The Prince in Question Is Not Stable-Chapter 39: Eye of The Order

"What made the order think that this situation might not be just a natural occurrence?" I asked this question because I had my own doubts.

I had a feeling that this must be the work of Cymbal. Maybe that’s why Ailsa Krell and other cadets that are under my care were either forgotten memories or lived as injured characters throughout the story.

My presence in the expedition was also unexpected. So, someone wanted major noble families to suffer deeply and blame the academy and the duke of Cerevesia.

But the thing is...Cymbal might be manipulative, but he isn’t so petty as to go after the lives of some children who’re not even worth his time.

There is someone who’s feeding him ideas. Creative Ideas.

"A fallen king planning to bait the awakeners of the mortal realm, when he can just battle and loves to battle strong opponents, raises concerns. Didn’t you find that odd?" Janus asked. He was seated opposite me, observing the teacup in his hands.

"Sommeliers can inflict fear into lower-ranking demons, and for a healthy meal, he can go as far as to create a bait; no one knows what goes on in his feeble mind," I replied.

"You seem to know a lot about him, Prince," Janus looked at me. He was even suspecting me.

"Just my observation," I said, leaning back.

"You know..." Janus paused for a while and placed his tea cup on the table. "There are rumours, interesting rumours about you...One that intrigued me was about your power, and it’s the most recent one, too."

"Rumours about me? As a professor, or a Prince?" I asked.

"You and I both know that ’Prince’ is a persona that is barely visible to the people of this world. I’m talking about the professor, of course," he replied, and crossed his leg over the other, adjusting his spectacles.

"Enlighten me then," I said.

"They say Marcus Rile is hiding his powers, he’s not an emenant-ranked knight, but a gravitant, some even believe you might be a transcendent, that’s why you could wipe out several mountains, and battle a Sommelier along," Janus spoke his thoughts. Well, not his thoughts, but the things he wrote in his notepad.

The reason behind Janus clinging to his notepad is his memory. Every thirty days, his memory resets, erasing everything he knows about himself.

The cycle begins anew, and the pages are his only hint. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

But his mind is sharp. And that’s the only anchor that is not letting his world drift into madness.

"You don’t seem like someone who believes in rumours," I said.

"I don’t. I know that the person sitting in front of me is weak. I know that if we were to fight, I’d win. I’d win in a matter of seconds. But there’s a slight grip of deadly instincts that’re screaming not to fight with you...That’s why I’m not sure if the rumours are true or not," He replied.

"What is your purpose for being here? A falcon would’ve been more than enough to deliver me information, just like Golden Order usually does. Why send a custodian to my doorstep? Someone, in equal ranks with me," I asked, leaning forward.

I didn’t want this situation to drift towards our powers, and considering the kind of man Janus is, I doubt he would leave me alone until he figures out my secret and writes it in his notepad.

"Ah- Yes, you’re right, I missed something," Janus mumbled under his breath, and flipped open his notepad again.

Then he took out a letter from the other side of his inner coat pocket and handed it to me.

I scrunched my brows, looking at the seal of the letter. The symbol of a ship anchor is etched in red candle wax, sealing the light-textured paper of the letter.

It was from the Rile County.

"What?" I muttered. Shouldn’t I have received this letter personally from Elowen?

[A/N: Elowen is the former butler of Ymir, and the current head butler and handler of the Rile Estate. He was introduced in Chapter 19 – Beware of the Ticks.]

I looked at Janus and back at the letter in my hands.

"Order always watches out for their people. Court officials intercepted the bird carrying this letter. I took it from them." He spoke, sensing my confusion.

"What do you mean you took it from them? Court officials would never hand an item they’re looking for, willingly." I said and opened the seal of the letter.

"The dead show no will," he replied.

I paused for a moment. What’d he just say?

’My Lord, Vahn County has fallen. Yet an unseen hand has disrupted your flawless design. To shield the Estate of Rile, I shall bear the blame and place myself beyond your reach, drawing the officials’ gaze to my movements instead. I entrust the estate to Bart, and pray for your swift recovery.’

"What...what all happened while I was unconscious?" I asked, but my voice was low.

Elowen is on the run. He’ll probably go back to his hometown, and that might not be the best place for him to hide. He should’ve chosen the Palace of Perpetual Rain, Ymir’s residence. No one would look for him there.

"Your perfect plan to weaponise the rebellion against the rebels has taken an unexpected turn. And the order believes that those who’re fueling the rebellion might also be the ones colluding with demons." Janus explained calmly.

Spot on, aren’t they?

"And, I’m here to assist you, because you have been noticed by the person who’s fueling the rebellion,"

"That’s an unexpected development, indeed," I murmured.

"True, you’re now playing a game of chess against someone who’s not weak-minded," He spoke and leaned forward.

’And that is certainly not Cymbal.’ I thought. Cymbal is a prince who lusts for the second wife of the fourth prince and the crown. And to get these two things, he’ll go to any lengths.

He’s powerful, manipulative, but not petty and cautious. He has someone who is experienced in political warfare and feeds him ideas.

"And I hate to break it to you, Prince," Janus paused for a moment, as if this was getting interesting to him.

"You have already lost the first round against that person," he said.