episode_0043

When I returned to the banquet hall, the situation had been somewhat sorted out.

Those who had come with Paladin and noble youths had taken care of all the assassins.

The magical lights in the banquet hall had returned to normal, and the place was filled with the bodies of the assassins.

“Phew~ the smell of blood.”

I wrinkled my forehead and shook my head.

“Oh, Lady Marie, you’ve arrived.”

Laurent, who had spotted me, approached me.

He, too, was covered in blood all over his body, as if he had mercilessly cut down the assassins like me.

“Seems like you’ve done quite a number as well.”

“Yes, I think I’ve killed about thirty people.”

“How was your first experience in real combat after training at the Royal Academy?”

“It was challenging.”

Laurent sheathed his sword in its scabbard.

In an instant, a bright golden aura covered the blade of his rapier.

Clang!

When I tapped the blade with my finger, a clear sound echoed.

“Well, it seems to have gone well.”

I patted Laurent’s head.

“Oh, thank you.”

Laurent bowed his head as I patted him.

“By the way, is His Majesty the King safe?”

“Yes, he saw you safely leave and returned.”

“That’s a relief.”

“…Would you like some wine?”

I took out a pristine bottle of wine from the messy table.

“And Viscount Buckingham is looking for you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, he came to me while I was dealing with the assassins and asked to speak with you.”

“Well… then I should go.”

“Follow me.”

I followed Laurent to meet Viscount Buckingham.

“Ah, welcome.”

When we arrived at a dressing room, Viscount Buckingham, Viscountess La Rouge, and Viscount Buckingham were there.

Viscount La Rouge and Viscount Buckingham were sitting on the sofa, sipping tea, while Viscountess La Rouge was lying on the sofa, asleep.

“You called for me.”

“Both Marie and Laurent worked hard in dealing with the assassins.”

“It was nothing.”

“You’re being modest.”

We nodded in response to Viscount La Rouge’s praise.

“I increased the security due to a premonition, but I didn’t expect such a bold move.”

“Still, I’m glad it was resolved.”

As I turned my head, I met the gaze of Viscount Buckingham, who was staring at me.

Seeing this, Viscount La Rouge stood up.

“I forgot to introduce you to Viscount Buckingham. This is Viscount Buckingham, the Duke of Brixton.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Viscount Buckingham and I exchanged greetings.

“Viscount Buckingham stayed at my house for a while during his Grand Tour. We’ve been close ever since.”

“I see.”

I wasn’t sure what the Grand Tour was, but it seemed like we were on good terms.

“Do you know why I called you here, Viscount Buckingham?”

“I’m not sure.”

“You can tell her yourself.”

“Just a moment.”

At Viscount La Rouge’s words, Viscount Buckingham approached me and knelt in front of me, kissing my left ring finger.

“?!?!?!?!!”

I was shocked and pulled my hand back, stepping away.

“To see such a beautiful lady and not greet her properly, I still have a long way to go.”

“Um…?”

I felt like I had been slapped on the back of my head out of nowhere, so bewildered was I.

“Viscount Buckingham, please behave yourself. This young lady is someone I intend to make my daughter-in-law.”

“Who knows, she might become Viscountess Buckingham, right?”

The two of them were indulging in wild fantasies about me.

They seemed to have already stamped me as their future daughter-in-law in their minds, even though I had never agreed to it.

“Enough with the nonsense… let’s get to the point.”

The Duke of Buckingham let go of my hand and took out a pocket from his pocket.

He opened the pocket and poured orange crystals into his palm.

“Orange sapphire.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you have this, Your Grace?”

“This drug has been circulating in the coastal areas of Blytham recently.”

It turned out that the Marquis of Orleans had also been to Blytham.

“Normally, this would have been a matter to discuss at the Marquis and Viscount’s mansions, but in the current chaotic situation, where I might be forcibly summoned back to my homeland, I need to discuss it here first.”

“It seems that people in that area are suffering quite a bit because of this drug.”

“It’s causing enough trouble to paralyze the port, that’s the problem.”

“Hmm…”

I sighed at the Duke of Buckingham’s words.

“In other countries, women are mainly addicted, but in Blytham, men are the ones who use this drug. They use it like opium, and many end up unable to control their impulses or engage in violent behavior once addicted.”

“If men get addicted, they show those symptoms.”

“The problem is that the drug’s effects can also be transmitted through bodily fluids, so the habit of passing around a glass and drinking from it has led to mass addiction among the port people.”

The Duke of Buckingham sighed and stroked his beard before continuing.

“So, I’ve been trying to find the source of this drug and the distributors in Blytham, but I heard that it’s spreading here in Elance, so I came to consult with the Marquis and Viscount.”

“I’ve heard that the drug is being produced in Ottman, but I’ll need to investigate further to be sure. If it leads to Ottman, things will get quite complicated…”

“Ottman has already banned the distribution of the drug.”

The Marquis widened his eyes at my words.

“Originally, Orange Sapphire is distributed in liquid form, used as an additive when smoking a water pipe.”

“I see, but how did you know that?”

“I found out during my investigation… if the drug is being distributed from Elance to Blytham, we should go to Calle.”

“I’m thinking the same.”

The Marquis nodded in agreement.

“In that case, we should go to Calle?”

“Yes, to find out if the drug is being distributed there, and while we’re at it, we should also investigate in Blytham.”

“Passing through Blytham is… hmm…”

The Duke of Buckingham pondered, then took off a ring from his finger.

“Extend your left hand.”

“…?”

I extended my left hand at his request.

He took my hand and put the ring on my left ring finger.

“Oh!”

The Marquis exclaimed at his actions.

“That kind of behavior is not acceptable.”

He removed my hand from his and took off the ring, then put it on my right ring finger.

“Tsk.”

The Duke of Buckingham made a regretful expression and clicked his tongue.

“If you show that ring, you’ll be allowed to pass through Blytham no matter where you go.”

“Thank you.”

“Anyway, come to my mansion tomorrow with your friends.”

“Understood.”

After finishing our conversation with the Marquis and Viscount, Laurent and I left the dressing room.

“Ah… I’m exhausted!”

I stretched and exclaimed.

“We should go in and rest now.”

Laurent also seemed tired, stretching his neck from side to side to loosen his stiff body.

As I stretched, I suddenly felt a signal coming from my lower abdomen.

“Oh…?!”

I looked at Laurent with a surprised expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I’m going to have a hangover.”

“Oh… oh…”

I licked my lips with my tongue and approached Laurent, but he took a step back.

“You’ve been quiet for a while, and now this…!”

“It’s not a lie, I think I’m really starting to feel the hangover.”

“Wait, Miss? We’re in the palace, you know?”

“There should be no one around.”

“Is it okay?”

“I don’t know, some people do it in private too.”

Alone, I went out to the terrace to have a drink, and I saw a few noble couples embracing each other and sharing affection in the bushes.

“Don’t go outside, it’s cold. Let’s find a secluded place… okay?”

At my words, Laurent swallowed nervously.

Mm-hmm.

#

“Alright, everyone’s here.”

The Marquis and the Viscountess sat on the sofa and served tea to the four of us.

“So, are you going to investigate how far the Duke of Orleans has spread his influence in Breetum this time?”

“You summarized it well, that’s exactly what we need.”

At Rotos’s words, the Viscountess nodded in agreement.

“And also, check if there’s anyone selling Orange Sapphires in Calle.”

“Excellent,”

With Rotos’s flawless summary, we all applauded.

“This is a bit embarrassing.”

Rotos blushed and scratched his head, looking pleased.

“So, is there anything else to delay us?”

Once the decision was made, Aramis stood up from his seat.

“I feel like having some seafood after a long time.”

“You always liked fish.”

“I couldn’t have any because it wasn’t available.”

“Since everyone seems ready, let’s depart quickly.”

The Viscountess waved her hand, urging us to leave.

The actions of Armand and Rotos were similar, as if like-minded people had similar behaviors.

And so, we packed our things and headed straight to Calle.