The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] Chapter 1319: Private Interests

As relatively upright officials and rulers of the esteemed Empire of Solaris, people like them should’ve understood the weight of retaliation and unfair treatment.

And for the most part, they did.

After all, would any of them have remained in their positions for this long if they went around abusing their power whenever someone irritated them?

Probably not.

Even the most modest among them, however, understood that there was a reason their families, particularly their ancestors, had felt the need to amass such tremendous wealth and influence in the first place.

It was so that, just in case something truly offended them, they could simply bypass the usual channels and go straight for where it hurt.

As such, before a thoroughly steaming Duke Leander could even turn toward Butler Gary, the similarly incensed older man had already begun issuing orders to investigate the current state of several houses.

It was technically just a background check.

Yet the quiet, terrifying intensity with which Butler Gary relayed those instructions made it seem as though he wanted to reach straight through the terminal screen and personally emphasize just how that investigation had better be!

Because how dare anyone think about their Young Lord in such a manner?!

Had the Imperial Crown Prince not already gone off to exact his own form of sanctions, the butler was quite certain a few members of the household would’ve happily taken care of the matter themselves in the dead of night!

Of course, they wouldn’t permanently snuff out the lights of such reprehensibly foolish youths.

They were still promising Imperial talents, after all.

But there were always ways to make sure they enjoyed some truly days ahead in the company of those perfectly "docile" corrupted beasts.

Then again, considering the experience already doled out by the Crown Prince, it might take a while before those seniors were fit to face any other sort of threat.

They wouldn’t just need time to salvage their academic standing, but also to recover from the emotional damage apparently caused by possessing mouths and choosing to use them.

At least House Kyros could take comfort in having such a sensible in-law who clearly didn’t believe in wasting time on unnecessary pleasantries.

Given the circumstances, a few discreet background checks were probably the most realistic option left to them.

But apparently, House Kyros’s particular version of a welfare check was contagious.

Because elsewhere, a certain Chief of Staff had already begun initiating one of his own while tugging at a tie that suddenly felt far too suffocating around his neck.

Killian tapped his private terminal interface.

The connection went through almost immediately, and an older, revered voice filtered through the encrypted speaker with practiced, serene elegance.

"Lord Killian. How may I be of service?"

His scrutinizing eyes remained fixed on the holographic projections floating before him, each one showing the faces of several young and clearly careless figures.

"Look into a few people for me," he said, his voice dangerously flat. "I want a report on every tie and alliance you can find."

There was a brief pause on the other end.

"My Lord..." the senior butler eventually responded, considerably more carefully this time. "Are you referring to ties involving the Office of the Chief of Staff, or...?"

"..."

Killian exhaled softly.

For some reason, the question made the breath catch ever so slightly in his throat, almost as though he’d just been caught red-handed doing something he knew perfectly well was unreasonable.

Little Izzie chose that exact moment to nuzzle her soft face against his ribs.

Killian reached down and gently patted her head.

"House Nox," he corrected coldly. "Investigate them under the direct authority of the eldest heir. I want to know what economic and administrative sanctions can be levied as soon as possible."

Another pause.

Then, very cautiously...

"If I may ask about the gravity of the offense, My Lord? So that we may calibrate our response accordingly?"

"..."

Killian’s jaw tightened.

Now, how the hell was he supposed to explain this?

Then again, what was the point of maintaining all those trade relationships, protecting the family’s interests, and shouldering the immense responsibilities that came with being House Nox’s eldest heir if the very house he’d spent years safeguarding couldn’t do something as simple as this for him?!

So, after several long seconds of silence, Killian finally answered with a chilling solemnity that made the offense sound considerably more grave than it had any right to be.

"...Daring to covet the future of House Nox."

"..."

Back at the infamous Nox Manor, the senior butler receiving those orders froze.

So did the trusted head maids standing within earshot of the call.

For several seconds, not a single person moved.

The butler slowly swallowed, an extraordinary mixture of profound wonder and barely restrained curiosity flashing across a face that had spent decades perfecting the art of remaining unreadable.

Then, wisely deciding that perhaps this was one order he shouldn’t question any further, he bowed sharply toward the terminal screen despite knowing the young master couldn’t actually see him.

"As you wish, My Lord."

__

Now, as for what had just sent such a stir through the normally quiet estate, the order itself really wasn’t anything unusual.

For staff working under the Empire’s elite, discreet investigations of this sort were practically part of the daily routine.

But for the eldest heir of House Nox, of all people, to suddenly issue one for such obviously personal reasons?!

Now was unusual.

Throughout their many years of loyal service, there had rarely been a time when the always well-behaved Young Lord Killian had wielded the considerable power of his family for his own private interests.

Despite having the authority of House Nox firmly within his grasp, he’d always made a point of accomplishing things using the position and influence he’d earned through his own merit.

So what exactly were they supposed to make of

The senior butler remained silent for several seconds, thinking deeply about the implications before abruptly turning toward the surrounding staff.

"You all heard that, correct?!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"We are currently under attack!" he announced gravely. "As such, we will direct all available efforts toward ensuring that this detestable threat is thoroughly neutralized! Do you understand?!"

"Yes, Sir!"

The change that swept through the room was almost instantaneous.

The previously approachable household staff straightened, their expressions sharpening as though they were preparing to return to the considerably higher-stakes professions many of them had long since retired from.

After all, quite a number of House Nox’s most trusted personnel had once worked in intelligence.

But before anyone could properly act on the butler’s dramatic declaration of war, another incoming call interrupted them.

"...?"

The moment the caller’s identity appeared, everyone immediately straightened again.

It was the Lady of the House herself.

Marquise Evelyn Nox.

Another call that absolutely had to be answered, and considering the timing, perhaps further proof that House Nox truly facing some sort of serious threat!

The butler steeled himself before accepting the connection.

"My Lady."

The normally vibrant yet elegant voice that greeted him sounded unusually heated, almost as though the Marquise herself was preparing to champion a full-scale campaign.

Just what in the world was happening?!