Author: Kaburagi Haruka | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2579 characters |
Translator: Mui | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 1528 words |
Editor(s): Deximus_Maximus |
Next day after Cain’s death. Several nobles were gathered in the board chairman’s office of the senior magic academy. There was Cain’s father, Duke Tubal Methuselah Lamech, Letina’s father, Marquis Franklin Winne Yowi, and the former Duke, Maxwell.
As well as Letina and me disguised as fake Haumea.
It was Letina’s first time seeing this fake Haumea form, so when she saw me, she went “Nicole where did your eyepatch go?” and came and poked me in the eye. She was really dynamic in everything she did.
Her father, Marquis Yowi’s face paled when he saw that reckless action. Incidentally, after a careful explanation and that this fake Haumea was slightly older, she finally accepted that it was a different person.
However, she knew that I had an illusion ring, so she was still looking at me with doubts.
After yesterday’s strife, I met Maxwell and explained the situation. With that, Maxwell ordered to summon Letina as well as me disguised as fake Haumea as an involved party.
When Letina heard that she happily accepted it since she would get to meet Maxwell.
“Now, I suppose there is no need to say why I summoned you all here.”
“Of course. It should be about my son getting killed by someone disguised as Lord Lyell, yes?”
“That and about the suspicious drug that is circulating in this city, I would say.”
As Maxwell started, Duke Lamech and Marquis Yowi chimed in to keep the situation in check. I heard from Finia beforehand, but it seems that Marquis Yowi had also sent personal spies to investigate them.
It seemed that he had obtained influential information in regards to that. That information was also the reason behind them letting me know where Michelle and Cloud were confined.
The Duke and the Marquis’ eyes met for a moment but they quickly looked away. It honestly looked amusing from the side.
“It is related to both of those situations. Moreover, Duke Lamech, did you see the state of your son?”
“He was in a terrible sight. I wish to know who forced him to drink such a repulsive drug.”
“It is also interesting to find out who was making said drug.”
“Indeed. According to the rumors, there were some suspicious Adventurers on top of that fake Lord Lyell, was it?”
“I hear they were victims too.”
“Oh, no, no, someone disguised themselves as Lord Lyell, right? That someone is very suspicious. Wait, could that fake actually be the real person?”
“More importantly, I would like to discuss the hidden room at the academy dorms.”
It was as if two sly foxes were trying to outfox each other. Duke Lamech was pushing his son to be just a victim, and tried to make Michelle and Cloud who were restrained there, and I, who was disguised as Lyell, into offenders.
Marquis Yowi, on the other hand, was providing information about the hidden room that his spies brought to him. It seemed that teacher Mayer had discovered the hidden room after me and then secured Letina to guarantee her safety. But still, to think even Sullivan was a spy… He was standing out more than Letina and stole all the attention.
Apparently, he was securing her safety with the way he stood out more than her. Sullivan had Thread Manipulation, while teacher Mayer a Stealth Gift, both were spies clearly based on me.
“Marquis Yowi, it would appear that you are accusing me of something?”
“Hahaha, banish the thought. I am merely presenting the results of my investigation.”
“Hold it, you two. I will present the results of my investigation first. Based on the investigation results of the Adventurer that I dispatched, Duke Lamech’s son, unfortunately, appears to have been involved with uncommendable deeds.”
“Your words are quite concerning, Lord Maxwell. I trust my son, you know? Could it be that you are siding with Marquis Yowi because he was not interested in the marriage talks?”
Duke Lamech suddenly pressured Marquis Yowi. It was a pressuring method using his higher peerage. Marquis Yowi was quite sly himself, but he was still the lower-ranking noble here.
Even if it was somewhat unreasonable, after being pressured like this, he had no choice but to pull back. Even if his daughter was present now.
“Father…”
“Duke Lamech. I was the one who dispatched the spy. Or are you saying that I falsified the report?”
“N-Not at all, I would never…”
“Haumea, the concerned party is here so it is a perfect time. Could you make your report?”
“Of course. I have investigated Cain Methuselah Lamech’s private room, and found a hidden corridor outside of his room. There were drug reserves and records of transactions behind it, as well as a Fungus and a Troll.”
I spoke in a muffled, indifferent tone since I was before Letina. Duke Lamech snapped back at my words once again.
“As if I can believe the words of some stranger I know nothing about!”
“Hmm? You wish to know who she is, do I understand it correctly?”
“Of course! Please consider my position who has to hear some duckweed slandering my son. This is exactly the situation where one would describe as dead men tells no tales!”
“Duckweed, huh, that is certainly appropriate.”
“There, you see! Even if it’s you, Lord Maxwell, I cannot—”
“Then let me introduce her. She is Haumea. Her former name is… Reid.”
“Huh?”
Duke Lamech was of course aware of my former name. And Lyell, Cortina, and others also knew that Haumea was Reid.
There was no problem even if my identity was exposed here. However, Lamech couldn’t link my identity to the Reid of the Six Heroes. He was aware that I died twenty-five years ago.
“Maria used the Reincarnation spell. Resurrection is banned, but that one is not. She has been working as my hands since eight years ago.”
“W-W-W-Wha…What did you say?!”
“You should believe it if they are Reid’s words, yes?”
“A-As if I can believe such a big lie—”
“Then, would you believe it with this?”
I equipped my trusty gauntlets that were hanging on my waist with used movements. Then I extended threads from it, wrapped one on a teacup, and poured tea into it as if I was using my hands.
“N-No way…!”
Letina pressed a hand on her mouth, looking shocked.
I ignored her and took out the account book from the accessory case on my waist. It also recorded the transactions of Cain’s father, Tubal Methuselah Lamech. Maxwell picked it up faster than anyone. Of course, he had already gone through it in advance, but he acted as if he was doing it for the first time now.
“Oho, now this is quite interesting.”
“T-That is—”
“This is not good, Duke. Leaving your sign in something like this.”
“Wha?!”
“I cannot stand up for you here. This would certainly need the approval of His Highness. Oh, I would advise against making needless moves. Or do you wish to turn Reid and me into your enemies?”
The Duke half-rose to his feet in a frenzy, but Maxwell pressured him to keep him in check.
Duke Lamech also reconsidered attacking us, so he sat down on the sofa once again. But his face was dyed in despair.
“This chairman’s office uses the technique that prohibits casting of spells like the rest of the important facilities. Neither I nor you can use spells here. Ah well, I can forcefully use it, still, however. But setting that aside, it would come to a physical contest. And with Reid here… I need not continue further, right?”
“Kh…”
“Developing and circulating a dangerous drug that uses monsters. What you planned to achieve using that, I have actually already conveyed to His Highness. A Duke you may be, traitors are judged harshly in Raum. If you do not wish for your son’s sins to involve the entire household, I advise you to remain obedient.”
“Ahh…Aghhhh…!”
After Maxwell’s declaration, the Duke crumbled down as he held his head and groaned. I quickly bound his arms just in case he had a sudden change of heart. Since using magic was sealed here, he should be powerless with his arms bound.
In the meantime, Maxwell knocked on the waiting room on the side to send a signal. Since this room had good defenses, this was the only way to send a signal.
The one that came in through the door was me… Nicole. This was Gadius disguised as me after I gave him a reserve Polymorph scroll.
With that, Letina ended up seeing me and Haumea at the same time. So this should carve the idea that we were different people in her mind.
Lamech’s expression dyed into despair too. He probably heard that Cain had messed with me too. The person concerned had just walked in, so it was natural. Even if he could use spells inside the chairman’s office, turning two of the Six Heroes against him would be far too unreasonable.
Thus, Feudal Lord Tubal Methuselah Lamech had lost his position, and the Methuselah domain’s incidents had come to a close.