Early the next morning, Green sat in an armchair in his office, drinking coffee as he listened to Suzune's report.
After about five minutes, Suzune finished. Only then did he set down his cup. "So that man disappeared long ago?"
After hearing about the deaths of Madam Rand and Sherotna yesterday, Green had kept thinking of the Necromancer he had encountered riding in a carriage in the Northern Province. He did not trust anyone else to investigate. If it was that man, he would be extremely dangerous. Only Suzune could go; even if she uncovered something, she could handle it if he turned desperate.
According to Suzune's investigation, the Necromancer named Lant Rost, who had once sheltered with Cyrabelle's army, had vanished shortly after the army returned from the Northern Province. On the surface, Lant Rost was only at the High Formal Rank, nowhere near the High-Level Legendary Necromancer Green had expected.
The findings left Green silent for a long time.
Suzune stood quietly across the desk, showing no impatience. Learning that Green had killed Sebolutes had made her realize the advantage in strength she thought she held did not exist. Though they were nominally equal partners, Green's display of greater power had gradually changed their relationship into one of superior and subordinate.
Deep down, Suzune did not resist the change. She even felt relieved.
Suzune was powerful, but upheaval in her family during childhood had led to her being raised as an Assassin. An Assassin was a tool who needed someone to give her orders. That person had once been Sebolutes; now it was Green. In between, she had tried living more independently. But having to make every decision herself felt awful. Every choice meant bearing its consequences, and she hated that inexplicable pressure.
With Green taking charge, everything