# 40
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When Cirtain appeared, the knights greeted him with tense faces.
The knights who were searching the Natural History Museum hurried to inform him of what they had discovered.
“We have made sure that the back forest is connected to the outskirts of the Imperial Palace.”
“The floor of the unfinished materials warehouse was dug up. It seemed to be an attempt to hide… bodies.”
As he listened to successive reports, Certain issued orders
“Bring me a map of the capital.”
The order was executed immediately.
Sertin glanced at the map spread across the table, his eyes tracing the Natural History Museum and the Imperial Palace.
Following the woodland connected to Oliver Hall Palace, one reaches the Natural History Museum.
“Ha…”
Now he understood why Duke Spelman contacted the museum director.
It was the leader of the Assassins Guild who convinced the driver to reveal their destination.
Also, chasing them through secret passages was thanks to him.
His name was James, I think.
Finally, they found the path taken by the fugitives.
Oliver Hall, located outside the palace, must have been their destination for some reason. It was an old and neglected place, offering many escape routes.
“There are a lot of secret passages, too.”
Spielman knew what Certain himf did not know.
Certin summoned his assistant in charge of the site, and the latter bowed in respect.
“Find those responsible for designing the Imperial Palace. I want to know everyone involved in its construction!”
“I will do my best, Your Highness!”
“Did you find the director of the Natural History Museum?”
“Actually...”
The assistant's expression became confused before he continued
“There's a little problem.”
"What is it?"
Sertin furrowed his brow and looked at him.
Since Duke Spelman had cut all the strings, they had to at least catch the museum director.
“The director fell from the balcony and is now fighting for his life. Unfortunately, his head was badly injured...”
“What?!”
Sertin narrowed his eyes, and a cold breeze touched his cheek.
"Tell me the details. What exactly happened?"
“It concerned the young Duke Augustin. He physically clashed with him, leading to his downfall. Her Majesty the Empress witnessed the entire incident.”
“That's why she lost consciousness.”
Cyrtain laughed bitterly, then clenched his hand tightly, cutting himf off with an insult.
Spelman was not the only one who achieved nothing, they also achieved nothing of note.
The assistant shuddered when he saw the violent look of murder in Serten's eyes.
“His Highness the Crown Prince...”
“We have to save that man. Call in the best doctors, at any cost!”
“Your Highness is present.”
The next step was dealing with James.
As a reward for his work, he was pardoned.
In fact, if it wasn't for James, they wouldn't have made it to the site in time.
Duke Spelman had many allies, and many of them reached out to him during last night's party.
However, James did not run away, but came to Cyrtain himf.
James smiled flatteringly as he said:
“His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“I gave you a chance to leave, and I gave you a generous reward.”
“Uh… where can I go now?”
James shook his head vigorously.
“Duke Spellman saw me. He realized that I had betrayed him. He will send his men after me. I will surely die if I leave. I don’t want to live as a fugitive all my life!”
"permission?"
"Let me stay by your side! I'll do anything you ask! I helped you a lot this time, didn't I? And I can do it again!"
Sertin smiled coldly.
Now, even assassins began to gather around him.
James looked like any ordinary man, but in reality he was a hired assassin from the assassination syndicate.
'But, what's the difference between me and him?'
What purity do I have to hold him accountable?
He remembered the hot blood that had flooded his hands, and the lives of the many he had taken.
The war was so brutal and cruel.
Survival required abandoning his humanity and preparing to die.
Sertin looked at the back of his hand silently, then let out a sigh.
“Okay, you can stay here.”
He turned to one of his knights
“Ser Yorta, prepare a suitable location for him. Talk to Mortega, he will help. We will need him in the future.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince! I will do my best! I will return the favor of saving my life, no matter what!”
Sertin stared at James with a cold look. He knew very well that he was someone who could betray at any moment.
Is this strange? He does not move unless there is something that serves his interest.
So far, the only reason he clings to it is because of his fear of death.
He was not a man motivated by justice or loyalty.
But at that moment...
An image of Evelin appeared in his mind.
Then he remembered Spellman, and he remembered the evidence and the followers who were sacrificed.
James, who was used to killing, would have experience in such matters.
said Certain in a low voice
“Since you want to return the favor, there is something you can do immediately.”
“Your Highness..?”
James blinked in disbelief.
“Gather your men again. Make sure they are completely trustworthy and cannot reveal a secret.”
“What do you want me to do?”
"Do what you've always done. Changing your profession suddenly could spell disaster. Track Duke Spellman's movements."
James tilted his head questioningly, not quite understanding yet.
“We have to cut off Spellman before he can get rid of more of his followers. Since you are a professional assassin, you must also be good at tracking people down.”
"Yes!"
“Find the witnesses before they are eliminated, and make sure they are secured. Can you do that?”
“Just give me the job!”
James smiled happily, and Sertin nodded.
“Use what money you need. Tell Mortega, he will help you.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
At the same time…
Evelyn was spiraling into a nightmare.
“Ah...dad...”
The place was familiar, but only existed in her memories. There was no doubt, this was Duke Spellman's palace.
The Duke stood before her, tall and majestic, like a solid, unbreakable tree. He looked down at her as she trembled.
Even though she was in the body of a 15-year-old girl, her mind was still that of a little girl.
She was locked in a secret underground room, and the stress made her barely able to breathe.
Three hours have passed since she was detained.
Her tears didn't stop flowing.
"I'm sorry! Dad, Evelin's wrong! I won't do it again, I promise!"
Spellman clicked his tongue annoyed.
“The apology is not the point, Evelyn. You should never have made that mistake in the first place. How dare you fall asleep during an opera? Let alone spill tea on the Countess’s dress.”
"my dad!"
“How many times do I have to remind you that you are named Spellman?”
Evelyn was sobbing as she crawled on the ground, holding her father's legs.
He looked at her with disdain, his gaze as cold as ice.
"Dad! I won't do it again! Evelin can be good!"
“…Is this a promise?”
Evelin nodded frantically, as if her life depended on it.
Spellman extended his arms, and she immediately threw herf into his lap.
Evelyn clung to him like he was her lifeline.
Spellman smiled contentedly.
“This is what is required.”
Evelyn was easy to tame.
She did not die from toxins, nor did she survive epidemics
I cannot kill my daughter who came back alive without justification, so what should I do?
He had to tame it well and make it usable.
As if she could hear his thoughts, Evelin gasped as she hugged him.
The body temperature that was cold as a snake was strange… She suddenly started to feel warm from it.
Evelin took a deep breath and raised her head.
“...Sirtin?”
The person holding her was not Duke Spellman…
Rather, it was two biographies.
He was smiling at her.
The spring breeze tickled her nose, and the darkness began to recede at a slow pace.