Chapter 125

Episode 125

My consciousness slowly returned from a distant place.

Automatic Combat…

Automatic Combat!

Ironically, the first thing I did upon regaining consciousness was activate “Automatic Combat,” something I should have done before collapsing.

Naturally, nothing happened.

I opened my eyes.

‘Thankfully, this isn’t hell.’

I was in a familiar place. My cozy bedroom in the new lord’s castle.

The blurry fog that had clouded my vision cleared, and my eyes focused.

“Oh my, my lord! Are you awake?”

A maid exclaimed, shaking me. I felt a wave of dizziness and raised my hand, signaling her to back off.

“What… happened to me?”

“You almost died! You were unconscious when you arrived yesterday.”

Something didn’t add up.

How could I have returned to the castle while unconscious?

I struggled to sit up and leaned against the headboard. The events of yesterday slowly returned to me.

‘My memory cut off right after I took a sip of tea.’

I had visited the Lucius Club to investigate the connection between the Lady’s illness and the potion the sommelier was making.

‘It was as if he knew I was coming and had prepared everything.’

Of course, it was possible to have two teacups on the table. But the fact that the tea was already brewed meant he was expecting a guest.

In other words, the sommelier had definitely intended to put me to sleep.

The question was, why?

I couldn’t imagine the sommelier harming me. I had successfully completed the mission, and everything was going well.

‘It can’t be… a cliché like “You know too much,” right?’

I couldn’t imagine the Lady doing something like that, especially considering her personality.

I had no choice but to speculate.

“Who brought me back to the castle?”

“I don’t know his name. He was a refined gentleman. He looked very good in a suit.”

“Summon the administrator immediately.”

Balzac, as if he had been waiting, rushed in. He was usually stoic, but his expression showed concern.

“My lord! Are you alright?”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I wasn’t poisoned.”

If I had been, I wouldn’t be seeing the sun rise again.

In fact, I felt refreshed, as if all the toxins had been flushed out of my body.

It was like the scenes in martial arts novels where the protagonist would expel murky energy after consuming a miraculous elixir.

“Was it the sommelier from the Lucius Club who brought me back yesterday?”

“Yes. He said you suddenly collapsed while drinking tea, so he carried you here on his back. And Sir Jericho examined you immediately.”

“And the results?”

“He said there was nothing wrong, but he suspected it was due to overwork. You haven’t rested properly since your visit to the Kalisto main castle. I’m worried.”

Bringing me back to the castle was the best choice. Jericho was the most skilled doctor in the Walker Barony.

Objectively speaking, the diagnosis of overwork was wrong.

In my previous life, I had often pushed myself to the limit for investigations and inquiries. And after transmigrating, my aura had increased my resistance to fatigue.

They couldn’t reach any other conclusion without knowing that I had been actively investigating something.

“But my lord, I have good news. The Lady regained her strength and recovered from her illness this morning!”

“…What? The Lady?”

“Yes. It seems like Sir Jericho’s all-night care was effective. Her fever has completely subsided, and she even had a light meal!”

That was also surprising.

My mind was racing.

It was the same feeling I got when I was assigned a difficult case.

I got out of bed and changed my clothes. Repetitive actions were effective when my mind was cluttered.

But I couldn’t stop thinking.

“I’m going to the Lady’s quarters. Lead the way.”

“Yes, my lord.”

I left my bedroom and headed for the Lady’s quarters.

In that short time, I had gathered the fragmented clues and pieced them together to fit my hypothesis.

If this were true, I would be one step closer to uncovering the truth the Lady was hiding.

“Administrator, one question. What did the sommelier do after bringing me back? He wouldn’t have left immediately.”

“I guided him to the Lady’s room, as he said he wanted to check on her condition.”

“Was Jericho there?”

This was the key question. If my assumption was correct, the sommelier would have done something to the Lady while Jericho was away.

He would have given her the potion he had made or infused her with some unknown power.

My hypothesis was this:

If the Lady was the Demon King’s daughter, it might be difficult for her to stay in the human realm. It was like humans trying to live on Mars without any protection.

She needed to replenish her demonic energy or preserve her body in some other way.

And that’s where “Dark Souls” might come in. After all, he had said the demonic beast horns weren’t for the Lady’s potion.

So, he had to visit the Lady and administer some kind of treatment while Jericho was away.

The reason why I had suddenly fallen asleep at the Lucius Club was to create an opportunity for him. Jericho would have examined me if I had become ill.

Even that short amount of time would have been enough for the sommelier to carry out his plan.

“No. The scribe had stepped out to examine you. I believe there was only one maid present.”

As I suspected.

All the pieces of the puzzle fit. But it was just a hypothesis. I needed evidence to turn it into truth.

“Summon that maid immediately. I have a question for her before I see the Lady.”

“She should be at the Lady’s quarters now. Let’s go.”

I quickened my pace. When we arrived at the Lady’s quarters, Balzac, who had entered first, brought out the maid.

“You summoned me, my lord?”

“You must answer my questions truthfully.”

“Yes.”

The maid was nervous. But a moderate amount of tension was helpful in uncovering the truth.

“I heard that a man named Sommelier visited the Lady last night. I was told you were present. Tell me everything he did in detail.”

“Uh… nothing special happened. I think he just said that she would feel better soon and told her to be strong.”

“Did you sense any light or any unpleasant energy around the Lady?”

The maid shook her head. I stopped questioning her, sensing that she was about to cry.

My attempt to obtain evidence had failed.

But it wasn’t entirely fruitless. I had learned about the Lady’s weakness.

‘This incident won’t be a one-time thing.’

She would need “Dark Souls” periodically. And since it couldn’t be created artificially, I would be assigned missions to retrieve it.

‘I was caught off guard yesterday, but it’ll be different next time. I won’t collapse so easily, Sommelier.’

I entered the room, and the Lady greeted me with a bright smile. Her face, bathed in the morning sunlight, looked like a living jewel. One that I wanted to cherish forever.

“I heard you’ve recovered. I’m so glad, my Lady.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you. I heard Sir Jericho stayed up all night taking care of me…”

“I was just doing my duty.”

I had many questions. Why hadn’t Healing Magic worked? And why had the sommelier gone through so much trouble to visit her while I was unconscious?

But I didn’t ask.

It was a basic rule of card games. You could never win if you revealed your hand.

“I heard you collapsed yesterday, Aubrey. Are you alright? Was it because of me?”

“No, I must have been overworked. I’m sure Sommelier was surprised. But I’m fine now. In fact, I’m glad I collapsed. I feel refreshed and energized.”

“You should still get some rest. You haven’t had a proper break since the territorial war. It’s hot, so a vacation would be nice.”

Lucia paused for a moment, then smiled brightly, as if a good idea had come to mind.

“Do you want to go on a summer vacation together? I want to see the ocean. I heard the sea in Caleon is beautiful.”

“I appreciate the offer, but your health is more important. I think it’s best for you to stay at the Kalisto main castle for now.”

“Then, we’ll go to the sea together when I’m healthy, right?”

I couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t because she smiled prettily. It was a matter of principle.

“I’ll make the arrangements. I’m friends with a merchant based in Caleon. I’m sure he can find us a good place.”

“You’ve expanded your business to Caleon?”

“There’s a trading company I helped during a mission in Viscount Cliff’s territory. They’re also your ardent supporters.”

Lucia nodded.

“Then, I’ll go to the main castle for a while, as you suggested. I think my parents will be worried.”

“Understood. Please get some rest.”

“Aubrey.”

I was about to leave when Lucia called out to me. She gestured for the servants to leave.

Once we were alone, she spoke quietly.

“You’re letting it slide today? I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”

“It’s best for you to rest now. I can ask you later. And I don’t have anything I’m particularly curious about.”

“Really?”

She looked at me curiously.

You’re not the only one who can play hard to get. I can do it too.

“Then, I’ll take my leave. Please call for me immediately if anything happens. I’ll be staying at the castle for a while.”

I returned to my office. Jericho was dozing off.

“Jericho.”

“Huh!”

He jolted awake, flailing his arms. Then, he pretended he hadn’t been sleeping.

“It seems like summer has arrived. The mosquitoes are already out. Ahem. Ahem!”

“You’ve worked hard all night. You must be tired. Go get some sleep.”

“Oh, I’m fine. I’m more worried about you, my lord. What happened yesterday? You seemed fine.”

“I was just a bit tired. Sommelier made me some nice herbal tea, and I fell asleep because it was so relaxing.”

“Wow! That’s some powerful tea. You do look much better. Can I have some later?”

“You might pass out.”

“That wouldn’t be so bad. I’m sleep-deprived these days. Thanks to someone.”

I chuckled. I organized the documents and said, “The Lady will be leaving for the Kalisto main castle soon. Send a messenger ahead to inform them and prepare for her arrival.”

My reliable scribe said he had already made all the arrangements. It seemed like I didn’t even need to govern the territory myself.

Just then, Administrator Balzac knocked and entered the room.

“My lord, we have a visitor.”

“I don’t have any appointments. Who is it?”

Balzac opened his hand. A commemorative coin was resting on his palm.

“It’s a boy named Sage. He insists on seeing you.”