A Count in the Parva Marquee. That too a count in name only.
A Count in name or rather I think its better to explain what a Noble in name means. It is a person who has a noble title, but that title is not inheritable to his descendants, they won't have any territory as such.
All they would get is an estate.
They won't have any access to the tax, land or anything else. The noble in name was a custom created to appease some of the war veterans who contributed very much, but not enough to warrant a territory of their own.
Not a lot of people are pleased by this title.
They don't have too much authority. The most they could amount to was some privilege here and there. The worst part was that more often than not, they were taken away from the front line and sent back into the country.
They don't have much opportunity to gain more honor to make their title a real one.
Instead, they were called for some petty underhanded issues that couldn't be revealed to the rest of the nation. In this practice, the higher the title, the better the privilege. A count title never really gave much benefit to anyone.
I called the Parva Marquee's Mage association immediately.
"Hello, this is Tej. The acting head of gazette branch, Anta Duchy and the reporter in charge of the southern front."
That was my official title and introduction.
"Hello, Sir Tej. This is the Deputy-department head of Parva Marquee's Gazette. It is an honor to speak with you. I have heard many a tale about your achievements even at such a young age."
"Thank you, Sir. Honor is all mine.
Anyway, I called you to apologize. Because of some mistake in the description of the image, the article that I published caused some trouble for you."
"Oh? You are talking about the missing person article? It indeed caused some frustration, sir. But it is nothing to fuss over. That noble is a very angry man and recently he has been an edge. No one knows why, he has been going around picking fights.
For the past couple of days, we actually didn't see that person and when we saw the missing person article, we almost thought it is true.
The city guard directly went to his estate and unintentionally poked the bear. That bear just threw its weight around at our branch.
But all in all, it wasn't much trouble."
"Oh? I am really sorry, Sir. It is still my mistake. I should be held accountable. If you don't mind, I would like to make it up to you. Please consider that I owe your branch a personal favor. I will fulfill one of your requests as long as within my capacity and doesn't go against my professional ethics."
"Please, Sir. It doesn't warrant such a reaction from you. It isn't something we haven't seen before."
"It might be true. But please. I insist."
"If you say so, Sir. Thank you."
"Also, if you don't mind can you tell me the current status of the Count and some of his details? I would like to send a present to make up for the disturbance that I caused him."
"Sir, he is Count Javin. He is a bit troublesome to deal with. He has a rude behavior and his temper flares up every single second. He is also way too prickly these past few days…"
He went on to give me some details about that man.
After I hung up that call, I went back to the tent.
"Bubble, My friend," I called for the fat man.
"Yes, Sir Tej."
"I need the detailed map of the Parva City and the Marquee. The military-strategic map, not the citizen one. Get it for me, please."
The fat man's face broke out in a wide smile. The fat on his face trembled as he looked so full of himself.
He rubbed his fat belly and said.
"Sir, I don't have to get it. I have it with me."
He pulled it out of his storage and neatly spread it out on the table.
"You have a military-grade map? You are quite resourceful, Bubble."
"Of course, Sir. I used to help with military administration and I also dabble in cartography."
"Good, good."
"What do you need this for, Sir?"
"There is no harm in telling you, I guess. If my guess is wrong, this is where the next attack of that 'Demon's illusion' the man, the wolf, and the horse are going to appear."
I looked at Bubble with a smile. His eyes tried to widen themselves, but that fat face didn't let them. His facial muscles barely have any movement.
However, I did understand that he was surprised.
The missing article that I published the day before was exactly meant to create this reaction. To find out the person that Ash was going to target.
As for why I was sure…. This was the image Ash showed Ardra while he tortured him in that pit. This was the image he showed Ardra and asked about the person in it.
I don't know if Parvir noticed this person's image and followed up on that lead, I didn't know if necessary actions were taken to prevent it. However, I wanted to find out more. By that point, it was obvious that there was some story behind Ash and the rest of the kingdom.
To know more about that person's story. To know where this story ends.
I decided that this story should be publicized and for that, I need to investigate it more.
So, I published that article. I knew that there could only be a few reactions to this. One was the actual reaction that we got. If it was a noble of high enough status, they were not going to let this insult be. They will complain to the nearest branch and wouldn't sit still until the complaint reaches the headquarters.
The second possible reaction was that if it was a commoner, someone around hi would go running to the nearest branch and give information about that person for the prize money.
The reaction should be that the person himself would go to the branch and enquire about the false notice.
After I knew who that person was and who I was looking for, all I needed to do was make sure that I had some eyes on that place.
That was the reason I asked for the military map of Parva City.
The military map has detailed spatial coordinates. Of course, don't be surprised that we had our own coordinate system. We did.
It was mostly used for military purposes. To communicate the exact location of the enemy troops, our troops, the weak points, strong points, ambush points, etc. The other usage was for the Space Mages.
The ones that could use teleportation magic or the ones that were building the teleportation gates. They would need the coordinates.
Of course, I wasn't a space mage and I wasn't a strategist. But you will know why I needed that map soon.
After analyzing the map and in particular the Count's estate, I went out of the tent to meet Dhana.
By the time I reached there, Dhana and Dharma were just coming from a mission along with their team.
"Hey Tej? How are you doing?"
She asked me with a smile. Her beautiful eyes were now being carried by large black spots. Her lack of sleep was way too apparent.
Her whole body was covered with blood and sweat. The former was not hers, at least most of it. It was from her target.
"How did your mission go?" I asked her.
"It was a success. We assassinated one of the Demon Generals just now. We also managed to acquire some documents. However, we couldn't understand what was written on those documents. The language was an unknown one.
One of the team members said that it was one of the demon languages."
"May I could take a look? I have studied demons for some time."
"I was actually about to ask you that. But you know the protocol, I need to show them to Arun first."
"Then you shouldn't have mentioned them to me. Now, I have to lament the fact that I cannot access them at all."
"Why? Did you finally lose it and make fun of his scar?"
"I wish it was that easy. But you are half right. I did finally lose it. Anyway, we can talk about that later. I need a favor from you."
"What is it? Just ask."
"I need a Zephyrwing. Your personal one."
Dhana Frowned.
"You are not doing something as stupid as trying to escape, are you?"
"No, absolutely not. I just need it for something else. I cannot say it though. Can you trust me with it?"
"Does it have to be Zephyrwing? I just got it to Sixth Circle. It would be hard to breed a new one."
"Well, he Zephyrwing is most suited for my task. How about this? After we get out of here, I will help you catch that Aeroquine. I know you have been trying for some time."
That did it. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened so far, a saucer could easily fit in.
"Take it."
That was all she said as she passed down a beast token. I went back to my tent to proceed with my next plans.