LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 92
Chapter 92
The Empire’s Sole Oversight Agency, the Executor.
While one might think its duties are similar to the Inspection Bureau, given its role in oversight, the magnitude of its authority sets it apart as an independent position.
The Inspection Bureau merely gathers information and passes it on to the police force or relevant agencies.
But the Executor wields the power to carry out immediate executions.
Moreover, the Executor holds an incredible position, able to hold accountable even the imperial family, excluding the Emperor, provided there’s proof of their crimes.
After more than 900 years of vacancy since the founding Emperor Bahamut Caballan’s reign, this position suddenly found an owner.
And it was all thanks to the Crown Prince’s recommendation.
* * *
The nobles were aghast at the bombshell declaration, their eyes darting between the Emperor, Yan, and the Crown Prince.
To bestow upon a commoner, without any significant backing, a position capable of punishing even the royal family!
Such a move was not just unprecedented; it was beyond comprehension.
A few astute nobles quickly grasped the underlying significance.
‘This… The Emperor is openly signaling the transfer of power to the Crown Prince.’
‘And he chose this moment, with all the nobility gathered, to solidify the Executor’s appointment.’
‘With this, the Crown Prince’s succession to the throne is all but assured.’
But there was more.
‘The Crown Prince has decided to make that trainee Yan his own man.’
‘Wasn’t that trainee Yan the Grand Instructor’s disciple?’
‘Did the Crown Prince personally extract him to counterbalance the Grand Instructor?’
‘Or perhaps… the Crown Prince and the Grand Instructor have joined forces.’
‘The information is still lacking.’
Even in the silence, the sound of the nobles’ cogitations seemed audible.
Duke Sagong looked at Yan with an inscrutable expression.
Judah Caballan, the Duke of the Sun, gazed down impassively, his thoughts unreadable.
Vivian Melkir, the Enchantress, licked her lips, her eyes gleaming with greed.
Bacchus Beowulf merely snorted, as if he had anticipated this, showing no other reaction.
The most vehement response came from two nobles who harbored ill will towards Yan.
‘What is this madness! An Executor, out of the blue?’
‘This is not good.’
The faces of Count Dwight and Count Zion were set in stone.
That detestable Yan had taken the seat of the Executor.
They had planned to catch him on some charge and exact revenge, but now they were forced to feign friendship.
‘But he’s just a commoner, not yet twenty. There are ways around this.’
‘Lacking in experience and maturity, there will be an opportunity someday…’
They swallowed their boiling hatred, promising retribution in the future.
The trainees who had received knighthood were dumbfounded by the sudden heavy atmosphere.
Amidst the confusion, the Emperor continued.
‘That concludes this meeting.’
The meeting ended, leaving chaos in its wake.
* * *
After the royal council meeting, the Grand Instructor, leading the trainees outside, seemed to be in a foul mood.
“Head back to the training center on your own. I’m in a terrible mood right now, so anyone who doesn’t arrive before I enter will be personally executed by me.”
“How long will it take for you to arrive?”
Yan asked, looking at the Grand Instructor.
The Grand Instructor gave Yan a cold, hardened stare.
His face seemed to hold many unspoken words.
But Yan had just been granted a baron’s title, becoming a noble, and not just that, he was also appointed as an Executor, capable of punishing even the royals.
It was awkward to treat him as casually as before.
But he had no intention of being dragged around.
The Grand Instructor replied in a frosty tone.
“One week. That should be more than enough, right? If you can’t make it back within that time, whether you’re an Executor or a baron, you’ll die by my hand.”
“Yes, of course.”
Yan grinned.
With that, Yan and the other trainees, thinking they had received a week’s vacation, returned to their quarters with joyous faces to pack their belongings.
The Grand Instructor, after glaring at the trainees, swiftly turned and headed somewhere.
The nobles who recognized the Grand Instructor made uncomfortable faces and steered clear of his path.
He walked unhindered to where the Crown Prince resided.
* * *
Leon welcomed the Grand Instructor, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.
“Come in. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“I think I’d prefer a cold drink after the blow I’ve just received.”
The Grand Instructor bared his teeth fiercely.
At this, Leon laughed bitterly.
“It’s because of the Executor position given to that trainee, Yan, isn’t it?”
“You’re well aware, I see.”
The Grand Instructor replied without hesitation.
The Crown Prince sipped his tea, seemingly deep in thought.
But the Grand Instructor had no intention of waiting for him.
“When did you coordinate this with that guy?”
“Huh?”
“As far as I know, there was no overlap between Yan’s movements and yours, Your Highness.”
Leon paused, tea at his lips, then set down his cup and looked steadily at the Grand Instructor.
The Grand Instructor’s brow furrowed.
“Aren’t you going to answer?”
“It’s not that I won’t answer; you’re simply mistaken.”
“Really?”
“I haven’t had a direct encounter with that friend named Yan since the first exam. I haven’t called or proposed anything to him either.”
Bang!
The Grand Instructor slammed his hand on Leon’s desk as if to break it.
“Then what is this all about? Did you throw away the long-vacant Executor position just to spite me?”
“Calm down. Cool your head first, then we can talk.”
“If you don’t tell me now, I think I’ll go mad. Answer me quickly.”
Leon sighed deeply at the Grand Instructor’s anger.
“It was to protect you.”
“What?”
“There are rumors that the Special Task Force Leader is targeting you.”
The Grand Instructor’s eyes flickered.
Why is the Special Task Force Leader being mentioned all of a sudden?
But his sharp mind quickly caught the implication in Leon’s words.
“…You mean this was a smokescreen to suggest we’ve joined forces?”
“Yes.”
The Grand Instructor let out a hollow laugh.
Was he supposed to believe this?
It was certainly something Leon, who often overstepped his bounds to protect others, would do.
With that thought, the anger that had reached his head slowly subsided.
The Grand Instructor closed and opened his eyes.
His flushed face had returned to its usual color.
“What do you mean the Special Task Force Leader is after me?”
“You’ve made a fool of Count Zion recently, haven’t you?”
“…”
“The Special Task Force Leader called for Count Zion. And it’s confirmed they met.”
Was this because he had ruined the Task Force Leader’s puppet in the east?
Anyone else might call it a leap, but Count Zion was known to ruthlessly eliminate any slight annoyance.
He had a history of toppling other noble houses over trivial disputes.
So it was entirely plausible.
“That’s not all. Have you ever killed a trainee at the training center?”
He was referring to the incident where he had killed a trainee who contested the results of the second exam.
“I killed because it was justified.”
Better to set a harsh example than to let discipline and order crumble.
Leon rebuked the Grand Instructor in a low voice.
“I’m sure I told you not to take life lightly.”
“I’m not your brother, so stop interfering in every little thing. I’ll handle my own affairs.”
Leon closed his eyes and shook his head in dismay.
He didn’t like his half-brother, the Grand Instructor’s actions, but now was not the time to lecture him.
There were more important matters at hand.
“Anyway, there’s a record of that child’s family contacting the Special Task Force Leader. And there are rumors, though unconfirmed, that they’ve visited several noble families.”
“At least it’s not a stretch to say that.”
But.
“It’s rather abrupt for the Special Task Force Leader to expose himself like this, even if he wants to get rid of me.”
The Task Force Leader had targeted him before, but it was always political maneuvering, never so blatantly.
The Grand Instructor stroked his chin, pondering why the Task Force Leader would instigate such a thing.
Leon asked quietly, looking at the Grand Instructor.
“Have you ever severely interfered with the Task Force Leader’s work?”
The Grand Instructor’s eyes suddenly sparkled as he remembered a reason worth causing a stir.
‘Was it because of his daughter’s disappearance?’
It seemed the Task Force Leader had realized that he was behind the disappearance of his daughter, whom Yan had brought to the training center not long ago.
Leon spoke with a calm gaze.
“Anyway, since you dislike the Task Force Leader and I disapprove of his methods, it seems best to join forces for the time being.”
“So, Yan is the intermediary you’re suggesting?”
“Yes.”
The Grand Instructor recalled Yan’s attitude from the day before.
The one he thought of as a mere hound was beginning to slip off his leash.
“Can you control him?”
“Control? From what I’ve seen, he’s not the kind of young man who lacks so much thought that he needs to be controlled.”
At Leon’s words, the Grand Instructor shook his head.
The Crown Prince was clever and capable, but he tended to trust people too easily.
But he had no intention of stopping him.
It wasn’t bad to be the only one who knew Yan’s true nature.
“Very well. I’ll follow Your Highness’s opinion. But while I’m struggling to survive, why are you trying to take down the Task Force Leader?”
“I’ve obtained information that the Task Force Leader is conducting inhumane experiments.”
“What kind of experiments? Surely not those forbidden by the founding Emperor?”
Leon didn’t answer the Grand Instructor’s question.
He simply extended his hand.
“I’ll let you know once I have solid evidence. So, are we joining hands for the time being?”
The Grand Instructor grasped Leon’s hand.
“Until we bring down the Task Force Leader.”
Thus, the Crown Prince and the second-in-command of the Special Task Force joined hands.
A wind began to stir in the once-quiet empire.
* * *
After parting with the Grand Instructor, the group emerged outside, their eyes sparkling with curiosity at the sights of the Imperial Capital they encountered upon leaving the palace.
Roman and Charl, in particular, were turning their heads this way and that, taking in the details of their surroundings with great interest.
Lorena, observing Charl’s behavior, suggested to the others, “We have about a week’s time, so why don’t we spend today enjoying everything we want here before heading back?”
The group was taken aback by Lorena’s uncharacteristically warm suggestion.
“Did you eat something strange?”
Cruel’s comment seemed to strike a nerve, and Lorena’s expression cracked.
“…Do you want to die?”
“No, it’s just… you’re never like this, and suddenly you want to have fun.”
Roman and Kasa also agreed with Lorena’s idea.
“I need a new sword, so I have to stop by the blacksmith.”
“We’ve been pushing hard for a while. Why not take a break now?”
Yan, the last to weigh in, concurred with Lorena.
“I think it’s right to take a break too.”
With everyone in agreement, they naturally decided to spend the day individually enjoying the Imperial Capital.
“Then let’s meet at the station at 6 o’clock sharp this evening.”
Yan’s proposal was met with bright eyes and nodding heads from the group.
Thus, Lorena and Charl walked towards the market, while Cruel, Roman, and Ifrain set off to find a blacksmith.
Once everyone had left, Yan finally began to walk somewhere.
His destination was the shop that the informant Bella had reportedly set up in the Imperial Capital.