Chapter 38: Theo
Cordell McNeil's face was ashen.
It was because he destroyed the items that were meant to be given to the emperor. It had to be that way.
How could that country bumpkin ever see pottery?
He must have found some beast in the warehouse and immediately pulled out his sword. Needless to say, what Cordell broke was nothing more than an ordinary bowl.
'Why would you have left such a precious thing here and there in the first place?'
But he couldn't even suspect it. It was because of the wholehearted acting of me and Deacon Miller Xavier.
"Look here, Sir McNeil."
"Yes?"
"You've been investigating so diligently, but why don't you know anything about Adam, the god of the earth? He even testified in court."
"That is..."
"Think about it logically. Where would a monster touch dirt or something in a warehouse? There's food all around."
Cordell lowered his head with a somber expression.
Even now, when all the chaos had begun, Adam just stared blankly. If it was going to be harmful, it would have moved a long time ago. And on top of that, he even spoke to me in a condescending manner.
―Hey, boss. If things continue like this, we won't be able to meet the delivery date. I hope you'll take that into consideration.
"Oh, of course. It'll be a hassle, but please make it again."
- That's right. Hey! Why did that bald guy come in here... Tsk tsk!
Adam was quite quick-witted. He quickly realized their role after seeing our exaggerated behavior. Finally, I nodded and put my hand on Cordell's shoulder.
"Let's go out and talk. Don't disturb our craftsman's work."
"Yes, I understand."
Cordell's slumped shoulders. Suddenly, our eyes met and Butler Xavier and I smiled meaningfully at the same time.
---
Cordell McNeil's eccentricities stopped that day. He completely withdrew from the investigation of the mansion.
He became too kind after threatening to take him to court in a civil suit. But the thing that stuck to me like a piece of gum remained the same.
"I bet you have some blank paper, where did you put it?"
Swish.
As I was looking around, mumbling to myself, something yellow suddenly appeared before my eyes. A piece of paper in hand. Suddenly, I looked around and Cordell appeared out of the darkness.
"Hey! Turn on your blinkers and come in. Hurry up!"
"What is a blinker?"
"There is something like that. Oh my! I can't just squeeze it."
Honestly, I couldn't help but be surprised.
Didn't only the arms, head, and part of the upper body suddenly appear out of thin air?
The rest were enveloped in some kind of energy, but there was no sign of them at all.
'What kind of move is this? It's an assassin.'
I let out a long sigh and shook my head.
Although the close security was extremely concerning, there was no solution. Aren't you the one who moves by the emperor's orders? In the end, I have no choice but to adapt.
"By the way, I feel like I'm missing something..."
"Just tell me what it is and I'll find out right away."
"What are you going to do when you don't even know what kind of trials I've been in?"
"I am surprisingly useful."
"Okay. It's not that difficult."
Cordell McNeil is a black agent of the Imperial Guard. He was a special person who was a knight and also received intelligence training.
To give a rough example, let's say you're an incredibly strong spy. It was like a slaughterhouse knife, so I didn't think it would be necessary for this case. It's just about how some guys are treated.
'Where did you keep your doppelganger? Ah! It was Adam's warehouse.'
Butler Miller Xavier has done a wonderful job renovating his pottery workshop so that a few laborers can live comfortably.
The doppelganger spent each day there in fear. Surprisingly, Adam's influence was quite fatal to the monsters. So much so that just staying by his side was painful.
'I can't just leave it there forever.' It's about time to start using it.
Why would I keep a guy who only eats rice?
If that's the case, it's better to just let him rot in prison. I went straight to the pottery studio. As expected, the doppelganger was suffering from extreme mental distress.
"Ugh! Please let me stay somewhere else. I feel like I'm going to die."
"He's not dead yet. And he's just hanging out with me, isn't this overreacting?"
"If only he didn't use his abilities!"
"Aha? That was the cause."
Every time Adam created a pottery piece, his doppelganger would get excited and dizzy. Even if he wasn't a true god, he seemed to have the ability to cause such misunderstandings.
'Anyway, if I want to control this guy, this is the perfect place.'
Because there is no need to monitor it, you can just leave it to Adam. But in this situation, you can't use a doppelganger.
"First, I need to know what you're useful for. What are you good at?"
"It's a transformation."
"You'd better leave the obvious out of the way. There's a technique I've recently acquired. I might use you as a test subject."
"Keuhp!"
The guy covered his mouth with both hands.
Then, he started rolling his eyes furiously. He was desperate to prove his usefulness in any way possible.
'It's good that he's quick-witted.'
Finally, the doppelganger snapped his fingers and said:
"If you use charm and shape-shifting, you can see into the target's memories. I have a lot of indirect experience."
"So?"
"I am confident in making anything. I have transformed into things like a dwarf craftsman and an elf tailor."
"Can you even copy technology?"
"Of course it's not real so it's a bit rough. But I can get used to it quickly."
"Recite it. See what you can make."
The doppelganger explained passionately while drawing on the dirt floor.
Almost all tools and clothing used by humans. Making them was this guy's forte. '
'Are you okay?'
We needed a craftsman anyway. I was thinking of making some clothes. First of all, I want to change out of that bizarrely shaped robe. Besides, the clothing here was extremely uncomfortable
. It had a lot of flashy, dangly jewelry on it, and the pants were tight-fitting leggings.
'I would be happy if I could just wear a suit.'
If what the doppelganger said is true, then he can make me any clothes I want in an instant. I planned to make him work hard for the next 30 years.
"I'll set up a workshop in a suitable location, so get ready."
"Then, the distance between me and that person is..."
"I'll give you some space. I don't want to disturb your work. But your quarters are here."
"Yes?"
"Adam doesn't make pottery at night?"
The doppelganger's face, which had brightened for a moment, darkened again.
The fact that she would have to stay with Adam for the rest of her life seemed gloomy. But what can you do? His current status is that of a criminal.
"Don't forget that you're serving a sentence. At least you're not in some hellish prison, so be thankful."
"Oh, of course."
"By the way, what is your real name?"
"I've never even thought about that."
"Just make it up. There's no need to transform here, so you should have a real name."
"All right."
The doppelganger was deep in thought. It seemed like he was making a careful decision since it was a name he would be using for at least the next 30 years.
Then he opened his mouth with a determined expression.
"I will use Tersendiot Rubroviant."
"..."
"In ancient language, it means a being with various talents."
It seemed like this kid had the best talent for slapping. To say that you can piss someone off with just one word. I took the gavel out of my bosom.
Then the doppelganger, who had become thoughtful, quickly changed his words.
"Well, I'll just go with Theo."
"Why does a guy with such quick wit keep crossing the line?"
"Ugh!"
Suppressing my rising anger, I pointed to the drawing on the floor.
"First, try making this, this, this. Ask the butler for the ingredients."
"Yep!"
"You'll have to give it your all. If you don't like it, I'll use you as a real test subject."
"Oh, of course!"
Theo nodded and waited quietly for me to pass.
That was enough about the doppelganger's treatment, and now it was time to take care of the pending business at the mansion.
'I guess I should stop by the textile factory.'
I've been putting a lot of work into it, but I haven't really looked into it lately. It was because I was so busy. Still, the butlers will be working hard, so there will be some results. I headed straight to the textile factory.
"Oh! The exterior looks pretty good."
"The general manager took great care of it. Oh, now this place is called Midias."
"I guess we finally got a name."
Land granted by the emperor.
Originally, it was the Counties of Braden and Titus. This place has been practically abandoned for a while.
Because it was the border between two territories, it was difficult to proceed with any business. If there is a difference, the other party may find fault.
But now it has become my own land.