Chapter 51
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Capturing the Culprits
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"Got 'em."
As soon as I opened my eyes, Actaeon burst in with good news.
Thanks to her, my heavy, foggy mind cleared up in an instant.
"Really? Finally?"
I sat up in bed, and Actaeon plopped down on the edge like she'd been waiting for it.
Her plump, full ass pressed firmly into the mattress.
"Ahem! Anyway, she had an affair partner. And both of them used their unique magic."
Actaeon cleared her throat.
She didn't complain at all, even though I was staring right at her ass.
If anything, she seemed to like it.
"What happened?"
I tore my eyes away from her ass and met her gaze.
Staring at her butt while discussing serious business felt off.
"The guy first. I watched him and overheard their conversation. His power concealed his appearance. The result was like invisibility, but the process was different."
"How so?"
"A translucent cloth-like thing fluttered around him first, distorting his visible form. Then he vanished."
I rubbed my chin, lost in thought for a moment.
Similar to invisibility.
Distortion of vision.
Used to hide from prying eyes, even without witnesses.
Pondering those three clues, the answer came to me roughly.
Unraveling the root of the ability wasn't crucial, but curiosity nagged at me.
"I get it."
"What? You do? What is it?"
"Refraction-based visual distortion seems most likely. Like how things get dark without light."
I didn't know exactly myself, but I'd read that refracted light distorts images.
Or makes them invisible altogether.
"Refraction? Distortion? That's kinda technical... So it's basically like invisibility, right?"
Actaeon furrowed her brow as she asked.
In a world where magic outshone science.
And education levels weren't high, so it made sense.
"Yeah. You saw it right. What about the countess?"
"That bitch? From how she acted, it looked like magic that sends voices directly into the target's head. Ridiculous, but it let them talk."
I nodded at Actaeon's contemptuous tone.
Affair guy: refraction for visual distortion.
Affair woman: telepathy straight into the skull.
'No wonder it went unnoticed.'
I didn't know the range, but the puzzle was solved now.
The affair—NTR, in other words—had bugged me.
"What about the guy? Know his location?"
"I dug it out just in case."
"Good work. Any other info on him?"
"Yeah. This is the real kicker."
Actaeon's eyes sharpened fiercely.
What could be more shocking than the affair?
"What is it?"
"From the looks of it, they're the ones spreading the plague too. Can you believe it?"
Whoa.
A thrilling chill raced up my spine, raising goosebumps.
The affair was someone else's mess.
Still, I hated it enough to warn them, but the plague too?
'This is...'
It was so absurd and outrageous that a sigh escaped me.
My head throbbed.
"For real?"
"Dead serious. I swear on my mom. Or my grandma."
"Your mom's in the grave."
"Exactly."
We traded senseless banter in our stunned states.
It snapped me back to reality, at least.
"...Unbelievable. Adultery and plotting to tank the territory with her lover."
"Tank it? By wiping everyone out with plague?"
"Could be, but stirring panic is probably key."
If the adulterous countess was behind the plague, her intent was clear.
Drive out her husband, put her lover in the count's seat.
On the surface, she'd act as regent.
In the process, the current Count Vuro's children might get "killed."
Or maybe...
"Wait, the kids now... they're not all from affairs, are they?"
"What? All cuckoos in the nest?"
The words shocked even me as they left my mouth, and Actaeon too.
"It's possible. Not certain."
"If it's nagging you, find a mage who can verify bloodlines."
"That's the count's job."
I drew a firm line.
The fallout from adultery was the count's problem; no need for us to step in.
My goals: punish the cheating countess.
And capture, punish the plague spreaders.
"You did great. Let's nab them now."
I clapped Actaeon on the shoulder and got out of bed.
Time to grab them right away.
"Actaeon. Round up the girls. We're sneaking out."
"Got it. On my way."
Actaeon vanished with her invisibility and left.
Meanwhile, I got ready to head out.
"Your Highness. Been waiting?"
"Sorry I'm late."
I'd only been standing on the balcony a short while.
Three women hopped over from the next balcony.
"Sorry for waking you this early. You heard, right?"
"Yes. We're to bind the criminals right away. Let's move quick."
Madness gleamed in Ekyon's eyes.
Antiope and Actaeon said nothing, but they radiated the same vibe.
'Reliable crew.'
I nodded, summoned light, and wove it into a long, thick rope tied to the railing.
It looked sturdy as hell.
Grabbing it, we rappelled down.
Mana wrapped my hands, so no chafing or pain.
"Lead the way."
I dispelled the rope, and we slipped off the grounds.
Actaeon, who knew the spot, took point; we followed.
It was early morning now.
Steam rose here and there from breakfast prep, but almost no one walked the streets.
Practically deserted.
"They're probably in pairs of two. One spreads plague, but no worries there? You've got the Master."
"Right. With Your Highness here, plague's no issue."
"Just snag the one who hides."
The escorts chatted lively as we walked.
No need for me to say anything.
"Here."
We arrived unnoticed.
A plain inn, forty minutes' walk from the castle.
"Confirmed they're inside?"
"Yeah. No sign they spotted my watch, and I heard them say they're crashing. Only two hours of banging wore 'em out."
Actaeon shook her head with a mutter.
Her contempt was blatant.
"Hey. Two hours is plenty long."
"Master does at least two as baseline. That's nowhere near."
I couldn't help tilting my chin up with a chuckle.
Stamina comparison? Pride swells.
"Won't disappoint. Let's go bag 'em."
"Yeah."
Actaeon shoved open the inn door.
Inns run 24/7, so doors open anytime.
"Ugh... What? A customer?"
The wooden door creaked.
Then a groggy voice from a man slumped asleep at the table.
"Shh."
Antiope darted to him and gently covered his mouth.
His eyes went wide.
"Just here for criminals. Won't worry if the inn gets damaged—we'll compensate fully."
I approached the muffled man and explained.
Of course, sis or the count would cover it.
"Mmph."
The innkeeper nodded quietly.
With his okay, we could storm in and grab them.
"There. First floor, center room."
Actaeon pointed.
Dead center—perfect for a breach.
"I'll take point."
Ekyon's eyes flashed as she placed a hand on the door.
Click.
Locked from inside, as expected.
"Right on cue."
Blue mana bloomed over Ekyon's right hand.
Left still gripped the knob.
'Mana fist should handle a door.'
Bang!
Her mana-charged punch hit; the door buckled in half.
Deafening boom, billowing dust.
Beyond it, the two men scrambling in panic—hilarious.
I figured thugs like them would go on alert fast.
...Training's lacking.
Tough when they have the upper hand, weak when pressed.
That was them in a nutshell.
"Kek!"
Amid the thick dust.
Actaeon burst through, seizing one man's throat.
Matched the description I'd heard.
'That's the invisible one.'
I formed a light spear and hurled it at the flailing guy on the left.
Dead-on aim; no dodge skill in sight.
"Guh... guhgh...!"
The light lance pierced the dust like a beam.
It hit true, but... wrong spot.
'Ah, not what I meant.'
I winced, prayed to the heavens, then entered.
Antiope blocked the doorway, cutting escape.
Sorry, truly.
But plague-spreading? Fair trade.
Self-justifying, I approached the skewered man.
Curled up, legs clenched—pitiful sight.
"Actaeon. Knock that one out."
"On it."
As I spoke, her fist flew.
Impact thud, then bones cracking.
"You. Stay put. Or die."
I warned lightly, then sat on the eunuch's back.
Perfectly subdued—relief.
"Antiope. Send the innkeeper to the castle."
"Spread the word?"
"Yeah. Give him my token. Tell him to deliver it. Words alone, they won't open for him."
"Yes, Master."
Antiope caught my tossed insignia and turned.
Serious situation, but her call to the keeper was chipper.
"Th-the Crown Prince's orders?!"
The cautious innkeeper gawked.
Crown Prince popping up? Shocker.
"Yes. Take this token and run it to the castle fast. Tell them great criminals are caught."
"G-got it!"
Innkeeper bolted with my badge.
Perfect distraction—no suspicion.
So he was quick, and soldiers arrived fast.
About ten.
Ideal for hauling crooks, but one was unexpected.
"What happened here?"
Sis—or kin—Castro approached, eyes wide.
Visibly shocked.
"Tracked the countess like I said. Lucked into the plague scum too."
"You were thorough, but fortune favored you."
I nodded slightly, still pinning the guy.
Ready to crush if needed.
"Yeah. Interrogation will spill it all."
"Good work. I'll handle the rest—rest up. Any punishment you want?"
Punishment I want?
I hated the affair, but not enough to boil over.
Still, it'd be satisfying to punish personally... but too much hassle.
Tough call.