Chapter 144 - Towards a Dead End

Jared Augustus was regarded as a living legend in the empire's aristocracy.

In short, shall I say he was a figure with a status that might appear once or twice in a history book?

There would be many reasons, such as his outstanding ability, his environmental factor of being a close relative of the imperial family, and the fact that he was a person who rose to the position of Protector of the Nation, which was rare in the empire's history.

But more than anything, the one factor that made him a great man was the loyalty he showed to the imperial family.

‘He was a man who laid down the immense power of the Protector of the Nation with his own hands.’

After the previous emperor, who was called the wisest of wise kings, passed away, the only remaining heir was the previous emperor's 13-year-old late-born son.

Yes, this was about the Emperor Abellon who currently sits on the imperial throne.

In that situation, Jared Augustus, who was close to the previous emperor and had the trust of the noble families, rose to the position of Protector of the Nation.

The very position that assists the king's decision-making until the young king grows up enough.

Until the young emperor gained enough experience and developed the skills to rule the Abellon Empire. If you think about it, it was an ideal environment for Jared to enjoy power.

Although the young emperor was bright, his support base was entirely his own faction, and he could have used that to wield power even after the emperor came of age.

However, Jared Augustus did not do so.

On the day the emperor, who was 13, turned 20 and had his coming-of-age ceremony.

-Seeing Your Majesty come of age and your wisdom reach its peak, I feel my worries about the empire's future melting away like snow. This old man wishes to cast off his undeserved title and retreat into the annals of history, so I beseech you to grant your permission.

The Protector of the Nation left such words and retreated from the center of power, and thus Jared became the former Protector of the Nation.

After stepping down from that position, he showed a side that did not interfere in politics at all, so he could be called a model of loyalty that would be remembered in history.

A person who, at the pinnacle of power, left everything behind with only loyalty, without any lingering attachment. When I only heard the story, it felt like I was listening to a story of a loyal subject from history.

‘Though the man himself is a fanatic steeped in elitism.’

To think that such a Jared Augustus was Salvatio, one of the foremost madmen among the First Astros of 『Ad Astra』. Who could possibly suspect it?

In fact, the part where Salvatio's identity was revealed was one of the most shocking twists in the original Arche.

Well anyway, such a Jared was now exchanging various stories with Regina.

The renowned former Protector of the Nation and the 1st Princess of the empire. Their encounter. Well, it wasn't a strange thing…….

The problem was what came next.

“Ah, by the way, Your Highness the Princess. Isn't the student attending to you that much-rumored prince of the Enlight family!”

Jared, who was talking with Regina, suddenly said so while looking at me, who was standing about two steps away from Regina, as if he had just remembered.

“……”

At Jared's words, the attention of those around me instantly focused on me. His words had that kind of power.

Nominally, he was in a position of a great elder who belonged to neither the Crown Prince's Faction nor the Princess's Faction, so it shouldn't be a problem… but to single me out.

‘What hidden intention is there?’

Normally, that reaction wouldn't be strange.

So far, I had defeated a Gargoyle with another person, subjugated an A-rank wanted criminal, and eliminated an intruder who had infiltrated the academy, showing an unusually high level of activity.

However, since his identity was what it was, I couldn't help but assign meaning to his actions.

But apart from that.

“It is an honor.”

As Regina had instructed beforehand, I answered stoically without fumbling or drawing out my words.

To not seem insolent, and to be humble.

“Hahaha! Yes, a man should have that kind of gravitas. Excuse me for a moment. I'm curious as to how well that rising student is trained.”

Seeing my reaction, Jared laughed heartily and placed his hand on my arm. And with that heavy hand, he started kneading my arm.

“Hmm, hmm! This is certainly a trained arm. It doesn't seem like you're naturally strong, but I can feel the results of your effort.”

“……”

At his familiar action, I could only stand still.

It was surprising that he had figured out the secret of my physical abilities with just that one touch, but what was even more surprising was the strength I felt from Jared's touch.

‘……His grip is no joke.’

He wasn't exerting force now, but the trace of strong power felt from his touch. It allowed me to guess the level of his martial prowess.

Well, in any case.

“Hahahaha! The future of the empire is very bright indeed. Keep up the good work!”

“……Thank you for your words of encouragement.”

Jared ended with those words, patted my shoulder, and headed elsewhere, and I replied with similar words.

‘What on earth was that?’

After Jared left, I momentarily made eye contact with Regina. Regina also had a surprised expression, but she soon smiled after seeing my tired face.

Yes, what more could I say? I felt like every nerve in my body was on edge. Since his identity was what it was, I couldn't help but be wary.

Was he trying to do something to my body? I thought so, but since there was no particular reaction, I couldn't help but be lost in thought.

Not that it led to any particular conclusion.

‘Reconnaissance… is that it?’

I had no choice but to come to that tentative conclusion. Since he had faced me last time, maybe he became curious.

‘The fact that something like this happened twice today is suspicious, though.’

First Claudio, and now Jared… no, Salvatio.

It seemed I had to be even more careful with my actions today.

***

The time Jared Augustus stayed at the Exchange Meeting was not long.

He had decided to leave after taking a look around the Exchange Meeting in his position as a great elder of the empire.

“Haha, being my age, I can't stay for long. Enjoy yourselves comfortably. The scene shines brighter when this gloomy old man is gone!”

He even showed the composure to make such a joke

However, Jared did not leave the hall on that path.

Rather, he turned his steps and headed for a room located on the 4th floor of the hall.

Kkiiik.

When Jared pushed open a splendid door comparable to the room Regina stayed in, there was a white-haired man inside. Unlike his usual bright expression, the man had his silver eyes half-closed and remained expressionless.

Simply being described by the term ‘man’ might be close to an insult to him.

“Ah, Your Highness the Prince! I have just returned, hahaha!”

“Yes. We are not the types to enjoy long talks, so let's sit down first.”

The two talked naturally as if they were close friends, and at those words, Jared—no, Salvatio sat down.

The reason they seemed like close friends was actually simple. Weren't they sharing a secret that could not be told to anyone?

As they were both members of a cabal that would ultimately bring ruin to the world.

“So, what was the brat's reaction?”

“Ah, it was as expected.”

The conversation progressed quickly. As if they had coordinated their stories beforehand.

“As this old man approached, I could feel him on high alert with every nerve in his body.

There would be no reason for that if he had no knowledge of our side. Hahaha!”

“Hmm.”

As Salvatio burst into hearty laughter, Claudio also smiled slightly.

He was pleased that everything was going according to his thoughts; that was his only amusement.

“It was the same on this side as well. I visited Regina to gauge his reaction, but there was no sign of him lowering his guard. To say it was simply the feeling of facing a political rival… it was excessive.”

Yes, that was what Salvatio and Claudio had aimed for. Behind the seemingly reasonless contact, there was such a meaning.

Claudio thought. The actions that had interfered with Ad Astra, such as killing Gabriel during the previous academy attack and disrupting Stella's plan, suggested the possibility that he knew about Ad Astra in some way.

Therefore, Claudio first conducted a reconnaissance. By making 『Death Without Cost』 go rampant at the Railroad Mysterium and inciting the rebels to launch an attack.

He had thought that if they survived such a meticulous trap, it would not be a simple matter of coincidence.

And, Rain and Regina had survived that death trap.

In the background was the 『Death Without Cost』 that Rain possessed. In other words, his knowledge of Ad Astra.

In that situation, Claudio thought. His guess was 99% correct.

What remained was just 1% of certainty. That was all.

Therefore, Claudio observed Rain's reaction when he encountered him and Salvatio.

If he had no knowledge of Ad Astra and everything so far was a mere coincidence… there would be no reason for him to be wary of the two.

Of course, in Claudio's case, there was sufficient justification to be wary as he was Regina's political rival… which was why Claudio had prepared Salvatio, no, Jared Augustus.

And, Rain Enlight's reaction did not miss the mark.

‘He was wary.’

It was a clear checkmate. Because if he had no knowledge of Ad Astra, there was no reason to be wary of Jared, let alone Claudio.

“If you think about it that way… it's understandable that he has been interfering with the plan of the great ‘One’ until now.”

“Indeed!”

Claudio nodded his head and summarized the story, as if everything had fallen into place.

It was a clear mistake by Rain, but on the other hand, it was also unavoidable.

What Rain had honed through regression until now was the martial art of the body. On the other hand, he had never trained in interpersonal skills such as hiding emotions that appear in interactions between people.

Yes, perhaps this was inevitable.

“In that case, all that's left is to dispose of him.”

At Salvatio's words, Claudio nodded slightly.

“Yes, now that we know about the knowledge the brat possesses… we must prepare a trap he cannot escape from.”

And, he smiled again, the corners of his mouth lifting.

It was a smile that meant Rain was heading towards a dead end without even knowing it.