While listening to Mitchell’s report, Benjamin quickly read through the message. He had anticipated that more soldiers would move than reported in the ledger.

After the death of Viscount Hopgrand, the place that provided the most soldiers was the Everium Viscount’s residence. As Viscount Hopgrand was Greta’s uncle, there was a close relationship with the Everium Viscount.

‘If Viscount Hopgrand falls, it won’t be just one or two troublesome things.’
‘If Viscount Hopgrand falls, it won’t be just one or two troublesome things.’

The work Viscount Hopgrand was doing was to prevent the attacks from the Haeven Kingdom. To do so, he received substantial support from the Imperial City.

‘But the military supplies were always just right or insufficient, to the point of being strange.’

There is no concrete evidence, but there is a suspicion.

‘Whenever military supplies were provided through Viscount Hopgrand, about a month later, the Everium Viscount always announced a new business or expanded an existing one.’

This could be evidence that Viscount Everium may have embezzled some. If this were to be revealed to the world, the condemnation towards Everium would be significant.

‘He might be trying to cover it up.’

So, if he hid the personnel to rectify this among the soldiers going for support, it would somewhat explain the unusually large number of soldiers.

And those dispatched for rectification, when returning, would surely receive a substantial share under the pretext of a ‘gratitude gesture’ from Viscount Hopgrand.

So, what Benjamin was curious about wasn’t exactly this. His green eyes quickly moved down the message as he read it, pausing at the last paragraph.

‘…I found it.’

It was information about those who went missing at Everium Viscount’s residence.

〈In the past month, the number of confirmed missing persons exceeds a hundred.〉

The size of Everium Viscount’s residence was enormous. Occupying a third of the capital Elmuchs, it mercilessly absorbed unowned territories around it and expanded its territory after Greta became the queen.

At this point, it could be compared to Windsor Duchy, which had the largest territory in the Empire. The fact that over a hundred people went missing in a month from such a place might not be a small matter.

‘But the problem is that the gatekeepers, who work at the checkpoint right on the border of Everium Viscount’s residence, know about this information that Ivan obtained.’

The gatekeepers working at the checkpoint, established under the approval of Greta, are directly subordinate to Everium Viscount’s military.

‘They just follow orders from above.’

In other words, now that Greta’s involvement has been revealed, there is a very high chance that the number of these missing hundred people, as mentioned by Ivan, has been manipulated. Moreover, most of these missing hundreds are commoners. So, a dense crowd of unreported commoners and travelers.

With a tense expression, Benjamin ordered Mitchell, who was looking at him.

“Find out what the recent six months’ events have been like.”

“Yes, understood.”

Mitchell, bowing his head, left the room to send the message. Benjamin, sitting in his chair, swept his hair back, then got up from his seat.

As he stepped out onto the terrace, he saw the room of Elysian opposite. Although he couldn’t see inside as the curtain was drawn, he occasionally saw silhouettes. Suddenly, Elysian, who was lingering in front, wet the curtain.

“……!”

“……!”
It was only natural for the two to make eye contact. Somehow, it seemed like Benjamin tried to see his lover to soothe the stifling feeling like himself, so a smile came to Benjamin’s face.

“Hello.”

As Benjamin shook hands, Elysian, who had been caught trying to sneak a peek at his room, blushed. Elysian hesitated, not closing the curtain or doing anything, then waved his hand lightly.

“Hello.”

His small lips whispered so. Damn, too cute. It was hard to restrain himself because he knew how hot those small lips were and how tiny and soft the tongue hidden inside was.

If this continued, he might say he wanted to go over to Elysian, he might want to kiss him until his legs loosened and he fell backward. So, Benjamin intended to greet him well, wishing him good growth without any trouble.

“…Would you like to come in?”

Fearless Elysian scratched the surface without knowing anything.