ALL NOVEL Chapter 54
Episode 54: Monsters Part 1
“I see… So that’s how Galvate is moving.”
After reading Azein’s report, King Jilvol muttered softly to himself.
“Your Majesty?”
The official who had brought the report questioned Jilvol’s demeanor.
“What is it?”
Jilvol looked puzzled at the official’s confused tone. He couldn’t understand why the official was making such a strange face.
“Well, I was just wondering why Your Majesty is smiling.”
“Smiling?”
“Yes. Were you not aware of it?”
“Oh, was I? I must have confused you.”
“N-no, my apologies.”
The official bowed and quickly left the room.
“Your Majesty, what does the report say?”
Elvis Casail, the secretary, asked. The Casail family had served the House of Zabeiru for generations, their loyalty unwavering.
Elvis, a sharp-looking 21-year-old man, had been assisting Jilvol for years.
“Take a look.”
Jilvol handed the report to Elvis, who skimmed through it before looking back at the king.
“Your Majesty… It says that Duke Zarfing of Galvate wishes to meet with you.”
“Indeed.”
“Naturally, the purpose would be a meeting… but is the content likely to be an interrogation?”
“Exactly.”
Elvis tilted his head at Jilvol’s response. Noticing this, Jilvol asked him a question.
“Elvis, do you think this is about interrogation or building friendly relations?”
“Huh? It’s an interrogation, right?”
“If it were an interrogation, why would Azein be the one reporting it?”
“…Now that you mention it. So, they’re trying to build friendly relations?”
“Azein is already known to be one of Zabeiru’s agents. It’s natural for Galvate to suspect foul play. Would they really try to build friendly relations with Zabeiru after such tactics?”
“…”
Elvis couldn’t answer Jilvol’s question.
“See? It could go either way. And the more important the information from Galvate, the more ambiguous it becomes.”
Elvis gulped at Jilvol’s words.
It was rare to see Jilvol so indecisive. But when faced with a 50-50 possibility, even Jilvol could hesitate.
“This is troublesome. I didn’t expect to be this conflicted.”
“Is Duke Zarfing orchestrating this?”
“Hmm…”
Jilvol pondered Elvis’s question.
(Azein’s report confirmed that Demitul and his group are staying at the Zafing Residence. But does Duke Zarfing make all the decisions? Given his status as a marquess, he’s undoubtedly a key figure in Galvate. Still… he’s not a diplomat. It’s hard to believe he’d contact the Zabeil Kingdom without the king’s permission…)
Jilvol fell deep into thought. Elvis broke the silence.
“Your Majesty, I don’t like to say this, but…”
“Hm?”
“Your perspective has become a bit narrow.”
“What do you mean?”
“I believe there’s someone in Galvate who has caught Your Majesty’s attention. But at this stage, there’s no way to know who it is.”
Realizing what Elvis meant, Jilvol gave a wry smile.
“You’re right. What I don’t know now, I won’t know. So, my job is to gather information.”
“Yes.”
“Collect information on Duke Zarfing. No detail is too small. In fact, the less important, the better.”
“The less important, the better?”
“Yes. The more critical the information, the more likely it is to be manipulated to seem ambiguous.”
“Understood.”
Elvis bowed and accepted Jilvol’s orders.
(My job is to gather information and make a decision… Duke Zarfing, what kind of man are you?)
Jilvol began preparing for his meeting with Lord Giorg.
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