I secured a lodging in the central part of Vidente and kept Gote tied up in a stable with Jinju. It might be harsh, but considering the corruption they've been involved in, even the stable seems too good for them.
"Wow... So, the plan is to deceive the Black Knights and create a problem with the gate transfer? Is that possible?" I gathered my companions and explained the operation.
As expected, Nunez was the first to react. "It's difficult, but we should at least try."
"The Black Knights? I've heard of them. It's impossible to deceive them."
"We can't give up without trying. Even if we fail, there's no real loss."
"It's just a waste of energy. How can we deceive an organization spread throughout the empire? Do you have a clever plan?"
Honestly, I didn't. That's why I suggested we think about it.
When I shook my head, Nunez let out a deep sigh. On the other hand, Oned showed a different reaction.
"I understand your thinking, Lord. If we can establish a connection with the Black Knights, it could be a significant help to you."
"That's exactly it. Robin's overconfidence led to a slip-up. We can't let this opportunity slip away."
"Hmm... We need to think of a method."
Oned's approach was much more constructive than Nunez's negative attitude. I felt reassured that I had made the right decision in making him my ally.
"According to the plan, we need to use the gate tomorrow. Time is limited."
"The first thing that comes to mind is to win over the gate manager... There might be Black Knights among them, given it's a key city facility."
I agree. The gate managers work in shifts of three people per team, with four teams in total, making twelve managers. The minimum qualification is a second-circle mage. It's unknown how many of them are Black Knights.
"We can't try to win them over. If we contact a Black Knight, our operation will be exposed immediately."
"I guess that's true. It's really difficult... Deceiving the Black Knights?"
"It's impossible, right? You should know better than anyone, Arhan. Even in a small city like Le Mans, they have a presence. What about here? It's possible all twelve gate managers are Black Knights."
All twelve of them? Well, it's a plausible scenario.
Nunez's stubborn opposition is annoying. This advisor is rarely helpful.
"Did you just insult me internally?"
"Uh...?"
"You can tell just by looking. You called me an advisor, didn't you? Right?"
It seems like he's learned some mind-reading skills.
When I nodded, he muttered, "I knew it."
"If we can't deceive them, the only other option is to overpower them. We'd have to crush the Black Knights."
"What? Wait a minute. Are you suggesting...?"
"Perhaps?"
"Could it be the Martin family?"
"Yes. There's a Martin family in Vidente City."
The Martin family is a major power, second only to the mages. However, as Nunez pointed out, Vidente is essentially a Martin city, and there's a significant gap between them and Arhan.
------
Maybe we should ask the Martin family for help? There's no other way to force it.
It felt like lightning struck in my mind.
What an unexpected turn of events. Who would have thought I'd be seeking help from an interrogator?
If we can't deceive him as he suggests, there's only one method left.
"Force it, then. Is that okay?"
"Hmph. Do I still look like an interrogator to you?"
"I'll cancel your interrogator status if you tell me the specific method."
"Uh, the specific method...?"
Well, that's just how it is.
You're still an interrogator.
A slightly clever interrogator, at that.
Thanks to Nunez, I've had a change of perspective.
"I guess I'll go to the Martin family."
There's a saying that "mistakes are free."
Perhaps in the empire, no family embodies this proverb better than the Martins.
They are the second-in-command of the Mado clan, following Arhan.
Although Arhan doesn't even notice them, the title gives the Martins immense pride.
When the first place shines, the second place is often mentioned too.
"What's going on? Who's here?" Martin's head, Rumad, jumped up from his seat.
When he asked again, the guard replied with a startled face.
"It's Jed Arhan... He's riding the white horse of Bahal and claims to be him."
"Is that certain? Has Arhan's seventh heir really come?"
The guard nodded.
Rumad's head was filled with confusion.
He took pride in being second, but he knew exactly how Arhan viewed them.
They were a family that could be handled at any time, posing no threat whatsoever.
Recently, the fall of the Billy family, which was single-handedly destroyed by Jenedi, was a stark reminder of their situation.
Rumad felt both pride in being second and insecurity about being first.
"What should we do, sir?" one of his men asked.
Rumad hesitated.
It was unprecedented for Arhan to send someone to the Martins.
Although it wasn't the head of the family, it was still a significant issue.
Rumad pondered, his mind racing.
"If this is Arhan's seventh heir, they must be acting as the emperor's deputy... But I don't know their intentions, and it's a big deal, so I shouldn't rush into a decision."
Despite the blow to his pride, his first thought was whether they had done anything to provoke Arhan.
"There's no way. I recalled all the troops sent to the west... The fall of the Billy family was a shock to all the families in the empire."
It's easier the second time around.
Many families, fearing repercussions, quickly withdrew their spies and hid after learning about Arhan's movements.
The Martins were no exception.
"Jed Arhan, you say...?"
No matter how much he thought about it, there was only one answer.
He couldn't afford to slight Arhan's heir, especially since Jenedi had sent them.
Rumad spoke calmly.
"It wouldn't be polite to turn away a guest. Tell them to enter."
"Yes, understood."
As the guard left, Rumad looked out the window.
He was relieved to see the white horse still there in the distance.
Rumad fixed his gaze, letting out a silent sigh of relief.
"Ah, it seems the information about Bahal's horse was true."
What an extraordinary event in his long life.
To have both Arhan's heir and Bahal's artifact enter Martin's territory at once was unprecedented.
-----
Here's a refined translation of the provided text, focusing on clarity and engagement for English readers:
Rumad gazed at Jed with complex and subtle emotions. In the territory of another clan, it was customary to dismount from a horse, but Jed approached slowly while still seated on his white horse. His demeanor seemed both arrogant and dignified at the same time.
Rumad wondered, "Is he ignoring Martin or trying to maintain the dignity of Arahant?"
These two emotions coexisted within him.
Rumad watched for a while, then moved to the reception room as Jed approached. "Hmm," he thought, "should I sit in the higher position or below?" As the head of his clan, Rumad should naturally sit in the higher position, considering Jed was the head of another clan. However, for some reason, he couldn't move.
The sound of footsteps grew louder: "Thud, thud."
Rumad stood motionless in the center of the reception room, unable to act.
As the footsteps drew closer, Rumad closed his eyes and opened them again. There was a knock: "Knock, knock."
"Enter," said the person sitting at the lower table.
The door to the reception room opened, revealing a figure with red eyes. Arahant's head, Jed, walked in, observing Rumad.
Rumad felt a surge of tension and unconsciously tensed his toes.
"Greetings, Lord Martin," Jed said.
"Hmm... you must be Jed Arahant. Yes, what brings you here?"
"I have come to deliver a message from our head," Jed replied.
Rumad gulped, trying to hide the sound of his racing heart with a long, deep breath.
The silence that followed was oppressive.
It was Jed who broke the silence. "Lord, is that seat comfortable for you?"
"What?"
"Why are you sitting there when you should be at the higher position?"
Rumad felt as if he had been hit with a hammer, embarrassed and ashamed.
As Rumad's face turned bright red, Jed tactfully continued, "It seems that not adhering to formalities is the custom of Martin. Indeed, it is a noble clan."
"A noble clan...? Ah, yes! Martin knows how to treat guests. Ha ha..."
Jed smiled lightly and bowed his head.
Meanwhile, Rumad quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Feeling somewhat more composed, he spoke generously, "You are our guest. It's not right to keep you standing. Please, sit down."
"Thank you for your kindness," Jed replied.
The table where Rumad sat was a long, rectangular shape. Jed sat at the far end, not beside Rumad, in an effort to maintain the proper distance between them as heads of different clans. This small gesture earned Rumad's favor.
"It seems he is as courteous as they say, not at all like Arahant."
Once Rumad developed a favorable impression, everything about Jed seemed appealing, from his appearance to his humble demeanor.
"Has your meal been satisfactory? It's past lunchtime," Jed asked.
"I didn't have time to eat on my way here," Rumad replied.
"Oh dear, skipping meals at your age can be harmful. See if there's anyone outside," Jed instructed a waiting servant.
Rumad laughed heartily and said, "It seems our guest hasn't eaten. Prepare something quickly."
"Yes, Lord," the servant replied.
Jed bowed his head again in gratitude.
Rumad found Jed so endearing that he couldn't help but smile. He was pleased to see that Jenendy had succeeded in raising such a fine child.
"Have you opened your neural pathways?" Jed asked.
"Yes, I have," Rumad replied.
"Your head must be very pleased. The neural pathways are something all magicians aspire to."
"I've heard that Martin's water element is exceptional, unlike anything other mages can achieve," Jed said.
"Is that so? Ha ha ha! Well, it's true that praise can make even a whale dance."
Rumad was already completely smitten with Jed and couldn't contain his laughter.
"Still, it can't compare to Arahant's fire element," Jed added.
"Martin is one of the strongest after Arahant, isn't it? Humility is a virtue greater than strength."
"Ha ha ha! Yes, you're right! Humility is indeed a great virtue."
Rumad's eyes sparkled with delight, and he couldn't stop laughing.
The servants began bringing in food, and the table was filled with delicious dishes that showed consideration for the guest. Jed ate with good manners, and Rumad secretly smiled in satisfaction.
"Looks like it suits your taste," Jed said.
"It's delicious," Rumad replied.
"Arahant must have even more exquisite dishes, but are you not picky about food?"
"Food is about the thought behind it, not just the taste. In that sense, this is a truly exceptional feast."
"Ha ha ha! Your words are truly precious. Please, eat as much as you like," Rumad said.
Jed's thoughtful behavior had won Rumad over completely.