IDFYEM - Chapter 87
Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
"This is the magic stone I just collected. I'm not very knowledgeable in that area, but I heard it helps use magical power."
When I attended a hunting banquet, I collected a magic stone from the monster I caught.
I remembered that when I wore it and used fire magic, the firepower improved noticeably to the point where it was visible.
Even though I was a beginner at that time and couldn't even memorize spells properly. Afterward, I entrusted it to Vermont to do research and completely forgot about it.
That magic stone has now returned to my hand. Crafted into the shape of a beautiful necklace.
A simple shining silver line and a red magic stone decorate the center.
It was so bright that it was impossible to believe that it came from a hideous monster.
I was shocked because it felt like I had received an unexpected gift from someone completely unexpected.
"It's strange because I like it so much. Did you make it yourself?"
"No, I left it Craftsman"
"Eh, that's ridiculous. You went to a regular jeweler and asked for this?"
That's right when I looked closely, I could see details hidden here and there that couldn't be explained unless it was the work of a high-class craftsman.
I can't imagine Vermont going to the city and visiting a jewelry store at all...
"I know a magic stone smith in hell. I went there the other day and got a guarantee. I heard the quality is excellent, so carrying it around will help you manage your horsepower."
But what I heard next was completely different from what I had imagined.
"What now... Are there craftsmen in hell too?"
"If you're curious, would you like to tell me more?"
These are things that happen in hell.
It was too confusing a topic to accept right now, so I declined.
"Ah. No. Anyway, thank you very much, Vermont."
"I'm glad you like it. You must wear it at all times, by all means."
It was cute how he spoke as if the necklace would protect me instead. I smiled and nodded.
"I wish you had come to the wedding."
"It's okay. Not only is it a hassle to reveal my identity, but I hate crowded places."
Although he still speaks in a blunt tone, his favor is clearly evident.
The apparent difference between words and feelings was like a cute cat, so I couldn't help but laugh.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Umm, nothing."
As the conversation slowly came to an end, Vermont looked around.
"This place. Is it the North?"
"Wow, how did you know right away? It's Grand Duke Kronhard's residence in the north."
"Wait a minute. Your fiancé is a Count, right?"
Vermont asked with an expression of incomprehension.
Although he was a devil who had lived for over 400 years, he was so uninterested in human affairs that he often did not know facts that were worth knowing and sometimes knew things that were not.
'Now that I think about it, I guess Vermont also didn't know that Raphael was a Grand Duke.'
He is one of the people who did not participate in deceiving me in this chaos.
As soon as I thought about it, I unconsciously felt at ease.
"Let me explain. It's a bit of a long story."
Actually, I could have just glossed over it, but I didn't want to lie to Vermont. In fact, I may have had a bit of a childish desire for him to take my side.
By the end of the story, his expression had changed to that of a disapproving mother-in-law.
"I... Ugh, how many times did I say I didn't like that guy... Phew, you said you would give up conquering the world and lift the curse...."
"I never said you wanted to conquer the world in the first place?"
Vermont kept opening and closing his mouth as if he had a lot to say.
It seemed like he was worried that I might get hurt, but then he finally said something.
"I'd rather choose the devil than live with that bastard."
"Fuha, what? A kind devil like you might really do that."
Vermont's eyebrows twitched slightly when he heard the answer I said without thinking.
Unlike usual, he stiffened noticeably, to the point where even I was embarrassed.
'Did you feel bad? '
I have to be careful. I almost got into a useless misunderstanding at the last auction.
I cleared my throat a few times out of embarrassment and finally got to the point.
"Anyway, the library is very large, so I invited you to take a look around."
"Anyone else?"
"Doesn't exist. He probably won't come in."
In my words, Vermont transformed into a cat as if he had been waiting.
"Is that comfortable?"
"Because it's light and agile."
Vermont explored the library to his heart's content with his quick movements. And after about 10 minutes, he returned with a strangely triumphant expression.
"There is a secret space here."
"I didn't even know what to call you! How did you know?"
"Maybe I'll see something like this once or twice. There is just a simple password."
Vermont smiled proudly and led me as if to follow him.
As I placed certain books in the designated positions as he instructed, I heard the sound of a lock being unlocked.
The location was near the bookshelf attached to the wall. When I touched the part that seemed to be sticking out in front of me, a clicking sound was heard and the bookshelf was pushed.
"Hmm. I guess I can go in"
What appeared before our eyes was a staircase leading down to the basement.
"Of course..."
As if I was hesitating, Vermont took the lead and walked up the stairs.
I also shrugged and followed him.
Books were stored in what looked like a small, shabby warehouse.
'I think my guess from earlier was correct.'
The types of books were all magic books that could not be found anywhere else. It included books so rare that even Vermont's eyes sparkled. My expression, which had been skimming the book with curiosity, soon became serious
"Wait a minute, this...."
Yes, if you were going to store an ordinary magic book, there would be no need to create such a secret space.
Suddenly realizing this, I took a closer look at the rest of the books.
A significant number, but not all of the books were related to black magic.
"..."
While I was blinking in surprise, Vermont suddenly lowered his voice and spoke.
"Someone is coming here."
"Is that true?"
As I pricked up my ears, I heard faint footsteps echoing in the distance.
I said as I hurriedly got Vermont out of there.
"Vermont, close the door and go out and return the books and shelves to their original positions. I have more to check here."
"Who on earth did you think would come and leave you here alone? You can't do that."
Vermont, who was expected to obey obediently, surprisingly rebelled.
"First of all, we must not let anyone know that we found out the location of this place. And now I can protect my own body."
But when I took a strong stance, he quickly curled up and looked at me.
"Don't worry, just go. I'm hiding somewhere for about an hour."
He eventually followed my words with an expression of disapproval.
Boom.
The door closed right away. Now I was in a position where I would be trapped here without a move if he didn't get me out.
First, I quickly cast a luminescent spell to create a small light.
I continued to look around, relying on the small flames floating next to me.
'Is this place the work of a previous ancestor, or was it Raphael's creation?'
With curiosity in mind, I continued to look through the black magic book.
After Vermont pulled the bookshelf to block the entrance again, no sound was heard from outside. Thanks to this, I was able to forget all my thoughts and focus on the contents of the taboo books for a while.
At first, I felt repulsed just reading it and frowned. However, the result was as interesting as the somewhat unfamiliar magic-casting process.
"If this is really possible...."
This is a sentence that I find myself reciting without realizing it, even though I know the fate of those who have fallen by dabbling in black magic.
Then a familiar voice called my name and broke my immersion.
"Were you here, Enri?"
I couldn't even hear the door opening, let alone the noise of the bookshelf being pushed.
I was startled and looked back.
"You'd better put the book down."
I cringed and retreated at the line, that somehow sounded like a threat.
Raphael then raised both hands in the air and explained.
"I'm just recommending it. Because I don't want to see you broken."
"How did you know I was here?"
"I asked the servants about your whereabouts. Some people saw you go in, but no one saw you come out."
That means Raphael was aware of the existence of this space.
As expected, the owner of this place is...
"Did you even dabble in black magic to find clues to lift the curse?"
"I tried something like that once."
It seemed like I was looking at him with complex emotions without realizing it.
"Let's go out first. Go explain...."
Raphael, who had opened his mouth to speak, suddenly stopped in place.
Then he put his hand over his mouth and suddenly changed his words.
"I don't think today is the right time. I'll explain later. It's late at night, so let's go in first."
"I beg your pardon? Until just now...'
The wrinkles between Raphael's eyebrows were dark, like a person holding back something. Feeling a strange intuition, I walked closer to him.
"What are your intentions again?"
"Put your arms down right now."
A scuffle began to remove the arm covering his mouth.
"Enri, today is really...."
I was bullying Raphael, who was uncharacteristically rebellious, by rocking him back and forth.
With a coughing sound, red liquid fell to the floor.
For a moment, a sigh rang in my ears as I stood in a daze, unable to grasp the situation.
"Oh my...."
It was blood flowing from the corner of Raphael's mouth.
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