======[ Argantir ]======

“…What do you think?”

After Hilde and Friede left, Argantir held a brief meeting with his aides inside the carriage returning to the palace.

“She’s a dangerous woman. You saw it, didn’t you? The moment she felt threatened, she displayed killing intent without a hint of hesitation.”

“The murderous intent was so intense that she must have killed at least three hundred people. She’s more like a mercenary than a knight or an adventurer. If needed, she’d kill anyone without a second thought.”

The aides shared their impressions of Hilde.

She prioritized the protection of the hero and her own safety above all else, and if anyone interfered, she’d eliminate them regardless of their status—a true killer.

If Hilde had heard this, she’d have protested, claiming such slander was absurd, but this was the unbiased evaluation the aides had made.

“At least she seems to have some minimal sense of honor. Judging by how she’s concerned about the circumstances of her old companions she left in Vespians, she doesn’t seem to be the cold-blooded monster people say.”

“Phew… She appears that way to me too. A madwoman, but not an evil one. At least she’s way more heroic than our brother.”

Argantir nodded, puffing out some smoke.

In his eyes, Brunhilde was a madwoman who wouldn’t mind cutting down anyone who crossed her path, but was different from the trash stained with pure evil.

While she’d think of killing the moment hostility was shown, she’d also sincerely express gratitude and try to repay kindness.

Instead of pushing her with power or force, she was someone to handle by bestowing favors and leaving her with a debt of gratitude.

“What really concerns me is that armor. An iron-made plate armor embedded with recognition-impairing magic—where on earth did she obtain such a treasure…?”

“Ah, right. That armor. Judging by how worn the craftsmanship is, it doesn’t seem to be a newly made item but rather an artifact long left unused.”

Argantir nodded.

Indeed, it was intriguing armor. Both in design and performance.

“If there had been no casualties near the border, it seems likely she obtained that right around that time. If she had it from the start, there would’ve been no clashes with the pursuers.”

Withstanding Belihur’s great sword without a scratch, not to mention the magic that impaired recognition, the iron armor wasn’t divine equipment on the level of a Holy Sword, but it was certainly comparable to treasures stored in the royal treasury or artifacts of long-standing noble families.

For assassins, it was a dream item.

The magic that misleads perception to confuse the target for an ordinary person.

Argantir had been able to resist that magic thanks to carrying a defensive magic tool, cautious of Tirbing’s brainwashing powers.

Without that tool, he wouldn’t have been able to properly recognize Brunhilde.

“Was the last time she was spotted disguised as a noblewoman, seeking a boat to cross the Rhine River? It wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume she obtained that during her journey.”

Somewhere by the riverbank. The surrounding forest. Or perhaps… beneath the river.

Argantir speculated that the only places where Hilde could have obtained such a treasure would be hidden dungeons or ruins.

“Investigate the legends related to the Rhine River. Myths, legends, folktales, and even almost forgotten histories.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll order it the moment we return.”

Thus, Argantir instructed an aide interested in Brunhilde’s armor to find related information.

It was somewhat questionable whether that information would be useful, but he figured it wouldn’t hurt to know.

—-

Casual conversation about Brunhilde’s first impression led to discussions about her and Friede’s future treatment, eventually shifting to the information she had provided.

The information that the Abyss Priests from the Cursed Reversal Society were attempting to assassinate Hero Heid and the Kingdom of Rhine forces.

Verifying the truth of this would take some time, but if verified as fact, how would they utilize this information?

“It’s quite a troublesome issue…”

Argantir grimaced as he chewed on his tobacco.

Deep down, he wanted Heid to die. He had wished for him to perish ‘honorably’ in the heat of battle. He had even contemplated how to assassinate him.

Is that twisted? But the one who had shown hostility first wasn’t him; it was Heid.

The first prince Heid, who lost his claim to the throne due to the hero’s mark.

Yet, he still couldn’t let go of his lingering attachments and greed toward the throne.

He merely didn’t let it show in front of others while playing the exemplary, noble hero.

Of course, Argantir long since saw through his brother’s performance. He was clearly aware of the schemes Heid was harboring.

This was the conclusion he reached by gathering information through the Shadow of the Eagle, an organization initially formed to support his brother.

‘He probably plans to build his reputation and renown smoothly, then, when the right moment comes, fake an accident to eliminate me.’

Once Argantir dies without an heir, only Heid would remain as the royal bloodline to inherit the throne.

Unless he intended to pass the crown to a distant relative, Heid would have no choice but to inherit the throne even if it violated existing customs.

Argantir understood this.

He knew why Heid was so obsessed with managing his reputation and gaining notable accomplishments: it was precisely for this reason.

‘He means to quell any backlash stemming from violating traditions with fame and force.’

Once he gains overwhelming fame and strength, along with support from all classes, even if he ascends to the throne, the praises would easily drown out any criticisms.

When that time comes, Argantir’s life would be worth less than a candle’s flame in the wind.

Having realized this long ago, Argantir wished for Heid to die.
If the ambitious villain who was willing to kill his own brother received the hero’s mark, it might be better if there was no hero at all.
Argantir firmly believed that.

Therefore, if the Abyss Priests were trying to kill Heid, Argantir should rightfully cheer them on.

Regrettably, he couldn’t.

‘There’s nothing to gain from a clash with the Kingdom of Rhine. Only meaningless depletion of our respective powers.’

First and foremost, the assassination plan devised by the Abyss Priests was problematic.
They planned to tire Heid by causing a conflict between the Kingdom of Rhine and Heid, quietly infiltrating amidst the ensuing chaos.

That was something Argantir, as the next king of the Kingdom of Hervor, could absolutely not accept.
Not only would the honor of the royal family be tarnished, but the fallout could lead to irreparable damage between the two countries.

‘However, preventing the Kingdom of Rhine from clashing to let the Cursed Reversal Society and Heid kill each other is just… I can’t trust them.’

Even if he sent a secret messenger to the Kingdom of Rhine to prevent a clash between their forces and Heid, problems would still remain.

The issue was that he couldn’t trust the power of the Cursed Reversal Society.

How could such sloppy individuals, who leak plans to outsiders while concocting a grand scheme to assassinate a kingdom’s prince and hero, possibly confront Heid without the Kingdom of Rhine’s support?

Argantir deemed the possibility too low.

The Cursed Reversal Society he knew was an organization with nothing but an impressive name and criminal history, but completely ambiguous strength.

Not long ago, two of its executives had recklessly attacked Heid, resulting in one dying and the other fleeing disgracefully.

Even if such individuals gathered, it was hard to believe they could defeat Heid and his forces.

‘In the worst-case scenario… they might get completely wiped out by Heid instead.’

This was the absolute worst-case scenario Argantir could envision.
The reputation of Heid, who had eradicated the Abyss Priests, would soar several times higher, naturally diminishing Argantir’s remaining lifespan.

‘Indeed, it would be best to completely shatter the plan so that no clash occurs at all.’

Finally making a decision after much contemplation, Argantir devised a method to sabotage the Abyss Priests’ plan.

“Are you considering warning Heid? To tell him it’s a trap and that he should avoid going out?”

“That’s the last resort. I can’t explain all the details, so I’d have to hint at it. Would our proud brother even heed the foolish words of his incompetent younger brother?”

“That’s true. Then…”

“It’s best to shatter the plan itself. If the premise is already off and it’s confirmed that the plan has leaked, they’d likely give up and wait for the next chance.”

Argantir explained his detailed plan.
“Find a disposable pawn. A woman of around twenty. A blue-eyed fencer with knight-level prowess.”

His plan was simple yet efficient.
First, they’d dye the hair of a blue-eyed female swordsman lemon-yellow and have her masquerade as Brunhilde, causing havoc within the Kingdom of Rhine.

As if the Kingdom of Rhine forces would come out themselves to subdue that ‘fake Brunhilde.’

“If we lure the Kingdom of Rhine forces away in a direction completely different from the border? The Cursed Reversal Society would realize that the clash they hoped for between the Kingdom and Heid is impossible.”

Argantir continued explaining.
“And once the fake Brunhilde faces her demise after being cornered, the nasty true one will be completely liberated from her pursuers.”

If news of the betrayal of the Knight Brunhilde being finally subjugated spreads widely, the pursuers aiming for her would click their tongues in disappointment and return.

Chasing after a dead person would hold no meaning.

Thus, the real Brunhilde would no longer need to worry about her pursuers, granting him the dual benefit of a sacrifice.