The Returnee's Hidden Strategy Stream - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

“Thank you all for gathering.”

In the secret space beneath the old building, Cowen began, addressing the ten nobles. He hadn’t brought all the former vassals to avoid Barres’s eyes.

“I still find it hard to believe. Does a way to reveal their crimes truly exist?” Henry, a middle-aged man sitting closest, said, rubbing his brow.

The secret letter Cowen had sent stated that the time had come to clear William’s name.

“Yes. We discovered a temple of the Holy Kingdom in the underground waterway.”

“A temple?”

“A temple, you say?”

“How is that possible!”

The shocking news raised a clamor of surprised voices. Henry, with a grave expression, asked again, “Was it truly a temple?”

“Yes. It was a temple of considerable size. I heard that Camon was forced to lead the construction due to Barres’s threats.”

“…Camon? Are you referring to the Camon I know?”

“Yes. The craftsman who was in charge of renovating Lord William’s mansion. Only you, Henry, would know that he was also a friend of Lady Liventia… But first, please take a look at this.”

Cowen took out a crystal ball and placed it on the table. As he activated it, it emitted light and began to project a scene.

“What is this…!?”

“An outpost? How is that possible!”

“And what’s this about traces of the Spirit King?”

The conversation between the bishop and Barres echoed from the projection magic tool. Those watching the contents couldn’t help but be astonished. And when the light from the crystal ball faded, Henry clenched his fist.

“…So it was all Barres’s doing after all.”

Even though he had expected it, hearing the truth directly from the villain’s mouth made him grind his teeth. William, whom they had lost so helplessly and powerlessly… His past self, who couldn’t do anything to protect his lord and friend, had always been pathetic and shameful, even though William had asked him to protect the city.

“As you can see, the tragedy that befell Lord William was a scheme by Barres and the Holy Kingdom. If it weren’t for this magic tool, it would have been extremely difficult to reach the truth.”

“Is it something Camon left behind?”

“Yes. But it wasn’t me who found it, but an adventurer from abroad. Black Dragon, come in.”

With those words, the viewpoint shifted back to Hanbit. He flung open the installed curtain and stepped inside.

“Greetings. I am the adventurer Black Dragon.”

-Lol the entrance.

-So natural.

-But why that expression?

-How is his name Black Dragon? lol

-Let’s meet the real Black Dragon and have a nickname battle.

As he greeted them, everyone’s gaze focused on Hanbit. Their expressions were a mixture of suspicion, apprehension, confusion, and expectation.

“Could you explain the circumstances under which you found that object?” Henry asked politely. It was completely different from how ordinary nobles treated adventurers. However, his sharp gaze, as if peering into one’s soul, exuded an air of intimidation.

“A cat named Ruby ran away in the slums. While chasing after it with a child named Lia who lives there, I discovered a secret passage in the waterway. That’s where I found the temple.”

“…Slums?”

The sudden mention of the slums was puzzling. Seeing their faces, Hanbit continued his explanation.

“There was a place in the basement of the temple that was an exact replica of Lady Liventia’s room. It was a space created by Camon.”

“Why is Liventia’s name being mentioned?”

Suddenly, Henry’s voice turned cold. William’s only daughter, sacrificed to Barres’s dirty scheme… The memory of her bright smile flickered, causing pain and despair to wash over him once again.

“You’ll understand if you see this.”

Hanbit took out Camon’s notebook and handed it to him. After a moment of scrutiny, Henry accepted the notebook and opened it.

“…”

A heavy silence fell as he checked the contents. The other former vassals present also wanted to understand the situation, but they waited silently for Henry to speak. This was because, after William’s execution, Henry had become their center, keeping them together while they were adrift.

“Whew.”

After a little more time passed, Henry looked up from the notebook. Then, with a distant gaze, he murmured, “William went so far as to…”

In a way, it was a meaningless endeavor. Even if he created this space to preserve his daughter’s memories, the people involved in those memories no longer existed. Even if former vassals like himself visited this place, it would only bring sorrow.

However, what Camon left behind ultimately became immensely meaningful to those who survived.

“As written in this notebook, we found Camon’s workshop. That’s where we discovered the projection magic tool.”

“By workshop, do you mean the sealing stone kept in Harpen’s mansion? You obtained that?”

“We had a feeling there might be crucial evidence there. Although we used forceful methods, we didn’t reveal our faces.”

“…Amazing initiative. Or am I simply incompetent?”

-Why is his mentality like this;

-Self-reflection is for HenryTube.

-Has anyone seen this NPC before?

-You pass by him once in a while if you go to the market.

-He’s so blunt and looks tired.

Henry let out a sigh mixed with self-deprecation. This alone significantly raised his evaluation of Hanbit, even though there were still bigger things to do.

“Isn’t it about time they came in?”

“…Indeed.”

Cowen, meeting Hanbit’s gaze, slowly nodded. Then, looking at the former vassals, he said, “There’s someone I’d like to introduce.”

“Introduce? Is there another helper?”

Henry imagined someone similar to Hanbit. Cowen didn’t answer but slowly approached the curtain and flung it open.

“Did you really have to install this?”

A blonde girl grumbled as she walked in. Her face was slightly tense. Behind her was an old man with a sword at his waist.

“…?”

Henry’s expression turned strange when he saw Lia. A feeling of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before, or rather, a longing as if he couldn’t forget her…But no matter how he thought about it, it was impossible.

“This is really awkward.”

Lia also spotted the only familiar face.

Amidst the confusion, Henry, after repeatedly revising his thoughts, uttered the unbelievable name.

“…Liventia?”

“It’s been a while, uncle.”

Lia calmly greeted him in response to his cautious words. Her words shook Henry to his core.

“No, how is this…? Is this a dream? Or my delusion? How can Liventia be…”

Henry was lost in turmoil, unable to even reach out. Meeting his gaze, Lia recalled an old memory and said, “Remember that small harp you gave me as a birthday present? The one I broke right in front of you? The three of us tried to fix it, but it ended up completely ruined.”

“Ah…”

Henry let out a low sigh. A secret story that only he would know now that William was dead, echoed vividly.

A mirage. Or a ghost appearing to punish his powerless, guilty self. Even if he were to die because of it, he would accept it silently.

However…

“Liven…tia.”

The girl before his eyes truly existed. She didn’t disappear even when he cautiously reached out and stroked her hair like he used to. Only Liventia’s emerald eyes gazed at him with a hint of sadness.

“Why are you crying? You’re alive and well.”

He didn’t even notice the tears flowing silently down his own face. He simply couldn’t believe this miraculous situation.

-ㅠㅠㅠ

-That bastard Barres.

-Let’s go crack his head open right now?

-Ah, I really want to replay the story.

-Looking for Han River reincarnation party (1/100)

“Lady Liventia?”

“Is it true!”

“I can’t believe she survived…”

The vassals who hadn’t seen her face were also surprised and moved by Liventia’s survival.

The legitimate bloodline of Norton, which he thought was lost forever… His emotions swirled as memories of William and the despair that had continued to this day intertwined.

“It was Lord William’s order to take the young lady and flee,” Cowen, who had been quietly watching the reunion, spoke up.

He explained what had happened in the past and the circumstances that followed.

“…So that’s how it was. As expected of William.”

He could sense the anguish of William Norton, the lord and father. The decision he made in a situation where he could trust no one… He had to protect both Edlen and the future of his daughter, Liventia.

That’s why he left each of his vassals, including Cowen, Camon, and Henry, with their respective duties, so that even if one side failed, the others wouldn’t crumble.

“…”

Henry looked at Liventia, who had survived. Even while considering the worst-case scenario, William hadn’t allowed for failure. There was an underlying, unspoken trust that his vassals and comrades would succeed. All of this was preparation for the time when Liventia would reclaim her rightful place.

“He was the epitome of a doting father.”

When that thought reached him, a wry laugh escaped his lips. He could vividly picture William boasting about his daughter every day.

“Are you alright? You’re laughing and crying at the same time.”

Seeing her confused uncle, Lia asked with concern. Henry stroked her head and turned his gaze to Cowen.

“What’s the current situation? Has there been any pursuit from Barres?”

“Assassins from the Holy Kingdom attacked first. It seems they’ve developed a technique to detect the traces of the Spirit King contained within the ring.”

“…The traces of the Spirit King are in that ring?”

He looked at the ring on Lia’s finger. The same ring that William had worn was vivid in his memory. Although he hadn’t heard anything about its background, he could guess the reason. Just knowing about the immense power of the Spirit King’s traces could put one in danger. Indeed, seeing how Barres and the Holy Kingdom were after it, knowledge was poison.

“Who is that gentleman?”

Henry’s gaze shifted to the white-haired old man. He looked somewhat unwell, but his eyes were sharp like a keen wind, alert to his surroundings.

“He is my teacher. A Spirit Master and a swordsman. He is currently in charge of Lady Liventia’s escort.”

“…A Spirit Master?”

Henry’s eyes widened at the introduction. A being whose rumors were barely even heard of in this era… And if he was his teacher, then the adventurer Black Dragon could also be considered part of the Spirit Master lineage. To think that such individuals were by Liventia’s side… It was incredibly reassuring.

Henry turned his gaze back to Cowen.

“Do you have a concrete plan? As you know, it’s difficult to utilize Edlen’s laws.”

“Yes. That’s why we intend to borrow the power of the Royal Knights. Although it will be difficult to meet them face-to-face, if we show them this projection magic tool as evidence, they will be moved to action.”

“The Royal Knights… I see. Was this also destined?”

Henry, listening to the story, closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them. He continued with a resolute expression.

“I have a promise from Vice-Captain Leon. I’ll try to arrange a meeting with that.”

———-