Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 825- Assassin in the Night

There were these egoistical and self serving nobles who she had to deal with. No wonder she looked more haggard than when she faced the duke. What's more, it hadn't even been a day since she killed her brother with her own hands and she already started handling the matters of the city.

It didn't need someone close to her like Alvara to see it, anyone could see that she was clearly pushing herself.

"Even if it's tough I cannot stop right now, not after I cthis far. My resolve will not falter no matter what"

Cynthia spoke returning to the person she was back inside the senate. She had made her resolve a long tago and seen far too bloodshed to stop right now. No one could dissuade her and if they did, she would simply discard them. Just like what she had done with Baron Regor by taking over his fief.

This was not only to show all those nobles not to take her lightly, but it was also an example for others to know as to what kind of kingdom the land of Ellesmere would be once she claimed the throne.

If it was her father, he would no doubt be unable to boot a Baron just like that, his merciful and compassionate nature wouldn't allow such a decision. However, Cynthia was different; no she was forced to change. It was precisely compassion that led to her and her kingdom's downfall, which was why she had discarded all such things.

Her rein would be through an Iron fist and absolute. Those who didn't follow her, would be discarded just like Baron Regor. As Cynthia walked out of the Hallway, she turned left and headed toward the underground chamber instead of going towards her room.

If it was her father, he would no doubt be unable to boot a Baron just like that, his merciful and compassionate nature wouldn't allow such a decision. However, Cynthia was different; no she was forced to change. It was precisely compassion that led to her and her kingdom's downfall, which was why she had discarded all such things.

Her rein would be through an Iron fist and absolute. Those who didn't follow her, would be discarded just like Baron Regor. As Cynthia walked out of the Hallway, she turned left and headed toward the underground chamber instead of going towards her room.

As she descended through the stairs and arrived before the large mithril doors that led to the emergency shelter, familiar faces cinto her view.

"Your Highness" When she discovered them, they too noticed her.

The first one to greet her was Annette who was standing in front of a large stake implanted on the ground. Next to her, tied to the stake was a man who looked extremely miserable and on the verge of losing consciousness from all the beating and torture he received.

Around the stake other than Annette, there was also the group of adventurers whom Cynthia trusted the most, Blake and his team.

"Any results?" Cynthia questioned. The fact that she didn't look the least bit surprised and directly went on to ask a question meant that she was also involved in this matter. In fact, it was with her permission that Balke and the others went through this process.

"Yes Your Highness, we found plenty of useful information. This guy spilt all the beans once Miss Annette cast her magic. Sof which are so shocking that even you will be surprised after hearing it" Blake answered with a serious look on his face.

Hearing his words, Cynthia narrowed her eyes "Hoh, Lethear it. I want to know too who this person is and why was he so close to Alstin".

Tied to the stake, the man was none other than the subordinate who tried to brainwash Alstin. When Cynthia heard all about the information the person spilt, a serious expression just like everyone here, couldn't help but descend on her face.

 Why would it not after all, this person was a member of a special corps that was sent here by the kingdom of Blackthorn to Disrupt Alstin's state of mind and report every action of his back to the their army.

That was not all, he also corrupted many other nobles, abducted their families to forcefully make them change their alliance and even dug up quite a lot of dirt on every influential noble.

It need not even be mentioned how much damaging these kinds of information can be to a noble. From the secrets of their wealth to the most disgusting of actions they have committed, once this kind of information surfaces, it would ruin the status of noble forever.

As such, to protect their interest and hide this kind of information forever, a noble would do anything. The fact that this man was able to dig this kind of information meant that he had a noose around the neck of all the nobles and could secretly control their decision.

Cynthia had no doubt that many of the nobles she had met in the senate, had fallen into his palm and were doing his bidding.

"It was a good thing that we were able to find out about it before any serious damage could occur" Blake muttered.

Cynthia was of the smind, it was thanks to those demi humans who disguised themselves as soldiers to spy on Alstin that they were able to learn of this spy from BlackThorn. Or else, just like the first prince, they too would have been played with without even them being aware of it.

Fortunately, they raided the city and captured this person.

"Such a huge operation, there is no way he could have completed it alone. He might have saccomplices here in the city of castledor. The corps that he belonged to you mentioned just now, there could be other members like him here. Have you asked him if there are any more agents like him in Castledor?"

There was no guarantee that there was only one agent here. Cynthia who was in the midst of asking a question, suddenly noticed the peculiar expression of everyone around her.

 "What's wrong?" Why did their eyes look so grim?

"Allowto explain" While everyone was hesitating on how to explain her, Annette stepped forward to speak on behalf of everyone.

"It was my mistake. When I was trying to search through the mind of this person, I realised a step too late that there was a special mark implanted on his brain. This mark prevented anyone from prying into the mind of the person by frying their brain instantly. What's more, it is implanted inside every agent of this corps and are linked. When one mind is tempered with, the rest will automatically be able to sense it"…

"You mean to say that.."  "That's right, they have escaped. The moment I tried to pry into his mind, the mark activated alerting others of his capture. I was only able to save this person" Annette bowed her head, accepting her mistake.

 "If they have escaped then does that mean that they have relayed all the information and events that happened here back to their forces?" Cynthia questioned, a tinge of concern flashed in her face.

She knew that there was no way of preventing the spread of news that happened in the city of castledor. No matter what measure she could take, the news would spread one way or another.

However, it was because of this reason that she was hurrying up and marching with her army to the capital city in just ten days. It was because if she gave the enemy any more time, the other nobles who have joined the enemy's side, would not just sit still and send their own forces to intercept her. With time, the enemy's forces would only just increase. This is why, she was in a hurry.

"No, they have been all tracked down and killed before they can reveal anything" Annette answered in a manner of factly, surprising everyone around.

How long had it been since the fact that there was a mind implant in all of these agents got revealed? If they counted the time, it wouldn't be even more than two hours. Yet in that short period of time, not only did she discover the enemy's hidden card, she even rectified the mistake she made. All the while when all of them were just standing here.

"I see… I should expect no less from a Valkyrie" Cynthia spoke with a tone of amazement. "Since the information hasn't leaked yet, it gives us a few precious days of head start. Oce the army from Mountmend, we shall immediately head for the capital".

"I see… I should expect no less from a Valkyrie" Cynthia spoke with a tone of amazement. "Since the information hasn't leaked yet, it gives us a few precious days of head start. Oce the army from Mountmend, we shall immediately head for the capital".

Everyone nodded their head, showing their agreement.

 "Now then, what should we do with him?" Cynthia glanced at the blackthorn agent tied to the stake. Now that they have thwarted their plan and knew all about it, the man served no value. As an enemy, there was only one fate waiting for him.

"I understand" Wyot nodded his head and was just about to send the man to meet his maker, Annette stopped them with a gesture of her hand.

"A moment"… seeing Annette stand in front of Wyot, Cynthia couldn't help but ask "What's wrong? Is there still anything you want to investigate from this man?".

The Valkyrie nodded her head "Earlier when I was searching through his brain, there was something that I cin contact with for a brief period of time. Although it was just for an instant, it madecurious about it. If Her Highness does not mind, I would like to have this man kept alive for a few more days while I try to investigate about it".

This was the first time, that Annette had asked something of her, ever since joining her side to reclaim the capital back. As such, Cynthia saw no reason to deny her and besides, if there was something strange about this man that could make someone like Annette intrigued, then it was a matter that needed to be investigated.

 "Very well, if you want to investigate this man, you are free to do so"…

"Thank you very much"