Chapter 76: Walking into the Trap?

Since the dragon’s attack on the city, Gepard, who had been stationed at the frontlines, had been feeling increasingly anxious.
First, there was the looming threat of the Fragmentum, and then there were the Supreme Guardian’s reckless actions that showed no regard for the bigger picture. After receiving Lady Bronya’s letter, he had been uneasy.
Knowing the Guardian as he did, he was certain she would resort to even more “extreme” measures.

However, he never expected the fire to first burn his own sister.
Back when they were negotiating the new equipment, he had vaguely worried that it might provoke the Supreme Guardian. But he hadn’t expected his fears to come true so quickly.

The order from Qlipoth Fort wasn’t to dispatch him to the frontlines to aid his comrades, nor was it about the next steps in the war. It didn’t even mention the dragon. Instead, it commanded him to personally lead a team to arrest his own sister.
This was a blatant act of malice against the Landau family—and by extension, all the Architects.

As one of the most prominent families among the Architects, once this news got out, it would deal a severe blow to their reputation.
Not to mention that the arrest was being carried out by a member of the Landau family themselves…

Gepard couldn’t understand why the Supreme Guardian would issue such a poorly thought-out command at a time like this.
Especially after considering what Lady Bronya had written in her letter, he felt deeply uncertain about Belobog’s future.

Yet, as a guard captain personally promoted by Cocolia, he couldn’t defy her orders, no matter the circumstances.
And so, after gathering a team of Silvermane Guards, he hurriedly set out for the Everwinter Mechanical Workshop.

Along the way, he “coincidentally” passed through the area overseen by Intelligence Officer Pelageya.
Though they didn’t speak, Gepard was confident that someone as sharp as her would sense something was wrong and warn the bard not to become a scapegoat.

And then came the current scene—
“Uh… what did you say? I’m colluding with which wanted criminal?”
Even Serval was stunned, unable to comprehend what Cocolia was playing at.

“According to the Supreme Guardian’s warrant, you and the bard Venti used forbidden methods to lure the dragon into attacking the city. You attempted to exploit the national crisis to sell private arms, amass wealth, and plot rebellion…”
Even Gepard couldn’t help but frown as he read this out.

Making such baseless accusations and implicating innocent people—no matter the intent behind it—would have dire consequences once the news spread.
Not only would the Landau family’s centuries-old reputation be ruined, but Serval and Venti would also become public enemies.
To quell public outrage, the only options would be to publicly execute them or exile them to the outside world.

“……”
Perhaps imagining such an outcome, Serval’s expression darkened. The warm, sisterly demeanor she usually displayed vanished, replaced by a self-deprecating smile.
“I’m plotting rebellion? Amassing wealth? Heh… Cocolia hasn’t improved at all over the years—if anything, she’s regressed.
If she wants to deal with me, she should come at me directly. Why drag innocent people into this?”

“Silence! You will not disrespect the Supreme Guardian!”
One of the Silvermane Guards who had come with Gepard shouted angrily.

However, Gepard simply raised a hand, and the guard fell silent, though he shot Gepard a cold glare. The other guards also seemed uneasy.
“Captain Gepard, are you planning to shield your family?”

“That’s not my intention. I, too, am angered by her disrespect. But as officers carrying out our duties, we must remain calm and restrained. We cannot let the suspect’s words provoke us into revealing unnecessary information.”
Gepard maintained a neutral expression, his tone formal and impartial. After placating the other guards, he turned back to his sister, his voice colder than ever.

“—Sister. Or rather, Serval. This will likely be the last time I call you that. The family is probably already holding a meeting to formally disown you. Do you have anything to say?”
“That doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care about fame or reputation. I am myself—not a Landau, nor anyone’s appendage—”
Serval rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

“More importantly, can you tell me why she issued such an order?”
“…I’m only here to carry out orders. You can ask the Chief Justice for details when you’re brought to the tribunal. Silvermane Guards, arrest the suspect, Serval.”

Gepard coldly issued the command, and the guards stepped forward without hesitation to shackle her.
Throughout it all, Serval showed no signs of frustration. As she passed Gepard, she whispered,
“Then tell her this for me: You’ve betrayed my trust once again, Cocolia. This time, I won’t hold back.”

Gepard remained silent, not responding. After everyone left the workshop, he personally escorted her to the tribunal. The large, conspicuous group drew attention as they marched through the now-desolate streets.
Given that the Landau siblings were well-known figures in the city, news of the arrest spread like wildfire, reaching every shelter.

People gathered in large numbers to discuss the situation. More importantly, with a target for their anger now identified, they stopped blaming the Supreme Guardian for her inaction and instead directed their outrage at the two “traitors.”
Though a few voices of doubt emerged, they were quickly drowned out by the louder majority.

By this time, Venti and his group had already heard the “news” and left the inner city shelter.
Seele anxiously twirled a strand of her hair, unable to understand how things had escalated so quickly.

“Dammit, how did that woman figure it out?”
“Don’t be so hasty, Seele. This was always a possibility, wasn’t it?”
Though Venti was also curious about how Cocolia had found out, he figured that with the Stellaron’s help, she might have some unique detection methods.

Interesting, truly interesting. If everything went smoothly without any obstacles, it would be too boring.
As a playful smile curled on the bard’s lips, Seele shot him a glare.

“You’re still smiling? What about your earlier plans? We were supposed to win over the people’s support. Now, forget about that—if we’re not being hunted down, it’ll be a miracle!”
“No, no, Seele. You need to understand one thing: the warrant only mentions me and Serval. It doesn’t mention the lower district or Wildfire’s Butterfly.”
Venti held up the warrant he had snatched with the wind, pointing at the retro-style portrait on it.

“In other words, the plan to win over the people can still work. We just need to adjust our approach.”
“Adjust our approach? Sister Venti, you’re not planning to…”
Clara, quick-witted as always, was the first to catch on, covering her mouth in surprise.

Svarog and Seele also turned to the bard, waiting for his explanation. Facing their gazes, Venti responded calmly,
“That’s right. Since she’s so eager to see me, why let someone else take the credit? Seele, you should be the one to capture me.”

“M-Me? Capture you?”
“Exactly. By capturing Belobog’s most notorious criminal—ever—you’ll be praised and celebrated, instantly boosting your reputation.”

“But why is that necessary?”
Seele frowned, uncomfortable with the idea of “betraying a friend for glory.”
Clara and Svarog also waited for Venti’s explanation. As the rising star of the lower district, it would be best if she didn’t have to take such risks.

“If I had to give a reason, it’s not strictly necessary. But since I’ve dragged Serval into this mess, it would be wrong to just abandon her, don’t you think?”
Venti waved his hand dismissively.

“So, since I’ll have to face the tyrant sooner or later, why not play along with her plan? I’m sure she won’t be able to resist interrogating us.
When that happens, I’ll have Dvalin attack again. And how she reacts—well, that’s something worth witnessing and recording firsthand.”

After all, the winds that flowed through Belobog were his good friends.
He could hear distant sounds through the wind, and he could also use them to broadcast the conversation in real time.

When that time came, how would Cocolia react? He was curious!
But before that, to make the performance even more dramatic, he would need Pelageya’s help—