Chapter 103: Medieval Ballistics Debate

In the coolness of early autumn, a warm fire burned inside the room. Though the command post had been set up hastily, the presence of two distinguished figures at its head warranted some tasteful adornment.

When the elven scout was dragged from the room, he continued to curse relentlessly. The only comfort Victor found was that the scout did not direct his insults solely at him; he also mocked Princess Ada and cursed Verellard. Sharing the ire of such high-ranking individuals gave Victor some room to maneuver—he was not uniquely singled out.

Otherwise, a single bite from a thief could cut deep, especially since he was hardly innocent to begin with.

Unfortunately, the intelligence bureau was not idle, and the elven scout’s wits were clearly impaired. Talor would soon extract the information he sought through interrogation, employing the ten cruel tortures that any dynasty through the ages had at its disposal.

It is in moments of trial that one truly discovers who they are. Though the path seemed blocked, the young man’s expression remained calm and composed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It was as if the accomplice the scout had named was some invisible figure standing right before him.

Princess Ada glanced at Victor and suddenly felt she had seen that smile somewhere before. Then she recalled—he was the bard who had performed at the Autumn Harvest Festival.

Though other impressions lingered, more pressing concerns occupied her mind. Among the dozens of hostages were many nobles and relatives from various fiefdoms who had come to participate in the bank’s partition meeting—only to be swept up entirely by the Squirrel Party.

Verellard also recognized the bard, though he did not understand why he had entered alongside the Rose Knights. Given the bard’s good reputation and the fact that Siegfried remained motionless beside him, the mayor chose to pay no further attention.

Captain Vincent of the city guard perhaps guessed that the youth had ventured into the jungle and eradicated the giant thorned demon tree through dealings with the Squirrel Party, but he kept his arms crossed and said nothing.

Moreover, the two knights—Lily and Rose—held Victor in high regard and dismissed the scout’s accusations as mere slander. Unexpectedly, no one cared about the elf’s claims, and the meeting’s tone leaned toward continuing negotiations with “Aiven”!

That is, if the King’s Eye were not present.

“May I have the attention of these esteemed lords for a moment? We have an urgent matter to address,” Talor of the Intelligence Bureau announced formally. “I hereby accuse Victor Corion of involvement with the Squirrel Party’s bank robbery.

“As the prisoner just claimed, they are accomplices. Though Victor has not betrayed the Squirrel Party, we are fortunate that the madman who charged in and killed others misunderstood something and voluntarily identified this cancer within their ranks.”

The firelight gleamed off Talor’s monocle with a dazzling reflection.

“Bang!” Siegfried slammed his armored fist on the table, the metal scraping sharply. “Evidence! Mr. Talor, your accusations require proof. You are making a grave charge against my friend, a comrade of the Rose Knights. I must remind you that without evidence, the Flame Rose Knights will not forgive such conduct.”

At this critical moment, the Rose Knights proved reliable, though Siegfried felt some guilt—Talor’s accusation was not entirely baseless; he was indeed connected to the robbery.

Talor smiled broadly and bowed to Siegfried. “I mean no disrespect to the Knights. You have simply been deceived.

“I have three ways to swiftly obtain the truth. First, during negotiations with Aiven, we inform him of Victor’s capture and observe the elf’s reaction; this might secure the release of some hostages.

“Second, since the Squirrel Party member has identified Victor, I believe he will confess more details of the bard’s cooperation. The King’s Hand’s instruments of torture will ensure his compliance.

“As for the third method, it involves Victor himself…”

Siegfried cut in coldly, “I will not allow you to lay a finger on my friend without proof.”

Talor’s false smile remained as he continued, “Of course, I do not intend to torture a friend of the Rose Knights. My evidence comes from Miss Anguran, who was observed on the second floor frequently meeting with the bard and secretly passing him a note. I have reason to believe this concerns the robbery.”

Princess Ada’s face brightened with interest, Verellard, who had been resting with closed eyes, opened them, and Vincent unclasped his crossed arms.

“So, if he is innocent, Mr. Victor would surely let us see the secrets hidden in his herbal pouch.”

—Well said, but utterly meaningless!

“If that would prove my innocence, I am happy to cooperate.” Victor raised his hands.

...

When the entire backpack was emptied and searched thoroughly, even with the guards retrieving magical detectors for verification, Talor—who had been certain of Victor’s guilt—finally showed a crack in his confident facade. “Uh... this is impossible! I clearly saw—”

Victor’s voice was icy cold. “No! It is possible. Ladies and gentlemen, I have just realized that Mr. Talor’s framing of me has a reason.”

The intelligence director was taken aback. He had rarely encountered a suspect refuting accusations, and no one else in the command room had ever witnessed such a thing.

Princess Ada chuckled softly. “Do tell. I am curious to know what caused the King’s Eye to misjudge and witness a note that does not exist.”

Victor cleared his throat. “Here is the truth: Mr. Talor has recently been courting Miss Shani of Ridania. Yet the doctor remains unmoved by his advances. Perhaps he sees me as an obstacle on his path to love and thus tries to eliminate a rival through this accusation.

“Though I understand love can make fools of us all, I must say this is both unwise and despicable.”

The room fell silent for a moment after the young man spoke.

“Ha ha ha ha ha!” Talor laughed bitterly, never expecting Victor to counterattack from this angle.

What was worse for the director, Princess Ada covered her mouth and laughed heartily. “I have heard this tale; several ladies have reported it to me—that Director Talor of Temoria is pursuing a doctor from Ridania.”

Verellard smiled, “Doctor Shani—I have met this admirable young woman and heard the news. But evidence! Mr. Victor, do you have proof that you are the stumbling block on Director Talor’s path to love?” He leaned forward slightly.

Before he finished, Captain Vincent calmly added, “I can testify that on the eve of Doctor Shani’s departure from Vigima, she and this mercenary—or bard—Victor admired the lakeside night view together.”

In the next instant, the King’s Eye sensed a room filled with both mockery and anger.

The mockery was unsurprising; everyone present shared it. The anger came from Siegfried, who glared fiercely at the intelligence director. To falsely accuse his friend was a personal insult.

Talor, though upset his private matters were weaponized against him, restrained his emotions. If he lost his temper, his accusations would instantly become a joke. He spoke carefully: “I do not slander him; my actions are for Temoria. Regarding Victor’s innocence, I sincerely ask for patience until more information is gathered before judgment.”

Princess Ada licked her lips and said, “Since you insist, Talor, I will grant you more time to prove your case.

“Mr. Victor, find a place to rest. Our King’s Eye seems quite displeased with you, but do not worry—I will not allow anyone to abuse power to pursue love.”

She ended with a tinkling laugh, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

Victor bowed and took his leave—it was time to disappear.