Chapter 6

"The existence of the masked monster was the beginning of this whole situation."

Currently, Nia is receiving an explanation of the general situation involving the song collectors.

While it's a dramatically perfect opening, Nia, who prides herself on being a fairly mature adult, can't help but give a half-lidded look at the ticklish and pointed nickname.

The masked monster, she supposes, is a monster with a somewhat shadowy background, hiding half its face with a mask. She really doesn't want to get involved.

"Exactly what kind of mischief did this monster with a name that can't quite grow up get up to?"

"I don't know about its upbringing."

"The masked monster isn't actually wearing a mask, you know."

Perhaps deciding that the conversation wasn't getting anywhere, Xenosh, the monster of knowledge, actively joined in. This handsome young man with blue hair is a very advantageous magician when it comes to "knowing" things.

He often has a somewhat sleepy expression, and when he's not, he's always eating something.

Despite being a monster and looking unhealthy, he is still very beautiful, but it's a mystery where all the food he eats goes in his slender frame.

"Maskareri. It's a monster that makes masks."

"Oh, so it's an artisan."

"Not exactly. The masks made by the masked monster can change a person's appearance and even their voice to that of someone else."

"………Plastic surgery."

Nia thought about what this technology could do and began to see why the monster was considered troublesome. If one could freely change their appearance, they could slip into various places and move around freely.

"You might imagine espionage, but the situation is even more serious. There are missing persons."

"So, they were kidnapped?"

"Not exactly. The mask can be placed on someone unwillingly. A member of the royal family of the country of Croalan was made to disappear by someone."

"Made to disappear means they were moved against their will?"

"Those who wear the mask become the mask. They lose their original name and memories and are rewritten with the personality and appearance inscribed on the mask."

Such a malevolent effect made the story take on a horror-like tone.

Upon hearing this, Nia frowned, thinking that this was indeed the custom of another world. She pondered the versatility of the monster's masks.

If one were suddenly rewritten as someone else, and if that rewrite contained even a little malice, how much tragedy would follow?

Since the victim is a royal, there might still be a wide-ranging search, but if someone in a less influential position were to become a victim, would they ever be able to return to their original life?

"Is it possible to remove the mask?"

"It's not particularly difficult. ……But finding the victim is the hard part."

"That's why the Grimdoor's chain is necessary."

The room, with its large windows, has the curtains drawn to avoid the evening sunlight and for security reasons. The pale gold threads of the heavy tapestry curtains shimmer in the chandelier's light, creating a rather opulent atmosphere. The magical light, unlike candlelight, maintains a brightness comparable to the benefits of science.

Feeling a slight pang of nostalgia, Nia thought of her beloved home.

"The Grimdoor's chain, while a greedy tool for humans to possess, is essentially a single item."

Dino, who seems to have a thin grasp of his professional boundaries, smiles indifferently.

Since keeping it too close would render Eadaria unconscious, the monster is made to sit on a long sofa, but because it's too picturesque, no one except Nia dares to look in that direction.

"I'm curious, but from the name 'Grimdoor's chain,' it sounds like there's only one."

The Grimdoor's chain is the object that song collectors fight over.

It is a delicate golden chain that, when worn by the person it protects, allows complete control over their actions.

Originally, it was a chain woven by the moon monster to keep a unicorn. It was a rare item, but with the appearance of the masked monster, its value as a talisman increased, and it became a prize to be fought over.

"Since the moon monster wove one, it should be of considerable length. Since its effect is independent of length, it might be cut and used as jewelry."

"Is there no way to directly suppress the troublesome masked monster?"

"The masked monster is a monster of ducal rank."

While saying this, Glast glanced at the sofa.

"Yes. Among the monsters currently appearing before humans, it is one of the highest-ranking white-holding monsters, with hair of a color almost indistinguishable from white."

"Oh. Does it live in a castle?"

"The term 'white-holding' refers to the color of its body."

Eadaria's voice was almost mournful, but Nia, tilting her head in confusion, confirmed the clearly white color of her own monster and then turned her gaze to the knowledgeable-looking Xenosh.

"Xenosh, are white-holding monsters rare?"

For some reason, Eadaria and Glast quickly turned away.

"………Pure white monsters almost don't exist. Even a hint of white can make a monster ducal rank in this world. Exceptionally, there are dukes like the masked monster whose color is close to white."

(………Even a hint of white?)

Turning her gaze back to Dino, the monster sprawled carelessly on the sofa seemed pleased to receive her attention. The fact that it wagged its tail just from being looked at was a testament to the extent of its reward system.

(And, it's quite white.)

While it's a mix of many colors, making it hard to call it pure white, the basic color that finally felt right was pearl. In other words, it has a white base. Its long, white eyelashes and deep blue eyes, which seem to be tinged with white or platinum, make it look white to a certain extent.

"Dino is………quite white, isn't it?"

"Maybe. Do you like this color, Nia?"

"I do. By the way, is Dino a duke?"

"No."

"That's a relief. I don't like situations I can't handle. I prefer solid monsters."

"Then, I'll try to be solid."

"I would appreciate that. ………I'm sorry. I interrupted the conversation."

Interrupting the conversation, Nia bowed her head to Eadaria, who was sitting opposite her. However, Eadaria's expression remained stiff.

"Nia, what kind of monster is your monster?"

So, the question finally came. Nia forced a bright smile and steadied her voice.

"A medicine monster."

"…………………Medicine?"

A small sound echoed, and turning around, Nia saw that Xenosh, who had gone to get a cake, had dropped a small silver fork.

Troublingly, he was shaking his head at her, so Nia firmly shook her head back as a warning. Thinking about it, the monster of knowledge was quite the wildcard.

So, Nia poured all her intimidation and restraint into her gaze, warning Xenosh with a growl.

(………Right. I should try to persuade Lord Eadaria first.)

Eadaria, who had fallen silent after repeating the word "medicine," was staring at her with a face full of distrust and suspicion.

His gaze, innocent like a boy who had just discovered the world's injustice, almost moved her heart, but shouldn't such an expression be directed at Dino?

(Grast, the neutralizer of common sense………)

Grast was looking very intently out the window, his body turned in a different direction, clearly not participating in the conversation. His back was very tense, as if he were deep in thought.

Xenosh shook his head again, and Eadaria turned pale and looked at her. This was not a good reaction.

"Medicine monster!"

Desperate to get some agreement, Nia raised her voice, but there was no response from anyone. The room was dominated by a terrifying silence.

"K, medicine monster, right, Dino?"

"Right, Master."

The pearl-colored monster, happy to be confirmed, stood up and clung to Nia's back, apparently thinking he was being paid attention to.

"Hey, no chokeholds during work! Go back to the sofa."

Since this was an important meeting, Nia mercilessly slapped Dino's arms, which were wrapped around her neck from behind. However, Dino, mistaking this for a reward, rubbed his head against her.

(What do I do? There's no way to properly punish this kind of behavior!)

In a private setting, she could ignore it, but unfortunately, this was a workplace. She couldn't just let Dino, who was acting inappropriately, go, so she reluctantly grabbed his lustrous, smooth hair to restrict his movement.

"That's cute. Pull harder if you want."

"Damn it! Take care of your scalp!"

(No good!!!)

At that moment, Nia, who was disappointed at not having a strategy to remove the monster, didn't hear Eadaria, who was sitting opposite her, mutter to no one in particular, "What should I do?"

Because of her insensitivity in not noticing his minor concern, she would later have her engagement broken off. By then, it would be too late to talk things out, as Eadaria would run away whenever she approached.

As a result, within the project team of only five people, a significant communication breakdown would occur, and she would have to work hard to improve it later.

Also, it wasn't just the five of them; it was only that Dino's rank was too high for anyone to approach. She would later learn that there were invisible fairy servants and a decent number of guards in the separate knight quarters.