Turning Chapter 703

Chapter 703

According to the knights, there was a servant who had followed the Second Prince. This servant, similar to the horse ridden by the Second Prince, had not yet been found and was presumed dead with high probability.

Upon hearing Kishiar's question, Mujo's expression darkened further. However, this darkness differed slightly from the sorrow shown when speaking of the Second Prince, whom he had raised like his own child.

"Ah... yes. That damned wretch hasn't been found yet either."

He responded with a cold demeanor.

"That man's name was Panajen. He was a newcomer, having joined the Herne family less than half a year ago. He had served our Second Prince for about the same duration."

From the perspective of an old servant who had served the Second Prince since childhood, a young servant who failed to properly attend to his master deserved death. However, it seemed that he had disliked Panajen from the beginning.

"A man with less than half a year's experience went alone with the Second Prince? He must have been highly trusted."

"Trusted? What... He just took care of the horse very well, that's why he was taken along."

"The horse?"

"Yes. Prince Ashrav didn't particularly enjoy horseback riding and always traveled by carriage. When he had to ride, he always took that man with him. Yesterday was the same."

However, there was likely more to it than that.

It was improbable that someone would select a servant with such little experience to accompany them simply because they cared for horses well. To Yuder's observation, Mujo seemed displeased to admit that his master trusted Panajen more than himself. Whenever he spoke of Panajen, he wrinkled his nose, unable to hide his displeasure.

'Dislike him or not, he should at least speak the truth.'

Yuder glanced at Kishiar. Catching his eye, Kishiar silently smiled and lightly waved his finger, signaling to wait a moment.

"He cared for the horse well... Yes, that's a good trait. But isn't that something anyone can do? What about other tasks? Was he competent?"

"No! He seemed to have no intention of learning anything. Recommended by someone, he ignored us and refused to talk, wandering outside every day and only pretending to work hard in front of Prince Ashrav. D*mned rotten tomato!"

"Oh, I see. That must have been hard."

"Indeed, it was tough for everyone. Poor Prince Ashrav often believed him, but we thought that someday his true colors would be revealed."

"Who recommended him? That place seems unreliable as well."

"Well... I heard Young Master Milail of the Conche Barony wrote a letter of guarantee for his identity."

At the mention of the Conche Barony, Yuder's eyebrows twitched. Kishiar, noticing this, asked nonchalantly.

"Was the Second Prince close to them?"

"Baron Conche is a cousin of Duke Herne. Prince Ashrav and Young Master Milail weren't particularly close, but they became friendlier after Prince Ashrav’s last year's birthday. Perhaps that's why someone like Panajen was introduced, to ensure comfortable horse riding."

Indeed, it was Kishiar's craft. With a cleverly probing statement, the old servant unwittingly revealed all about Panajen.

"That's interesting. I've learned many things I didn't know. Thank you for your help."

"Oh, it's nothing..."

The old servant, who had been speaking freely to the Cavalry and Duke Peletta, was suddenly startled, wondering if he had spoken too rashly. However, Kishiar, as if anticipating his concern, soothed him.

"The one who harmed the Second Prince is an Awakener, and thus it is our Cavalry's responsibility to capture him. I promise we will apprehend him to ensure the Second Prince's death was not in vain. If you recall anything unusual from last night, no matter how trivial, could you contact the Cavalry? I believe there's no one who knows the Second Prince as well as you do."

A servant who has lost his master is an entity no one cares about. Even if he had not served the Second Prince on the day of the incident, he would still be a sinner, not free from responsibility. In a situation where returning to the Herne family would only result in a severe reprimand and expulsion, Kishiar's words deeply resonated with the old servant.

Knowing he should maintain his guard, Mujo nearly let it down in that moment toward Kishiar. After a long silence, he nodded.

"Understood..."

Taking advantage of the moment Mujo left under the knights' escort, First Princess Myra, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up.

"Mujo is a stubborn man who follows only Ashrav, but you've managed to persuade him well."

"I only showed respect for the deceased, as the Princess did for her brother. And since you are in a situation of having lost a family member, there's no need to force yourself to stay strong."

Princess Myra, as if pierced by his words, closed her mouth. Yuder, observing her crumbling facade, realized she, too, had just lost a sibling.

Though they were competitors for the heir's position and guarded against each other, even to the extent of not sharing the same house in Charloin, Myra still acknowledged the Second Prince's abilities and remembered even the minutest details of what he disliked. It was uncommon among nobility.

She might not show it, but certainly, Princess Myra was also swallowing shock and sorrow internally.

However, she quickly composed herself, her demeanor even more upright and her gaze firmer as she spoke.

"Thank you for your words, but I will not rest. I must catch the culprit and show unwavering strength before Ashrav's funeral, so I don't get entangled in useless talk."

Her resolve could be seen as unbearably tough by some. Yet Kishiar withdrew gracefully with a smile.

"Strong and admirable. If that's your decision, then I understand."

"..."

"Anyway, given the situation, dealing with the troubles in the south must wait until after we find the one responsible for the Second Prince's death. It's unfortunate."

"But your offer to cooperate still stands, right?"

Princess Myra reiterated their cooperative relationship. Kishiar nodded, and she promptly stood up.

"Understood. I'll speak with the knights and return to learn more about Ashrav's death. I'll mention that my visit to the Cavalry yesterday and today was solely for Melvin's exoneration, so please align with that."

"Agreed."

"If the Cavalry learns anything more about this, please contact me immediately."

"Ah... Before you go, there is something I'd like to mention."

Princess Myra blinked in surprise.

"Yes?"

Kishiar had just mentioned a missing servant, referring to the one spoken of by the servant Mujo. "Investigate the Conche Barony first, which reportedly sent that servant. Also, continue the investigation we requested earlier about the southern merchant."

"…I was planning to investigate the Conche Barony myself upon my return, but the southern merchant as well?"

"There seems to be a connection that's piqued my interest."

Princess Myra could not understand the connection, as there appeared to be none.

However, Yuder was not in the dark. The moment Kishiar spoke, he met the latter's gaze and thought.

'So Kishiar also made the connection immediately upon hearing that word.'

Earlier, the old servant Mujo, while talking about the missing servant, had used the word 'rotten tomato.' The term 'rotten tomato' was known to be a derogatory term used by people in the Southern part of the Empire against people of Southern countries or heritage. Anyone aware of this would have guessed that the missing servant was of Southern descent.

Hiring a servant of Southern descent in a noble house was not unheard of, but it was certainly not common. If not recommended by another noble house, it would have been unlikely for him to be hired.

And who had given that recommendation?

'Conche…'

Upon hearing the name of the Conche Barony, Yuder, recalling his previous life, suddenly remembered the identity of the next Duke of Herne, which he had almost forgotten.

The previous Duke of Herne, not Princess Myra or her brother.

It was a person from the Conche Barony.

It was a family so insignificant and lacking presence that he had forgotten about them until now, but hearing it brought back the memories.

'And coincidentally, we are currently pursuing Southern merchants who might be hiding somewhere in the south. A murder involving a servant from the southern countries and Awakeners… It's worth pursuing any potential connection.'