Published: January 4, 2026
As I waited there with Jean, his subordinates who had gone to capture those plotting to assassinate Ivan returned.
It was a man around thirty years old, dressed as a knight.
The man knelt on one knee before Jean and me, gave a knight's salute, and began to report.
"We stormed in as your highness directed and captured five people."
"Captured alive?"
Jean leaned forward and asked. That was clearly what he was most concerned about right now.
"Yes... For some reason, when we entered, all the suspects were already down. Upon investigation, they were paralyzed all over by an unknown poison."
"Poison? Could it be suicide!?"
Jean leaned in even more.
The knight slowly shook his head at the obvious guess.
"No, it wasn’t a deadly poison, just one that immobilizes."
"Why would they use something like that...?"
"Oh, I did that."
"Huh?"
Jean looked over at me in surprise.
I linked the ring and manifested Apophis.
On the palm of my hand appeared a dull metallic-colored snake, flicking its tongue.
"The third prime minister knows, but during the Almeria rebellion, I remotely took down the ringleader."
"Yes. I remember hearing the story and confirming the details multiple times."
Jean’s tone implied how unbelievable that incident was.
I nodded and continued.
"Same method. While guiding the way, I used Apophis to remotely inject poison. Since there was a risk they might commit suicide upon receiving information, I paralyzed everyone there on the spot."
"I see! As expected!"
Jean’s eyes sparkled with understanding.
"Also—"
I cut off mid-sentence and looked at the knight.
"Did they say anything?"
"Yes, as you said... They are all groaning and shouting ‘kill me’."
"What does that mean, your highness?"
"Same poison. After paralysis, I injected another that causes unbearable itching all over the body. The effect is... well, it’s like being bitten all over by mosquitoes but unable to scratch at all."
Hearing my explanation, Jean and the knight both shuddered.
"Many train to endure pain, but very few train themselves to withstand itching, especially when they can't scratch."
"Absolutely correct. To use 'itching' as a method, as expected of your highness."
"So, that’s the situation."
I turned again to the knight.
"They’ll talk now. Interrogate them well."
"Yes, sir!"
The knight bowed once to me, then glanced at his lord Jean.
Jean gave a slight nod, and the knight stood up and left.
Jean and I made small talk while waiting.
I was confident they would confess everything soon.
Sure enough, my prediction was spot on.
Within an hour, the knight returned.
As before, he knelt before us.
"How is it?"
"Sir, they confessed everything. I believe they told the truth."
"Hmm. So, who’s behind this?"
"Agents of the Kingdom of Rus."
"Rus, huh."
"Yes. The plan was that if the emissary of the Russi Tsar died in the capital, relations would break down and the empire would be in trouble."
"I see."
"That makes sense. The Russi Tsar is a traitor from the Rus Kingdom’s perspective. By inciting the empire this way, Rus can take it easy."
"That’s right."
It was a simple story once understood.
Not only the knight who interrogated them but Jean and I felt this was the truth.
"Continue the interrogation for now, just in case. Do not kill them immediately."
"Yes, sir."
"And... third prime minister."
"Yes?"
"Increase Ivan’s guard. Make sure he returns safely to the Russi Tsar at all costs."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
☆
The next day, I left the mansion and came to Cobalt Street for the first time in a while.
People are treasures.
But among treasures, there are real “treasures.”
To find such treasures, I spent the morning wandering Cobalt Street.
However, I found nothing at all and eventually ended up at Alan’s usual shop.
"I’m sorry, your highness. It’s been quite difficult to find a treasure to suit your taste..."
Alan said apologetically.
"No, that’s fine. Treasures aren’t meant to be found easily."
"Thank you. Though if it’s something new, there might be something."
"Something new?"
"Yes. There’s talk from a town called Sorel a bit outside the capital about an interesting baby being born."