Chapter: 626
‘Am I right? You said it would be fine.’
While I enjoyed the joy of victory with my shoulders back, Grandpa’s response was a bit sour.
<…Is this realistically possible?>
‘It is possible. It happened in reality.’
[No, no matter how lucky you are, this is...]
What just happened could only be described as a phenomenon that could be expressed by saying the gods wanted me to win. From the start to the end of the game, I got the best cards. Anyone who saw it would probably have asked if I wanted my hand cut off!
In reality, Duke Kurten seemed to think I cheated, and even now, he keeps asking what technique I used, promising to grant any wish if I tell him.
But surprisingly, there was nothing like that! I know nothing about gambling techniques! I don’t even know how to shuffle the cards properly, so how could I know gambling techniques!?
“Just simple luck? How can one person’s luck be that good?”
“My employer is speaking nothing but facts.”
Even with Karia backing up my explanation, the Duke’s gaze still looked pitiful. He probably wanted to know what had pushed him into a corner.
It’s luck! My luck!
And you know what? If you’re going to suspect anyone, it should be the dealer! The culprit behind all those 21s is that guy!
“My employer. That guy can’t cheat. He swore fairness, and if he breaks that, his soul will be taken!”
“So then, something is only possible for Lady Allen.”
“Duke Sugar, why do you only keep thinking about what you can see? There’s something above that, right?”
“…Are you talking about the god?”
Yes! If all this betting is innocent, then there’s only one mastermind! The Shoddy God!
“What can I do? It seems even the Shoddy God couldn’t bear to see me lose to an old man like you.”
What am I supposed to do when that guy is playing favorites with me at will?
If you’re jealous, Duke, then you should be reborn as a cute Mesugaki!
If you were a loli elf, the Shoddy God would’ve been drooling and trying to talk to you!?
That guy’s a pedo pervert!
“The god…”
The Duke, unaware of my thoughts, blinked at the mention of the god and let out a self-deprecating laugh.
“Huh. I understand. If the god desires this, I have nothing to say.”
Huh? You’re really accepting that? I thought you’d be asking more questions!
Are you really not a pervert who’s at a loss like Count Arteia if you’re divine?
If that’s the case, let me know beforehand. I’ll run away!
“I’ll give you the key to the treasury. Take what you wish.”
“You seem to be mistaken; I’m not the least bit interested in the stinky treasures of your family. What would I even do with that stuff?”
“Don’t worry. This is separate from our cooperation; it’s a reward.”
“Did you not hear me? I said I don’t need that junk!”
I know what’s in Duke Kurten’s treasury. I’ve robbed it so many times, how could I not know?
Whether it’s the Jewel of Life or a Demon Sword or some near-final-level armor, there are plenty of precious items in there, but they’re of no use to me right now.
Even when I think about the gear of my friends, it’s the same.
Honestly, no matter what I’d receive, it’d just be junk taking up space in my inventory. Not happy at all.
“Well then.”
“Let’s talk about the delusional queen. I heard you were pretty close.”
Instead, I asked the Duke for information about the First Queen.
By all accounts, my knowledge of the First Queen conflicts with this world.
If I leave this discrepancy unchecked, it could create variables when facing the First Queen down the line.
So I have to pin it down. To be able to respond to anything that happens.
The Duke, who had kept silent with his eyes closed, finally opened them with a sigh.
“It was something I promised to the late king, but now that he’s gone, it shouldn’t matter.”
“Duke! Did you know about that?!”
As Rene, who had been watching our conversation, shouted as if he was about to rush in, the Duke nodded slowly.
“Yes. The First Queen visited me once and spoke directly.”
“But you, no! How could you condone his death!”
“That was His Majesty’s wish.”
“What?”
“I will tell you everything, so just wait a moment. By the time I finish, you will understand everything.”
“How can I trust you?”
“Of course, you shouldn’t trust me. So trust Karia’s ability instead.”
At the Duke’s words, Karia chimed in.
“I’m sorry, but Duke Kurten, I can only read the thoughts of others. If there’s a problem with the person’s mind, this ability is meaningless.”
“It’s fine. This person’s mind is sound. I guarantee it.”
The one who answered Karia’s questions was the Sloppy Fox glaring at the Duke from atop Benedict’s shoulder.
“Can you be sure?”
“I’m the so-called fog fox. Do you think I’d be unable to distinguish the fog clouding my mind?”
“There’s also the possibility of mistakes.”
“Once I make a mistake, I’ll be hated by Lucy. Do you think I’d take that risk? I’m saying this because I’m confident.”
“…That’s true.”
With words lacking even a shred of dignity, Karia understood and again made eye contact with Duke Kurten.
“Then will you tell us?”
“I hope you’ll be satisfied.”
With a light smile, the Duke looked around at everyone in the room before speaking carefully.
“It’s quite an old story. We must go back to when His Majesty was still a king before he passed.”
*
Not long after Duke Kurten received his title, he fully felt the weight of his position. His only sanctuary was his childhood friend.
Even the clever prince who had taken ownership of the academy in just two months, all while complaining that the academy was a microcosm of politics, probably felt that way too.
“Seiji. You’re well aware of my magical tools, aren’t you?”
“I’m better than the average expert, I’d say.”
“I found something very interesting in the royal underground. Would you take a look?”
He wouldn’t show the Duke something found in a forbidden place without reason!
When invited by the prince, the Duke saw a person whose limbs had been disassembled.
No, more precisely, it was a doll that was endlessly close to being human.
“I originally intended to restore it myself, but I couldn’t.”
“Each device is inscribed with intricate magic.”
“According to my investigation, it belongs to Great Wizard Erginius.”
“Really?”
“I’m certain. It matches what I saw in the royal archive.”
The prince, who had a weak body but an outstanding mind, led the Duke to believe him.
“May I take a moment to examine it?”
The magic inscribed inside the doll was incredibly fascinating, but it also felt familiar.
It resembled what is used to create Golems in modern magic. To be specific, the magic inscribed on the doll was precise and detailed.
“Is there hope?”
“It would probably be easier to bring in Partlan’s little guy.”
“That guy. Partlan’s prince is a bit awkward, though.”
“He’s not as he appears; he’s a decent guy.”
“Will it be an issue even if you assist?”
“Let’s give it a go anyway.”
“Haha! Thanks! You’re my only hope!”
The two would come together whenever they had a moment of leisure and work on restoring the doll. The prince was particularly enthusiastic.
I don’t know what exactly he discovered in the doll, but he was so absorbed in restoring it that he even threw aside his daily life.
Even when the Duke tried to stop him because of that.
The Duke was sure he couldn’t stop the prince until the doll was completed, so he worked even harder for the prince’s sake.
How long did they work like that? When seeking another test in the secret place, the prince greeted him with a broad smile, sensing something exciting.
“Seiji! You’re finally here! I thought I was going to die waiting for you!”
“What’s going on?”
“Of course! Something great happened! Come! Hurry inside!”
That day, the Duke faced the cold eyes of the doll for the first time. The void in its mechanically emotionless eyes sent a chill down his spine.
“This person is Seiji Kurten, who assisted you in the restoration!”
“Nice to meet you, Duke Kurten. I am an unnamed doll. I sincerely thank you for your help in waking me up.”
The doll, awakened from a long, long sleep, introduced itself as a creation of Great Wizard Erginius.
It claimed to exist to oversee the contract struck between Soladin and Erginius at the time when Soladin was established.
*
“Guardian! It’s a guardian!”
Arthur interrupted and shouted, causing the Duke’s eyes to widen.
“How does His Highness the Third Prince know him?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Erginius became the God of Darkness!”
“Indeed. It was explained by the Great Wizard himself.”
Using Erginius as an excuse, Arthur tried to ignore the nagging fragments bothering his ears.
“Then I suppose you know that the First Queen was the guardian as well.”
With a seemingly indifferent remark, the Duke froze everyone in the room. Even Lucy Allen, who had been nonchalant until now.
“Didn’t you know?”
“…Lord Erginius said he couldn’t find his trace.”
“Whoa. The Miracle bestowed by His Holiness the Pope surpasses even the wisdom of the Great Wizard.”
The word “Pope,” which no one had expected, created another silence.
“I was planning to mention it as the story unfolded, but I’ll say it now. The reason the First Queen has regained such vitality is because His Holiness the Pope bestowed a blessing upon her.”
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