The Schemer's Analysis

"That is what happened. For now, we have at least identified the building the man fled into."

The following morning.

After hearing Sebas's report, I couldn't help but frown deeply.

"Why is a righteous thief from the vassal kingdom in the Empire?"

"It seems he followed the organization here."

"Hmph... What kind of organization is this Grimoire? I only remember hearing its name from you once, a long time ago."

"I don't know much about it, either. I hear it was originally a gathering of mages who studied magic."

"How does that turn it into a criminal organization? Were they researching forbidden arts?"

"That's one reason."

Technically, forbidden arts are classified as modern magic. Even so, the nature of those strictly prohibited arts is close to that of ancient magic. The sages of old banned them because they were too dangerous.

The various nations uphold the teachings of those sages and prohibit research into forbidden arts. Though there are people like Zandra who conduct their research with permission, anyone who researched them in secret would undoubtedly be arrested.

That was precisely why Zandra had the mages' support, but Grimoire apparently didn't choose to support powerful figures like Zandra.

"They are a group that wants to master magic and will use any means necessary to do so. They research forbidden arts and collect magical items, of course, but they will not hesitate to kill wielders of innate magic for the sake of their research. Among criminal organizations centered around mages, they are the worst of the lot."

"Don't the various nations and the Adventurers' Guild do anything about them?"

"They are fundamentally a research organization, so they rarely reveal themselves in public. They are the type to shut themselves away in a room indefinitely as long as they have a research subject."

"I see. So we have to strike when they come out of their burrow?"

"Or capture the people connected to them. In that sense, it makes perfect sense for the vassal kingdom to be their base. That country is plagued by noble corruption, and because of it, even adventurers have difficulty operating there."

"If they weren't causing trouble for the Empire, I honestly wouldn't care... But the problem now is that they're trying to do something within Imperial territory. Even if it has nothing to do with the Saintess, we can't leave them alone. Still, the Four Sacred Treasures and the Saintess who wields them would make fascinating research subjects."

I can understand why they'd think the Saintess would be easier to target in the Empire than in the vassal kingdom.

The Saintess's protection in the vassal kingdom was strict. But her protection in the Empire wasn't lax, either.

"You'd think they could at least imagine that Imperial Guard Knights would be assigned to protect her, but do you think they'd still target her?"

"If I were targeting her, I wouldn't. If I did, it would be while she was traveling."

"Targeting a Saintess riding a griffin would be difficult, too."

"Yes. It would be impossible without some sort of trick. If you were after her, Arnold-sama, what would you do?"

"Me?"

I considered Sebas's question for a while.

I wasn't thinking of forcing my way through with ancient magic. That wasn't what Sebas was asking.

Not as Silver, but as Arnold.

It would be difficult for even a criminal organization as troublesome as this to have someone as powerful as Elna on its side. That meant they would have to accomplish their goal with a more modest force.

"Yeah, impossible. So... I'd create a gap in the security. From the inside."

"In other words, you'd find an accomplice?"

"Exactly. If you can't do it from the outside, do it from within. From that perspective, this country is ideal. The struggle for the throne is in full swing, after all, and factions are springing up everywhere. Depending on the terms, there'd probably be people willing to cooperate. Given what we've seen of them so far."

If the Saintess were to die within Imperial territory, it would become a matter of responsibility.

That would put the Empire at a disadvantage. Under normal circumstances, no one would do it.

But we'd be better off throwing out any assumptions about what was normal.

"I thought the idea of the Saintess being assassinated was unrealistic... but it's starting to feel real."

"Perhaps the Saintess herself senses something. Otherwise, I doubt she'd use a word like 'last'..."

"She herself said she was talking about herself. I know her personality well. She never takes back what she says. She's incredibly stubborn. She doesn't tell me because she doesn't want to cause me trouble. As long as she thinks that way, there's no way I can get it out of her. If anyone has a chance, it's Leo, but... if I explain the situation, it's obvious it won't go well."

"Can we do nothing but rely on Leonart-sama's abilities? Well, I suppose he'll be fine with women?"

"Normally, I'd think his natural, airheaded charm could win her over... but she's the one we're dealing with. Anyway, we'll leave it to him."

This wasn't something I could resolve through behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

She would have to win this on her own.

"I'll come along tonight, too. I'm interested in the masked righteous thief."

"Are you sure that's wise? You'll be exposing your identity."

"Would it be strange for a prince to act in the Empire's interests?"

"Of course not, but is the reputation of the Dregs Prince really a favorable one?"

"I'm a foreigner. On top of that, I'm a gloomy guest wearing a mask. Even if I show them my serious side, there shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"That's the pot calling the kettle black, but very well. So this time, you intend to go all out?"

"Exactly. Father said the struggle for the throne was on hold, but there should be no problem if our opponent is a criminal organization. Even if the candidates for the throne turn out to be involved, this is still a fight to protect the Empire. He'll forgive me, right?"

"Quite so. But what will you do if Grimoire has nothing to do with the Saintess-sama's situation? If pursuing them fails to avert the danger to the Saintess-sama, wouldn't that be a problem?"

I pondered Sebas's words for a while.

That was indeed the most troublesome possibility. Leaving it alone was not an option. But if the two matters were unrelated, solving one would leave the other unresolved.

Should we split our forces?

Keeping forces at Leo's side would, by itself, strengthen the Saintess's guard.

But...

"As long as Imperial Guard Knights are protecting her, a certain level of security is guaranteed. If they were going to slip past that protection from within... adding one or two people wouldn't be enough. I'll leave that to Leo as well."

"Are you sure? That seems like a rather uncertain approach."

"We have no other choice. Besides, Leo will manage somehow. If it isn't a large-scale assassination plot involving the criminal organization, Leo can handle an attack by mere traitors around the vassal kingdom. He's my twin younger brother. He must be getting a bad feeling, too."

As twins, we were each other's doubles.

Our abilities might be different. Our personalities might be different.

But we shared an intuitive connection that had nothing to do with those differences.

Just as Leticia's words gave me a bad feeling, Leo must have sensed something wrong from her demeanor as well.

That was one of our strengths.

We knew each other very well.

Words were unnecessary.

"I will pursue the criminal organization. Leo will stay beside the Saintess. Let's do that."

"Understood. Shall we ask Sieg to help again?"

"No. We'll bring the masked righteous thief into this. Sieg needs to guard Krista and the others."

With that, I grinned.

The people of Grimoire probably think they're working behind the scenes, but I'll teach them that scheming isn't something only they can do.