Chapter 22: XXII. Examination Work
"Master Aran came to the Duchy to discuss the railway project with the King, hoping to break a gap in the huge wall in the western part of the Duchy to let the railway come through, facilitating trade between the two nations. Before the matter could be discussed, the King's envoy had us stay in a different residence for the night, planning to wait until the next day. Unexpectedly, Master Aran had a heart attack that very night. Alas..."
Claude became more and more distressed the more he thought about it, wondering why he had to stumble upon such an incident.
Fen, too, felt that this man was extremely unlucky. It could be somewhat understood if it was due to inadequate protection, but dying in the Beima Royal Mansion was a matter of life and death. It was indefensible, especially since the issue at hand was no trifle. This mess was too complicated to have any excuse, and even if he survived upon returning home, he would be ruined, his life effectively over.
"Could it have been poisoning?"
Fen sensed something fishy about the situation.
"That day was indeed chaotic; too many people, too many vague details, and now it's too late to say anything—the catastrophe has already occurred."
Claude actually harbored such suspicions too but didn't dare to face reality, instead bearing the blame upon himself.
Liszt's attention, however, was focused elsewhere. Although the group was intelligent, without the benefit of precedent, lessons summarized in history books from his old home suggested that something major was about to unfold.
"Damn it, you Aran people are planning to gobble up the entire eastern region, it's likely going to be war again."
Liszt lit a cigarette and speculated that, in the end, the son of the high official was merely a minor scout in the Emperor's eyes, sent to test the waters first. He had long said that the current King of Beima was a bit brain-dead, and he was truly on the verge of collapse.
"It's just the death of an envoy. Even if he was of a noble status, why would that start a war?"