ARML 09

Chapter 09 

After the “Black Magic Outburst Incident,” all department tours for new employees were canceled.

All new recruits were ordered to stay home until the situation was understood.

But me and Grape-head were dragged into the Imperial Palace…

The place we were summoned to was the First Conference Room inside the palace.

Not only were the high-ranking people from our orientation there, but even higher-ups had shown up.

That meant — ministers were here.

‘Why is a low-level nobody like me sitting with the country’s top officials?’

I wanted to run away!

‘Besides, this didn’t even happen in the original story!’

The female lead lost control and used black magic?

The three of us were being held in the palace for inspection.

Grape-head and I were questioned about the incident. The female lead was getting her health checked.

‘I heard Director Theodore was checking on her and giving her medicine.’

By now, they were probably checking if there was any black magic left in her body or if she was experiencing aftereffects.

‘…Is she okay?’

She hates black magic, so if she was attacked by it, she must be feeling miserable.

Her pride must’ve taken a big hit.

‘I’ll have to visit her after this.’

But why has Grape-head been staring at me like that?

“Finley.”

“…”

“Don’t you have something to say to me?”

“Shouldn’t you be the one saying something to me?”

Damn.

Ever since I found the “core of the black magic,” Grape-head has been shooting daggers at me with his eyes.

Since the situation was chaotic, I avoided answering at the time…

‘I couldn’t explain what I don’t know either.’

But I had to distract him from that glare, so I changed the subject.

“You’re right. I do have something to say.”

“What is it…”

“Thanks for helping me back then.”

“…What?”

“You know, when you grabbed me and saved me.”

To be exact, he grabbed the collar of my shirt and yanked me back.

My neck still ached, but at least my face didn’t get smashed.

So just accept my thanks and leave me alone, dude.

“I should have said thank you earlier. Sorry, Finley. It was all thanks to you!”

“No, that’s not what I was talking about…”

“Oh, you’re so humble.”

“You…!”

Just as he raised his voice—

Someone more powerful than even the Emperor in this room spoke up.

“It’s unfortunate that we had to gather for such an unpleasant incident.”

It was Prime Minister Luella Halifax.

As I looked at the middle-aged woman with her snow-white hair neatly tied up, I realized something.

‘Wow… the Imperial Family really doesn’t hold much power here.’

Not a single person from the royal family was present.

Halifax spoke to Director Theodore.

“Sir Wadsworth, how is Yuriana Crosswell doing?”

“Neither of them has external injuries. But we decided it’s not appropriate to bring her here yet.”

“I see. But using black magic… Just how deep must her grudge have been.”

“Ahem. According to Crosswell’s testimony,”

The director cleared his throat.

“She said the stress from being in the second tour team was overwhelming.”

“Which team was that?”

At that moment, Allison Capres stood up.

Her face was pale, but her posture was confident.

“Crosswell’s statement is very unfortunate, ma’am. But all I did was teach her the basics.”

The director looked troubled by her bold tone.

“Team Leader Capres, with all due respect, Crosswell testified that your verbal abuse was quite…”

“Her statement is also unfortunate. But she was unstable from the start.”

What?

‘What is she saying?’

Allison shamelessly continued.

“And even if a superior scolds you, is that enough reason to turn to black magic out of hatred?”

Whispers spread around the room.

“She has a point.”

“I’m disappointed in Crosswell. Wasn’t she the top recruit?”

“Did she fake the mental health test?”

“Was she involved with black magic all along…?”

Suddenly, the room went silent.

If someone is proven to be involved in black magic, they could be executed.

‘That b****…’

I gritted my teeth.

No matter how bad the testimony was, does she want her dead?

‘I have to speak up.’

What Allison said had gone too far!

‘But… I don’t have any proof!’

Grape-head saw me holding my head in frustration.

Then quietly stood up — without hesitation — and raised his hand.

Everyone turned to him.

“May I speak?”

“And you are…?”

“I’m Seamus Finley, from the same team as Crosswell.”

“Hmm. Finley. What do you want to say?”

“Team Leader Capres’s statements don’t make sense.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“She claimed Crosswell was unstable from the beginning, but that’s not true.”

“I get that you want to support your fellow recruit, but…”

Grape-head raised his skull bracelet.

“My artifact is not only for attack… it also records.”

When he pressed the skull, familiar voices played clearly.

“Your desk isn’t even worth the money. Oh? Did that hurt your feelings? Oops, sorry.”

“N-no.”

“See? You people only get it when I spell it out for you.”

From the very first day we joined the etiquette team…

“You became a civil servant through marriage, just pretending to be nice…”

Up to right before today’s incident, Allison’s verbal abuse played back…

The whole room fell into uncomfortable silence.

She wasn’t just abusive to Yuriana.

‘There were parts where she insulted me too.’

“Showing off your work experience, huh?”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Well, you’re from an orphanage, so you must’ve done lots of chores.”

I had pretended to brush it off, but for outsiders listening, it was cruel.

There were awkward coughs around the room.

“Ahem.”

“Goodness…”

“I heard rumors, but…”

Allison’s lips trembled with rage.

She probably never expected Grape-head to strike back with magic.

Honestly, neither did I.

‘What a surprise, Grape-head.’

No—he deserved to be called by his real name now.

‘Seamus! You really are a male lead candidate!’

I stood up too, riding the momentum.

Allison glared at me, shaking in anger.

“I’m Layla Lowell, from the same team as Crosswell. What Finley played is all true!”

“You…!”

“Crosswell wasn’t unstable from the beginning. From the very first day, she was insulted again and again…”

“This is a setup! That artifact is a fake!”

Allison yelled at the crowd, her face red.

“Whose side are you on?! I may not have much power, but I represent the etiquette department…!”

But a calm, deep male voice interrupted her.

The male lead, who sat ahead of us, stood up. Everyone looked at him.

“Team Leader Capres’s testimony is not trustworthy.”

“Lord Lupesc?! What do you mean…?”

“When the black magic exploded, she pushed Lowell—who was trying to take shelter—back into the building.”

“T-that was an accident!”

“But you didn’t try to reopen the door or help, did you?”

“…!”

“I saw it myself and I stand by that.”

The way everyone looked at Allison turned cold as ice.

Prime Minister Halifax sighed and tapped her chair’s armrest.

“Sigh… Enough. We’ve strayed too far from the main topic.”

“My apologies, Prime Minister.”

“It’s fine, Team Leader Lupesc. But where is your superior…?”

Just then, the door to the meeting room opened.

“Sorry I’m late.”

That elegant, composed voice—who was it?

‘Huh? Could that be…?’

Isn’t that the villain from the original story?