Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 973: Maybe, There’s None Left

Chapter 973: Chapter 973: Maybe, There’s None Left

Alwin did not sense magicians either, so this left non-magicians.

But it was a highly unlikely scenario unless their enemy used people without a shred of concern for their safety.

However, if this were the case, then the people sent here would have no sense of loyalty and would not bother to report and live here in Valeria instead of escaping their master.

Or were the spells to kill them also made with another feature? For instance, to kill them the instant they betrayed their master.

’No, that’s also unlikely. From the thoughts I heard from them so far, they seemed loyal to their master. Enough for the butler to try to kill me to help their cause, even if he gets caught.’

"Indeed. If we find none, then perhaps, all of them stayed close to the castle since it was where there were more people they could manipulate and get information from.

There’s no use for them to stay on the outskirts.

Especially with lockdown, food is easier to obtain near the castle.

Maybe, there’s none left now.

Perhaps the ones we caught last time were the only ones assigned here.

Or the others escaped immediately upon seeing Ferdinand or the Imperial Knights arrive at the castle.

Maybe, the ones we caught were not aware of Ferdinand’s first visit, or they knew but could not escape before the barrier was up," Arabella surmised.

"Yes, those are also possibilities.

If we find no spies in our last round, let’s regroup at the castle and return to the Palace."

Alwin sighed deeply at the thought that they wasted hours walking around for nothing.

"Alright. I also have some paperwork to do," Arabella agreed. "We can try again in another territory. They may have sent at least one or more as well."

If they find no spies here and none in other territories, they would be at a dead end. They would be left hanging once again on who the hell plotted this and what exactly was their goal.

They could make all the assumptions they want, but they won’t be able to announce it without conclusive evidence.

"Are you done resting?" Alwin glanced at her foot, which she had complained to hurting.

He cast a healing spell, and all the remaining ache was gone.

"Yes, thank you!"

Arabella was glad she could walk painlessly again.

Having a mage like Alwin around is indeed very convenient.

This was exactly why she wanted to learn magic, but since it was dangerous to do so at the moment, she wouldn’t insist on it and would wait for the proper time.

After all, she has all the time in the world as long as she’s Ferdinand’s mate.

For now, she would do what she could as the Empress of Valeria and remain focused on their current goals.

She can get as many hobbies and learn as many skills as she wants once they retires in Estrella.

Ferdinand had promised her body won’t weaken, so she can learn as much as she can, even after a long time has passed.

"Alright, then shall we continue our walk?" Alwin asked.

"Yes, let’s go!"

However, just as Alwin was about to teleport them to the seemingly abandoned village so that they would be within Arabella’s "hearing range," they saw a carriage heading into the village.

The carriage looked like a normal carriage.

However, looking at it with enhanced eyesight, they noticed that the carriage seemed new and was made of high-quality wood.

It was in complete contrast to this village, which had dilapidated houses that looked like they hadn’t been repaired for years.

Further, the carriage had guards. There were two men on horseback at the front and another two men on horseback at the back.

They were hiding it with their cloaks, but Alwin noticed they were also armed. Each of the four guards had a sword at their waist.

"Hmm, whoever they are, they seem to be important people for them to have guards. It’s an unmarked carriage but made of high quality, so it can either be a rich commoner, a merchant, or a noble," Alwin surmised.

"Indeed. But why would such a person visit a place like this? To sell or deliver food and supplies? But this carriage is too small for that."

For a village this size, a bigger carriage, or rather, a wagon, would have been better to deliver food or other supplies here.

"And the Imperial Knights and magicians assigned here would have already delivered food and supplies to the settlers here.

Even if this area is not visible from the castle due to the terrain here, the magicians would have checked this for settlers and distributed food and supplies to them.

The last distribution of supplies was a few days ago before the revolt happened," Alwin noted.

"Are you saying these people are escapees?

Did we just discover the new den of rebels?!"

Arabella gulped nervously.

"Not escapees. There’s no way they could escape if they were already caught.

They must be reserved members who were not part of those who attacked.

Thus, their identities are likely still not known, which was why they went here to hide," Alwin concluded.

As far as Arabella knew, Ferdinand and his knights had caught the several nobles who were among those who led the revolt.

Thus, the situation here was supposed to already be resolved, which was why Ferdinand agreed for her to visit without him.

If the people staying here are among the rebels, then it means the captured nobles and rebels made false testimonies to protect their real master, or at least some remaining leaders who could continue their cause.

"Then, whoever is in this carriage might be one of their leaders?" Arabella surmised.

"Yes. It must be one of their leaders for him to have four guards. If he is just a messenger, they could have sent just one man instead."

"I see...

Then we must catch them so they won’t cause any more chaos.

Ah, wait... if there’s a spy among them, he might die immediately if we catch them.

Let’s eavesdrop first," Arabella suggested.

"Yes, let’s stay here for now and observe," Alwin agreed.