KTBYM - Chapter 101

It was a letter truly typical of the Rudis I know, stringing together flowery language.

'But this fourth sentence says that I am worried you might misunderstand.'

That bothered me. Due to Rudis's characteristic metaphorical expressions and the aristocratic euphemism, it could have appeared as an insignificant sentence. However, judging by the death of Researcher Sally, it was clear that he had written this while suspecting that his identity had been revealed.

"I hear they are inviting you to a poetry reading at Duke Razpalin's mansion. I heard they sent an invitation to the Tower Master as well." 

I handed the letter to Eon.

"Hmm, an invitation."

Eon rubbed the tip of his chin as if he couldn't remember.

"Come to think of it, among the letters that arrived a few days ago, there was one bearing the Duke's mansion crest. Let's take a look." 

"So you mean that you shoved the Duke's invitation somewhere on the desk." 

I knew that he did not enjoy social activities despite holding the title of Marquis, but it seems he intended to ignore even the Duke's invitation.

'Come to think of it, he really disliked the Duke.'

What Eon hated even more than the rude visit was the Duke's attitude of treating the homunculus like an object. Now, he could understand why he had reacted that way.

"Yes. I learned from the Archmage that the pretentious events of the nobles are not important."

I was thinking of making a joke about how imposing the Marquis Grannois truly was, but I was completely taken aback. After all, I, too, detested banquets. I was reminded of Duke Credian, who had even brought an invitation in person later on. A smile formed on my lips without me realizing it.

"That is true. That did happen. So, Marquis Grannois, will you accept the invitation? Well, it looks more like a declaration of war than an invitation, though."

"We must go. Whether it is of his own free will or he is acting on someone else's orders, he is a dangerous individual obsessed with you. Wouldn't it be better to settle this as soon as possible?"

The person who was more obsessed with me than anyone else was none other than Eon himself. So, it seemed somehow funny that he would say something like that. As if he had noticed how I felt, Eon added to the conversation.

"I am the only one in this world obsessed with you."

It was a sweet voice, like a confession to a lover, but since it came from his lips, I could never let it slip away. His image standing on the ashes overlapped in my mind.

"I’ll talk about Rudis’s progress first."

Regardless of his identity, there was something I wanted to ask Rudis if I met him. It seemed that if Eon dealt with him first, the opportunity to talk would never come.

"Don't worry, it's not out of some half-baked pity. You know, right? That I'm not as good a person as I was when I was an Archmage."

Eon must have certainly felt it when Karen was singled out to take the punishment in my place. That although I am the reincarnation of an Archmage, I am not exactly the same person as her.

"Understood. I will follow your wishes."

He bowed his head slightly and agreed with my opinion.

Researcher Sally turned to a handful of ashes. No one in the Magic Tower remembered her. After all, most of the ordinary maids and researchers had already left the Tower. The senior maids did not harbor any doubts even as they disposed of her body.

I was also worried that those in league with her might cause trouble. However, no one showed up, leaving me wondering if she had truly been abandoned by the organization.

"Stabbing you with a knife must have been a problem. It must have been an independent act, not following orders."

It was just as Eon had said. What they wanted was not my corpse, but the method to transmute the Philosopher's Stone.

"She has endured so well until now, so what was the rush?"

I muttered as I looked at the small box she was in.

"It’s not that she held it in well, but that she probably forced herself to."

The researcher Sally, oscillating between kindness and creepiness, might have been because he was walking a tightrope between orders and his nature.

"It was true that she was greedy for alchemy, so she might have wanted to get her hands on the Philosopher's Stone herself. Even if they had taken you, there was no way that secret would have reached her." 

I nodded. At this point, everything was nothing more than speculation, but it was still the most plausible interpretation.

***

The Duke's poetry reading was fifteen days later. In the meantime, we spent an unprecedentedly peaceful time.

"Sally, let's go for a walk just the two of us today! He says he can't come out because he has too much work."

"Where did this small, deceitful fellow get off lying? I am not busy at all. I will go out with you."

I ate meals with the two of them every day, discussed magic, and went for walks. That was my only set routine. I would often bring a table under a blooming cherry tree and hold small tea parties.

They must have looked harmonious, just like Mary's family. At least, on the surface. Even while spending this peaceful time, I couldn't help but superimpose the Eon I had seen in the little boy's dream onto the Eon smiling before my eyes.

What was he thinking? Was this daily life of bickering with the little one truly a reflection of his true feelings? I couldn't help but be confused. It was because the thoughts I had read in Eon time and time again were always the same as the expression on his face.

'I didn't know you were such a person whose outward appearance and inner self were exactly the same.'

On the contrary, it made me anxious. However, since it was entirely groundless anxiety, I tried not to let it show.

The only one who truly enjoyed this time was probably the little one. I was glad to be able to create a happy time for the little one, even if it was just like this. I was glad that I could finally give him what I couldn't give him before, even if it was belatedly. I was grateful that the little one had wanted the same thing all this time.

I also taught the little one games from his previous life. His favorite among them was hide-and-seek. I was always the seeker, and there was an unavoidable reason for it.

"I love it so much that Sally comes to look for me." 

It was because of the sight of the little boy running away to hide while saying that.

One problem was that playing hide-and-seek in the mansion was incomparably more difficult than playing it in a playground or classroom.

Today, because the little one was breathing more heavily than ever, even Eon had to join in.

"It's really ridiculous. To think I have to search for that guy this hard."

Eon grumbled after finally checking the inside of the armor displayed in the hallway.

"I told you he wouldn't be there." 

"I guess I should check the subordinate's position..."

It was what Eon had argued from the beginning.

"Didn't you dislike using the effect of the subsidiary contract?"

"I said that because it seems that guy has a different opinion from me." 

"No. Then it wouldn't be a game."

I opened the door and spoke firmly. A seeker who tracks locations with magic—the mere thought was terrifying.

Looking around the room, the most convenient spot was, as expected, the closet. After all, it was big enough to comfortably fit about three little kids inside.

“I found you!”

I was convinced and threw open the closet door.

"..."

"...I see you were looking for clothes." 

Eon cracked an unfunny joke in front of the empty closet.

"Hmm. I wonder if he's under the bed."

I turned away, pretending not to hear him.

"It is worth looking for the clothes."

As if his earlier words weren't a joke, Eon spoke, still standing in front of the closet.

"With so few clothes, I don't have a single outfit suitable for the poetry reading."

He rummaged through the few clothes I had and shook his head, seemingly displeased. If Mary had been here, he might have boasted that the Count's estate had plenty of party dresses for the young lady. But now, I had nothing left to hide from Eon.

"I'm glad I found out now. You need to buy a dress." 

"It's a poetry reading, not a party, right? I can just wear the clothes you bought me last time." 

I pointed to the dress that was still practically brand new and had been passed over unappealingly, just like the other clothes that had arrived a moment ago.

"Not only was that everyday wear, but wasn't it winter clothing?"

Eon shook his head firmly.

"No. That outfit."

"The outfit is so nice that it looks like a dress, doesn't it? Besides, it isn't even hot enough for a dress like this yet." 

It wasn't that I had any other intentions. It was a natural reaction, as I had lived in an environment where I couldn't readily buy expensive clothes. Seeing Eon turn toward me, I realized that this wasn't the right answer.

"First of all, I would like to tell you."

Eon swept his hair back. His neatly combed hair became slightly disheveled.

"It is time to consider just how much the Marquis de Grannois's fortune, accumulated over three hundred years, actually is."

"Ah..."

I could roughly guess from those eyes, which looked beyond relaxed to even somewhat bored. Eon nodded as if challenging me to guess.

"There must be quite a lot. Skilled wizards have many ways to make money. In that case... perhaps Duke Credian?"

"He was merely a Duke of the Duchy." 

Eon snorted.

"There were many wars on the journey from a duchy to an empire. And war also provides a better opportunity to make a fortune than ever before." 

So, it meant he possessed wealth so vast that the Duke's fortune would be laughable. I take back what I said about roughly getting the gist of it. It was an amount that I could hardly dare to imagine.

"So shouldn't I try spending that money too?" 

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