The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 113: Chapter 112: And Then Is Heard No More

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Chapter 112: And Then Is Heard No More Ganelon spoke not a word in response. The fearsome fellow of before had all but disappeared, replaced by a bumbling, broken mess, his eyes transfixed on only a single man. It was as if he had regressed to a child; he closed off his eyes and ears, his lips quivered, and he shrunk back out of dread like one would before a monster in the dark—a creature whispered of during bedtime to get naughty children to behave—only this was no being of imagination. Lucius was very much real. “No, no…” Ganelon stuttered, his knuckles turning white. “But I was so close. Everything I prepared for, everything I planned, was supposed to culminate here. It was going so well.” Lucius broke out into a gentlemanly smile. “Indeed, your efforts are to be applauded, my friend. I worried for a moment that you’d take longer than I’d like, but fortunately my fears were unfounded. Bravo, Sir Ganelon! You certainly have a knack for fulfilling expectations.” “E-expectations?” The High Tribunal shook his head, delirious. “You knew I’d be here?” “Well, yes. I know many things. I know exactly when you wake every morning. I know the type of drinks you prefer, your eating habits, how you squint your left eye when irritated, or how you often gaze woefully out to the sky during the evening hours when you believe no one else to be nearby. I know you planned to keep the city hostage by smuggling explosive crystal bombs into warehouses around the borders, and I also know that your plot to remove the Archbishop has been in motion for quite a while. I know this all, Ganelon; and I know many more.” The man was utterly speechless. Lucius could see the color in his face draining by the second, his pride, his dignity, and his self-esteem all faded to nothingness. “But I… I had a spy follow you,” he quietly said. “You shouldn’t even be here. Just an hour ago, they said you were fast asleep.” The gentleman chuckled. “Ah, yes. Those fellows you call night walkers, hm? I am most pleased to say that I’ve developed a friendly relationship with them. Let not their dealings as informants or assassins diminish their value as professionals; they deserve a proper wage just like anyone else, which unfortunately you’ve neglected to provide. And they are not too happy with being treated as expendables.” Ganelon froze for a moment, before bringing his hand up and covering his forehead. He let free a bitter, resentful laugh. “So they, too, have betrayed me. Not the only ones, I presume?” Lucius enthusiastically clapped his hands. “A stellar deduction! You would be correct: the merchants, the judges, and even the castle servants have all become a part of my humble network. Though, the paladins weren’t quite so easily swayed. They are rather loyal - perhaps you should send them a gift some time, maybe a basket of fruits.” Ganelon didn’t seem to appreciate Lucius’s candid tone. “Suffice to say, my dandy friend, there’s nowhere else to run,” the gentleman continued. “I’ve already confiscated the explosions, as well as visited the court and had them prepare a trial for the morrow. Attempted assassination of an Archbishop is a serious crime; not even a Peer like you can avoid the consequences.” Lucius had to admit, he much enjoyed this performance. It reminded him of those old detective movies he’d see in theatres. Here, at the ‘final’ confrontation, the protagonist would shed light on all the plots and dastardly schemes attempted by the nefarious villain, and they would do so all-the-while watching their adversary squirm. How interesting that he would play the hero this time around, when years ago the United Nations had made the gentleman the world’s number one most wanted criminal, with a bounty of 14.7 billion euros. Included in Lucius’s supposed crimes were terrorism, defacement of historical property, incitement on a global level, grand larceny, destruction of foreign landmarks, establishment of a world-wide cult (he had no part in that), instigation of