Reincarnation of a Hunter

 

I left all my weapons behind when I came in, so it was kind of funny to see all these swords hanging here.

 

Then I noticed a dagger with a weird shape and picked it up as if drawn to it.

 “This is unusual.” “Huh? What is it?” 

The Cardinal scratched his forehead as if he could not remember.

 “Ah, I remember now. I picked it up thinking it was a holy relic, so I had it analyzed, but I was wrong. It’s not just an artifact nor a magical tool, more like it was forged from a meteorite.” “That’s fascinating. Give it to me as a gift.” 

For some reason, I couldn’t help but ask for it.

 “Very well, I’ll give it and put it in a box for you.” “Thank you, Cardinal.” 

The Cardinal put the dagger inside the box that held the expensive bottles of wine without a second thought and wrapped it in the silk that adorned the couch.

  “So that’s what happened.” “I see that one of… strange jokes worked on you.” 

I couldn’t understand Martin’s sour expression, but I took the gift anyway.

 “But this dagger is useless, isn’t it? The long handle makes it unbalanced.” “No. It’s handy to have something like this. It’s good for camping, cutting branches, and chopping food.” “This is coming from someone who only goes out camping once a year.” “I do it often.” 

In my previous life, at Monster Gate, of course.

 

I’m sure this odd dagger would be of use somewhere. I’ve been drawn to it, but I don’t think it’s a big deal, so I keep it handy.

  

Countess Laurian Westphalia, the mother of the minor lord Noah, was in a bad mood that morning.

 “Has the Count gone mad, giving Eric a signet ring?” 

Standing in front of her was Handmaid Chloe.

 

She has been a loyal member of the House of Westphalia for ten years. Of course, her loyalty was only to Countess Laurian.

 “He’s about to come of age, so they must have given him one to commemorate.” “That’s not what a seal means!” “But it would be meaningless to send you out to the fringes at your coming-of-age-“ “Shut up! Do you think I don’t know that?” 

Most people see Eric’s seal as a mere souvenir.

 

But here’s the thing about family heirlooms that no one cares about.

 

The bearer of the mark has the right of inheritance.

 

Countess Laurian believes that if the Count dies, Eric, who has the seal, might use it as an excuse to rebel.

 

But it’s an absurd fantasy for Eric and the others. No fool would follow a seal.

 “Chloe, this is the time to kill him.” 

Laurian was crazy about her son Noah. She would do anything for him. Even if it cost her own life.

 “Chloe, prepare the poison.” 

Her face twisted into a grimace at Laurian’s instructions.

 “Again? The poison doesn’t work very well. How many times have we failed” “Nonsense!” 

Laurian burst out, rising to her feet.

 “That was all the maids making excuses and running away! And I’ve heard there’s a poison that even ogres can’t resist. Try to get it.” “…I see.” 

Chloe sighed but held it in.

 

Countess Laurian was not one to be persuaded by reason.

 

And she’d changed Eric’s maid thirteen times already, each time using them to poison him.

 

Whether by some sort of divine blessing or because the maids are out of the loop, Eric survived each poisoning attempt. No, not just survive, he didn’t die.

 “But this poison that kills ogres, is there such a thing?” 

She felt sorry for herself for having to scour the apothecaries, even though she was a Count’s handmaiden.

  

A few days later. I had another upset stomach, so I sat in the bathroom and thought.

 

If anyone could see me now, they might say that I looked like Rodin’s thinking man.

 

‘Same symptoms, same smell as when I ate the poisoned meal at the campsite. That means I’ve just taken the same poison.’

 

I thought I’d been lucky enough to avoid it, but then I realized that it just doesn’t work in my body.

 

I don’t know why, but the important thing was that I knew that someone was trying to kill me.

 

It’s pretty obvious who. But I still need to find out.

 

Back in my room, I look at the young maid who’s in charge. She didn’t say anything, but just stood there shaking with contemplation. It’s unfortunate to be swayed by those in power, but what should I do? I have to ask the maid.

 “Who told you to do this?” 

The young maid looked startled.

 “Aaah—” 

She shook her head. The tension and stress were too much for her, causing her to faint and collapse.

 “What, I only asked you a question, why did you faint? Little girl, get up.” 

When she showed no signs of waking up, I left her on the bed and headed straight to the Head Maid, Chloe’s office.

 

The Head Maid is in charge of the female servants. There’s nothing she doesn’t know about in this residence, so if I ask her, she’d answer. 

 —Knock, knock “Come in.” 

I rushed through the door, and the head maid was shocked. She was surprised to see someone who was supposed to have died from poison.

 

Without a word of courtesy, he stares at her in astonishment and then asks for a favor.

 “Maid, come with me and then take the fainted maid to the bed in my chamber and treat her for any injuries.” 

The maidservant, though lowly, was a member of the nobility and, after the chamberlain, the second in command of the manor’s occupants.

 

Nevertheless, I blurted out the words. I planned to throw her off guard and get her to blurt it out.

 

Head Maid Chloé replied, flustered,

“Sir, I apologize, I will replace her with another maid immediately.” 

Her lashes were quivering, fluttering wildly.

 “Hey, Maid.” “Wha— whatever you want to say.” 

I stared at her, then asked.