Chapter 143
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
About a week had passed since then.
Each night, I found myself surrounded by Iris, Ms. Alicia, and Ms. Elina. The Gavrett sisters were expected, but even Ms. Elina, the viscountess, had become a regular presence. Originally, she was only meant to supervise interactions if the sisters didn’t bear children. Yet, using that excuse, she began joining more frequently.
It didn’t feel all that different from before. Still, as the sisters visited more often, Ms. Elina’s appearances naturally increased as well.
Ms. Hilda, the cleric, also started participating under the pretense of supervision. Even the attending maids were now regular guests. The nights grew busier with each passing day.
Seria, my official maid, only joined briefly during her breaks, but she seemed content with even a little time by my side. I wished I could give her more attention—she deserved it. I made a note to repay her in some other way.
* * *
As for Loga and the other man, I dealt with them swiftly.
The Viscount had considered a harsher punishment, but he made his decision with future risks in mind. The man hidden behind Loga was the kind who would infiltrate again. Loga’s role, in the end, had been minor sabotage—a staged betrayal.
To maintain order, the Viscount wanted to make it look like Loga had been killed by an ally. If we revealed the truth, it would have sown distrust among their ranks and made cooperation harder for them. Instead, I took advantage of my ability to make people invisible and transported both Loga and the other man out of Gavretta.
The location of the staged betrayal was set at an escape path the conspirators had previously discussed. I acted as if I pursued them, killed the second man, and left Loga as though he had perished in a betrayal.
To pull this off, I sedated them again, made them invisible, and carried them beyond the city. Dressing them in armor was a hassle, but it had to be done to avoid leaving suspicious blood trails.
My team was then dispatched to retrieve the bodies. Officially, Loga had died a noble death. The enemy would soon realize their infiltration was discovered, and they would learn of the second man’s fate as well.
That knowledge alone would make them hesitate to send more operatives—for now, at least.
After all, there aren’t many who can both infiltrate and use curse magic.
Because of this, the security level relaxed slightly, and the Merchant Guild Amiras resumed its visits.
One day—
Thud, thud, thud, thud…
Ms. Casa had come to deliver and promote magic stones. Alongside her were several women who assisted her in her duties. They had, for some reason, chosen to engage with me in a rather… passionate way.
Perhaps this, too, counted as a kind of negotiation.
It seemed Ms. Alicia had spoken of how I was treated in the Gavrett household. Ms. Casa, in turn, appeared determined to forge a deeper relationship with me—not just as a business partner, but as someone seeking favor for the guild’s stability.
As one of her employees stepped aside, Ms. Casa leaned in and took her place.
”Pardon me,” she said, softly.
With practiced ease, she adjusted herself and settled into position, drawing close enough to whisper near my ear.
”I don’t mean to compete with Lady Alicia,” she said. “But… I am serious about this as well.”
And from there, the night continued.
* * *
Those days passed in a haze of warmth and desire. Two months had gone by since I left Dungeon City.
One evening, after dinner at the Gavrett estate, I informed the Viscount of my intent to return.
”What!?” he exclaimed.
The women looked equally surprised. The Viscount was the first to ask.
”You don’t intend to stay?”
”No. To be clear, I don’t dislike it here. But I have obligations.”
”Is it… a prior engagement?”
”In a way, yes. But it’s not marriage, if that’s what you’re asking.”
”May I ask the details?”
”I’m afraid I can’t say.”
What I referred to as a “prior engagement” was my request to be granted the status of a former noble from the Orlando Kingdom—something I had asked in exchange for defeating the Gem Snake. The answer was expected around the time of the snowmelt, and I had always planned to return by then.
Of course, I had lingered to enjoy the rewards of my success. Leaving too soon would have disrespected the Viscount and his family.
The truth about the Norland family’s conspiracy couldn’t be disclosed publicly, so I couldn’t use it as my reason. While I could’ve said I needed to restock Magic Stones, I kept the real reason vague, simply saying I had to recharge some items. If word got out that Magic Stones powered me directly, my enemies might exploit that in a prolonged fight.
Keeping such things secret was safer for everyone.
The Viscount exhaled quietly. “I suppose there’s no helping it.”
”Father! Are you really okay with this?” Ms. Alicia protested.
She had shown her feelings clearly. Parting now was hard.
But the Viscount replied gently.
”Koji is someone who willingly revealed powerful tools when necessary. If he says he must go, then there must be a reason greater than his own concerns.”
He was referring to the enchanted talisman and the recording device. In this world, tools like that were of immense value. Revealing them held greater weight than simply leaving.
Ms. Alicia, who had been present during the interrogation of Loga, understood. She fell silent.
Then Ms. Elina spoke. “When will you depart?”
”In two days, once I’ve finished preparations. I had intended to return right after Ms. Alicia’s curse was lifted.”
”Oh… but isn’t the northern region snowbound? Will you be alright?”
”I’ll fly.”
I hadn’t flown when coming here, since a malfunction in the Magic Armor could’ve spelled disaster. But now that I wasn’t rushing, flying low and slow would be safer. The main concern was encountering enemies. Without the armor’s invisibility function, I’d need to prepare long-range attacks in advance.
Using a carriage was impossible due to snow, so I had already arranged for the Merchant Guild Amiras to return the horses and wagon.
Everyone in the Gavrett family knew of the armor’s flight function. Perhaps recalling certain… nighttime experiments, Ms. Elina’s cheeks turned a little red.
”Well… if that’s how it is.”
The Viscount gave her a sympathetic look, then turned to me.
”Being able to return means you can also visit again. If you find time, please come.”
”I will,” I answered. “I’ll return.”
Ms. Alicia and Ms. Elina accepted this quietly. But not everyone was satisfied.
* * *
That night, the women of the Gavrett family, including the maids, gathered in my room.
Usually, they took turns to keep things discreet. But with my departure near, none of them wanted to miss this last chance.
I could only be with one at a time. The others kept themselves busy using the tentacles from my Magic Armor to ease the waiting.
”Kuhh…!”
Iris, who was on top of me, trembled and then collapsed gently onto my chest, her breath ragged.
”Haa… haa…”
Her body twitched slightly as she looked at me.
”What is it?” I asked.
She caught her breath.
”…Can I go with you?”
”To Dungeon City?”
”””Eh!?”””
Gasps came from the rest of the room.
I asked again, this time more seriously.
”Why? You’ve just completed your mission. Why now?”
”There was a talk of a marriage proposal with the royal family. I hesitated for my sister’s sake… but I love you, too. That’s why I want to go with you.”
”Ah…”
We had already been close. Her desire to come wasn’t surprising—but still, I hesitated. Alicia and Elina said nothing, simply watching.
Maybe it was because of Alicia’s support that I had broken free of the curse.
I appreciated Iris’s feelings. But having her come to Dungeon City with me? It might be safer for her to remain here.
I was about to refuse when she sensed it and added quickly:
”Even if you say no, I’ll go. I can use magic. While waiting for the snow to melt, I can take a job guarding a merchant caravan.”
She wasn’t wrong. She had come to Dungeon City once before, under similar circumstances.
It was entirely possible.
Notes:
• Ms. Alicia – Iris’ big sister.
• Ms. Elina – Iris’ mother
• Iris – The first collaborator to request a curse-breaking item.
• Ms. Hilda – The Cleric invited by Iris Mother.
• Hilda – The Cleric invited by Iris Mother.
• Seria – The first cleric.
• Loga – A soldier from the Gavrett family. His appearance is not described, but he is skilled in tracking and stealth. He challenged the main character to a test of strength. His relationship to the main character is professional, and he appears to be working with the mysterious man.
• Casa – The president of the merchant guild Amiras. She is nervous and blushes around Koji, yet agrees to cooperate with his plans.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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