Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Research (1)
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"You plan to use her as a double agent?"
"No, she's not clever enough for that. There's a high chance she'd get caught."
Having watched Sonya in both my past life and this one, I could say that with certainty.
"Keep her close, pretending to favor her maid, and watch her closely. Then leak false information at the most critical moment. Strike her from behind when it counts."
"Hm."
Dane stared intently at Rose. His piercing blue eyes seemed to dissect her innermost thoughts.
I couldn't shrink back or lose my nerve here. Steel yourself—that was Rose's mindset as she boldly met his gaze.
"Not a bad idea."
Finally, Dane crossed his arms and stepped back.
"Think you can pull it off? You'd have to completely dominate that maid."
"It's not a question of whether I can or can't. It's something I have to do."
For a moment, Dane's expression twisted in an odd way. Like he was just about to burst out laughing...
"Fine."
But instead of laughing, he passed by her with a blank face.
"I can expect results, right?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Then I'll leave the maid matter to you, Madam."
Dane gripped the bathroom door handle and added one last thing.
"That maid ought to realize she owes her life to you."
"Ah..."
A chill ran up Rose's spine.
She realized what Dane had planned to do after leaving this bathroom. If not for that conversation just now, he would have snapped Sonya's neck without a second thought.
"Have her attend you."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Just then, Dane's voice and those of the servants came from outside the bathroom.
"Madam, are you all right?"
"Madam, I've brought a fresh gown."
Sonya and the other maids entered the bathroom. Rose took a moment to compose herself before looking at them.
"Madam."
She could feel Sonya paying extra close attention to her reactions. Classic behavior when someone had a guilty conscience.
"Yes, come help me bathe."
Rose smiled brightly and entrusted her body to Sonya. Sonya began washing her with even more cautious touches than usual.
"Is the water temperature all right?"
Watching Sonya constantly glance at her face, Rose concealed her sharp gaze.
Get it together.
Every time she faced Dane, her heart would race, and memories of her painful first love would torment her. But that didn't mean she could abandon what needed to be done.
I want to save His Excellency.
That much was her unshakeable truth. Regardless of whether her feelings were reciprocated, she had to see it through.
His Excellency's birthday. At least until then.
She decided to separate duty from emotion. For her now, emotions were a luxury. If she kept wobbling like this, she'd lose her life to an enemy who appeared out of nowhere one day.
I absolutely will.
Rose vowed to herself over and over.
To make good on what she'd told Dane. And to save him.
The next morning.
"Your Excellency, Lord Linde has arrived."
Bill announced the visitor. Dane had been reviewing related documents in his study at the time.
"Send him in."
"Yes."
Soon, a man entered the study, guided by Bill.
"It's been a while, Your Excellency."
Straw-like hair sticking out in all directions, thick glasses that made it impossible to gauge his prescription. His droopy eyebrows and eyes gave him a pitiful look.
"Anersen."
"How have you been?"
"Same as always. Sit."
Anersen shuffled over and sank into the sofa. Dane rose from his desk and sat on the opposite sofa.
In his hand was the report he'd been reading from the desk. Even seated, he continued poring over it silently.
Can't focus.
It was a first. His eyes scanned the words, but they weren't sinking in.
Partly because it was familiar content, but also...
'Shall I assist with your bath?'
...because yesterday's events kept flashing before his eyes.
He had never let anyone but Bill touch his body before. But he'd pretended to relent at Rose's insistence that it was to express her gratitude.
Rose's ministrations weren't bad at all. Truth be told, they felt pretty good.
He liked the meticulous way her hands caressed his skin along its texture, the delicate care from her unusually small hands that missed no spot.
But...
What the hell is she thinking?
Just before her soft hands could trail up to his chest, he'd barely managed to stop her.
The humid steam filled the bathroom. Beyond it, Rose crouched with a towel, sweat beading lightly on her nose bridge, lips pursed in deep concentration.
She was the picture of someone fully devoted to the task of bathing him. Not a hint of impure intent to seduce.
Probably not on purpose.
Dane fully understood and anticipated Rose's motives. The problem was that a corner of his heart felt disappointed by that.
...Hah.
His head must be messed up. To have thoughts like these.
He tried to shake off thoughts of yesterday's bathroom incident. Instead, he focused on Rose's maid situation and the report before him.
How much time passed?
Tap, tap, tap.
Anersen, seated opposite, started jiggling his leg. A habit when he grew impatient.
"Anersen."
"Yes?"
"Your leg."
"Ah."
Anersen quickly clamped it down. But only for a moment.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
His leg resumed its tap dance, even faster than before.
"Your Excellency."
Finally, Anersen's patience ran out, and he spoke first.
"Legs not listening? Want me to break them?"
"You want to snap my legs?"
He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose, then said,
"Just chew me out properly."
"For what?"
"The research results suck!"
Anersen wailed, covering his face.
"I know! This research is a failure!"
"Mm."
"But demanding I whip this up in a week? That's insane! You gave me way too little time!"
Hweeeeng.
A beastly groan leaked from between his covered hands.
"No matter how hard I try, I can't crack the final design! Even beating my disciples yields no decent ideas!"
Anersen Linde. The unparalleled genius, top expert in combat magic tool development. He'd turned down an Academy professorship to stay in Schmichael territory.
For the chance to procure high-quality Calmar Mine mana stones directly for research, and to test the magic tools on the spot.
Those tests were mostly handled by Dane and the monsters in the Calmar Mountains.
"I've been holed up researching nonstop for a week. Just a bit more, it's so close! It's practically done!"
"Is that so."
"Yes! So please, at least don't reclaim the research funds..."
"Won't."
"Knew it? Then you'll reclaim the mana stones instead?"
"Won't do that either."
"Not the stones? Then are you ordering eternal rest disguised as a break?"
"No, so shut up."
"...Yes."
One minor issue: Anersen got too immersed in his research.
That's why reports were mostly in writing, but Dane summoned him to the castle occasionally like this.
To let him see sunlight and stuff some food in him, so this frail magic scholar might live a bit longer.
"You sleeping?"
Dark shadows under Anersen's eyes. Lips cracked and dry—pitiful sight.
"No. It's been about two days since I last closed my eyes. Ah, but I did wash up since I had to see you."
"Good learner."
"Yes. Didn't want Selma dragging me again. Ugh, that day... unforgettable even in death."
"Drink this first."
"Not in the mood to eat now—"
"Drink."
"...Yes."
He provided unlimited research funds and materials, so Anersen was absolutely loyal.
Gulp.
Anersen took a sip of the green drink on the table and widened his eyes.
"What's this?"
"Nutrient juice. Knew you hate chewing."
"You know me well. Thank you, Your Excellency."
Dane had Fabry mix various things into a nutrient-packed drink.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
Anersen downed it all. Color returned to his pallid face.
"This is good? Send some to the lab next time."
"Will do."
If that timid magic scholar learned the juice ingredients, he might faint on the spot.
He had no idea how advanced monster cuisine was in Schmichael territory. Best he never did.
"Disciples no good?"
"Yeah, well. They're all beasts guzzling funds."
The disciples slaving away day and night in the lab were demoted to beasts by their master.
"No thought to new disciples?"
"Dunno. Need decent talent."
No sooner had the conversation paused than a knock sounded.
"Your Excellency. Madam has arrived."
"Send her in."
Rose hesitantly peeked through the open study door.
"Hello..."
Well-fed and rested, her complexion was improving. Like watching a chubby squirrel—quite satisfying.
"Madam, over here. Someone to introduce."
Rose demurely walked over and sat where he indicated.
"Allow me. This is Anersen Linde, in charge of magic tool development for Schmichael territory."
"Ah, hello. I'm Rose Schmich—"
She bowed as instructed, then froze.
"What did you just say?"
Rose looked up to check the man beside her.
"Ahh."
Anersen, slurping the green drink like a potion, bowed his head.
"Anersen Linde."
"...My God."
Rose half-stood, then awkwardly sat back down. But her body was already leaning halfway toward the opposite side.
She likes him, as expected.
Anersen Linde was the magic tool developer Rose admired most.