I Am The Madman Of This Family

The investigator from the Samael Empire claimed he had come to the Lillian Kingdom to track down one of the Seven Cursed Species. Of course, this was the first time Rakan was hearing of this. Even Theore, his strategist, looked surprised. However, an investigator wouldn’t have come without evidence. If she was here, it meant he had found grounds to suspect someone.

“By cooperation, don’t tell me you intend to tear this palace apart from top to bottom?”

“How could I commit such disrespect, Your Highness? However, the Seven Cursed Species typically leech off of noble families in other nations. Though criminals, they possess exceptional knowledge and skill, enough to elevate an ordinary family into a remarkable one. For that reason, we wish to investigate only the families whose power and fortunes have risen sharply within the last ten years. But rest assured…” Betty smiled lightly.

“Unlike the Samael Empire, which has thousands of noble families, the Lillian Kingdom has fewer than a hundred. We have already completed our preliminary investigation, so we will only be inspecting seven families. With your cooperation, we could complete this even today…”

She was subtly flaunting the prestige of the empire. He handed Rakan a sheet of paper with seven family names written on it.

Not hiding his irritation, Rakan snatched it from his hands and glanced at it.

—Inghardt County

—Grimstone Barony

—Blackwood County

—Marquisiate Oaxford… And at the bottom…

—Bydent County

“Hm…”

Rakan clenched his fists in nervousness. Five of the seven families listed were subordinate to him.

“If you find the Seven Cursed Species… what happens to the family?”

Rakan’s tone had changed.

“If possible, the species will be taken alive. If not, they are to be executed on the spot,” Betty replied without hesitation.

“I don’t care what happens to those stupid beasts. I’m asking what happens to the family that sheltered them.”

“Oh, well, that goes without saying. They must be punished.”

Rakan’s hand automatically drifted toward the sword at his waist. He was irritated by the fact that a foreign investigator was bold enough to declare punishment upon his kingdom’s nobility.

“His Majesty cherishes peace. That is why he has always upheld a policy of merciless punishment against the Seven Cursed Species, who have massacred innocent civilians. Furthermore, any family that shelters such beasts, even if its head were a duke of the empire, will not be granted any exceptions.”

“So you intend to execute the entire family?”

“Unfortunately, yes. No family is exempt. That is—and will remain—the law.”

Rakan glared at Betty as though he would kill her. Betty did not look away; rather, he silently urged Rakan to answer. That was when Theore stepped in.

“Investigator Betty, we meet again.”

Theore bowed politely, to which Betty returned the greeting.

“Sir Theore, you were once hailed as the incarnation of war itself. I never expected you to graduate from Clifford Academy only to be kidnapped into this small kingdom! Were you kidnapped or something? Hahaha!”

“Hahaha. Surely you didn’t come all the way here to bully me for refusing the imperial investigator entrance exam?”

“You’re as amusing as ever. Would you still like to join us? I would gladly keep someone like you at my side.”

“Forgive me, but how could a wolf bow his head beneath a runt of a dog?”

“That is not a convincing excuse.”

Betty briefly glanced toward Rakan, as if wondering whether he was someone worth serving. But Rakan remained calm. Though Betty had repeatedly insulted him, he simply stared back without reacting. This quality was precisely what Theore admired about him.

“In any case, we understand your claim that a member of the Seven Cursed Species is in our kingdom. This is your first time in Lillian, correct? Allow me to provide a guide. Why not enjoy some sightseeing?”

“I’ll enjoy sightseeing after I finish my work.”

“The royal family will conduct the investigation ourselves. If we discover the Seven Cursed Species, we will transfer them to you. In addition, punishment for any noble family involved will be carried out according to Lillian law.”

“Are you defending the Seven Cursed Species now, Theore? Your Highness, should I interpret Theore’s words as the official stance of your kingdom?” Betty prodded, but Rakan stayed silent.

Theore answered for him. “If the Samael Empire is a great nation, then the Lillian Kingdom is a strong one. We are not a minor state to fold under your improvised threats. So please stop testing His Highness, and speak of something realistic and productive.”

“…Very well.”

Betty suddenly changed her demeanor and bowed deeply—deeper than when she first entered.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I wished to test whether Prince Rakan possessed the bearing of a true ruler.”

“How unpleasant, even for an imperial investigator.”

“I have no excuse, but what must be done must be done, and the investigation into the Seven Cursed Species still has to proceed.”

Theore stepped in swiftly.

“As stated, all investigations and punishments will be handled by Lillian. There will be no compromise here.”

“This matter will be reported to His Majesty. Can you bear the consequences?”

“Lillian is not a vassal of the Samael Empire, so why would there be consequences? It is hardly dignified for a great nation to throw a tantrum when we offer cooperation.”

“I only hope that something that would be handled with only a ‘tantrum’ doesn’t become anything more serious.”

“There’s no talking to you, since all you do is threaten. Return in a year. We will investigate the Seven Cursed Species.”

“Your joke is going too far. I’ll give you one week. And regardless of your own investigation, we will oversee it.”

Betty stood firm, making it clear that there would be no negotiation on this point.

Theore quietly approached Rakan.

“I will handle the investigator and the Seven Cursed Species. You should focus on the Family War, Your Highness,” he whispered.

“Hm.”

Rakan nodded slightly.

The sudden appearance of an imperial investigator and mention of the Seven Cursed Species unsettled him, but he still had duties to fulfill. He dispatched the Seventh Grand Corps to Bydent and sent official invitations summoning Keter, Anis, and Taragon to the royal palace.

At the time, Rakan had no way of knowing that all of these efforts would end up completely meaningless and that Daat was already above their heads long before any of them realized.