kscans

Chapter 274 - The Traitor

As Arc and I left the mansion where the reception party had once been held, about ten soldiers were waiting for us.

"Thank you for your hard work. Shall we?"

Arc called out to the soldiers and started walking. They formed a protective detail around Arc and me as they moved out. We were walking through the city, but there was no sign of anyone around.

"It’s a Ghost Town."

"Don’t say that… I told you people were gathered in another area."

I get it, but it’s still kind of creepy.

"Is that where we’re headed?"

"No, the House of Montaigne we’re going to now is a bit removed from there, so we basically won’t run into anyone."

Oh, I see. I wanted to see some ordinary people from Frontier, but that seems unlikely.

We continued walking after that, but just as Arc had said, we didn’t encounter anyone. As I walked along, looking at our surroundings, the quality of the buildings began to change. Before, the buildings had been clustered together, but in this area, they were spaced far apart. Moreover, the properties had large gardens, and the grounds were enclosed by walls.

"Is this where the nobles live?"

"That’s right. This is the noble district. Most of the houses are empty, but some are still occupied. The population has dropped so drastically that everyone’s gathered in one corner of the city, but some of the nobles don’t want to move, so they’ve continued to live here."

I can sort of understand that. They probably don’t want to leave the place they’ve lived in until now. Plus, they’re powerful enough to get away with such a selfish demand.

"What a pain."

"A massive one."

Perhaps because his life is being targeted, his words carried a lot of weight.

We continued through the noble district until we stopped in front of a certain mansion.

"Is this it?"

"Yes, it is."

Since Arc nodded, I took a look at the mansion. It was a two-story building, and quite large.

Hm?

As I looked up at the second floor, a man was looking down at us. But he quickly closed the curtains.

"Arc, he’s inside."

"I know. We’ve actually had him under surveillance since last night."

So there’s no escape for him.

"Should we go in?"

"You see that doorbell there?"

There was indeed a switch on the gatepost where Arc pointed.

"Can I press it?"

"Go ahead."

Arc gave me permission, so I pressed it. But there was no response.

"Is this going to work?"

"It’ll be fine. Let’s wait a bit."

He told me to wait, so I did. However, at least five minutes passed and no one came.

"Should I press it again?"

"Just wait a little longer. You’re so impatient… See, he’s here."

Sure enough, the door to the building opened, and a bearded old man walked toward us.

"Well, if it isn’t His Highness… What brings you to my home so early in the morning?"

The old man asked Arc boldly.

"You will not kneel?"

"There is no need for that. Please, this way…"

The old man tried to usher Arc into the mansion, but Arc didn’t move an inch.

"On the contrary, there is no need for that. Montaigne, you are under suspicion of treason."

"Is that so… I was hoping we could have one last talk."

Last, huh.

"Here will suffice."

"If that is acceptable to Your Highness, I have no objection. I have no one here to offer you a proper welcome anyway."

No one here…

"What did you wish to speak of?"

"It is nothing of great importance. I simply have no intention of pledging my loyalty to you."

Montaigne stated it clearly.

"Is it because you have sworn fealty to my late brother?"

"That is correct. I served Prince Laurent. I was certain that he would be the next king."

"Your foresight was correct. My brother was the Crown Prince, and even from my perspective as his younger brother, he was brilliant. I believed he would surely become a good king."

This was likely Arc’s true feeling.

"Yes. I believe so as well. But he unfortunately passed away."

"I was not the one who did it. Nor, of course, was His Majesty."

"Naturally. You likely believe that I have resorted to these measures because I am convinced you assassinated Prince Laurent, but that is not the case."

It’s not…

"Then what is it?"

"This is a sign of my discontent with the royal family. Of all things, you chose to rely on a foreign power."

A foreign power… He must mean our world.

"We had no other choice."

"No, we can start over as many times as it takes. Our numbers have dwindled, but this is merely temporary. People can always be born anew."

"How much time would that take? Are you saying we should suffer until then?"

"We should. It is far better than relying on another nation. There is no country that has ever succeeded by relying on outsiders. There will inevitably be interference, and this country will be changed into something else entirely."

This is complicated… But what I can tell is that Arc’s way of thinking and Montaigne’s are polar opposites.

"Arc, enough of this fruitless argument. There’s no way your debate will reach a conclusion. No, it already has… that’s why this man took action."

"Yes. That is right. It is just as this Witch of Feire says."

Montaigne nodded.

"Oh? You believe I am from Feire?"

"What other possibility is there?"

"Fufu, who can say?"

"You monster. To think they would let in a witch like this… It seems the royal family intends to ruin this country."

How rude.

"Montaigne, I understand your reasons for rebellion. I can only say it is regrettable that you, who have served the royal family for so long, would do such a thing."

"I find it regrettable as well. But it cannot be helped. Just like you, I have a duty to protect this country. And I have pride in having supported it. I cannot allow a witch like this to take it over."

"I am grateful for your loyalty and your service. But a crime is a crime. Surrender peacefully. If you do, your wife and children will not be held accountable."

How kind of you. But it’s pointless.

"I refuse. The assassination of His Highness is the consensus of my entire clan."

There you have it.

"Arc, it’s useless. This man is spattered with bloodstains. Didn’t he just say he had no one to offer a proper welcome?"

There’s no one in the mansion. Not a single living soul…