CH 274.5

The moonlit town of Glasco.

There was a figure peeking out of the window of the tallest building in the town.

“……”

As the figure silently looked down on the town, the moonlight illuminated it and revealed Lux, who everyone was looking for. In silence, he looked towards the inn and the lord’s mansion, and pulled out a medallion with a gold chain from his pocket and looked at it.

“Without this, Varnish would not be able to succeed the position …… But it’s odd, I thought he was going to be bloody-minded and relentless in his pursuit of me, but he doesn’t seem to be. I don’t think he’ll give up, but he’s moving slow. I’m grateful that Lars and the others are here ……. I’m surprised Basleigh-sensei is a minister, though.”

Lux muttered, smiled, and thought back to his days at the academy. Immediately after that, Lux felt a presence behind him, and he turned around in a panic. 

“Who there ……!”

“Hello, good evening. It’s a nice night, isn’t it? Oops, I’m not a suspicious person, so could you please put down that hand for now? “

“I don’t know what you’re talking about …….”

Lux shoved the medallion in his left hand to his pocket and used his right hand to cast a spell, clicking his tongue at the person in the dark and snarling in his chest. How did you find this place? And …… who the hell is this …… guy

“Why are you talking to me? Do you know who …… I am?”

“Of course I know you, Lux-kun, son of the lord of Glasco. I spoke to you …… on a whim, perhaps?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me …… .”

“I think you took that medallion to stop him from succeeding to the throne, and then waited for the messenger from the castle before fighting back, right? I think it’s a pretty good plan, but if it keeps going like this, your father might die, you know.”

Lux laughs, and when the figure got on his nerves, he unleashes his magic and concentrates his magic power. But the next words that came out of the shadows made Lux look shocked and interrupted him. 

“…… That can’t be. It is true that my mother-in-law seems to be in a hurry to make that idiot Varnish take over, but my father is still alive and well. There is no history of serious illness. If he were to die here …… Don’t tell me!?”

“So you noticed. That’s why it’s good for them that you and your sister are missing too. It’s not hard to make the case that you guys killed him, isn’t it?”

It’s true, said Lux, breaking out in a cold sweat.

If the pretense that you tried to kill your mother-in-law is known, it is possible to use it against you. If they do, it will be Lux and Naja who will be hunted.

“But they need the medallion. Without it, they can’t open the vault, it can’t be duplicated. If they said they lost it, they will be stripped of their lordship, regardless of elections or assets. Now that Lars and the others are here, it would be a good idea to just resolve it before that happens ……”

He said this with a bit of confidence as he turned his attention to the figure, and then he appeared quickly with a short clap of his hands. It was Retzel, who had just finished guiding Albatross out of town.

“So-so, I guess? I remember that your skill was [Strategy]. You’re right, the sooner this is resolved, the better. I’ve got some good news for you.”

“Good news ……?”

Retzel nods and continues to talk

“If I may say so, I have a favor to ask you. Your mother-in-law, she has a red ball. If you find it, I want you to give it to Lars.”

“What? Do you know Lars? Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“I’m not in the best position to show up, you know. What, I won’t make it worse for you. What do you think?”

Lux looked up and down to assess Retzel in front of him. He can feel a chill in his heart when he looks at Retzel smiling at him with a cool face, but he decides that if the condition for receiving the information is that he gives Lars the red ball, then he decided that it’s not like he can’t accept it. He wondered if he takes his place, he was going to be in danger.

“Very well. I’ll take you up on that offer. So ……?”

Lux asks quizzically, and Retzel narrows his eyes in satisfaction and tosses Lux a rolled up piece of paper tied up with string.

“You can read it.”

When told to do so, Lux timidly unties the string. After reading the contents, he rolled his eyes and looked at Retzel.

“Is, Is this true!? If so, then my father and I are ……!!”

“I know it’s hard to confirm now, but what’s written there is true. After all, she’s one of my comrades.”

He laughed loudly. When Lux saw this, he slumped down and asked Retzel with a dry mouth.

“What is your purpose!? Do you expect me to trust a man who would sell out his own people!?”

“Well, I don’t mind if you don’t cooperate with me, but I think it would be more interesting if you did. Well, I’m going to go now, but good luck? Before your father is killed ……”

“Oh, w-wait ……!”

Before Lux could stop him, Retzel disappeared as if he was melting into the darkness, and his presence was completely gone. Lux opened the paper he was holding with sweaty hands and examined its contents once more, then slowly stood up, grabbed the paper and muttered to himself. 

“I don’t know who they are, but I’ll dance with them. I’d better get in touch with Lars as soon as possible …… he’ll definitely be on my side ……”

Lux lied in a corner of the building and gazed at the moon to pass the night, but when the tension dissipated, he let go of his consciousness.

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

“Now, I frequently run into Lars-kun, don’t I? I think it would be a good idea to have him kill me. In order to do that, I’ll have to get Lars to collect the “Wiseman’s soul”.”

Retzel was sitting on the edge of the city wall with his narrow eyes open and a smirk on his face. He hummed to himself as he looked out over the city.

“I wonder if I can get there this time–“

Muttering only one word, Retzel disappeared from the top of the wall.

The story will start moving forward next time!

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“I know what Retzel is trying to do, but it’s creepy that he has no reason to do so. Suicidal ideation.”

Well, we’ll find out before the final showdown!

“…… When is going to be ……”

……It won’t be over until at least one volume is out ……?