episode_0018

Rajurang and the Viscount treated us to tea.

We explained to the Viscount what had happened to us at Andre’s mansion.

From Andre teasing me after making me eat an orange sapphire, to me regaining my senses and confessing after beating up Andre, we recounted everything, especially what we saw in the basement, which made his face contort like a goblin.

“That scoundrel!!!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The Viscount pounded the armrest of the sofa vigorously.

He was trembling so much that his cheeks were shaking.

“I’m not one for violence, but I did give that rascal a good beating. Please calm down.”

After hitting him so hard that his face was completely messed up, I felt somewhat relieved.

“Well… even though you’re a victim of Andre’s antics, you seem remarkably composed.”

After letting out a long sigh, the Viscount took a sip of his lukewarm tea.

“Anyway, show me that drug, the orange sapphire.”

At the Viscount’s request, Aramis took out a pouch containing the orange sapphire from his pocket. He put on his glasses and examined the pouch before handing it over.

“Anyone who takes this drug will unquestionably obey the other person’s commands…”

He furrowed his brow as he carefully inspected the drug, sniffing it from afar and using a magnifying glass to examine its crystalline structure.

“It’s strange… it’s completely different from the drugs I’m familiar with. It doesn’t seem to be made using Saracen techniques or have the same effects…”

The Viscount put a few crystals back into the pouch.

“So, the Chief Inspector ordered you to investigate because this drug seems to be circulating among you?”

“It’s not specifically named the orange sapphire, but we were fortunate enough to find it quite easily. We started our investigation in Conquistador yesterday, so to speak.”

The Viscount glanced at the grandfather clock.

The clock’s hands pointed to 3 in the morning.

“To find this drug so quickly, not even a day has passed. Your skills are impressive.”

Narrowing his eyes, the Viscount looked at me.

“Well, it seems fitting for someone like you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you pretending not to know? It’s a way of saying that your appearance, which easily attracts annoying flies, might have made things easier.”

“Ahaha…”

Realizing that he was trying to compliment me in a roundabout way, I awkwardly laughed.

“If scoundrels like Andre have the orange sapphire, it’s highly likely that it’s already spread everywhere like flies. I’ll make sure to bring this up at the meeting.”

The Viscount put the pouch containing the orange sapphire back in his pocket.

“Well, then, I’ll take my leave.”

*Cough! Cough! Oh, I’m sorry… *Cough!

We got up from our seats.

As I stood up, Laurent hurriedly drank his tea as if it were a waste, making a clinking sound.

“Since you’re here, please check on my daughter’s condition before you leave.”

The Viscount pointed at Aramis.

“Understood.”

“Guide them out.”

We followed the butler to the Viscountess’s room to check on her condition.

Upon entering the room, we saw the Viscountess lying in bed, covered with a blanket up to her head.

Seeing her fidgeting and trembling under the blanket seemed very suspicious.

“Uh… Ugh…!”

“Could it be…?”

We wondered if she was doing what we thought she might be doing under the blanket.

“Is the drug still affecting her?”

“Leave it to me.”

Aramis took out a thick Bible from the bookshelf.

“Father? What are you going to do with that?”

“This should do the trick.”

Aramis closed his eyes and ran his fingers over the smooth spine of the Bible. The butler watched him with wide eyes.

Aramis stealthily approached the head of Viscount Youngae.

Unaware of Aramis’s presence by her head, she was preoccupied with strange behavior.

He raised the Bible high…

“Whoa…!”

“Satan, begone!!!”

Thud!

With Aramis’s shout, Viscount Youngae, who had been hit on the head with the Bible, stopped the strange behavior and could peacefully fall asleep.

“Are you out of your mind?! What are you doing right now!”

The butler protested to Aramis, pointing his finger.

“Heal.”

Aramis placed his hand on Viscount Youngae’s head, who was peacefully sleeping, and used healing magic.

A white light flashed from his hand.

“Is this okay?”

“…”

“Since I’m watching, I acted quickly, so please understand generously.”

The butler seemed to have a lot to say, but Aramis paid no attention.

After stopping Viscount Youngae’s actions, there was a brief disturbance, and we left the Viscount’s mansion under the Viscount and Raju’s farewell.

#

“Alright, I heard you found the drug called Orange Sapphire in Conquistador?”

Armand asked us while reading an ancient book through a magnifying glass.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And in the meantime, you drank alcohol and took the drug?”

“…”

“Why the silence?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

I covered my reddened face with my palm. Going to investigate and then drinking and fooling around in the middle of it, isn’t that the meaning?

Moreover, I collapsed after taking the drug, was mocked, and couldn’t say a word even if I had ten mouths.

Laurent patted my shoulder as if encouraging me.

“Well, I’ve read your reports and the issue of the Orange Sapphire brought by Viscount Raju a few days ago, so I understand the situation.”

“That drug, whether you eat it or mix it with food, once you take it, you obey the other person’s orders. There seem to be more victims than the people you saw.”

“Why on earth would someone distribute such a drug?”

“Well… that’s what we need to start investigating now. But I won’t ask you to investigate it, so rest assured.”

“Phew…”

Lotus breathed a sigh of relief at Armand’s words.

“But Mari, are you okay?”

“What? What do you mean all of a sudden?”

I’m fine standing here right now, aren’t I?

“Most of the Orange Sapphire victims complained of aftereffects, but you seem fine, perhaps blessed by the gods.”

“Aftereffects?”

“For example, aching lower abdomen, body getting hot, things like that.”

I pondered Armand’s words.

I hadn’t experienced aching lower abdomen or body getting hot.

Indeed, it seemed that the blessing of the gods was not in vain.

While others complain of aftereffects like that after eating so much, it’s good to be fine.

“Now then…”

Armand closed the book and stood up.

Gulp

Our attention was focused on the pouch he took out of the safe.

“It seems quite heavy.”

Armand approached us with the pouch in hand.

“Everyone, reach out your hands.”

At his words, we all reached out our right hands simultaneously.

Jingle! Jingle!

Armand handed out two gold coins to each of us.

“I’ll call you back soon.”

Armand left a meaningful remark and dismissed us.

Leaving the cathedral, we ran straight to the tavern with the gold coins in hand.

“Wait!”

I suddenly called everyone together.

“I want to drink now.”

Lotus fidgeted as if in a hurry.

“I’m curious, but who would win if Laurent fought against you two?”

I remembered Laurent overpowering the old butler at Andre’s mansion.

“I would win.”

I said, and Lotus agreed as if it were obvious.

“I might win, you never know, right?”

“I’ll take that challenge.”

At Laurent’s words, Aramis chuckled and smiled.

“Well then… how about we have a little duel?”

“Shall we have a little duel then?”

The three of us headed towards the square.

#

Clang!

Upon reaching the square, the three of them, excluding me, drew their swords.

“Since it’s not a duel… let’s just see who handles the sword better, shall we?”

“Understood.”

“I got it.”

The three nodded their heads.

First, Lotus and Laurent began to test their skills.

As we engaged in a sword fight, people started to gather around us.

Before long, a crowd had formed around us.

I stood next to Laurent and Lotus, ready to act as a judge.

“Alright… get ready.”

At my words, the two raised their swords.

“Begin!”

Clang!

As their swords clashed, a loud explosion rang out, and the wind picked up.

“Wow!”

The crowd cheered at the impact of their clash.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

With each clash of their swords, sharp metallic sounds echoed.

Clang!

“Laurent, you’re quite skilled!”

“I’m just getting started!”

They began a test of strength, pushing each other’s swords.

“Hyah!”

“Huah!”

They raised their bodies, pushing each other’s swords away.

Kiiing!

As they struggled, Laurent twisted his sword slightly to the side, causing Lotus’s sword to slide off.

“Oh?!”

Swish!

Without missing the opportunity of Lotus slipping, Laurent extended his sword towards his neck.

Clang!

But Lotus swung his sword, deflecting Laurent’s blade.

“Laurent, you’re good.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

They backed away slightly, preparing for the next move.

And soon, they clashed again.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

As their swords clashed, sparks flew in a dazzling display.

The intense battle continued, and soon the match was over.

“Well… I lost.”

Laurent’s sword was pointed at Lotus’s heart.

Lotus lowered his sword.

“Wow!”

The crowd cheered as they ran around excitedly.

“Now it’s my turn.”

Aramis slapped Lotus on the back of the head and stepped forward.

“Alright… I’ll be different from Lotus!”

“Feel free to try!”

Aramis’s bold move ended up not being much different from Lotus’s.

“I’ll be…”

“Lotus… let’s train more.”

After the match, the two sat on the fountain, looking disappointed.

“Hahaha!”

I laughed at them, holding my stomach.

“Well… shall we go for a drink?”

Seeing the dejected pair, Laurent subtly suggested going for a drink.

“Sounds good!”

Lotus jumped up, shouting.

#

“Drinks! Yeeesss!”

Lotus rushed into the bar, pushing the swinging door open.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

As soon as he sat down at the bar, he started pounding the bar with his fists, looking for a drink.

“Oh! It’s right here!”

The bar owner quickly grabbed a bottle of alcohol and handed it to Lotus.

“Alcohol!”

Like a starving beggar seeing food, Lotus’s eyes lit up at the sight of the alcohol.

Lotus tore off the bottle cap with his teeth and started chugging the alcohol.

“That guy sure is impatient!”

Aramis sat down next to Lotus.

“Let’s drink wine this time.”

“Um… about the cost of the drinks…”

“Here.”

When the bar owner cautiously asked about the payment, Aramis placed a gold coin on the table.

“Wow! Th-that’s… gold!”

Seeing the glittering gold coin, the bar owner was shocked and covered his mouth with both hands.

“I’ll cover the tab for the drinks we’ve had so far and for what we’ll drink today.”

“Wow… that’s generous.”

Before we knew it, Rotos had finished one bottle and reached for another, extending his thumb to Aramis.

“If I hadn’t done it, you would have done it anyway,” he said.

“I think Mari would have done it,” Aramis replied.

“What? You never said I would pay for the drinks.”

I lightly tapped Rotos on the back of his head and sat down next to him.

Laurent naturally sat down beside me.

“I’ll have wine too,” I said.

“What will you do with your lordship over there?” the owner of the tavern asked.

“Uh… um… I’ll have wine too,” Laurent replied, taken aback, as he ordered wine.

“Now that I have the money, I will bring out the special wine,” the tavern owner said with a stern expression as he went into the cellar.

“I’ll just grab whatever’s in the back…”

Grumbling, I went behind the bar and grabbed three bottles of wine.

“Drink whatever you want.”

I grabbed the largest wine bottle first, while Aramis and Laurent each took a wine closer to them.

“Cheers!”

We toasted with our glasses and drank the wine.

“Ah… it seems like you have to drink to live after all,” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

A few days ago, I had been worried about the side effects of the Orange Sapphire I had eaten, staying up all night wondering when they would appear, but when nothing happened, I decided to relax.

Indeed, nothing happened.

“Oh! How can you drink like this without saying anything?” the tavern owner exclaimed, surprised, as he brought the wine from the cellar.

“Maybe you should have brought it faster,” Rotos retorted.

“Haha!”

We all burst into laughter at Rotos’ response.

“Anyway, try this. It’s something important that we’ve been keeping in the underground wine cellar…”

He poured wine into four glasses.

“Mmm… it smells delightful.”

Just pouring the wine into the glass made the sweet aroma of the wine spread around, making me smile involuntarily.

“Go ahead, try it.”

“Alright then… bottoms up.”

Rotos was the first to down his glass.

“Mmm… mmm! Mmm!”

After swirling the wine in his mouth and savoring the taste, Rotos nodded and swallowed.

“Wow! What is this?! It’s amazing! Let’s have another glass.”

Rotos urged, extending his glass.

“Alright…”

The tavern owner poured more wine into the glass Rotos offered.

“Hehe…”

Rotos smiled happily as he drank the wine.

“I should try it too.”

I took a sip of the wine.

The fragrant aroma and the smooth alcohol blended perfectly in my mouth, creating a delicious taste.

“This wine… it’s exceptional. It tastes like something you could only have in the royal palace.”

Aramis also praised the wine with a smile on his face.

“Wow…”

Laurent, who was sitting next to me, also exclaimed in admiration after drinking the wine.

“Delicious, right? Isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s very delicious,” Laurent blushed as he replied to my teasing question.

“Alright, since we have plenty of money and time, let’s enjoy this wine to the fullest today!”

I raised my wine glass, and the three of us followed suit.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

That day, we drank until we were drunk.