I Became the Narrow-Eyed Villain in a Dropped Novel

Chapter 142:

“Eliminating the 1st Duke.”

“Could it be true?”

“Who knows.”

I answered nonchalantly while scanning the document in response to Strategy Head Doruga's question.

Doruga's mouth opened as if to ask more questions, but then he buried his face in the documents again.

Strategy Head (Doruga) wasn't the only one feeling anxious.

The entire headquarters was abuzz with the news that Johann Geller might be assassinated.

Most of the headquarters staff were elites of the Empire.

It was hard to find a common denominator among them—a mix of those intrigued by working under Valheit, those who came simply for the hefty salary, and those who were so impressed after meeting the Commander that they dropped everything to join—but it was certain that it was an organization of imperial elites.

As such, they well understood what would happen when a Duke, especially the head of the Geller family, the most powerful and influential of them all, was killed.

‘It’s a civil war, no two ways about it.’

The fact that Blaiher and Johann were at odds over the rights of the Dukes was a publicly known fact.

This in itself was not a major problem.

It was very common for the Emperor and the Dukes to clash, and compared to the time of the previous, erratic Emperor, Blaiher was controlling the situation smoothly and stably.

But if Johann Geller died, and was assassinated at that, everything would change.

No matter how divided the Dukes usually were, they would have no choice but to unite if the 1st Duke died like that.

It meant that the Empire, which had become stable unlike in the original story, would be plunged into chaos again, which wouldn't be very helpful for my own lifeline.

Even without looking, my probability of death would probably jump by several dozen percent.

‘The problem is when and how.’

The information Professor Zain gave me was very limited.

To be precise, he only told me about the invention he handed over.

‘He said it was a camera.’

I didn't understand the exact principle, but he said it was an object that killed a person by activating a built-in spell when a photo was taken.

Normally, it operated as a regular camera, but when a specific film was loaded, it turned into an assassination weapon.

Thanks to its faithfulness to the purpose of assassination, it became a headache for the side trying to stop it.

First, the problem was that its appearance was completely indistinguishable from an ordinary Vestol camera.

Vestol cameras had such a high reputation that even people who hated Vestol would use their products if they were buying a camera.

Vestol cameras were used in everything from private hobbies to professional fields like newspapers, and even in public institutions.

As such, it was meaningless to predict when and where it would be used.

Johann Geller could die today while having his picture taken for a portrait.

‘It’s a relief that the Duke isn’t the type to move so simple-mindedly.’

If he simply wanted to kill him, there were many easier ways.

But the fact that he went so far as to ask the professor meant he had a clear objective.

If I could figure out the objective, it would naturally become clear when and how he planned to use it… probably.

“Have there been any unusual movements from the ravens sent by Ms. Regina.”

“Not yet. It seems the 1st Duke isn't being very cooperative, so they can't seem to move freely within the territory.”

With his cautious nature, there's no way he would fully trust a foreigner, especially one as suspicious as Valheit.

I think I can rule out the possibility of the ravens handling things themselves.

“Um…”

“Do you have an opinion?”

“Don't you think they'll try to frame His Majesty the Emperor or the Count for the murder.”

“Probably so.”

It was the most plausible guess one could make right now.

If the Empire fell into chaos, it would be a huge blow to me as well, so if that was their aim, it would make sense, but….

“Isn't it a bit tricky to kill the 1st Duke, who's holed up in his own territory, and then pin it on us.”

“That… since he’s a Duke, wouldn’t he find some excuse.”

“It's too conspicuous and would only give us an opening for a counterattack. He won't move that foolishly.”

If the Emperor wanted to eliminate a troublesome Duke, there were many easier and cleaner methods than a public assassination with something like a camera.

He could simply mobilize the Imperial Army and invade, or use more covert means like poison.

Of course, those were crude methods that the former Emperor would have used, but there was no need to stick to a strange method like using a camera as a weapon.

If the Dukes were itching to start a civil war right now, that level of justification would be enough.

Even in the original story, they didn't present such a grand justification when they went up against the arrogant former Emperor.

But Blaiher, unlike the former Emperor, had played the push-and-pull game with the Dukes quite well.

Right now, the majority of the Dukes were closer to petty men who were hung up on a penny or two of profit.

In short, the Dukes weren't angry enough to rashly bite on a suspicious assassination case.

“If the Empire responds with time, even a Duke's tail will eventually be caught. If they are to do it, they would have to create a situation where the Dukes have no choice but to rise up immediately.”

“What is that?”

“Isn't that why we're looking through all these documents, because we don't know.”

Doruga scratched his head, looking embarrassed, and looked at the documents again.

Let’s see… the next document is… the Imperial Frontier Region Inspection Plan.

It was a stiff document that clearly had no fun to be found, so I skimmed through it.

“…Hmm.”

A certain phrase caught my eye.

“Strategy Head, what is this inspection plan about?”

“It’s a fact-finding survey of the lands granted to the Dukes. It was proposed by the 6th Duke at the last Council of Dukes meeting.”

“The first target of the investigation is the region ruled by the 1st Duke, I see.”

“That’s because it’s the most model region. He offered to be the first while the other Dukes get their regions in order.”

A sense of disgust was palpable when Doruga said the word ‘order.’

It meant falsifying documents and silencing the people of the territory.

“Are there no such problems in the frontier region managed by the 1st Duke?”

“Because it is the most exemplarily managed region. Its profitability is good, and there are almost no security or safety issues, so it will be good for promoting that there are no problems in the regions ruled by the Dukes.”

“The plan says the Dukes will personally visit and explain about the management of the frontier region….”

“That’s the plan, but it's uncertain if it will actually happen. As you know, the Dukes usually don't leave their territories much.”

Hmm… Of all the documents I'd seen today, this was the one where the Emperor and the Dukes would most directly clash.

“Should I investigate further?”

“Yes. Please find out when, where, and what they will be investigating. I will check the 1st Duke's schedule.”

“What? Is that possible?”

“I have wider connections than you might think.”

I smiled slyly, but honestly, it was far from confidence.

At the Vestol Independence Day celebration, Hugo did say that he could cooperate to some extent in the future.

Considering the information about the ravens I provided, it was a given.

However, it was questionable whether he would also provide information about his own master.

‘I'll have to give it a try, at least.’

***

“I cannot.”

Hugo, whom I had managed to contact with difficulty, rejected my proposal flatly.

His face left no room for negotiation. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel✶fire.net

“For the safety of the 1st Duke…”

“I cannot.”

“Even a rough schedule…”

“I cannot.”

Just as I thought.

No matter how secretly we cooperate behind the scenes, there's no way he would obediently tell me where a Duke is going.

“May I leave now.”

“We’ve finally met after so much trouble, you should at least hear me out. It won't be bad news for the Three Blades or the Duke.”

“……”

“Considering the value of the information I gave you last time, you should at least listen. That is, if you want to get more information in the future.”

“…Understood.”

Only after I spoke, verging on a threat, did Hugo sit back down.

Now that I had him seated with difficulty, I immediately got to the most important point.

“There is intelligence that the Duke is after the Duke's life.”

“That’s hard to trust.”

The reply was immediate.

Well, it would be hard to believe coming from Valheit.

“It’s true that the ravens are suspicious, but there is no sign that they would betray our cooperative relationship.”

“Isn't it a fact that they were hiding something.”

“That does not serve as evidence that they are trying to kill the Duke.”

So they were hiding something.

It was fully expected, as the Duke wasn't the type of person to open up and help.

“Believe it or not, I have given my warning. Let's move on to the next topic.”

“There’s more?”

“I assume you are aware that the Imperial Capital will be inspecting the frontier regions.”

Hugo nodded.

Since it had been announced to the general public, the Duke involved would naturally know.

“Several suspicious circumstances have been detected.”

“Get to the point.”

“The ravens have intervened in the frontier region. Even before you two joined hands.”

The hint was the proposal Ivan made when Timershi Stetten was caught in the explosion.

He had suggested framing a dissident from the frontier region as the one who planted the bomb in the theater.

I had rejected it without much thought at the time, but I took this opportunity to investigate how he had prepared such a person.

“Considering that most of the border regions were acquired through conquest, it is not surprising that there is resistance, but rebellious sentiment alone is not enough to form an organized rebel force.”

“The Three Blades were also aware of that. We have reduced our support since the cooperation.”

“On the surface, yes. But is that really the case?”

“……”

Hugo frowned and fell silent.

The Three Blades probably had their suspicions too.

They just kept quiet about it because of their cooperative relationship.

Seeing a better reaction than expected, I smiled lightly and placed a thick report on the desk.

“Please read it and judge for yourself. You should be able to easily verify its authenticity.”

“Where did you get this?”

Hugo, who had quickly read the first part, asked without hiding his surprise.

“I received it from a friend inside the ravens. Don't try to find out who.”

“…The last day.”

Hugo, who was scanning the report with a serious face, said in a low voice.

“Hmm?”

“On the last day of the investigation, the Duke is scheduled to meet with the investigation team directly.”

“Suddenly?”

“It doesn't matter, as it will be officially announced right before the meeting with the investigation team. I haven't mentioned the detailed schedule either.”

“Does that mean he plans to make a move before that?”

“……”

Hugo took the report and left with an impassive face.

He didn't answer, but it was as good as an admission.

It was the moment the Duke, who usually only moved within his territory, would come outside.

If they were going to strike, there was no time but now.

“I don't know the specifics yet… but I've found a clue.”

Muttering to myself, I casually turned my head.

The loitering presence had disappeared.

They had tried to be careful in their own way, but it wasn't enough to escape Valheit's senses.

‘A raven?’

No matter how carefully we met, it was difficult to completely shake off the ravens' surveillance.

There was also the possibility that Hugo had brought them himself.

‘With this, I’ve taken care of Regina’s request as well.’

I smiled inwardly and emptied my teacup.

***

“I-I don't know anything about it!”

“Didn't you just say with your own mouth that you sold information.”

“Th-that's true, but I didn't sell it to Count Valheit!”

A man drenched in sweat knelt and trembled with a servile voice.

Ivan's gaze as he looked down at him was cold.

“It wasn't even that great of information! I just gave up a few transaction points, I’m sure he got the information from somewhere else….”

“If it's Count Valheit, he can spin silk from a single strand of hair.”

Ivan waved his hand in frustration, and the fallen man was dragged away.

Watching the man scream shrilly, Ivan shook his head pathetically.

“This has become a ridiculous situation.”

“That's why I told you. To focus on internal management.”

At the woman's mocking voice, Ivan lowered his head with a grim expression.

“I apologize, Ms. Regina. For causing you this trouble.”

“It’s a relief that the misunderstanding has been cleared.”

“The Liaison Department is greatly indebted.”

Although he was reluctant, he had no choice but to bow his head.

Even if she was in a marginal position, the crime of suspecting the Duke's child was severe.

Professor Zain wasn't a tight-lipped man, so he had been prepared for the assassination plot to leak, but the fact that they were supporting rebels for the assassination meant there was a rat inside.

Naturally, Regina, who was close to the Eight Council, came under suspicion.

He thought this would be an opportunity to clean up anyone associated with Valheit within the ravens.

However, the investigation revealed that the information leak had come from Ivan's side.

Regina's liaison department had merely been a messenger.

“To the Duke…”

“What power do I have to talk to my father? He wouldn't listen even if I did.”

“Yes, then I will be on my way. I will share more details as they emerge.”

He hadn't completely cleared his suspicion of Regina.

But he couldn't eliminate Regina without any evidence.

…Especially not with the Weapon Demon of Chartra stuck to her side.

As Ivan went outside, Regina let out a smirk.

“You handled that well.”

“Of course. When it comes to this kind of thing, no one can beat that snake.”

Til shrugged.

When it came to dark and shady matters, even the ravens were no match for Valheit.

Having been turned on, Ivan wouldn't be able to touch Regina for a while.

“Somehow, you seem proud.”

“…I wonder.”

Til shook her head.