CHAPTER 107: THE MASK OF CHELMSFORD

"Yeah, it was way better back when the king was still in charge."

These kinds of rumors quickly spread through all of Rebanastre, echoing over and over again in the shadows and corners of the city.

The next day, Louis stood before the gate that separated the noble district from the rest of the city.

Aaron told the gate guard that he was a jeweler.

He explained smoothly that he had come to show his goods to one of his noble customers.

Traveling with him were Shiao Yi, posing as a young page to help with errands, Dominic as the butler and negotiator, and Louis and Tenby as the ones in charge of carrying the valuable luggage.

As they waited at the gate, a soldier on patrol came walking over and glanced at Louis.

"Oh, hey. It’s that heartbroken guy from yesterday."

Louis gave an awkward, sheepish smile and held his hands together in a silent plea for him to keep quiet.

The gate guard looked at the soldier and asked, "You know this guy?"

"He was drinking because of heartbreak. Let him through. He’s not a bad guy," said the soldier casually.

Thanks to that, they were let inside without much inspection. That guy was actually pretty decent. Louis felt grateful—Thanks, man.

"Wait, what? Louis, you got your heart broken?"

"When did that happen? You really get around, don’t you?"

Captain Dominic and Tenby teased him right away, but Louis just wished they’d leave him alone. Any more of that and he really might start crying again.

The noble district had neatly paved stone streets, with mansions lined up between rows of trees.

The shops along the main street all looked fancy, with high-class entrances that made them feel unwelcoming.

The staff inside were probably stuck-up too.

This wasn’t a world Louis belonged in, and he hoped it would stay that way.

Captain Dominic stayed alert, scanning the area carefully without ever letting his guard down. The aura around him screamed "dangerous," and just standing next to him made Louis sweat nervously. But then, Shiao Yi gently reached out and took the captain’s hand. Instantly, the tension around Dominic softened.

Aaron let out a small laugh, and Tenby sighed in relief. Seemed like he’d been holding his breath. Honestly, maybe Shiao Yi should just keep holding the captain’s hand the whole time, even if it looked a little odd. Come to think of it, they were wearing matching ear cuffs now. Louis figured—Yeah, let’s just roll with it.

Tenby led them to a large, elegant mansion with a calm, old-fashioned style. Instead of the front entrance, they slipped in through a side gate used by staff.

A steward met them at the service entrance and guided them through the mansion to a reception room. There, another butler welcomed them and served tea.

"Please make yourselves comfortable while we wait for the master of the house to return."

The butler explained that this mansion belonged to Count Dunrossil. He was Tenby’s lord and one of the main leaders of the royalist restoration faction. Count Dunrossil currently lived in his territory and was secretly supporting the movement. Despite being 66 years old, he was said to be healthy and active.

Captain Dominic asked the obvious question, directing it at the butler. "How has he not been noticed, living this close to the royal palace?"

The captain had already heard that Count Dunrossil was a troublesome figure for the current government.

"Well, sir," the butler replied calmly, "here in Rebanastre, it’s well known that the master of this mansion, Lord Chelmsford, is on very bad terms with his father, Count Dunrossil."

He dropped that shocking statement like it was nothing.

"What? What did you just say?"

Louis jumped to his feet in shock.

Captain Dominic and Aaron also half-rose from their seats with alarmed faces.

However, when they noticed that Shiao Yi and Tenby remained perfectly calm, the captain slowly sat back down.

Louis, however, stayed tense, ready to draw his sword at any second.

He glared at the butler and scanned the surroundings cautiously.

"Yes," the butler continued smoothly, "Lord Chelmsford is a strong supporter of the republican government. He donates large sums of money to them. He’s one of their major sponsors. The military burns through money like water, after all. So he and Count Dunrossil, who opposes the republic with all his heart, are in complete conflict. It’s such a well-known fact that everyone in Rebanastre knows about it."

Louis’s face must have gone beyond pale—it probably looked like lifeless clay.

It’s a trap! We walked right into a trap! There’s no choice now—we have to cut this butler down and break out of this place!

"C-Captain! Don’t just sit there! While I hold him down, you all escape! Don’t worry about me—just go, quickly!"

Louis shouted dramatically, ready to sacrifice himself. But Captain Dominic spoke to him in a calm voice, like trying to soothe a panicked child.

"Calm down, Louis. Put your sword away. It’s dangerous."

Captain... how can you stay so calm right now?!

While Louis stood there, sweating and trembling like he was about to go to his death, the captain walked over and gave him a firm smack on the head.

"Huh? Wh-What?"

"You’re making a scene. Louis, get a hold of yourself. Are you trying to embarrass me?"

"Eh? What? Ehhh?"

Louis looked around, completely confused. Captain Dominic had an exasperated expression on his face. Tenby was shaking his head from side to side. Shiao Yi calmly sipped his tea as if nothing had happened, and Aaron had his head lowered with his shoulders trembling while trying suppressed his laughter.

The butler, still polite, turned his face to the side to hide his expression.

Wait... Am I the only one who didn’t get it?

"Don’t you realize? It’s the perfect disguise. Otherwise, Tenby would never have brought us here," Captain Dominic said.

At those words, Louis deflated and collapsed onto the sofa with a thump.

"Still, it’s impressive. The current government has stood for twenty years, and yet they’ve kept this up the whole time. That takes foresight and patience," the captain added with admiration.

The butler bowed his head humbly.

"Thank you. The truth is, Count Dunrossil’s daughter, Lady Ailsa, has a son—Prince Jircniv, Count Dunrossil’s grandson—who is currently being held inside the castle. Since the ones who benefit from Lord Chelmsford’s financial support are on our side, they would never harm Prince Jircniv."

"That’s... a painful situation," the captain said quietly.

"Yes..." the butler answered with a grim expression, then lifted his head, sensing movement from outside.

"It seems the master has returned."

And so, they rose to meet the master of the house—Lord Chelmsford himself.

Lord Chelmsford is the eldest son of Count Dunrossil who was 43 years old this year.

He had a square, stubborn-looking jaw, light purple hair and strong gray eyes. His build was solid, he looked like a man who gave off a powerful presence.