Marriage with a Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 109.1
Chapter 109.1
Kairos appeared behind me, a quiet smile gracing his lips. He must have been speaking with Jed while I was with Lily. I’d finished all the important discussions and figured I might as well leave, but Jed stopped me.
“I apologize for the sudden visit. I tried my best not to interrupt your conversation… Forgive me just this once.”
“What did you want to discuss?”
Before I could ask, Lily spoke a little faster than I could. I had a feeling they were going to ask me to stay. It did seem odd for the person who facilitated the conversation to then interrupt it.
“His Majesty requests your presence. A large number of cultists were apprehended this morning, and he wishes to hear your opinions. Time is of the essence, so this is the only opportunity.”
I glanced between Kairos and Jed. Hadn’t we already met with him this morning?
* * *
“I apologize for summoning you again after this morning.”
“It’s no trouble, Your Majesty.”
“I urgently require the Duchess’s assistance.”
“My assistance, Your Majesty?”
“We’ve apprehended forty-seven cultists since early this morning.”
“Forty-seven…”
I wasn’t particularly surprised, having already heard about the numerous arrests. It happened almost daily, so I wondered why I was specifically summoned.
“Forty-five of them committed suicide by poison as soon as they were captured.”
“…What?”
I was speechless.
Forty-five people died at once? I knew that extremist cultists, unafraid of death, would often end their lives to protect their secrets. That was why they were typically gagged upon capture.
I also knew sealing tools were used in case magic users were among them. But to commit suicide before even being gagged… While suicide couldn’t be entirely prevented, forty-five deaths in one go was shocking, especially considering it happened only a few hours ago.
“Then, Your Majesty, the other two…?”
“They’re currently isolated in prison, like the other cultists. They appear to be high-ranking members.”
“Yes… but how can I be of assistance?”
Typical interrogation methods were ineffective, so these cases were usually handled by illusionists. However, they were currently unavailable, and it would take time for them to return.
A swift investigation was crucial, as there was no telling when or how the remaining cultists might try to end their lives. The plan was to request help from the magic tower, but luckily, I was still at the palace.
“It’s fortunate you’re here, Duchess. Could you lend us your assistance? It’s a simple matter of discerning their headquarters. It’s a matter of urgency, so I must ask this of you.”
Discovering their headquarters, something the palace had failed to do until now, wouldn’t be easy. Still, the capture of high-ranking cultists was good news.
More importantly, I couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s direct request. He wanted me to act immediately, concerned about what the captured cultists might do. I had no choice but to head to the dungeons.
* * *
By the time I returned to the north after the interrogation, the sky was ablaze with the setting sun.
“You’ve worked hard today.”
He said, gently massaging my feet with a warm towel. I’d refused his help, but Kairos, as always, wouldn’t listen. He knew I was tired from cooperating with the palace, and I felt both apologetic and grateful.
“At least we discovered their headquarters. We need to act quickly before they relocate.”
Fortunately, the interrogation was successful.
Delving into minds wasn’t something I enjoyed, but it wasn’t difficult. The cultists’ minds, however, were filled with a fervent desire for the Demon King’s return, making the experience rather unpleasant.
“Honestly, I expected their headquarters to be in the north.”
I agreed with Kairos.
“Me too. I was quite worried, given the heightened monster activity there. But to think it’s in the heart of the capital…”
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