IDEFYEM - Chapter 60

 IDEFYEM - Chapter 60

Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!

"The Duke of Wintersoar holds a slave auction here every week."

Tristan continued speaking, checking to see if I was shocked.

"I thought it would be better to talk after we finished eating because it was a topic."

"... Please continue."

"There are various methods. Slaves who could not speak the language were bought from other countries and sold as experiment subjects for wizards, and those with magical powers were exploited to produce magic stones."

Tristan handed me the papers he had taken out earlier. It looked like a contract enclosed when handing over slaves that had been won at auction.

He continued his explanation while I read what was written on the paper.

"What they all have in common is that they all involve magic."

When I heard that sentence, I started to feel really nauseous.

The Duke had already married Enrica's mother, Vivian, a sorceress, who exploited her to the limit and abandoned her miserably. After that, instead of reflecting, he focused only on increasing his family's power by exploiting other magicians.

'But, if it were me, I could stop it.'

To stop the cycle of repeated evil deeds and prevent any more victims. Someone's blood can prevent the Duke's power from growing.

At first, it started out as a way to obtain the Duke's magic tools to break the curse, but now a greater sense of responsibility was emerging.

Tristan waited for me to read the contract and slowly opened his mouth.

"I don't know what you're seeking this information for, but I recommend not getting involved any further."

"What? Why?"

"This is also a request as a friend, Enrica. I want you to be safe."

He had a slightly distressed expression, just like I did now.

"Among the nobles, there is more than one person involved. Among them, even..."

"Are you talking about someone from the royal family?"

Tristan looked quite surprised as if he didn't know I would guess right away.

"There is no evidence, it is still just speculation. The fact that an auction of this scale has been maintained so far means that there is a strong backing beyond the Duke family."

"I think the First Prince may also be involved in the Duke's evil deed"

The guess Sarah had previously expressed flashed through my mind and then disappeared.

"You can't pretend like you don't know this, Tristan."

Nevertheless, I spoke firmly.

"They are the ones who have gone too far beyond the line, Enrica. Just because you're a noble Lady doesn't mean you're free from danger."

Of course, it wasn't that I wasn't afraid. I definitely felt pressured as the scale of the work grew larger than I expected.

"My mind was made up the moment you mentioned slave auctions."

However, even for the sake of Enrica's mother, who worried about her daughter until the end, she could no longer ignore the Duke's evil deeds.

Tristan took a long sigh and answered.

"Actually, I thought so. Are you going to use the admission ticket I gave you?"

"Yes, this Saturday. For now, I just need to check the general atmosphere."

While I was checking the date again, Tristan opened his mouth. 

"There are two tickets. Come with me."

"What? No, you don't have to." 

I already owed him too much. Moreover, when they heard this news, there were people who immediately came to help me.

Oh, not 'people'.

Sarah is still desperately searching for traces of her teacher. Vermont has helped me improve my skills by any means necessary. There are two tickets, so all you have to do is hide him in his cat form in my arms.

"You really don't need to worry. I also have someone who can help me. Thank you for making it this far."

"If that's what you mean, I understand. You're not going to do anything really dangerous, are you?”

As soon as I heard that question, a chill went down the back of my throat like a flag. I am reminded of an accident that occurred after experiencing a similar feeling at a hunting banquet.

But I couldn't back out of this situation anyway, so after thinking about it, I opened my mouth and answered half-heartedly.

"Oh, of course!"

***

I parted ways with Tristan after that conversation.

When I left the restaurant, dark clouds were creeping into the sky.

"Gosh, if I don't hurry, I'm going to go home soggy."

Since it was close anyway, I vehemently refused the offer to take him there.

Since the accident I had at the last hunting banquet, my skills have improved to the point where horseback riding on flat ground feels boring.

And just like I said when I left, as soon as I arrived at the Count's residence, heavy rain began to pour down.

As I quietly returned to my room with the stealth spell on again, I felt something strange.

'Even though magic was used, a perspicacious Kael would have felt something.'

When I first secretly went out to look for the information guild, wasn't there a commotion the next day, such as filling up the holes?

I still wonder if that was really a coincidence.

In any case, it was definitely unusual for him to be this quiet.

 I thought about changing the direction of my steps and then went straight into the room.

Instead, I opened the closet, took off my robe, changed into light slips, and went back out into the hallway.

I dragged my slippers and headed to Kael's office, but the place where the lights were usually on was dark and quiet.

"..."

As I was getting closer, a shadow moved in the darkness.

“Aaaah! Aaaah!”

Please note that this was not my scream.

Hearing the ear-piercing ringing sound, I hastily cast a luminescent spell.

The identity revealed was shocking.

"W-what... Mr. Melua?"

Although he has an unexpected side to cats, I was surprised by the screams of the aide who mostly seemed cool-headed.

"... No, that, that. I felt popular in the rainy weather..."

He looked at me and made excuses, his face turning even bluer before he finally spoke.

"Would you please pretend you didn't hear?"

"Oh, yes... Sure."

Breaking through the awkward atmosphere, Melua was the first to gather courage and ask.

"What happened to the Lady in her office on a bad night... Oh my gosh! Huh. Are you visiting the Count?"

"It's nothing special, I just wanted to say hello. There are some things I want to ask."

"It will be difficult to see him until tomorrow."

"Oh, I guess he's not at the Count's residence now?"

When I asked about the vague explanation, Melua's expression changed inexplicably.

It was as if he was gauging how much he could tell me.

"Oh my gosh! Well, he's at the Count's residence... He's not in good condition."

"What do you mean, it's not in good condition?"

Melua rolled her eyes to the left again, as if she was hiding something.

Only then did I drop my gaze on the tray in his hand. A warm teapot and a cloth soaked in water were clearly nursing supplies.

"He told you not to tell me?"

Melua shook his head at the straightforward question.

"Then just tell it to me. If Kael gets angry, I will stop him."

I wouldn't be a bad boss enough to get angry over something like this in the first place.

"That's the way it goes... hmm."

Melua hesitated until the end, but under my gaze, he finally opened his mouth.

"He must be sick now."

"Yes? What does it mean to be sick if he's not sick?"

"It's been like that since before when it rained. He'll be sick for at least a day."

No, not some old man.

I couldn't think of a reason why he felt sick every time it rained. For a moment, I wondered if this could also be related to a curse.

"Is he receiving proper care?" 

"Everyone is reluctant to allow anyone to enter during that period. Maybe it would be the same if the Lady came to visit... Hmm, isn't it..."

Melua trailed off as if he wasn't sure about Kael's reaction. Rather, I gained confidence from his tone and took the tray from his hand.

"You were going to leave it at the door anyway, right? I will go and tell him."

"Are you sure you don't mind? He gets very violent when it rains."

"Haha, you sound like you're describing some kind of wild beast. It's late, so go to sleep now."

Melua was happy to get off work quickly, but he looked worried about me.

However, after shaking his shoulders in shock at the thunder that came soon, he came to a conclusion.

"Well, then please!"

What a coward. I'll have to tell Sarah later and make fun of him.

I waved my hand as he walked away and I walked away.

This was my first time going to Kael's bedroom, which was located in a remote part of the hallway.

I knocked a few times on the large, intimidating door. The room was dead quiet, and there was no answer.

I thought about just leaving the tray behind, but I couldn't imagine him wringing out a wet towel and putting it on his forehead because he was so neglectful of his own body.

In the end, I made up my mind and opened the door, even though I knew it was rude.

I heard a squeak and went in. I was surprised to see a scene that was more desolate than I expected.

A few decorations with the family's emblems that had been there since the Count's residence was built. And other than essential furniture, most of the space was empty.

At that time, Kael, who seemed to be lying on the bed, spoke in a cracked voice.

"I told you not to come in, Melua. If it's water, leave it somewhere."

For the first time, I was surprised that his neck condition was worse than I thought.

Next, I was surprised by the cool tone of voice that had never been spoken to me before. It was immediately understandable that Melua was secretly having a hard time with him.

'Should I go out now?'

In the silence, Kael's next words stopped me.

"... It's not him. Who is there?"

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