466: Report 3: The Reckoning
“H-how dare you!” Grizwald slammed his fists against the handles of his chair. “I knew from the very first time—”
“My lord, we absolutely cannot release a single person until this situation is resolved,” Flavna said to Belmot, completely ignoring Grizwald. “Thus far, their high-ranking members have either claimed no knowledge or have been extremely uncooperative, including Felicia. If there is even a chance that the appearance of the demons was caused by the Guild, by accident or otherwise, we must find out and prevent the Guild from covering it up!”
“What vile accusations!” Grizwald shouted, red in the face, his triple chin vibrating after every sentence.
“Indeed,” Alfred nodded. “The masters of the S.E.C.R.E.T. Guild have ever been our friends and allies. Have you already forgotten the difficulties we all went through in organizing the Forge of Champions together with the Guild and the royal family? To hold captive dozens of their active members is simply unacceptable! I have a letter from Baltimore herself, demanding the release of her dear friends!”
“We do not answer to that whorehouse!” Flavna objected. “As long as I am still a captain of this city’s guards, I will not release a single prisoner until the mystery of the demon appearance has been solved. Any attempt to break the prisoners free will be viewed as an admission of their guilt and dealt with accordingly!”
“Then it is time to make a change,” Alfred said. “My lord, please strip Flavna of her rank before she completely destroys the relationships you have worked so hard to build!”
“Then we’d need to make it permanent and execute her right here and now!” Ophelia said with excitement and sparks ran through her fingers.
“W-wait, let’s not be hasty about such things,” Belmot stuttered nervously.
“We already have someone far more suited for the position,” Alfred continued. “Lieutenant Mimi is loved by all and as we heard is the one out there dealing with Flavna’s screw-ups even as we speak. I doubt you would find a single person in this fortress that would object to her promotion.”
That’s because she is probably the most amenable girl in this entire city, Flavna thought as she easily read through Alfred’s true intent. Every soldier on in our forces—you included—would’ve run a train on her by now, had I let you. An obedient little puppet for you scum to control.
“Mimi is certainly a lovely girl,” Belmot said and sank into thought.
“My lord, if I may,” Gamesh intervened. “Although no one would deny the positive affections many have for our kind-hearted lieutenant, this is an inopportune time to make such major changes. Now that we know that these mysterious disturbers of peace are powerful enough to kill one of our captains, sowing confusion in the chain of command and further reducing our strength by another captain would only give our enemies another advantage.”
“Oh, you are certainly right!” Belmot said with a slight smile, grasping at the chance to do nothing. “You have always been able to think calmly even in the direst of situations.”
“Thank you, my lord!” Gamesh bowed.
“Well then, if there’s nothing more, I’m starving!” Belmot said with excitement to get out of this meeting. “I heard that there’s—”
“I’m sorry, my lord, but there is one other issue,” Alfred interrupted his lord to keep this meeting going. “What about the rumors that the Sixth Princess was taken captive by the Purple Capes along with the other survivors.”
“W-what!?” Belmot looked like he was about to have a stroke. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Flavna, have you lost your mind!?” Grizwald jumped up from his chair. “That’s treason against the Crown! I should hang you where you stand!”
“If I may, it seems that Alfred’s dubious sources were not entirely correct,” Gamesh intervened. “The princess was gravely injured during the demon attack. We took her with us out of the demon-infested tunnels to ensure her safety and guide her to a speedy recovery.”
“And where is she now!?” Grizwald shouted. “Why haven’t we been informed of such an honored guest!?”
“We could not exclude the possibility that the entire incident was orchestrated to assassinate the princess,” Gamesh explained calmly. “To ensure her safety in her weakened state I took it upon myself to keep her location a secret and not risk her return to the palace until she had at least regained consciousness, preferably until her full recovery.”
“Very well but keep me informed as soon as there are any developments,” lord Belmot instructed.
“Absolutely!” Gamesh bowed again and exchanged glances with Flavna.