Killing Two Birds With One Stone
by Afuhfuihgs
The compass from the jewelry box was, as Roque-ssi had said, an old compass with a common design that could be found anywhere. Still, it seemed to work, as I could see the needle moving towards me whenever Luna-yang moved the hand holding the compass.
,You’ll compensate me separately for opening the jewelry box and taking out the compass, right? I opened something that takes 3,000 years by sheer luck.”
At my question, Roque-ssi nodded as if it were obvious and said,
,How about this? I’ll just give you this compass as compensation.”
,…The compass?”
,Somehow, the reason the jewelry box opened feels more like fate than coincidence.”
I pondered for a moment at Roque-ssi’s suggestion. It was a compass that didn’t seem special at all, except for the fact that the Cult was after it. It was worth it just to keep the Cult in check, but there were many ways to get a better reward than a compass from Ludwig’s successor. We also had the money-grubber Estelle.
,Of course, I plan to give you the reward you earned by winning the bet as my proxy, as promised. The compass is just a courtesy for unlocking the jewelry box. I gave up on getting the compass back a long time ago.”
I looked at the compass Luna-yang was holding, then turned to Roque-ssi, raising one corner of my mouth. A courtesy… Was giving us the compass really just out of courtesy? Conphsion Cormo, the Demon King’s direct subordinate, was after the compass.
After losing the bet with Luna-yang, he had shown that he was willing to abandon his pride and buy the compass even if he had to pay money. When Roque-ssi refused the offer, Cormo left quietly without saying a word. The reason Roque-ssi refused the offer was because he couldn’t give the compass away.
But the situation changed the moment Luna-yang opened the jewelry box and took out the compass. Cormo had left not long ago. Roque-ssi could simply call Cormo back here and sell him the compass, and the problem would be solved neatly. It was the most ideal situation, winning the bet, selling the compass for money, and maintaining a good relationship with Cormo.
However, Roque-ssi was trying to hand the compass over to me. Then it was clear that he had another intention, not just courtesy. What could be the reason? After thinking for a moment, I was soon able to realize it. It was thanks to thinking about what would be the most beneficial direction from Roque-ssi’s point of view.
I said,
,You knew that Cormo was Conphsion, the Demon King’s direct subordinate.”
When Cormo proposed the card matching game as a bet, Roque-ssi replied, ‘I don’t care what it is. It’s a bet that’s advantageous to you anyway, since you’re a Transcender.’ If he knew that Cormo was a Transcender, he would also know where he belonged. Cormo had revealed it, or Roque-ssi had investigated him.
At my words, Roque-ssi scratched his chin with an embarrassed expression, his shoulders twitching as if he had been stabbed by something sharp.
,…I have to investigate who my opponent is in a bet, at least.”
As expected, my guess was correct. Then the reason Roque-ssi was trying to hand the compass over to me wouldn’t be much different from my guess.
,The Cult’s goal is the compass. If we have the compass, Cormo will definitely come looking for it. So you’re trying to give us the compass as a gift? This time, as someone to take Cormo’s spear for you?”
,…”
Without realizing it, I couldn’t hold back my anger and almost shouted at the end. The key to a scheme is to achieve multiple results with one plan. By simply handing the compass over to me, Roque-ssi could get a reward for opening the jewelry box and pass on the threat of Cormo. It was a despicable scheme.
He was handing over the bomb he was holding to someone else’s hand, wrapped in the name of courtesy, with a good-natured smile. If I hadn’t noticed, Cormo would have broken into our lodgings not long after, demanding the compass.
Luna-yang could have been in danger because of Roque-ssi’s selfish and despicable scheme. I could have been away for a while, or been attacked while walking down the street without knowing anything, or there could have been poison in the food at the restaurant. The Cult was a place that would do anything to get what they wanted. Roque-ssi was pushing us off such a dangerous cliff in the name of courtesy.
When I manifested a spear of shadows and put the blade to Roque-ssi’s neck, the staff who had been waiting nearby were startled and called the guards. I didn’t intend to cause a commotion, but I had no intention of being stupidly taken advantage of. Unlike before, I had the power and wisdom to act like this.
It wasn’t just because of anger that I was trying to ruin the plan. Rather, I judged that it wouldn’t be bad to reveal Roque-ssi’s fault and confront the Immortal in a reasonable way on this opportunity. The Immortal didn’t know that we had come to Ludwig to kill the Immortal Roman, so it was an opportunity for assassination.
As the armed guards rushed over, Roque-ssi raised his hand to stop them from approaching. Then, with a faint sigh and a sorry face, he said,
,…I understand that you’re angry enough. But before you stab my neck, can I make an excuse to save my life, even just a little?”
While I was ignoring Roque-ssi’s words and preparing to draw up mana while recognizing the surrounding space coordinates, Luna-yang grabbed my arm.
,Ross… Shouldn’t we listen to the explanation first?”
At Luna-yang’s worried voice, I nodded and released the spear’s manifestation. Roque-ssi, who had been touching the neck where the spear blade had touched, waved the guards away and gulped down a glass of alcohol.
,Keuh… I’m sorry. It’s true that I was trying to give you the compass as a gift with that intention. But I didn’t intend to leave you in danger. I was going to keep an eye on Cormo and mobilize guards and knights to stop him when he moved. It’s an opportunity to root out the Cult’s forces in Ludwig for a legitimate reason.”
There was no way to confirm if that was true. But it was true that the plan Roque-ssi explained was the greatest benefit he could get from giving me the compass.
,Even if that’s true, it’s wrong to use us as bait to lure Cormo without any explanation.”
At my point, Roque-ssi lowered his head with a face that said he had nothing to say.
,You’re right. It’s my fault to the point where I have no excuses. I thought it would be okay if I ended the situation without you noticing. It was a despicable and arrogant act to put you, who helped me, in danger… I’m really sorry.”
Roque-ssi knelt on the floor as if sliding off the chair. Seeing him completely admitting his mistake, I wondered what to do and asked Luna-yang.
,Luna-yang, what should I do?”
,…I.”
Luna-yang, who had been looking down at the compass while pondering for a moment, said,
,He made a mistake, but he’s admitting his mistake… I hope you’ll forgive him. Everyone makes mistakes.”
At Luna-yang’s words, Roque-ssi raised his lowered gaze and looked at Luna-yang with an impressed face.
,As expected… If you have a pretty face, you have a pretty heart. I felt from the first time I saw you that you weren’t an ordinary person!”
,I can’t forgive you yet.”
Roque-ssi, who turned his head and met my eyes at my words, scratched his brow and said,
,We have a saying in our city. That not being forgiven by someone is because you don’t have enough money. If there’s anything you want, I’ll give you as much as I can. Whether it’s money, connections, or a small favor, I’ll grant you anything!”
I stroked my chin and pondered. I was angry at the despicable scheme, but that didn’t mean I would kill Roque-ssi for admitting his mistake. As Luna-yang said, people make mistakes. I can’t just kill people because I’m angry.
Then how about using Roque-ssi to the fullest? As Ludwig’s successor, there would be many places for our strategists to use him. I’ll say it again, we have Estelle. If I hand over my memories, she’ll suck him dry until he withers away.
When I pretended to reluctantly nod, Roque-ssi grinned and got up from the floor.
,I’ll just sell the compass to Cormo. Of course, I’ll give you the money I sell it for.”
That was right. There was no need to mess with Cormo right now. If the Cult got involved in the plan to kill the Immortal, it would become a headache. Thinking that way, I was about to receive the compass from Luna-yang… but Luna-yang brought the compass to her chest. Like a child trying not to lose a precious toy.
,…Why? Do you want the compass?”
Luna-yang nodded slightly, her face slightly flushed. She really seemed to want the compass. How cute. This was the first time she had been greedy for something like this. Then, of course, I had no choice but to revise the plan.
,Let’s go with the original plan instead of selling it.”
,Huh…? Really? Then I’m happy, but… Are you sure? The opponent is the Cult. Well, you seem to already know Cormo’s identity.”
I shrugged at the sight of Roque-ssi letting out a slight smile of joy. Originally, everything is difficult the first time, but easy the second time. Now that I’ve experienced Cormo, I’ll be able to win more easily.
,It’s okay. Instead, we’ll take the compass.”
,When you opened the jewelry box, I already thought it was yours.”
Ignoring Roque-ssi’s sly smile, I turned my head and looked at Luna-yang. I tilted my head and asked Luna-yang, who was looking at the compass with shining eyes as if it were amazing.
,It looks like an ordinary compass… Is there a reason why you wanted to have this?”
,Yeah. Because…”
Luna-yang, who had turned the compass she was holding upside down, showed me the bottom of the compass and continued,
,There’s an acorn here.”
As Luna-yang said, there was indeed an acorn shape carved on the bottom of the compass.
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