'How do I even get into the Duke's treasury?' Varian thought as enjoyed the family reunion and chewed on his food.
The young woman and man pair caught his attention for a brief moment and Varian's brows knit together.
[Male: ???
Rank 1 Famine]
[Female: ???
Rank 2 Mystic]
These two bastards were also in hiding. But was it Garcia's good luck or bad luck that three celestials ended up in the same Inn?
'I could try robbing even though security is high, but I'll need Baldur's help.' Varian contemplated if he should ask that guy for help.
But Baldur should've realized that he'd been fooled. He could meet and convince him that he's been in a situation that prevented him from meeting. Still, that man would be very vigilant this time and most likely wouldn't let him get away.
Robbing wouldn't work. There's nothing else Varian could think of. It's a dead end.
As he tried to find a solution, the faint whispers of the couple reached his ears.
"I need to go! They're suffering because I failed."
"Please, we can't stay here! That man will take us out."
"…I love you, I really do. But for such a big thing, I need some proof."
"Give me some time, I'll show you the proof."
The two were quarreling for some reason. If Varian had to guess, they both ran away from their families.
Of course, thousands of teens run away from their families every year, but a rank 2?
'Princess Catherine.' Varian was certain of her identity and his eyes flashed with a thought.
He didn't need to sneak into the treasury and snatch the item. The Duke could just give it to him if he…
Princess Catherine stood up with a determined expression and left the Inn. The young man seemed like he wanted to follow her but after a mental struggle, gave up and returned to his room.
Varian waited for her to create a gap before slowly getting up. 'This shouldn't be hard.'
— — — —
"Who is the perpetrator of these attacks? Who can kill a rank 4 powerhouse?" In the Grand Palace of the capital, the Duke raised the question to the highest members of the Duchy.
There was a strained silence in the throne hall. There were only three people in the room—the three rank 4s of Centaurus, contrary to the official two rank 4s.
The Prime Minister and Grand Admiral were publicly known. But only a handful of people knew about the third person—Chief of Intelligence, Akira, the youngest rank 4 powerhouse of Centaurus.
Akira said calmly. "It's that Prince in Starsafe."
"Oh." Duke Cassius nodded with a frown.
Baldur thought no one knew about his arrival. He did cover up well. But someone from his own faction informed Cassius about his identity so that in case Baldur got into trouble, the Duchy could ensure his safety.
"Isn't that Prince trying to keep a low profile? Why risk exposure by killing the Havoc ancestor?" Cassius asked with a puzzled expression.
"Indeed. He wouldn't want his political enemies to find out. Ever since he arrived, that Prince has been travelling throughout our Duchy. He's searching for something or someone." Akira's voice was heavy and worried.
"So, killing the Havoc ancestor will help him find that thing or person." Cassius tapped the armrest of his throne and narrowed his eyes. "There's no connection between the Prince of the Kingdom and the bereaved pirates that fled from Nexus Empire. And why attack now? He had plenty of opportunities before. There must be another factor."
"A third party." Akira's voice grew solemn and her expression was cold. "Everyone on the site was dead. There's no clue for us to fall back onto. But—"
A screen popped up and showed Havocs torturing a teenager and a middle-aged man.
"Havocs believe the person who met these two is responsible for their loss. And evidently, someone did sneak into their treasuries and stole something. The protective mechanisms are recently broken."
The hall fell silent at those words.
For the Prince to attack them now meant that this third party convinced him somehow. Havocs didn't dare to seek revenge from the Prince but targeted this third party.
But who's this guy? And how did the Havocs even know it's him?
"Akira, keep a watch on that place. When that guy appears, capture him." Cassius ordered.
"As you wish, Your Highness." The woman bowed lightly.
"And Prime Minister Zed, how are the preparations for Princess Catherine's marriage coming along?" Cassius asked.
"Almost done, Your Majesty. But the Princess…"
"She's on Ubiq. The girl ran off for some reason. Anyway, it's the last few days before her marriage. I'll get her back soon."
"But Your Majesty, Prince Theoron is missing." Akira said with a concerned expression.
"Then his brother will marry her." The Duke said without a change in his expression. "He has plenty of them."
Neither the Grand Admiral nor the Prime Minister felt it was weird. Political marriages were the norm of big families.
Only an upstart like Akira would feel uncomfortable by them. "The Princess is on Ubiq for some reason. We lost track her track in the city but can confirm that she didn't leave the plan—"
Beep!
A particular gem on Akira's gem-studded bracelet hummed and shone.
Akira's brows frowned and she looked at the Duke with a hesitant expression.
Cassius' eyes slowly grew cold and he spat. "Say."
"P-Princess left the planet and we lost track of her."
BOOM!
The Duke's aura exploded and a heavy pressure fell on Akira, causing her to immediately bleed from her eyes, nose and mouth.
He didn't care about her 'disappearance' since she's always been under his control. But if she really went missing, then the political marriage between Barix Province and Centaurus Duchy would fall apart.
Barix specifically asked to be married off to Catherine—the most talented Princess of recent times. So, while the Prince of Barix could be replaced if he went missing, Princess of Centaurus was irreplaceable.
"Search! Search every corner of the Duchy!" The Duke said and withdrew his aura.
Akira wiped the blood off her face and looked at the Duke with hidden hatred. But when she noticed that the Duke's face had gone pale from exerting his strength, a smile threatened to break out.
Forcibly suppressing herself from showing any clues, Akira nodded. "We'll find her at any cost, Your Majesty."
Of course, Catherine couldn't escape by herself. The agents looking after her were screwed over by their boss and lost track of her.
'It'll all be over soon, Cassius.' Akira looked at the Duke for one last time before she walked out of the Duchy with confident steps.
— — — —
"What did she say?"
In Gracia's Inn, a man in red robes asked in a deep voice.
"She wants proof." Prince Theoron said with a frustrated expression.
Even though he's right in front, Theoron couldn't look at the man's face under the hood. It was as if a veil of darkness was covering his features.
"The Duchy will burn on the day of her marriage." The man in red robes sneered. "That is the proof."
Theoron clenched his fists and bowed his head. "I beg you! Please, help me take her away! I know you're strong! Stronger than even my father!"
The man in red robes fell replied without hesitation. "If I act, I die. There are hounds after me."
Theoron bit his lip in frustration and sobbed.
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