the temple?”

Garzen was a prince, so Lusell must be a noble too. Turns out he was from a marquis family. Brienne felt a sense of kinship and looked at Lusell. Catching her gaze, Lusell placed a hand on his chest and bowed his upper body.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t properly introduced myself. Lusellion Bartshire.”

“Oh, nice to meet you. As you know, I’m Brienne Ford.”

With that formal greeting, Brienne bent her knees slightly in etiquette. Garzen shook his head and clapped his hands, coming between them.

“Okay, since we all know each other, let’s keep the introductions short. While Lusell deciphers the script, let’s search this place. If we want to arrest these people with the Rontiano Emperor’s permission, we’ll need evidence to attach to the official documents.”

“Evidence? What kind of records are we looking for?”

“Whether they’re getting support or looting, this is a group that needs supplies. There has to be a record of anything they’ve siphoned off. Like the costs for traveling between Roeta and here.”

“Oh, I get it. Then I’ll check the desk.”

Nodding, Brienne went straight to the large desk in the corner. But inside the old desk drawer, there was only junk—nothing important.

‘It’s suspiciously empty….’

Brienne brushed the dust from her hands and turned to the bookshelf. Out of habit, she ran her fingers along the spines, her brow furrowing.

“…Hey, Zen. You said you investigated the famous families of Rontiano before coming to Ford territory, right? Which ones?”

“Hmm?”

Garzen, who’d been tapping on the empty wall as if searching for a hidden space, paused. With an awkward smile, he mumbled, uncharacteristically vague.

“Well, first the founding families of Rontiano. Then I picked out the ones with influence in current affairs. The ones that appear often in the papers. The ducal families Bannon and Belif, the Earldom of Bailey, and the Ford Marquisate where you belong, Miss.”

“…What? That’s all you did?”

Brienne asked with a baffled expression. At that pointed question, Garzen scratched the back of his head.

“There’s only two of us, and we have to do everything ourselves, so….”

“That’s why I’m really glad we met you, Miss Brienne.”

Lusell, who was sitting by the wall focused on decoding, turned and smiled brightly at Brienne. Brienne forced a smile.

‘…Feels like I’ve gotten involved in something troublesome.’

But now that she was directly connected, it was no longer someone else’s problem. Kidnapping in the heart of the capital—no matter who was behind these cultists, such crimes had to be officially punished.

Brienne sighed and pulled out a book that caught her hand.

“I guess I’m glad to be here, too. Zen, come take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

Garzen strode over to stand beside Brienne. She opened the book on the desk.

“A secret ledger. It’s an old trick among Rontiano nobles, disguised as a regular book. Any Rontiano noble would learn it.”

“What? How did you find that so quickly, Miss?”

“The texture is different. There’s a spot on the spine where it was torn and reattached, and the height of the inner pages doesn’t match the cover.”

Brienne shrugged, answering simply, and Garzen exclaimed in admiration.

“So you’re the type who works with your head, huh?”

“Maybe…? Anyway, looking at this, it seems your guess was right—there’s definitely a Rontiano noble behind this.”

Brienne frowned slightly. As she flipped through the ledger, she saw Roetan script and numbers, just like on the wall.

Double security, as expected.

“Too bad, but I can’t read this either.”

“Then let’s take it and leave it to Lusell.”

Brienne nodded. They’d found something, and staying longer might really be dangerous, so Brienne was about to suggest they leave.

“Um, maybe we should go soon….”

However.

“It’s about the god of love, Leosus, and his daughter Riela. I’m only decoding the key words—it’ll be done soon.”

Lusell, who had been writing in his notebook for a while, mumbled faster than Brienne could finish. Hearing his mutter, Brienne flinched.

“…What? Riela?”

Was it a coincidence?

Something felt off… Brienne hesitated, wanting to approach Lusell, then picked up the ledger again. Garzen, watching her expression, asked perceptively,

“Why? Is it something you know?”

“Well….”

Brienne glanced at Garzen and cautiously spoke.

“I don’t know much. Actually, I read a book called 『The Myth of Roeta』 not long ago.”

“Oh, that?”

“You know it too, Zen?”

“Of course I know. That book is a required read for first-year students at the Roeta Academy.”

“That book is required reading?”

Brienne’s eyes widened.