Chapter 187
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Now I Finally Get It.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'Who would've thought things would turn out like this.'
You sure got lucky.
'Yeah, tell me about it.'
After finishing today's practice session.
Rimon exchanged a brief greeting with Julia and stepped out of the parlor, chuckling to himself.
He'd never imagined he could waltz right into the main residence—a place that had seemed utterly impenetrable for infiltration. Even he had to admit it was an unexpected coup.
He was almost tempted to thank Max for handing him the opportunity on a silver platter.
Of course, if he actually ran into the guy again, a punch to the face was far more likely than any gratitude.
So, what's the plan now? Gonna shoot a spy flick tonight?
'Nah, that's a last resort.'
Rimon shook his head.
It was just as he'd anticipated—the security here was on a whole different level from the outer areas.
They treated the main residence itself like an inner citadel, barring entry not just to outsiders, but even to servants and maids unless they were Blue Dragon Clan members.
In other words, this was the true heart of the Blue Dragon Clan.
Even Rimon wasn't cocky enough to think he could sneak around a place like this undetected.
Then are you gonna waste effort trying to recruit another informant? Futile as ever?
'Why call it futile?'
You said you'd scout sources, Team Leader, but you couldn't even make a conversation partner, let alone an informant.
'That was just because I didn't see the need to approach anyone.'
Suuure. Looks to me like you just suck at making friends, Team Leader.
'...You done talking?'
Heh, hit me if you dare! Truth doesn't bend to violence!
Yuna Kyung puffed out her plump belly and declared it boldly.
Rimon gazed for a moment at her spirited pose, reminiscent of Sword Wolf Billy the Kid charging into the Gold Dragon Clan's vault alone.
In the end, he retracted his twitching finger and snorted.
'Fine, just watch. I'll show you exactly how to land an informant.'
Go ahead, show me. If you actually snag a real informant, you can pluck every last feather from me, no complaints...
"Hm?"
Right then.
Rimon suddenly halted.
He'd sensed someone appearing around the corner ahead—the one he'd been about to turn—via spatial movement.
The presence was unmistakable, one he'd felt before. He schooled his expression into something neutral for a beat.
Pretending ignorance, he continued around the corner.
And there she was.
Approaching him as if they'd just bumped into each other by chance on the way.
"Ah, you must be the performer Julia brought in. I've not seen your face before. Nice to meet you. I'm—"
The woman, who had greeted him as smoothly as scripted, suddenly clamped her mouth shut.
She blinked several times, then continued in a flustered tone.
"...Who are you?"
"We met just a few days ago, and now it's 'first time'? The Countess has a surprisingly poor memory."
"Ah, th-that's..."
She fumbled like an actor who'd lost her lines.
Rose took a deep breath, then bowed her head slightly with polite composure.
"My apologies. I didn't expect to see you here of all places. I was caught off guard."
"No harm done. Anyone would be thrown seeing a familiar face in an unexpected spot."
Team Leader, your disguises suck. Who talks down to their employer like that? Especially to a countess!
'What, should I use formal speech with some green kid half my age?'
You didn't use formal speech with Sir unnie, who's older than you! Don't pull the age card!
'Shut it.'
Rose watched Rimon bicker telepathically with Yuna Kyung, her gaze intrigued.
She hadn't expected the performer who'd baffled her these past days to be this black-haired young man.
If he were some average youth, she'd have shrugged it off, but Ri was anything but ordinary.
Setting aside casually uppercutting a thief, his flawless, archaic noble speech was striking enough.
Of course, the most bizarre part was his history performing alongside that White Dragon Princess.
But Rose didn't point out his oddities.
She simply asked,
"Then the servant who tried to assault you..."
"Yeah, that thief from before."
"I'm truly sorry."
Rose apologized sincerely.
It was her failure in oversight that had nearly brought harm to Rimon, who'd caught the thief for her.
"It's fine. I already got an apology from that knight earlier. Even scored a room upgrade out of it."
"Ah..."
As if recalling something she'd overlooked.
Rose's flustered expression cleared with a cough, and she spoke again.
"Hm, that hardly seems like adequate compensation."
"It's plenty for me."
"Especially a dingy parlor like that—far too inadequate for a top-tier performer like Julia or yourself."
"...You know selling off a few of those 'dingy' parlor trinkets could buy a mansion, right?"
Ignoring Rimon's jab, Rose pressed on with earnest sincerity, framing it as restitution for the victim.
"In any case, regarding that..."
"Your Highness, we have a problem."
"What is it?"
It happened almost simultaneously.
Lukas appeared behind Rose via spatial warp.
She clenched and unclenched her fist briefly, then turned to him with the same composed face.
Rimon wore an odd look.
He'd caught the psionic flicker in her fist and the subtle muscle twitch—she'd nearly slugged him.
But Lukas, oblivious to his near-miss solar plexus shot, reported gravely.
"Duke Carl is here."
"No need to report something that minor..."
"Crown Prince Edward and Duke Robert are with him."
"..."
Rose's face hardened instantly.
"Lady Rose Serfent greets Crown Prince Edward."
"No need for such formality, Countess Rose. We're beyond that, aren't we?"
"Your Highness, there must be order between sovereign and subject."
A faintly blond young man smiled wryly at Rose's decorum.
Edward looked frail due to his slender build, belying his status as heir to Europe's dominant power.
"She's right, nephew. Familiarity demands even stricter protocol."
Yet the burly middle-aged Robert addressed him casually, his arrogance blurring counsel from mockery.
Rose merely frowned slightly.
Neither Carl beside him nor Edward himself called him out.
As the royal representative, grand duke-rank player, and Edward's regent since childhood, Robert had the standing.
"But Countess Rose, why the delay? A minister should rush to the gates for His Highness."
"My apologies, Duke Robert. Without prior notice, my welcome was tardy."
"Hmph. Just remember it."
Of course, that didn't give him license to chide her.
But Rose didn't belabor the point, avoiding a clash with the notoriously prickly duke.
She asked calmly,
"If it won't offend, may I ask why Your Highness has visited so abruptly, without word?"
"That's..."
"Hoho, allow me."
"...Duke Carl, His Highness was speaking."
"Some matters are awkward for His Highness to voice directly. Stepping in is a minister's duty, no?"
Carl chuckled heartily.
Rose eyed him steadily before looking away.
Edward's discomfort and Robert's tolerance confirmed her suspicions—Carl had orchestrated this.
And she'd anticipated it since hearing they'd come together.
His motive was obvious.
"...Is it about that matter, after all?"
"Didn't you say to discuss it, get the Crown Prince's permission first?"
"Does that mean you brought His Highness personally?"
"A mere note of approval? You'd never buy it. Besides, His Highness belongs here naturally."
Carl brushed off Rose's stern gaze.
Then, with a meaningful smile, he murmured,
"Above all, this decides London's future."
Extending his senses.
Farther, farther, ever farther.
A few slender threads of perception snake through the ancient castle's crevices, infiltrating past barriers to the target.
Concentrating on the faint vibrations rippling the air along those threads.
'Above all, this decides London's future.'
"Got it."
Rimon smirked, having pierced every ward and soundproofing to eavesdrop on the parlor.
Team Leader, using threads as a bug is impressive, but one slip and it's straight-up stalking...
"They're talking big stuff right now. Pipe down."
Yes, ma'am.
Yuna Kyung obediently fell silent.
Normally she'd snipe back a few times, but not now.
Eavesdropping on the Magic Lord and Blue Dragon Princess required immense focus, even for a Sword Master.
The risk of detection was equally high.
Yet Rimon deemed it worthwhile.
Blue Dragon Princess: storied nobility.
Magic Lord: head of a top-10 guild.
Duke: Crown Prince's uncle and regent.
These three wielded Britain's financial, military, and political might—the leaders of nobility, commons, and royalist factions.
Their discussion couldn't be trivial.
And Rimon's hunch proved right.
Beyond expectations, even.
Overhearing it revealed something crucial.
"...So that's why he dragged in the royals."
Learning Carl's motive for involving the palace.
And the grand scheme he aimed to persuade Rose into.
Rimon furrowed his brow unwittingly and muttered,
"Now I get why the witches of the 27 magical lineages were murdered."