"Protecting Grand Duke Ferdinand and ensuring his safe arrival in Strasbourg is my main objective. We'll let that vampire go for now; there will be other opportunities to kill him."
Charlotte nodded and followed his "mentor."
To be honest, seeing Menilman made him feel much more at ease. He wanted to ask, "How are things going, senior?" But Menilman was already engaging with the assassins, so Charlotte put away his anti-space sniper rifle and grabbed his magical alchemical staff to join the fight.
His swordsmanship was lacking, and his staff skills were even worse, but he joined the battle mainly to show his support. The real combat force was still Menilman, the empire's First Rose.
Menilman, as a high-level superhuman, ended the fight within a few minutes and stood beside Grand Duke Ferdinand, waiting silently for a while but unsure how to console him.
The love story of Grand Duke Ferdinand and his wife was well-known across the old continent. Even though Menilman no longer believed in love after her fiancé's perversion, she still had great respect for this couple who had faced life and death together.
Charlotte approached Menilman, observed the situation, and whispered, "Your Grace, the ground is too cold. We can't let the Duchess lie here like this."
Grand Duke Ferdinand, who no one could persuade, reacted to this and softly said, "You're right, the ground is too cold. Please help me move Josephine to the carriage."
The guards hurriedly lifted the Duchess onto the carriage. The Grand Duke sat beside her, holding her hand, silent and still, only shedding tears quietly.
Menilman gave Charlotte a thumbs-up, signaling the group to leave the valley and head straight for Strasbourg. As they walked, reinforcements arrived, and several squads of city guards joined them.
On the way, Charlotte finally found an opportunity to approach Menilman and asked, "Senior, what department are you assigned to now?"
Menilman glanced at him and said, "I'm aware of your actions during this mission."
Her reply, though unrelated, made Charlotte feel reassured.
Menilman looked into the distance and said, "You have two choices: I can transfer you out of Kilmainham Prison and help you secure a position in a civilian role. Or you can transfer to a military role, but the assignment could be far away, possibly outside Strasbourg."
Charlotte placed his hand over his heart and said, "I am willing to transfer to the military!"
With such a powerful mentor like Menilman, how could he not take advantage?
Continuing in a civilian role wouldn't give him such strong backing, and future promotion opportunities would be slim.
Menilman spoke softly, "No matter what you've seen or heard, don't tell anyone, not even me. You can't say a word."
"Otherwise, I won't be able to protect you."
Charlotte had considered whether revealing the information about the collaboration between Byron and the Black Phoenix Kingdom in the assassination of Grand Duke Ferdinand would earn him a promotion and raise. But Menilman's warning was like a cold shower, and he quickly replied, "I will remember your guidance, senior."
Politics is complicated, and Charlotte knew he was a novice in this area. So he chose to trust Menilman, staying quiet and not trying to be clever.
When they arrived near Strasbourg, at least two hundred city guards escorted Grand Duke Ferdinand into the imperial capital.
Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief; protecting the Grand Duke was no easy task. He was worried that a group of thugs might suddenly appear and kill him indiscriminately.
Although he was from the Behemoth Kingdom, he wasn't particularly loyal to Grand Duke Ferdinand.
Upon entering Strasbourg, Menilman handed over the city guards to a hastily arriving officer and did not continue to protect the Grand Duke. Naturally, Charlotte followed his senior away from the group, about to ask what he should do next.
He still had his dismissal order!
Suddenly, three gunshots rang out, followed by shouts of, "There's an assassin! Grand Duke Ferdinand has been killed!" Then more gunfire erupted, signaling that the assassin had likely been shot dead.
Charlotte felt a chill in his heart. If the Grand Duke could still be killed after entering Strasbourg, it suggested that those who wanted him dead weren't just the South Seraphim or the Byronians. As for who else, he didn't dare to speculate.
Menilman noticeably relaxed, showing no reaction to the Grand Duke's death, and said, "As long as he wasn't killed under our protection, it has nothing to do with us."
"Oh, by the way!"
"The hundred-plus extraordinary weapons missing from the prison were probably secretly sold off by the new warden, Magrou Trelle. Not a single one has been recovered."
"Thanks to you, Secretary Pascal and several others involved have all firmly pinned the blame on the new warden."
"Thank you!"
Charlotte bowed slightly, remembering when Madame Pascal came to him for advice. He vaguely recalled saying something, but what did it have to do with her pinning the blame on the new warden?
He didn't delve deeper into the matter. While relieved, he also felt a bit frustrated, thinking, "I wanted to take revenge myself, but the new warden Magrou Trelle has already been taken down?"
It was a bit unsatisfying.
Menilman patted him on the shoulder and said, "I'll let you handle this case as a small reward."
Charlotte couldn't help but feel delighted.
He smiled and said, "I will handle it impartially, strictly according to the law, and ensure that Mr. Magrou Trelle doesn't suffer any injustice."
Menilman smiled slightly and said, "I trust your integrity!"
"Take three days off, then go to the prison and handle this case. After that, wait for your transfer orders!"
"The empire is on the brink of war! The old continent's empires will all be involved, and even countries from the new continent may participate."
"Prepare yourself to make a name for yourself!"
Charlotte nodded as he watched his senior walk away gracefully, muttering, "I wonder how many people will die."
He sighed softly.
This time, he was a direct participant, watching as the fuse for war was lit, yet there was nothing he could do.
It was an unsettling feeling.
Even though he knew he couldn't stop the war.
The conspirators had already set the stage for war, and as an ordinary traveler, he could only go with the flow.
Charlotte sighed again, hailed a carriage, and returned to 58 Elysée Country Road.