Chapter 53

"Quincy, please take good care of Noah."

"I know that without you telling me."

After Luke finished treating the injuries, he said, and Quincy nodded, waving his hand.

The female mages were to be loaded onto a carriage and transported to the guild. Eugene, Quincy, and I, as the guards, were to ride in Tom's carriage, which we often use, heading to the guild.

"Luke, don't overdo it."

"It's fine. I'll head to the guild right after I finish up here."

Even though he understands what I want to say, Luke deliberately pretends not to understand. Usually, Luke listens to my unreasonable requests, but his top priority is the late king. Since the late king's orders take precedence, no matter how much I tell him to rest, he won't listen.

"Well then, are you all ready?"

In response to the leader's call, we nodded. A large guild carriage was parked in front of the Stern family's mansion. The restrained female mages were being loaded into the carriage one by one.

"…? Something feels off."

Eugene suddenly muttered.

"What's wrong?"

"Um, something seems to be missing…"

Although he couldn't clearly explain it, he felt a sense of unease. I suggested that Eugene use his danger detection skill.

"Oh! The mediator, the mediator is not here!"

"Huh…?"

I looked at the carriage again. The female mages, their assistants, and the investigation team members were all in the cargo area. The mediator was not among them.

"Seriously, how could this happen?"

The leader contacted the others using a crystal. It's ridiculous. With so many people on guard, how could the mediator disappear? Even Quincy didn't notice.

"He's been caught! The knights caught him at the back of the house!"

The leader found out where the mediator was. It seems the mediator had fled to the back of the house but was caught by Sol and the others who were on watch. Soon, Sol and the others dragged the mediator to the carriage. The mediator's hands, feet, and mouth were bound, and only his eyes moved, looking around.

"Too bad, Mr. Mediator."

Fran grinned and pushed the mediator towards the leader.

"Thank you, we owe you one."

The leader thanked Sol and the others on behalf of the group. We couldn't afford to let him escape again. I activated my skill, touched the mediator, and read his status.

"I see. So you have a skill that causes dizziness. No wonder no one noticed."

The mediator's eyes darted towards me, as if asking how I knew. I ignored his gaze and said to Eugene,

"Thanks to Eugene, we noticed. It seems your danger detection skill has leveled up."

"Really, Mr. Noah!"

When the danger detection skill levels up, it can be used continuously as long as you are conscious. Previously, it could only be used for a short time, but now it can be used to constantly guard the surroundings. Currently, it seems to be working subconsciously, but with practice, you'll be able to use it more effectively.

The mediator likely used the dizziness skill right after the leader and the others entered. At that time, everyone's attention was on the female mages. However, Sol and the others were not there, so they were able to spot the mediator. The dizziness skill on the fake bracelet might also have been the mediator's doing. It's a handy skill that can be used on people and objects, with a wide range and duration. However, the effect can be easily dispelled. If Eugene had pointed it out, we would have immediately remembered the mediator's presence.

"Binding his legs makes it hard for him to escape. I'll do it just in case."

The leader said this and blindfolded the mediator, the female mages, and their assistants with bandages.

"Alright. Let's head to the guild. The important people will be arriving soon."

Following the leader, who got into the guild carriage, we headed to Tom's carriage.

"--- So, the female mages and their subordinates have no power. It's all due to the bracelet."

In the guild's large conference room, an unusual atmosphere prevailed. The royal court mage sat at the head of the table, with the royal guards standing behind him. The guild master and the leader were seated in the front. Along the left wall, the female mages and their subordinates, blindfolded, gagged, and bound, stood. I, along with Eugene, Rava, and Nesta, were explaining the events from the lower end of the room. In reality, I have been doing most of the talking. There was also a report summarizing the evidence and testimonies. To be honest, the mages didn't have much to do.

"The bracelet was called 'Traumerei,' but that was the keyword to activate its power. Its true name is 'Alptraum.' It reacted to the keyword, consuming the wearer's magic to force miracles."

I noticed the bracelet's power because I saw Luke's vitality decreasing, but I couldn't say that. I claimed that I understood the item's abilities through the appraiser's skill. Nesta, as a victim's family member, testified about the cruel methods used.

"They were trying to drain everything from innocent victims. The merchants, the mediator, the female mages, and the moneylenders were all in on it."

The moneylender, who was unaware of the situation, was about to come to the guild. The guild, acting as a mediator, had asked Nesta to come and demand the money, luring him to the guild.

"Excuse me. I heard the guild would judge those who borrowed money from me and never paid it back, so I came."

"Lord Maxwell."

The nobleman who entered the conference room confidently started talking immediately but stopped when he saw the group standing against the wall.

"What is this! I know nothing. I'm leaving!"

Before we even asked him anything, he claimed he knew nothing. It was as if he was admitting he knew a lot. I didn't miss the moment his eyes widened when they saw the mediator. The royal guards surrounded Lord Maxwell, who tried to turn around.

"R, Rude! How dare you!"

"Lord Maxwell, we will discuss this at the palace. Please come with us."

A knight in impressive armor stepped forward from among the guards. The moment Lord Maxwell saw him, he turned pale and sat down. I initially thought the guards were just there to add to the mage's grandeur, but this knight was not just a decoration. The royal guards are the collective term for all the soldiers protecting the palace. Among them, the royal knights are the elite who lead the guards. This knight was even more elite, a direct subordinate of the king. I don't know why such a high-ranking knight came to the guild, but being glared at by him, a middle-class noble would be no match. Lord Maxwell, being carried away by the guards, had a white, burned-out back. He had a busy time with red, blue, and white.

With this, the case was settled. The detailed investigation would be handled by the palace. Nesta would be able to keep her shop. The female mages were being dragged away one by one. As I watched them, I saw a magnificent suit of armor in front of me.

"Are you Noah Essex?"

"…Yes."

I felt Quincy stick to my back. What does this elite knight want from me?

"You don't need to be so cautious. I won't do anything. I was just told by the king to come and see you."

"! …Is that so?"

The knight's purpose was to see me. I'm acting on the late king's orders, but how much does the current king know about it? I hope he's not suspicious of me.

"Sir Robert, the preparations for our return to the castle are ready!"

"Ah, I'm coming. Thank you for your hard work."

Sir Robert, who was called by that name, looked down at me again and smiled slightly.

"We might meet again. I'll take my leave for today."

"A, yes. Thank you for your trouble."

His eyes were completely unreadable. I don't really want to meet him again.

My spine shivered.

"Hmph. He had a nasty look in his eyes. Don't worry about it. Who does he think he is?"

Quincy's hand slapped my shoulder forcefully. It hurt a lot, but it was reassuring.

Later, the results of the interrogation of the group and Lord Maxwell were briefly communicated to the guild. The mediator came up with the fraud scheme, and Lord Maxwell, who was in financial trouble, agreed to the mediator's proposal, leading to this incident. The female mages were just fortune tellers with no real power. They managed the situation with the ritual atmosphere and the mediator's dizziness skill.

Nesta successfully reclaimed the rights to her shop. Although she couldn't get back the money or her mother's life, she thanked us.

Thus, the 'Traumerei' incident came to an end.

2015/01/12 Revised