CH 68.2

68.2　Monologue of A Certain Marquis 9

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Although the answer Theodore, whose head is filled with romance, was very embarrassing… both Kevin and Richard were still moved to tears by his answer because they knew that Theodore truly meant what he said. He truly care about the people close to him.

“It is precisely because of his honest speech and conduct that Theodore-dono awakened the nature of Six Gods far earlier than the other kids. Meanwhile, that blockhead son of mine has yet to realize such a simple fact.” Bishop Cobalt said with a self-deprecating smile on his face. I wondered why, but I felt as if he was impatient for some reason. Still, perhaps it was just my imagination.

“I wonder what is the so-called qualification of Six Gods?” Count Greenwell muttered.

“Both us and our kids should have that qualification too. Yet, they’re not showing a sign like Theodore-dono. What makes them different from him? Can we somehow help them in that regard?”

“Honestly, even I have not fully grasp that matter. Furthermore, though we may wonder why Theodore awakened first, there’s nothing we can do at present. The only thing we can do right now is to gather more and more data to verify the situation so that it can assist our children when it truly matter.”

When I said so, everyone heaved a sigh, as if expressing their helplessness in this situation. I honestly understood their feelings, but we’re truly helpless in this situation. And truthfully speaking, the best option for now was for us to understand the phenomenon first before making a move.

“You’re right. We have to verify the facts first. Requesting permission to observe the bracelet made by Theodore-dono for Miss Muriel as well as Miss Muriel’s condition. As for the matter of ‘True Love’, we currently have no other choice but to keep that matter aside for now.” Prime Minister Blackcurrant stopped talking for a brief moment before he began to summarize the content of our meeting.

“According to our discussion, our agenda will be first to look for the black cat and the merchants. At the same time, we’ll also investigate the safety of the magic item called ‘misanga’. As a side note, we are also going to investigate the manufacturer of said magic item, its factory, as well as its distribution channel. Second, re-investigate the demon race that was captured three years ago as well as re-opening the investigation to the magic tool that was confiscated from said demon race. Third, we have to strengthen the barrier that surrounds the kingdom and the royal capital. Is there any addition to the points I mentioned above?”

Although it was more or less the content of our meeting, I felt it was still lacking.

“I wish to add the request for re-investigation of the magic tool that was confiscated in our territory seven years ago. The magic formulae engraved in that magic tool might have some similarities with the aforementioned misanga, especially since that magic tool also deprived its user of their life force.”

“Is that so? Then, let’s include those magic tools in the scope of the investigation as well. With that said, I would like to ask the cooperation from both Mage Department and Research Institute to investigate this matter.”

Hearing this, Count Greenwell, Count Sphene, and Bates-dono immediately nodded in acceptance at the same time.

“Another matter to add, though this isn’t the topic of our meeting today.” Duke Lilac suddenly raised his voice.

“It’s the reason behind the demon race’s action. What is their purpose for manufacturing the magic tools that caused this incident? Are they trying to kill the saint? According to our investigation, on the surface, Miss Sonia’s maid, the one responsible for buying the misanga, seems to be forced to buy the magic tool due to the merchant’s sales pitch. However, if we go in-depth, it seems like some sort of suggestion was used on her to buy it.”

“Uhm, I heard that the said maid is in extreme depression after the incident. I heard the story from her after she calmed down, but nothing indicated that some sort of suggestion was used on her.”

General Crimson reported the result of his interview with Miss Sonia’s maid, refuting the idea.

“I think it’s better to be that way. Anyhow, I also agree with the Duke’s questions. The black cat clearly entered the mansion to see the situation. Or perhaps it have to be close in order to steal someone’s life force?”

Bates-dono muttered before telling us his guess, “Miss Muriel was clearly weakened after the misanga was taken off from her wrist. I know that her life force was flowing to somewhere, but the problem was the fact I can’t tell where it was going to. Then again, maybe it was that red bruise that sucked her life force and sending it toward the black cat. I mean, that’s the only explanation behind the black cat’s cries when the bruise got attacked by that animated chick.”

“I guess you’re right. Previously, when my life force was suck out of me a few years ago, I also saw some sort of bruise appeared on my arms as my life force turned into particles of light.”

When Count Greenwell said that, Bishop Cobalt and General Crimson’s eyes lighted up and they opened their mouth.

“Come to think of it, the same things happen to the demon race back then too. Some sort of tattoo appeared on his right arm when he absorbed the light particles, which happened to be the exact time his strength increased.”

“Sure enough.”

Both gave similar statement.

“Supposing that their target is the saint’s life force, could it be that the demon race had known that Miss Katrina is the saint?”

“If that’s the case, then we must not let our guard down.”

Everyone’s expression immediately became tense.

“Well then, I shall ask everyone to do their best.”

With His Majesty’s closing statement, the meeting ended.

I didn’t tell them about Theodore’s magical power having a will of its own. However, it really can’t be helped, because if I said it in that kind of meeting, I was sure that everyone’s attention would focus entirely on Theodore. Therefore, I had to keep this matter a secret for the time being.

Anyhow, everyone was clearly getting impatient, especially His Majesty. Moreover, there was also this feeling that His Majesty had a sense of rivalry toward Theodore. So, I judged that it would be much safer to keep this matter a secret for now.

Anyway, once they entered puberty, a change will occur amongst His Highness the Crown Prince and his peers. It wasn’t too late to tell them by then.

◇

A few days later, the merchant who sold misanga was found, already in the form of a corpse. There was a trace of his windpipe being bitten off by somesort of beast.

And though the investigation team couldn’t confiscate the misanga, they managed to confiscate the other items the merchant sold. The confiscated items also resembled the ones from seven years ago. Still, though they managed to crush the distribution route, the investigation team couldn’t find the factory and the manufacturer. Thus, we decided to continue the investigation.

In addition, we also found dried up corpses of the girls who were suspected to have bought the misanga all over the kingdom. Every single one of those corpses looked like they just got their life force sucked dry from their body. Furthermore, we also discovered the bruise around their wrist too, but we heard an even more bizarre story.

According to the eyewitnesses, the dim bruise split up from the wrist and also took a portion of the flesh around it too.

Anyhow, due to this incident, the congress created a new law that limit the selling of magic tool. Any unlicensed merchant who sell magic tools would receive an extremely heavy punishment.

We also re-investigate the magic tool that was confiscated from the demon race and the demon race that was currently held in jail. Alas, we couldn’t find anything new from this end.

On the other hand, the chick doll was returned to its owner, Theodore while the bracelet was kept on Miss Muriel’s wrist. However, the chick wouldn’t move and the bracelet wouldn’t shine.

And we also failed to find the black cat as well.