Kays Translations

Chapter 305: Inside the Marquis's Residence

Tauro, who infiltrated Marquis Haragura's mansion, was struggling inside the vast estate. Being the leader of the largest noble faction, the mansion was significantly more extensive than even the Vandain Marquis's mansion, known for its neutrality.

Tauro had no choice but to focus on rooms accessible to the servants, but all he found were various-sized reception rooms, the kitchen, the servants' break room, and empty rooms used for rendezvous among the staff.

Feeling helpless, Tauro noticed Alexa, the servant he met at the entrance, walking briskly.

"Could it be..."

Tauro decided to follow Alexa.

Alexa kept walking deeper into the mansion.

The back of the mansion seemed to be off-limits to the general staff, as there were no signs of people coming near.

Alexa finally stopped in front of a grand door.

Knocking on it, he called out, "It's Alexa. May I enter?"

A voice came from the other side of the wall, "Come in."

Alexa opened the door and went inside.

Tauro arrived at the door, but instead of entering, he decided to eavesdrop.

"Marquis, the main figures of the currently present noble factions in the capital have gathered in the reception room."

He recognized the voice. It must be Viscount Saisi.

"Saisi, make up your mind already. I've said it before, but our people have urgently investigated and it seems the contract documents linking you to the assassination guild are genuine. Once that's confirmed, there's no way we can continue harboring you here."

"What?! Are you going to abandon me just because a single contract on a commoner's child was exposed?"

Viscount Saisi protested with a voice that sounded almost like a scream.

"The problem is that child! He's said to be adopted by the powerful Neutrals, the Earl Graniut. Why did you target such a child for assassination so easily, you fool?"

"What? That Tauro is just a commoner... He couldn't possibly be from the Graniut family. There's no way!"

"In reality, both Earl Graniut, a prominent Neutral, and Earl Dareder, a prominent supporter of the Prime Minister, have jointly brought evidence of your attempted assassination of the Graniut heir before the knight order. You imbecile! The situation has already become beyond my ability to crush so easily!"

Marquis Haragura scolded Saisi in anger.

"Ugh... Then what should I do?"

"Alexa, what do the gathered figures, including Count Ayansee, say?"

"They seem to have settled on the opinion that the four nobles assassinations attempted by Viscount Saisi have fortunately not been discovered with any evidence. The only incident attracting attention is the attempted assassination of the Graniut heir, so they believe it would be best for Viscount Saisi to turn himself in before the situation escalates further."

"What?! That would mean only I'll take the blame! My viscount family has been an important source of funds for the Haragura faction. Are the other nobles so ready to abandon us... Marquis, surely, you won't abandon me too, right!?"

"..."

Marquis Haragura fell silent in response to Viscount Saisi's pleading.

"Marquis!"

"Enough clinging, you're annoying! Alexa, have you made the necessary arrangements?"

"Yes, my lord. I've made preparations in case Viscount Saisi decides to turn himself in."

"Did you hear that, Saisi? Alexa has prepared everything for you in case you turn yourself in. You can rest assured that he'll assist you right away."

"Oh! Is that true!?"

"That's why we've been buying time until now and having Alexa's group take action instead of handing you over to the knight order immediately."

Marquis Haragura's irritated tone changed to a calm one as he persuaded Viscount Saisi.

"Then, is it really safe? I must admit I'm not good at keeping my mouth shut. So I'd prefer to turn myself in quickly before I'm subjected to lengthy interrogation."

Viscount Saisi hinted at something.

"Of course. Considering that, my subordinates are already working on it. You can turn yourself in with peace of mind. Before that, why don't you greet the concerned parties who came to see you for the last time? I still have something to discuss with Alexa, so I'll join you later."

After a brief pause, Marquis Haragura suggested that Viscount Saisi go to the reception room first.

"Understood. I'll see you later then."

Viscount Saisi replied and his footsteps approached the door.

Tauro, who had been listening intently, quickly moved away from the door and pressed against the wall.

The door opened, and Viscount Saisi appeared.

Compared to the last time Tauro saw him, he had gained quite a bit of weight. It seemed that he had been living a life of indulgence in recent years.

Wiping his sweat with a handkerchief, Viscount Saisi headed toward the reception room.

"...Did he leave?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Dammit! He threatened me at the end... But if I think of it as the last time, I can still tolerate it. Is everything else ready?"

"Yes, sir. Leave it to me."

Alexa answered, and then he suddenly opened the door and rushed out into the corridor.

"Was it just my imagination?"

"What's wrong, Alexa? Did someone hear something?"

"No, it was just my imagination."

"That's good. Let's go to the farewell reception room where everyone has gathered."

After a moment of silence, Marquis Haragura recommended that they go to the reception room.

"Understood. See you later."

Viscount Saisi replied, and his footsteps approached the door.

Listening carefully, Tauro quickly moved away from the door and exited through the back door, quietly leaving Marquis Haragura's mansion.

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