Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 236

“By the way, why are you here, Duke?”Arendt put down his teacup and asked belatedly.

Cantares clicked his tongue.

“You’re asking quickly.”

“I went to see His Highness for another matter. Then, by chance, I happened to run into you, and it turned out well.”

Arendt blinked in wonder at the words, “It turned out well.”

“How did it go?”

“I’m saying this because I received a request from Henry.”

“Ah, because of the Khan Union? But I understand that the Duke is hardly involved.”

“Come to think of it, didn’t I tell you?”

Cantares began to explain.

“It was small at first, but as the Union grew larger, the question of where the business funds would come from came up. That’s why I borrowed the Duke’s name.”

It was Cantares who financed the two men.

However, the Khan Union was in a position where it could not afford to be caught as being connected to the Crown Prince.

So, Duke Lancelot, Henry’s father, stepped in.

“Actually, I added some of my own money. The business has grown considerably since it recently opened a branch. I also receive a share of the profits. That’s quite a generous allowance.”

Duke Lancelot added playfully.

Although they were children of powerful families, Henry and Arcus were still young men in their prime.

Besides, before forming the alliance, Henry had only worked for the Duke in the palace and had never handled much money.

‘That guy fell out with the Count.’

It was already a well-known fact that following Arendt’s brilliant disownment, the eldest son Arcus also ran away from the Eckhart family.

As these two people grew their business without any basic capital, they unintentionally attracted attention.

But when Duke Lancelot came forward and said he had provided the money, the unnecessary interest diminished.

On the surface, it appeared that he simply provided business funds to help his second son become independent.

“That’s how I got involved in the union work to some extent. Before that, I didn’t even know exactly what Henry did…”

Duke Lancelot, who had been speaking up to that point, trailed off slightly before adding:

“It’s not as easy as I thought. I can’t just help out. I asked if I could send someone from my side, but Henry didn’t want to do it. He also said that it’s not a good idea for me to be involved too much.”

“I guess so. There is always that one chance.”

Arendt nodded dryly.

“I heard they’re opening branches. Are they going to focus on the places where the Neumann Merchant Group have established bases?”

“Yes, I think that way it will be easier to connect with the Neumann information center. That’s why I came here today to discuss this matter with His Highness the Crown Prince. Henry is having a hard time finding the time for it.”

“I see.”

The last time he visited briefly, the two were both dead from work.

The research conducted by the Imperial Knights, the experimental results from Count Stadler’s laboratory, and the information about the Evil God obtained by the information broker of the Neumann Group were all being piled up in the underground vault of the Khan Union.

‘Besides, it seems like Llewellyn had been sending them materials recently.’

For some time now, Llewellyn has also been gathering useful items one by one and delivering them to his Explorers’ Association.

Categorizing and organizing it was the sole responsibility of two people.

Moreover, thanks to Henry’s unexpected business acumen, the tea shop itself was sailing along quite smoothly.

Since they’ve even started selling tea leaves wholesale here and there, Henry and Arcus’ workload must be close to a lethal amount.

Duke Lancelot suddenly changed the subject.

“Now that I think about it, you don’t seem to be very interested in the Khan Union. That’s a bit surprising.”

“It’s not an area I need to interfere with. After all, it’s akin to His Highness the Crown Prince’s secret vault.”

“Isn’t it because you don’t want to get involved with Lord Arcus?”

Cantares chimed in from the side with an unpleasant voice.

But Arendt’s expression did not change.

“I don’t know anyone named that?”

“Lord Arcus would cry if he heard that. Anyway, that’s what I’m saying…”

Duke Lancelot’s expression, which had been vaguely trailing off, became strange.

At first glance, it seemed like he was holding back laughter, or that he was contemplating whether or not to speak.

Arendt noticed this and questioningly.

“Why are you acting like that?”

“No, I just wonder if it’s right to add more trouble to your life when you’re probably busy too.”

Arendt looked at Cantares at the unknown words.

The Crown Prince met his eyes, rested his chin on his hand, and burst into laughter.

“You said he should handle it on his own, right? It seems like Sir Arcus is also putting in some effort.”

“What on earth are you talking about… ah.”

Arendt, who had been frowning, soon realized something.

After all, he wasn’t the kind of Duke who would bother the Crown Prince just for the sake of the Union’s business.

Something must have happened.

Now that the Union was completely disguised as a facility for tea merchants, there was only one thing left that would give the two young men a headache.

Besides, if Arendt had clearly told him to do it himself… Orıginal content can be found at novel·fiɾe·net

Arendt’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“I heard that the Count sent spies early on when the Union was first formed. Is he still doing that?”

“…It seems you are still on bad terms with the Count.”

Duke Lancelot seemed bothered by the title Arendt used to refer to Count Eckhart.

But Arendt responded with an indifferent expression.

“Why would there be anything to say about that? We’re strangers, after all. Anyway, so what happened?”

“He still sends people sometimes. This is the third time, I think. Maybe they’ve come a few more times without Henry and Arcus noticing.”

“Hmm…”

At the Duke’s words, Arendt crossed his arms and tilted his head.

His loosely tied silver hair flowed along with his movements.

“What is his purpose?”

“I don’t know yet. I heard that Henry and Arcus want to avoid contact with them.”

“They said that they didn’t do anything special and just went back after drinking tea or buying something like a real customer.”

Cantares then added:

“What about the Count’s side?”

“It’s quiet there too. Count Eckhart himself is just concentrating on his work as if nothing happened.”

“Hmm…”

Arendt was troubled.

If something had happened to Count Eckhart’s family, the information agent from the Neumann Group would have been the first to notice.

But there was still no news from Neumann.

‘So, I think it’s safe to say that there are no particularly noticeable changes.’

And there was one more thing that was bothering him.

“How did they know that the people were sent by the Count’s family?”

“Lord Arcus recognized them. All three people who came looking for him were working for the Count’s family.”

Cantares answered the question Arendt posed.

“We were talking about that. I don’t know why he sent people who would be found out.

“That’s right. If it’s spying, it’s usually done so without anyone noticing, so why send someone who works for the Count’s family?”

So, it was even more difficult to guess what Count Eckhart’s purpose was.

Duke Lancelot said sarcastically.

“It may simply be that he is trying to pressure the prodigal son who ran away from home. He is telling him to come back soon, since his father is watching him. What do you think, Lord Arendt?”

“Well, he doesn’t seem like the type of person who would do that.”

A calm voice returned, as if talking about someone else’s business.

“I thought he was a person who tried to control others as he pleased, and then turned away when things didn’t go his way. Well, since the heir who was supposed to inherit the family was acting like that… I guess he might have gotten a little impatient.”

“Hehe, and it’s often the case that people change their minds when they are greatly shocked. It must have been a huge blow to have two sons leave one after another.”

“Whatever it is, it’s something I don’t know about. It would be faster to ask my older brother than me.”

Duke Lancelot smiled bitterly at Arendt’s indifferent response.

“Of course, Henry said he talked to Arcus. He also said he had no clue.”

It was a situation where there was no clear solution in sight.

Cantares narrowed his eyebrows slightly.

“Since nothing has happened yet, it’s hard to take any action. For now, all we can do is wait and see.”

“I see. Henry and Arcus have also come to the same conclusion. It doesn’t seem like the Count knows the truth about the Union and is doing something like this… but just in case, I’ll tell them to be more careful with their actions.”

Duke Lancelot answered seriously.

For now, that seemed like the best option.

They felt uneasy, but since a father was looking after his son, it wasn’t something they could question.

If they acted overly sensitive, it might end up looking even more suspicious.

“…”

After the conversation concluded, a brief silence fell in the office.

Now that the long discussion had been settled, it was natural that the conversation would reach a lull.

But somehow Cantares felt a little awkward.

After discussion with the Duke, a very sensible conclusion was reached.

Duke Lancelot was the most rational man he knew, so that was normal.

However, there was a person present who was somewhat distant from common sense.

He didn’t like the idea of ​​ending things in a calm, composed manner that avoided any fuss and resolved things.

Cantares glanced at Arendt, who was sitting next to the Duke.

“…Hey.”

“What?”

“The Crown Prince is talking to you, so why are you… no, that’s enough. Rather than that.”

Cantares, who was about to point out something natural, sighed deeply.

“What are you thinking about now?”

“What will I do on my own?”

“What are you going to do, you punk? I can hear your mind spinning from here. Have I seen your actions for only a day or two?”

Only then did Arendt raise his head and look straight at the Crown Prince.

When he saw that young face making a surprised expression, he felt his insides being ripped apart.

“Your Highness, do you have that kind of awareness with your position?”

“…”

“Wipe that look off your face. I might actually throw you in prison for lèse-majesté.”

Cantares growled fiercely.

Duke Lancelot, who was watching the childish bickering between the Crown Prince and the apprentice knight, let out an awkward laugh.

Arendt responded coolly, “Anyway, if you can, do it. And I didn’t think much about it. I just wondered if it was time to put into practice what I told you before.”

“What did you say before?”

“It’s nothing impressive. If the stupid eldest son can’t resolve this situation, then, even though I’ve been disowned, wouldn’t it be the only option for the capable second son to step in?”

Duke Lancelot seemed a little taken aback by the remark that naturally referred to his brother as a fool, but Arendt, of course, paid no attention.

The apprentice knight muttered darkly as if talking to himself.

“Are you really going to make a big deal out of this…?”

“…That, Lord Arendt.”

Duke Lancelot, who had been gaping, continued speaking hurriedly.

“You’ll be busy too, so I’ll try my best to make it so you don’t have to worry about anything. Henry isn’t that dull of a kid, so he’ll figure it out.”

“They couldn’t solve it, right?”

The answer that came back was difficult to refute.

“Anyway, I understand. I should try contacting them too.”

Duke Lancelot looked at the Crown Prince with eyes filled with despair.

Cantares had already given up and was squeezing his eyes shut.

The Duke realized it too late.

He told him all sorts of stories in the hopes that he might be able to figure something out…

‘This… I think I made a mistake.’

The Duke silently apologized to Henry and Arcus, who were about to face a disaster.