“Well, for now, let’s put that aside. There are so many things I want to confirm. Look, both Az and you, take a seat somewhere.”
Prompted by Mooks-san, I sat down on the edge of the bed first, while Suou pulled a chair near and took a seat. Confirming this, Mooks-san also brought a chair closer to the bed and started speaking.
“What should I start with first? From the beginning... first of all, how were you able to sense the abnormality with those cloaked figures?”
“Premonition? Ow, that hurt!!”
Before I could finish saying everything, Mooks-san hit me on the head!!
“Don’t joke around with your answers.”
Yikes, I was hit! When I cautiously turned my gaze towards Mooks-san, his triangular eyes had become even sharper, and I couldn’t meet his gaze. Super scary... Mooks-san was in work mode! But I wasn’t lying...
“No, really, it’s not a joke. Personally, I truly felt that way. There was a disturbance in my body, as well as in the magic around my body. It felt really uncomfortable, almost like a premonition. I’ve never felt anything like this before, so I woke up suddenly from my sleep.”
“Huh? Oh... well, sorry about that. So why do you think that’s connected to the cloaked figures?”
After explaining in a somewhat disjointed manner, was my explanation too simple? Ugh... I forgot they know about my magic now, so I was subtly trying to cover it up. Ah... now that I think about it, how pointless was that?
"I thought it might be because they were using some sort of spell on the cloaked figures. In fact, when I investigated the magical energy I used on them, it became really chaotic. Magical energy wouldn't react like that unless something was wrong, like if the spell was removed or the target had died. So, I thought something had happened. That's why I used that magical energy as coordinates and used teleportation magic to infiltrate the royal castle. The rest is as I explained earlier."
Mooks-san seemed lost in thought for a moment, then turned his gaze towards me.
“Is that spell you mentioned referring to the protective magic you talked about earlier?”
“No, it’s not a protective magic. It’s more like a curse that brings bad luck.”
"You mean you used two types of magic? Did you use it when you encountered them today? If so, the protective magic doesn't make sense, does it? Considering the situation you described, you'd typically use a different attack magic instead of a curse that brings bad luck. Unluckiness and protection are completely opposite in nature. When did you even cast it?"
"..."
I was speaking without thinking, but I'm starting to feel like this isn't good. There were still things that could go wrong with what I said... they should realize that if they think about it. Oh, but if I try to cover up one thing, I'd have to cover up many others to make the story fit, and if I keep explaining, I'll definitely slip up. In my case, I've already slipped up once... no, multiple times.
No, I haven’t done anything wrong, have I!? I should just speak honestly... but I have a feeling I’ll get scolded. What should I do?
"Az? Can you honestly tell us everything? When, where, and who did you cast the magic on? If something happened when you cast it, confess that too."
I'm feeling a weird sense of déjà vu!! And did they already find out that something happened when I cast it? Are they fishing for information!? When I cautiously glanced at Mooks-san again, I felt an unspoken pressure that wouldn't allow any evasion.
"When you encountered those lackey dogs, you didn't seem to use any magic. Also, I just remembered, didn't you mention encountering those dogs before?"
Oh nooo! What is this person saying!? Why bring up something irrelevant at such an inconvenient time! I want to sew this person's mouth shut. Without thinking, I glared at Suou, and a large hand grabbed my head, turning it towards a different direction. Naturally, my gaze followed the new direction. There were those incredibly frightening triangular eyes...
"Don't waste your time with pointless thoughts. Just tell the truth. If you try to hide anything, I'll not only restrict your missions but also revoke your agency registration on the spot."
"!?!?! I'll talk. I'll talk, of course!! I was planning to talk anyway! I've never even thought about trying to deceive anyone!"
What a terrifying abuse of authority! My place of work! There's a dark cloud over the Towanonus Resettlement Plan!!
"What should I even start with? Um, first of all, as Suou said, I did encounter those cloaked figures before. However, only four out of the seven. I cast the curse after the previous encounter. I figured out it was the four out of seven due to that curse. And then..."
"Wait a moment!?"
Suddenly, Suou grabs my shoulder, surprising me. Mooks-san also looks at Suou and, like me, appears startled.
"You mentioned encountering them before. When was that?"
Despite my irritation from earlier, I answer honestly due to their expressions.
"Huh? It was about three weeks ago, I think?"
"Three weeks ago..."
Not only Suou but even Mooks-san seems lost in thought at my response.
"You said you cast the curse after encountering them before, right? Specifically, what kind of curse was it? And how many people did you cast it on?"
While still gripping my shoulder, Suou is the first to speak, and I'm being questioned again. The grip on my shoulder seems stronger now, and it's slightly painful.
"Like I mentioned earlier, it was a curse of bad luck. I cast it, saying 'May you fail at your job~.' As for the number of people, there were 17 people there at the time, so I cast it on all 17."
Speaking of which, Suou suddenly slumps into a chair, making a rattling sound as he does, and holds his head, muttering something. What on earth is going on!?
As I'm thinking this, Mooks-san grabs my head again, forcing our gazes to meet. Not only does my head hurt from being grabbed, but my neck is also being twisted painfully!!
"Are you telling me that this 'three weeks ago' happened to be the day I couldn't go home?"
"Yes, that's right... oh..."
Oh... now that I think about it, I hadn't mentioned giving Kei-san and Ani-san a lift to our house. I was going to report it afterward... but I hadn't even done that. This is bad. It's something I shouldn't have done. And if I had reported it properly, wouldn't we not be in this situation right now? It's a classic case of too little, too late, a case of reaping what you sow.
"What's going on? Is there something wrong?... Well, first of all, the fact that you encountered those cloaked figures three weeks ago is news to me. What happened... no, what were you involved in? Did you help someone?"
Mooks-san asks with a serious expression. And he's quite specific. That's what makes it even more terrifying!
"Oh, well, about four years ago, I think there was a person I found injured and treated at the agency. I'm pretty sure his name was Kei. Do you remember?"
"…Ah. I remember."
"Well, about three weeks ago, after finishing a subjugation request and heading home, I accidentally bumped into Kei-san and his brother near the slums. Those two were covered in wounds. While I was surprised, the cloaked figures were chasing them, and I ended up helping them.
I'm really sorry! Mooks-san was busy with work, so I let people into the house without asking. I didn't say anything afterward, and I'm sorry!"
As I suspected, having someone enter their home without permission and secretly at that, is probably unpleasant. And I'm sort of a freeloader. As I apologize profusely, Mooks-san pats my head. This time, he's really gentle. I exhale involuntarily and feel relieved by his warmth.
"You don't need to apologize that much. ...You saved two lives, right? What you did was incredible. Really, truly amazing... But not reporting it is not acceptable. However, at that time, even I was quite busy. Ah, so, what was the situation like back then?"
While pondering something, Mooks-san lets out a momentary sigh and seems to be convincing himself of something. I tilt my head at his behavior, but then he prompts me to continue explaining the situation from back then.
After finishing my explanation, not only Mooks-san but even Suou is drooping his head.
"The mystery is solved. You were the cause behind the strange behavior of those dogs that suddenly changed. If 17 out of 40 people were to fail, it would be a disaster. It's odd for it not to happen. Your magical power's effectiveness can be believed because I've seen it with my own eyes. I feel foolish for having considered it might be some kind of trap... sigh."
Suou mutters while gazing at the ceiling. The strange movements of those cloaked figures that Suou found eerie were actually my doing. I can't confirm the effect of the curse, and I was somewhat satisfied after casting it, almost forgetting about it. I listened to the story as if it was unrelated to me when we were in the director's office... but it turns out it was my doing. Truly, the magic and sorcery of this world are amazing. You really have to use them with caution. Feeling determined on my own, both Mooks-san and Suou let out sighs, one after the other.
"You truly manage to get into unbelievable situations. Both three weeks ago and this time. In either case, if you weren't there, it could have turned into the worst situation imaginable. I get chills down my spine just thinking about it. No, if the events three weeks ago hadn't occurred, would this current situation even have happened?
Sigh. It's just that you're not aware of it... Seventeen people. Not just the mastermind, but those two must have caught our attention as well. It's quite troublesome..."
"Are those two you're talking about Kei and Ani, the ones Az mentioned earlier? Are they troublesome characters?"
Suou reacts to Mooks-san’s words.
"...Yeah, it's those two. But whether to call them troublesome or not..."
While watching Mooks-san, who seems slightly uncomfortable and is holding his head, Suou presses him. I take the opportunity to ask a question that came to mind.
"Those two, I understand you know about Kei-san since you treated him at the agency, but do you also know about Ani-san?"
Although Mooks-san seems flustered for a rare moment after my question, he quickly responds.
"I know them because they occasionally come to the agency with requests. Considering Ani-san's Kei-dono's younger brother, there's no doubt."
"Oh, I see. Ani-san comes with requests as well, so Ani-san also knew about Mooks-san. Mooks-san himself accepts the request, so the two of them are upper-class nobles after all. Suou, you can relax. Unlike the mastermind, those two are good nobles. They care deeply about the country and its people. They've even sworn on the country to make it a place overflowing with smiles and national pride. Isn't that right? What's wrong?"
Before I can finish speaking, Suou makes a loud noise as he flips his chair backward and stands up. His expression is one of complete astonishment, even visible through his eyepatch. His mouth is hanging open widely... and it's even moving as if to say "ahh." Beside him, Mooks-san is also seated but looking equally astonished...
"Huh? What's going on with both of you?
Oh! Upper-class nobles wouldn't normally make such an oath in front of commoners. Moreover, calling it 'national pride' and swearing to it is quite significant. Did they really swear it? With their right hand on their chest!! Wouldn't it be nice if all nobles were like those two?”
When I mention the two, they both turn to me, seeming as if they're looking at something unbelievable. What's been going on since earlier?
"Hey... Mooks. If my guess is correct, when Az mentioned upper-class nobles, he meant...”
“Suou!”
“... Oh... I see. That's right. No wonder then, why would a mere baron be involved with a marshal? It was strange, but considering Az's story and the potential accusations, it's only natural. Ignorance is bliss, and... Wait a moment... Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Mooks-san and Suou exchange a look, and both head towards a corner of the room and start talking in hushed tones. What's with them talking about something they don't want me to hear right in front of me!? It's like full-fledged bullying, you know! What's going on!?
Although I was planning to ask them when they returned to their original positions, seeing how exhausted they both look, I can't help but feel worried.
"Just to confirm, do you know the name of the king?"
Mooks-san, who has returned, asks the question. And for some reason, it's about the name of the king, unrelated to our conversation. Why? Well, I'll answer it.
"I know that much. It's King Magnaldo, right?"
It's such a delicious-sounding name, I can't forget it! I won't forget it!!
"Do you not know his full name?"
This time, Suou interrupts with a side comment. Seeing his somewhat exasperated expression annoys me a bit. What's going on? Is he making fun of me?
"I don't know, I'm not interested. I've never seen him or met him, and I probably won't in the future. So, just knowing he's King Magnaldo should be enough, right?"
"I see... Have you never seen him during festivals, ceremonies, or parades, or when you were on extermination missions? Oh, I guess you haven't seen him or met him... Ahahaha."
This time, Mooks-san showed a strangely convinced look, and then he gave a dry laugh. What's going on, really? Am I doing something wrong? Could it be that just being tea friends with upper-class nobles... No, could it be that they're not just upper-class nobles, but also hold important positions?! I didn't even consider their positions!! Now that I think about it, they did mention 'chief'... Could it be that they appear in parades and such too? Oh no, just thinking about it makes my stomach hurt.
While I'm battling stomach pain on my own, the two of them seem to have calmed down and started talking.
"For now, I'll show up at the agency and then head to the royal castle. They'll definitely summon me. Suou, what about you?"
Looking outside, I can see that the darkness of the night is fading, and the faint light of the morning sun is beginning to shine. Streaks of light run through the purple sky, and it's quite beautiful.
"I'd like to stay by his side, but I'm going overseas."
"Overseas?"
Unintentionally, I find myself joining their conversation. While it's scary to be told they want to stay by my side, it's unexpected that Suou wants to go overseas.
"Huh? Ah, well, for now, I need to take care of the places I’ve been using as bases, even if they were temporary. I'll finish what needs to be done quickly. Also, I need to adjust this right eye. Knowledge alone isn't enough to control and use it. I'm going to give myself hands-on experience in combat, including magic and sorcery. Once that's done, I'll be back. Don't worry; you'll be fine as long as I can find the pattern in your eye, no matter where you are."
I can't feel relieved at all. Is he embedding a GPS in my right eye?! Terrifying. This means I won't be able to escape for the rest of my life, doesn't it?
"Well then, I'm off. Az, for now, you're prohibited from leaving for a week. If you go out for anything other than shopping or essential matters, I'll cancel your agency registration. Don't worry; I'll inform the Suzuela Trading Company as well. From what I've heard, they'll be happy to give you a break based on today's situation.
From what I've heard, you've used quite a bit of magical power. Rest properly. Right now, you're excited and unaware, but you're surely tired. Don't use any magic for a week."
He gently strokes my head and gives me a pat at the end.
"...Understood."
I can't say anything anymore. I can't say anything.
Now, as I watch the two of them off from the entrance of the house, I find myself letting out a deep sigh.
Author’s Note:
Thank you very much for always visiting.To those who have given feedback, bookmarked, and shared their thoughts, thank you once again!! I've long given up on the brisk pace of the story (laughs). I can't help but write when I care about the protagonist, and I apologize for that. Nevertheless, I would be happy if you all enjoyed it even just a little bit.