All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 246

123. First Come, First Served – 2

His open criticism hardened the faces of the Black Knights.

As they glared coldly, Ian snorted dismissively.

The Sword Saint hurriedly stepped in, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere.

“Tilda Toewan… Is she Kesin?”

“We believe so.”

“You couldn’t track her escape route?”

“No. They attempted to apprehend her at the gate, but she employed some mysterious technique to evade capture.”

“Mysterious technique? What was it?”

“She suddenly vanished and reappeared a considerable distance from the gate walls when we searched for her. And she fled at an astonishing speed.”

‘Likely. If it were Warp [a more advanced form of teleportation], she would have traveled much further.’

“Wait. If she’s Kesin, she could have escaped by transforming into gas. Did she use that ability?”

At the Sword Saint’s question, the Emperor shook his head.

“Ian suggested a high probability that Tilda Toewan is Kesin. Therefore, we stationed guards at each gate with the cooperation of the Order of the Sun and Moon [a religious organization dedicated to combating demonic forces].”

No matter how powerful a demon is, they would inevitably suffer damage from the attacks of priests and paladins.

That’s what we were trying to prevent, but who knew she would use such an absurd technique.

“It’s like chasing a chicken and ending up staring at the roof [a metaphor for wasted effort].”

As the Emperor spoke bluntly, Ian chuckled.

“Did you perhaps let her escape on purpose because I captured Gehern?”

To the Emperor, Gehern was a sworn enemy.

As much as he wanted to capture Gehern, he was defeated by Ian.

The Sword Saint could imagine how frustrated he must be.

‘But……’

Would someone of the Emperor’s stature really act on such a petty matter?

“Your Majesty, you must consider matters of greater importance than personal grudges.”

“Indeed, this is not the time to dwell on that.”

“Yes, that’s right. Finding Tilda Toewan is the priority now. Ah, have you found any other traces in the Filaike territory?”

“There were materials and traces related to Gehern, but nothing else. Also, I investigated the Toewan territory, but I didn’t find anything significant.”

“I see. Ah, could there be something in Princess Kirishnan’s territory?”

The Iron-Blooded Duke [a powerful noble known for his military strength] has been supporting the First Princess, Kirishnan, as her patron.

Perhaps there might be information related to him in her territory.

“If not, Princess Kirishnan might know something.”

As the Sword Saint voiced his opinion, the Emperor nodded.

“That’s why I summoned Charles. Charles, go to Kirishnan. Investigate directly.”

“……Your Majesty. But I……”

“I know you admire Kirishnan. But is that truly justified?”

“Yes?”

“Kirishnan mentioned before that she wished to bring you to her territory.”

Charles was taken aback.

She had never heard such a thing.

“Of course, I refused.”

“……Why did you do that?”

“Because I know why Kirishnan is trying to gather members of the imperial family.”

She was trying to ascend to the Emperor’s throne by leveraging the power of the Iron-Blooded Duke.

To do that, she needed an imperial family member to support her.

“I have nothing……”

“It’s enough just to have Vlad’s blood. Also, what Kirishnan needs is justification. And you can also be used as a tool for political maneuvering.”

Charles clenched her fist tightly.

When she was young,

Kirishnan had visited her a few times before her mother passed away.

At that time, she had taught her the mindset that an imperial family member should possess.

She was one of the few people who approached the abandoned imperial family member whom no one else approached, so she admired her greatly and held her in high regard.

Of course, she hadn’t seen her for over 10 years recently.

She never realized that she was trying to exploit her.

“Is the way you speak something Kirishnan suggested?”

“……That’s……”

“Why do you think she recommended that manner of speaking to you?”

“Th, that’s because I’m an imperial family member……”

“But other imperial family members no longer use that style of speaking, do they?”

Charles bit her lip so hard that it bled.

Toward her, the Emperor drove the wedge deeper.

“The reason she recommended that way of speaking to you is to prevent others from approaching you.”

If she could keep her in her territory and control her, she could prevent unwanted attention.

But since that was impossible, she simply made it so that people couldn’t approach her in the first place.

“After isolating you through an affected and arrogant way of speaking, she intended to reach out and take you in later.”

“……”

“Power, authority, friends, even a lover. Because it would be easier to manipulate you if you possessed nothing.”

Sugar is nothing more than a highly addictive poison to those who have always tasted bitterness.

The Emperor asserted that Kirishnan had done so to ensure that poison would be effective.

“Aren’t you jumping to conclusions?”

“If you want to know the truth, you can ask Kirishnan.”

“What’s the proof?”

“There’s no proof. It’s merely what an informant from the Imperial Intelligence Agency confirmed.”

To think that what she had used as her defense mechanism was actually just a trick to exploit her.

The Sword Saint, who was looking at her trembling with surprise, anger, and a sense of futility, glared at the Emperor pitifully.

“Can’t you be more tactful? She’s your daughter.”

“There’s no reason to shy away from the truth. Anyway, the important thing is this.”

Kirishnan might possess some information.

So, negotiate with her and uncover something.

“Even if Tilda Toewan is truly Kesin, a demon can’t accomplish anything alone.”

“That’s right. There must be a base or contractor for the demons to use outside the Empire, in another country on the continent. It would be best if they manifested in front of me.”

How much easier would things be then?

But Kesin wasn’t foolish, and she fled from Ian, so would she reveal her location?

She wouldn’t use her power and would try to hide and plot unless it was absolutely necessary.

“Unfortunately, my power doesn’t extend beyond the Empire. So, I need your and the Sword Saint’s help with that part.”

“Still, we need to know where she went……”

“That’s why I’m sending you to Kirishnan to investigate. If you don’t find anything there, you’ll have to search the continent meticulously, so be prepared.”

The Emperor stared at Charles.

“Can you do it?”

“……I……”

“If you can’t, say so. Then we’ll implement the second plan. Krepen, recruit the Dragon Shield Knights and the standing army.”

“Are you suggesting we subjugate them?”

“That’s right.”

If they couldn’t obtain information from Kirishnan, they would naturally have to subjugate them and find out.

“I’ll have Osnen lead the vanguard.”

“I’ll prepare.”

As Krepen replied politely, Charles clenched her fist tightly.

“I will do it.”

“Is that so? I understand. Then you may leave.”

Charles barely managed to answer with courage, but the Emperor offered no praise.

He looked at her emotionlessly and gestured, and Charles struggled to leave.

The Sword Saint, who was looking at her pitifully, frowned.

“You’re still the worst.”

“I’m merely acting as necessary. And she should understand my intentions.”

As he looked at him, Ian snorted.

“I doubt she does.”

After finishing his words, Ian turned around and left, and the Sword Saint shrugged and followed him.

As they walked away, the Emperor spoke in a cold tone.

“Put someone on those two.”

“The Sword Saint and Count Ian are perceptive, so they’ll notice the surveillance immediately. Especially Count Ian……”

“From as far away as possible. Just monitor their movements.”

“Understood.”

As even the intelligence officer left, the Emperor sat on the throne and smiled.

* * *

As she emerged from the inner palace, the Sword Saint frowned, her pretty face troubled.

Every time she met the Emperor, she felt tainted.

“Count Ian, are you alright?”

“Yes?”

“No. His Majesty the Emperor……”

“We should just leave him to his ways. It would be a relief if he isn’t betrayed later.”

Those who treat people as mere tools rarely meet a good end.

It’s questionable whether the Emperor’s end will be favorable.

“I’m just saying this in case, but don’t give him the World Tree fruit or anything like that.”

“I would never give it to him.”

The Sword Saint was also wary of the Emperor, so she shook her head emphatically.

As the two of them criticized the Emperor, they found Charles sitting outside the inner palace.

“Princess, are you alright?”

“Yes? Ah. I’m alright.”

She claims she’s alright, but she doesn’t appear to be at all.

The Sword Saint patted her and sighed deeply.

“By the way, we have to go to Princess Kirishnan’s territory…… What about escorts……?”

“There are none. Typically, you have to provide your own forces for this kind of mission.”

But would she have such a thing?

As Charles sighed heavily, the Sword Saint tilted her head.

“Hmm…… I can’t stand by. I’ll assist you.”

“You? Why……?”

“Because it’s about capturing Kesin. Count Ian, if you’re willing, how about joining us……?”

“Hmm…….”

‘Kirke, is there any useful information among the data Kirishnan possesses?’

‘Then, shouldn’t we just use Warp to capture Kirishnan and torture her for information?’

What if she was simply being manipulated by the Iron-Blooded Duke?

Hearing the news that Kirishnan was attacked, Kesin could hide even deeper.

‘But the Sword Saint would object.’

They had discovered traces of Kesin, who had been hiding until now.

How disappointed would she be to miss that opportunity?

Ian looked at the Sword Saint and Charles and pondered.

‘If it’s revealed that Kirishnan knows something during their investigation, then we’ll act then?’

Ian smiled.

It was certainly a viable method.

“Count Ian?”

The Sword Saint called him expectantly.

She was strong herself, but if Ian, who could discern everything with a single glance, was with her, there would be nothing more reassuring.

Facing her expectations, Ian shook his head.

“I’m occupied, so I can’t join you. You two handle the investigation.”

“Ah…… Is that so?”

“Still, it’s too much to send you off without any support.”

Ian manipulated his bracelet.

His body disappeared, and after a moment,

Ian reappeared with two bracelets in his hand.

“I want you two to proceed with some preliminary investigation.”

“……Investigation? What…….”

“Evidence that Kirishnan is connected to Kesin, and discovering Kesin’s hideout or another affiliated force.”

“Hmm…….”

“Besides that, if you notice anything suspicious, manipulate this bracelet. Ah, and if you discover Kesin’s location, transmit it immediately. Then I’ll use Warp to arrive and capture her instantly. There’s no need to waste time.”

At his words, the Sword Saint pondered deeply.

She desired to eliminate Kesin with her own hands.

But if Ian intervened, he would be able to capture her more certainly than anyone else.

Personal grudges versus the peace of the world.

Ian smiled at her as she hesitated between the two.

“What did you say to the Emperor earlier…….”

“……Haa. I understand.”

The Sword Saint, bound by her own words, had no choice but to suppress her anger and nod.