Chapter 109……………………………
“A trap?”
“If you want to hunt a fox stuck in a narrow burrow, wouldn’t the answer be to lure it out?”
Sillekion’s eyes flashed sharply as he compared the target to a fox. The violet in his irises darkened, deep and shadowy like an abyss. Cordelia, who had been staring at that face, spoke up.
“It sounds like a good idea… but what exactly could we use to get that magician to come out to where we are willingly?”
“If you look, there will be many ways.”
“Oh—preferably nothing that breaks the law. I don’t want unnecessary friction with the temple unless we have to.”
“Considering this country’s laws, I’m not so sure.”
The four of them put their heads together and fell into thought, but nothing obvious came to mind.
Because magic was under the temple’s jurisdiction in the kingdom, it had been assumed that every mage belonged to the temple. Of course, that was a theoretical idea; there were plenty of mages who hid their power and lived secretly rather than joining the temple.
Even though membership had become a choice rather than a duty, the temple—so obsessed with magic—wouldn’t simply let mages freely choose. Making a mage who prefers the comfortable shade come out into the sunlight on their own was already a difficult task.
While the discussion was ongoing, Noah, who had been quietly thinking, seized a brief lull to speak up.
“How about holding an event?”
“An event?”
“Put up something only mages would recognize as a valuable item as a prize, and frame it like this—”
When Noah finished explaining, the three others nodded.
“Not bad.”
“That could work.”
“Quite an interesting idea.”
Rynes, Cordelia, and Sillekion agreed in turn. But there was a practical problem.
“Still, to run something like that in the capital without it standing out, we’d at least need the royal household involved.”
“That would probably be necessary. Is that too much to ask?”
“Wait a moment.”
A clear voice interrupted the flow of conversation. Cordelia’s face—deep in thought—looked more serious than it had all day. Rynes widened her eyes in surprise.
“You have a plan?”
“I can’t be certain, but it’s better than not trying. Also, I want to see how valuable the information I have really is.”
Whether it would work was uncertain, but she intended to be as bold as possible. It might be a useful chance, too, to measure how much leverage she actually had.
“I’ll be meeting His Majesty the King soon. I’ll try bringing it up then.”
What had been scheduled to deliver a message might become a more useful opportunity than expected.
“I’m not sure the royal household will agree to whatever you propose, though. I don’t want to make things worse.”
“Oh-ho, you don’t trust me?”
“I don’t trust the royal household.”
True to her temple background, Rynes didn’t hide her negative view of the royals. Cordelia clicked her tongue.
“Don’t say that out loud elsewhere. You’ll get dragged in.”
“What are you saying? I know how to look after myself.”
Rynes narrowed her eyes at Cordelia, who still didn’t realize she could get dragged into trouble. Sillekion added in a flat voice.
“For now, let’s keep an eye on this matter and prioritize completing the magic array.”
“Oh—how’s that going?”
“Luckily—or unluckily—more than half of it is already complete, so restoration is going quite smoothly.”
“The problem is that it uses quite a lot of unfamiliar language. Fortunately, there are some related materials in the temple’s library. Sneaking them out is slow, but it won’t be long.”
When they switched into work mode, the pair answered smoothly as if water flowing. Cordelia looked at Rynes and Sillekion with pleased eyes.
“You two have done a lot. In that spirit, shall we go out to eat? My treat.”
Despite Cordelia’s attempt at camaraderie, Sillekion didn’t change his expression.
“I don’t particularly—”
“It’ll be expensive, so you’ll like it.”
Rynes discretely stamped Sillekion’s foot under the table and answered quickly. The look Sillekion gave Rynes—like reproaching someone who disrespects an elder—had a faintly bemused air. Rynes shamelessly tossed her chin up, while Cordelia burst into giggles.
“Alright, meeting adjourned! Let’s go.”
‘For now, watch and wait.’
When Frederick said that, Cordelia genuinely doubted her ears. She had been ready for a fierce argument; this deflating turn of events was strange.
‘Are you serious?’
‘I am. If I step in now, you won’t simply accept it. It seems everyone who needs to know already does.’
Frederick glanced at Noah standing next to Cordelia.
‘I only hope you have at least a shred of conscience. Is that too much to ask?’
‘…Of course.’
Noah answered dutifully, still a little dazed.
‘I won’t do anything that makes Cordelia’s life difficult.’
‘I hope that feeling lasts. He’s more impulsive than a foal; you’d better watch him closely.’
‘What did I do?’
‘Who knows. Anyway, you never seem to stray far from trouble. But maybe he’s not the very worst…’
Listening to Rick mutter quietly, Cordelia began to find Pamela slightly intimidating. Honestly, she’d expected Pamela to freak out and insist they all separate right away, but how had that old woman been reasoned into saying something so calm?
Has Noah gained a more powerful backer than Cordelia realized?
‘Anyway, it’s strange. Of all times—’
Cordelia didn’t hear the low words Frederick added behind her. She turned her attention to the person sitting directly across from her.
“So, what brings you here?”
Platinum hair that shone brilliantly, features like a perfect beauty from an artist’s sketch, a large body that nevertheless didn’t look fragile, and a cool, piercing gaze.
A man called the kingdom’s most stunningly beautiful man. Anyone who had seen the king’s face once could understand the reputation.
His blue eyes glanced their way. There was an odd force to him, even though he didn’t seem to try. Cordelia began to understand why Noah had seemed intimidated in his presence.
“Formally a noble would start with some pleasantries, but since it’s just us, it seems silly to be so formal, don’t you think?”
His bright, cheerful voice eased the heavy atmosphere. The man, whose eyebrow had twitched in mild surprise, answered curtly.
“Speak.”
“I saw a play in Devron. A traveling troupe performed in the square.”
“A play?”
“Yes, a play.”
He described a story about a noble household: a legitimate heir was falsely accused and driven from the family, and a bastardy-blamed half-brother took the headship. The younger brother wandered aimlessly, overcame hardship, then killed the half-brother who had framed him and reclaimed what he had lost—the play ended like that.
“It was twisted cleverly… Maybe because I’m involved, but I kept thinking about His Majesty and Noah. Oh, I don’t mean they’re not on good terms!”
After explaining the play, she quickly added that last part, and the king blinked in surprise.
“Why do you think they aren’t on good terms?”
“I mean—Your Majesty doesn’t actually dislike Noah, does he? Isn’t it more like you favor him?”
“I’m curious why you’re so sure.”
Was he being sarcastic? Cordelia checked his expression, but he really seemed genuinely curious. She chose her words and then answered honestly.
“Who would tie themselves in knots over someone they dislike? You came to inspect even when the ship had a hole and sent a healer and medicine yourself, right? And didn’t Hannah say you sent some excellent herbs? She was surprised.”
“…I see. But your premise is a bit odd.”
“In what way?”
“Is it not more likely that Ian would be the one who finds me uncomfortable?”
“That didn’t seem to be the case.”
Cordelia snapped back to attention, realizing she’d been speaking a little too casually. The furtive glances she cast at the king were filled with curiosity.
She’d always thought this man wasn’t as frightening as his reputation suggested.
“Anyway, a play…”
The king said something unexpectedly cold with an utterly indifferent face.
“Good. It might be worthwhile to stir the pot a little more.”
“Huh?”
“When weeds begin to poke their heads up, it’s time to thin them.”
Despite his feminine voice, the content was ruthless—like watching a tame tiger bared its claws.
Remembering the other reason for meeting him, an idea flashed through Cordelia’s head.
“Your Majesty.”
Even under his steady gaze, Cordelia spoke boldly.
“I actually have a favor I urgently wanted to ask of Your Majesty. So—would you make a deal with me?”
“A deal?”
“I have an ability I haven’t told anyone.”
Cordelia’s eyes sparkled mischievously like a rogue.
“Would you like to put that ability to good use?”
