Chapter 115 - Birth
It was the day after Sonia told us her past.
When we asked why she return to seduce other men after that, she just said that she was bored.
I guess how she ended up being seduced is because she wanted to be loved. With her appearance, it's no trouble for her to get a man fall for her. But they were only lusting for her body I guess. That's why she wanted them to love her for who she is.
Then that guy come, showering her with loves, and killed her.
Which means there's a possibility that this Evil God is a swindler. That's only if our assumption was right. We haven't been able to find any clues at all in the Tower Library.
Today, our schedule is like usual. Going back to the inn where everyone stayed, have breakfast with everyone, playing with Daniel for a bit before returning to the library.
But just as I was about to leave the library, Sonia appears in front of me.
"It's today! Marie's water is broke!"
"Tell the others I can't return. Then you will go back to Marie's side and tell her what to do!"
I asked Sonia to help Marie delivering her babies before I reached there. It might be just a few minute until I arrive, but it's still helpful.
"Me? Are you sure?" Sonia seems not confident in doing it.
"Yes. You are a mother as well. You know what to do."
"Alright. I'll try my best!"
Sonia disappear and I prepared myself to sneak into the palace.
I looked at the palace and see that the room they are in is not the usual King's Chamber. It was probably a guest room or something that was used for the deliveries.
Marie was there breathing heavily. Albert, Shirley, and Ian also there. Candy is still summoning other secret agents and Ms. Wendy has left for Melk a few days ago.
But there is another person there. A man who seems to be the court mage. Has Albert decided to trust him? Or maybe it was an emergency so he forgot about him and only think about Marie and her babies. I'll check that later.
"Victoria, you there?"
"Yes I am!"
I didn't sleep too long after Sonia told me her past. Now I'm curious about how long can Victoria stays?
"How long can you be in control this time? I thought I didn't sleep that long."
"Now I don't have to stay for the whole time. I can turn my control of Blobby on and off as many times as I want as long as I still have time. For now… let's say it's about fourteen hours."
"That's a lot. You still defeating monsters?"
I have changed my outfit into Ninja's appearance and left the library. But I still have time for a small chat.
"Yes. I spend at least 5 hours a day to defeat monsters. Then whenever I'm silent by your side, it was probably Blobby."
"Good. It means soon my summoning level can rise and thanks to Pear-y Fruit I can make contract with another monster."
As we were close to where the others are, I heard some arguments.
"Your majesty! It's not time to be stubborn! You can't trust a ghost to deliver your child!"
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"It's fine! She's here because of his order! He will come soon! You must never call any other people here! Even you coming here is a mistake!"
Did he just say that a possible ally is a mistake? Maybe he's too emotional to make judgments. He need to calm down fast.
Good thing there's a hidden passage to that room. I emerged from the wall and prepare myself to deliver the twin.
"Good morning. Albert and you, the other guy, please don't be noisy. We're here to watch the miracle of life. Marie, you're doing well. Keep it that way."
"KEEP WHAT?! I'M TRYING!!"
So far, it's going well. After experienced delivering two babies, Sonia sure knows well what to do.
"Who are you? How did you come here?"
The court mage with the mustache preparing his magic to attack me. But Albert stopped him.
"Stop it Miguel! He's a doctor I trust and a friend! Ro- Ninja! Help my wife!"
"That's why I'm here."
In panic, Albert almost called me by my real name. But he changed it midway remembering that there's someone new here.
The first one to come out is the boy. It took Marie thirty minutes to finally deliver him.
"The boy is healthy. Victoria, put him on that bed! Sonia, instruct her on what to do!"
"Okay!"
Victoria and Sonia move to the other bed. Shirley followed them to look at her nephew. She's happy that his nephew was born safely.
Me too. I never thought that even after cultivating, there's no issues with the boy. At least physically, he's fine and healthy. We can only hope he will be fine growing up as well.
"Oooh! My king! Congratulation! Now you we have the heir for the kingdom… what's wrong?"
"Shut up, Miguel. Don't forget that I told you that you were not supposed to be here. Everything that happened here, is a secret!"
"Umm… what's wro-…?! It's a twin?!"
"YOU TWO ARE TOO LOUD!"
Marie shouted at the two.
If this Miguel has any kind of explosives inside his mouth, I would have cut his neck right away. But the fact that he doesn't have it, make him a possible ally.
"No one make a sound other than me, Marie, and Sonia and the newly born boy! This is the first ever in the world to happen and no one here want to see a mistake happening!"
I shut everyone.
Sonia is busy instructing Victoria and Shirley who wanted to help. The boy is fine so there's nothing else they can do other than letting him cry.
And soon, I can see that the girl is about to come out. She's still not breathing and her heart is not beating. But no one here lost hope.
And strange thing happen. The atmosphere turned cold. Even the warm water that was brought here turned cold and freeze.
"What happen?"
The one who knows nothing, can't shut his mouth at all.
"Fire mage! Warm the water!"
I told anyone who has fire element to grab the basin and warm the water again.
"Victoria! Wall! Separate us from the other baby! Ice mage come here!"
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Victoria turned into a wall, but there's still a door she opened so Shirley can come over. After Shirley come over, the door is closed. Now it's just me, Marie, and Shirley. And after seeing that the boy is really fine and telling the king he's okay, Sonia also come over.
"What is happening?"
"Probably the result of all your cultivation. Once the baby come out, the magic inside her body all come out and makes everything freeze."
"Should I call Albert and let him warm this room?"
Sonia asking if it's fine to change the temperature.
"No. We don't know what will happen here. This girl will be born having innate talent as Ice element mage as soon as she's born. The temperature is probably something that she did instinctively as she is an ice mage and will make her calmer that way. If we forcefully change the temperature, it might be dangerous for her!"
"But if we stay like this, even we will freeze to death!"
"… Victoria! Tell the guys in the other side to bring us warm blankets!"
"Alright!"
Even Marie's temperature is dropping. If it goes on, she might die even if she's an ice mage.
I'm doing fine because I cover myself with Aura. Maybe I can help her if I use Aura to cover her body.
It's the first time I did this so I hope it works.
I grabbed Marie's hand that's gripping hard on the blanket and just like how I use my Aura to cover my weapon to make it sharper, I used it to cover Marie's whole body.
Her temperature isn't dropping anymore, but because I need to cover her as well, it's me this time whose body temperature is dropping.
Just endure it, Roy!
Another thirty minutes passed in this frozen hell. My body is shaking due to the cold. Even six layer of clothes and blanket didn't help me. It's just my will that I have to depend on now.
"UUUUUUAAAAAAAAARGHH!!"
Marie yelled out loud as the baby finally come out.
I ignore everything including my own body and check on the baby.
She's still not breathing.
"Roy?"
I ignored Marie as I tried to push in air into the baby's lung. I grabbed a straw I brought with me, put one side in my mouth and the other side in the baby's mouth.
I made sure that she can get some Oxygen as I blow into the straw to force the Oxygen inside her lung.
Finally, after the fifth tries…
"OWAAAA! OWAAAA!"
I fall on my butt and feel relieved. But I didn't forget to say the important thing to the mother as a doctor.
"Finally… congratulation! It's a boy and a girl. Both of them are healthy."
Marie let out a smile as she cried, but soon after she fainted because of exhaustion.
"Marie!"
"Don't worry. She's just tired. But I need to perform a check on her as well. Hopefully, she's fine."
Victoria transformed back into a human and let Albert enter as he carried his son.
After checking on Marie telling him that she's fine physically and just exhausted, everyone laughed with joy.
…I guess I'll celebrate by eating a whole lot of food today. I won't be going to the library anymore today. I'll just return there tomorrow.
Chapter 116 - Flamboyant Mustache Miguel
I'll check on Marie after she wakes up. For now, there's another important matter.
"Who are you?"
I asked the court mage that was not invited here.
"I'm Miguel. His majesty personal bodyguard. Who are you?" He answered and threw back a question.
"Doesn't matter. Are you loyal to Albert?"
"Huh? Are you crazy? Why did you call his majesty so casually? Do you have a death wish?"
"Answer my question! This is also Albert's question. Just answer me!"
If Albert's lie detection activated, I will cut him down at once. Even if he's not loyal to the king but loyal to the country itself, I will still kill him.
"Of course I am! Who do you think you are?"
Instead of replying, I turned my head and looked at Albert. He nodded his head. Which mean this Miguel is loyal to him. Then I should ask him another question.
"Then do you swear to never reveal what happened in this room and what will you hear soon?"
If he has any intention to reveal what happened today to anyone and lied in front of Albert's face, I'll kill him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Just answer his question. Miguel, do you swear to never reveal today's matter?"
Confused at first, but Albert asked him the same question and told him to answer, Miguel promised to the king he will never reveal it.
"I promise. With my life on the line, I will never reveal anything that happened today to anyone even to my own family."
"Good. I trust you. Now, listen carefully to what I have to say."
Albert told Miguel about the truth that there's an evil organization planning to destroy the world. He also asked some question like if Miguel belong to any secret organization or not. Seems like Miguel can be trusted. Albert never said anything about his ability activated.
It's nice to find more ally. I hope there will be more of them and I will have nothing to do. That way, even if Candy and the others asked me to do a mission by Albert, I have reason to refuse them. I'll just say that he has a lot of allies so he doesn't need me anymore.
After all, no matter how strong I became, I will never be able to defeat strength by numbers.
Is that something a man who defeated dozens of mages in a cave should say? No, but it's something a coward says.
I have to learn the coward way better. Does Shameless Survival Arts count? It has been a while since I used it.
As I finished checking on the babies' and Marie's physical condition, Albert also finished talking with the newcomer, Mustache Miguel.
"Are you done talking with Mustache?"
"His name is Miguel."
"Mustache Miguel."
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"You… sigh. Now I there's a picture of mustache floating in my mind. I can't erase them." Albert said.
"So, who is Mustache?" I asked about Mustache's identity.
"Mustache is… wait! His name is Mustaguel! No, Mus… Miguel!"
"It's confirmed. His name is Mustaguel."
"My name is Miguel, you bastard!" Mustache then protested that I called him wrong.
"Miguel Yubas Tart?"
"Just Miguel!"
Let's ignore the moving mustache and just ask Albert.
"Mustache is my personal bodyguard. After you killed Tim and making a ruckus here, everyone thought that I needed a bodyguard at all time since you can enter here unnoticed. They decided to send him since he's of similar age with me and he will soon reach Expert level I heard. We all have hope that he will be the strongest mage in the court." Albert told me about Miguel.
Wait! Mustache? Bodyguard? Mustache? Expert level mage? Mustache?
"You're the Flamboyant Mustache Miguel!"
"Flamboyant what?"
I remember now! He's the one who fought together with Albert the longest. How could I forget about that mustache?
Back when I joined the war as a hunter in my last year of my life, I along with other hunter were under the leadership of the Flamboyant Mustache troop. Though in the end, we hunters choose to fight without following any orders.
"He's the one who fought together with you the longest. Flamboyant Mustache is the troop he led during the war. He was the strongest mage in this kingdom. People always compared him with the Elemental Master Angela. But Angela has more elements which makes people think that she's the strongest mage." I explained that Mustache is someone who fought against the cult as well.
"So he's well-known in the future… because of his mustache?" Albert asked.
"Because of his mustache."
"Why my mustache? Why not my power people know me for?" Mustache looked like he's about to cry.
"For one, the flag of your troop you led is a picture of mustache. Now that I know Albert, I think it was him who told you to do that."
Hearing what I said, Albert thinking about something for a while.
"Great. Mustaguel, you are forbidden to shave that mustache of yours." Albert gave an order to Mustache
"Why?!" Mustache asked.
"So you have a trademark of your own."
Good idea, Albert. Now it's confirmed that he will be called Mustache or Mustaguel from now on.
Thirty years is a long time. And my memory suck. I don't remember much about other famous people who fought the cult. But if I encountered them like I did today with the Flamboyant Mustache, I might remember them. Although some of them are haven't been born yet.
While we were talking about Mustache's mustache, Marie awoke.
"Ugh…"
"Don't move. Just lay still on the bed and rest."
"How's my babies?" the first thing she asked is her babies.
"They both are alive and healthy. The girl has an ice element innate talent. She will be powerful in the future. Shirley is taking care of them together with Victoria and Sonia. For now I'll check if you have any psychological issue. Answer my question. If you found Albert cheating on you, what will you do?"
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"Smash his balls!" Marie answered without hesitation.
"Good. You're fine."
"Wait! What was that about? Why my balls?" Albert looked afraid when he heard that.
"It's fine as long as you don't cheat. So it doesn't matter to you, right?" Marie put an evil smile on her face. Scary…
"Umm. Excuse me your majesty. You told me to keep things here as secret, right? Everyone knows that the queen is pregnant with only one baby. So what should we do now?" Mustache asked something I also curious about.
I mean, the only reason I told them to keep it secret is so no one from the cult will know about the twins in case something happened. Now what to do?
"We have discussed it. The girl will somewhere else in a safe place together with Ian. Now that Mustaguel has become our ally, I can have Ian protect my daughter. As for my son, we will raise him as the future king of the kingdom." Albert looked at Ian.
"I shall do my best." Ian bowed at Albert.
"She will be raised like a commoner, but she will be taught that we are her parent and she has a twin brother." Albert said.
Well, however the family decide the daughter's fate is not my problem. I have played my part as the doctor. Now I only have to help him killing traitors while I'm still in the capital.
"That's why, Roy, please take care of my daughter."
"I see… wait, what?! How did it end up with me raising her?"
What the hell is going on here?
"We have discussed it with Sonia and your girlfriends and friends through her. They said that they will gladly do it. From now on, Ian and my daughter will be a part of your family."
"What?! Sonia!"
Sonia appeared in front of me.
"You said that you want to have the house filled with kids. She will be one of them. It might be a good idea as well since it's the safest place we know for now. Everyone has agreed as well. And Angela also said that once the baby grows up, she will teach her about ice magic. I just told everyone about the baby girl born with innate ice element magic and they are so happy to hear it."
"What?!"
Then Albert interrupted spoke.
"So, please take care of our daughter. Now that has been decided, we will now proceed to give a name to the babies."
"Albert! I haven't agreed to it yet!" I tried to protest.
"Roy. Even if you don't agree, if any one among your friends who live with you choose to agree, they are free to do what they want to do. And other than you, everyone has agreed. Even if you don't want to take care of her, the other will do it. It's not your decision." It was Victoria who answered.
So she also take part in this charade? And I'm the only one who don't know? Should I just kick everyone out of my house?
I slumped down and finally figured out what's wrong in this timeline.
It's relationship. As long as I made some kind of connection with anyone, trouble will always appear. If I choose to be alone, even if trouble come, I can just run away. But now, if trouble come, unless everyone choose to run away, I won't be able to run away without them.
Conclusion: Personal relationship will cause trouble you can't escape from.
Solution: Break off any relationship I have.
I can't do that! I'm a lonely man who can't live alone!
"Sigh… I give up. So, what's their name?" I surrender myself to fate.
"The boy's name will be Alan and the girl's name will be Lana. Please take care of Lana for me."
"...I'll try."
Chapter 117 - Love At First Sight
After helping Marie delivering her babies, it was decided that the girl, Lana will be raised by the butler, Ian, and will live together with me in Cassau.
Now I have a butler and a maid! Yay! Is not how I feel right now.
Everyone has decided without my agreement that they will help raise the girl.
Just because Albert wanted to hide the fact that his children is twin, so that no one from the cult will find out about it, he had his own baby girl to be taken into my house.
It was me who told him to make sure that the cult doesn't know about the twins. First it was because the doctor who checked on Marie's condition before can only detect one heartbeat. It would be a shocking event if she suddenly gave birth to two babies.
And we don't know if the doctor is part of the cult or not. If his children somehow got marked by the cult, Albert can't do anything about it. So at least he want one of them to survive in case something like that truly happened.
Sound evil as a parent to let his own child taken care of by someone else, but as a king, that's seems to be a sound plan to secure his heir. In case something happened to his son, he will still has a daughter.
But he told me to secretly come to the capital from time to time so the twin can recognize each other.
The world will only know that the king only has one son. But only several of his trusted people will know that he also has a daughter with ice element innate ability.
…and I will be the one to take care of her. Well, not me. But she will live in my house so she's also my responsibility.
It was still noon when we reach the inn. And everyone is waiting for the new members of our family.
"Is that Lana? So cute! Let big sister carry you."
Angela seems excited to see the baby. She even ignored Ian who carried Lana and just took her from him.
Everyone ignored Ian and just focus on Lana. Everyone except one person. Lina.
Lina sized up the old man before her, and Ian also checking on her as well.
"Butler?" Lina said as she pointed her index finger at Ian.
"Hmm. Maid?" Ian nodded and asked Lina.
Lina nodded. Then the two of them bowed to each other.
Is that some sort of secret code only maids and butlers understand?
"Hey, old man? What's that?"
"Just acknowledging each other. After working as a butler for decades, I can tell that she's a maid and a capable one."
"You can tell just by a glance?" I'm curious since Lina doesn't wear her usual maid outfit. She's wearing casual clothes today. As for Ian, he's still wearing his butler's outfit.
"I can see if someone is a butler or a maid at once. It's an ability I gained after being a butler for a… long… time…"
"Hmm?"
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Ian suddenly speak slowly and looked somewhere else like he just saw someone he recognize here. Is it a noble who knows about him?
I followed his glance and I only see Ruby who also interested in seeing Lana.
Feeling that someone is looking at her, Ruby turn her head over here and the two of them locked their gaze.
"Do you know each other?"
"No. but we can get to know each other from now on." Ian said as he walked toward Ruby.
Feeling someone is approaching them, the girls also stopped playing with Lana and look at the shocking event that's about to happen.
Ian knelt down and grabbed Ruby's right hand as he introduced himself.
"Excuse me. I am Ian. I know it's unbelievable but it seems like I fall in love with you at first sight. We just met today, but I want to ask you if you would marry this old man?"
…
…
…
""WHAT?!""
Everyone was shocked by Ian's sudden proposal. Ruby just stood there in silent while everyone, even the other guests, was so surprised. Some of them who's still eating, spit out their food.
"What the hell?!"
Of course the most surprised one here is Sam. As Ruby's daughter, she would never have thought of seeing someone proposing to her mother in front of her own eyes.
"Really?" Ruby also seems surprised, but she looked happy.
"There is no word I can use to explain it other than love at first sight. I don't have a ring at the moment, but will you marry me?" Ian proposed to Ruby again.
"…sure! I'd love to have a gentleman by my side." Ruby accepted Ian's proposal.
"What?!"
"Wow!"
"MOM!"
Everyone shocked again to hear Ruby's answer. And Sam tried to stop her mother from making a rash judgment.
"What's wrong, Sam? It's not like I need your permission to marry anyone. You have grown up and an adult already. You don't need to care about my love life."
"But but but! This is too rash!"
The mother and daughter pair is arguing. Although it looks like Ruby left her daughter in the past and let her be a gang leader, the two of them are still looking out for each other.
"She's your daughter? I'm sorry that I acted rashly. I forgot to ask you what's your name and your daughter's." Ian stand up straight and asked for Ruby's name.
"My name is Ruby. And my daughter's name is Samantha. Don't worry about it. Her father died a long time ago. And I feel the same with you. I also fell in love with you at first glance. Sam's opinion doesn't matter so let's get married."
"MOM!"
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"…alright, this is absurd." Angela said that to me as she's still carrying Lana.
"Really? I thought you have seen absurdness with Kayla, Sophie, and Candy becoming my girlfriends. That's not enough to get you used to it?" I teased Angela.
"They became your girlfriends! Not your wives! And this! This is a proposal at first sight! Haaah… seems like I'm the only one here who knows nothing about love."
"Well, love comes in different shape for anyone. You just haven't found yours yet. Just take it slowly." I said to Angela.
"…I guess you're right. It's not like I have to have a lover already."
"For now, let's celebrate Ian's and Ruby's engagement. And I'm hungry. What about you, Daniel?"
Daniel and Hannah who looked at Lana joyfully, turn their heads to me.
"Food!"
"I'm hungry! Mom, let's eat!"
Hannah pulled her mother's arm and take a seat in the dining hall.
Me, Angela, Kayla, Sophie, Daniel, Hannah, Penny, Ruby, and now Ian. We have nine people here but there's no table big enough for us to eat. So I had Victoria to turn into a table fit for all of us after getting the owner's permission.
We had a feast. Everyone is wondering how Lana was born. Well, most of them are women so they are curious about it. Although thanks to Penny and Ruby who has experience in childbirth, they told everyone the hardship of a parenting.
"How's the situation look for the king?" Kayla asked me after they have a chat about childbirth.
I used magic to make an Air Barrier so that no sound will be heard by other people.
"Both babies are healthy. But he will only shows the world that he only has one son. As for Lana, he thought it would be best if she's safe. So he won't tell anyone about her."
"Isn't that cruel to just abandon his own daughter?" Angela asked.
Since we're just having a meal, Angela didn't carry Lana anymore. It's Penny that carried her. Daniel and Hannah sit next to Penny and played with the newborn baby who is fast asleep.
"Wasn't it you guys who agreed to it? And you're blaming on the king?"
"I thought that it would be great if the king owe us. I was the first one to agree, but everyone followed my decision." It was Kayla who answered.
"Sigh… what happened, happened. Angela, Lana has innate talent in ice element magic. She was born with it. So she will sleep with you and you will take care of her most of the time. Are you prepared?"
"Me? I know I said I will help, but I…" Angela hesitates.
"Of course the others will help as well. Albert sent Ian to us for that reason. But she has awakened ice magic and you're the only one with it. So I want you to take care of her and prepare in case anything happened. I'll tell you this. When I helped with the labor, Lana able to make the room freeze. Everyone in that room risk their lives just to see her born. That's how powerful her magic is at least. If you can't do it, it's better for us to return her to Albert. Can you do it?"
"…I can only say I'll try my best. Of course I will ask everyone's help to raise her." Angela answered.
"Good. There will be a parade for the king's newborn baby in a week. You all will return to Cassau after that."
"Us? What about you?" Sophie asked.
"Depend on when Candy will brought back the other agents. I said I will help Albert eliminate the untrustworthy ones. After that, I'll return. Let's hope Candy will return before the parade."
Sonia is with Albert right now and didn't join us in the feast. If there's any news, she will tell me.
But damn! I know that love at first sight exist. But I never thought I would witness a proposal at first sight. And the two newly engaged pair are pretty chill about it. Except for Sam who seems to be listless.
Oh, well. She'll recovered soon.
Chapter 118 - The Letter Has Arrive
Three days later, I went to the library as usual. Other than the usual team that goes to the library, there is another person added. It was Ian.
"I thought you're going to stay with Ruby today." I asked him while reading some books in the 9th floor of the Tower Library.
Thanks to Ian's fast reading, our speed in finishing each floor is faster. Now we're halfway through the 9th floor. By tomorrow, I guess we can enter the basement.
The reason we save the basement for last is… the librarian forget where the key is. I heard that he found it yesterday, but since we have gotten this far, we just finished all ten floor before entering the basement.
"Hoho! The key to happiness in marriage is to keep our distance. Not to be close. I have a hobby and she has hers. We respected each other's hobbies and won't get involved too much in the other's hobby unless we both love the same thing. I love reading so here I am. But I won't stay the night here like you." Ian said as he closed the book he read. Seems like he finished that one as well.
"That's fine. You being here is helpful… probably. At least we can finish the whole library in few days."
"You're still not sure?"
"Nope. But if there's any clue, I guess we could find them in Cassau since it was where the first 'Evil', Sonia, was killed. For now we'll stay until the parade then we will return to Cassau."
"Will I have my own room?"
"Heh! Once I went diving a few more times, I could even buy the surrounding house. Don't worry about your room. And it looks like you will sleep with Ruby anyway, right?"
"Yes, but about that… When I told young king Albert about this, he said to have a wedding here before we go to Cassau. He said to have only you and your friends as the guests. He said he wanted to meet with your friends."
"Tsk! He sure knows how to make me stay in the capital more and more! Make sure to have a feast of delicious food." I said to Ian.
"Of course we will."
I bet he already told the others as well. I must be the last person he told. No wonder Victoria, Sonia, and Kayla here doesn't react to it. In fact, they are smiling when they heard my response.
"By the way, it's late but I still want to ask you about the day of the labor. Where's the other people in the palace?" I wondered where other people is. At least, the maids and servants should be there that day.
"Albert told everyone to not come to the palace for two days. Saying it was for the sake of the future heir. Of course we also bribed the doctor to not come that day, but if someone asked him, we told him to say that the king has a son." Ian replied.
"And what's the status of the doctor now?"
"…upon investigation, several people has asked him many times about the birth of the crown prince. Thanks to Miguel, we have eliminated some of them."
"I see."
もしあなたが40歳以上ならこのゲームはプレイ必須ですPlarium's
Suddenly, Sonia disappear. Seems like she was being called by someone.
I looked at the palace and see that Sonia is there talking with the king. Looks like we're going there.
"Looks like Albert is about to call me. What will you do, Ian?"
"I'll go there first."
Ian transformed into a giant falcon and fly through the window. That was cool!
Ian has two elements. One is a wind element and he already reached Advanced level in it, and the other is a rare element, Beastform.
Beastform is a rare element that can't be increased its level. As soon as someone awakened Beastform element, they are already considered as Advanced level.
Mages with Beastform like Ian, can transform into just one single type of animal. Once they have decided what animal they will turn into, they can't never change into other type of animal.
And Ian choose to transform into a peregrine falcon. The fastest bird on earth. I mean sky since it's their flying speed which makes them the fastest, but whatever.
And Beastform mages also can change into a hybrid form of half human and half beast. But Ian choose to stay in his human form most of the time. I think it will be funny to see an old man with beak and wings flying at high speed.
Anyway, Ian left first, but I choose to wait for Sonia to report to me first before I leave. So Victoria and I just prepared ourselves to go, while Kayla choose to leave the library.
Since the floor we're in is only for nobility, it will be suspicious if by any chance some noble decided to enter the library and encounter her while she's waiting for us. That's why she left the library and returns to the inn.
I waited for Sonia to return. I don't know what kind of report Albert has for me, or maybe he needed Sonia to contact Ms. Wendy who seems to have returned to Melk already.
Soon, Sonia appeared in front of me.
"What did he want?"
"Albert said that Candy will return soon. Albert will have a secret meeting with all of them around this time tomorrow. He needed help in what question is necessary to ask those agents."
"Wait wait. Are you sure he asked Roy to come?"
Victoria suddenly interrupted us.
"Yes he did. By the time he finished talking, Ian was just arrived. Miguel was there as well."
"What about Marie and Shirley?" Victoria asked Sonia.
"Marie is taking care of Alan. And Shirley wasn't there. Why?"
"Well, you think it's safe to have them made the questions for the interview? I mean Albert and Roy together, they will just end up making stupid jokes one after another. Ian and Miguel aren't the kind to stop the king from having fun. Go get Marie or Shirley. We will also go there to… stop them from going too far."
"…make sense."
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The future of this kingdom… no. This world is at stake just by looking for traitors. Did they think that we will joke about it?
"Do you have too little faith in me when this kingdom is at risk?"
"I have faith that both of you will end up making stupid questions. That's why I will be there along with Sonia and Marie judge your questions."
So strict!
Well, they are free to come. Maybe the more people we have, the faster we will be done.
...….
At the same time, Roy's letter to Hill finally arrived. It came late because there were monsters blocking the way. But the letter finally arrived safely.
Hill's assistant, Mauro, the one who loves to 'visit' the prison and ended up becoming Hill's assistant because of… their similarities, visit Hill with the letter in hand.
Both Mauro and Hill also tried to do the same exercise that Roy gave them and their bodies have become bigger and more muscular. Although not as big as Hill's subordinate, their muscle can be seen through the slim fit uniform of the guards.
As for Hill's subordinate… they have long forgotten the reason of their training and become a group of muscle lover. Not as big of a lover as Hill's in a certain sense, but just love to train in their spare time.
"Boss! You've got a letter coming from Roy! He remembers you!" Mauro says something that will gave Roy shivers.
"Really? Let me see!" Hill took the letter from Mauro and read it carefully.
"Is it love letter? Must be love letter! He must have said something like I miss you!"
Roy who was about to go to the palace because of Albert's summon, really got a shiver that never stop for a whole minute.
Hill read the letter.
[Hill. This is not a love letter. I repeat this is not a love letter. I write this because I made friend with a certain noble about how powerful the guards became after I gave them the exercise set. That noble is interested in seeing how powerful the guards of Mellian is and might soon visit you. His name is Albert. If you can satisfy him, you and your men might be able to be promoted and maybe even live in the capital. Just prepare yourself when he comes and answer all of his questions honestly. By honestly I mean telling him we are just friend and no more than that. If you end up getting promoted and move to capital, there's a chance that we might be able to meet often although I don't live in the capital. Whatever the choice is up to you. And I remind you again that this is not a love letter. We are just friend.
Your friend and will never be more than that, Roy.]
"What does it says?" Mauro asked Hill.
"This… is a love letter!" Hill replied shamelessly.
"Really?! Does it says he will visit you soon?"
"No. But it says that I have a chance to meet him. Bring everyone to the hall. I have a good news for them." Hill told Mauro to get the others and tell them about the news from Roy.
Of course he will lie and says something like Roy is not good enough for him, but they were friends. His men would believe him and thought about it before deciding to work themselves harder and build bigger muscle.
As for Roy… he finally meet Albert while his body is shivering nonstop.
Chapter 119 - Relaxing Discussion
"Welcome, Roy… what's wrong? You're shivering." Albert greeted me but he was worried when he saw me shivering.
"I just… feel like something scary is happening. It was terribly scary. Even more than the day I died."
"Well, that doesn't matter to me now. Soon Candy will return with other agents and I want to prepare to interview them one by one. I want you, Miguel, and Candy to be there with me." Albert said.
"One moment. I need to stop this uncontrollable shivers."
What the heck is wrong with me? What is making me so scared? I even feel like going to war again is much better than this feeling.
After one minute, the shivers finally disappear.
I'll figure out what happened later. For now it's the most important event for this kingdom. Interview with his people.
"Albert, I suggest you also invite some people either from the military or nobility as well for the interview. Those who are traitors will be killed and those we are not traitors, we will select carefully from them and choose only those we can fully trust and tell them the truth. If there's no one we can trust, let's just give them job to test them."
With this, thanks to Albert's lie detection, we can quickly decide those we can trust, those who are traitors, and those who aren't traitors but we can't trust yet.
"I agree. I have several people in mind to summon. One of them is Luiz. The governor of Melk. Well, it's obvious that he's a traitor. But I won't call him because I need the Stampede to happen."
"Even if you call him, by the time he arrived here I would be in Cassau. Since those agents Candy brought will come soon, I have no plan to stay here any longer and being used by you. I'll left after the parade and Ian's wedding. I should have finished the whole books and documents in Library Tower by then." I said.
"That's fine. For now let's discuss about the interview tomorrow."
Other than me, there are Albert, Mustache, Ian, Victoria in human form, Sonia, and Marie who carried Alan along so we can't be too loud or we will disturb the baby.
Everyone is discussing in a relaxing manner other than Mustache who looks serious, and Ian the butler who serve us tea and snacks.
"We'll interview them one by one. Although it will took time, it was easier to eliminate the traitor this way. Is everyone agree with this?" Albert asked for everyone's agreement.
"Aye! Mustache and Ian don't need to be asked because they will do whatever you say. Let's do that." I answered.
Mustache looked at me in anger.
"Hey! I told you my name is Miguel!"
もしあなたが40歳以上ならこのゲームはプレイ必須ですPlarium's
"It's fine, right? To have a nickname is an honor for hunters. Everyone will know you soon. And you even arrange your mustache so each tips are pointed upward. How much do you care about that mustache of yours?"
Last time I saw him, his mustache is normal and not a gravity defying like this. Why the change?
"Oh. I told him to do that. When he got close to Alan, Alan would cry nonstop. But after arranging his mustache like that, Alan smiled. So I told him his mustache needed to be permanently that way." Mustache look dejected when he heard Albert said that.
Then Albert continues. "Speaking about facial hair, Ian also started to grow his beard, right?"
"It's to make sure that no one will recognize me anymore. Ruby also said I look better with a beard." Ian answered happily.
"Right. I can't wait to see your wedding and meet the lady who caught your heart. Your friends will come as well, right?" Albert aimed that question at me which I replied by a nod.
"Can't you return back to the main topic already? It has just barely started and you already discussed something else."
"Sorry, Marie." Albert apologized to Marie.
"This is the reason Victoria and Sonia brought me here. They are correct to have me come."
Well, she's right. We easily strayed from the main topic when it's just us men. Good thing that she's here.
"About the interview. Anyone has suggestion about the question? Of course name, birth date, and birth place are normal. Let's make the questions that can only be answered by yes or no, or questions with two choices only."
I suggested it because Albert's lie detection skill is not almighty, if we limit the answers into two, when Albert detect that the interviewee is lying, we can know his answer is.
For those who have explosive devices inside their mouth, I can just kill them once they entered the room.
"I agree. How about asking their allegiance?" Albert suggested.
"Why? So you can just kill everyone whose allegiance is not toward you? Does that mean you want to kill me as well since my allegiance is toward my girlfriends? Rejected. At least make it subtle like work or family. Then ask them what kind of family they had or what kind of job they do. Of course since I'll be there as well, I might ask some questions I made on the spot."
"…then this discussion is useless, right?" Mustache asked.
""No."" Both I and Albert answered at the same time.
"We can use a questions from this discussion as the benchmark of what we're going to ask later." Albert said.
"I was about to say I was bored reading books all the time so coming here is a good idea to relief my boredom. But I agree with Albert."
"…I guess you must have a lot of joke questions in your mind."
"It's not a joke. I'm about to suggest if they have a preference between big boobs or big butts." I replied confidently.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Albert said as he pointed his index finger at me.
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"It's not a joke! We know that the cult has at least two factions. One is the big boob faction with Celestine as their leader, and the other one is the big butt faction by Veronica."
"But you decided to kill the traitor once they entered the room! Those questions are useless unless you want to interrogate the members of the cult!"
"Oh, right. What about you? Which one do you prefer?" I asked Albert teasingly.
"It's obvious! I choose… Marie no matter what!" Albert said after paused for a second.
"Albert. You hesitated for a second there."
I also see him glancing at Marie who's glaring at him before he answered. Marie is the boss here.
"Well, that one was indeed a joke so let's put it aside. Since they are from a cult, how about we ask them their religion is? Ask them which god they believe in. Of course we will only ask those with faith."
There are several religion in this world. The biggest one is from the Supreme God Church. The one with the biggest numbers of believers. Of course there's a church for them in the capital as well.
There are also some religion that was made for jokes like Straight Banana or Flying Papaya. What the hell are the people who built those religion thinking?
"Right. If we ask their faith, we might know if they are from the cult. But what if there are other religion who believe in world destruction that we don't know of?"
"They are as dangerous as Evil God Cult. There's no need to ask them any further. If they have faith that we don't know of, we can just ask them about it. Let's also ask them about how much they know about Tim. They are his subordinates after all. Who knows if he has influenced some of them with his thinking?"
"Then tell them that you're the man who killed him? They might be hostile to you. And we're also asking other people as well so let's be careful of our questions." Albert said.
"We can say that thanks to me, you found a hidden passage to Tim's room and found some evidence of his plan to betray the kingdom. Then we can ask them if they are involved with Tim's plan or not. We can ask those whose name are not on the list of people he's planning to betray."
We continued discussing until it started to get dark.
It was finished quite nicely. We made a lot of good questions that can help us find if there are traitors or not among them.
Although I don't think that we will use most of the questions we prepared.
I returned to the library to continue my search about the past, and Albert return to his works.
Tomorrow will be a long day for us. I need to stay sharp to see if there are some people who can bypass Albert's lie detection. Those people will be difficult to handle.
That was why I didn't spend the night at the library like usual, and return to the inn to rest.
While I was racking my brain and think about tomorrow, the others were already thinking about Ruby's marriage.
A wedding that will be witnessed by the king himself is something rare, and they will participate as well after all.
Meanwhile, Sam has already given up persuading her mother to wait until Ruby and Ian gotten to know each other better before they marry. She's still sulking today.
Well, she'll be okay… right?
Chapter 120 - The Audition Begin
The day has come for the interview. I have arrived at the venue which is the audience hall in the palace.
As for other people who lives here like the maids and servants, they were given a vacation just like the day Alan and Lana were born. No wonder the palace seems empty that day.
As for the maids and servants, Albert has asked some of them questions. Some of them are given vacation, and some others will be interviewed today.
There were also nobles who were given priority for their interview. Albert summoned them under the pretext of asking them what future they would like for the kingdom. Which direction shall they take?
The nobles are asked to come in the afternoon after lunch, so for the morning, it was scheduled for the secret agents and the maids and servants.
"And it will take at least until midnight to interview everyone. Don't you have a better job to do as the king?" I asked Albert who's preparing himself in his seat.
The arrangement for the interview is Albert sitting on his throne, and behind him diagonally is Mustache as his bodyguard.
There is only one door as the only way to get to the audience hall. At the entrance is me whose job is to kill the traitors once they entered.
To not get found out that our purpose is to eliminate traitors, we made sure that the hallway before entering the audience to be empty so we can take care of the corpses without being found out. It will be fine because the corpse will be taken to a secret room using hidden passage.
As for those who are haven't been found out if they are traitors or not, they will be taken to different place from where they entered from. So no one will be suspicious if none of the interviewee returned to their waiting place.
As for the nobles who will come later, their arrangement will be different. They will be taken to a waiting for nobles. Of course they might encounter other nobles there, but that doesn't matter.
We're looking for allies and enemies today. Doesn't matter how prideful these nobles are, if we're looking for allies, we need people who can get along with the others. So even if those nobles are not traitors but can't get along with other nobles, we won't count on them.
"Roy. This is my job. Determining if these people will give hope to the kingdom or bring ruin instead is the duty of the king." Albert answered my question.
"Whatever. Let's start the audition already." I asked for the interview to get started already.
"Audition? Now that you mention it, it does seems like some kind of audition. Call the first contestant!" Albert played along with me. Behind him, Mustache just gave up and not saying anything at all.
How we called the 'contestant' is by having Sonia to tell Ian who's waiting with the other contestants in the waiting room.
She didn't appear in front of him because she might startle the contestants, but she could make the ring on Ian's finger to vibrate slightly. That's the cue for Ian to call the next people. Of course they have been given numbers so they will enter according to their numbers.
As soon as the first person enters, I shouted, "The first contestant is here!"
At the same time, I also gave a signal to Albert and tell him that the first person is a traitor.
"Welcome! What is your talent?!" Albert continued played along with me.
もしあなたが40歳以上ならこのゲームはプレイ必須ですPlarium's
"Umm… what?" the first man who entered was confused.
"Having his head separated from his neck!"
I said as I swung my spear and decapitate his head.
I have seen inside his mouth that the first guy has an explosive device inside. Without hesitation, I just cut his neck and let the blood dirtied the floor.
"Too fast! And you're dirtying the floor! What should we do with this?" Albert asked.
"There's no floor that's gotten dirty. Just Blobby transforming into a carpet. This way, it's easier to clean the body and the blood. As for the smell of the blood… let's say that Mustache is menstruating right now."
"Hey! What the hell, man?!" Mustache protested.
"Let's just say that he's being disrespectful to me and the two of you who are extremely loyal to me, killed the first person." Albert suggested calmly.
Well, that's better than Mustache is menstruating. Let's do that.
The next contestant arrived. He doesn't have any explosive device in his mouth so we proceed normally.
"What's your name and your job?" Albert asked normally.
"My name is Jo. I'm an agent of the kingdom."
Jo? I think I killed someone with that name before. I guess since it's such a common name, I'll encounter more Jo and Bob… and Roy. I hope I won't meet any Roy I have to kill.
Sensing that Jo didn't speak any lies, Roy continued.
"What did you do before coming here?"
"I was tasked to scout young talent to be agents in the future. My magic is weak so I can't have other important jobs like espionage."
"Scouting is important too. Is there any other kingdom or maybe organizations that tried to make contact with you?"
"…excuse me?" Jo was confused by Albert's question. It was a question we prepared yesterday during our relaxing meeting.
"Just answer it. Your boss, Tim, involved in some strange organization. That's why I want to see if there are other among the agents who enter that organization as well."
Hearing what Albert said, Jo clenched his fist in anger.
"I'm not part of any organization other than this kingdom's agency. And I have no plan to betray the kingdom I love! There were some who tried to contact me, but I refuse them all!"
I looked at Albert and seeing he nodded slightly, I know that Jo didn't speak lies. Well, if he speak any lies, I'll kill him.
"Good. Please continue to work for me… for the kingdom from now on. Once you leave this hall, Candy will inform you about Tim and the organization he belong to. I look forward to work with you in the future."
"Thank you! I will always put my loyalty to this kingdom!" After saying that, Jo left.
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"Nice! That's one. Let's hope that most of the contestant will pass." Albert started calling them as contestants as well. I'm a bad influence for the king.
"That's impossible. There are about a hundred other people in the waiting room. At least 15 of them have explosives device in their mouth. And who knows if the other 85% has as much loyalty as Jo has?"
"You're right. If we have at least 50% of them as our allies, that would be helpful. Oh, right. From now, I will also ask if they are under someone else's order or not. There are some nobles who has… terrible reputation." Albert said.
Seems like it's common for nobles to send spies. I think some of the servants should be spies sent by some nobles. That's how the story goes in a novel I read in the past.
"Honestly, that's your problem. I'm here because of the cult. Not for the cold war between royalty and nobility." I said.
"Fair enough. Let's get the next contestant."
For the rest of the contestants, most of them are neutral. Not loyal to the kingdom nor the king, but doesn't involved in any organization. We just let them go home and return to their previous job. Even those who are the maid in the palace can return to being a maid. But their contact with Albert and Marie will lessened.
Candy told those who passed the audition to never leak today's event to anyone. Even with other contestants who passed. Those are Albert's job.
As for the traitors, there are in total 17 of them including the first person I killed.
After the first traitor, we decided to interrogate the next person. But even after we torture them, they won't speak anything about Evil God Cult. Some of them even slit their own throat.
What is it that makes them so loyal to the cult? Money? Power? Or maybe because of those two. Celestine and Veronica.
But I don't think that's the case. If they choose to enter the cult just because of their idols were there, there's no way the war will continue for thirty years. I mean in thirty years, those things will get… saggy.
But still… we got 40 allies. Which is good.
Twenty eight are from the agency, and the other twelve are maids and servants. Of course we told them to not leak anything even to their family.
Albert promised to protect their family and even bowed to his own servant to keep today's matter as secret.
Finally, the batch from the agents and servants are over. We're having our lunch in the audience hall. Which is something unprecedented.
I transformed Blobby into table and chairs as we eat in a room filled with the smell of blood.
"Is it over?" I asked Albert.
"Only for the agents and servants. Next is from nobility. Be extremely cautious. They are very tricky." Albert said.
"How many of them?"
"Only ten or so. But they will give me more headache than the previous batch."
"Don't worry. I'm a doctor."
"…you're not thinking of helping me?"
"I'm helping you by killing the traitor. Just tell me if I should kill them or not."
Our busy day is not over. In fact it might get harder. At least for Albert.
Chapter 121 - The Prime Minister And His Son
"Done eating? Let's continue."
"You say that, but the next contestant hasn't arrived yet." I replied to Albert after seeing the waiting room with my Divine Vision.
"It's nice to have such eyes, isn't it?" Albert complimented my eyes.
"…that's just another word for 'you have such beautiful eyes'. Did Victoria influence you much?"
"Hell no! I just mean your ability!" Albert protested.
"Umm… your majesty? Is it officially called an Audition now?" Mustache who ate quickly so he can return to his position, asked Albert.
"Yes. The winner will receive our trust. The loser will die. The undecided, we will see how they're doing later. We can ask the winner to keep watch on the undecided." Albert said.
"Let's think of the name of the audition! Like 'Who Wants To Be Trusted' or something." I suggested an idea to Albert.
"That's good. But mine is better. 'Albert's Trust'. Since it's basically to decide whom I can trust."
Albert and I continue speaking nonsense about suggestion for the title of the audition.
"Sigh… I wish the queen can be here…" Mustache sighed knowing that he is powerless in stopping us. I can hear his murmur.
"Hmm? Looks like the first contestant after lunch break has arrived. An old man with… his son maybe?"
I looked at the waiting room and see that Ian is greeting the newcomer.
"That should be the Prime Minister. I told him to bring his son as well since he will soon succeeding his father." Albert replied as he return to his throne.
"Why two of them together? Not one by one?" I asked.
"Because he's the Prime Minister and the future Prime Minister. Other than Ian, those two are someone I wanted to recruit and be on my side no matter what. I'll do the talking. It will be quick. Roy, can you…"
Before he finished his request, I have done what he wanted me to do.
"None of them have explosives inside their mouth. To trust them or not will be your choice."
"Good. Bring him in."
Albert tapped his ring and Sonia, without appearing in front of him, goes to Ian's side.
Ian's back is facing the wall, but Sonia can appear within short distance of where the sand she casted her charm magic is, so Sonia appear behind the wall.
She spoke in a low voice so that only Ian can hear it, then she disappear.
Then Ian brought the father and son pair to the audience hall.
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"Your majesty King Albert. For what reason did you summon us?"
The old man kneeled in front of the throne followed by another man who seems to be in his 40s.
I don't know either one of them. Maybe they both died before making a huge achievement to make them famous enough that I can hear their name. Thirty years is a long time after all.
The old man would have died before I died in my past life. As for the one who seems to be his son, I think in thirty years, he will be as old as his father right now.
What's their name again?
"Thank you for coming in short notice, Lowe. I see that you also brought your son, Hector, with you as I told you. You two can speak casually just like when we were alone. These two other people here are my friends. You know Mus- Miguel, my bodyguard, right? And the other person is… Ninja. The one who killed Tim."
"What?!"
The two father and son became wary when they hear my name. Well, my nickname. I told Albert to call me Ninja instead of my real name.
"Albert! What's going on here?!"
Lowe asked for an explanation.
"It's something very important. The fate of this kingdom… no. The fate of this world is at stake. Before I tell you anything, please read these documents I found in Tim's room. It was Ninja who told me about this." Albert stand from his throne and gave several documents for the two to read.
"Telling them to read those already? Aren't your approach is way too direct?" I approached Albert and speak in low voice.
"I told you that I want to trust these two. It's either they became our allies or they died."
"Man, you're cruel to your own men. Well, I'll leave the decision to you. By the way, why is your Prime Minister is so old? Why isn't he retired yet?"
"Well, his son said that he hasn't learned everything yet. So he told his father to keep his position until He learned everything."
"Dude's old enough to have children my age and he still think that he's not good enough? And you want to trust him as well?"
"He's a good man. My father also thought of having Hector as his Prime Minister before he died. Unfortunately, his wish never come true."
"Okay. Just tell me if I have to kill them."
"I hope it won't come to that."
Albert and I finished whispering as the two father and son pair also finished reading the document.
"This… is unbelievable. Not just Tim tried to accuse his own subordinates, he also looked for the weakness of this palace and planning to capture the capital. What is going on?" Hector is angry at the fact that someone close to the king is planning something malicious.
Albert looked at me instead of answering. Looks like it's my turn first for explanation.
"It's the reason why I killed Tim. He's a member of a secret cult called Evil God Cult. I told Albert about what that cult is planning and now we're here to see if anyone here is a traitor or not. The rest will be explained by Albert himself."
There's no point in explaining if the one I speak to doesn't trust me. I'll just let Albert take care of this.
Our plan should be to let the promising candidate to be our allies to enter the room where Candy is and Candy will tell the rest. That's when we auditioned the agents and servants.
But for nobles and people in high position, it will be Albert's duty. Candy's duty is to be by Ian's side in case something happening in the waiting room of the nobles.
Putting several nobles who don't get along in the same room will obviously end up with having a quarrel. That's why Candy is on standby until something is happening.
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The questions we ask are quite subtle and will not make the contestant suspicious about it. They would just think that their loyalties to the throne is being tested.
Albert has finished with his explanation and the father and son duo has a shocked expression showing on their face.
"…are you for real?"
Albert didn't tell them about me coming from the future. He just told them about what we knew about the plans that cult is preparing. Which is the stampede that will happen in Melk and some other cities.
"Albert. Just ask them the real questions." I reminded Albert about our real mission here.
"Right. The two of you, does any one of you is or used to be involved with the cult or any other evil organization?"
Albert asked the two which was answered by Hector, the son.
"No way! We swore our loyalty to this kingdom! Right… father? What's wrong?" Hector asked his father curiously.
"Sigh… so this is a test of loyalty, huh? If you can trust us, you will ask us to be your allies. But if you can't, you will kill us. There's no in between." Lowe bravely looked at Albert straight in the eye.
"Sharp as usual. Please answer." Albert locked his eyes at Lowe while Mustache behind him is preparing to intervene in case something happen.
"Yes. I was a member of a certain organization who declare a fight against the world fifty years ago." Lowe said.
"Father!"
Fifty years ago? There was such things?
Then Lowe continued.
"Your grandfather, the king at the time, gave me a job to join that organization and ruin them from within. Which is why no one has ever heard of it and it was never written in any record of history. My job back then was to be a secret agent. Just like Tim. In fact, Tim became the leader of the agents is partly my fault. Back then, I found an orphan whose parent I killed because they are members of that organization. That orphan was Tim. Then my partner, who became the leader of the secret agents during your father's era, adopted him. It was my partner who choose Tim as his successor." Lowe explained.
"Thanks for telling me. Please answer my last question. Can I trust you?"
Whoa! Albert asked him directly! But the fact that he asked them that questions mean that both of them hasn't tell any lies. I guess it's fine.
"My life is only for the sake of the kingdom. I will help you destroy the cult." Lowe kneeled in front of Albert and swore.
"I will do my best to meet your expectations!" Hector followed along.
"Haa… thanks, you two. It's good to have you two with me." Albert relieve a sigh after knowing that the two of them can be trusted.
He said that it won't take long, but I think these two will be the longest one we have.
"Albert. Since you summoned us here is to eliminate the traitors, we both like to help you. Please let us stay." Lowe asked to have the permission to stay.
"Sure. I'll tell you this. The reason we're doing this is because I can tell if someone is telling lies or not. If I don't have this ability, this interview would be useless." Albert said.
"I see! No wonder your decisions in some meeting we had are weird sometimes. It was because you can't trust most nobles, right?" Hector realized something.
"You're right. They are just greedy bastard who doesn't care about the kingdom at all. They just want to fill their pockets. We still have several other people to interview, so will you help us?"
"We will. But I suggest to have a meeting with everyone you trust after the meeting is over. I have something to ask of you later."
Lowe suggested to have another meeting after the audition is over.
It means that I will have to stay here longer.
Since we have two more people, can I just sit this one out? I'm bored.
Chapter 122 - The Last Contestant
To choose to trust the Prime Minister and his son is solely Albert's decision. In fact, trusting everyone who has passed is Albert's decision. If I want anything, I can just ask Albert and ignore everyone else.
Whether we picked the right person or not, I'll leave it to Albert. I'm just here to kill those with explosive devices in their mouth.
The fact that some of them has those explosive devices inside their mouth, means that no one has figure out that someone is able to recognize their identities. Which is good for me.
But sooner or later, they might figure it out and I won't be able to recognize if they are part of the cult or not.
At least that day is not today.
I can see that the next person is someone from nobility who has explosive device inside his mouth.
"Albert. The next one is their member."
"I see… don't kill him right away. We will let him go." Albert said.
"Are you sure? Having a traitor in nobility sure will give you much trouble. I think it's best if I just kill him." I suggested to just kill any member of the cult.
"No. If he's in high rank, then we can just ask someone among the agents today to investigate him at all time. Someone with high position is surely will be contacted by the higher ups of the cult. And we can't just have Ninja act for personal vendetta all the time." Albert explained.
"Well, I don't mind doing that. But know that I will go home soon so I won't be here for long."
"We have Lowe and Hector here so you can go rest. You can see the waiting room from the Library Tower, right? Then just contact Sonia to tell me if the next contestant have explosives inside their mouth or not. The rest of the contestants are people in high position so I don't plan to kill them."
"Well… the next contestant hasn't arrive yet. I guess I'll take that offer. I'll return when the last contestant arrive. Bye!"
I walked to the door as I heard Hector asked Albert something.
"Contestant?"
"Hmm? Well, while we're doing all this interview, it would be nice if we have fun doing it. So we just imagine that this is an audition with our trust as the prize. Then the loser die. And some other are just candidates that might be forgotten." Albert explained to Hector and Lowe who listened carefully.
"…you sure are having fun, my king. I never thought that you have personality like this before." Lowe said.
"Well, having to talk with Ninja often, somehow his personality affected me. Let's hope not in the bad way."
I hope so as well. After having my girlfriends scheming to make me take care of Albert's daughter, I doubt anyone who got influenced by me is going the good way.
もしあなたが40歳以上ならこのゲームはプレイ必須ですPlarium's
I left the Audience Hall and enter one of the hidden passage to the city. Then I quickly jumped on top of a building and enter the Library Tower through the window I unlocked yesterday.
The sooner I finish reading, the more I can rest. I have worked too much these past few months. After Ruby's wedding, I hope there won't be any more works.
I know that Albert will take care of the cult better than I do. I just hope that he won't need me to do any more jobs.
I need to improve my use of Aura and also my magic level. That's why after few days of rest, I'll go train and cultivate more often. It's been so long since I actually trained.
I entered the tenth floor with training in mind, and continued reading books I haven't finished. Victoria who has been with me all the time also come out and read some books.
Somehow, the tenth floor is filled with children's book. Some old fairy tales.
"We should be able to find some clues here." I said to Victoria.
"Why aren't we searching the tenth floor right away?" Victoria asked.
"We also found some fairy tales in the lower floor, right? I just thought that maybe some of them are related with your past. Who would have thought that we found nothing at all? And even in history books, there's nothing about hero written there."
We have searched the whole Library other than the basement and the tenth floor, and the oldest history written is from a thousand year ago, but after Sonia and Victoria died. There's nothing about hero or evil.
Either because they don't know about it, or they erased those history on purpose. I mean with how many Aura user in the past, I bet most people in the past knows about Aura. So it's impossible for people of that time to not know about their existence, other than some people in some isolated villages.
That's why there's a high possibility that the real history was erased and now we're searching any clues we could find.
Now that I think about it, since the history was erased, how do people of the past tell the story to future generation? By telling everyone that it's fictions. That's why they wrote fairy tales.
"The fact that in the highest floor there are many children's stories, we can conclude that someone who put all these books here thought they are important." I said to Victoria.
"And the fact that they are collecting dust, means whoever has the permission to enter this floor, think that these books are worthless to read."
Like Victoria said. Only some people has permission to enter this floor, but when we entered this floor, even the doorknob is dusty. Seems like the librarian himself found this place to be a pain to take care of.
I was hoping that we can find a clue about anything related to the mage who killed all Aura users, but after reading a lot of book, I'm thinking of giving up.
"Aah! I wanna give up! There's nothing about Aura users or similar power in any of these books!"
"It was you who said we might find a clue here." Victoria said.
"Yeah, but we found nothing! And while we're here, it's almost time for the last contestant to visit Albert. Let's return to the Audience Hall."
I stopped reading any more book and Victoria also stopped as well and prepared to return to Albert.
During the time we're in the Library Tower, I have seen just one other person who has explosive device in his mouth. I have asked Sonia to tell Albert about it. It was the third person after the Prime Minister. After that, there are no more people with explosives in their mouth.
Now we have to wait before the last contestant arrive, and I have told Albert I will return before then. That's why we stopped reading anymore and quickly go to Audience Hall.
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As we entered the hall, we saw Albert and the others with serious expressions.
"How's it? You find a good contestant?" I teased Albert because I know the answer from seeing their expression.
"Does it look that way? The answer is no. Rather than having those nobles who are not part of the cult, I would rather have a private chat with the member of the cult one on one. The nobles of this kingdom are all cunning. One is a bootlicker, the other is warmonger, and someone even dare to suggest slavery. None of them are thinking about the kingdom! Only thinking about themselves! I'm disappointed to know that these people are under me."
Albert sure does have a lot of complains after sitting on that throne the whole day.
"Well, isn't that something you have to take care of?"
"It's been a while since I became the king. I thought I have seen how cunning the people from aristocracy is. Who would have thought that these people are more cunning when they are given permission to speak to me in private? The bootlickers is fine. They just want to be on my good side. But they are not good enough to be trusted. Those who want slaves and war are terrible. It has been since my grandfather's rule that this kingdom forbid slavery. And for war, we have not involved in any war since my father's rule. We are too weak to fight against those soldiers of other kingdom who has never stopped fighting for so many years. What do these people think about the citizen?" Albert said.
"They think about everything but the people. You have a lot of work to do here, Albert. Good luck!"
"Sigh… I hope the last person is better than the previous ones."
I looked at the waiting room and see that there are three people inside talking with Ian. Did Albert asked the three of them to come? I don't think so.
Only one of them seems to be a noble. The other two seems to be his bodyguard. But those two are the most important one.
Sonia then appear in front of Albert and tell us about what's happening inside the waiting room.
"The last one said that he will only enter the Audience Hall if he can bring his bodyguards with him. What should I tell Ian?" Sonia asked.
"Tell them that only he can enter."
"Wait, Albert! Let them all enter! The noble doesn't have explosive device, but the two bodyguards with him have it! He might have a clue about the cult!" I told everyone what I can see.
"Are you sure? Then should we kill the bodyguards and interrogate him? I don't think we can do that."
Albert is right. In case the cult is holding someone important to him as hostage, if they know that he left the hall alone, something tragic will happen to them. I guess it's time to use my secret weapon.
"I'll take care of the bodyguard. I can use air magic to create a type of gas that will make people fall into hallucination. But I can use it for one minutes at most since my level is low and those bodyguards' magic levels are higher than me. Use that one minute chance to interrogate that man." I told Albert my plan.
"One minute? I guess that's fine. I'll give you a signal to when you used it. Air magic is surprisingly useful, huh?"
Yes. But it was thanks to Victoria. Since Victoria came from a world more advanced than ours, and also the people over there has a lot of imagination, she taught me about this in one of our lesson back when it was just me, Kayla, and Angela.
I tried to use it, but failed too many times since no matter how much she told me, I lacked the imagination to do it. But after hearing about many kind of stories from her world, I finally managed to do it.
With Kayla's permission, I used it on her and she ended up hallucinating for ten minutes. I guess it was because she's still a beginner level mage.
Now that I have to use it against two person whom obviously higher leveled than me, one minute is more than enough to tire me out completely.
Well, if anything happened, I can have Victoria to protect me.
Chapter 123 - Berthold
"Roy, can you do it?"
As we planned our next steps, Albert asked me if I can stall the two bodyguards for a while.
"Just one minute at most. Don't expect it to be more than that. You just need to prepare your questions that can be answered within one minute." I said to Albert.
One minute can be short, and can be long depend on what you're doing. But it won't be enough to have someone explains everything. I wonder what Albert going to ask him?
Albert then discussed something with the Prime Minister and his son about the questions to ask. I told Sonia to call Ian pretending to make them think that Ian is informing the king about them to the king to stall for time.
While the guy who seems to be the last noble we're going to ask, looked terrified about something. Must be related to the two people he brought. What are they planning to Albert?
"Roy! Hey, Roy!"
Victoria is calling me. She's now part of my outfits like usual since Albert said to not kill any nobles.
"What is it?"
"That day that you practiced gas that can make people hallucinating, what did you make Kayla see?" Victoria asked.
"I don't know. Maybe something fun or happy? She was smiling and refused to answer me after the effect is gone. Then she said to never use it on her ever again."
If she's happy, why did she refuse to have me used it on her again? I'm still wondering about it. And if I tried to use it on my own, my concentration will broke and the magic is cancelled. So I will never know the answer unless Kayla is willing to tell me. Which I won't force her to.
"I think she might be high." Victoria said.
"No she isn't. We're on the same level ground at the time."
"Not that high. A different type of high."
High but not high? What is she… ooooh, right. I'm a doctor myself so how can I forgot about it?
There was even a story in my past life that says someone break into a hospital and only steal drugs so that they can get high.
I never get high before and I hope I won't in the future.
Then Victoria continued.
"I think it's better if you said some suggestion so when they started hallucinating, what you said will happen in their mind."
"Like hypnotism? There are mages who has mental type magic that can hypnotize others. Can I do that too?"
もしあなたが40歳以上ならこのゲームはプレイ必須ですPlarium's
"Well, you already able to make people hallucinating so I guess you can. Let's say something that won't make them suspicious once their consciousness return."
Victoria might be right. So if I said dancing monkey, they will start hallucinating and see a dancing monkey. What should I tell them now so they won't be suspicious once the hallucination break?
I think I know what.
"Alright. I have prepared some questions. Are you ready?" Albert said.
"Just give me the signal. Can't we just use it right away?" I asked why I can't just use it once they entered the hall.
"We need to see first if those two are here to harm us. If they're trying to harm us right away, just kill those two and we can ask Berthold everything as much as we can. If he's part of them, we will kill them all."
So his name is Berthold.
Let's hope those two bodyguards of his will attack us so we can kill them right away.
Albert called Sonia and told her that the three are permitted to enter.
"Tell Ian that I gave them all permission to enter. Also tell him to be careful toward the bodyguards."
"Alright. After this, I'll return to the inn. Just call me if you need anything."
Since Sonia has no other works to do, she told us that she'll return to the inn. I want to do that too but I'm busy. Just a few days more until all the books in the Library Tower are done. Good luck, me!
Then, the three people entered at the same time. I waited until all three of them entered and close the door. If they are planning something, they would need to wait until the door are closed.
But they didn't do anything. Which mean they are not planning to attack Albert. Maybe they are just here to observe him and the people guarding him.
The man called Berthold seems… cowardly. He kept sweating since he entered the waiting room. Be careful of hydration, dude.
And the two bodyguards are wearing a robe and their faces are hidden under the hoods of their robes.
"Berthold. Is something the matter?" Albert asked first before Berthold give him a greeting.
"No, sire. Nothing happened."
"Then why do you want to have your bodyguards here?"
As soon as Albert said that, the two bodyguards are preparing to cast their magic. Since their body is hidden under their robes, no one other than me can see it. But I gave a signal to Mustache that these two are preparing something.
"No! Nothing happened! I just… I just scared of Ninja! That's right! Ninja!"
He made some kind of excuses. And he's afraid of me? I think he's more afraid of his own bodyguards than afraid of me.
"Do you have anything happened between the two of you that resulted in Ninja wanted you died?"
"…maybe it's something that involved him indirectly?"
Yeah, maybe. Maybe I want to kill you now.
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"Ninja, do you want him dead?"
Albert pointed his question at me. And the three of contestants turned their head to me. Berthold is even shrieking as if he's dying.
"No. I don't even know him."
"Berthold. This is Ninja, my childhood friend since the time I sneaked out of the palace when I was a kid. The reason he's able to sneak into the palace and killed Tim is because of my involvement. I let him in and let him kill Tim. The reason he killed Tim is because Tim… killed an innocent live. Ninja's friend. I allowed him to kill Tim is because I found out that… he has a malicious intent to my wife, the queen."
Good! Albert is good in making bullshit! But I guess the part where he allowed me to kill Tim is because Tim has feeling toward Marie is right.
Then I see that Albert is raising his right thumb up. It's time to move.
"Time Stop!"
I said that as a suggestion while putting my hands forward to the two bodyguards from behind them as soon as they returned to face Albert again and activate my magic. Now it should seem that for these two that time is stopped. They should be thinking that everyone can't move while in fact, we're still talking. I hope it works!
"Berthold. Our time is just one minute. Answer me, are you part of the cult just like these two?" Albert's interrogation started.
"Your majesty?" Berthold is confused, but Albert gave him no time to be confused.
"Just answer! Quick!"
"No! I'm not a member of that cult! They came to me three days ago as my wife's friend, and took my son hostage! If I escape and refuse to do what they want me to do, they'll kill my son! The one who's a member of that filthy cult is my wife and I never know about it until then!"
"Have you ever did a crime in which you might be arrested for and do you have something for us to use as evidence? I'll put a pretense that you are arrested because of it so we can legally attack your place and rescue your son at the same time. Then we can have more time to talk."
"That's… My father used to do slave trading in our land. I have some evidences in my home here. It's in the…"
"Good. Our time is up. Pretend we never have this talk and speak as if we have just started our chat today."
Then Albert looked at me and nodded. I guess it's time to stop my magic. It's tiring and if we continue a few more second, I will faint. This magic is too much for the weak me to use against stronger mage. I should really stop doing anything else and just return to training.
I hope when we return to Cassau, those magic stones will be turned into Air element magic stones. I really need it.
As I cancelled my magic, the two bodyguards looked like they are just woken up from a sleep. They should be thinking that time is stopped for them and they don't know about the conversation between Albert and Berthold. I hope that's the case.
"Don't worry, Berthold. Ninja won't kill you as long as told him not to. I just put him here so he can be my bodyguard for a while together with Miguel. He will return home to his village after the parade. I just asked you to come since you're not looking well these past few days. You can go home now and rest."
"Thank you, your majesty." Berthold and his bodyguards left the palace soon after.
Berthold doesn't seem to be as afraid as he was when he entered the hall.
"Finally the audition is over! Good luck in arresting him. I won't help you this time." I said.
"That's fine. It's also a good time to test the audition winners. Thinking that today is an audition instead of interrogation makes today much more interesting than usual."
"It's all in the mind. As long as you have fun, even doing something you don't like will be enjoyable."
"I guess that's true."
I said farewell to Albert and return to the library to finish the floor.
However Albert tries to arrest Berthold is not important to me. He'll speak to me if he found something interesting.