Gallio Turner.

I’ve heard about him several times before. He is the leader of the Council of Elders, appearing to be a respectable family engaged in various charitable activities on the surface but being a corrupt figure behind the scenes.

After learning about the connection between the Turner and Repel families through Cain, it was a separate investigation.

“So, according to Sione, Dad might have secretly given orders to the Fernan family? Trying to find a way to control Gallio?”

“That’s correct. The Fernan family is one of the prominent families even in the martial arts, but they are known for maintaining neutrality. Choosing Fernan as the family for Bella’s engagement with Lord and Lady Daphne is also a significant reason.”

Hmm, this might need verification.

Although Sione’s personal speculation, her opinion seemed quite reasonable. If Dad is engaged with them, he must trust them to some extent, and Cain, whom I’ve observed so far, felt the same way.

“Later, if I have a chance to meet him, I should ask.”

The conversation that started with Raven’s story and ended with the Fernan family came to an end soon.

Sione said she had something to finish and left the room, and I opened the book to prepare for class.

And after a while.

I got a chance to reunite with Cain sooner than I thought.

“What? The Fernan family refused the knight’s cooperation request?”

“Yes, that’s right. Even sending someone secretly, they were refused to the point of not even meeting the head of the family. It seems they found it burdensome to cooperate with us.”

“I thought they would surely agree… Unexpected.”

Listening to Balthar’s report, I clenched my fist and fell into deep thought.

Since Cain personally conveyed information to me, I expected the head of the Fernan family to actively participate in the investigation.

Maybe Cain giving me information about the assassin without my father’s permission could be an arbitrary action.

“If it’s the current head of the Fernan family, it would be Viscount Baon. He is famous for his extremely cautious personality, not typical of a martial artist. There must be a reason for refusing Balthar’s request.”

Seone, sitting across from me, calmly added an explanation.

I looked at the two people alternately, who were seriously discussing the matter, and muttered to myself like a monologue.

“It’s too regrettable to give up like this. We’ve barely found a clue to trace the assassin. Isn’t there any good way?”

“If we ask Lord, we might get the cooperation of the Viscount… but it doesn’t seem like a good solution. The Royal Knights are Lord’s sword. Refusing my request, which is practically refusing Lord’s request, doesn’t seem to be a good option.”
I expressed my dislike to Dad indirectly since I couldn’t openly say it to him. ‘It seems like the situation is getting complicated.’ There must be some circumstances behind Viscount Baon’s refusal. Sensing that, I made a decision in my mind. I decided to meet Viscount Baon directly to negotiate.

“I’ll meet Viscount once. It’s a story related to those who tried to kill me, so I want to hear it directly.”

“Are you saying you’ll confront him? Are you really okay?” When Balthar asked with surprised eyes, I responded with a confident voice.

“Sure. I’m all grown up now. Even the teachers can’t do anything to me!”

“It’s not that I don’t trust the princess, but… Viscount Baon is a person who roams the battlefield with thick bones. It might still be burdensome to deal with him.”

“I don’t want to ask Dad for help in something like this. I don’t want to seek his approval or cling to him.” Unlike Balthar, who nodded approvingly, Sione looked embarrassed. It seemed embarrassing for her to see me unable to maintain a normal father-daughter relationship.

“Lord is also unpleasant. Handing over the resolution of this matter to Lady Bella when he could have resolved it quickly himself. You have grown a lot, but Lady Bella is still young…”

“I’m fine, Sione. There must be some reason for Dad.” After responding to Sione, who was grumbling about Dad, I started discussing detailed plans.

Since there was no guarantee that Viscount Baon, who rejected Balthar’s request, would agree to meet me, I had to be tactful.

“It might not be good to openly invite him to the Rose Palace. He could refuse under the excuse of being unwell. Is there any other good way?”

“How about visiting the Fernan Mansion using Cain as an excuse? If he visits the Rose Palace, it wouldn’t look suspicious since he has already been there, and being an engagement partner makes it not so strange.”

“That’s a good idea, isn’t it? It would seem to others that we are casually exchanging greetings, and there would be no strange rumors. Balthar, you’re quite clever.”