Chapter 105
Chapter 105
Chapter 105
Departure, Dream Team
"R-Running away from home?"
Not only Rudian but Gray and Elvin's mouths gaped wide open.
Luciella's appearance was that much beyond common sense.
Representing the group, Gray asked her.
"Hey, beanpole."
"What."
Since he used the expression 'beanpole,' the response wasn't very favorable.
But Gray continued without caring.
"Do you realize what your position is before causing trouble?"
"Your position and mine seem about the same to me?"
"No, not talking about being a young lord. You're the master of the Information Guild, aren't you? But you're throwing that away to run away from home?"
Luciella replied nonchalantly.
"I quit being the master."
"What?"
Gray's surprise applied simultaneously to Elvin and Rudian as well.
"T-To say such a thing...!"
Gray was ready to grab the back of his neck.
"Why doesn't it make sense? The nobles kept biting at me, so I just quit."
"The one who even slapped me while emphasizing noble duty is now...! No, wait, before that... Your successor? Did you decide on a successor before leaving?"
"His Majesty will decide. The authority to appoint the Information Guild master lies with His Majesty, so he'll probably use it appropriately to strengthen imperial power."
'Wow....'
Rudian received a fresh shock.
This was the first time he'd seen Luciella act so recklessly.
Even as Rudian looked at her with fresh eyes, Gray's shock continued.
"W-Wait! Duke Delphione didn't say anything? The Information Guild is one of Delphione's greatest weapons, and you're handing it over just because a few nobles threw a fit?"
"Bellatrix also effectively presented the Water Magic Tower to His Majesty, didn't she?"
"Is that the same as this! We at least got mining rights to the rare metal mines the imperial family owned!"
"Oh, is that so? That's information that didn't reach me... So there was such a deal under the table."
"Don't change the subject!"
Despite Gray's repeated urging, Luciella seemed unwilling to mention her affairs any further.
With Gray's continued pressing for the truth, Luciella finally chose the option of 'cleanly ignoring him.'
"Hey, hey!"
"Rudian."
Toward Luciella who passed by Gray and came this way, Rudian answered while breaking into cold sweat.
"Ah, yes."
"You'll accept me, won't you?"
"W-What did His Grace the Duke say...?"
"He didn't say anything. It's running away from home, after all."
"......"
Rudian looked at the travel luggage piled up in the corner.
'For an impulsive runaway, it's too thorough....'
While she could move even a ton if she handled magic, for her to have moved that volume alone seemed questionable in appearance....
"The ducal house has father's people, but it also has many of my people."
She read Rudian's thoughts like a ghost and preempted him.
"Besides, as busy as he is with work these days, he has no time to pay attention to household affairs."
"That's the same for you too...."
Luciella lightly ignored Gray's interruption and came close to Rudian.
"I'm quite confident in my abilities, you know? It's self-praise, but I have talent too. I'll definitely be of great help."
"That may be true, but...."
Actually, the person closest to Crux's talent was Luciella rather than Elvin.
But there were too many concerns about rashly taking her along.
Rudian asked her.
"What's the reason?"
"The reason...."
For a moment, Luciella's eyes narrowed slightly.
For the first time, Rudian felt he couldn't understand what Luciella was thinking.
After a brief silence, the answer that came still contained incomprehensible meaning.
"Because I don't want to lose."
"Pardon...?"
"And I felt that to become a greater person, I need to experience many things in the outside world."
The second answer was at least somewhat convincing.
Of course, he couldn't understand why she'd go so far as to run away from home for that.
"If you refuse...."
"We'll all die together here, you and I."
A chill...!
"I'm joking. But I'd like you to know that my resolve is that strong."
Luciella immediately waved her hand dismissively, but no matter how you looked at it, that joke didn't sound like a joke at all.
'Hmm....'
This stubbornness wasn't the type that would back down if pushed.
He had no idea what wind had gotten into her to want to travel together, but having a skilled person like Luciella join was certainly welcome.
But there was something to worry about....
"This journey isn't a simple trip."
"I know. I told you in advance, didn't I?"
"Rather than a journey, it should properly be called an ordeal. You might die if things go wrong."
"If it's that kind of experience, I'm much more senior than you, Rudian. I've also conquered dungeons twice."
"No, wait! You might die? Brother, what do you mean by that!"
"Haha, if you put it that way, I have nothing to say."
Of course, he didn't think she had conquered dungeons of the level where Caslay lurked, but considering her skillfulness when they were together in Iskar territory in the past, those words weren't false.
Rudian let out a hearty laugh.
"You might die."
"I believe Rudian wouldn't let that happen."
"Listen to me!"
"I'll do my best."
Honestly, there were too many suspicious aspects about her running away from home.
If Vincent learned of her running away, he might immediately send troops to drag her back.
'Well, I'll think about that when the time comes.'
Rudian casually dismissed that future that came to mind.
Thus, Luciella joined as the final member of the party.
***
"She finally left...."
On the terrace of the Belstad mansion, Rebecca let out a dejected sigh with her chin propped up.
"When will I ever be able to be with Rudian?"
Even though he said he'd bring a method to control her blood, to Rebecca those words seemed like nothing more than an excuse to push her away.
"It seems the master has no intention of that for life?"
"...Shut your mouth."
For some reason, a succubus dressed as a maid with ghost-like intuition suddenly appeared and set down cake.
Seeing Rebecca in despair, the succubus called her in a subtle tone.
"Big sister."
"I told you not to call me that."
"You like the master, don't you?"
"......"
"Don't make that face. Not just us, but everyone in this mansion knows big sister's feelings."
"W-What nonsense!"
Rebecca, caught in her true feelings, screamed.
But at her spineless reaction, different from her usual murderous responses, the succubus covered her mouth slightly and giggled.
"Gah!"
"Now, now. Calm down."
"Where did you all appear from again?"
Before she knew it, Queen and several others had appeared around Rebecca, forming ranks.
At the front, Queen, with curiosity filling her expression, spoke as representative.
"Big sister."
"...What."
"Would you like us to tell you... How to capture the master?"
Startled!
Instantly, Rebecca's ears perked up.
She looked tempted by just one sentence.
But soon she scowled and waved her hand.
"You guys? I'll admit you have decent faces, but you're not human to begin with, are you?"
"Is there need to consider species in love? Have you forgotten what our species is?"
"Parasites that stick to men and suck their life force."
Even at the frank condemnation, the succubi's expressions didn't change.
They even seemed happy, like 'Sister scolded me!'
'...Crazy bitches.'
Actually, Rebecca had taken action several times against these annoyingly clingy ones.
In fact, several of them had nearly been annihilated by Rebecca's uncontrolled strength, and their master Rudian didn't particularly stop it.
But even so, their attitude hadn't changed at all.
'Why do they only cling to me like this?'
According to Rudian, it was because her power had a drug-like effect, being attractive even while knowing it was harmful....
"Big sister, there are no professionals like us when it comes to capturing men."
"......"
"Our former master Asmodeus had such strong innate authority that with just a little power in a smile, she could bewitch men and women in droves. But unlike that woman who was ignorantly strong, we weak ones had to use every method available."
Rebecca glanced at Queen with suspicious tone.
But her ears were still picking up Queen's words.
"We want big sister and master to do well together. Actually, it would make our bodies more comfortable too."
"Really...?"
"Of course! For big sister's happiness, we'll teach you all our techniques, strategies, and methods of grooming your appearance!"
Finally, Rebecca's interest was piqued at the part about 'grooming appearance.'
But Rebecca still remembered what Rudian had consistently warned about these bitches.
"Drugs."
"We won't use them."
"Charm."
"I said we won't use them."
"Sowing discord."
"Ah, we really won't... Well, this one can't be helped?"
At those words, Rebecca jumped up shouting as if she'd caught them red-handed.
"See! We get along so well, yet you're trying to sow discord between us?"
"Big sister...."
Succubus Queen looked at Rebecca as if looking at something pitiful.
"There's no such thing as friendship in love."
"...!"
At that one sentence, Rebecca's form froze.
Queen seized the opportunity to continue.
"Having your man stolen by a close friend, and thinking that she suits him better in looks and family background so you should give up... Is that the kind of future you want?"
"T-That's...!"
"Well, with master's status and power, it wouldn't be strange for him to have multiple wives and concubines. But from what I've seen so far, master seems to be the pure type who would love only one person...."
"......"
Rebecca's darting eyes stopped.
"So, big sister, are you really going to be satisfied with second place? Really?"
Rebecca had been confident that she would always be by Rudian's side.
But since coming to the capital and learning that there were those with tremendous looks, power, and status near Rudian, she had been feeling acute crisis, even if she didn't show it.
"Rebeccaaaa!"
Just then, a familiar voice began to be heard from outside the terrace.
"Sister Maria?"
Maria, who had become close enough to call each other sister, came rushing in as if ready to smash down the mansion's door for some reason.
"Young lady, even though master has allowed free entry and exit...!"
Head butler Jester looked troubled as he blocked her path at Maria's sudden intrusion.
"Oh my, you've come at just the right time."
Queen, who had been watching from the terrace, reached out with a mysteriously heated expression.
"Listen well, sister. This is my first teaching."
Queen grasped Rebecca's hand and said with fire in her eyes.
"The enemy of my enemy is my ally. Remember this well."
Thus, while Rudian was briefly away from the capital.
In a completely different direction from what was feared, the combination of Rebecca and the succubi was beginning.