Chapter 40 | Clue

translator/editor: astralmech | editor: ghost

*

* * *

*

As he spoke, Phermos nodded along.

[Phermos] Anyway, as I came here to say..

[Rienne] Before you continue, I have to askWhat happened to your face?

With a bewildered expression, a stunned Rienne approached Phermos as she waited for his answer.

One side of his face had turned completely black and blue with a bruise. She remembered his face looking cleaner than that when she last saw him, dragging Linden Kleinfelder out of the Kings Office by the neck.

[Rienne] Are you alright? Who did this to you?

[Phermos] Ah, well this is..

Phermos glanced to his side, making brief eye contact with Black.

[Phermos] Im just grateful this was the extent of it.

Only a fool would misunderstand that. It was obvious the person responsible was Black. Rienne turned to him, her surprise clear as day as she grabbed him by the arm.

[Rienne] You hit him? But why?

Black looked at Phermos and glared fiercely, but it was already too late to take his words back. While Black stayed quiet, Phermos quickly rushed to open his mouth and answer.

[Phermos] Its my own fault. I didnt intervene and diffuse the situation fast enough. Because of my inadequacies, your wrist was injured, Princess.

[Rienne] . . .

Rienne narrowed her eyes, her forehead creasing as she looked at Black.

[Rienne] But I dont think hitting anyone was the appropriate response. IIm not sure something like that is praise-worthy.

Rienne thought there was probably a reason why Phermos took his time in reacting, and she was already making a guess in her mind.

He probably didnt want to be caught coming and going from the office without the proper permission. Not to mention he mustve been curious what Rienne was doing, talking to Linden Kleinfelder like that.

In retrospect, thinking about it made her head swim.

She didnt want to imagine how differently things wouldve turned out had she shown any sign of cooperating with him rather than being threatened.

[Black] I didnt mean to hit him.

When he said that, Blacks voice was just as devoid of emotion as usual.

But somehow, he seemed embarrassed.

[Rienne] You didnt?

[Black] . . .

Black was completely silent, but his lack of words still managed to convey a story. A story where, by the time hed come back to his senses, hed already thrown a punch before hearing the entire explanation.

Sensing Black was in trouble, Phermos scrambled to fix things.

[Phermos] Again, its really my own fault. Thank you very much for your concern, even if it was because of you that this happened in the first place..Ah, but Im not..complaining.

[Rienne] Hah.

Rienne shook her head, sighing.

[Rienne] Its not my place to judge the Tiwakans military discipline, so I wont say anything else. But your presence, Lord Phermos, within the Kings Office was still unacceptable. I will deliver a more reasonable punishment later.

[Phermos] Yes, of course. I humbly await your decision.

[Rienne] But what were you doing in the Kings Office in the first place?

[Phermos] Thats..Well, there was something I wanted to look for in the royal records. As I was trying to deal with the work my Lord entrusted to me, I discovered there were things I needed to know about Nauk. I didnt wish to disturb you with every little thing, Princess.

That didnt make a whole lot of sense.

The only thing of value in the Kings Office was the royal seal. Perhaps if this were Linden Kleinfelder they were talking about, he might have some use for it, but it wasnt something Phermos had any reason to desire.

[Rienne] Fine then. Next time, please request permission before entering. Now, what happened to Linden Kleinfelder?

Phermos, whose conscience felt prickly this entire time, allowed his mind to be taken away from that line of discussion.

[Phermos] I put the him in the same room as the illegitimate son. I didnt realize noblemen could be so lively. The jails been rather noisy for a while now.

[Rienne] I suppose I shouldve guessed. Hes not the kind of person to take something like this quietly. And..what of the other Kleinfelder?

[Phermos] Hes staying well-behaved. I was wondering if he knew anything about the proof that was spoken of earlier, but he seemed to know nothing.

[Rienne] I see.

[Phermos] In my opinion, this proof of theirs never existed in the first place. It was only ever a ruse used in order to deceive you, Princess.

[Rienne] I agree. If it existed, I dont think they would be able to keep it to themselves for so long.

[Phermos] Yes, they couldve used it to their advantage much sooner. Like using it to claim the marriage as invalid, for example.

[Rienne] Indeed.

To Riennes surprise, the conversation was short and to the point.

Anyone looking at Phermos would guess he was an extremely learned man, but it went beyond simple intelligence now. Hed only been in Nauk for a short time, and already hed managed to hone in on Linden Kleinfelders habits.

[Phermos] But there is something more believable he speaks of. He keeps mentioning something called The Treaty of Risebury. Do you know anything about this? (1)

[Rienne] Unfortunately, I do.

[Phermos] My apologies if Ive brought up a sore topic.

[Rienne] Its a peace treaty signed between the elders and advisors of the aristocratic delegation during the reign of the previous king. Most of the rights the Kleinfelders now currently enjoy were earned during that treaty.

[Phermos] A peace treaty..as a result of a civil war?

[Rienne] As far as I know, yes. The drought lasted far too long and the only person the people could turn to for help was the king.

Phermos clicked his tongue.

[Phermos] As if thats not bad enough.

The peace treaty was signed during days Rienne couldnt even remember and it represented the shame of the royal family. As the drought continued, the king was the first to feel the financial burden, so he levied taxes against the nobility.

The nobles opposed his decision and formed an army around the Kleinfelders, starting a war that teetered on a rebellion.

The king was given no choice but to sign a treaty to end the conflict, but all it did was serve to gag the royal family.

[Phermos] Then, is it true that the decision to punish must be unanimous if the person on trial is a representative protected under the treaty?

[Rienne] Im afraid, yes. That is also true.

[Phermos] So youre given the option of wiping out all noble families or to destroy the treaty itself?

[Rienne] There isnt a single noble family that would agree with eliminating the treaty.

[Phermos] Oh? So would it just be better to kill them all?

For a moment, Rienne thought he was making a joke. After all, the topic was broaching nonsensical territory. But the second she realized he was serious, she calmly shook her head.

[Rienne] Nauk would just be torn apart.

[Phermos] The nobility arent that great in numberthough, Nauk is a place built on close family ties. There are the common folk to consider, as well as the loyalty of those who work in noble homes. Those people have families of their own who would be caught up.

[Rienne] Exactly my point.

Phermos sighed, making it clear his earlier statement was definitely not a joke.

[Phermos] I tend to forget how complicated politics can get. War is far simpler.

Just as Phermos finished muttering to himself, Black uttered a single word.

[Black] Thats saying too much. (2)

[Phermos] Ah, right.

Phermos attitude quickly changed, as if on a whim.

[Phermos] We must find a way to change the treaty so that we can hold a trial.

That was an idea that long since existed in Riennes mind. But no matter how much she thought about it, the fact remained that she had no power to do so.

[Rienne] The only exception to the treaty is the Temple.

[Phermos] The Temple?

[Rienne] Yes. The Temple has the ability to overturn the judgement of all trials by delivering the word of God to the people instead.

[Phermos] Ah, I see.

[Rienne] But therein lies the problem. Part of the Treaty of Risebury stipulates that the delegate leader of the aristocratic delegation has the power to appoint the next High Priest. Ever since then, the High Priest has lived in the pocket of the Kleinfelders.

[Phermos] Oh.

A glimmer of light reflected off of Phermos monocle.

[Phermos] Isnt the High Priests chair currently vacant? Has his replacement been decided?

[Rienne] Not yet.

A dark shadow was cast over Riennes calm eyes.

[Rienne] He had a reason for doing what he did. Linden Kleinfelder sought to delay the wedding with this.

[Phermos] Hm.So he was responsible for killing the High Priest?

[Rienne] Likely.

[Phermos] Ha! Its like this country has a second king who fancies himself a tyrant.

[Rienne] . . .

Riennes face twisted, like shed eaten something bitter.

The treaty the previous king signed had turned into a carnivorous worm, eating away at the royal family, bit by bit. It gnawed away at their little kingdom, quickly and quietly consuming the royal family for all it was worth.

And all Rienne could do as she passed the days away was watch it happen, clearly in front of her.

It was her greatest weakness. A sense of shame and distress gripped her as all of it was laid bare in front of Black.

[Black] Then lets deal with that first, and then do a trial.

Black stepped in again.

[Black] Find the one responsible and get him to testify what the delegate leader made him do. Unless the priests are brain dead, theyll understand themselves what path will let them live the longest.

Phermos groaned.

[Phermos] WellThe investigation is taking more time than I thought it would, so not much progress has been made. The priests and the servants all wear the same clothes and their daily routines are a bit vague so theyre hard to followWe just need more time.

[Black] How much more?

As Blacks words fell off the tip of his tongue, Phermos pulled back, his eyes shaking.

[Phermos] Thats

[Black] Well?

[Phermos] Im not sure But Ill find it somehow, my Lord. Actually, I found one clue thats worth looking into, but I was putting it off because I wasnt sure the best way to go about it. But if the Princess allows me, Ill do it now.

[Rienne] What do you need?

Before Phermos even had a chance to truly ask, Rienne was already ready and willing. She probably didnt realize it herself, but her voice was shaking and full of anticipation.

[Black] Princess.

Black called out to Rienne.

[Rienne] Yes?

When Rienne turned her head to look at him, he lifted up her wrist.

[Black] Youll get hurt again.

[Rienne] .?

Unconsciously, Rienne was gripping her fists so tightly she couldve made marks again. Black took her clenched fist into the palm of his hand, using his other to loosen her fingers one by one.

[Black] Unless theyre made by me, I dont want to see any more wounds on your body.

[Rienne] . . .

With those words, Phermos lips slightly parted in silent shock, but Rienne was also surprised, albeit for a different reason.

[Rienne] Are you planning on hurting me?

There were lots of different kinds of marks one would leave on the body of their lover. Based on how he said it, evidently Black talking more about a strong embrace, rather than an actual wound.

But looking at Riennes face, it was obvious that meaning went clear over her head.

Even Phermos, who had zero interest in the affection shared between humans, understood what Rienne did not.

[Black] You dont understand what Im saying?

[Rienne] Im not sure. Common sense is telling me youre speaking in jest, but you dont look like youre joking, Lord Tiwakan.

[Black] I have to be more careful.

Black gave a short sigh.

[Black] I didnt mean it like that. Im not going to hurt you.

[Rienne] I know. Im aware you care for me a lot. I wont misunderstand you like that.

[Black] . . .

Listening to their conversation, Phermos couldnt bear to look at Blacks face, so he respectfully turned his head to the side.

[Rienne] Now then. Tell me what it is you need permission for.

Phermos furiously nodded his head, still avoiding looking at Black.

[Phermos] The clue was bloodstains. Whatever wound they came from mustve been quite severe, given how much blood there was.

[Rienne] Blood?

[Phermos] Yes, but when I inspected the body of the High Priest, there was no wound that couldve bled like that.

[Rienne] Hm..

[Phermos] If not him, then it mustve come from the perpetrator, so there should be a wound on their body. And circumstances indicate that whoever they are, they mustve come from the Temple.

[Rienne] I see

[Phermos] So if you will allow me, Ill request all the priests remove their clothes for verification. If any of them have a wound that has yet to heal, theres a great chance theyre the culprit. Its the only clue we have as of now.

[Rienne] Youll need to have each of the priests disrobe and verify them individually. It wont be easy.

[Phermos] Yes. And Im uncertain whether theyll cooperate in the end.

Then, Black threw out an idea.

[Black] Just force them.

[Phermos] WellOf course, thats an option, using force or intimidation to do itbut its the Temple. If we move in like that, things could get ugly, so I figured it would be best to ask the Princess ahead of making any moves. Will you allow me, Princess?

[Rienne] If its for the sake of finding the High Priests murderer, then we must do what is necessary, even if its uncomfortable.. Although

A thought crossed her mind.

The image of blood seeping under ones thick robe came to her. A servant of God, who sat completely still even as someone beat himpraying for penance.

A servant by the name of Klimah.

[Rienne] I met someone who was bleeding the other day.

[Phermos] What?

Phermos couldnt be more thrilled.

Having all the priests undress wouldve been doable, but it was much better to find another avenue to simplify things if they could.

Only

[Phermos] Who was it?

* * *

T/N: (1) Risebury should be pronounced Reese like Reeses Cup and bury like berry. I thought about spelling it as Reeseberry just to help readers understand the pronunciation phonetically, but I stuck with the raws spelling because it looked nicer lol.

(2) In the raws, this was one word.