Chapter 40
Still, I sat down first.
My legs hurt too much from enduring the conversation between the Duke and Irix. Irix reluctantly sat down beside me.
“Did your new attendant pick that outfit? It’s quite different from your usual taste.”
The Duke pointed at Irix’s clothes. Irix looked like someone who could sell cabbages at the market without seeming out of place. That was because he had bought them from the very shop where a cabbage-selling boy bought his clothes.
“I just bought them myself. They’re comfortable. Much better than what Bork used to pick, so I plan to dress like this from now on.”
I remembered the overly extravagant clothes Irix used to wear.
Heavy embroidery and lace…
They suited him, but it was a relief that he hadn’t chosen them himself. At least he wouldn’t be wearing those anymore.
“He’s already dead. Having bad taste wasn’t really his fault, so just pray for his soul.”
“It wasn’t just his taste that was the problem.”
What is that supposed to mean?
“What happened that day was his fault, but he died horribly. Let’s consider that enough punishment.”
Irix’s eyes sharpened.
“That wasn’t the only thing.”
“Well, yes, it’s unfortunate that Arke died as well. Poor boy. Still, since you were beside him, he probably didn’t go alone. He must have been grateful.”
Irix glared at his father. The Duke smirked.
“Irix, many people have died around you, haven’t they? Don’t take it to heart every time. Forget what should be forgotten, and let the rest flow away. I’ve already forgotten everything.”
Right. This is a fantasy world.
Human rights are a complete mess, and people die all the time.
Spies die, non-spies die. People die for reasons, people die for no reason. People die because the time comes, or just because. There are deaths everywhere.
So first of all, I should get used to people dying.
I’ve already experienced plenty of that.
“Anyway, let’s talk about a new connection.”
The Duke looked at me.
“This young man, Elpini.”
Wait—didn’t he just say people around Irix keep dying? I’ve only just started staying beside him.
Still, fortunately, the Duke was extremely handsome. Considering he had driven many noblewomen of the Empire into affairs, an ordinary face wouldn’t have been enough.
“Are you close with Irix?”
“Yes, we are.”
Irix answered. Without looking at him, the Duke said:
“I didn’t know you had such a close friend. I feel hurt. Tell your father more about school. My dear Rixy hardly talks about himself.”
Irix doesn’t seem to talk to his father at all.
And Rixy? What kind of creepy nickname is that? Judging by his expression—like he was swallowing a caterpillar every time—the nickname clearly disgusted him.
“By the way, how did the two of you meet on the train?”
“……”
“It doesn’t seem like you arranged to meet. I checked, and there were no letters sent to any address this friend could have received. Besides, your schedule changed just the day before. That wouldn’t have left enough time to contact your friend and change plans.”
The Duke looked straight at me.
An ordinary girl would have been frightened—but I wasn’t ordinary. I was from another world, so I felt nothing. I was only curious why this affair-obsessed man was acting like this.
“Tell me. How exactly did you meet?”
Any excuse I gave would probably be seen through. He ruled over the imperial political scene filled with schemes and conspiracies. This wasn’t someone I could outmaneuver with tricks.
I smiled at him.
“I had a strange dream.”
So I decided to charge forward with confident nonsense.
“What kind of dream?”
“I dreamed that Irix caused a huge incident.”
That sounded wrong, but whatever—momentum mattered.
Irix frowned.
“I did what?”
I didn’t answer, and the Duke ignored him as well.
“Did the dream also show which train Irix would take?”
“Yes.”
“Even the time and the station?”
“Yes. Though it was coincidence that we boarded the same train.”
“Coincidence?”
“Yes. I didn’t intentionally take the same train. There were only a few first-class trains that could arrive before the semester started.”
“I see…”
The Duke stared at me for a moment.
It felt as if those violet eyes were digging into my thoughts, but I held firm.
I might not be good at manipulating people, but I knew how to resist.
“Did it also show when the incident would occur?”
“Yes.”
“You must have very accurate dreams, Elpini, if you trusted it enough to go looking for my Rixy.”
“Yes. They’re always accurate. That’s why I trust them.”
The Duke smirked.
“So the dream turned out to be correct. But I’m curious—how do you distinguish that from a meaningless dream?”
“I just know. I get a feeling.”
He was still smiling, but not with his eyes.
Of course he’d be annoyed—some nineteen-year-old spouting nonsense in front of the Empire’s prime minister.
“Did a god bless you or something?”
“Yes.”
I had to stay confident. No openings—only flawless nonsense.
“It could be an ability rather than a god.”
“It’s not an ability.”
“Have you been tested?”
“No.”
“And you’re still certain?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“That’s just how it feels.”
Irix looked up at the ceiling, unable to watch anymore.
The Duke, who had been staring blankly at me, suddenly burst out laughing.
“Irix, your friend is very amusing. I can see why you’re close.”
“Thank you for recognizing my friend’s strengths.”
Still smiling, the Duke spoke to me.
“Not only amusing but capable too—I like that. Please continue taking care of my son.”
Even I was surprised. The snake seemed surprised too, poking its head out of my pocket and flicking its tongue.
Irix pressed the snake’s head back into the pocket with his finger.
“Well then, Elpini.”
The Duke spoke gracefully.
“I’d like to talk with my son alone. Would you step outside?”
In other words, leave immediately.
Irix nudged my side.
“Wait outside.”
“Quite an interesting friend you have. Or perhaps you became friends because they’re interesting.”
“Please mind your own business.”
“No. People should be unusual.”
The Duke looked at the door Elpini had exited.
Though he called it amusing, there was no smile on his face.
“Now, let’s talk, Irix. What happened?”
Irix didn’t answer.
“So, you failed.”
Still no answer.
“I told you this was finally a chance for me to enter the order—to see those High Elders. Why didn’t you go? Did you lose your nerve?”
No answer.
The Duke slowly stood, bent forward, and brought his face close to Irix’s. Their eyes met as the Duke examined his son carefully.
“Were you afraid?”
“Yes.”
At last, Irix answered.
“I was too afraid to move. So I stopped.”
Even so, his voice remained calm and his gaze cold.
“It was beyond me. Don’t make me do something like that again. I nearly died from fear.”
“……”
The Duke studied his face.
“Why did you kill Telecus?”
“I didn’t kill him.”
“Then did that senior do it?”
“There was a venomous snake on the train. It bit him.”
“A venomous snake?”
“Yes. A wild one.”
The Duke was momentarily speechless.
“So, a wild snake capable of killing someone instantly just happened to appear at that exact moment?”
“Yes.”
“How did such a snake end up there?”
“I haven’t studied animal behavior. Nor ecology. So I don’t know. Perhaps it was simply an unlucky day for him.”
“Unlucky?”
“Yes. And that day was unlucky for everyone. Many people who bought tickets to the capital were suddenly stranded on the bridge over the great canyon. Then a corrupted magical beast went on a rampage, and the entire train nearly fell into the canyon. Among them, Telecus must have been particularly unlucky.”
“Irix.”
His father’s voice grew heavier.
Irix knew from experience that whenever his father spoke in that tone, something unpleasant followed.
“All those coincidences of bad luck… are actually inevitabilities arranged by someone. None of it was accidental.”
