Chapter 82

When returning to the basement of the Silver Water Jug Inn, only Beatrice, who had finished changing, was waiting, and she bowed with her skirt pinched. It was an elegant gesture befitting a noble of the magic kingdom.

"Welcome back, Mr. Dick."

"Ah... huh? Your clothes are different from usual. Isn't that our uniform?"

When pointed out, Beatrice's usually pale face turned slightly red. It was a strange sight, as Reis, a spirit-type demon, could blush, but high-ranking spirit-type demons could materialize their bodies with magic, so as long as they received a regular supply of magic, they were almost the same as ordinary humans.

"When I was summoned by Lady Verlene, I left my clothes at the mansion. I think the clothes are still in the room where I was staying..."

"If another maid finds them, they might suspect that Beatrice has melted away."

"I have already informed them that I am a demon, so I don't think they will be too surprised, but it will certainly shock them. However, if I can be of any help to Mr. Dick, that is my priority."

Narrowing her translucent blue and gold eyes, Beatrice blushed. Despite not visiting the mansion recently, her affection for me seemed unwavering.

(Just because Leonid says I'm a glutton... I'm thinking strange things. I shouldn't be.)

"Mr. Dick, may I enter the kitchen?"

"Ah, are you going to help with dinner? What time is it now?"

"It's 10:30 PM. The shop is already closed, but the kitchen staff have prepared some dishes, so I think we can finish preparing dinner quickly."

I asked the time because I needed to meet Lowe and the current head of the duchy to talk about the matter I had hidden from them regarding the master's trial.

I also need to talk to Premiere about leaving Beatrice at the mansion, so I'll invite her to the mansion another day. Marquis will probably just hear the situation, so it should be fine to send someone else. There are many comrades who are good at infiltration missions, but I'll ask Aileen.

"Beatrice, I'll invite Duke Stollen to the mansion tomorrow night. I'm concerned that there's no blame for abandoning the mansion and leaving Beatrice behind."

"Are you inviting Duke Premiere? If you give the order, I'll prepare accordingly."

"We might have to meet face to face. Are you okay with that?"

Beatrice shook her head, indicating it would be fine. She doesn't seem to hate the Stollen family, but she has complex feelings.

"I am now free from the summoning contract with the Stollen family. Lady Premiere was always concerned about me... while others said I was a troublesome one who summoned spirits."

"Is that so..."

From what I heard, it might be a bit off to pursue Premiere about Beatrice's situation.

"But... I thought I would never see Lady Premiere again. If I can meet her again, I want to tell her that I'm doing well."

"I see. Actually, there might be some issues with Premiere, but I have some complaints. I'll listen to her side of the story without judging her as a villain."

"Thank you... but, Mr. Dick, please be careful."

"Be careful? What for?"

When I asked, Beatrice stared at my face. Then I remembered that my party members had shown a similar reaction just a moment ago.

"Mr. Dick's hair is different from usual... it, it suits you very well..."

"Premiere has seen countless handsome men in society. I don't think she'll think much of me."

"...Is that so? I could look at you all day."

Saying this, Beatrice stared at me. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and hers had a seductive look.

As a Reis Queen, when she desires magic, it's obvious at a glance. Perhaps because she used her power for the 'liberation summoning' earlier, she seems to be exhausted now.

"I'll go out for a while after eating... explain the situation to everyone. Come to my room for a bit after I return. It should take about thirty minutes to replenish your magic, right?"

"Is... is that okay? To call me to your bedroom while everyone else is here... I'm just a maid, you know."

"What are you talking about? You're the lady of the house, aren't you... huh?"

As I thought, where have I heard this before... but Beatrice started to panic.

"Mr. Dick, I'll come back later... I, I'll be right back..."

Beatrice ran out, patting her feet. There's a wine cellar outside the hidden room with the magic circle, so I need to make sure she doesn't break any bottles.

I'm curious about what she was panicking about, but I can't afford to be leisurely. I need to infiltrate the prime minister's mansion tonight and find out the truth. I need to ask if he understood that sacrifices were necessary to seal the snake and remained silent.

◆◇◆

I learned through my information network that Lowe has been so busy with his duties that he hasn't returned to his residence much lately. My guild's intelligence agents have infiltrated the royal palace to gather information from people who work there, though I wasn't specifically monitoring Lowe.

As I approached the royal palace, I used the 'Stealth' magic. The guards at the grand main gate yawned and looked forward to their shift change, even as I passed right in front of them.

The royal palace has the residence of the royal family, the inquisition, and the hall where the prime minister and civil servants conduct their affairs. I decided to enter the prime minister's room on the second floor of the hall from the outside.

Thanks to the 'Silence' magic, there was no sound when I landed on the balcony connected to the prime minister's room.

The ability to silence sound also means that if Lowe sees me and screams, no guards will come, and we can talk one-on-one.

Furthermore, I put on a mask from my pocket to hide my identity.

It might seem like I'm not tense, but there's a reason for it. It's not a good strategy for me to oppose Lowe as the guild master—so, I shouldn't approach him as Dick, even superficially.

The identity of the 'Masked Rescuer' as the Demon King Slayer team is kept secret, but the name is widely known in the capital. Lowe won't dismiss me as a joke.

I used a magic blade to silently cut the window latch and entered. Lowe's room is divided into an office and a reception room, so I entered the reception room first.

There was no light in the reception room, and the door to the office was closed, but light was leaking through the gap.

I was sure he was in the room. I put my hand on the door and opened it silently—Lowe didn't notice me and was still looking at something.

Lowe was sitting in his office chair, looking at a small framed portrait. When I went behind him and saw the picture, my thoughts paused for a few seconds.

The portrait depicted a beautiful girl with golden hair—no doubt, it was a young Miralca, from when we first met or a little before that.

"...Miralca. Why are you with such a man..."

(Such a man... who is he?)

Why does Lowe have a portrait of young Miralca? Did he have it painted, or did he paint it himself? It's a concern, but I can check it later.

I stood by the window and deliberately made a noise to get Lowe's attention. When he turned around and saw me, he widened his eyes in shock but didn't panic or scream.

"...I didn't expect the 'Masked Rescuer' to visit me. My heart almost stopped."

"I came here despite the rudeness because there's something I must ask. We are also interested in the 'Snake' extermination, but as I observed, some things didn't add up."

Thanks to the mask, my voice changed, sounding deeper than usual. This helped Lowe not recognize me as Dick. Changing my equipment from the inquisition also played a big role.

"This is not a peaceful matter... I would like your assistance if possible, but have you already joined the dungeon exploration under a different identity?"

"You can think of it that way. First, who sent Garrett?"

Lowe's expression changed from his usual gentle smile. This must be closer to his true self, with a cold and sharp gaze directed at me.

A prime minister of a country can't be a weak and gentle man.

"...Is that something I have to answer? Even if you are the popular 'Rescuers,' I have a sense of duty to my friends."

"Is that friend one of the dukes? We already know Garrett's true identity... Clive Garland. He was imprisoned for crimes like attacking the Red Twin Inn."

"If you know that much, you will eventually find out the answer. So, it doesn't matter if I tell you. I don't want to die halfway through my mission."

Lowe understood the situation—any mistake in his response to me could lead to a confrontation here.

"It's the Marquis of the Orland family. He can't afford to lose to the Stollen family."

"Is that it... a matter of pride?"

"Confidentially, the Marquis was once infatuated with Duke Premiere. But when Duke Premiere succeeded the dukedom, it was his answer to the Marquis... as you know, dukes cannot marry each other. I know it's inappropriate for me, the prime minister, to spread such rumors, but it's the truth."

The Marquis, to gain favor with Premiere, rushed to achieve success in the dungeon exploration and used Clive, an SS-ranked adventurer.

"The Marquis had his own plans, but there are things that can and cannot be done."

"For the 'Masked Rescuers' who enforce justice, it's an unforgivable act. What will you do? If the Orland family loses its power, the country's ruling structure will be shaken. It's not a good strategy in times of national crisis."

"The ones advancing on the front lines in the dungeon are not the nobles' dispatched personnel. From the beginning, you intended to leave everything to the Demon King Slayer team. It's unreasonable to overlook the nobles' actions and expect us to do so."

Lowe was smiling, but it was just a forced smile. He wasn't skilled enough to maintain the act.

"The 'Snake' may indeed exist and is trying to be unsealed. If so, we should cooperate and abandon personal interests. It's difficult to save the country with hidden agendas."

"...I don't have the real power in this country. I can advise the king, but the final decision is his..."

"I don't want to hear such evasions. Let me be frank. When the 'Snake' was sealed in the past, a member of the first king's party sacrificed themselves. You must have known that the same sacrifice would be necessary this time."

"...That... that's..."

The 'Masked Rescuer' knowing such details must have caught Lowe off guard. The dignified figure of the famous prime minister was no longer there. It showed that being exposed for planning to sacrifice the master was an unexpected turn of events for him.

The master, who was effectively sentenced to death, might have kept silent until the 'Snake' was sealed, carrying the burden within himself until the end.

"The woman who recently underwent the inquisition. You intended to seal the 'Snake' by sacrificing her life, the founder of the guild in the capital. Is that the kingdom's policy?"

I questioned him, trying to keep my emotions in check, but anger still threatened to overflow.

I understand that the master's crimes needed to be atoned for.

The beastmen with the ability to regress were sold and collared, and the collars were made by the master.

"...She created a situation that worsened the relationship with the beastmen. It's a grave sin... even considering her past contributions, it can't be overlooked."

Lowe wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Emboldened by my silence or perhaps out of cowardice, he started to speak more forcefully.

"Isn't it fine if it saves the country? If the minimum sacrifice can bring the greatest happiness, one person's death is trivial."

"Would you say the same if you had to sacrifice yourself to save the kingdom?"

"That, that's... what's the point of such a hypothetical? According to the records of the first king sealing the snake, a woman was indeed sacrificed. But my death would be meaningless, and I haven't committed any crimes. It would be more meaningful to offer my life for the many people at the end..."

"...Why don't you believe in the power of the Demon King Slayer team?"

"Eh...?"

Lowe looked at me, not understanding what I was saying. I realized that we were not compatible in this conversation.

"The Demon King Slayer team defeated the Demon King and returned. If they can seal the 'Snake' without sacrifice, that woman doesn't have to die."

"...You think they can defeat something said to be more powerful than the Demon King? It's too much to believe..."

"Better than assuming someone's sacrifice from the start. If they can seal the 'Snake' without killing her, the judgment at the inquisition won't be a mere deception. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying not to judge her. I'm saying to consider the consequences if the Demon King Slayer team is made to send her to the executioner and it's discovered later."

In negotiations, it's better to leave room for the other party to protect themselves rather than just applying pressure.

I didn't come here to harm Lowe, only to warn him—this seemed to ease his tension somewhat.

"...Do you think... that I, Dick Silver, won't be killed by that man?"

"The Demon King Slayer team isn't some terrifying monster. If you think so, you should believe in their power even more."

"Of course, they are terrifying. Even at S-rank, they are a source of fear for those without combat strength. At SSS-rank, they are so powerful that the capital doesn't want them. They should be guarding the borders."

"They haven't caused any trouble for the country. They just lived quietly."

"...That might only be on the surface. I don't want to be the only one with a double standard."

In conclusion, I think it's difficult to understand each other with Lowe.

But I managed to drive the point home. The 'Masked Rescuer' will always be aware of Lowe's actions, and if he plots, it will be known. This message will reach the Demon King Slayer team—ensuring that there won't be any sabotage in future dungeon explorations.

"...If you say to believe in the Demon King Slayer team, I will. I don't want to die."

The result was a form of intimidation, but the goal was achieved.

All that's left is for the Demon King Slayer team—us—to defeat the 'Snake.' The master's sins can be atoned for without her death.

And there's one more thing that's bothering me. It's a trivial matter, but it's unsettling to leave it unresolved.

"...Changing the subject. Prime Minister, you were looking at a portrait of a girl..."

"...!"

Lowe, who was so ruthless with the master, was easily flustered when it came to Miralca.

Even I, who am usually slow, realized something. Whatever the circumstances, Lowe had revealed that he was also infatuated with Miralca, in addition to exposing the Marquis's love.

Other people's love lives are none of my business, and it's troublesome to get involved, but it's different when it comes to Miralca. I don't want her to end up with Lowe—beyond reason, I feel a possessive urge.

"I'll find the owner and return it."

"...I don't think it will be found..."

While saying this, Lowe, perhaps worried about being seen as a girl lover, reluctantly handed me the small framed portrait.

"...Does the 'Masked Rescuer' also return lost items? That's why they are supported by the people."

Lowe laughed bitterly, looking exhausted. He was probably worried that I had seen him looking at the portrait and even mentioned Miralca's name.

It felt terrible to have someone else look at Miralca's portrait. Despite feeling bad for Lowe, I confiscated it on a personal level.

◆◇◆

After returning to the guild house from my conversation with Lowe, Aileen, who had been sent to the Orland family, had also completed her mission and returned. She had already been informed of the situation through 'Little Soul,' but we had a more detailed discussion in the living room on the second floor of the guild house.

In short, the Marquis was just following Lowe's orders. All the instructions regarding Clive came from Lowe—though if this is true, Lowe, who had the Marquis carry out the plan while pretending not to be involved, is completely untrustworthy. We need to keep rotating our intelligence