CH 86.2

“…the curses could be casted by others on him.”

“There is a risk that the curse would rebound. When dealing with this level of witchcraft, the risk of the curse rebounding is substantial. The risk is infinitely higher since multiple complicated curses are being casted. The miraculous balance of the spells makes me feel that the person is casting the spell on themselves.”

Curse rebound.

It is a secret technique which allows the victim to return the curse to the one who cast it, in the process of breaking the curse.

This was a method of retaliation that was only possible for those who were knowledgeable and had a complete understanding of the structure and types of the curse that had been cast on them.

Soon after this, they also consulted with an expert, who told them that, as Alto had expected, the success rate would be higher if someone took the entire responsibility of the curse themselves, rather than having someone else do it for them.

“But a curse is still a curse. Multiple of them…. It is a wonder that he is not mentally deranged. I don’t even understand how he is still able to function properly. Is he even still a human? We must act quickly and carefully. There are three suspects we must investigate.“

♢♢♢

“……”

“Is this… okay with you? We have received an invitation from Kujaro too.”

Hildegard’s carriage, which looked like it belonged to royalty, was occupied by Hildegard and her two attendants.

“There is no need to tell them we are not cooperating right now. We will compare the two sides’ offers first.“

“I understand… So, when will we go to Kujaro?”

Sasha, in her elegant white dress, asked…. to which Hildegard replied curtly.

“I see you’ve changed the driver.”

“…Yes. I reprimanded him strongly because he was driving too roughly on the way to the hotel, but it seems that it was too much for him and he ran away. So I had a knight from the castle take over in his place… Do you not like him?”

“Well, he’s not bad. You should recruit him as a driver.“

“Yes, Hildegard-sama.”

Sasha’s decision didn’t interest Hildegard much.

She strongly followed the system of a meritocracy, and gave positions based on merit.

“Be prepared. I’m leaving you here because I believe you’re good enough. Remember, I have no use for the useless.”

“Of course, I am aware.”

“Yes.”

Both her attendants replied.

This was the exchange that occurred between them as Hildegard looked out the rain-streaked window.

A conversation focused not on sentiment, but on complete gain, and ending with the bare minimum.

“I’ll let you know the day before my trip to Kujaro. Make the schedule based on that yourself.“

“Yes, Hildegard-sama…”

The hotel reservations on the journey to Kujaro, and the work schedule were to be made suddenly, depending completely upon Hildegard’s whims.

The two had known each other for many years, and Hildegard’s devilish looks made her extremely attractive.

However, Hildegard had a certain supremacy and charisma that completely overshadowed her beauty.

More than anyone else, Sasha knew how terrifying she was.

“And while you’re at it, find out what happened in the castle.”

“Cain will look into it.”

“What?” Cain exclaimed.

It seemed that Sasha and Cain will have to work overtime for a while.

♢♢♢

The next day.

“-Here we go.”

I felt like my school days were back.

Let’s be clear.

I’m coming up with moneymaking ideas like hot water.

I had already decided on the next target, which was the Scarlet Chamber Of Commerce.

But I’m putting that aside for now.

I had to switch gears and work like a competent servant.

“Here’s a new one. Be careful, it’s hot.”

“Uh, yeah…”

Currently, I was serving one of my customers with pride and joy.

“…eh?”

“This is Seaweed Tea which I made as a trial. Of course, I’ve tasted it myself and repeated trial and error to the extent that there are no problems with it…how is it?“

The person in front of me was the countess’s daughter.

She was a shy girl, and could not talk well with people around her, even though she is a noble and needs social skills.

I happened to hear about it, and I suggested to her that she could practice at my salon, as I thought it could be a good opportunity.

“…It looks different, doesn’t it?”

“I’ve prepared the usual tea too, so if you don’t like it, feel free to ask.”

“Yes.”

Her bangs were long enough to cover her eyes, and combined with her slender body and the quiet atmosphere of a literary girl, she gave of the impression of a small animal.

I had previously told her that Mob was taking her place, and after several conversations in the salon with her, I was now able to have this kind of conversation with her.

In the beginning, she almost cried just because I talked to her.

I felt a sense of accomplishment, and most of all, I was happy to see her growth.

It was so soothing and healing, seeing her grow…

“Glass, I know you’re in there. I’m going into the city. Come with me.”

Princess Erika entered the salon and talked as if she was going to take her pet dog for a walk.

♢♢♢

“…Isn’t Erika late?”

“It’s taking a little too long, considering she just went to call him, that’s for sure.”

The three of them were waiting at the gate of the school for Erika to bring Glass.

“We can’t waste too much time of Marie-san’s say off, considering she came all the way here on her day off for us….“

“I was on my day off too…?” Oswald muttered.

Hakuto, Oswald, and even Marie were waiting for Erika.

“Please don’t worry about me. Since Erika will be participating too, it is my duty to come along with you.”

Marie, the knight who usually escorted Celestia, stood along with them.

Hakuto had been removed from the squad that was investigating the case because of the possibility that witchcraft was involved, but he sought Alto’s permission to investigate the case on his own.

The king, who could not stand letting Hakuto investigate alone, put a condition that Marie, who was reliable and competent, should be assigned to the investigation along with Hakuto.

Lernoa was the most likely candidate to become a part of Hakuto’s investigation team, but since Erika had immersed herself in her training, she was offered the role.

“No, I can’t ask you to spend your time for my own satisfaction. I’ll go and have a look.”

As soon as he said that, he ran away with his grayish white hair swinging cheerfully.

“……”

“……”

…leaving the two awkward people who met each other for the first time…

“Ha- Hakuto-sama!”

“Huh?“

The female students passing by yelled with excitement at Hakuto as he ran…

“Hello!“

He greeted them with a smile and kept running.

One after another, the women’s faces turned red, and he gained more fans that day.

When Hakuto, who wanted to begin investigating with Erika as soon as possible, arrived at Glass’s salon, he heard faint sounds of argument from inside.

“Hey, come on, hurry up….”

He opened the door and walked in, feeling a bit annoyed.

Unexpectedly, he found Erika and Glass staring at each other in silence.

Neither of them did not even break eye contact when Hakuto entered the room, completely ignoring him.

The silence was broken by Erika’s preemptive attack.

“…Hey! Ke~r~r~ok~, k~r~r~ok~!”

“You can’t just sing the anthem and expect results! If I don’t want to come, I don’t want to come! A no is a no!”

Erika clapped her hands and continued singing, trying to coax Glass outside.

Glass folded his arms and refused to move.

“Why not? I, the princess, have ordered it! Come with me!”

“Erika, you may not know this, but the servants that work at the academy are also considered teachers. I have to teach them etiquette! Therefore, I am also technically a teacher… I refuse.“

[TLN: Since Erika is a student of the academy, and she has to listen to the teachers.]

The princess and the servant argued with each other in a way that was unthinkable.

“All you have to do is follow me into the town!“

“How would you feel if your servant abandoned his work and went to town? Wouldn’t you want to smack him? You’d fire him afterwards, wouldn’t you?”

…Hakuto’s desire to be a part of a team with Erika was shrinking.

“I don’t want to get fired! This is against the law!”

“You’re so loud! What are you going to do if someone hears you!?“

“No, your voice is louder!” Erika replies in a voice twice as loud as that of Glass’s.

“I’ve been telling you this for a long time,” she continued.

“I’ve told you before, I’ll hire you. Come to my house. You can live in my house, okay?”

“How can you possibly give a room to someone as shady as… me?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve thought of everything. I have a big closet in my room.“ Erika replied.

Erika’s selfishness was so strong that Glass could not help but think she wants him to live in a closet, to which he responded reflexively,

“I’m not a cat-shaped robot, you know.”

[TLN: Glass is referencing Doraemon.]

“You’re trying to change the topic by saying incomprehensible things again! I’m so angry!“

“No, why should you be the one angry at me…?”

“No, why should I be mad at you?

“–!”

“Erika!”

Pushing Hakuto away, Erika jumped out….. and is soon confronted by a flurry of noisy footsteps…

“–Glass-sama!”

Glass’s supervisor, a skilled servant, stepped in, looking bloodthirsty.

“You’ve managed to bring the… supervisor here. How troublesome…”

“Hmmm…”

Erica looked pleased, while Glass looked as if he chewed on a bitter insect.

“You! What are you doing, refusing to obey Her Highness’s orders?

“…I pointed out her selfishness and remonstrated.”

“You’re the one being selfish! Her Highness is merely wanting to take an escort for a dangerous mission! How can you call this selfishness, when Her Highness has such a noble reason? I can’t believe my ears!”

“Whoa? That’s new to me.”

Glass’s eyes narrowed, while Erika smiled mischievously, the corners of her mouth rising.

“…You’re sending a servant, who is not a knight nor has any qualifications, on a dangerous mission? It’s such an incomprehensible story that it makes me feel not only uncomfortable but even despondent. …I deserve a risk fee for this, don’t I?“

“I’ll consider it.“

“You have my word on it. Along with a raise.“

“……”

As the group leader fell silent, Glass gave Erika a look.

“…cough!”

“Ok! Wow, okay… I promise…“

The old steward, who reluctantly agreed due to the princess’s urgent coughing, seemed to have aged a little in the short time he had been there.

“You two are getting along so well. Even though you have a habit of fighting so much…“

Hakuto, who had been unable to keep up with the pace of Glass and Erika, muttered with a sigh that showed his fatigue.