"The other two princes are also attending the banquet?"
Hearing General Paster's explanation, Duanmu Huai immediately frowned, while the latter nodded.
"Yes. The order we received states that the two princes will attend. Therefore, on that evening, the entire city of Altdorf will be under martial law. No idlers will be allowed outside; the whole city will be locked down."
"In other words, everyone will just be trapped in their homes waiting to die."
"..."
Faced with Duanmu Huai's blunt words, General Paster was momentarily speechless. Strict martial law over the whole city was, in principle, reasonable. But… once suspicion arose, many problems became obvious.
"Was it the Crown Prince who extended the invitation?"
"No, it was the other two princes who requested it. They said that since His Majesty had recovered Mordheim, they both believed he was the Chosen One. So they pledged loyalty and declared their willingness to recognize the Crown Prince as Emperor."
No one in their right mind would believe that.
Duanmu Huai curled his lip.
"Then His Majesty decided it was time to end the civil war, so he eagerly invited the two princes to join the banquet."
"So, the banquet night will be the most troublesome of all."
Duanmu Huai let out a cold snort. From the looks of it, each side was harboring its own schemes. The Crown Prince was willing to invite wolves into the hall, probably because he believed he held the advantage of Altdorf's ground and could lay traps here. As for the Second and Third Princes, unless they were fools, they too knew this would be a Hongmen Banquet. Yet they were still willing to attend… meaning they clearly had enough confidence to try turning the tables at the feast.
One could imagine how lively Altdorf would be that day.
"I've already arranged for my family to leave Altdorf early."
General Paster lowered his voice. He had been to Mordheim and knew how terrifying those cult rituals were. He didn't want his family ending up as sacrifices.
"You're not afraid of being suspected?"
"It's only for a few days. I don't care anymore."
Paster wasn't a fool. Clearly, something would happen in the royal palace on the night of the banquet. By then, he would have no other choice anyway.
"Then, any news from that side?"
"Not yet…"
"...…"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai frowned. He was referring to the Witch Hunters. Ever since they had transported the warpstone to Altdorf, the Witch Hunters had been tracking its final destination. After that, there had been no word—whether they were still investigating, or had already died on the way, no one knew.
"I want you to strengthen patrols across Altdorf in the coming days. Record any abnormalities and report them to me. We might find some clues."
"Understood."
General Paster nodded. Other than following Duanmu Huai's orders, he had no other way forward.
After making his decision, Duanmu Huai raised his head, gazing at Altdorf shrouded in shadows beyond the window, and let out a quiet sigh.
I wonder… are things going smoothly over there?
Meanwhile, in Bretonnia's capital, Carcassonne.
As night fell, the noisy streets gradually quieted. Alisa flipped her shop's sign to "Closed," locked the front door, and returned inside.
"Phew…"
Raising her hands, Alisa stretched.
After fleeing the Empire, Alisa, her mother, and others had been running a small trinket shop in Carcassonne, aimed mostly at commoners and middle-class customers. The earnings weren't much, but enough for a living. Life here was peaceful. For them—after such a long time of flight and hardship—this was already more than enough.
However, just as Alisa was about to go rest, a sudden voice spoke.
"Good evening, Miss Alisa."
"Eh—!"
Startled, Alisa whipped her head around. A dark figure stood silently in the corridor, not far away. In the candlelight, she saw the stranger wrapped tightly in a cloak. It made her uneasy, but for some reason, that voice felt familiar.
"Y-you are…"
Under Alisa's gaze, the figure lowered her hood, revealing silver-white hair and a doll-like, flawless face.
"Miss Olgis!"
Seeing Olgis, Alisa nearly shouted in excitement, but quickly covered her mouth and glanced around.
"What about the knight? Didn't he come with you?"
"Master has urgent matters. He sent me to check on you."
Olgis's gaze on Alisa was calm and unblinking. Hearing her answer, Alisa felt a little disappointed.
"I see… I was hoping to meet the knight again."
"Then, Miss Alisa, how is your life now? Are you satisfied with it?"
"Uh…"
Faced with Olgis's question, Alisa hesitated.
"I think… it's not bad. It can't compare to life back in the city, but this is good enough. The neighbors here are all kind and helpful. Sometimes there are small troubles, but nothing serious. I think this life is good. I'm satisfied."
"I see."
Olgis nodded slightly.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Eh? Leaving already? Why not stay for dinner with us? I still want to hear news about the knight."
"Master is occupied with important matters in Altdorf. That's why he sent me to check on you."
Olgis spoke faintly.
"Since you are doing well, I'll return."
"Wait—Miss Olgis… you didn't come because the knight needs my help with something, did you?"
Just as Olgis was about to turn and leave, Alisa suddenly blurted out. Olgis remained silent—neither confirming nor denying. But at that moment, another voice spoke.
"It's about the throne, isn't it?"
At that sound, both Alisa and Olgis looked up. There, on the second-floor staircase, sat the Elf Scout, smiling playfully at them.
"Ah, Elf sister! Where have you been all this time?"
"Sorry, sorry. I was just gathering information. And I sure found some amusing stuff—especially that little pink bunny… hahahahaha, sorry, just thinking about it makes me laugh."
With that, the Elf Scout leapt lightly from the stairs, landing before Olgis.
"Perfect. I was planning to have a talk with the knight anyway. Can you take me to him?"
"...…"
Olgis was silent for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"I understand. Master will see you."
After receiving her report, Duanmu Huai immediately took a gunboat overnight to Carcassonne. In a small, hidden grove outside the city, he met with the Elf Scout.
"To be honest, Knight, I didn't expect you to stir up so much trouble in the Empire."
The Elf Scout greeted him with her usual cheerful grin, completely at ease.
"Looks like you're very familiar with the Empire's situation."
"Of course. I am a royal spy. Without some skill, I would have been dismissed long ago."
She made a hand gesture, still smiling.
"I can more or less guess why you approached Miss Alisa. You want her to become Empress of the Empire, don't you?"
"So what if I do? Is there a problem?"
Naturally, Duanmu Huai had considered it. Still, he never insisted. After all, being Emperor of the Empire was hardly a pleasant seat. That was why he had told Olgis not to mention it if Alisa was content with her current life.
But the Elf Scout suddenly seeking him out like this was unexpected.
"Well… it's not really a problem. Fine, I'll tell you—Miss Alisa is indeed of royal blood. But… she is not His Majesty the Emperor's daughter."
"Royal blood, but not the Emperor's daughter?"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai frowned. The Elf Scout shrugged.
"Well… strictly speaking, she's the daughter of the late Emperor. I think you understand what that means."
"…Haah?!"
Now Duanmu Huai was truly dumbfounded.
"So you're saying…"
"Exactly what I just said. Now you get it?"
"…Alright, I get it."
At last, Duanmu Huai understood why Alisa's background was so unusual. He had thought she was the Emperor's illegitimate child, left to be raised by a frontier lord for some reason. But no—she wasn't the Emperor's daughter at all. She was the Emperor's younger sister.
Good grief. No wonder they kept it secret.
If this ever got out, wouldn't it explode like a thunderclap? The late Emperor truly had remained vigorous in his old age… that was all Duanmu Huai could think.
"But this doesn't stop her from inheriting the throne, right?"
"Yes, that's true. However… in fact, I've recently received some news."
The Elf Scout fixed her gaze on Duanmu Huai.
"Namely… His Majesty may still be alive."
"Oh?"
(End of Chapter)