The Hidden Darkness
“That look on your face… you are interested.”
“I’ve worked with the Glabersons a lot. Of course I’m interested.”
I’m actually living with one of the daughters for various reasons, but I decided to keep that detail to myself—no need to complicate things further.
“They’ve got deep ties with the ducal families, so I figured the Knights Order might be tangled up with them too. Still… after this, you might never see the Glabersons the same way again.”
“Then quit stalling and just tell me already.”
“No need to rush things.”
Schneider took a slow breath before beginning to speak of the Glabersons’ darkness.
“First off, Dahlen Glaberson—the current head of the family. He’s decent. Two daughters. The younger one's talented, but the older one? Not a lick of magical ability. Still, I hear she landed herself a pretty good post.”
“Hm.”
I already knew that, but I kept my face blank and played along.
… The real issue came next.
“The Glabersons are known for producing top-notch people, but in that famed family, there’s one outlier—a dangerous schemer, through and through.”
“A schemer?”
“Lowell Glaberson. The head’s younger brother.”
The current head’s brother… which makes him Amira’s uncle.
“Why is he called an outlier?”
“I’ve never met him myself, so I’m going off reputation. But apparently, he’s never accepted that his older brother became the head of the family. Sure, the eldest inheriting the title is standard, but it seems that reason alone wasn’t enough for him.”
“Don’t tell me… he’s aiming for the Glaberson headship?”
If that’s the case, could he be plotting some “accident” to take out his brother?
But Schneider shook his head.
“He’s not thinking that small anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“The rumor is… Lowell Glaberson’s target is way bigger. Someone like the current King, even.”
“What!?”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
That’s not the kind of thing you joke about.
Then again, this is all if it turns out to be true…
“How credible is this information?”
“C’mon now. I told you this half-expecting you to laugh me out of the room. You really believe something this out there?”
“You never lie when it’s business. Your cons were always built on truth, just… twisted.”
“...!”
Schneider’s eyes widened in shock, as if he hadn’t expected that answer.
But then he chuckled, slipping back into his usual carefree expression.
“... You really have changed.”
And with that, he continued, getting to the heart of the conspiracy.
What do you think about this chapter?
