Chapter 129
Chapter 129: Weaving the Web
***
Vermin? Well then.
It seemed that the guests from next door weren't particularly welcomed by this woman, and I figured the reason had something to do with why they came looking for her. Though I didn't fully understand what was happening, I could piece together some things.
From what that middle-aged man said... Iron Guard? Military pay? They came to ask the Queen for money, and from the tone of his words... did Victoria withhold the Iron Guard's military pay? But why?
Grabbing two donuts, I plopped down onto the sofa, took a light bite, then turned my head, my gaze drifting toward that flawless white jade profile beside me — truly beautiful to the extreme, an absolutely stunning appearance. The only flaw was that it was too cold and detached, rarely showing any proper expression. When still, she was like a lifeless doll.
This woman should be under 25, right? So young, yet already the ruler of a country...
Then I saw Victoria turn her head toward me, her brows slightly furrowing.
"Why are you staring at me?" she said coolly.
"Just looking..."
My somewhat mumbled response made me sound a bit guilty. Realizing this, I cleared my throat and, as if trying to save face, stiffened my neck and added: "What, do you charge a fee for that too?"
"Not really." Victoria's beautiful eyes stared at me without blinking. "But I should remind you, in this country, staring directly at Her Majesty the Queen is an offense punishable by beheading."
"......"
My mouth fell open, not quite knowing what to say.
What kind of tyrannical rule is that? You can't even look? If you got married, would your husband have to walk around blindfolded every day? Otherwise he'd get executed?
Besides, you're not even as good-looking as me. Who'd want to stare at you anyway...
"You also can't sit with me like this. Such behavior would be considered contempt for royal authority." Seeing that I was still looking at her, Victoria added another line.
"......"
This is my house... If you won't let me sit on the sofa with you, am I supposed to squat on the floor to eat...
"I'm sitting right here!"
I said somewhat irritably, then as if venting, took a big bite of the Captain Grey in my hand and chewed forcefully.
"Sit if you want, but stop staring at me. It's annoying."
...Coming over without even greeting, staying at someone else's house uninvited, you're the annoying one.
Suddenly I saw her extend her right hand and gently push my head to the side. The instant her palm contacted my cheek, the cool, soft sensation made my heartstrings tremble lightly.
A moment later, I heard her ask casually: "How's the academy?"
"Pretty good."
I answered her reflexively... Why did I answer? Why am I even acknowledging her...
But then I heard Victoria ask again: "Have you met Sister Theresa?"
"I have." Hearing her ask this, I suddenly remembered what Teacher Theresa told me, so I asked back, "How did you know I would go find her?"
"A few days ago, I mentioned the Gate of Truth to her." Victoria's tone was flat, not directly answering my question. "By the way, there's something I need to tell you."
Hearing this, I couldn't help but sit up straight, wiping the back of my hand across my lips, my expression turning serious.
"What is it?"
"A few days ago, Doctor Chris from the Empire sent word that the heretics cut off the supply route to Winter City and transferred the goods to an orphanage in a border town. The goods were picked up by a group of traveling merchants over half a month ago. Calculating the timing, those shipments containing guguo grass should arrive at the royal city in about 5 days."
"5 days from now?" I was startled by her words. "That fast... they're already coming..."
"Doctor Chris didn't alert them. The heretics haven't realized their new route has been exposed. I plan to let them continue thinking that way, give them enough time to weave a bigger web, and root out those truly hiding behind the scenes."
I immediately understood what Victoria meant.
"You mean... let them enter the city?"
"Yes." Victoria nodded slightly. "For them to infiltrate the royal city under my watch for so long without a trace, there must be more than just one or two people backing them. I'll let them in first. I want to see where exactly those goods end up being used. If nothing unexpected happens, this matter is connected to Cataloma, and possibly even to the church in the royal city."
"Cataloma..."
As I thought, it's the orphanage again... What exactly are these lunatics trying to do?
"Teacher Theresa told me that there's a shipment that needs someone to receive it..."
"That's the shipment. Once they enter the royal city, they won't escape the Sword of Kanri."
"Sword of Kanri. Are those your bodyguards?"
"The Sword of Kanri are not my bodyguards." Victoria shook her head lightly. "Each of them is exceptionally talented and battle-hardened, having passed numerous trials before being granted the 'Sword Emblem.' The Sword of Kanri aren't anyone's bodyguards, they are warriors of Isenbell."
"Then, that person just now..."
"He's the captain of the Sword of Kanri. In the royal city, he's the person whose affinity with the Wind Order is second only to mine."
...No wonder.
Just like Valarr back then, it seemed that people of the Wind Order could all erase their presence, thus evading my detection.
What a waste that such people don't become assassins...
Thinking somewhat mischievously to myself, I heard Victoria continue: "There's one thing I'm concerned about. Sir Carlos mentioned that when you were in the Empire, you encountered members of the Gate of Truth. Is that correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
After receiving my confirmation, Victoria nodded.
"The warriors of the Sword of Kanri have no experience dealing with heretics, so I need you to cooperate with them. As for the academy, I'll speak with the principal, you don't need to worry about that."
"Tomorrow, I'll go to Cataloma to find Theresa—"
Before I could finish, Victoria interrupted me.
"Miss Sylvia, you misunderstand my meaning."
She sat elegantly on the sofa, her gaze looking at me frankly as she said: "I chose to tell you all this now because I hope you'll act according to my plan and not take matters into your own hands. Understood?"
...Act according to your plan?
But what if your plan is wrong?
Of course I didn't say this directly. I just looked at her with furrowed brows.
"I mean, Teacher Theresa..."
CLANG—
Suddenly, a loud metallic crash came from the courtyard outside. Startled, I jumped to my feet and looked out the window in surprise.
Noisy voices came from the courtyard.
"Lord Bart, you can't just barge in like this. You don't know who lives here..."
"Lecter, Her Majesty the Queen is here, isn't she?"
"Lord Bart!"
"This food was delivered here on your orders, wasn't it? You don't need to lie to me anymore. Besides Her Majesty the Queen, who else could command you!? Go inside and report to Her Majesty that I, Bart, have important matters to discuss. If she won't see me, then today I'll just sit here! The brave warriors of the Iron Guard will all sit here and not leave!"
"Lord Bart, you're drunk."
...Looks like trouble has come knocking.