Chapter 77 : Black Cloud Knight Order (3)
Black Cloud Knight Order (3)
In truth, the reason Gregory acted that way was because he wanted to test whether Darkreon was someone capable of making the right judgment about the current situation.
However, despite Gregory's hasty decision, darkreon listened to his opinion and reconsidered whether it was sound, showing thoughtfulness.
"It's all right. Those gathered here burn with a singular desire to win this war—there is no one who would not understand."
'Good. If he responds this way even to a foolish question, I think I can trust him enough to rely on him.'
Gregory thought that, thanks to Darkreon's tolerance, he could trust him. That being the case, it was now the wisest decision to identify those suspected as traitors and interrogate them.
"First, it seems the key will be to seek out and summon the people listed on that paper."
At Gregory's words, darkreon nodded.
"Indeed. But even gathering them will be no easy journey."
Gregory understood what Darkreon's words implied. According to what they had uncovered, there were traitors even in the upper ranks, and it meant there could be others hiding in other knight orders.
Trying to pull such people out on the eve of war could only entail great risk.
"But... isn't there no other way?"
"No, in fact, there is one."
Gregory, failing to understand Darkreon's words, asked again.
"Are you saying there truly is a way to resolve this situation?"
This conversation left the other members of the Dawn Knight Order puzzled as well. Yet, Walter, who was friendly with Darkreon, looked as if he knew something.
"Surely you don't mean the method I'm thinking of?"
"... I wish I could deny it, but yes, it's the truth."
Upon hearing Darkreon's words, Walter briefly bowed his head in surprise before letting out a deep sigh.
"As expected... I had a feeling something was off from the moment the joint operation with the Black Cloud Knight Order began."
Gregory became even more curious about what they were hiding based on Walter's words. He thought, if it truly was something that could not be revealed, they would not discuss it so openly here, so it was all right to ask directly.
"May I ask what you mean by 'that method', Captain?"
Walter hesitated as he gauged Darkreon's reaction, and Darkreon carefully nodded.
"It's actually about the former vice-captain of the Black Cloud Knight Order. Of course, the knights attending today's meeting each have exceptional abilities, but—"
Prompted by Gregory's question, Walter started to explain the history of the Black Cloud Knight Order.
The former vice-captain of the Black Cloud Knight Order, bram, had left the order and was working near the mines.
Naturally, one might question how that story related to the traitor incident, but the fundamental reason why Bram—the ace of the Black Cloud Knight Order—left was due to severe friction with his fellow knights.
The sudden increase in traitors and the failure to apprehend them in advance stemmed from the void left by the ace's departure.
Bram had been proactive in all aspects, so the Black Cloud Knight Order had tried desperately to fill the gap after he left, but in the end, there were limits.
Because of that conflict, bram suffered a deep wound from the Black Cloud Knight Order; misunderstandings accumulated, making it unlikely he could ever return.
'Hmm... If that's the case, it's understandable to some extent.'
Despite understanding, he still had unanswered questions: why did the Dawn Knight Order need to participate in the joint operation, and what role did they want from him?
So he asked further about the background.
"Then, what connection does that have with our knight order? Wouldn't it suffice to bring him and persuade him that the fate of the kingdom depends on him?"
Hearing Gregory's words, darkreon shook his head firmly.
"I can't reveal the full situation, but he has already made up his mind. No persuasion has managed to sway him."
"I see... I never imagined such a thing happened, and it's truly regrettable."
"But the only way to resolve this crisis now is with him. Our capabilities alone are far from enough; if we could bring him, the tide of war could shift. That's why we're working with the Dawn Knight Order—and you, Gregory, are the key."
Gregory could not hide his shock at Darkreon's sudden statement. He still did not fully understand why his partner in this operation had to be the Dawn Knight Order, or why he himself was the key figure in this mission, but with Darkreon's last words, he understood.
It was that he himself had to persuade Bram. But how in the world was he supposed to do that?
'I have absolutely no information about this Bram.'
However, with the fate of the kingdom at stake, Gregory could not turn down Darkreon's earnest request.
"I beg of you—please bring him to us."
"Hmm... All right. But to be honest, I still have unanswered questions. Is there a specific reason I'm the one who should approach Bram?"
"According to rumors, you have always solved things whenever the kingdom faced danger. And if we approach him ourselves, he won't listen to anything we say."
It was a reasonable point. It was more likely for Bram to listen to a stranger like Gregory than to Darkreon or the Black Cloud knights who had already fallen from his favor.
Still, there was no guarantee at all that Gregory would be able to persuade him. The moment Bram realized Gregory had been sent from the Black Cloud Knight Order, he might refuse to meet him ever again.
"I understand the reasons. But no matter how hard I try, I can't promise I'll fully persuade Bram. Would you be able to teach me how I might succeed?"
Darkreon, after a moment's hesitation at Gregory's words, made up his mind to offer a plan. He whispered to Walter.
Walter, after hearing Darkreon's intriguing suggestion, nodded. He thought this method might indeed move Bram's heart.
Darkreon then explained the method to Gregory as well.
'Honestly... to resort to this is quite troublesome.'
Gregory expressed reluctance about Darkreon's plan but refrained from complaining. For Arme, and to protect his comrades, he believed someone had to do it.
Gregory knew better than anyone how tiresome and inefficient interrogations could be. There was no guarantee that interrogating traitors would lead to any revelations about the enemy.
Rather than wasting more time, he judged it was better to persuade Bram personally.
After Gregory accepted the mission, darkreon sternly warned everyone in the meeting not to disclose anything about it.
"This is an ultra-confidential matter, unknown even within the knight order. I speak freely here because I believe all present are trustworthy."
Seria and Garneth seemed quite satisfied with Gregory's assignment. As he had always accomplished great tasks, they believed this mission would also become a significant achievement.
Gregory gathered as much information from Darkreon as he could to persuade Bram, then made his preparations to depart.
***
Not long after, Gregory set out for the mining city of Marviem. Marviem was a flourishing city renowned as the "fortress of miners," overflowing with all manner of precious ore.
Gregory's mission was to enter as an apprentice miner, win Bram's favor, and build rapport.
If he failed to persuade him, a grave crisis could befall, and time was limited.
He could not afford to fail even once.
"Hoo... Just because there have been good results so far doesn't mean things will go smoothly until the end."
While Gregory was mulling over such concerns, he could see the massive veins and mines in the distance. Carts and rails lined the surroundings.
The clanging sounds of pickaxes striking ore echoed clearly in his ears.
"Still... I suppose it's better than not trying at all."
Gregory resolved to make his best attempt at persuading Bram. Even if his efforts came to nothing, even if they failed to capture all the traitors—
Things might become grim in the war, but he still believed they could win, so he was determined to give it a try.
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