Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Episode 47
Discreet Punisher, the head of the Imperial Intelligence Agency, Tenebris, had a realization after encountering the rumored [Successor of the Mage king].
‘Strange.’
Something was off.
Discreet's specialty was concealing himself and observing his target.
As an intelligence officer, it was a necessary skill.
But the person before him was different.
He felt exposed, despite his efforts to hide.
Even face-to-face, he couldn't grasp Oz.
Despite his obvious talent, the effort Oz had put in was not to be underestimated.
‘Two years…’
Discreet couldn’t ignore Oz's arrogant claim that in two years, he wouldn't lose even against the entire Tenebris.
Objectively, it wasn't impossible, but Oz's all-seeing eyes were particularly unsettling.
‘He shouldn’t be able to see me.’
But he was being watched.
Discreet was concealing his presence. It was so effective that most people wouldn't detect him even if he stood right in front of them.
Discreet regretted speaking up to reveal his presence.
He hadn’t imagined Oz would pinpoint his location immediately after he spoke.
It wasn't a guess.
Oz's sky-blue eyes had clearly captured Discreet's presence.
“First, I’d like to borrow a place to stay for the night.”
Furthermore, what he couldn't understand was Oz's first condition.
He couldn't grasp his intentions.
‘He can’t seriously be homeless.’
Someone capable of wielding ultimate magic wouldn’t need a place to stay.
At that level, he could easily create a temporary shelter with magic.
‘Especially if he’s the rumored Successor of the Mage king…’
What was the purpose of this condition?
Was it the realm of a genius, incomprehensible to an ordinary person like himself?
Discreet frowned but listened to Oz's next words.
“And don't interfere with Eleanor's actions from now on.”
Unlike the first condition, this one was crystal clear.
A blatant demand, without any attempt to conceal his intentions.
His confusion only deepened.
“Does that include her escort as well?”
“You can leave that.”
Discreet narrowed his eyes again, trying to understand Oz’s intentions.
Telling them not to interfere, yet allowing the escort to remain, meant he was permitting Tenebris to gather information.
So, it was practically a request for protection for Eleanor herself…
‘But why?’
He couldn't understand why Oz would go so far.
If he wanted to hide Eleanor's power, he shouldn't have allowed the escort in the first place. He knew that much.
No matter how well they hid it, it would eventually be revealed.
Then Oz’s goal was purely to protect “Eleanor von Chrysos” as a person.
‘It’s hard to believe they have a connection.’
At least, according to Discreet's investigation, there was no connection between Oz and Eleanor.
“Don’t overthink it. Just gather information. That’s your job, isn’t it?”
Oz spoke as if he wouldn't tolerate any further hesitation from Discreet.
“…Yes.”
Seeing his reaction, Discreet was certain.
At least Oz wasn't particularly concerned about Eleanor's secret.
He was merely delaying the inevitable.
As if it were a matter of course that it would be revealed someday.
“Then lastly…”
Discreet tensed, waiting for Oz’s final condition.
He hadn’t yet grasped the hidden meaning behind the first condition.
The second condition was too blatant, but it gave him something to think about.
What about the third?
Discreet focused intently, trying to decipher Oz’s intentions.
“Could you explain to the Headmaster about me destroying the dorm?”
“No, I can’t do that.”
Discreet stopped thinking about the next condition.
There was nothing to think about. No, he shouldn't even consider it. It was a condition he absolutely couldn't accept.
He already knew that Oz had destroyed his dorm with ultimate magic this morning.
It was impossible not to know.
Countless people would have noticed, even if Tenebris hadn’t.
‘Lady Tiamat will hear about it soon…probably by tomorrow.’
He couldn’t understand why Oz would do such a thing.
But he didn't need to investigate to know that defending his actions would be a disastrous move.
[Dragon Emperor] Tiamat wasn't a rational being.
And he wanted him to defend that?
Oz had already barely avoided punishment, and doing that would be a death sentence.
“Is that so? That’s a shame. Then since I can’t think of anything else right now, should we postpone the last condition?”
“…”
Although not as blatant as the second condition, it was still quite straightforward.
‘Indeed…’
Oz still wanted to maintain a relationship with Tenebris.
‘He only asked us not to interfere with the Chrysos princess, not himself.’
Confidence, or perhaps arrogance.
Either way, Oz was implying that he didn't care if they interfered with him.
‘No…even if we wanted to interfere, we have no choice but to maintain amicable relations.’
They couldn't afford to be hostile.
Even now, hadn't everyone in Tenebris except himself been detected before they could even approach?
And Discreet couldn't monitor Oz alone.
‘If all of this was calculated…’
Discreet glanced between Oz, who still maintained his cold gaze, and Lucia, who was lying on the ground, covered in sweat.
‘He’s going to be quite troublesome.’
Discreet knew Lucia.
She was essentially a blank slate.
She could blend in and adapt because she had no ‘self.’
But in that short time, she had gained color.
This intervention was also an investigation into Lucia’s change.
“Agent Lucia.”
“Y-Yes.”
Discreet had anticipated Lucia’s transgression. After all, they were family.
It wasn't difficult to guess what she’d done.
“Lend the Successor of the Mage king your quarters.”
“…Yes?”
“Is there a problem?”
“N-No, sir…”
“Good.”
Discreet decided to see Lucia’s change in a positive light.
If her change was due to these two, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to accelerate it.
“Everyone in Tenebris, except Agent Lucia, withdraw.”
With that order, the presences that had been watching them from a distance began to disappear one by one.
After confirming that all Tenebris members had left, Discreet melted into the shadows and disappeared.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Tenebris attack wasn't a bad outcome, all things considered.
I'd secured a place to stay with a roof, hadn’t I?
Minimizing interference with Eleanor didn’t really matter.
Even in the original game, Tenebris didn’t intervene much.
Thanks to Lucia’s struggle, the status quo would be maintained.
I might have inserted myself into the situation, but even without me, Lucia would have managed.
Lucia was an SR-rank character, but she was talented.
Arietta and Alexios were exceptions, but Lucia also had quite a high potential.
Even though my active intervention changed the story, the outcome wouldn’t have been different.
That’s why Discreet couldn't give up on her. Of course, the biggest reason was that they were family.
“…Prince Oz.”
Lucia, who had been silently walking ahead to guide me to her quarters, suddenly turned around and called out to me with an awkward expression.
She was looking around cautiously. According to [Contemplation], there was no one around.
Discreet could avoid my detection, but he wouldn't provoke me unnecessarily.
“I apologize for what happened earlier. I’m truly sorry.”
After looking around for a while, Lucia bowed her head.
“It’s fine.”
This wasn’t a big deal.
Considering the upcoming story, this was just a minor incident.
Neither she nor Discreet could kill me anyway.
The fight with Gerard had been far more tense.
“But…”
“Yeah?”
“Perhaps you should reconsider your request for lodging.”
“…What?”
Lucia hesitated before suggesting that I give up the very thing I had just secured? Was she implying I should just destroy Tenebris?
“I refuse.”
I didn't want to sleep in a roofless room anymore.
The chills I felt when I woke up in the morning with the [Erosion Rate] at its limit…
“…I see.”
As if expecting my refusal, Lucia nodded resolutely and started walking again.
Just what was she up to?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I found out the moment we arrived at the place she was leading me to.
“You might want to be careful coming in, so it doesn’t collapse.”
“…”
The place Lucia led me to wasn't so much a dwelling as it was a mountain of junk.
“Isn't there anywhere else? Or are you messing with me?”
“Prince Oz, please remember that this is the [Dragon Emperor]'s domain.”
She wasn't wrong.
If they built a proper house in the [Dragon Emperor]’s domain without permission, Tenebris would be destroyed.
So, the places they could offer were limited.
It could only be a makeshift shelter, easily dismantled, or their own dorm rooms.
“Or do you really want to come to my room?” Lucia asked, shrugging. I didn't like her mocking expression.
But I had no choice.
If it were just her, it might be possible, but with Eleanor sharing the room, it would be suicidal.
“…Forget it.”
So, this mountain of junk was where I would be staying.
It was unfortunate, but what could I do? I lacked the courage.
“Then allow me to show you inside.”
“Is there even an ‘inside’?”
“Be careful, it might collapse.”
“…Does Tenebris really think so little of me?”
“Unfortunately, no. If we underestimated you, we wouldn't have brought you here.”
Was it that much of a secret location? Now that she mentioned it, it seemed plausible.
Even Tia wouldn’t suspect a secret organization hiding in this pile of junk.
“Tia already thinks of this place as a childish secret base.”
“And that works?”
“You’d be surprised how many eccentric students there are in Scientia.”
“Uh…right. How unfortunate.”
This was the fault of those damn game developers.
They churned out characters left and right for profit, resulting in too many weirdos.
I followed Lucia into the junk pile.
“Oh, there’s a nail sticking out over there, so be careful.”
“…”
I thought the inside might be more normal, but it wasn't much different.
Sleep in a place like this? Could this even keep out the rain?
That was important.
“Hmm? Is a place like this unfamiliar to Prince Oz? Should I hold your hand if you’re having trouble moving around?”
As I pondered this crucial matter, Lucia, misunderstanding something, offered me her hand.
Had she mistaken me for some naive rich kid?
She had a very impertinent expression.
Unfortunately for her, I was someone who had been chased by assassins and rolled around in the dirt before I could even enjoy such luxuries.
“Sure, it wouldn't be bad to have you guide me.”
“Huh…?”
I grabbed Lucia's tail, which had been swaying in front of me.
“But holding hands is a bit embarrassing, so let’s do something else.”
“Eek?!”
Justice had been served for her impertinence.