A Background Character’s Path to Power

"Good job, Vance." Baron praised Vance as we sat across the table in his private study.

It was Vance who had heard the info about the princess's life being in danger. And he was also the one who discovered the guard was a spy during their travel here. He had warned the baron after their meeting. And Baron devised the plan to find their location and capture them before they could attack.

Thankfully, the guard acted today as we anticipated.

But the baron didn't have anyone in his retinue who was proficient in scouting with advanced stealth techniques. He feared they would be discovered and the entire plan would collapse before it could bear fruit.

That's when I volunteered to take the task of tailing the guard. It wasn't hard to convince them once I showed my Silent Veil skill.

"Thanks to your info, we managed to catch the traitor and find the assassins." The baron said, turning to me with an expectant gaze. "You did find them, correct?"

I nodded firmly. "I managed to follow him without being spotted and found their current hideout. There are at least 15 of them."

The ones I saw were exactly 15, but there might be ones hiding or were scouting.

"That's excellent work. But now that we know about their... methods, we need to change the initial plan slightly." The baron's expression grew troubled. "We need to capture them alive, without triggering whatever kill switches they have. We need at least one captive to present as evidence and to extract information about who really sent them. My plan is to transport them to the capital for proper interrogation."

I felt doubt creeping into my mind.

Even if we somehow managed to capture them, would the mastermind really sit idle?

The strongest of the barony, the baron, was only a peak Tier 5 Resonator. One or two skilled Tier 6 Resonators would be more than enough to intercept them on the road to the capital and eliminate any evidence.

"If your suspicion about someone trying to frame the barony by killing the princess is correct," I spoke up carefully, "then they will definitely attack within these two days."

The baron nodded with a smile. "That's precisely why we'll be departing tomorrow morning, ahead of schedule."

His words surprised both me and Vance.

I really forgot to think about such a simple but clever tactic.

Leaving early would throw off any timed attacks.

But I couldn't shake the gut feeling that it was the princess who was being closely monitored. If that were true, then changing the schedule wouldn't matter; the assassins would be alerted and adjust their plans accordingly.

So, what could be the right plan?

That wouldn't put the barony in danger... even if the princess were to get assassinated, which she probably wouldn't, since she was a main character.

They would need a witness, one who wouldn't side with the mastermind(the royalty). So the guards were out. I wouldn't cut either. Although Cassandra might suit, she was under another identity right now.

I needed to think more simply.

...Wait!

Why didn't I think of this sooner?

"Sir, why don't you depart with the other Shield Family representatives then?" I asked. "They would serve as perfect witnesses to whatever happens during the journey."

The baron's eyes lit up with understanding. "Of course! If representatives from multiple shield families are present when attacked, it becomes impossible for anyone to claim we orchestrated the princess's assassination ourselves."

Vance's eyes also widened and nodded in agreement.

I was really stupid for not thinking of this before.

"This solves multiple problems at once. You get credible witnesses, additional protection for the journey, and political insurance." I added.

"That's right." Baron nodded. "I will contact other family heads this morning. We can probably gather at the Derier City by lunch."

He then turned to us. "Ok, first take rest till morning. I will call you both before we depart."

We nodded and left the baron's room.

The heavy door closed behind us with a soft thud, and we began walking down the dimly lit corridor in the same direction toward our rooms.

Once I was certain we were out of earshot from the baron's study, I discreetly summoned Seren. {Let's test him now.}

{Yes, friend,} Seren replied, his ethereal form flying through the air to above and diving right in Vance's path.

"!" Vance subconsiously stopped moving once he saw Seren staring at him.

I glanced at Vance and asked. "You can see him, right?"

Vance flinched at my words. His body trembled slightly, as if realizing he had been found out.

I sighed and shook my head. "Come on now, you were making it too obvious. Constantly stealing glances at me and him whenever you were around us."

Vance relaxed his body and grimaced at his own careless mistakes, his usual composed demeanor cracking as he acknowledged how poorly he acted.

"Is it your eyes?" I asked with genuine curiosity. "Do they allow you to see the spectral world? Or just spectral beings?"

Vance first shook his head, then paused and nodded, indicating it was specifically spectral beings he could perceive, not the entire spectral realm. Well, I was no different from him then.

"I see," I muttered thoughtfully. "You've got a really interesting ability."

Then I gestured at Seren, who was now hovering above my palm. "Are you curious about him?"

Vance hesitated for a moment, clearly torn between his natural caution and genuine interest, before finally nodding.

I smiled faintly.

"He's my friend, my bond. And..." My expression grew more serious. "Please, don't tell anyone else about him, ok?"

"!"

Vance was stunned, then realized the hidden meaning of my words.

He nodded firmly, placing his hand over his heart and making a zipping motion across his lips - a gesture that clearly meant 'I promise by my heart(?)'.

His eyes were sincere as well.

"Mm, thank you for your understanding." I smiled in 'relief'. "To show our gratitude, he will let you carry him till we part ways."

Vance's eyes widened in surprise, looking at me with the 'can I really?' expression.

I chuckled at his reaction. "Go ahead, my friend."

{Mmm.}

Seren gracefully floated over and settled onto Vance's outstretched palm. I watched with amusement as Vance observed Seren with genuine curiosity sparkling in his eyes, completely captivated by the small spectral being.

He even exchanged a fingershake with him.

...Had he never seen a spectral being before?