NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31 - Episode 31: The Guards Did Their Job.
Episode 31: The Guards Did Their Job.
“Can you tell me more about the suspicious individuals?”
“Yes.”
Under the supervision of Lord Bursa’s acquaintance knight, a questioning was conducted in Lord Bursa’s presence… After that, the castle became chaotic. The reason could be inferred from the questioning.
“What? Claimed to be of the Prime Minister’s family?”
“Yes.”
“That black-eyed, black-haired man?”
“Yes.”
“Unbelievable, there are no black-eyed, black-haired individuals among the Prime Minister’s relatives… They might be from another country. — Don’t underestimate them!! Hey! Inform the guards!”
“Yes sir!”
Thus, knights, angered and determined to “kill all suspicious individuals,” were walking around the castle. The cleaning was progressing, but I, in a suspicious attire unlike any other, was repeatedly stopped and questioned. A young girl continuously using high-pressure water magic inside water droplets in protective clothing. Perhaps because it’s too suspicious, I underwent the fifth round of questioning. Now, a knight is watching from afar.
Lord Bursa is nearby, but it’s not his task…
“It’s the third person already!? What’s going on!!”
“Everyone, don’t let any intruders escape!”
“…The black-eyed, black-haired man might have been a spy from another country. Well, time for face-to-face meetings again…”
Operation Roller. It seems that every person in the royal castle is being approached multiple times for questioning… There wasn’t just one suspicious individual. Come to think of it, the internal conflict over succession to the throne in this country was intense, and there were also invasions from other countries.
“This person is different.”
“Is there any particular feature?”
Young, black-eyed, black-haired, good complexion, but dirty clothes. I’ve talked with him multiple times.
“We have paper and ink. Can you draw some features even if it’s just a little?”
“Yes.”
A quill… Isn’t there a ballpoint pen? It’s wrapped around something at the handle of the large feather. The boss also used it, but it’s hard to use. I managed to draw something halfway decent.
“Oh, this is helpful!”
While looking at the drawing, the knight took out a staff and started drawing with fervor. He drew a good likeness in black, burnt sienna, and brown. He put it in a box, and… flames erupted from the box. As I watched, several identical drawings emerged from inside the box. A copy machine that uses fire, perhaps.
“Oh.”
“Huh? You’re still here? You can go back to your post.”
“Yes.”
I waited, thinking that I might be scolded if I left without being told, but it seems he just forgot the instructions. It was interesting to see, and if the danger level of the suspicious individuals decreases according to the wanted poster, it’s not bad. I bowed and returned to my post to resume cleaning… But I really want to go home already.
There are soldiers and knights everywhere in the castle, almost as if a war is about to start.
—
It seems that besides the suspicious individual who approached me, there were many other suspicious individuals. More suspicious individuals were apprehended than I can count on my fingers. This country is hopeless, with such lax security.
I earnestly wished to be let go, but the castle gate was closed, and I couldn’t leave.
…And then I slept in my usual hut.
“Absolutely do not open for anyone other than me.”
“Yes.”
“Three knocks, then two at the bottom after that.”
“Yes.”
The royal castle, now on high alert from the hunt for suspicious individuals, is akin to a battlefield. There seem to have been battles, and I heard explosions from somewhere. Lord Bursa, who muttered, “Gotta fix things again,” seemed accustomed to it. I think this sturdy hut is still better than the waiting room for servants.
And then the next day, it seems the Prime Minister collapsed from poisoning, and I heard talk of heightened alertness, no, on the brink of war.
“General Kedi has moved troops toward the border.”
“Magical Ministry’s Lord Razuli has been captured.”
“What’s going to happen to this country!?”
“I always thought he’d do something.”
“Forbidden items were found in Lady Lina’s room.”
“Is His Majesty safe?!”
“Count Ruse has collapsed, isn’t it the work of the noble faction after all?”
Work continues amidst fear and uncertainty. People are gathering everywhere for discussions… It seems I’ve caused quite a stir.
Being equipped with an assassin’s dark attribute staff and knife, I feels like I’m being treated as a suspicious individual. However, I am just a cute young girl with a water attribute belonging to the Druggen family, who holds a high position in the country. She’s being treated not just as a suspicious individual but as a mascot, or rather, a rare creature beyond suspicion.
It seems that water magic is highly valued, as even the nobles who questioned and stopped me apologized and brought words of apology along with sweets, flowers, handkerchiefs, and accessories.
“You should serve my family. We’ll guarantee your treatment.”
“Hey, I had my eye on her! Who do you belong to!?”
“I belong to the Roat family. Do you think you can offer better conditions than my family?”
“These are gifts from Lord Nolk.”
“— I’m sorry. I have no intention of betraying my current master.”
This is a declined offer. Maybe in the past, I would have thought being protected by nobles was ideal, but not anymore. The noble lords who bring gifts to me in competition know the reason well.
“Huh? Serving nobles is better than serving merchants, right?”
“Why? While serving this idiot is better than serving a fool like you.”
“You calling me an idiot? I’m the second son of the Lognoa family, want to fight with magic?”
“Forget it. Anyway! *cough*”
I stumbled for the first time in a while. I might be more nervous than I thought, surrounded by nobles. Lord Bursa promised to deal with the suspicious individuals, but it seems he won’t be a barrier to the flood of gifts from nobles. He might even be looking at me with suspicion, wondering if I’ll betray Dugga.
“You can’t trust someone who would betray their lord for money. I have no intention of betraying my current master. Please take your gifts back.”
“……”
“Hmm.”
“If you have that intention, I’ll return the gifts.”
I’m not sure if this is the right answer. Gifts and job offers are probably very appreciated in this world… It’s like being headhunted by a major corporation, or maybe winning the lottery in the previous life. But I shouldn’t be deceived by temporary good treatment. If someone can use water magic, the survival rate of nobles goes up. That’s why they’ve targeted me, a commoner. I might become a convenient water supplier and mascot… maybe even a meat shield. Maybe living under nobles would have been fine if there were no conflicts, but considering the situation in this castle, that path is too dangerous. I’m still bowing, but no one says anything. Are they angry? I want to believe that no atrocities will be committed in front of Lord Bursa or the knights, but will they attack without warning? Should I transform into my insect form now?
“— No, it’s fine. That’s yours. I was asking too much.”
“Yes, for a commoner, you understand loyalty well. Keep it up.”
“Please take the gifts. If I don’t accept them, I’ll be scolded.”
“Be loyal to your master.”
Huh? The reaction was different from what I expected… Later, I heard from Lord Bursa that betrayal was common in the succession to the throne in this country. If safety could be bought with money, anyone would do it.
“So, it was normal to accept gifts and then betray. So I was impressed that you, a commoner, even offered to return them.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Dugga has a good subordinate!”
I have a meal with Sir Forblin, a knight acquaintance of Lord Bursa who is with me. He has a rough face, more like a mafia than a knight. A bald head with a large scar, and above all, a strong face with intense eyes. And his arm muscles are probably as thick as my torso. He also has a loud voice.
“Eat more, kid. Eating makes you grow big!”
He looks like someone from the underworld who would demand money at the doorstep. A girl working in the castle shouted, “Help! Anyone! Call the knight!” to him. Even though he’s a knight. He and the Druggen family are close, and they often play together… I wonder how many times he’s been reported?
—
— After a while, I received good news and the worst news at the same time.
The suspicious individuals were executed. That young man who spoke to me was found… and apparently executed together with them.
Certainly, that young man was suspicious. Even so, he was about 20 years old, a promising young man… I felt sick to my stomach.
Maybe it’s because of my testimony? What if it was a misunderstanding? But what if he really was suspicious?
I didn’t do anything wrong. But maybe I overreacted, or maybe he died because this is the kind of world it is?
I felt sick and couldn’t remember what I did that day.