Chapter 83

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

A Kirihal Student

After setting up plans to introduce Hikaru to Katy’s sister, Hikaru and Lavia left the lab . Apparently Katy’s family was quite famous in Kotobi . A nation that processed precious metals and exported jewels, it had plenty of mining towns . Those who owned mines, in particular, had a right to speak in Kotobi, and Katy’s family owned two .

「The only ones left are Kirihal, Ludancia, and Euroba . 」

What to do… Hikaru thought .

「I might have someone from Euroba…」Lavia said .

「You do…?」

「You know how I stay at the library all the time . Well, I made a friend there who’s from Euroba . They mentioned that their family has a few people in the government . 」

「That’s… just who we’re looking for . 」

While listening, Hikaru felt just a little bit upset that Lavia never told him about a friend .

I guess I didn’t tell her about Professor Mille either… When did she make a friend? Ah, no, stop . I’m being possessive . That’s not cool .

「What’s wrong, Hikaru?」

「Uh, it’s nothing . 」

「I wanted to introduce you to them one day, but I couldn’t really find the opportunity . I’m sorry . 」

「You don’t need to apologize . 」

「But you looked sad . 」

「I wasn’t . 」

「Really?」

「Yup, for real . 」

「Don’t worry . You’re number one in my heart . 」

「I-I’m not worried about anything . 」

「Also she’s a girl . 」

Really? Hikaru felt relief somewhere within him . Lavia smiled . Sensing that Lavia saw right through him, Hikaru tried to hide his embarrassment .

「A-All right . Can we ask this friend of yours for help, then? Now I’m dragging you into this as well . Is that okay?」

「Of course . I told you, I’ll always follow you as long as you don’t reject me . What are you going to do next? Do you know someone from Ludancia or Kirihal?」

「Hmm… From Kirihal, yes . I’ll be gone for a few days, though . 」

「Where are you going?」Lavia asked .

The two walked down the long corridor . To be precise, there were seven other people as well, but they just watched the pair with their mouths shut .

「I’m exhausted . I never thought dealing with Ponsonia would be this complicated…」Queen Marquedo Miralka Kirihal said in a weary tone .

Prime Minister Zofira van Houtens, who was walking beside her, smiled .

「How about I make you some tea, then?」

「Oh, that would be great . Everyone, we’re calling it a day . You’re all dismissed . 」the queen said, turning around .

The seven political advisers smiled silently, bowed, and then left .

「They’re too obedient . It’s strange . 」Marquedo said .

「I agree . Maybe they sent more spies . 」

「That boy in black already took care of them, though . 」

「I asked someone trustworthy to check on things . He said it’s fine . 」

「We can’t even catch our breath, huh?」Marquedo sighed .

「I heard Kotobi has this magic item that isolates sound . How about ordering one?」

「I don’t want to owe Kotobi anything . I’ll ask Kirihal if they can make one themselves . 」

They entered the queen’s office . Zofira prepared tea in a familiar manner, while Marquedo sat down with a sigh .

「Sup . 」

「Hiieaah?!」

Marquedo let out a peculiar sound . A black-cloaked figure appeared out of nowhere in an otherwise empty room .

「I-I-It’s you!」

「Long time no see . May I have some tea as well? My throat’s kinda dry . 」

「I won’t ask you to make an appointment beforehand, but if you keep on rudely barging in like this, I might have to do something about it . 」

Zofira glared at the boy, but he didn’t care at all . Just like before, he had his Sun God mask on, so she couldn’t see the expression on his face .

「Anyway, are you two exhibitionists or something? Do you like being watched? You’ve got more spies this time around . 」

「What?」

「Six of them . I tied them all up and tossed them at the back of this building . Make sure you get them later . 」

「S-Six?!」

「Yeah . They were quite clever – hiding under floors and drilling holes into a pillar . 」

「………」

「………」

Dumbfounded, the two women exchanged glances .

「And how did you find these cleverly hidden spies?」

It’s easy to find them if you have Life and Mana Detection . The boy didn’t tell them that, of course .

「You don’t have to feel indebted or anything . I just did it on a whim . But there is something, just a little favor I need to ask of you . 」

「Just give it to me straight . What do you want?」feeling her head hurt, Marquedo urged him to speak .

For now this boy is not hostile towards us . He helped Gafrasti out . We can’t really trust him, but we don’t want him as an enemy, either, the queen thought .

「I want you to introduce me to a student from the academy . 」

「A student? Not a researcher?」

「If it’s a Kirihal student, I’m sure I can meet them right away with one word from Your Majesty . 」

「Are you planning to harm them?」

「Not at all . I can sneak in here easily without anyone noticing . Why would I go through all that trouble just to hurt a student? I just want you to introduce me . I’m not telling you why I’m doing this, though . 」

「I won’t refer you to anyone unless you tell me what you’re after . 」

「So you’ll give me your full cooperation if I tell you?」

「Well…」

「Your Highness . 」Zofira cut her off . 「If it’s just an introduction, I can do it myself . Using your name would only put you in the spotlight . People are already watching you right now . 」

「It has to be from Her Majesty . 」

「Why?」

「I need a Kirihal student, someone from an influential family . If you know someone like that, though, I guess it’s fine . 」

「What are you plotting?」

「All right . It’s fine, Zofira . I’ll write a letter of introduction for you . In exchange, you give us information . 」

「Information?」

「Anything related to the academy . I heard Rumania made contact with the principal from Zubura . 」

「………」

「You tell me everything you know . Also if something happens to the student, you will pay for it . 」

「Sure . Just wait and I’ll give you what you want . Look forward to it . 」

The boy received the letter of introduction, and as usual, boldly stepped out of the office, then disappeared . Just like he said, six spies were tied up behind the building .

「What do you think, Zofira?」

「It’s hard to imagine that he rounded up spies and snuck into your office alone just to get a letter of introduction . I’ll look into it . 」

「Please do . 」

The two women were seriously discussing things . The truth is, Hikaru simply didn’t know anyone else from Kirihal .