Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 965: Searching for Spies

Chapter 965: Chapter 965: Searching for Spies

These two groups were also the ones who wanted to be made to feel like they were special and different from the rest.

Arabella would indulge them so they wouldn’t think they were being ignored.

When lunchtime came, Arabella headed to the banquet hall with the Marquess.

Lunch was peaceful this time, and no matter how she tried to listen, there were no spies among the butlers and maids who served them food.

’Maybe, there are no more spies in the castle. They must have run away after one of them went missing,’ Arabella thought.

The Marquess did not report to her that one of their butlers had suddenly gone missing, but she heard from their thoughts.

She was supposed to inform the Marquess that they had caught the said butler, since he was a spy. However, since they did not know yet if there were more, they had to pretend like they were not involved with it and did not even know about it.

From what she heard from the maids and butlers’ thoughts, the one they caught started working here two years ago.

It was a long enough time to observe the former Marquess closely and be one of his trusted butlers by performing well all the time.

Even his fellow maids and butlers did not find any issue with him aside from one thing: that when he was on break, he did not mingle with any of them, and they could not find where he was.

Those were likely the times he went around snooping in the Marquess’ office or around the marquessate and reporting to his superiors outside.

Since he went missing, the Marquess had some of his knights look for him without causing a commotion.

Of course, they returned without him since he was already dead. And Alwin had frozen his carcass and used several spells to observe if the butler’s soul or the others’ tried to leave their body using any kind of spell.

None did so far, but they were being careful just in case.

Alwin said that after three days, their souls would naturally leave their body and return to the God of Humans and the reincarnation cycle regardless of Alwin’s spells if they were not magicians who had occupied the said bodies after killing the original, or if they had not cast spells in advance so their soul could move freely even if their body died.

Thus, they are still waiting. Only then could they return the bodies or have a burial held for them.

After lunch, Arabella parted with her assistants.

Her assistants had to continue their interviews around the marquessate and work on the enlistment of workers for their proposed employment opportunities.

The same was true for the Marquess since Arabella tasked him with the enlistment of construction workers for the construction projects they would implement.

Arabella said her goodbyes to everyone and pretended to return to the Imperial Palace.

But in truth, Alwin only teleported them to another part of the castle.

Alwin made all of them invisible, hid their presence, and used spells on their shoes so they left not a single footprint or sound.

Arabella walked around the castle with Alwin, Rendell, and her guard knights, looking for anything suspicious.

She also listened to the thoughts of everyone they passed by.

But even after an hour of walking around the castle repeatedly. They found none.

"They must be hiding well, or none of them are left here. Still, let’s try to look for more. Let’s divide into groups and search around the whole marquessate. I will be with His Eminence. Rendell will be alone. Blanca will be with one knight. The remaining will have two each as well," Arabella suggested.

"But Your Majesty’s safety..."

The knights did not want to part with her since they were supposed to guard her.

Aside from Rendell, Ferdinand had assigned five more knights as her guards here.

They were the ones who usually shifted with Rendell in guarding her in the palace.

They knew Blanca was not simply a maid, so they were not worried about her.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be with His Eminence," Arabella pointed at Alwin, who nodded confidently.

Her five guard knights glanced at Rendell, who was their captain.

"Must we really do this, Your Majesty?" Rendell asked.

"Yes, if there are more spies hiding, they will likely try to sabotage our efforts here again.

I don’t want that to happen, so let’s put a bit more effort into finding them.

But we must remain invisible so we won’t raise suspicions and alert them.

So it’s just us that will be looking for spies.

If we announce it to all the knights, then the spies will be hiding more carefully," Arabella explained.

"I see. If it’s Your Majesty’s wish, then so be it. But please be careful at all times," Rendell said.

He meant that Arabella should defend him in case Ferdinand punishes them for agreeing to this.

"Of course. I will. If His Majesty punishes any of you, please tell him I insisted," Arabella assured them, no matter what happens, this was her responsibility.

They did not debate anymore since they knew Ferdinand could also be excessive at times, even when Alwin alone could indeed keep her safe.

{Remember not to be careless.

If you meet the enemy and they notice you, do not engage.

Teleport Her Majesty back to the Magic Tower or the Palace immediately.

If you expose Her Majesty to danger aside from risking yourself last time, I won’t be able to defend you if His Majesty decides to send you back.}

Rendell warned Alwin.

{I know. I will be on alert. I have already cast additional barriers around the marquessate just in case.}

With this, they all parted and headed in different directions, dividing the marquessate equally to search for possible spies all around Sibruh.

Arabella and Alwin walked around the market first. They found none.

They walked around the residential areas around the castle; still, none.

They then teleported to their designated area and walked around it repeatedly, but still found none.

They then checked all areas in Sibruh, teleporting from one location to another and walking around anywhere they found some houses and or people staying.

But despite hours of searching, they still found none.