After staying in the Great Hall for a while longer, Genoa turned to the Imperial Palace.
As I entered the palace, the servant who had been restless from behind approached me.
"Sir, I will call the doctor."
Genoa nodded slightly and the servant quickly ran to somewhere.
"Your Majesty, the audience did well... ... ."
Dylan, who was waiting in front of the office, saw Genoa's wounds and stiffened his mouth.
"I just went to see the doctor."
Dylan sighed as Genoa entered the office without a word, and followed after him.
"What happened in the main palace?"
"It's always the same. He shouted that he couldn't find Duke Crawford."
"How is that your fault?"
Dylan, who seemed to be pouring out dissatisfaction at any moment, kept his mouth shut as if he was putting up with something.
Looking at his fluttering chest and eyes full of anger, he seemed to know what he was talking about.
'There would be no end to my dissatisfaction with my father. You wouldn't be able to commit blasphemy in front of me.'
Genoa laughed bitterly.
"Is there still no news from the messenger sent to Payton?"
He returned the topic moderately so that a loyal subject would not commit blasphemy.
"It is said that he has finally met the princess."
"Are there no other companions?"
"It is said that there were only princesses and Peyton Knights."
Genoa tapped on the table.
I can't get in touch with the Ravens sent to Payton's estate. No matter how many times you send it.
'The Duke of Crawford is definitely in Peyton's estate.'
The question is whether it has anything to do with Payton.
"When did you say the princess left the zodiac?"
"Before the Lake Ethlon incident."
It is said that going down to the estate was not agreed with Crawford in advance.
Nevertheless, I was concerned that the Duke of Peyton and the Princess had visited Crawford's mansion.
"Did you check why the princess didn't ride the warp gate?"
"I stopped by the Hesain area. It is said that he learned about a pool called 'Ark' there."
Genoa's fingers, which had been moving regularly, came to a standstill.
It was Genoa herself, not anyone else, who leaked the clue about 'Ark'.
'It is true that the princess moved independently regardless of Crawford.'
So, what was the reason Duke Crawford went to Peyton?
To understand the situation more clearly, you would have to meet the princess in person.
"Did you get an answer to Huangming?"
"Yes. It is said that when he delivered the Hwangmyeong, he said that he would leave in a week."
"I'll use the warp gate, so I'll be there in a few days."
My father was here, so I couldn't resist Hwang Ming.
If the princess even comes to the zodiac, she will definitely be able to grab Peyton's collar.
In an instant, a fishy smile passed Genoa's lips.
"Any news from Sir Euclein?"
Sir Euclein was in charge of the order sent to Payton.
"Looks like we haven't found Duke Crawford yet. He said he doesn't seem to be visiting the Duke of Peyton."
"Did you say that you also investigated the people who came down with the princess?"
"It is said that there was no specific information to be obtained from them either."
Dylan looked at Genoa and spoke carefully.
"Aren't the Peytons loyal? Even if he is hiding something, he will not open his mouth easily."
I guess so. From the outside, they criticize Peyton for being upright, but because of her straight personality, she gets respect from the inside.
"Tell them to check out other areas besides the duke's residence."
"Even so, it is said that princesses are not permitted to enter Mount Meter."
"Metric acid is a god to Peyton. The same goes for other families in the East."
"It's a good place to avoid surveillance as it strictly controls the entry of outsiders."
As Dylan said, as long as Payton allows, there is no better place to hide than there.
But what can Duke Crawford get there?
The duke left the emperor as if running away to protect his fiancee.
Heading east, even though the west side is safest, means there must be something important to protect his fiancee.
What would you bring from Mount Meter, where there is nothing to see other than the ore?
"... ... !"
Suddenly I remembered one thing I had been missing.
The fact that he doesn't know how to use his abilities.
What if Kassan said he sang spells or something, but that's not all?
What if you need a medium or a tool?
"Dylan, get the Duke of Peyton right now."
"... ... All right."
Dylan left the office immediately, puzzled.
As if waiting for this moment, Cassan appeared.
"Lord."
"Did you find Duke Crawford?"
"Looks like he left Payton."
"What?"
Genoa jumped up from her seat.
"when? No where?"
"It seems not long ago. However, she has not yet figured out where she has gone. I'm sorry."
Cassan lowered her head with a dark expression.
Genoa, who leaned against the desk with both hands on the desk, lit up her eyes.
'Where the hell did the loach-like guy go?'
Are you planning to invade the ecliptic? Or did he return to the West?
Neither of them was one to hide in silence.
I'll have to prepare for this one too.
"Instead, I found out what happened to Peyton."
"... ... !"
Genoa shook her head.
"I think I crossed the border with the Heptia region and went into Peyton Estate and then went to Mount Meter."
"... ... Metric acid? Are you sure?"
"Raven's body was nowhere to be seen, but bloodstains remained."
As Dylan said, he may have just entered because he needed a place to hide.
If it had any other purpose... ... .
Meet the Duke of Peyton and you'll get a clue.
"What happened after that?"
"It was confirmed that they stayed at an inn outside, but after that, the traces were completely cut off. It seems to have been deliberately erased."
"I know. Let's find the duke's whereabouts as soon as possible."
"All right."
"Finding the treasures of Jeuri?"
"yet... ... . I'm sorry."
Genoa sighed and sat down on the chair. As soon as he waved his hand asking him to leave, Kassan immediately hid himself.
smart.
A knock on the door was heard without taking a breath.
"Your Majesty, I have brought the Duke of Peyton."
Genoa, with her messy hair and clothes organized, exhaled softly.
"Bring it in."
Moments later, the door opened and the Duke of Peyton, neatly dressed in a gray suit, entered.
"I see you, the Little Sun of Aserian, His Majesty the Crown Prince."
"Come here and sit down."
As Genoa got up and headed for the sofa, Duke Peyton walked to the other side.
There was silence between the two of them until the servant poured tea into the cup.
Duke Peyton, who sat with his back straight, could not see any gaps in the hard expression on his face.
Eventually, as the servant left, Genoa took the teacup first.
The warmth and fragrant tea scent transmitted through the handle calmed my complicated mind.
As the bittersweet tea flowed gently down her throat, a relaxed smile appeared on Genoa's lips.
"Listen. It's a tea that clears your head. It's my favorite car these days."
"thank you."
The Duke of Peyton also slowly lifted up the teacup and took a few sips of tea.
"I heard you called me."
Duke Peyton put down the teacup and looked at Genoa calmly.
"It seems that the princess has finally arrived at the estate. He replied that he would come to the ecliptic in a few days."
"The mountain road must have been rough, but I'm glad we arrived safely."
There was no change in his expression even when he said that he had brought the princess back to the emperor because of the selection of the Crown Princess.
Even though I was strongly opposed to having my daughter as a candidate for the Crown Prince.
"If I had attended the ball, I wouldn't have had to go through the trouble of traveling long distances."
Genoa clicked her tongue as if she was sorry.
"There was an urgent matter within the family, so we had no choice but to do it."
"I don't know if it worked out. It must be difficult to go to the territory for a while."
At the lightly thrown words, Duke Peyton's eyes became sharp in an instant.
Genoa smiled softly at the first reaction of the person who had been sitting like a stone the whole time.
"I will have to go back when the selection process is over."
Genoa smiled, pretending not to know, when he said that he would not give up his daughter as the Crown Prince.
"The monster problem has not been resolved yet. In a situation where the whereabouts of Duke Crawford, the culprit who summoned the demons, is still unknown, the Imperial Palace is the safest refuge."
"It's a dangerous situation, so we have to go down to the territory. If you are a lord, shouldn't you have to protect Young Ji-min first?"
"I don't know how a person who cares so much about the local people brought monsters into the territory."
"What are you talking about?"
"Did you know that Duke Crawford was in Payton?"
While smiling leisurely, Genoa's gaze was thoroughly scrutinizing Duke Peyton's every reaction.
Unfortunately, contrary to Genoa's expectations, Duke Peyton's eyes were as quiet as the sea at night.
"I haven't heard any news from the estate since I entered the Imperial Palace, so I don't know anything about it."
"Aren't you worried that Duke Crawford, who summons demons, is in Payton?"
"I'm worried. what about one I'm tied up. All I have to do is trust my daughter and her vassals."
There was no emotion in her voice, but the criticism towards Genoa flashed through her purple eyes.
It was a brief moment, but Genoa, who was watching Duke Peyton, did not miss it.
"How about this? It seems that the princesses and vassals alone were not enough to protect the territory."
"What do you mean?"
"Something that pursued Duke Crawford found traces of him entering Mount Mether."
In an instant, Duke Peyton's face hardened.
It was the first change in expression he had ever seen, maintaining a calm face.
'What does that mean?'
Is he nervous because his secret with Duke Crawford is being revealed, or is he outraged that Duke Crawford has entered Mount Mether?
'I don't know.'
He was a person who didn't usually change his expression, so it was difficult to gauge his inner feelings.
'If it was the Duke of Shabini, he would have noticed it right away.'
No matter how hard he tries to hide it, he is a person who reveals what he is inside.
Genoa clicked her tongue in regret.
"Are you sure Duke Crawford entered Mount Mether?"
"The biggest thing we could check was the entrance."
Genoa expressed his displeasure.
"It is not polite to enter Mount Meter without asking for your understanding. If you allow it, we can know for sure."
I wasn't expecting much, but I tried it once.
Ravens can sneak in as much as they want, but if you go in with official permission, it's a good deal, isn't it?
Get Payton's favor and get the information you want.
Besides, externally, the relationship between the imperial family and Peyton will appear to be strong, so it will be of great benefit.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. "Mount Meter is a sacred place, so no one outside Peyton can enter."
At the resolute rejection, Genoa gave strength to the corner of her mouth that was about to twist.
How dare the Crown Prince ask for permission, but he refuses to talk to outsiders.
This was an insult to the emperor.
'It's not broken yet.'
Don't you think the princess's illness and the mine accident weren't enough?
The princess somehow got better. The Duke of Shabini handled things too loosely.
I guess I'll have to break it down for sure this time.
Even if it is broken, it can be tamed by breaking it strongly. If you leave it like this, your neck will get stiffer as the days go by.
"How many precious things have you hidden in Mt. Mether?"
Genoa smiled slightly and smirked.
"Don't you know? That the roots of the Eastern mines are Mt. Mt. Mether is the lifeline of the East."
"Who doesn't know that? I mean, why did Duke Crawford aim for Mount Mether?"
His tone was relaxed, but his gaze towards Duke Peyton was sharp.
Nevertheless, Duke Peyton responded to the gaze calmly.
"Isn't it strange? If you had left the Imperial Palace like that, you should have returned to the West to protect yourself right away. Why did you run to the other side, Payton?"
"How can I guess what Duke Crawford is?"
"Aren't you friendly with the peacock? I know he used to come and go to Duke Crawford's residence."
Duke Peyton's straight eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Are you spying on me?"
"No way. I was watching Duke Crawford. Aren't you the kind of person who is always willing to insult the imperial family?"
Even though he told the truth, Duke Peyton's displeased face did not disappear.
"I just stopped by to say hello for saving the son of the Earl of Isles."
No matter how much he cherished his vassal, Duke Peyton wasn't going to come out and say thanks.
Duke Crawford wouldn't be the one to open the Duke's door for that reason.
Genoa smirked.