Chapter 51

The door closed. I just watched it happen.

In the room the duke had just left, only the red-haired young man and I remained.

...The conversation with Duke Nightfellow was very brief.

It was more like a Q&A session.

I was asked for my cooperation by the duke.

What he wanted was for me to be caught as bait and fall into a trap.

The duke would catch the rat distracted by the bait.

I think Serius wouldn't have allowed it. Derek would have opposed it too. That's why the duke asked me directly.

Then---

"---If there were solid evidence, His Majesty would have no choice but to act."

The words the duke spoke during the Q&A session sounded as if His Majesty was reluctant to act---as if he wanted to let the troublemakers run free.

The conversation with the duke as he left lingered in my mind.

"What would happen if I didn't accept the duke's proposal?"

"For you, nothing would happen. You would enjoy the pre-ball and return home. The choice is yours.---Good night."

Until then, I couldn't completely dispel my doubts.

Was it okay to take his words at face value?

Could it be that Duke Nightfellow was the one who invited me to the pre-ball?

And could it be that he was the one targeting me?

---If that were the case, he could have done whatever he wanted with me as soon as I entered the room. He could have caught me.

My suspicions were misplaced.

What I needed to consider was whether to accept the duke's request or not.

I could leave the room as it was. I really think so. The red-haired young man left behind wouldn't stop me, I'm sure.

I turned to the young man.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, sure. If I can answer it."

The red-haired young man answered lightly. Yet, he showed no sign of taking off his mask.

According to the duke's explanation---this young man was a subordinate of Duke Nightfellow. He was the spy who had most successfully infiltrated the rats. I couldn't see him that way at all. But that must be the proof of his successful infiltration.

"If I don't cooperate and return to the pre-ball, what will happen to the rats?"

"The ones targeting Princess Octavia will probably be caught, I think?"

"...Huh?"

"Huh? Is this the first you're hearing of it? The princess's presence and attention make it easier for both sides."

"Princess Octavia is being targeted? Then we need to catch the culprit quickly...!"

I grabbed the young man by the collar.

"Whoa! I'm only good at talking and running! Second best at dancing! I'm against violence."

"Ah...sorry."

I let go quickly.

"...You don't look like it, Burks. Aggressive?"

"Being calm would be strange! Princess Octavia...!"

The red-haired young man scratched his exposed cheek.

"Ah, that's the father...the lord's confidant. He's a master of swordsmanship, unlike me, and I don't think Princess Octavia will be harmed. Besides, there are formidable people guarding the princess."

"I see...Lord Alderton..."

"Right, right. The knight guarding the princess. In terms of simple danger, I think Burks is at a higher risk?"

"Still, you haven't answered my question. What will happen to the rats targeting me if I don't get caught by you?"

If I cooperate, this young man, who is a rat---a suspicious person who might know my true identity---will take me somewhere else.

"I'm just a low-ranking subordinate... From the feel of it, they'll probably retreat for now. In reality, where the lord is involved, even good bait isn't worth the risk."

"What do you mean...?"

"Hmm. Do you think a thief would want to break into a place with tight security? They'd avoid it, right? They'd prefer an easy target. A place with lax security...a place they can underestimate. That's why the pre-ball is hosted by Lord Rendington. In reality, it's not like that, but the preconception is there. A pre-ball organized by a female noble would be easier to handle, right? In fact, the ones targeting Princess Octavia are being deceived?"

The young man stopped speaking, tilted his head, and scratched his red hair at the back.

"However, I'm working hard, but I'm not very optimistic about the ones targeting Burks---the ones I've infiltrated. They're on guard because the lord is there. The plan is continuing because Burks came to the pre-ball. The rest is---this place."

"Place?"

"They seem to know a lot about 'Paradise in the Sky.' The lord seems to have anticipated this... Is it like wrapping Burks in pretty wrapping paper to make the bait more attractive?"

"That...the metaphor is a bit..."

"Hmm... Rats won't leave their nest without a reason. 'Paradise in the Sky' is an essential factor! How about that?"

"Ah, yes. So... tonight is the perfect opportunity to catch the rats, right?"

"Right."

The more I listened, the less the option of refusing seemed viable.

It felt like my answer was already decided from the beginning.

"I..."

The red-haired young man folded his arms and spoke with a serious expression.

"I think you heard the lord's conversation, Burks. He believes that beauty is a treasure."

"...Huh."

I thought I was going to be persuaded to cooperate---what is this?

"Whether male or female, if they have a good face, the rest doesn't matter much. You know, people seek what they don't have?"

"Eh? No..."

"Ah, it's fine, it's fine. You don't have to comfort me. I'm not handsome when I take off my mask, you know. Well, I'm decent? I've mastered the skill of exuding a handsome aura. Anyway, that's why I have a good impression of the beautiful Burks."

"......"

I naturally had a suspicious look. Even if it was a compliment, I wasn't happy at all.

"So, advice! I think it's better for Burks to reject the lord's proposal."

"But...why?"

What is this?

"Look, there's no guarantee of your safety at the place you'll be taken to. My top priority isn't protecting you. I'll locate where they're gathering tonight and inform the lord. In the worst case, I'll escape on my own. The lord won't move the troops he's prepared without a good reason. Well, if Princess Octavia is involved, it might be different.---I think it's better not to accept lightly."

"Dangerous, you mean."

"...You might die?"

Then, it's even more credible.

At least, it means I can directly contact the person targeting me. And there will be a certain ally in the situation where they believe I'm completely in their trap.

"Still, I don't want to die. I think it's a bit of a loss to lose a valuable beauty. So, this time..."

"...I'll go."

"Huh?"

"I'll cooperate with Duke Nightfellow."

"...You'll be the bait? I mean, you'll be their target."

"...It seems so."

I exhaled. I want to know the reason by now. If the reason lies in my birth...

"No, do you understand what I'm saying? The lord won't come to your rescue at the right time. He's giving you the choice. Even if you enjoy the pre-ball, the lord won't be mean to you afterward. He's straightforward in that regard. Well, he's too straightforward in the opposite direction, which is scary. I'm really glad Derek didn't inherit that. He's like his mother. Derek values friendship even if it conflicts with his interests. He won't suddenly abandon someone."

I interrupted the young man's rapid-fire speech.

"Um... Are you troubled if I cooperate? Wouldn't it make your mission easier?"

"That's true, but you see, I'm kind to beauties!"

The young man stretched out his thumb with a smile.

"......"

I had a suspicious look again. For a moment, I felt the urge to bend his thumb.

"Think carefully before you decide. I'll answer any other questions you have."

...Any other, huh.

"If you don't mind, can you tell me the full plan? It would make it easier for me to move."

"Ah, I don't know that."

He waved his hands and answered carelessly.

I almost didn't believe my ears.

"...You don't know?"

"Yeah."

It made no sense.

"Only the lord has the full picture, I think. I'm just assigned a role. Well, a slight correction. This time, I'm assigned a role from one to three."

"...Does that mean the duke doesn't trust anyone?"

"Maybe. I think he has absolute trust in us regarding the assigned roles? In reality, if a traitor emerges from within, everything will be revealed to the enemy. That's often the case with those in power."

"Are you not worried at all?"

"Not at all? The full picture is in the lord's head, so we just need to act as his hands and feet. The lord assigns numbers to each of us. If the numbers fit, they add up to the total in the lord's head. If the numbers are off, the lord will correct and reissue instructions. Basically, the lord doesn't do anything unnecessary."

---Nothing unnecessary.

The image of the girl I met in the hall, Liliashana, came to mind.

She was an unexpected guest invited by Duke Nightfellow just before the event. Did the duke have a specific intention in mind?

"Well, I'm the lord's subordinate. I'm used to it. The lord clearly divides how much he trusts us. Besides, if I knew everything from one to ten and was tortured by the enemy, I'd confess. But if I don't know, I can't answer. I think I've told you everything the lord thought you should know."

"Is that so..."

"Then, are you really going to be the bait?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

"Hmm. Do the rats have a use for Burks?"

"......"

I didn't answer. Instead, I asked a question.

"One last question."

"Sure, sure. What?"

"From what I understand, Duke Nightfellow is the one leading this operation. But, regardless of me, Princess Octavia is...even if the risk is low, she's being targeted, right? If that was known, shouldn't you tell His Majesty and mobilize the national army...?"

"Umm. Probably not."

I expected to be denied. What I wanted to know was why the duke, not the country, was taking action.

But I didn't expect such an immediate answer.

"His Majesty will only protect Princess Octavia. It won't lead to the elimination of the rats."

"...Why is that?"

"Working under the lord, you see things you don't need to. I think His Majesty dislikes Esphera. The country he governs."

"..."

I was speechless.

That can't be true. His Majesty is a fine king, isn't he?

"Would this be considered a crime of disrespect? Tell Prince Serius?"

I couldn't say it.

"The previous king was famous for being extremely lazy. Yet, Esphera functioned well. In contrast, the current king, then the crown prince, was the opposite. He was worthy of Prince Serius's father. Well, they weren't directly related. But he was a handsome and perfect superhuman."

"Um, what are you trying to say?"

"To put it bluntly, he's completely different from when he was the crown prince. On the surface, His Majesty is a wonderful king, but he's doing things that weaken Esphera."

"...Can you give me a specific example?"

"Recently, for example, the war with the Sazar religion a year ago. His Majesty could have prevented it if he wanted to, but he waited.---As if he was speculating on something. Letting it escalate into a full-scale war."

It ended in victory for Esphera. A grand triumphal ceremony was held in the capital.

"The fact that it's not criticized is because, in the end, Esphera won, and the country hasn't weakened."

"......"

I couldn't say anything.

I wasn't knowledgeable enough about politics to refute it.

"Burks, who might marry Prince Serius, should keep this in mind. If you don't die tonight. And if you do, don't blame me."

"...Don't assume I'll die."

"Do you have a will?"

"...Listen to me."

"Ah, is Burks sulking?"

Somehow, I felt all the strength drain from my body.

"...Stop calling me 'Burks.'"

"Eh, no way."

Here, the red-haired young man's tone changed.

"---Putting aside such jokes, if you're going back to the pre-ball, now's the time. Are you really going to accept the lord's request, Burks?"

I clearly nodded.

Pain shot through my neck. I tried to press it with my hand, but it was too late.

The blindfold was ripped off.

What I saw was blue.

---Blue.

A blue room. Is it still the 'Sky Room'?

No way. I walked a considerable distance.

My thoughts were scattered.

My hand hit something. A stone tomb. Words were carved into it.

---Ideaeria Esphera?

I don't know.

'My "Master"'

...Do I know? No, I don't.

I shook my head.

Tricked by the red-haired young man, I was first taken to the 'Sky Room' as a captured prisoner.

I was blindfolded. More people joined, and we walked further. We arrived here.

The red-haired young man was praised by someone---and I was hit with something?

I wasn't even given time to question my real family.

I fell to my knees. I wanted to stand up, but I couldn't. My body wouldn't move as I wished.

"It's not poison. You'll lose consciousness for a while."

"!"

A man's voice.

Lose consciousness? ...I don't want to.

If that's the case, poison would be better.

I'm more afraid of losing consciousness than death. I've felt that way since I was a child. I feel like something unknown will show its face.

---No. I have to stay conscious. I'm scared.

When I was saved by that person, it was the same.

If that person hadn't come, everyone there---

---I.

"Nothing will happen."

A sword was casually dropped. It was unsheathed. If I reached out, I could touch it. ...For what? No, I don't need to think about it.---If I can grab it.

"You will not be the one we fear."

...If I am the one they fear?

The voice was hoarse, and the man answered even though I only moved my mouth.

"You will be killed. ...If you blame anyone, blame your parents for breaking the taboo. No matter the reason, 'Master' and 'Servant'---"

Before the man finished his sentence, I lost consciousness.