-My intelligence service showed that someone is trying to eliminate the nobles, especially the ones involved with the operation Silence of the innocent -Heh, I would bet this is has something to do with the Montecchio, wanting the position of most power now that the Capuleto died - said acidly Silva.
-I hardly believe this would be a Montecchio doing replied the King as he himself almost was the first victim; care to show us?
-But wait a moment your highness I commented are you implying that this WASN T an accident?
-Yes Montecchio it was an attack, weren t you one of the leader on the operation Silence of the innocent ?
-Yes your highness, the Capuleto, the Oliveira and I were the responsible for that operation I replied, and the Capuleto lawyer and the Oliveira lady nodded as well.
-But what ensures us asked the Silva again that he isn t trying to forge her own attack in order to make suspicion fall over him?
-Simply put Silva, because if I know Montecchio since he assumed the place left by his father 20 years ago, he wouldn t commit a mistake that almost took away his life. Montecchio could you please show us your back, as your slave said they would be?
-At once your highness I said while I took out my suit top and showed them the scars on my back.
One low ouch was heard among the present upon seeing my back with the scars from the wounds left by overheated iron, there was once again one more whispering among the present; including the personal caretakers, which usually have to stay silent and immobile beside their owner, which made some more conservative nobles frown.
-The hired assassin probably was one of the cheapest out there, seeing as he was aiming the arrow at the body of the Montecchio, but ended up hitting the car s tire, it was possible to identify it by a small analysis on the wreck of the car said the king.
I briefly looked at Silva and saw he had his hands clenched, I could feel he was very pissed at something was it the Silva? He was the one that had most motives for such a dastardly act, but that was just way too obvious, it would be easy for a smarter noble do something behind the curtains and put the blame on the not-so-intelligent Silva that is why I decided to let him have the benefit of doubt at least for now
-Your highness I said I am not putting in check the efficiency of the scientific investigation of your men, but how did they made such a deep analysis in just a couple of days?
-As a matter of fact, we had received an anonymous tip that there was going an attack against a noble about ten days ago, although we had no reference as to where it would happen. It was reported then your disappearance to the authorities on that same night; we followed the same tracks you were supposed to take and we found the still smoking of your vehicle, taking it back to analysis, we found only one body in it but we couldn t know who was it we made a search on the surroundings and found the body of a man 300 feet from the probable accident zone, one of car s part pierced the back of his neck like a lance, he was ready to shoot another bolt from his crossbow, finger on the trigger, ready to shoot and with an iron bar on his neck.
-Oh, so that is the motive that made your highness believe that it was an attack and that meaning someone might be a traitor right?
-Exactly what I wanted to ask you your highness if you allow me to asked for permission the Oliveira.
-Granted, to you and any other that wish to ask confirmed the king.
-What was the logic used to define that instead of being a common dastardly attempt at theft it was an attack against a noble?
-I thought you were going to ask that said the king, ready for that question already a normal thief and even a prepared one wouldn t have access to explosive bolts -Explosive? all nobles, including me, said at the same time.
-They came to the extreme of using banned materials? the Oliveira and I said at the same time we had that bad habit as a matter of fact.
-Yes, there were residues of burnt explosive powder on the crossbow and his hands.
-Having residues of that on his hands really means it doesn t figure a normal thief, seeing that even a small amount of it costs in the black market more than what a thief would make in a living - pondered Oliveira.
-What would make the possibility that Montecchio is forging his own attack more plausible Silva said cynically - seeing as for mining, small amounts of that substance is needed -Finally you made a less cynic and more based on facts statement commented the king we thought of that in the beginning, but the residues found on the crossbow and those found on the bolt weren t compatible with the ones used on the mining company of the Montecchio s -That would really rule him out as supplier, but not as mentor of his own attack said Silva again.
-I agree I replied although unless we have any other motive or proof for accusing me, it will be only speculations and it will only seen you are trying to incriminate the Silva very maliciously actually -Are you implying something Montecchio? Silva dared me.
-Enough announced the king in strong and firm voice now it is not the time to lose in such trivial matters about noble rivalry; the most important thing right now is one very small detail noticed by our forensic scientists - Which would be you highness? asked Andrade.
-Well, the analysis shows that the material already burnt wouldn t be of much use; aside it was explosive powder although what was intact revealed a more shocking fact its composition reveals it wasn t made inside Verona -WHAT? I asked totally stunned.
That was bad, very bad seeing that only one producer had permission to produce this rare material, and even so it was HEAVILY watched by the king s inspectors, it was easier to depose the king than some of this powder being lost or misplaced, so if the samples matched with ours we would have a serious security breach and we would need to check out what happened. However in this case, the sample coming from another place would indicate that the operation to end the new insurrection failed
-Nut your highness are you implying that the operation Silence of the innocent failed? I asked.
-That I cannot assure yet he said we haven t received your report Montecchio, we need to analyze the situation. Could you inform the situation?
-At once your highness I replied.
As everyone here knows, the espionage agency found out that the terrorists were trying to make a move again restoring the nekomimi supremacy; we also know, thanks to our noble nekomimi representative here, the Oliveira that the ones living with us do not support that movement; however they had managed to make allies with influent people to support their cause.
After the appointment to me as leader of this mission, we made a preliminary investigation and as shown and agreed upon on this honorable court, we verified it was a good idea to arrest the leader of the rebellion and give him an adequate judgment so it could show future terrorists that we wouldn t accept such barbarism however, something went a bit out of control
-What happened then Montecchio? he asked.
-Well your highness; we had our tasks divided: I would take care of the investigation part, Oliveira was in charge of the strategy and making choices on the course of action and the Capuleto was assigned of the tactical action on the prison of the leader seeing as the Capuleto representative here can confirm it, their family have a great tradition on military tactics, right? I said.
-Yes replied the Capuleto s lawyer, fixing his glasses that is why that distribution of roles was agreed upon -We heard of the tragedy in your family - Bernardo commented and as far as it is of our concern it happened right after their leader was killed, as he resisted the prison order and attacked the Capuleto the incident has any connection between with what happened next?
-Actually, the leader effectively managed to attack and hurt mortally my represented and after a huge fight with his son as well well, they ended killing each other; that is, however, the most our family is willing to disclose unless you highness really insists on knowing something more?
-The something more would refer to the mission? Or just family personal affairs? asked the king.
-Private matter of the family your highness.
-Alright that subject is closed right now said the king although that brought a new light into what happened, I hope you guys comprehend my position on this especially you Montecchio.
-Yes your highness!
-I believe there are 2 possibilities that explain what happened I am sure that this attack was a retaliation to their leader and the possibilities are: First, assume that the investigation failed and their group didn t identify their leader well which led they going after the wrong person which would be the same than admitting that the most serious and correct nobles on that subject committed a bad mistake -With all due respect you highness said a more cautious Silva if this isn t a case of Montecchio failing, what would be in your mind?
-Well, I believe that the operation had REALLY captured and killed the leader; but I believe they were aware that could happen, so a second in command was prepared for it in case the worse happened and the same one now is with orders to avenge the death of the first leader, the revolt now is bigger and better organized; becoming a bigger threat.
-I understand your highness said Oliveira so I believe this meeting is to decide how we are going to deal with this new problem?
-Exactly replied the king I would like to propose something more subtle this time, something that would be more like an infiltration rather than direct confrontation; seeing that is a Montecchio specialty I propose indicating him as the leader of the mission and by his command two other nobles to help him in the process, any objections before we vote?
At that moment Silva raised his hand as expected, what surprised me was that Oliveira also raised her paw what happened as to her be against me indication? Well I was going to find out soon
-Alright Silva the king pointed his finger to him what is your motive?
-Without trying to go against your highness, but why not choose me? Montecchio has already failed once!
-Because I can t risk the biggest smith family leader in Verona that is why I would prefer to rely on your weapons rather than expose you in direct involvement.
-I understand your highness said, feeling proud of himself and his own family name.
-And you Oliveira it really surprises me that you may have objections what would those be before I begin?
The nekomimi Oliveira stood up and looked at the king as well to me and the other nobles, and then said:
-My only objection is that I am chosen again to be part of that team!
-Sure replied the king if Montecchio hasn t got a problem with it, I won t as well, correct?
-Without a doubt I said although Oliveira you were already in my mind I was going to choose you anyway, would you mind telling me why you wanted so badly to be in it again?
-You, from all people commented blushing slightly should know that! But we will later talk about that Montecchio I need to talk about our promise as well after the meeting ok?
-Well, let the voting begin announced the king who is favorable with Montecchio being the leader of the new team state your opinion when your family name is called.