The Captive

"This man knows nothing. No, it's more like he can't know anything."

"...I see. They have someone who can seal memories."

"I'm afraid so. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone that can unseal a memory other than the royal family's aide."

Markus frowned. They couldn't get support from the royal family because of the Walt House. If Markus so much as took a breath in the direction of the royal family, the Walt House would know.

A Judge is an Inheritor with the ability to make others tell the truth, judge a truth from a lie, or read minds. Though they were still Inheritors, even among the major houses, the status of a Judge is one that can't be looked down on.

In some cases, a Judge could even sentence a house head to death.

Of course, not everyone can be called a Judge. There was a strict selection to become a Judge and much like an exclusive alchemist, they cost a fortune to employ.

However, the greatest bane to Judges would be those who can interfere with memories. Ones that can manipulate memories into something else would be able to trick a Judge. There are also some that can seal a memory. Though the person themselves would know a memory is sealed, they wouldn't know about it.

However, the subconscious behind that sealed memory is still active. If a knight were to be given an order to protect someone and had his memory of that event sealed, his heart would still be inclined to protect that person even without being told so.

It was an amazing move to pull, and a risky one too.

"If it's from the royal family, then I could ask Her Highness, the second princess."

Amy raised her hand.

"No, you won't be able to do it."

Markus denied her. Amy was still part of the House of Luna, the Walt House would definitely be watching her as well.

"Then, I'll do it."

Sebastian followed.

"Hm? Do you know anyone?"

Amy asked.

"...I can probably ask them for help for this. I'll have to ask Lord Luna to deal with the specifics though."

"That's fine. If you can get help from the aide, then I'll be able to get him here or get this filth over there."

Sebastian ignored Amy's questions and left.

"...It's definitely another woman."

"Woman's intuition?"

"No, logical reasoning. Why else would he hide it from me?"

"You make a fair point."

The Judge chuckled.

"Lord Markus, are you sure we can trust that boy?"

"Yes."

"Hoho…"

The Judge was surprised. He had never heard Markus answer without hesitation about trust before. Even when it came to his own daughter, he always paused, even for a moment.

"Well, let's continue."

The Judge took a seat.

"That man, Hyde, is the only person that messages are given from. That means that among Lizard's Tail, he has the highest position. Without him, they'd choose someone else."

"So that's why he gave up so easily…"

"That's right. They wouldn't hesitate to abandon him. He holds no importance to the ones above Lizard's Tail. However, they overlooked the royal family."

Amy handed Markus a parchment.

"I found this on his desk when I captured him. This is a letter addressed to their backer. Unfortunately, there weren't any names used."

"Hmm…"

Markus read the parchment and then tossed it.

"It's useless. There weren't any secrets in the way it was written either. It would've been best if we caught the courier, however, it's too late for that."

If they had attacked a day later, maybe they could've seen the courier and the recipient. But, even just missing a day could be dangerous, it wasn't wise to hold off and risk them escaping or sending word to their other hideouts.

"Our only hope is that boy."

The Judge chuckled at Markus' words again. It was interesting to see him like this for him.

"I suppose so."

…

"That would be difficult, however, I'll do what I can."

Euphea agreed to Sebastian's request immediately. After all, though both of them being part of Blue Rose had to do with it, there's also the matter of her being the princess.

Any harm done to the kingdom is harm done to her as well.

"You should head home immediately. I'll send you a letter when you can proceed with the plan."

"Thank you."

Sebastian thanked Euphea and left.

"Cynthia."

"Yes, I shall inform him immediately."

Euphea nodded in satisfaction and took another sip of her tea.

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing, Your Highness."

"You don't have to be so stiff. Tell me what's on your mind."

Euphea noticed Cynthia fidgeting without leaving to inform the aide and asked.

"Is he going to be a candidate?"

"..."

Euphea looked at the door that Sebastian had left through.

"No."

"But… Your Highness holds feelings for him."

"...That may be so, however, he can't be a candidate. And, he wouldn't reciprocate my feelings even if we were to be wed."

Cynthia bit her lower lip. She had been with Euphea the most, and she knew that this time, Euphea had truly fallen for someone. Though Euphea was a princess of the kingdom and had a duty, Cynthia wanted her to be happy, above all else.

"Your Highness can just use your charms on him… He wouldn't be able to resist spending a night with you and you can hold him responsible! In time, he would fall for you—!"

"Stop. While I do hold feelings for him and I do treasure them, I also greatly treasure my friendship with Amira. I don't intend to steal her special person. Don't bring up this topic again, especially not to Sebastian."

"...Yes, Your Highness."

Cynthia bowed reluctantly and left the room.

"A princess has her duties, I can't let my feelings get in the way."

Euphea smiled bitterly. She talked as if she was trying to convince herself. To her, what she felt wasn't beneficial to anyone. The sooner they left, the better it would be.

…

"In the end, they made a move, huh…"

Wisteria held her head and sighed.

"Are you sure we aren't going to employ their help?"

"Are you crazy?"

Wisteria looked at the man, Second, as if she was looking at someone strange.

"Those nutjobs are strong, but do you think we can control them? They'd probably charge straight into the Sage's home and end up getting themselves killed if we let our eyes off of them for even a second."

"But, you're going to be leaving Sebastian in their care if he accepts his new identity, wouldn't you?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I'm more worried about the summit, rather than the attack on the academy."

"Indeed. We won't be able to provide him any support during that time after all. Our enemies should be aware of it as well."

If the Sage decided to make a move on Sebastian during the summit, then even they wouldn't be able to do anything. In the end, only a few of them were Inheritors.

"Ugh… Maybe we should call the 1st Squad. No, they definitely won't answer my summons."

"They ARE a prideful bunch." Second chuckled. "Why don't you just give up and summon the 3rd Squad?"

"Those problem children? They might cause more trouble than help."

"You can't deny their strength. Especially Joker."

"That's why this is such a dilemma…"

Wisteria groaned and complained. Though she wanted to call them, they would likely cause more trouble than anything helpful.

"You're the one who decided that Blue Rose is going under him in the future on your own, so this is your punishment too."

"On my own? You agreed to it too!"

"Hound had told me that eventually, that boy will become a Sage, after all. If he really were to become a Sage, then working under him is an honor."

"See?"

"If two of the most important members of Blue Rose were to vote for one person, wouldn't I be forced to do so as well?"

"..."

Second sighed and then took out a knife. He looked at it in reminiscence for a few seconds before talking.

"Blue Rose was created with a single objective in mind, to be the entity that helps the light from the shadows. Unfortunately, being called assassins has thrown that objective out of the window. The founder felt disappointed but he didn't stop Blue Rose's progression.

"The reason that you two want him to become the person that Blue Rose works under is because you believe that he can lead Blue Rose back onto the right path. Is that right?"

Wisteria leaned back on her chair and closed her eyes.

"There's blood on his hands, and there will be more blood in the future. However, I believe that it's him."

"Then, I'll trust your decision."

"Is it really alright to just trust me so easily like that?"

"You'd give up your life sooner than you give up Blue Rose."

"Heh."

Wisteria couldn't help scoffing at Second, but she didn't deny him.

"Alright, call over the 3rd Squad. Although they won't arrive in time for the summit, they'll just be in time to welcome their new member."

"Understood."

Second stood up from his seat and bowed.

…

"This seems interesting."

"Focus."

"I know, I know. So, our job is to kill that one guy that was taken, right?'

"Yes, and his current location is directly above us. There are currently three people present. Markus Luna, his daughter, and an unknown man. Of them, only Markus Luna is going to be a threat to you."

"Threat, you say… He'd mop the floor with me."

"That's why we have to kill the man then leave immediately. I'll prepare the teleportation spell in advance."

"Got it~"

Currently, there were two people underground. One of them was the Valian who Sebastian had fought before and the other was the woman who had helped him escape.

"Do you think I'd be able to kill him with just the shockwave from my fist?"

"There's ten meters of stone between us."

"Aiii, that might be a bit too much to go through."

"Stop messing around and hurry up. If you do this properly, it won't even take a minute. Markus Luna and the other two occupants are in another room."

"Sheesh. Stop being so stiff already. I'm just stretching."

The Valian stretched his arms and then aimed his fist at the ground above him.

"Hup!"

BOOM