Chapter 10
A Familiar Threat
[A chance to become the most honorable knight on the continent! The ‘Red Moon Order of Knights’ awaits your challenge!]
Four days later, in Aktikos, the entrance examinations for the Red Moon Order of Knights were scheduled to begin.
This year, they would accept only ten candidates. Those who passed the tests and were finally chosen would be knighted personally by Marquis Cailian Thermos and be granted the right to participate in the great imperial event of Kedem — the Monster Subjugation Tournament.
For knights, this tournament was practically a gateway to success: recognition of their martial prowess by the Imperial Family, and if they performed well, generous rewards and even noble titles awaited them.
Moreover, it was the perfect chance to present themselves as ideal husbands to countless noble ladies.
Naturally, the Red Moon Order’s entrance exam — an order that produced a winner every year — was one of the hottest topics among men.
Glancing over the public notice, Himena suddenly began rambling.
“Actually… I’ve been thinking of… officially earning my knighthood this time. As you know, being a knight isn’t just about martial skills. Above all, knights hold honor in the highest regard. They must be fair, righteous, protect the weak… especially women and children. So, when defenseless wives are murdered… when children lose their mothers… when husbands lose their wives… how could anyone just stand by? You see, I’m a lot more righteous than I look. Haha.”
“Ah, is that so.”
“Yes… exactly.”
Eron looked at her with genuine surprise.
Did that… go over well enough?
“So then… does this mean the Blue Mold Order is officially being founded?”
“Ugh!”
Damn it… I came up with that name, but hearing the word ‘mold’ out of his mouth makes me die of embarrassment. Why did that pop into my head of all things…
“…Y-yes, something like that.”
Himena lowered her gaze, forcing an awkward smile.
“I see. I understand your intent now. To be honest, when I first read the report on this case, I dismissed it as just a robbery and didn’t pay much attention. But after hearing your perspective, I realize it’s not something to be brushed aside. I’m glad I came in person today. Meeting you cleared up quite a few misunderstandings.”
Eron smiled warmly at her.
His smile had a strange charm — it put people at ease.
This man… turns out he’s actually quite decent, isn’t he?
“Heh. Yes, I suppose so. Then, as a sign of reconciliation…”
Cheered up, Himena held out her hand for a handshake.
“Oh, I almost forgot to properly greet you.”
Eron quickly raised her hand and kissed the back of it.
“Ah…”
Her heart suddenly skipped at that brief touch of lips.
Th-this… feels strangely… thrilling…
“Well then, it seems we’ve arrived while talking. Here it is.”
“What?”
Letting go of her hand, Eron pointed at the ground a few steps ahead.
“This is where the murdered female author’s body was found.”
The so-called crime scene had nothing more than seven or eight wooden stakes marking the outline of the body, with thin ropes strung between them to keep people from stepping inside.
It had already been six days since the incident. A brief rain had fallen since then as well. At first glance, no one would even imagine a person had been killed there.
And being a back alley a little away from the shopping district, the place was deserted even in broad daylight.
“Who discovered the body, and how was it handled?”
“A passing merchant reported it to the guards, who carried it away. The victim had been stabbed multiple times in the left abdomen, bleeding heavily. After the guard captain and examiner confirmed the body, it was handed over to the family. The funeral is already over.”
“Were there no signs of resistance? Bruises from a struggle, torn clothes, anything like that?”
“No. Other than the stab wounds, no unusual findings.”
“No witnesses at all?”
“None. The guards canvassed the area right after, but no one saw the killing. No one even heard a scream.”
Himena crouched to examine the ground closely.
The paving stones, worn smooth by countless steps, showed no trace of blood. But in the dirt packed between them, she found patches stained deep bluish-black amid the dark, dried blood.
She scooped some up and rubbed it between her fingers.
“This is… ink?”
Eron knelt beside her, touching the soil as well.
“Yes. They say she had bought paper and ink from the stationer that day. Likely, she dropped the ink bottle when she was stabbed.”
“Hm…”
“But why did she come down this alley? It wasn’t even on her way home. Even in daylight, why would a woman walk alone into a deserted backstreet?”
Himena stood and scanned the surroundings.
Eron too stroked his chin, frowning thoughtfully.
“Who knows…”
“Maybe… someone followed her, and she hurried here to escape… or maybe she came to meet someone secretly, away from prying eyes… In that case… Kyaaah!”
“Lady Himena, what’s wrong?!”
Startled, Eron jumped at her sudden scream.
“My lady!”
From a distance, Lois and Eron’s lieutenant came rushing in alarm.
“My lady, are you hurt?”
“What happened?”
“Lois, could you hear my voice from over there?”
“Of course! I ran over because it shocked me! Why did you yell like that?”
Enclosed by stone walls, her voice had echoed through the alley, making it sound far louder than expected.
“Inspector, you said she was stabbed in the left abdomen, right?”
“Yes, the examiner wrote it that way.”
“Then the killer must have attacked from the front. But if a stranger suddenly brandished a knife before her eyes, wouldn’t most people scream like this? Even if it was late afternoon, it was broad daylight. If she had screamed for help, someone should have heard. But nobody did…?”
“Ah… then!”
Looking at him in shock, Eron listened as Himena asked coolly:
“Where is the dead woman’s residence?”
***
“Excuse me, is Lady Himena Silvester at home?”
“What is this about?”
“Ah, yes. I was told to deliver this flower basket to Lady Silvester.”
At the manor entrance, Mari found herself facing a servant holding a lavish basket brimming with expensive blooms.
“Who sent this?”
“It was sent by the lord of Aktikos, Marquis Cailian Thermos. There’s also a letter from him inside. Please give it to the lady.”
“The Marquis?”
Mari’s brows furrowed at the name Cailian.
Since the incident on the palace stairs, she had grown close to Himena, caring for her like a younger sister. She didn’t want to see her suffer because of Cailian again.
“Tch… Every time she sees that Marquis at a banquet, something bad happens afterward. And now this? What is it this time?”
Pouting, Mari reluctantly accepted the basket.
Amidst the sweet, refreshing fragrance of flowers, she spotted a small folded card.
“All right. I’ll pass it along.”
“The Marquis asked me to collect her reply, if she’s at home. Is she here?”
“Listen, my lady is in the capital right now, and we don’t know when she’ll return. If you absolutely need a reply, you’ll have to take this back and come again tomorrow!”
Mari tried to push the basket back into his arms irritably.
“No, it’s fine. Please just give it to her. If she’s away, she can send her reply later by letter.”
“Fine. I’ll do that.”
Mari slammed the door after taking back the flowers.
“Che. When my lady chased after him with all her heart, he was cold as ice. And now suddenly this? What a whim. Should I just throw this away?”
She glared at the flowers, then glanced around cautiously before carefully opening the card.
The handwriting was neat, elegant, and concise.
“Mari, could you give me a hand here?”
“Ah, yes! Just let me put this in my lady’s room first.”
Startled, she quickly folded the card back — but instead of returning it to the basket, she slipped it secretly into her pocket and carried the flowers upstairs to Himena’s room.
***
“I am Eron Serpentis, inspector of the Capital Guard. Please accept my condolences for your wife’s passing.”
At the residence of the murdered author on the city outskirts, Eron offered sincere sympathy to Baron Ornio, the husband.
Himena and Lois also bowed politely, though her sharp eyes were already scanning the shabby surroundings.
For a supposedly successful novelist, both the small, poorly kept house and the neglected furnishings looked utterly pitiful.
“Anne, bring tea for our guests.”
“Yes.”
A maid in her early twenties, apron stained and grubby, hurried in with teacups.
“Please, help yourselves.”
“Thank you.”
As Eron sipped tea with the baron, Himena stood silently behind him with Lois, scrutinizing the baron like one of Eron’s subordinates.
“I was going to visit the Guard today, but I’m grateful you came first, Inspector. So… there’s still no progress on the culprit?”
The baron — gaunt, hollow-cheeked, eyes sunken with fatigue — asked nervously.
“We continue to search the crime scene and question locals, but no clues have surfaced yet. Still, we’re working diligently. I believe we’ll catch the killer before long.”
“…I see. Please, catch that villain as soon as possible.”
“What was it you planned to bring to the Guard?”
“Ah, yes. Last night, while clearing my wife’s study, I happened upon this between some book pages.”
The baron rose quickly and handed him a trembling envelope taken from a console.
Inside the plain white envelope was a letter composed of cut-out words pasted together.
Eron read it, then looked at Himena in alarm.
“What does it say?”
Taking the letter from him, Himena unfolded it.
[Change the ending of the novel.
Make the knight choose the princess’s elder sister.
If not… you will become… the sixth author to die by my hand.]
Himena’s heart dropped like a stone.
