After hearing him out, Rellana looked thoughtful. "Missing Albinaurics... I think I remember something about that. My sister previously asked me to secretly investigate the Academy's capture of Albinaurics. Then the wedding and other matters got in the way. I don't know who she handed it over to afterward."
She frowned slightly, sensing that there might be more to this than met the eye.
Messmer kept his head lowered, his voice a little strained. "Uncle, I... I know Gaius did something wrong. But those people of his... they can't wait. I... I don't know what to do."
Strictly speaking, what he was doing now already amounted to using his position and connections as a Judicial Officer to pull strings. At best, he was showing concern for a subordinate; at worst, he was abusing his power for private gain.
For a Judicial Officer, this was an inviolable taboo.
Horace watched Messmer's conflicted, anguished expression, but did not immediately state his position. Instead, he turned his attention to Miriel first and took the heavily sealed "ordinary" jar out of the magical storage pouch he carried.
"Master Miriel, there's something I'd like to ask you to look after for a while." Horace placed the backpack on the ground before the giant tortoise, his tone solemn.
"It's a little unusual, and it may carry a troublesome aura. Leaving it here with you might be the most suitable choice."
Miriel slowly lowered his head, his enormous eyes gazing gently at the backpack, as though he could see what lay inside through all the layers of seals.
He asked no further questions, merely nodding slowly and extending a claw to gently draw the backpack beneath himself. There was a reassuring steadiness to the movement.
"There is no harm in keeping it here for a time."
Horace