The deaths of Esther, Trett, and Vice Commander Gregory were confirmed near the carriage of the inspection team that the couple had been riding in.
Esther had stab wounds all over his body. There were also parts where arrows and spear tips were still stuck, suggesting that an intense battle had taken place.
Trett had her throat cut by something sharp and had died beside Esther.
Vice Commander Gregory also showed stab wounds, arrows, and spear tips, and had died with his back against the carriage wheel. However, his hand was still firmly gripping his sword, suggesting he had tried to resist until the very end.
As for Knight Commander Gawain, he had died standing up with a demonic expression on his face, despite having swords and spears piercing his entire body.
The corpses of everyone, including the couple and the entire knight order, showed discoloration due to poison. Therefore, it was evident that the bandit group had prepared poison for their surprise attack, and the knight order had desperately resisted. However, what shocked Reiner was the number of bandits that the knight order seemed to have defeated.
“The corpses of the bandit group… there are over a hundred just from what can be confirmed!? Impossible!! If it was that large a scale, we should have definitely obtained information through preliminary investigations!!”
“…Yes, as you say. I’m afraid to say, but this [bandit group] seems to have been a planned attack targeting Lord Esther, likely using poison.”
[Assassination]… Reiner immediately understands the implication of Galun’s words. And a fierce anger wells up from within Reiner. But even so, Reiner tries to remain calm. However, the more he tries to stay calm, the more that anger burns through Reiner’s body. Reiner takes a deep breath, trembling, in an attempt to calm himself down.
“…Galun, call Dinas. I want to discuss our next moves.”
“Understood.”
After bowing to Reiner, Galun left the office to summon Dinas. Once Galun had left the room, Reiner covered his eyes with his hand and shed tears in secret.
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Days later, Reiner sent documents to Arwin in the imperial capital, reporting on the events that occurred in the Baldia territory. The report, detailing how a band of thieves had attacked the inspection team led by the Baldia family’s knights, known as the Empire’s Sword, using poison, shocked Arwin. The report included the deaths of the head of the family, [Esther Baldia], and his wife [Trett Baldia], as well as significant casualties among the Baldia Knights, including the commander and vice-commander.
However, considering the movements of neighboring countries, this information was shared only among a select few within the empire. In Arwin’s reply letter to Reiner, there were instructions to investigate the [bandits] as secretly as possible due to the movements of neighboring countries. Furthermore, the letter stated that Reiner Baldia was recognized as the next head of the Baldia territory and [Count]. After reading Arwin’s letter from the imperial capital in the mansion’s office, Reiner muttered sadly.
“…Me, a [Count]. I thought it was far in the future, but I never expected it to happen so soon.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the office door, and when Reiner responded, Galun and Dinas entered.
“Lord Reiner, did you call for us?”
Reiner nodded to Dinas’s words with a stern face and said in a low voice.
“Yes. A letter has returned from the imperial capital. I have been officially appointed as the lord of the Baldia territory and [Count]. Dinas, I officially appoint you as the commander of the knights. Also, quickly select a vice-commander and replenish the reduced number of knights.”
“Understood. Regarding the vice-commander, I have already set my sights on the former adventurer [Cross], if that’s alright with you?”
Reiner remembered the name [Cross]. If he recalled correctly, he was an adventurer who suddenly came to the Baldia family saying, “I want to join the knights because I’m getting married in the Baldia territory.” He remembered that Esther, being unusually curious, had personally met with him, recognized his abilities and character, and granted him special permission to join.
“…I see. If it’s your recommendation, it should be fine. However, we’ll set a period for him as an ‘acting vice-commander’ just to be sure.”
“Understood. I’ll inform Cross immediately. Also, regarding the replenishment of knights, I have three candidates in mind. Is that alright?”
After bowing in response to Reiner’s words, Dinas also brought up the matter of replenishing the knights. The annihilation of the inspection team meant that forty elite knights had also died. Urgent personnel replenishment was one of the pressing issues to maintain border defense capabilities with neighboring countries. Since they were Dinas’s recommendations, there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Alright. I’ll leave that discretion to you. However, make sure to send me the documents for all new personnel… We must conduct background checks on everyone, regardless of who they are.”
“Understood.”
After finishing the conversation with Dinas, Reiner turned his gaze to Galun.
“Galun, I’m sorry, but I need you to conduct background checks on all members of the Baldia family. The attack on the inspection team means there must have been an insider. I know it’s an unpleasant task, but I’m counting on you.”
“As you command.”
Reiner continued to give instructions to Dinas and Galun on what needed to be done. His demeanor suggested that he was trying to forget his sorrow, even if just a little, by immersing himself in work.
Since Reiner became the head of the Baldia territory, busy days have continued, and various efforts are ongoing to quickly track down the band of thieves.
To conceal the fact of the lord’s assassination from neighboring countries, this incident was officially treated as an “unfortunate accident during inspection” on the surface. However, this fact secretly fueled Reiner’s anger and sorrow even more. Reiner investigated the identities of the dead thieves who fought against the knights and thoroughly examined all related parties. As a result, he discovered that they were composed of failed adventurers who had been expelled from guilds in various countries for some reason.
He also obtained information that swords bearing the Baldia family crest, which were not found at the attack site, had been circulating in shops dealing with questionable goods in Barst.
Reiner took a strong stance against Barst, stating that “swords bearing the Baldia family crest were stolen from the accident site” and that “failure to return them and cooperate with the investigation would be considered a declaration of war against the Baldia family,” causing Barst’s nobles to tremble.
Subsequently, with Barst’s permission, the Baldia Knights raided the shops for investigation and confiscated the swords bearing the Baldia family crest. They confirmed the identity of the man who sold them to the shop. The knights rushed to the man’s location that same day, but the man had already committed suicide and was found dead.
When Reiner heard the report of the death of the man who was thought to be the only lead, it is said that he showed a demon-like expression and openly expressed his frustration, regardless of who might see.
A few days later……. The funeral would be held without knowing the true circumstances of Esther and his wife’s deaths.
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