Chapter 187: Finding
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 187: Finding
— Is it really just one letter of recommendation that I need to write? Nothing else?
“Yes, that will suffice…”
The sensation of suddenly becoming a shadow figure pulling the strings of the Austro-Hungarian Empire—one of the great powers of the late 19th century—was quite peculiar.
“…Please, truly, that is all I need. So do not do anything else.”
— So, I don’t need to make any public endorsements in interviews or anything of the sort?
“Your Majesty… no, Your Imperial Majesty. Please.”
In reality, the situation wasn't bad at all. Having the Empress of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a backer was a massive advantage. Moreover, she wasn't the type to lose her composure just by being associated with me.
Perhaps she was more the dedicated type—akin to Silver Blaze when she wasn't in heat?
“Please handle it cleanly. You know how far you must go, given your esteemed position.”
— Handle it cleanly… I understand. I will take care of it myself.
“…This is unsettling.”
However, one concern lingered—her devotion and loyalty toward me were far too intense. I had never imagined she would dismiss all suitors and remain faithful to me until now.
What are you, Queen Elizabeth? Are you seriously thinking of marrying the nation?
— By the way, Adler. There’s a policy I’ve been pushing for lately…
“…Yes?”
As I stood there lost in thought, a shy voice emerged faintly from the other end of the line.
— I… I plan to grant noble titles to all mana users within the empire.
“Is that so…?”
— Starting from the lowest ranks… if their skills are proven superior, they could even become Earls. Anything beyond that, I will appoint at my discretion. I’m pushing for the establishment of such a law.
Even though I was worried about the unstable side of Lilia I had just witnessed, the advocacy for such an excellent policy was reassuring. Indeed, the Imperials were a different breed altogether.
But why was she telling me this now?
— So, Adler… have you considered swearing allegiance to our empire?
“What?”
— They say Britain favors mana users, but they don’t even confer proper noble titles, do they?
The reason for her question was quickly revealed by her following words.
“They do grant something like a knighthood, as far as I recall. What was it called? A mage title?”
— Hmph. Such a title is nothing but a hollow status. It comes with very few rights but many responsibilities and duties…
“…Hmm.”
— Our Austro-Hungarian Empire is different from such petty states! In any case, the bill is expected to pass in a few months. By the time you arrive, you could be granted a title immediately.
The Empress hurriedly spoke over the phone, then took a moment to catch her breath before continuing in that shy voice again.
— So… that means you could even marry someone of imperial heritage. Like me.
“What?”
— A title like that of an Earl would be sufficient for you to become my consort. Naturally, there might be some backlash since you’re a foreigner, but…
“No, there would certainly be heavy backlash.”
— Then I’ll just grant you a higher title.
I take back my initial thoughts. The future of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a major power of the 19th century, seemed utterly bleak.
— Adler, this is a policy I’m pushing for despite heavy opposition… just for you.
…Thinking about it, the future of this nation was never bright to begin with.
— I… I now have the power and authority to be with you. So, so…
Whether she knew my thoughts or not, she continued to ramble through the phone.
— Pl-Please, put the collar back around my neck…
Hearing her, my head began to throb painfully.
— The joy I felt when I ascended to the throne of the Empire cannot hold a candle to the happiness I felt when you trampled on me like a dog…
“Please…”
— C-Could you speak informally to me?
As I mentioned earlier, on the surface, the situation wasn’t bad. But the problem was that I had become the object of unhealthy obsession for numerous influential women. Not only that, people I couldn’t even remember seducing were now plotting to abduct or assassinate me.
In such circumstances, wouldn’t becoming a power player behind an Empire be too dangerous?
The Probability of being Assassinated, the Probability of being Raped, and the Probability of being Imprisoned were already at 100 percent. There was nothing more to add.
“…Haaah.”
That worry was momentarily alleviated by Miss System’s clear explanation. No, not alleviated; perhaps resignation was the more appropriate term.
“…Lilia.”
— Ye-Yes!
“I’ll think about it. But first, take care of the request I made.”
Regardless of how things had turned out, I wanted to end the call soon, so I granted her request to speak informally. Immediately, a breathless voice oozed from the handset—a voice that sounded as if it had melted like butter.
— Yesss…♡
“Haa.”
I wondered what the citizens of the Austro-Hungarian Empire would think if they heard this voice.
— I will definitely fulfill it…!
“…Right.”
— And, I’m preparing a title as well… Whenever you come…
Suddenly, an ominous feeling overcame me. I frantically smashed the handset’s magic stone before slumping into my seat.
“…This is utter madness.”
Honestly, I’d rather quit everything and just be an envoy. But I didn’t have much longer to live anyway. Moreover, I felt like going to the Austro-Hungarian Empire would entangle me in an incident like the Sarajevo affair, so I just gave up on that path.
That wasn’t really the problem, though.
“…I know.”
In fact, before I could even leave Britain, I had no doubt that the strongest being in this world would tear me apart. So, it was never a viable path to take.
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“She’ll handle it well enough on her own…”
With a sigh, Isaac Adler rose from his seat. The contents of the recent phone call were already beginning to fade from his mind.
“…But she is still an Empress. I’m sure if she tries to cross the line, her subjects will restrain her.”
A few months later, this very memory would inevitably be revived by a shocking piece of news published in the newspapers.
“Surely, there can’t be a problem…”
Though detailed explanations would remain omitted for now.
Do you still believe in this world?
“…Don’t talk so ominously.”
Inexplicably, by the orders of someone equivalent to the Queen, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the British Empire, the Empire of Korea, and the Japanese Empire intervened in what was undeniably a major incident at the Second Universal Peace Conference—an event that would undoubtedly alter the course of world affairs.
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—Squeak…
“…Hmm?”
The negotiations had already ended. As I was about to leave, the door of the mansion abruptly opened and someone entered.
“Moran?”
The intruder was Celestia Moran, her face as pale as a ghost.
—Brrrrrrrr…
“Have you caught a cold?”
“…Ma-Ma-Master.”
She was shivering violently. I couldn't help but tilt my head and ask with concern, but she avoided my eyes, stammering.
“I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
“……?”
“I-I was right next to you… and I still made such a ridiculous mistake… it’s undeniably my fault.”
Suddenly, she knelt down and started to sob, begging for forgiveness.
“Please, give me a chance to make amends.”
—Swish…
“Huh? Uh, wait—”
Then, suddenly, she pulled a small knife from her bosom and held it against her own body.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
“…If I fail a mission, shouldn’t I just harm myself until I faint from blood loss? That way, I can barely be forgiven, right?”
Startled, I grabbed her hand. Such a horrifying answer drifted from her lips.
“That’s not right! What kind of upbringing did you have!?”
“Then… can’t I be forgiven?”
As I vehemently denied her words, Moran’s voice began trembling even worse than before.
“…A hound that can’t protect its master doesn’t deserve to exist, right?”
With that, she bowed her head deeply, her face turning even paler.
“Hmm…”
“Then, from now on, just be my adopted daughter instead of a hound.”
Unable to watch her pitiful state, I gently sat down in front of her while she was still kneeling. I started cautiously voicing the thoughts I had been pondering all along.
“…It’s a bit odd for a villain to say this, but I guess cruel roles don’t suit me.”
“………”
“So you, too—don’t feel burdened. Just live comfortably.”
A heavy silence descended between us.
“…Ugh.”
As she trembled with her head bowed, a tear fell from her cheek. Soon, a voice choked with sobs drifted out.
“…I don’t… I don’t want to be your daughter.”
“Eh?”
Taken aback by the unexpected statement, I couldn't help but ask, “Wh-Why not?”
“…….”
“You have to tell me the reason so I can find a suitable alternative…”
—Pop…!
“…Oh.”
Once again, like a ninja, she vanished from my sight in an instant.
“Kids these days are really incomprehensible…”
Feeling a sense of déjà vu from yesterday’s events, I scratched my head and muttered quietly. I turned my head toward the half-open exit.
“…Isn’t that so, Miss Holmes?”
“……..”
Charlotte Holmes, emitting a dark aura, was leaning against the door, looking down at me in silence.
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“You found me so easily?”
“……..”
“Are you following me, or have you already deduced the mastermind? I’m not sure which it is, but you are indeed remarkable, Miss Holmes.”
Gazing toward Charlotte, who had been silently blocking the entrance for some time, Adler began speaking with a smile on his lips.
“But the situation has already concluded. J. Davenport has already left this place, and the documents that poor girl tried to protect are now meaningless.”
“………”
“It’s a complete victory for me this time, Miss Holmes.”
Finishing his declaration, Adler flashed her a smug smile.
—Swoosh…
“….?”
As Charlotte continued to stare silently, she suddenly drew something from her coat.
“Since ancient times, the true name of a living being has held significant magical importance.”
“What?”
“A name is the simplest yet most definitive concept that defines a person. It could be considered the minimum requirement for casting a spell.”
Suddenly, she began speaking in what sounded like incoherent nonsense.
“What are you suddenly talking about…?”
“It has also been mentioned as a weakness of devils from time immemorial. Maybe it’s because magic and devils are closely intertwined?”
“…….?”
“Of course, even if you have this knowledge, it’s difficult to make use of it. It’s not like devils go around carelessly revealing their names, right?”
Initially puzzled, Adler’s complexion began to pale.
“In that sense, Joseon? The Empire of Korea is indeed a grateful nation. The range of surnames used there is significantly narrower than in European countries.”
“Wait…”
“I’ve researched it, and knowing just the surname or the given name allows one to exert about half control. To a devil with seemingly no weakness, that’s a significant penalty.”
Looking up at him with a grin, Charlotte slowly began leafing through the documents she held.
“What’s written here are the surnames of those who have passed the civil service exam over the past few years, kindly provided in secret by a diplomat from the generous Empire of Korea. It seems this country is really fond of records, keeping track of everything.”
“Just wait a moment…”
“If you had been a slave or a commoner, you would surely have been sold to the nobility… So your family name is probably in here somewhere?”
Adler, breaking into a cold sweat, stepped forward.
“Park? Lee? Choi?”
“Stop, stop…”
“Not royalty then? How about Kwon? Yoon? Hong? Han?”
Just as Charlotte was about to mention his surname, Adler desperately tried to snatch the documents.
“…Kim?”
“Gugh.”
At the clear pronunciation that leapt from Charlotte’s lips, Adler gasped and fell flat on the floor.
“So it was Kim, huh…?”
Looking down at him, Charlotte revealed a sinister smile.