NOVEL NEXT Chapter 102- The Senate
"Commander, I know you expect everyone to act with certain standards and uphold the responsibility that comes with one's position and role. So please, forgive Ana this time. She is like this because she cannot handle travelling".
"Hmm, don't worry. I am not finding faults with her or anything. I understand she is having difficulties; as such, I will not hold her to her usual standards," Reinhardt commented and quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, we will be arriving at the capital tomorrow. The Council of Elders will no doubt hold a hearing for me. While there is no guarantee that our mansion in the capital will be attacked, there might still be intruders trying to get rid or sabotage our proof. You and the other knights need to be extra careful".
"I understand, leave it to me, Commander" Bob nodded his head.
.
.
The morning of the next day, their convoy arrived at the capital at noon. A messenger was sent to inform the king and the council of his arrival. Just as he had guessed, he was informed to attend a hearing that was scheduled for tomorrow.
During this time, not only did he need to stay at the guest quarters, but he also wasn't allowed to meet with anyone or his subordinates.
"I leave the place in your hands" Reinhardt left after assigning Bob in charge.
On that night, just as he expected, somebody did try to sneak into their mansion and tried to kill their proof— Baron Chetak and the others.
However, thanks to the knights and Zerina, their plan was easily foiled. Unfortunately, they were unable to capture the assassin as they destroyed their body using some means.
As for him, he was standing in the middle of a pyre of what could be said to be the remains of the building. That's right, the place he was staying in for the hearing tomorrow, was also attacked.
However, the enemy knew better than to send assassins after a level 10 knight and instead decided on blowing off the entire building along with him.
Unfortunately for them, Reinhardt's body which had long surpassed the realms of human, did not even receive a scratch. If there was any loss, it would be that his clothes were all burnt.
"It looks, someone is trying to get rid of the proof using any means possible".
To attack a place that was associated with the council, this mastermind was quite brave. Nevertheless, their actions only made it certain that Baron Chetak and the other hold some kind of clue that can lead to them.
"Is it Marquis Boulevard or Earl Malmond in whose territory the dungeon was found?"
These two were the prime suspects. Unfortunately, he had no proof that could support his claims.
For the rest of the night, Reinhardt decided to stay by the wreckage until the authorities arrived. The next morning, the news of the Divine Paladin being attacked spread like wildfire. In the blink of an eye, all the people of the capital were discussing about that.
"Hey, did you hear that the inn the Commander of the Order of the Temple of Light was staying in was blown into smithereens"?
"Yeah, I heard it was the doing of some terrorist organisation whose headquarters was once destroyed by the Temple of Light".
Be it in the bar or on the sidewalk, people were discussing about the hot news everywhere.
"Heh, it's old news already. I heard that there is a hearing scheduled specifically for Sir Reinhardt today. Most of the top members are attending, including the king. Something big must have happened. The last time a hearing like this was set up was when one of the seven great commanders died".
"I wonder what the council wants from Sir Reinhardt. He is a chivalrous knight who has protected our kingdom time and time again".
Unlike Earth, where technology was within the reach of every human, the news in this world travelled slowly. Even if it did, most of the people in the upper society had privy to that first.
As such, it could be said that Reinhardt's actions on Baron Chetak's territory was yet to reach the common masses of the kingdom.
At exactly, 10 o'clock, Reinhardt was called to the senate adjacent to the royal palace. It was also then that his knight squadron met up with him near the gates.
"Did you bring the proof?"
"He is inside the carriage" Bob pointed at the carriage that was parked near the gate.
"Do you need me to bring him in?"
Reinhardt shook his head "From this point on, we cannot take our weapons with us. The guards there will stop everyone and check them for any dangerous items. It is impossible for you to bring the proof without them getting in the way. If we lose the proof right now, all of this is meaningless. Although at some point I would need you to bring in the proof, so wait for my signal. Do not make any scene till then".
"But Commander, how will I see your signal if you are inside?"
He looked at the sky, an idea flashed in his head. He grinned "Just keep a heads up towards the sky".
After that, he glanced at Zerina, who was being subjected to all kinds of stares from the crowd. As a demi human who was rarely seen in the capital, she stuck out like a sore thumb. Well, Reinhardt had already informed her about such behaviour as such, it was not a problem for her.
"Are you ready?"
The latter nodded her head, steeling herself for what might come. And so, the two entered the Senate.
On their way, they were asked by the guards to leave their weapons. They had some kind of device that could scan through a knight's [Pocket] skill. As such, it was useless even if one wanted to hide their weapons inside the pocket dimension.
Reinhardt possessed the far higher skill called the [Dimensional Storage] which even the device could not scan and Zerina was an unarmed fighter. The guards found nothing on them.