Ikemen ni Tenseishita kedo, Cheat ha Dekimasenseshita

66　Monologue of A Certain Marquis 7

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The miracle that Theodore caused was immediately reported to His Majesty by Duke Lilac.
Due to that report, even though it was in the middle of dead midnight when everyone was already asleep, Bates-dono who was still in the Duke’s mansion got summoned to the Royal Palace post haste.

 

Naturally, I was also summoned along with him.

 

Aside from us, in the conference room of the royal palace, His Majesty the King and the Five Family’s patriarchs including Duke Lilac and Count Sphene, who was attending as the chief of the magic tool research institute, were also there.
There were no others.
Then again, it might be due to the time being in the dead of the night, so many senates were absent from the meeting.

 

“Attending a meeting at this unholy hour is too much for this old body.
Please spare this old man who can only work properly after the sun rises high in the sky.” Bates nonchalantly said as he offered the chair to us.

 

Seeing his action, I had to stifle my smile.
Truly, even in this kind of situation, he was still the same as ever.
Anyhow, looking around at the gathered people, I just realized that all of us who were gathered in this place were officials that were related to the Saint.
However, this decision made sense.
After all, the other officials outside of those gathered here would just be a hindrance.

 

“I had heard the story, but still.
Let me hear the details from the related party again.”

 

After Prime Minister Blackcurrant said this, Bates-dono and I began to explain the situation from the beginning until the end, not missing any details we knew of.

 

◇

 

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After we finished explaining from the start until the end, the conference room was enveloped in a complex atmosphere.
Nevertheless, soon the stilted air was broken by Prime Minister Blackcurrant had finished taking in the story in its entirety.

 

“―― So, firstly, about the magic tool called ‘misanga’ and the identity of the black cat who stole those misangas…”

 

“Regarding that, we’re currently investigating the merchant who sold them.
However, we have to wait until morning before we get the result of the investigation.” General Crimson said.

 

I didn’t find it strange.
This was only natural.
After all, even if he tried to investigate the matter right now, people rarely came out at midnight.

 

“It is just a low-grade magic tool, but it’s a dangerous one since it can snatch the life force of the wearer…”

 

“Yeah.
I’ve confirmed that it resembles the magic tool that was sold in my territory seven years ago.
All of them should have already been disposed of back then, but…” I said, not hiding anything since Count Greenwell also investigated that case too.

 

“We’re lacking vital evidence to make the judgment.
Perhaps it will be much better if we wait for the result of the investigation of the peddler first before we continue.
But of course, there is a need to investigate the location of the factory and trade routes too.
Don’t forget.”

 

Everyone nodded in agreement to Count Sphene’s suggestion since this misanga could become their evidence.
At the same time, everyone also agreed that the investigation of the trade route and the location of the factory had to be done as fast as possible too.

 

“―― Another matter is about the black cat in the report…”

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“The aforementioned black cat was the former member of the Magic Tool Research Institute who is also the culprit behind the incident three years ago, Trevor.
There’s no doubt about this.
The pattern on its right foreleg is similar to the pattern that appeared on Trevor’s right arm when he exposed his true figure after absorbing Count Greenwell’s life force.
At that time, the right arm that got cut off by General Crimson vanished for no reason.
Hence, I figured that right arm turned into the black cat that I saw in this incident.” Bates-dono explained when he heard Prime Minister Blackcurrant’s question.

 

“We got taken by surprise back then, eh.”

 

Bishop Cobalt muttered something to himself while General Crimson groaned loudly.
Perhaps they were recalling the incident three years ago.

 

“… If there’s something that you want to say, just say it.”

 

“Oh, how rare to see you’re being self-conscious.
It’s good to see you finally become a little bit wiser.”

 

“… Okay, let’s settle this outside.”

 

“Morris, Dexter, that’s enough.
We’re in the presence of His Majesty.”

 

I really hoped that both Bishop Cobalt and General Crimson would set aside their quarrel for now and continued later.
Fortunately, this time, both of them kept their silence after being reprimanded.

 

“In short, the so-called demon race only parasitizes one part of the body, is it? Are there any possibilities of them moving around when they only occupy a part of the body? If that’s the case, what about Trevor that was being imprisoned in the jail? Is he really Trevor?”

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The chief of the Court Mage Department, Count Greenwell, pondered as he asked such a question.

 

“We still have no idea whether ‘he’ is still alive or not from just a single part of the body.
There’s not enough evidence to conclude the matter.
However, the one who was being kept in the jail right now might be nothing more than a shell for the demon’s disguise.
That must be the reason why he doesn’t react at all when we capture him.”

 

Everyone nodded together after Bates-dono stated his opinion.
It made sense.

 

“Even so, it doesn’t mean that we can release the ‘Trevor’ that acts as a shell.
And we should focus on capturing the black cat.
That way, we may be able to confirm with our own eyes the method used by the demon race.
On that note, how’s the investigation going for that black cat?”

 

Alas, when Count Sphene asked about the progress of the search, Duke Lilac shook his head.

 

“We’ve been doing a thorough search for the entire mansion.
Alas, we failed to find that cat.
I’m going to order my subordinates to search the entire mansion again in the morning, but except for the mansion―― Well, searching for a particular cat in the entire city is impossible.”

 

“I understand.
I’ve made an arrangement for the army to find that black cat.
However, don’t hold out hope.
Finding it will be difficult even if we use illumination magic.
Furthermore, even if we try to find the cat after sunrise, it’s almost impossible to find a specific cat in the entire city, much less capture it.”

 

General Crimson stated his opinion as a part of the army.
And their words made sense.
Trying to find and capture a specific cat hiding in the entire city was close to impossible.

 

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“What about the temple’s barrier?”

 

When Prime Minister Blackcurrant asked, Bishop Cobalt’s expression shifted into one of extreme vexation.

 

“The barrier should be perfect.
And though the temple tried to investigate this matter again at this moment, we still can’t find any seam or opening.
Both Court Mage Department and Magic Tool Research Institute are currently working together to analyze the problem, but we have yet to find the problem… In conclusion, we still have no idea why that evil being can enter the barrier at present time, but we’ll investigate this matter more thoroughly when morning comes.”

 

After Bishop Cobalt stated his resolution, Count Greenwell opened his mouth and spoke.
“Maybe they have a way to suppress their overflowing high concentration of magical power when they disguise themselves as animal or human.
Or perhaps they used a magic tool like the one used by Trevor back then…”

 

“Or maybe they have both methods.
We, the Magic Tool Research Institute, will investigate that magic tool again.”

 

“Court Mage Department will also investigate the captured human ‘Trevor’.
We ask for permission to conduct the investigation.”

 

Count Greenwell and Count Sphene immediately submitted the verbal application for investigating the possibilities suggested by Count Greenwell.

“Permission granted.”

 

His Majesty, who so far had kept his silence, gave his permission with a solemn voice.
He then ordered, “The black cat will be treated as the same demon race member that appeared three years ago.
And it is to be captured immediately.
In addition, conduct investigations on every peddler that is selling the magic tool called misanga.
At the same time, get the number of misangas that have been sold in the kingdom.
Finally, conduct a thorough investigation about the people in charge of each barrier, the demon race itself, and the magic tool.”

 

Hearing His Majesty’s order, everyone immediately bowed at once.