Chapter 5

The Second

To Stella, Aiden Kellermain had been the source of an entire day’s worth of exhausting work. Most of it was technically collateral damage caused by the fact that her beloved Sir Noel had spent the whole day paying attention to him, but either way, Stella was not pleased with the situation.

“Mr. Aiden.”

With that in mind, he really did not need to add another assignment this intense to her workload.

“What in the world is this?”

Stella spoke with an expression of utter disbelief. Right in front of her, Prince Daniel lay reduced to a bloody mess, making nothing but thin wheezing sounds. He was clearly conscious, yet in no condition to speak.

The man responsible for putting the prince in that state merely shrugged.

“Would you believe me if I said I had a reason?”

“It had better be a reason sufficient to justify gravely injuring royalty.”

Stella answered in a stiff voice. Even if Daniel had effectively been sent into exile, he was still royalty. This was more than enough to cause a dispute between nations.

“And we’ll have to prove fault on his side as well. Royal authority carries that much…”

But the words that came from Aiden had absolutely nothing to do with the direction of her explanation.

“Do we really need to prove it?”

“…Pardon?”

Aiden continued evenly while Stella stared at him in confusion.

“Royalty can be disowned if they commit crimes serious enough. Isn’t that right?”

“That is true, but why are you suddenly asking that now?”

“There was the kidnapping of Viscount Cromwell’s daughter in the capital not long ago, wasn’t there?”

“…”

“It caused quite a stir. A young and beautiful viscount’s daughter kidnapped and then vanishing without a trace.”

Stella’s expression stiffened far more than it had before. The subject seemed completely disconnected from the conversation, but that was not the only problem.

Prince Daniel’s reaction was far too strange.

Despite his severe injuries and his inability to form proper words, he flinched violently as though struck by lightning. It looked exactly like the reaction of someone whose crime, which he had never imagined could be discovered, had just been exposed in a single stroke.

“Wouldn’t it be interesting if the culprit happened to be here?”

“…”

Surely not, Stella thought. It seemed impossible for a royal already exiled to a foreign country to lay hands on a noble of that country—an extraordinarily serious crime. If it were true, disowning him from the royal family would hardly be an excessive response.

“Do you have evidence?”

“No evidence, but we do have a way to determine whether it’s true.”

“…Pardon?”

“If we can tell whether he’s lying, that’s enough to turn it into evidence, isn’t it?”

Stella narrowed her eyes. Such an item did indeed exist, but it was most certainly not something the man standing in front of her should know about so casually.

“Private.”

Still watching Aiden through narrowed eyes, Stella addressed a nearby soldier in an even voice.

“Go to the magic-tool laboratory on the first floor and bring me one item. Tell them I asked for the ‘detector.’ They’ll know what you mean.”

“Understood!”

The slight delay in the soldier’s reply probably came from instinctively realizing that something about this situation was becoming extremely serious.

That assessment was not wrong, because it did not take long for the Imperial military’s secretly developed “lie detector” to catch every one of Prince Daniel’s babbled claims that he had absolutely never done such a thing.

“…This is enough to drive a person insane.”

Stella could only groan. There were two reasons for it.

First, the succession of events that had erupted with astonishing speed was an incident enormous enough that a report would have to reach the Imperial Palace. Second, that meant Stella’s overtime for the entire day was now guaranteed.

✦ ✦ ✦

The subsequent investigation moved at remarkable speed.

A thorough search of Prince Daniel’s residence and every location connected to his movements reportedly uncovered clothing and personal belongings belonging to Viscount Cromwell’s daughter. Investigators also found evidence that he had tried to conceal what he had done, along with traces of various other “minor” crimes.

“That concludes my report.”

With Stella standing in front of her after finishing the report, Noel pressed her fingers against her temples and rubbed them slowly.

“What does the Holy Kingdom say?”

“They expressed their gratitude.”

“…What?”

“They said that because of the laws within the Holy Kingdom, they had no choice but to keep him as a member of the royal family, so they’re grateful we gave them a clean opportunity to throw him out. They also said that if Mr. Aiden ever visits the Holy Kingdom, they would like to treat him with the utmost hospitality.”

“…”

The leader of the Holy Kingdom was the Pontiff, and the current Pontiff was famous as the greatest eccentric among all those who had ever held the position. Judging by that response alone, the reputation was well deserved.

“Actually, there’s something even more serious than the Pontiff’s response.”

“What is it?”

“[Deathwish] has expressed interest in Mr. Aiden.”

“…”

“She sent word in a friendly manner suggesting that they have a meal together sometime. It’s exactly the kind of decisive move you would expect from an ambitious woman who tries to recruit anyone she takes a liking to, regardless of the circumstances.”

Noel swept a hand through her hair with a tired expression.

“Deathwish, you said.”

“Yes.”

“You mean the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom? The megalomaniac who’s waiting for any chance to claim the position of Pontiff, even if she has to kill her own brother to get it?”

“Yes.”

“The woman whose skill with divinity is supposedly superior even to the current Pontiff’s?”

“…Yes.”

The fact that information like this had arrived only a few hours after the incident, not even a full day, was probably a fragmentary glimpse of what would happen next.

Rumors traveled fast. What happened today would already be spreading among ambitious people who made a habit of gathering every scrap of information around them.

“I don’t understand why she’s so interested in Mr. Aiden. He really is just an ordinary con man.”

Ordinary?

Stella’s eyebrow arched, but Noel continued in an even voice.

“He destroyed a royal of the Holy Kingdom who wields high-purity divinity with a single bare-handed strike, immediately exposed the crimes the prince had been hiding, then casually suggested using a top-secret military device that no one outside the Capital Command should even know exists, despite never having set foot in the military in his life.”

“…Yes.”

“And then, exactly as he said, we found real evidence.”

“…”

“It’s nothing special. I don’t know why everyone is making such a fuss. Don’t you agree?”

“…”

Stella quietly closed her mouth at Noel’s half-resigned tone. Even from the position of the person giving the report, the succession of events was so inexplicable that it left her struggling for breath.

If one man who claimed to be an ordinary con artist had accomplished all of this in less than a day, there was only one reasonable reaction.

“Sir Noel, forgive my impertinence.”

“Hmm?”

“Where in the world did you find a person like this, and how did you bring him here?”

“…Honestly, I don’t know either. Was he really this much?”

At this point, his actions were undeniably far too distant from the personal history he claimed. Even Stella had stopped wondering why Noel had chosen that man specifically after only a single day.

The real problem was that Noel herself, the person who had brought him here, appeared deeply bewildered by the current situation.

How?

It went without saying that if someone of royal status deliberately tried to conceal a crime, catching them was like trying to force an animal through the eye of a needle. That was especially true of crimes so filthy and ugly that the culprit would desperately avoid leaving the slightest loose end.

Knowing about the device the military was testing was even stranger. That was closer to trying to force an elephant through the eye of a needle.

Noel knew the military’s notorious security procedures better than most. The fact that classified information had never once been leaked to outsiders after receiving that designation proved how paranoid those procedures were.

And yet Aiden had known both things.

How?

No other question would come to mind. How much did he know? How far did that knowledge reach?

The more Noel thought about it, the more confused she became. What in the world was this man? Where had someone like him even come from?

“Sir Noel.”

Stella’s voice suddenly interrupted Noel’s accelerating thoughts. Uncharacteristically, there was a trace of hesitation in it.

The hesitation continued until Noel looked at her strangely, and only then did Stella finally put it into words.

“There is one more point I find questionable.”

“Questionable?”

“How did those two end up fighting in the first place? Do you know?”

“Roughly. Didn’t the prince pick a fight first?”

According to Sir Lester, who had been present, the situation was basically that Prince Daniel had disliked Lionheart’s groom, started a fight, and Aiden retaliated.

That was probably the driest possible explanation from the witness himself. Depending on the wording, however, the same report could sound rather different.

“I was told that Mr. Aiden became enraged when he was insulted as someone unworthy of being your groom and then did this.”

“…”

“I’ve revised my opinion of him a little. He has a manly side after all.”

The same facts could sound completely different depending on how they were phrased.

The instant Noel heard that report, the corner of her mouth twisted strangely.

“He liked me that much?”

“There may not be a person on this planet who dislikes you, Sir Noel, but it is still puzzling. His reaction is far too different from the attitude he showed at first.”

“That is strange. We didn’t even know each other before…”

Noel stopped herself mid-sentence. Words she had heard only recently flashed through her mind.

You don’t seem to remember what happened before. Back when you were a child, for example.

No, it’s nothing. I just never imagined you had truly forgotten.

A certain man had said those things to her.

“Sir Noel? Are you all right?”

Stella’s puzzled question snapped Noel back to herself. Her eyes slowly lowered.

“No.”

The next words wound around her lips with a touch of bitterness.

“We might have known each other…”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

Noel remained silent for a moment, then raised her eyes.

“Stella.”

“Yes.”

“Contact the Central Intelligence Bureau.”

Stella’s eyes widened. The Central Intelligence Bureau was infamous even among the Empire’s intelligence agencies. People said that if it truly set its mind to it, it could uncover even the Emperor’s most closely guarded secrets.

Contacting an organization like that was something even Lionheart would find burdensome unless the matter was exceptionally important.

“…Shall I request a detailed background investigation on Mr. Aiden?”

Despite her surprise, Stella had worked with Noel long enough to understand her intention immediately.

“Check everything, down to the smallest detail. Report every single thing you discover to me without omitting so much as a word. If necessary, use my name as much as you like.”

“As you command.”

Stella saluted and left. Noel raised her teacup again, and the bitter taste lingered heavily around her mouth.

The military possessed excellent information-gathering capabilities, but the Central Intelligence Bureau operated on an entirely different level. This request would have to uncover at least one thread she could follow, some clue to what this man truly was.

“Aiden.”

Noel slowly spoke the name as though tasting it.

“Aiden Kellermain.”

Then a faint determination settled into her voice.

“Fine. Let’s do this.”

She would find out who he was, what he wanted, and why he had appeared before her. One way or another, she would know.

✦ ✦ ✦

“I want to go home.”

Aiden muttered in a dazed voice.

System Message

▶ You have made contact with [Deathwish], Katya Heinkel Craven.

▶ She is a target of the utmost importance to the story. The fate of the world will be determined by how you influence her!

▶ Your influence on the main story has increased.

▶ Your bond with the target has increased to Stage 1!

▶ Linked with the skill [Weaver of Fate]!

“…”

What was all of this supposed to mean? Less than a day had passed, and he had somehow become entangled with yet another terrifying person.

This is why you shouldn’t lose your temper.

Daniel kept crossing the line, so Aiden had put a little strength into crushing him. The aftermath had turned out to be rather frightening.

In truth, Slick Prince was a villain who appeared frequently in the game, so even Aiden’s spotty knowledge of the original story contained plenty of weaknesses that could be used against him. Daniel had committed so many crimes that exposing a single one caused the rest to rise to the surface like links of sausage tied together.

I didn’t know that thing was classified, though.

Aiden had mentioned the military’s detector only because it was one of the representative key items players could use in the game. He had no idea that at the current point in the timeline, the prototype had only barely been completed and was still being treated as a military secret.

More importantly…

Aiden gloomily examined the window floating in front of him.

Katya Heinkel Craven, commonly known as [Deathwish], was the most important central figure of the Holy Kingdom faction among the main scenario’s key characters.

He had received another opportunity to copy a skill, but not knowing why she had taken an interest in him left him uneasy.

Still, that was a separate issue.

I should take what I can get, right?

System Message

▶ Activating the skill-copying function of [Skill: Weaver of Fate].

▶ Analyzing the skill list of target [Katya Heinkel Craven].

▶ Displaying the most valuable skills from the top.

A long list of skills that clearly belonged to Katya appeared. Most were related to the divinity Daniel had displayed earlier.

Aiden knew roughly what kinds of skills the princess possessed, and he also knew which one stood above the rest. It was much the same as when he copied Noel’s skill.

Recalling his knowledge of the original game, this princess, like Noel, possessed a unique supernatural power found nowhere else in the world. It was the most extraordinary ability even among the people of the Holy Kingdom, who stood closest to the source of divinity.

System Message

▶ Copying [Unique Ability: First Vow].

▶ This ability is possessed by only one individual in the entire world.

▶ Target [Katya] may become more favorably disposed toward you!

The fact that another form of unexplained interest had appeared bothered him a little.

I’ll think about that later.

Too much had happened today. Aiden dismissed the window and closed his eyes. After being tormented by one event after another all day long, it did not take long for his consciousness to fade.

That was probably why he failed to see the window that appeared in front of him, almost as though it had been waiting for him to fall into a deep sleep.

System Message

▶ You are currently the only individual who possesses 2 or more [Unique Skills].

▶ Target [Pantheon] has taken notice of you!

▶ This is a change that will have an extraordinarily large impact on the main story!

▶ A new s̷p̸e̴c̶i̷a̶l̸ ̶a̷b̴i̸l̷i̶t̷y̴ ̷i̸s̶ ̴b̵e̸i̵n̵g̶ ̷u̸n̶l̸o̴c̶k̸e̴d̶.

▶ A̴ ̷n̶e̷w̵ ̷e̴v̶e̸n̸t̵ ̶i̸s̴ ̶b̷e̸i̵n̵g̶ ̷a̸d̵d̶e̷d̴ ̴t̷o̵ ̶t̶h̸e̴ ̶m̵a̶i̴n̷ ̸s̴t̸o̷r̸y̶… Áø α׷¡¹ÖÁø ÇÁ·Áø ÇÁ·Î±×·¡¹ÖÁø ÇÁ·Áø ÇÁ·Î±×·¡¹Ö

▶ Reconfiguring the event.

▶ Target [Pantheon] has become wary of you.

▶ Target [Ç̷̨̳͈̟̯̻̦̘͉̹͓̝̾̿̔͆̃̋́͌̾͂͂̂͂̅͘̕͡͝ø×̵̢̯̥̟͖̞̔̈́̃̚͘͞·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ] has taken notice of you.

▶ A new special ability will be granted!

▶ [Unique Trait: Omnipotence] has been granted!

▶ [Unique Trait: Origin] has been granted!