Hero’s Downfall Report

11 – The Woman Without Eyes Seen by a Man (6)

The sunlight fell on the desk like a thrown corpse. As the desk protested, raising dust, the sun jeered and cast more light. The pages of the nightmare that hadn’t disappeared with the dawn fluttered on the desk. Bizarre flashes of lightning converged under the rays of light.

– Look. When you comfortably eat, drink, and fall asleep, see what happens in your neighbor’s house. Even when you suffer like this tonight, your neighbor will sleep quietly in peace. Like you did yesterday.

As if deeming even hearing as impure, Anna put the documents and sketches back into the envelope. She put it in the roughly opened drawer and closed it with a loud sound.

“Well, what does it seem like to you?”

The brightest sunlight passed by. In the darkness that felt too dark, Anna asked. Cain responded according to his intuition.

“It seems like a warning mixed with arrogance.”

“In what way?”

“They incapacitated instead of killing for display, and yet, they handled it as roughly as possible. Like playing with it, delicately pulling out the antennae instead of crushing and exploding ants. The first impression is like that.”

Cain tilted his head. If the bizarre went too far, it could be dismissed as fanciful imagination or fiction, like the tip of a needle wouldn’t feel realistic under the beam of light. Rather, it might be more fitting for legends, ghost stories, or depictions of ancient people. Therefore, he returned to realistic questions he could handle well.

“Was it the Guard who wrote the report and drew the pictures?”

“No. It was sent by the Pope.”

“Where are the survivors?”

“They remain silent about the location of the first victim, the monastery head Arius. But they provide information about Archbishop William and his subordinates. It’s the Otranto Blockade Monastery located east of the Laurentz Viscountcy. Originally, it should be a place separated from the secular world, even inaccessible to the Pope… but the Pope had no reservations. That’s how urgent it is.”

Well, patients like these couldn’t be sent to an ordinary hospital. Even if he didn’t know, Arius, the monastery head, would probably be taken care of in another monastery.

“The Pope also said that investigators would be sent. However, just as secular power is entwined with the power of the church like thorns and vines, it seems like they’re having a hard time with appointments. They’ll send them when they’re ready, but honestly, I’m skeptical.

If they had such capabilities from the beginning, they wouldn’t have asked us for help. So it’s more likely that the people the Pope dispatches will be observers rather than collaborators. At least they won’t interfere, but they will report what you see and hear to the Pope.”

It was a story to be mindful of. At the same time, it was also a vague situation. But we have to confront it once. Before pushing with our shoulders, we can’t tell if it’s a flimsy door or a solid wall. It’s embarrassing to argue about the existence or non-existence with a bizarre sketch and a ridiculous letter.

And Cain is a skilled security agent.

“I understand. I will start from the Otranto Monastery.”

* * * * *

Anna explained to Cain the approximate guidelines he should follow.

Not everything, but only the approximate reasons, because the details will have to be decided with Bernice, the head of the Security Bureau, who is waiting at the eastern entrance of the Academy.

So Anna explained matters that the head of the Security Bureau cannot decide.

The first was that not only the resources of the Security Bureau but also the resources of the Imperial Guard were available.

The Security Bureau and the Imperial Guard are similar in many ways, but the decisive difference is the object of dedication. The Security Bureau works for the Empire, while the Imperial Guard exists solely for the Emperor and the Imperial Family. So Anna was equivalent to providing the best support she could.

The second was about regular reporting. Considering the importance of the matter, the report was to be made directly to Anna herself, not to Bernice, the head of the Bureau.

This was also the reason why Anna was given access to the resources of the Imperial Guards throughout the Empire. Once the report arrives, the Imperial Guards will ride day and night to deliver it to Anna as quickly as possible.

Naturally, the report is written in code. It follows the Bismarck code method, but the code key that can decipher the code follows the aliases of each warrior. So the code key for the report on the knight William of Purity is ‘Purity’.

The third was an explanation of Cain’s exact scope of work.

“Do what you think needs to be done. Your decision is mine. If you think so, I will understand and accept it. You can recruit more comrades or discard them whenever you want. But remember that the priority is to uncover the truth. However…”

Anna hesitated. It felt like committing another sin. But just for a moment. It was only for a moment.

“For the time being, accompany Lily.”

“Lily, you mean?”

“Yes. It’s not just because you are tired. It’s more practical. We have high expectations for you, but we don’t want to burden you too much. For example, protecting the other five warriors.”

Cain recalled. When he arrived, Anna said Lily’s father, the commander of the White Blood Knights, was at the campus.

“Do the White Knights escort the heroes?”

“Not exclusively. They disguise themselves and stay nearby to keep watch. It’s like a secret protection. The Holy Grail Knights and the Inquisition primarily guard the heroes.

The knights will hide their presence, but at least with you and Lily together, there won’t be any surprise attacks in the alleys. Of course, it’s up to your judgment. I know the Lily from our student days better, but you know the Lily as a secret agent better than I do.”

Anna took out a sealed envelope from another drawer and handed it over.

“I’ve written down the matters that cannot be discussed here. The procedures to follow, the tasks to be done, the techniques for meeting the Imperial Guards, and so on. Even Bernice shouldn’t know about this. It’s inevitable that the companions will learn some of the information during the investigation process, but at the very least, the Imperial Guards’ techniques and reports must not be exposed.”

Cain understood. The fact that the Imperial Guards’ branches were concealed throughout the Empire was something even the head of the Secret Service didn’t know. It was information that only the director-level or higher would be privy to.

Then a natural question arose.

“Why did it have to be me?”

“There are various reasons, but there’s only one reason I can tell you. Because no one knows about your hometown.”

Cain smiled bitterly.

To the people, even to Anna, he is known as the “eldest son of the orchard house, a free farmer.” The other agents of the Secret Service are nobles, and nobles are often entangled in various relationships. Anna wanted someone who was exempt from all of that.

“That’s also why I’m asking you to take Lily. The White Knights are the most secretive independent armed group in the Empire. You could call them the Monastery of the Sword… There may be factions within the knights who argue with each other, but they have little to do with external nobles. Rather, they are more trustworthy.”

“Do you think the preempts are involved in this incident?”

“We’re keeping all possibilities open. However, it’s a bit premature to say… I don’t think it’s very likely. If they were capable of that, they would have used this great power on other preempts or on the capital of the Empire. Instead of harming the heroes of the Empire, who have no reason to be touched.

But someone, whether it’s the preempts, the dukes, or even an anonymous rural landlord, will take advantage of this misfortune. I don’t want to see that happen.”

Thinking that they had seen everything, the sunlight hid behind the clouds. As the light that was blocking the two disappeared, the shadow reappeared and connected the two again.

Cain nodded his head. He reached out to take the documents Anna had taken out. Anna’s delicate, slender hand lightly covered Cain’s backhand. It was soft, but it was warm.

But his lips, his throat, hesitated. It wasn’t because he had nothing to say, nor because he didn’t know how to say it, but because there were too many things he wanted to say and convey. But among the countless words, there was only one that came out.

“Take care of yourself. Always. Wherever you are.”

It was a long time before Cain could stand up with his cane. When Cain grabbed the doorknob.

“Cain. The staff…”

Anna barely mustered the courage. As always, she couldn’t bring up the main topic.

“About the staff, does it feel comfortable in your hand?”

“Yes. It fits surprisingly well. It’s also comfortable.”

“Really? In what way?”

“The fact that I can swing it wildly.”

Anna didn’t say more. After greeting, Cain left the room.

“Sigh…”

The sun, tilting its head slightly, cast its light on the spot where the former disciple used to be.

Suddenly, Anna felt that her room was too spacious. She had never thought about it before.

The emptiness that filled the vast space made Anna hungry. Unconsciously, Anna stretched her lips and touched her fingers to her mouth. The cracked place opened again, and blood oozed out.

Knock. Knock, knock. Knock. Knock.

The sound of knocking. A knock that Anna was familiar with. The person who knocked like that was only one in the empire.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and a well-built man entered. He had a moderate build and a sturdy weight, like those who had given up exercise. However, if he set his mind to it, returning to his youthful body wouldn’t be difficult. Even now, with slightly graying hair, he still had the charm.

But now, sitting in front of his wife with sunken eyes was the extent of it.

“What’s wrong with your lips?”

“I bit them. No, don’t get up. There should be ointment in the office. I’ll go later. Don’t get up.”

“What’s the point if I have scars.”

Former Imperial Supreme Commander, current Imperial Regent, whether as a commander or a regent, Anna’s husband. Nicky Brien reluctantly took his seat. Anna thought she should change the subject.

“Is the plan going well?”

“It went well. The Commander of the Crimson Knights promised more troops than I expected. But the reason isn’t so pleasant. The Knights caused a disturbance.”

“The Knights? What happened?”

“The successor issue.” Nikki rubbed her temples.

“I don’t get it. Even if the eldest daughter is out of the question because she got married, giving the succession position to the second daughter should solve it.”

“Hey. I know you’re tired, but are you saying that in front of me right now? Knowing what happens when you give equal succession rights to siblings?”

Anna pretended to be angry, trying to boost her husband’s morale a bit. But Nikki seemed genuinely worried.

“It’s different for you two. At least no one got hurt. But Yehu, the Commander’s son, is not doing well.”

“What? I heard he was getting better. According to the Royal Physician…”

“I thought so too, but three days ago, he suddenly got a fever again. The wounds just won’t heal. The problem is, he’s the only heir. If the Commander doesn’t appoint a successor and leaves this world, the Crimson Knights will hold their own tournament to choose the next leader. And the Commander is worried… Worried sick. Honestly, I can’t believe he made it to the capital in that condition.”

The Commander of the Crimson Knights is already quite old, more than an ordinary person. There’s a rumor that his life is being held by his ailing son.

“Anyway, the Knights are in chaos. It’s hard not to think about the tournament. The Commander noticed this and hastily sent the knights wherever he could. That’s why he mentioned the discomfort.”

Anna understood Nikki’s words.

If they are already thinking about the next Commander, those knights must have faced quite a few battles. Ordering them to continue their tedious escort duty in disguise must feel like punishment. Especially when their protectee is the warriors who defeated the Demon King. There would be no excuse to refuse, and dissatisfaction would only grow.

“It’s worrying. I suggested Lily meet her father, but her reaction wasn’t great. Could it be because of that?”

“…What? What did you say? Could that woman be the Commander’s daughter?”

Nikki seemed quite surprised. Anna couldn’t understand her husband’s reaction. Nikki, as if knowing something, sighed again.

“Unbelievable. You know the large square in front of the Ivory Oak Hall, right? There’s the Central Library and Central Cafeteria, a place where many students and professors go. It’s lunchtime now… In the middle of it, the Commander was cursing at a tall, blond woman. In front of his subordinates!”