Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"You have someone who'll attest that the Bergan's Band is the one behind everything?" Count Gabriel asked.

"Yes. We have someone who will prove that the assassin Biroy is a member of Bergan's Band and that they've assisted in the attempted assassination." Lucius nodded. "I believe this will satisfy any lingering doubts that the Black Rose Knights have, father."

Count Gabriel had faith in his son's words and immediately nodded. "Then let's go there at once."

On that particular day, Count Gabriel accompanied Lucius and the three Black Rose Knights to the jail in Inanis City.

"Our greetings to the Count and Young Lord!" the guards stationed at the jail greeted the two nobles of the Inanis family alongside the three Black Rose Knights.

"Is there by any chance that the assassin is currently placed here?" one of the Black Rose Knights inquired.

Since Count Gabriel was only informed that there had been an attempted assassination, the knights who were with him didn't actually know what happened to the assassin.

Lucius considered informing them on the fact that the assassin was still alive but in a comatose, but then shook his head.

"No. If the assassin was here, then he would have easily escaped due to his gift." Lucius said. "He would easily slip through the bars and then finish off our soldiers before making his escape. On the contrary, we simply have someone who will verify who he is."

"I see. Thank you for informing us, Young Lord."

The Black Rose Knights glanced at the prison cell and were impressed.

"The city of Inanis truly has a lowered crime rate. This is quite unprecedented for such a big city and comparable to that of a small village if we were to look at numbers."

"While crime cannot truly be eradicated from a city, the Inanis family has done their part in reducing it greatly over the course of months." Lucius said. "It is something that was achieved with even the personal servants of the Inanis family."

"Servants?" one knight asked.

"Remember, that the Inanis is one of those who built an academy for those who wish to learn skills and train as one of their future servants and those who are interested in improving their employment chances." His companion answered.

"Indeed. It's impressive that even servants know how to hold themselves in the streets as well. You have our admiration, Count Gabriel and you as well, Young Lord."

Lucius nodded briefly and continued on their walk through the prison.

During the night of the attempted assassination, when Countess Lita gave the orders to arrest criminals and suspicious individuals, the jail cells were filled to the brim and nearly overflowing.

People became a little used of the stricter Inanis City, and so were shocked during that time.

Luckily, due to the presence of the re education center, the number had already dwindled down significantly. Especially since these people were not involved in the assassination either way, so it was better for them to just try to amend for their crimes.

"This is unacceptable!" someone cried out and shook the prison bars.

When Count Gabriel walked past the cell, the prisoner immediately flinched away and shrank as if fearing for his life.

Lucius knew that the Count had an intense gaze until now, even though the man had said he had calmed down, it was still enough to strike fear.

They soon reached an area of the prison that functioned as an interrogation room. All of them waited while the associate of Leif was brought forward.

"Speak the truth or you'll find your tongue cut." Count Gabriel's gaze was hostile on the man.

The associate gulped then looked across at the people who summoned him.

"I… I don't know why I'm here, Count. Please have mercy. I've committed no crimes and have only been conducting my business in an orderly manner."

"Business?" the Black Rose Knight raised a brow. "What kind of business?"

"…information. I am an informant and a valuable member of the city. All types of people come to me for info, whether it's merchants wanting their competitors secrets or people who wish to know details about well-known individuals. I… I once sold information on what Viscount Drew likes to eat for example, for servants who wish to be employed by him or nobles who wish to know what to give him."

Lucius's lips pressed together into a thin line.

This was truly one of the associates of Leif but compared to the tavern owner, he was unable to hold a blank face and instead considered himself to be free from any actual crimes.

"Wouldn't that also include information on how the Inanis guards operate on their shifts and their routes along the manor during the night?" Lucius said.

The associate said but then raised his hands pleadingly. "What people do with the information is something out of my jurisdiction."

"Of course." Lucius smiled and his eyes glinted together.

It sent shivers down the spine of the associate who gulped and yet was unable to look away.

"Tell me. I am going to give a description of a certain individual, their occupation and gift and perhaps you'll be able to identify who they are. This is the type of work that you do, right?"

"I-I'll try, Young Lord."

"Good. Let's see, this man is a rather tall and lanky individual who operates from the shadows. They possess a gift that allows them to travel down from narrow and tight places without any complications. It's a rare gift called Soft Bones, I believe."

"B-Biroy!" the associate blurted out. "You're talking about Biroy. He's one of the assassins from Bergan's Band."

"Good." Lucius said. "So you know of him?"

The associate grimaced and looked away. "People from the Bergan's Band are famous—"

"Not the answer that we're looking for." Lucius said and slammed his hands down the table. "You've seen him, haven't you?"

The associate wavered, but then finally nodded.

"Yes. I know Biroy and I've met him quite a while back…"