A Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 40 | Clue

translator/editor: astralmech | editor: ghost

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As he spoke, Phermos nodded along.

[Phermos] “Anyway, as I came here to say…..”

[Rienne] “Before you continue, I have to ask……What happened to your face?”

With a bewildered expression, a stunned Rienne approached Phermos as she waited for his answer.

One side of his face had turned completely black and blue with a bruise. She remembered his face looking cleaner than that when she last saw him, dragging Linden Kleinfelder out of the King’s Office by the neck.

[Rienne] “Are you alright? Who did this to you?”

[Phermos] “Ah, well this is…..”

Phermos glanced to his side, making brief eye contact with Black.

[Phermos] “I’m just grateful this was the extent of it.”

Only a fool would misunderstand that. It was obvious the person responsible was Black. Rienne turned to him, her surprise clear as day as she grabbed him by the arm.

[Rienne] “You hit him? But why?”

Black looked at Phermos and glared fiercely, but it was already too late to take his words back. While Black stayed quiet, Phermos quickly rushed to open his mouth and answer.

[Phermos] “It’s my own fault. I didn’t intervene and diffuse the situation fast enough. Because of my inadequacies, your wrist was injured, Princess.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

Rienne narrowed her eyes, her forehead creasing as she looked at Black.

[Rienne] “But I don’t think hitting anyone was the appropriate response. I……I’m not sure something like that is praise-worthy.”

Rienne thought there was probably a reason why Phermos took his time in reacting, and she was already making a guess in her mind.

He probably didn’t want to be caught coming and going from the office without the proper permission. Not to mention he must’ve been curious what Rienne was doing, talking to Linden Kleinfelder like that.

In retrospect, thinking about it made her head swim.

She didn’t want to imagine how differently things would’ve turned out had she shown any sign of cooperating with him rather than being threatened.

[Black] “I didn’t mean to hit him.”

When he said that, Black’s voice was just as devoid of emotion as usual.

But somehow, he seemed embarrassed.

[Rienne] “You didn’t?”

[Black] “. . .”

Black was completely silent, but his lack of words still managed to convey a story. A story where, by the time he’d come back to his senses, he’d already thrown a punch before hearing the entire explanation.

Sensing Black was in trouble, Phermos scrambled to fix things.

[Phermos] “Again, it’s really my own fault. Thank you very much for your concern, even if it was because of you that this happened in the first place…..Ah, but I’m not…..complaining….”

[Rienne] “Hah…….”

Rienne shook her head, sighing.

[Rienne] “It’s not my place to judge the Tiwakan’s military discipline, so I won’t say anything else. But your presence, Lord Phermos, within the King’s Office was still unacceptable. I will deliver a more reasonable punishment later.”

[Phermos] “Yes, of course. I humbly await your decision.”

[Rienne] “But what were you doing in the King’s Office in the first place?”

[Phermos] “That’s……..Well, there was something I wanted to look for in the royal records. As I was trying to deal with the work my Lord entrusted to me, I discovered there were things I needed to know about Nauk. I didn’t wish to disturb you with every little thing, Princess.”

That didn’t make a whole lot of sense.

The only thing of value in the King’s Office was the royal seal. Perhaps if this were Linden Kleinfelder they were talking about, he might have some use for it, but it wasn’t something Phermos had any reason to desire.

[Rienne] “…Fine then. Next time, please request permission before entering. Now, what happened to Linden Kleinfelder?”

Phermos, whose conscience felt prickly this entire time, allowed his mind to be taken away from that line of discussion.

[Phermos] “I put the him in the same room as the illegitimate son. I didn’t realize noblemen could be so lively. The jail’s been rather noisy for a while now.”

[Rienne] “I suppose I should’ve guessed. He’s not the kind of person to take something like this quietly. And…..what of the other Kleinfelder?”

[Phermos] “He’s staying well-behaved. I was wondering if he knew anything about the ‘proof’ that was spoken of earlier, but he seemed to know nothing.”

[Rienne] “I see.”

[Phermos] “In my opinion, this ‘proof’ of theirs never existed in the first place. It was only ever a ruse used in order to deceive you, Princess.”

[Rienne] “I agree. If it existed, I don’t think they would be able to keep it to themselves for so long.”

[Phermos] “Yes, they could’ve used it to their advantage much sooner. Like using it to claim the marriage as invalid, for example.”

[Rienne] “Indeed.”

To Rienne’s surprise, the conversation was short and to the point.

Anyone looking at Phermos would guess he was an extremely learned man, but it went beyond simple intelligence now. He’d only been in Nauk for a short time, and already he’d managed to hone in on Linden Kleinfelder’s habits.

[Phermos] “But there is something more believable he speaks of. He keeps mentioning something called ‘The Treaty of Risebury’. Do you know anything about this?” ⁽¹⁾

[Rienne] “Unfortunately, I do.”

[Phermos] “My apologies if I’ve brought up a sore topic.”

[Rienne] “It’s a peace treaty signed between the elders and advisors of the aristocratic delegation during the reign of the previous king. Most of the rights the Kleinfelders now currently enjoy were earned during that treaty.”

[Phermos] “A peace treaty……..as a result of a civil war?”

[Rienne] “As far as I know, yes. The drought lasted far too long and the only person the people could turn to for help was the king.”

Phermos clicked his tongue.

[Phermos] “As if that’s not bad enough.”

The peace treaty was signed during days Rienne couldn’t even remember and it represented the shame of the royal family. As the drought continued, the king was the first to feel the financial burden, so he levied taxes against the nobility.

The nobles opposed his decision and formed an army around the Kleinfelders, starting a war that teetered on a rebellion.

The king was given no choice but to sign a treaty to end the conflict, but all it did was serve to gag the royal family.

[Phermos] “Then, is it true that the decision to punish must be unanimous if the person on trial is a representative protected under the treaty?”

[Rienne] “I’m afraid, yes. That is also true.”

[Phermos] “So you’re given the option of wiping out all noble families or to destroy the treaty itself?”

[Rienne] “There isn’t a single noble family that would agree with eliminating the treaty.”

[Phermos] “Oh? So would it just be better to kill them all?”

For a moment, Rienne thought he was making a joke. After all, the topic was broaching nonsensical territory. But the second she realized he was serious, she calmly shook her head.

[Rienne] “Nauk would just be torn apart.”

[Phermos] “The nobility aren’t that great in number……though, Nauk is a place built on close family ties. There are the common folk to consider, as well as the loyalty of those who work in noble homes. Those people have families of their own who would be caught up.”

[Rienne] “Exactly my point.”

Phermos sighed, making it clear his earlier statement was definitely not a joke.

[Phermos] “I tend to forget how complicated politics can get. War is far simpler.”

Just as Phermos finished muttering to himself, Black uttered a single word.

[Black] “That’s saying too much.” ⁽²⁾

[Phermos] “………Ah, right.”

Phermos’ attitude quickly changed, as if on a whim.

[Phermos] “We must find a way to change the treaty so that we can hold a trial.”

That was an idea that long since existed in Rienne’s mind. But no matter how much she thought about it, the fact remained that she had no power to do so.

[Rienne] “The only exception to the treaty is the Temple.”

[Phermos] “The Temple?”

[Rienne] “Yes. The Temple has the ability to overturn the judgement of all trials by delivering the word of God to the people instead.”

[Phermos] “Ah, I see.”

[Rienne] “But therein lies the problem. Part of the Treaty of Risebury stipulates that the delegate leader of the aristocratic delegation has the power to appoint the next High Priest. Ever since then, the High Priest has lived in the pocket of the Kleinfelders.”

[Phermos] “Oh.”

A glimmer of light reflected off of Phermos’ monocle.

[Phermos] “Isn’t the High Priest’s chair currently vacant? Has his replacement been decided?”

[Rienne] “Not yet.”

A dark shadow was cast over Rienne’s calm eyes.

[Rienne] “He had a reason for doing what he did. Linden Kleinfelder sought to delay the wedding with this.”

[Phermos] “Hm…….So he was responsible for killing the High Priest?”

[Rienne] “Likely.”

[Phermos] “Ha! It’s like this country has a second king who fancies himself a tyrant.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

Rienne’s face twisted, like she’d eaten something bitter.

The treaty the previous king signed had turned into a carnivorous worm, eating away at the royal family, bit by bit. It gnawed away at their little kingdom, quickly and quietly consuming the royal family for all it was worth.

And all Rienne could do as she passed the days away was watch it happen, clearly in front of her.

It was her greatest weakness. A sense of shame and distress gripped her as all of it was laid bare in front of Black.

[Black] “Then let’s deal with that first, and then do a trial.”

Black stepped in again.

[Black] “Find the one responsible and get him to testify what the delegate leader made him do. Unless the priests are brain dead, they’ll understand themselves what path will let them live the longest.”

Phermos groaned.

[Phermos] “Well……The investigation is taking more time than I thought it would, so not much progress has been made. The priests and the servants all wear the same clothes and their daily routines are a bit vague so they’re hard to follow………We just need more time.”

[Black] “How much more?”

As Black’s words fell off the tip of his tongue, Phermos pulled back, his eyes shaking.

[Phermos] “That’s……”

[Black] “Well?”

[Phermos] “I’m not sure…… But I’ll find it somehow, my Lord. Actually, I found one clue that’s worth looking into, but I was putting it off because I wasn’t sure the best way to go about it. But if the Princess allows me, I’ll do it now.”

[Rienne] “What do you need?”

Before Phermos even had a chance to truly ask, Rienne was already ready and willing. She probably didn’t realize it herself, but her voice was shaking and full of anticipation.

[Black] “Princess.”

Black called out to Rienne.

[Rienne] “Yes?”

When Rienne turned her head to look at him, he lifted up her wrist.

[Black] “You’ll get hurt again.”

[Rienne] “…….?”

Unconsciously, Rienne was gripping her fists so tightly she could’ve made marks again. Black took her clenched fist into the palm of his hand, using his other to loosen her fingers one by one.

[Black] “Unless they’re made by me, I don’t want to see any more wounds on your body.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

With those words, Phermos’ lips slightly parted in silent shock, but Rienne was also surprised, albeit for a different reason.

[Rienne] “Are you planning on hurting me?”

There were lots of different kinds of marks one would leave on the body of their lover. Based on how he said it, evidently Black talking more about a strong embrace, rather than an actual wound.

But looking at Rienne’s face, it was obvious that meaning went clear over her head.

Even Phermos, who had zero interest in the affection shared between humans, understood what Rienne did not.

[Black] “You don’t understand what I’m saying?”

[Rienne] “I’m not sure. Common sense is telling me you’re speaking in jest, but you don’t look like you’re joking, Lord Tiwakan.”

[Black] “………I have to be more careful.”

Black gave a short sigh.

[Black] “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not going to hurt you.”

[Rienne] “I know. I’m aware you care for me a lot. I won’t misunderstand you like that.”

[Black] “. . .”

Listening to their conversation, Phermos couldn’t bear to look at Black’s face, so he respectfully turned his head to the side.

[Rienne] “Now then. Tell me what it is you need permission for.”

Phermos furiously nodded his head, still avoiding looking at Black.

[Phermos] “The clue was bloodstains. Whatever wound they came from must’ve been quite severe, given how much blood there was.”

[Rienne] “Blood?”

[Phermos] “Yes, but when I inspected the body of the High Priest, there was no wound that could’ve bled like that.”

[Rienne] “Hm……..”

[Phermos] “If not him, then it must’ve come from the perpetrator, so there should be a wound on their body. And circumstances indicate that whoever they are, they must’ve come from the Temple.”

[Rienne] “I see………”

[Phermos] “So if you will allow me, I’ll request all the priests remove their clothes for verification. If any of them have a wound that has yet to heal, there’s a great chance they’re the culprit. It’s the only clue we have as of now.”

[Rienne] “You’ll need to have each of the priests disrobe and verify them individually. It won’t be easy.”

[Phermos] “Yes. And I’m uncertain whether they’ll cooperate in the end.”

Then, Black threw out an idea.

[Black] “Just force them.”

[Phermos] “Well……Of course, that’s an option, using force or intimidation to do it………but it’s the Temple. If we move in like that, things could get ugly, so I figured it would be best to ask the Princess ahead of making any moves. Will you allow me, Princess?”

[Rienne] “If it’s for the sake of finding the High Priest’s murderer, then we must do what is necessary, even if it’s uncomfortable….. Although……”

A thought crossed her mind.

The image of blood seeping under one’s thick robe came to her. A servant of God, who sat completely still even as someone beat him—praying for penance.

A servant by the name of Klimah.

[Rienne] “I met someone who was bleeding the other day.”

[Phermos] “What?”

Phermos couldn’t be more thrilled.

Having all the priests undress would’ve been doable, but it was much better to find another avenue to simplify things if they could.

[Phermos] “Who was it?”

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^{T/N: (1) “Risebury” should be pronounced “Reese” like Reese’s Cup and “bury” like berry. I thought about spelling it as “Reeseberry” just to help readers understand the pronunciation phonetically, but I stuck with the raw’s spelling because it looked nicer lol.}

^{(2) In the raws, this was one word.}