“Commander, did you know that someone in the Harnus family is colluding with the Kingdom of Mambern?”

Luke’s words instantly changed the atmosphere in the courtroom. The division captains widened their eyes in shock, even Theo, who always maintained a stoic demeanor, couldn’t hide his surprise. The only one who seemed completely calm was Luke, sitting in the defendant’s seat.

Luke had been closely watching the Harnus family ever since tensions with Mambern began escalating towards war. The Marquisate of Harnus held unparalleled authority over maritime trade, granted directly by the Imperial Palace. They were more attuned to the seas than the land, making them a valuable source of information.

Luke had hoped that by tapping into their network, he could gain insight into Mambern’s movements. In war, while raw strength was vital, intelligence and strategic superiority often determined the victor. Even the smallest piece of information could tip the scales.

However, gaining access to a prestigious family like the Harnus Marquisate wasn’t easy, especially for someone like Luke, a captain of common birth. For a long time, his efforts to approach them were met with resistance.

But then, an unexpected opportunity presented itself.

“Captain Luke, if you have time, I’d like to invite you to dinner,” the marquis had said.

Luke’s successful role in repelling a sudden attack by Mambern had gained public recognition, prompting the marquis to extend an invitation. The pretext was to introduce his daughter to Luke, but Luke had no interest in such matters. He attended the dinner, hoping to subtly glean useful information.

During the dinner, Luke hinted at the importance of aiding the empire in the ongoing conflict. Yet, the marquis remained noncommittal, refusing to openly support Luke’s requests. It baffled Luke that a family publicly loyal to the empire wouldn’t readily assist in its war efforts.

Dissatisfied but determined, Luke later sought a private meeting with the marquis.

“Marquis, could you use the Harnus family’s maritime intelligence network to monitor Mambern’s activities?” Luke had asked directly.

Mambern, having suffered a tactical defeat in the eastern regions, had temporarily retreated. Many expected peace negotiations between Heiner and Mambern, assuming the latter would comply to avoid further losses. However, Luke wanted confirmation, not assumptions.

“Hmm, Captain Luke. I understand your ambitions to climb higher in rank. My network could certainly provide the information you seek. But I must gain something in return. If you agree to a contract I propose, I can not only share intelligence but also help you achieve your aspirations,” the marquis had replied.

The proposal reeked of suspicion. While the marquis correctly assumed Luke was ambitious, he underestimated the depths of Luke’s cunning. Sensing ulterior motives, Luke dismissed the offer and severed contact with the Harnus family. Information could be gathered through other means, and whatever schemes the marquis was plotting could wait until after the war.

What Luke hadn’t foreseen was the subsequent embezzlement scandal.

“Collusion? What do you mean by that?” Veil’s deep voice cut through the tension.

“The Harnus family controls a significant portion of the empire’s maritime trade. I approached them when tensions with Mambern began escalating,” Luke explained.

His original intent, of course, had been to extract useful intelligence through them.

“And then, I discovered their ties to Mambern.”

“You’re saying the Harnus family has been acting as spies for the empire’s enemy?” Theo asked gravely. This revelation was new to everyone in the room, a secret known only to Luke until now.

“Exactly. With Mambern strengthening its influence in the Noteli Sea region, the Harnus family appears to have bowed to them.”

“Do you have any evidence to support your claim?”

In response, Luke reached into his coat and retrieved a communication crystal orb, holding it up for Veil to see. All eyes in the courtroom turned to the orb.

“This crystal orb itself is the evidence,” Luke declared calmly.

The room erupted in murmurs. The stolen orbs were central to the embezzlement case, but using one as evidence against the Harnus family was unexpected.

Luke ran his fingers over the orb’s surface, channeling magic into it. A faint glow illuminated the courtroom, and his silver hair shimmered in the light, capturing everyone’s attention.

It was time for Luke to present the hard evidence he had gathered in the brief time he had.

***

After taking the crystal orb from Fale and instructing him to act as if nothing had happened, Luke didn’t immediately return to headquarters.

“Well, looks like you’re still alive. That’s lucky.”

In an alley a block away from where he had met Fale, Luke found a man sitting on the ground, his entire body bound tightly with ropes. As Luke approached, the man began to squirm and struggle.

“Mmph, mmph!”

Though nothing was physically covering his mouth, he couldn’t open it to speak.

“At least I was kind enough not to block your nose,” Luke said, crouching in front of him. He snapped his fingers once, the sound crisp and sharp.

“Gah… haah… huff…”

The man inhaled desperately, gulping down air like his life depended on it, his chest heaving.

“What’s the meaning of this? Do you even know who I work for?!” the man shouted, rage and fear mixing in his voice.

“You’re a servant of the Harnus family, right? Your job is to retrieve the goods being traded—like this crystal orb,” Luke replied calmly.

“Who… who are you? What do you want?” the man stammered.

“Yell again, and I’ll shut you up,” Luke threatened. The man flinched, biting his lips tightly.

“Who do you think I am? I’m here for the transaction,” Luke said with a serene smile, tossing the bag slung over his shoulder to the ground.

“Check it. That’s the crystal orb you’re supposed to pick up today.”

Luke reached for the man, and although he flinched and trembled in fear, Luke untied the ropes binding him with a flick of his fingers. The ropes slid off effortlessly, leaving the man stunned.

Bewildered by Luke’s actions, the man hesitated before checking the bag in front of him. Sure enough, it contained the familiar goods he was supposed to retrieve. His job was to receive this item and deliver payment to the soldier who provided it.

“What… what are you playing at? You kidnap me, release me, and now you’re just handing over the goods?”

“Your job hasn’t changed,” Luke said smoothly. “Go back to the Harnus estate and hand over the orb as if everything went as usual. But if you value your life, don’t even think about mentioning this conversation.”

The man swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He instinctively understood—whether it was from the ambush, the way Luke had effortlessly silenced him with a snap of his fingers, or the swift, precise movements that had bound him in the first place—this was not someone to cross. The warning wasn’t idle; Luke meant every word.

“Of course, since this is a transaction, I’ll compensate you. I’ll pay you three times what the estate gives you for this job.”

“Are… are you serious?” The man’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yes, I am. It’s a sweet deal, isn’t it? You do what you always do, deliver the goods, and you make a fortune in the process.”

The man’s fear and suspicion quickly melted away, replaced by greed. He enthusiastically promised to deliver the goods and assured Luke he wouldn’t say a word. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, the man walked off with a spring in his step, leaving the alley.

Watching him disappear, Luke let out a heavy sigh.

Even though he himself had used money as bait, the ease with which it could manipulate people sometimes left a sour taste in his mouth.

“Well, time to go turn myself in,” Luke muttered, rolling his shoulders to loosen the stiffness.

Solving even one incident required an exhausting amount of effort, and doing so while maintaining his “role” made it all the more difficult.

Luke began walking back to headquarters, silently lamenting his own fate. He could only hope that the crystal orb he had just handed over would do its job without raising suspicion.