The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 116

Every morning, the card reading was a trivial amusement for Vaen. The way he shuffled the cards and interpreted them was done on a whim, so he never placed much trust in the results. However, there was one peculiar aspect that seemed to always ring true: whenever the Queen card appeared, his luck for the day would be bad.

Today was one of those days for Vaen. Perhaps it was the early wake-up that caused him to do a card reading sooner than usual, but it seemed to be the root of his misfortune. It had been nothing but a chain of unfortunate events, starting with a bad omen from the very early hours, followed by a series of disturbances that seemed to have no end.

“The site is completely burned down. We also took care of the Elpine main building. There shouldn’t be any more evidence to find,”

“Good. What about the Emperor’s movements?”

“The Crown Prince is preparing to send out troops. He seems likely to inspect this area under the pretext of this incident.”

“…Starting early in the morning, how diligent. Though, with a good lead like this, he probably won’t let this opportunity slip by. Prepare to welcome our ‘guests’.”

“As per your orders.”

Vaen sighed and rubbed his brow as he perused the report. The exposure of the ‘warehouse’ established in the capital was an unexpected mishap. It had a convincing front as a logistics warehouse and was located in a secluded area out of sight. Guarded day and night by Demonic Beasts, it was a fairly secure place. For years, it had operated without any issues. To think it would be discovered overnight.

“It must have been the work of that security department agent who visited in the afternoon.”

“Yes, I think so too. There might have been an agent among the ‘prey’ this time. I suspect they found a clue during the rescue attempt. According to the escapees’ testimonies, they used the term ‘Officer’ among themselves.”

“Have you identified them?”

“Sorry, we are still working on that part.”

Vaen rubbed his brow once more. The exposure could be expected. He wasn’t unaware that the persistent Crown Prince had been diligently pursuing them. The problem was the finesse with which the Demonic Beast guards had been disposed of.

According to testimonies, they were killed with a single strike. And it was done by just one person. Although this patrol team was of the weakest guard level, it was an inexplicable feat.

By his understanding, they should have been thoroughly suppressed instead. No matter how excellent human combat skills were, a regular sword shouldn’t be able to pierce the skin of a Demonic Beast. Unless some special power was at play.

‘And now a Clonne has infiltrated at this point…’

A Clonne following the Security Department? That’s quite a fortuitous coincidence. The tangled thoughts in Vaen’s mind soon converged into one conclusion, causing a slight twist in his mouth.

“The dispatch team lied.”

At those words, the man with ash-grey hair sitting beside him—Eliha—narrowed his eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you remember the Clonne that was hidden in the Security Department? The one who treated the Emperor. They reported that he was killed, and I thought so too. But it seems the Clonne captured earlier was him.”

“…He survived?”

“That would explain everything that’s been happening. We’ll know for sure once we interrogate the one we captured today, but I doubt I’m wrong.”

Eliha’s brow furrowed deeply. The dispatch team had reported that they handled everything perfectly at the time. They even brought back charred remains to prove that no one escaped. Yet now, it seemed it had all been a brazen lie.

“Bring in everyone involved.”

As his cold voice echoed, the subordinates nearby rushed out in a flurry. The sudden shift to a menacing atmosphere caused even those escorting Vaen to swallow nervously. Sensing the tense air, Vaen clicked his tongue lightly.

“Fortunately, the outcome is favorable. Capturing him alive can be more advantageous. He has connections within the Security Department and ties to the Crown Prince, making him useful in many ways.”

“…”

“Surprisingly, he didn’t flee to the main territory after escaping but tracked us here. Perhaps he believed he could save everyone given his spatial abilities…”

At that moment, Eliha’s expression hardened once more.

“Based on the Clonne’s Guardian, he should be an offensive type, right?”

“What?”

“Didn’t they say Taron was injured by the Guardian?”

Only then did Vaen recall the matter, and he was taken aback.

“Oh, yes. That’s right. I remember he had a potent acidic ability, strong enough to burn skin. Naturally, I assumed he was a spatial-type ability user given his stealthy entrance. But why didn’t he summon his guardian?”

Come to think of it, even when he attacked Taron, he only summoned the guardian briefly. There were also observations suggesting he seemed inexperienced in handling the guardian.

‘Could there be some restrictions on how he summons it?’

While he was deep in thought with an unsettling feeling, he noticed Eliha’s contemplative expression. It was the first time he’d seen Eliha so serious since getting to know him, which made Vaen even more curious.

“Do you have any suspicions?”

“…I have a bad feeling.”

Just as Vaen was about to delve into his thoughts, someone interrupted.

“Uh, regarding that agent named Sei. I’ve found some additional information. Would you like to hear it?”

The subordinate, who had been cautiously observing the situation, carefully spoke up. As Vaen allowed him to report, he cleared his throat and began speaking.

“It’s not confirmed yet, but there was a brief strange rumor circulating when Camille Rouster joined the Security Department.”

“A strange rumor?”

“There was a rumor that Camille Rouster and this man named Sei were cousins.”

“…!”

Faces that had been listening passively quickly changed. Sensing the tension, the subordinate shrank back. Vaen, without realizing he had stood up, pressed for more information.

“Tell me more. Where did the rumor originate?”

“It came from a man named Adol Lucen in the Security Department. He was in the same department as both of them. According to him, Camille Rouster openly declared it in front of everyone. He said Sei was his aunt’s son and the next successor to the Lavant Count’s family.”

“…!”

“Though Duke Rouster issued a gag order, Adol Lucen seems to have loose lips when he drinks. The rumor has been spreading quietly among his acquaintances.”

For a moment, Vaen lost his composure and couldn’t maintain his expression. Camille Rouster and the Lavant Count’s family. Just hearing those two names made the unfolding situation clear. He realized what he had missed all along.

“We were thoroughly played.”

Eliha’s low murmur sparked the fire. A savage smile spread across Vaen’s face.

“…Indeed. It seems there were many who lied to us.”

Everyone held their breath as they watched the faint madness in Vaen’s eyes. Vaen, indifferent to their reactions, began thinking rapidly. He had investigated as much as he could about the audacious Clonne who had been hidden in the Security Department. Supposedly, he was an unnamed commoner from the countryside.

The recorded age was nineteen. Still not an adult. It seemed like a forged identity, so he hadn’t paid much attention to that. But if the report he just heard was correct, then that age was real.

“He didn’t refrain from summoning his guardian; he couldn’t summon it…”

The real Acacia was someone else.

He didn’t even entertain the idea that it could be a rumor or a mistake. Instead, his mind felt clearer. The strange unease he had felt while managing the ‘hostage’ all began to make sense.

The unusual things always stood out, but their hostage had seemed too ordinary. Observing their growth and teaching them, he’d never felt anything particularly different.

On the other hand, despite being quiet in the office team, this Sei had stood out enough to be selected for the expedition. No matter how much he pretended to be human, he couldn’t hide his differences.

‘Yes. As a Clonne Aesang and the king’s heir, that’s how it should be.’

How fortunate it was to capture him! It seems he had some connection with his kin, but they hadn’t recognized him. Thankfully, he walked into their hands, or all plans would have been ruined. Just the thought made him dizzy, but relief tempered his anger.

“This is no time to be idle. By now, they must have administered the Spes. I must go see him.”

Just as Vaen took a step, urgency gripping his heart…

Boom!

With a heavy noise, a deep shockwave resonated from somewhere. It was strong enough to make everyone present stagger for a moment.

“Gasp!”

“What was that?”

Eliha’s expression changed instantly, and he swiftly stood up. Just after, someone burst through the door with hurried steps.

“Lord Vaen! It’s an emergency!”

“…!”

“The Clonnes…!”

When they arrived at the scene, all that awaited them was an empty space with no one around. Between the soldiers with pale faces who were bowing their heads and those still unconscious, only the remnants of the fire flickered.

“I’m sorry. We lost them.”

“Someone suddenly appeared and teleported them…”

Ignoring the flood of excuses, Vaen walked forward slowly, a peculiar expression on his face as if entranced by something. Though the place looked like a desolate ruin, he could vividly feel the power that had once filled it.

‘Magic.’

Vaen swept his hand over the residual traces of magic on the ground, a strange smile spreading across his lips.

“…Well, this is getting interesting.”

Once again, the Queen card’s effect held true, so much so that it was almost admirable.

A new chapter had begun.