The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 268

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 268

Seven secret investigators gathered in one place.

The Emperor’s investigative organization was largely divided into two.

Among them, the public organization functioned as a transcendent judicial institution directly under the Emperor.

They only received imperial orders and mainly dealt with cases involving crimes and treason by high-ranking nobles.

The other private organization was both a secret police and intelligence organization.

The Emperor did not entrust such tremendous authority to a single person.

The seven secret investigators all had equal authority. They also operated their organizations separately.

In effect, there were seven information organizations.

The secret investigators officially did not know each other’s identities. They also didn’t know how much budget each received or how they structured their organizations.

Therefore, there were quite a few members who belonged to two or more organizations simultaneously.

The Emperor intentionally created the organization this way.

The primary purpose was to weave a tight net so that no information would slip through.

Another purpose was to have the information organizations mutually check each other through redundancy.

If one harbored treasonous thoughts, the other organizations would automatically find out.

It was a safety mechanism to prevent anyone from daring to cover the Emperor’s eyes and leak false information to seize power.

Of course, this hadn’t been working well until now.

The Emperor had already become quite complacent even before his health deteriorated.

He trusted his confidants and didn’t energetically gather talent like he did in his youth.

Instead of making new and adventurous appointments, he simply promoted subordinates who had achieved merit or held their positions for a long time.

For this reason, the secret investigators had held their positions for a long time. The longest-serving one had been in that position for 12 years already.

As a result, they couldn’t help but know about each other.

It was because of this that they could gather without the Emperor’s orders. Normally, this would have been impossible.

The one wearing a mask with the number 1 written on it pointed this out.

“Although I attended because 4 said it was an urgent and serious matter, this is not right.”

“His Majesty has collapsed, so how long will we be bound by petty rules?”

Cop, wearing the mask marked 4, said.

Even through the mask, it was clear that 1 was frowning.

“That’s exactly when we need to be more careful. Do you think His Majesty created rules meaninglessly?”

2 agreed.

“Originally, we are not supposed to enter the Imperial Palace until His Majesty the Emperor summons us.”

7 also said.

“4’s continuous investigation around His Majesty was the truly presumptuous act.”

1 spoke again.

“I know you’re in a position where it’s easy to gather information within the Imperial Palace. That’s precisely why it would have been forbidden for you.”

Cop retorted.

“Do you think I did such things for no reason? There were suspicious signs around His Majesty.”

Cop was suspicious.

He knew Marquess Rosan. There was even a time when he had been on the same side under Lawrence.

That Marquess Rosan had attached herself to Cedric.

And she wasn’t involved in the Emperor’s worsening condition? That was impossible.

Evidence was hard to find in matters she was involved in.

But for this matter alone, there had to be evidence.

The illness had worsened. Whether in medicine or food, she must have interfered somewhere.

Unlike schemes of discord, this kind of thing would definitely leave physical evidence if searched for. He just hadn’t found it yet.

6 said.

“You’re being overly sensitive. While it’s true that His Majesty’s chronic illness worsened, no poison was detected anywhere.”

“There were no instances of using anything that came from outside either.”

1 also replied.

Cop clenched his fist under the table.

He couldn’t claim now that Marquess Rosan had made a move. Cop knew well how she worked.

Who would believe without evidence? When she married Duke of Evron, she was only 18 years old.

And now she was a saint.

A saint. Anyone who knew Marquess Rosan wouldn’t believe such nonsense. It must have been something she orchestrated with the temple.

Proven by holy power? So what?

The real saint was in her hands. She must have found some method.

But Cop couldn’t prove it.

All he could say amounted to this:

“Then, do you all mean to just stay like this? This happened not long after His Majesty ordered us to investigate Duke of Evron and the Prince’s Consort?”

“I haven’t found any suspicious aspects yet. While it’s true that schemes were carried out against Duke Loigar, it’s His Majesty’s job to determine whether it was treason or not.”

“I have no intention of acting on my own just because His Majesty has some dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince.”

“Didn’t 4’s grudge against the Crown Prince arise from reckless acts while competing for achievements? I wish you wouldn’t disguise that as righteousness and pretend to be loyal.”

2, 6, and 7 spoke in succession.

Cop felt humiliated. 1 spoke in a gentle voice as if trying to calm him.

“Now, 4. It’s not that I don’t understand your concerns. It’s true that His Majesty thought there were problems with the Crown Prince, and how could I not know you’re acting out of loyalty?”

“….”

“However, we are merely His Majesty’s hands and feet. We cannot overturn what has already been decided.”

“Why would Ferguson just sit still and do nothing? His Majesty has not resolved to remove the Crown Prince.”

Words about Lawrence almost burst from Cop’s throat. That he was the true successor chosen by the Emperor.

He would have, if Lawrence hadn’t forbidden it.

But Lawrence had said firmly:

“I don’t care what you do in the capital. Don’t use my name.”

“How would I dare ruin the grand plan? However, some people need a name to follow.”

“I have no interest in those base emotions you harbor.”

Lawrence had suddenly said such words.

“I came to the capital and used you not because you were special, but because you happened to be in a useful position.”

Cop had bowed his head. The fear flowing down his back was connected to an ecstatic thrill.

He could not defy Lawrence. Much less could he create a faction by selling his name without permission.

1 said.

“Let’s continue investigating House of Evron individually until His Majesty awakens. While this wouldn’t normally be permitted, given the situation, let’s each look into whether there’s anything suspicious around His Majesty.”

1 asked if that would suffice. Instead of Cop, 3, who had been silent until now, spoke.

“If His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, then we can reveal our identities according to the rules.”

“I agree.”

“I agree too.”

“No objections.”

Since it was the rule, everyone said so.

Only Cop held back a bitter laugh in his heart.

That rule was made by Emperor Gregor. But not even one generation had passed since then. It had no precedent.

However, he couldn’t resist the rules. Cop stood up with a deflated feeling, having failed to gather even useful information.

3 spoke to Cop in a low voice on the way out.

“1 is old and just makes stuffy remarks about rules, but I agree with your opinion. We can’t let the Empire fall into the mouth of a northerner.”

Before Cop could turn around, 3 quickly walked ahead.

And disappeared in an instant. The other secret investigators did the same.

Cop did too. He slipped away through a path only he knew and got into the carriage he had arrived in.

Just as he was about to remove his mask, the coachman knocked on the window. Cop opened the window connected to the driver’s seat.

“What is it?”

“I received this.”

Cop unfolded the small folded note. At the top line was written “Alliance.”

Below that were several names written. They were all names of military figures.

Cop quickly caught on to the meaning.

Those people were connected to the Eastern Region. In other words, they were people who wouldn’t side with Cedric in case of emergency.

Moreover, it was 5’s handwriting. Although he didn’t speak today, 5 could be considered an ally.

At least if this side became advantageous.

Then it was worth trying. 5 would have a lot of military information.

Cop neatly folded the paper and put it in his pocket.

* * *

Ferguson greeted Cedric with a stiffly hardened face.

He was on his way out after having an audience with the Emperor. Of course, he couldn’t enter the bedroom.

He had only seen the Emperor’s figure from the bedroom entrance, guarded by the Court Physician, Chamberlain, and Guard Knights.

Though he didn’t look for long, he could confirm that the Emperor was unconscious.

“I hope you will make a decision.”

Cedric said in a low voice.

Ferguson kept his head bowed and couldn’t readily answer.

He was naturally incompatible with someone like Cedric. His position also couldn’t win Cedric’s favor.

If the regime changed, Ferguson’s position would be the first to be cut.

Moreover, he had once mocked Cedric as foolish in the past. Cedric would know about that too.

However, Cedric was already the Crown Prince. Regardless of where the Emperor’s true intentions lay, if he didn’t wake up, Cedric would become Emperor.

Even if he woke up, the power the Emperor held then would be different from before his collapse.

Ferguson himself was thinking about the future right now.

Cedric said.

“I don’t think I need the investigative organization you operate.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince…”

“I’ll promise you an honorable retirement. The organization itself cannot remain, but every single member will be integrated into the Security Bureau without exception.”

Ferguson knew this was the moment his value was at its highest.

Cedric needed to win over the Emperor’s investigative organization.

However, he wouldn’t know who the Secret Investigators were. So he made Ferguson, who was in the open, his first target for recruitment.

No better offer than this would come.

Thinking of his subordinate investigators, it wasn’t bad. Though the extralegal power they exercised as investigators directly under the Emperor would disappear.

Being able to safely withdraw from the power struggle while maintaining connections was good enough compensation.

If things went well, he might get a chance to become mainstream in the Security Bureau.

For himself too. Honor and wealth would remain, and he could maintain some degree of influence.

Ferguson said respectfully.

“The Secret Investigators held a meeting.”

If he had decided to be loyal, he had to prove his usefulness first.

And rather than just thinking about being rewarded with his former regime’s position, he had to establish merit for his new master.

And he had a lot of information he could sell.

“Five out of seven have intentions to oppose Your Highness the Crown Prince. However, in the meeting, two of them hid their true intentions, and one falsely sided with those making hostile claims.”

“That one is your ally?”

“Yes.”

Just as the Secret Investigators were watching Ferguson, Ferguson was also watching them.

Cedric nodded.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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