Survival 39

Prev I TOC I Next

[Security Document Related to the Sand Mole]

The true birthday present from Camilla.

It was a stack of papers nestled at the bottom of the box.

[First appeared 24 years ago, at the Count of Ferny’s estate]

[Since then, has been committing thefts targeting the prestigious noble families of the West.]

[Most crimes were committed alone…]

“Tch, this is useless.”

As Luciana flipped through the pages, she soon crumpled the paper in disappointment.

The report was consistently the same.

The Sand Mole always acted alone. There was no mention of any accomplice.

“Why are you dissatisfied when I’ve given you top secret information?”

Camilla also showed her displeasure at Luciana’s reaction.

“There’s nothing about Frost Mane.”

“You asked for information on the Sand Mole.”

Watching Luciana make such an absurd request, Camilla sighed lightly behind her fan.

‘After all, Frost Mane only started his activities recently, so there’s hardly any reliable information.’

But one thing was clear.

Luciana’s target was not the Sand Mole but Frost Mane.

A crease formed on Camilla’s brow.

“Then why on earth did you ask for information on the Sand Mole?”

“You don’t need to know.”

Just as she was about to dismiss it, Luciana changed her mind.

Camilla is a blood relative of the Western Duke of Roberk.

In other words, a person skilled in catching criminals.

With her help, it might be possible to catch him.

“The Sand Mole and he are colleagues.”

“What? Is that true?”

Camilla’s brows furrowed at the unexpected news.

“Yes. Frost Mane and the Sand Mole appeared at the same place at the same time. Plus, he admitted it himself.”

A cold smile appeared on Luciana’s face.

“So I requested the information on the Sand Mole, but the information I really wanted isn’t here. Did you know he came up north? This is all old news. Even a noble lady knows facts that the Duke of Roberk’s top secrets don’t cover. Perhaps it’s time to reassess the value of your so-called top secrets.”

“Lady Speda…! Have you said your piece?”

-Crack.

A scream echoed from the fan Camilla held.

Luciana’s eyes gleamed with a cold light.

The pride of the family.

It was sometimes a useful tool in eliciting cooperation from others.

“It seems you’re upset. Then, prove me wrong, if you can.”

If she’s called the treasure of the North,

Then she too was a talent known as the scorpion of the West.

Camilla soon twisted the corner of her mouth.

“Ha… I guess I have to reconsider the terms of our deal.”

“I’ll accommodate as much as possible. Anything but handing over Frost Mane.”

After provocation, comes the carrot.

The groundbreaking condition also changed the look in Camilla’s eyes.

“Ho. If you go that far. Appearance?”

“It’s meaningless. He was shrouded in shadows, likely using some artifact.”

“Hmm. Then it would be hard to distinguish him by appearance.”

A situation where we have to investigate based solely on speculation, without clear evidence.

“Well, leave it to me. When have I not done so? I’ve caught someone with just a montage before.”

Camilla Roberk confidently said with a broad smile.

Profiling.

A technique that deduces the identity of the culprit based on a few revealed characteristics.

It was a discipline that began in the West, and also Camilla’s specialty.

“Associates with the Sand Mole. That narrows down the range of suspects considerably.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s simple.”

Camilla continued, fluttering the newspaper about the Sand Mole as if to show it off.

“He has been active in the West continuously. Moreover, he preferred to work alone. But then he suddenly shows up in the North with a companion?”

Luciana could grasp Camilla’s intent through the speculation based on the Sand Mole’s usual behavior.

“So, does that mean Frost Mane is from the West?”

“Exactly. That alone narrows it down somewhat.”

Though it’s true anywhere, outsiders are often viewed unfavorably, and this is especially true in the North due to the locals’ inherent insularity.

‘Even looking at myself, I too looked at Hans through prejudiced eyes.’

Hence, outsiders are exceedingly rare.

This alone significantly narrowed down the list of suspects.

“And it must be someone who moved here recently. The Sand Mole. It was only recently that he managed to breach our family’s defenses.”

From the West, and recently moved. 

Why did a man known for his sharp wit and sly smile suddenly come to mind?

Luciana’s eyebrows quivered.

Camilla’s keen eyes did not miss this.

“What’s wrong? Got any guesses?”

“No. Just distracted by a foolish thought. Don’t mind me and continue with the analysis.”

Hans as Frost Mane. Even to her, it sounded like a poor joke.

Why would Hans, a servant of the Speda family, engage in petty thievery?

“The culprit is likely a noble, or someone close to one. The fact that he was never caught by the guards after the incident implies that he had prior access to the security plans. You said no collaborators were found in the investigation, right?”

However, as the speculation continued, the ominous feeling only grew.

“And since the nobles of the North are not quick to accept outsiders, to have such quick access to that information, one could surmise… they might be a prospective strategic marriage partner, or someone working as a servant or maid.”

If her speculation was correct, Hans would fit all those criteria.

“Lady Roberk, do you know a Hans Byron?”

“Hans Byron..? The fact that he has a surname suggests nobility, but I’ve never heard of him.”

That couldn’t be.

The man who had bested her twice.

It’s embarrassing to say, but she was recognized for her strength in the North, even earning the nickname “the treasure of the North,”

And yet, he’s claimed to have made no name for himself in the West, his own territory?

‘Was he disregarded just because I’m from the humble Baron Hans’s family?’

However, Luciana soon shook her head, dismissing her own speculation.

After all, with Hans’s level of martial prowess, he would be recognized anywhere.

Even though not as much as in the North, in the West, where there’s a need for personnel to detain criminals, martial power is an important factor in assessing a person’s worth.

“…Did he suddenly become stronger when he met me in the North? Or had he hidden his true strength until he came here, unnoticed by anyone?”

“What are you talking about?”

Despite Camilla’s question, Luciana didn’t have the leisure to respond.

Perhaps, having received many favors from him and having grown close over time, her vision was blurred, preventing her from seeing his true nature.

‘Come to think of it, Frost Mane also effortlessly blocked my sword when I first encountered him, as naturally as water flows.’

Even she, a noblewoman, had never heard of an artifact that could change one’s appearance.

Once doubts began, they only expanded uncontrollably.

Since Hans was the one she had sparred with the most, he was the only one capable of comfortably receiving her abilities.

“Lady Speda!”

“…Oh. I was lost in thought. My apologies.”

To Camilla, it was odd that Luciana, who had been focused on identifying the culprit, kept drifting off into her own thoughts.

A strange intuition struck her like lightning.

‘Was it when the name Hans Byron came up?’

“Wait, Hans Byron… I remember now. I read about him in the newspaper. Isn’t he the one who defeated you in the martial arts tournament?”

He’s from a modest family in the West.

And he came over as a servant.

Indeed, he fit most of her deductions, a likely suspect.

“If he’s suspicious, why not investigate?”

“No, that can’t be.”

However, Luciana knew how hollow her obligatory denial sounded.

The doubt had already taken deep root.

She felt an intuition that the discomfort wouldn’t go away until she was certain he wasn’t involved.

“Well, I heard he’s your servant. It would be funny for me to meddle in your affairs.”

She resumed her analysis, but it didn’t reach Luciana’s ears.

Anticipating this, Camilla whispered softly.

“Hey, are you listening?”

“……”

“Lady Speda, if I may offer a piece of advice.”

Camilla had seen many criminals and thrown them into the magic stone mines.

Among them, of course, were those who committed heinous crimes without reason, but isn’t it said that there’s always a reason behind human actions?

Such cases were merely a fraction.

In over 80% of crimes, the perpetrator was someone familiar who exploited the victim’s trust.

“Don’t trust people too much. It hurts more when such a person stabs you in the back.”

With that said, she expected Luciana to make a wise decision.

After all, she was the perfect noblewoman and the treasure of the North, known for her cool-headedness.

***

“Who’s talking behind my back?”

I suddenly rubbed my ticklish ears.

Was it because I had been driving the servants hard to prepare the perfect birthday celebration?

“There seem to be many who would want to speak ill of you. Starting with me right in front of you.”

“What an unfortunate thing to say. I do have feelings, you know. I’m hurt.”

“As if demons care.”

Elizabeth snorted and then turned her back on me.

“Where are you going?”

“To the drawing room. I need to greet the other nobles. The invited guests should be arriving soon.”

Indeed, she was right.

From afar, carriages began to appear one by one near the mansion’s main gate.

“Why not go check it out? There might be many who covet you.”

“Are you referring to me?”

“As the man who defeated the treasure of the North in the martial arts tournament, your worth is proven.”

I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

Apparently, the fame garnered from winning the martial arts tournament was immense.

“Well, regardless of what conditions they propose, I won’t be going.”

“I suppose so. You even ignored my engagement.”

Bickering with each other, they soon arrived at the drawing room.

Luciana was also about to enter the drawing room with someone.

“Lucy!”

“Liza, and Hans too…”

Was it a mistake?

Luciana turned her head swiftly upon seeing my face, focusing only on Elizabeth.

…Well, it makes sense. There’s no reason to show excessive familiarity with a servant in front of other nobles.

“Hmm. So that’s Hans.”

The person in question, Camilla, was just as she appeared in the games.

As a central figure in the Western story, it was a somewhat pleasant surprise.

“It’s an honor to meet the lady of the great House of Roberk.”

I bowed deeply with proper etiquette, and Camilla waved her hand dismissively.

“Such formalities are unnecessary. It’s somewhat burdensome to receive them from someone who has elevated the honor of the West in the North.”

“Not at all. Here, I am merely Lady Luciana’s exclusive servant, so it’s only right to show the same respect to Lady Roberk, who is a friend.”

Was it a misunderstanding?

For a moment, a sharpness flashed in her eyes.

“Your loyalty is remarkable. You really don’t have other intentions, do you?”

Her whisper, meant only for me, felt somewhat unsettling.

“What do you mean…?”

“Nothing. I was just curious if you had any thoughts of returning to the West.”

A simple scouting offer, perhaps.

“As Lady Luciana’s exclusive servant, I am focused on fulfilling my duties. I have no plans to return to my homeland at this time.”

“I hope it lasts till the end.”

Seemingly indifferent, she headed towards the drawing room without much attachment, as if okay with whatever outcome.

I shrugged off the surprisingly mild attempt at persuasion and joined Luciana.

“Lady Luciana, this way, please. The maids have finished their preparations.”

It was her birthday, after all, and I had taken great care in preparing everything.

From the outfit to makeup and hairstyling.

Not only did I select the best people for each area, but I also invited some, ensuring that her beauty would be enhanced in every detail, making her appearance even more perfect.

“…Should I go to the dressing room?”

“Yes, I will guide you…”

“No, that’s alright. It’s my house, so I know where it is. You go on and do what you need to do with the other servants.”

As always, I was waiting to guide her, so her unexpected response took me by surprise.

“Liza, can you keep me company for a bit?”

“Of course.”

The place where I was supposed to be had been unexpectedly taken by a rolling stone.

-Hehe.

Elizabeth’s annoying expression, shown only to me with a silent movement of her lips, was truly infuriating.

However, Luciana’s attitude, which was different from usual, did not stop with just the preparation of the outfit.

“Lady Luciana, the maids have finished their preparations.”

“I said I would handle it myself.”

Thinking it was all over, I found Luciana in the dressing room colder than ever.

Just like when we first met.

“I came here as I pleased since you said to handle it myself. After all, I am your exclusive servant.”

Luciana did not allow my cheeky attempt to casually stand by her side, as I always do.

“So it seems. My command must have been ambiguous. For at least my birthday, you are stripped of your exclusive servant rights.”

In other words, she was telling me to get lost.

Both Elizabeth and I stiffened at her decisive and cold words.

Even the glances exchanged carried a strange hostility.

“Are you making me repeat myself?”

“…I will obey your command.”

There was no doubt.

The cold and sharp aura, like a honed blade, was definitely directed at me.

I could feel my fingertips grow cold.

‘What’s going on?’

From the morning I met her in the garden to the current time, which was a bit early to call lunch.

I could tell that something had happened in that short period to drive a wedge between us.

There were no system messages, nor were there any quests, but her attitude was undeniably clear.

“…I’ll start figuring it out from now.”

Just then.

The perfect piece of evidence fell into my hands.

Thanks to changing into a dress for socializing, her cloak, which was now easier to retrieve, caught my eye.

Something metallic shimmered faintly inside it.

Prev I TOC I Next