Episode 61: Unforgiven Righteousness
In the end, thanks to the information provided by Lucille, we managed to eliminate Simeon, who could have hindered our purification efforts.
There are many questions we need to ask Simeon, but the thorough interrogation will have to wait until after the purification work is complete.
…The problem now is.
“Now we have a different issue to deal with…”
Morgan, Lucille, and that helmeted girl.
It’s almost certain they’ll try to disrupt our purification work. And their strength can’t be underestimated. The only ones we can count on to fight are Noel and me, both wearing the [Royal Armor Rings]. Makina doesn’t have the magic of the fifth attribute. Charl needs to focus on the purification, and she lacks combat experience.
Simple math puts it at three against two. Plus, Morgan’s [Forbidden Cursed Magic Ring] will likely increase their numbers.
On the eve of the purification work, it’s clear we’re at a significant disadvantage.
(If only Luce-nee were here, it would be three against three…)
But Luce-nee hasn’t shown up, even at night. It’s natural to think something might have happened… but we have no clues to trace her steps.
“Lord Alfred.”
As I was deep in thought, a man in a black hood and mask appeared silently before me. He’s one of the [Shadows] I brought from the capital, named Ross. Among the [Shadows], he’s an old hand, rivaling Makina.
“Any news on Luce-nee’s whereabouts?”
“…I’m sorry. No luck.”
“If even you can’t find her, it means Luce-nee is deliberately covering her tracks.”
“That seems to be the case.”
“If Luce-nee is serious about stealth, we’re out of luck. I never won a game of hide-and-seek with her.”
But this does reveal one thing.
If Luce-nee is operating covertly, she must have uncovered some information.
She planned to act alone from the start, and all we can do is hope for her safety… though I doubt she’d go down easily.
“And there’s one more thing I need to report.”
“Go ahead.”
“Yes, sir. Near the underground workshop you infiltrated earlier, we’ve confirmed the existence of another similar workshop.”
“So, there was another one.”
The underground workshop we saw was too small and insufficiently equipped to mass-produce [Forbidden Magic Rings].
“Have you investigated the facility?”
“It seems to have been blown up by someone, and it’s now buried under rubble. It will take time to find any clues in there.”
“Seems unlikely we’ll find anything useful before tomorrow’s purification work.”
I wasn’t counting on it too much, but it looks like there won’t be any hidden treasures.
(…That means cooperation is key.)
With only Noel and me as reliable combat forces, we have no choice but to fight together. Today’s events showed the result of fighting separately. Repeating that won’t lead to success…
“…What about information on Noel’s fiancée and Nenel’s parents?”
“Here it is.”
“As expected. Good work.”
I only asked during the day, yet by night, they already had results. My subordinates are impressive.
As I looked through the information Ross had gathered, I found that much of what Lucille said was true. Indeed, Noel’s fiancée was attacked by [Ragment] and went missing.
As for Nenel, the investigation suggested that the scenes shown in the illusion were likely true.
“My lord, may I ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why did you use me for this verification? Makina is more skilled in this kind of work now. Especially in a time-sensitive situation like this.”
“…You hit the nail on the head.”
Ross was the one who trained Makina in intelligence and combat when she was taken in by the palace as a child. In a way, he’s her mentor… almost like a parent.
That’s probably why he sensed something. Or maybe he’s certain about it.
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“Since we came to this territory… no, since the incident with Nenel, Makina’s been acting a bit strange. She still interacts normally with Charl and others, but she seems to force herself to smile in front of me…”
“…I see. It’s reached its limit.”
“You know why?”
“…Lord Alfred.”
“Yes? Tell me.”
As I urged Ross to speak, I took a sip of tea to quench my thirst—
“Are you considering taking a concubine?”
“Spfff—!!?”
I spit out my tea spectacularly.
“Ugh, cough, cough…! Wh-what are you talking about out of nowhere!?”
“I apologize. Was that too provocative a question for you, my lord? Please forget it.”
“You really don’t hold back…!”
“Why would I?”
Though he wears a mask, I can tell he’s smiling. Being an old hand means he’s served me for a long time. He’s one of the [Shadows] I’m most familiar with.
“I looked after Makina, you know.”
“Which is why she turned out to be such an extraordinary maid.”
Ross took care of Makina as a child when she had no memory and her origins were unknown.
He was the one who took care of Makina, who had no memory and had no identity, as a substitute for her parents, His influence on her current extraordinary maid skills is undeniable.
“I’ll talk to Makina.”
“…Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”
I have a feeling that my involvement would backfire right now.
“Makina’s true feelings are, rather… No, it’s nothing.”
With that, Ross disappeared back into the shadows.
The technique of moving silently, which the [Shadows] now excel in, originally came from Ross. Even when I’m watching closely, I could lose sight of him if I’m not careful. His skill is undeniable.
“…”
I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes.
Noel.
Nenel.
Makina.
…Not just these three, but we’ve been significantly unsettled by that Lucille. Unlike in the capital, where she scattered [Ragment] around. That was much clearer, but now…
Instead of physical wounds, she’s targeting something more internal… yes, the human [heart].
She’s playing with human hearts as if dancing. That’s how it feels.
Even in Leo-nii’s case. If she had an illusionist companion, using that would’ve been quicker… but no. Leo-nii had some resistance to such things, but even so, using illusions would’ve been faster to deceive others.
But she went to the trouble of disguising herself to deceive everyone. She toyed with their hearts in the palm of her hand.
More than anything… it’s infuriating, but she understands people well. She praises and fears the human heart, and thus, she knows it thoroughly. That’s how it feels.
“The heart, huh…”
I don’t fully understand it yet. In fact, there’s much I don’t get.
But… I feel that the [heart] is a clue to unraveling who that demon woman really is.
“…Hm?”
Suddenly, I noticed something moving outside the window.
A wooden sword slicing through the air. The familiar movements of a girl silently swinging her sword.
“Charl…”
We have the purification work tomorrow. I want her to rest, but more than that, I want to watch her earnest sword practice forever.
Her sincere and righteous efforts are so endearing.
…It was something I couldn’t do.
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