Chapter 116 – Countermeasures

“So Marlene’s voice will… return?”

I needed to keep Rosemary informed about this. After parting from Helfried and Stephania with minimal small talk, I decided to report to King Melvin.

Since this concerned Marlene as well, we included Albert in the discussion. When the topic turned to the Mermaid’s Lament, both King Melvin and Albert widened their eyes in surprise.

“The literature states that if the vessel containing the voice is destroyed, it will return. I believe this is an item that cannot be disposed of, even if it’s evidence.”

To maintain Marlene’s condition, we had to be careful about how the item was preserved.

Even if her role ended due to her marriage, it remained crucial evidence. If we couldn’t dispose of it carelessly… then we had no choice but to manage it where it wouldn’t attract attention.

As for me… I believe the choice to speak or not should only come after Marlene regains her free will. Therefore, I’ve already decided to work toward recovering it… but that inevitably requires the process of crushing the perpetrator. Of course, I have no objections to that either.

“I see…”

“Hmm. The records don’t seem to contain… any documentation from that time.”

King Melvin spoke while flipping through a stack of papers.

I’d heard that when items were purchased for the royal castle, a record of the inventory and the purchaser was kept, so we needed to check past ledgers. With King Melvin’s cooperation, obtaining and viewing these should be relatively easy.

Now then. The Recipe for the Mermaid’s Lament includes one moderately valuable item: the Blood Pearl.

It’s a Material that can be harvested from a monster called the Gluttonous Oyster, which appears in the Magic Light Water Vein. I thought we might be able to trace it through purchase records, but…

“It appears several days’ worth are missing here.”

While flipping through the ledger, King Melvin frowned with displeasure.

“What about the other dates?”

When I asked, King Melvin continued flipping through the stack for a while before eventually placing the ledger on the desk, having finished his check.

“The rest are all accounted for. If only a few days from the period before the incident are missing, I can’t help but suspect foul play.”

“Nine times out of ten, it’s evidence tampering.”

Albert let out a small sigh at King Melvin’s words.

We should probably assume that similar cover-ups were done for the purchase dates of the other Materials for the Mermaid’s Lament, not just the Blood Pearl.

Since we could determine that the missing records corresponded to the purchase dates of the Materials, we might have been able to track who bought them and where, if not for the passage of time—but now it would be difficult to pursue.

The passage of time and the fading of memories also lower the accuracy of the Magical Inquisition. After all, it relies on the individual’s recollection.

Still, that doesn’t mean we gained nothing.

“On the other hand, this practically confirms that someone from the royal family is involved.”

Naturally, that would be the case. I nodded at King Melvin’s words.

The ledger records the purchase history of items bought by or for members of the royal family. In other words—the fact that evidence has been tampered with in this ledger means…

“That narrows the suspects down to the royal family—I suppose that’s what it means.”

“Indeed. Unfortunately, yes.”

King Melvin spoke in a weary voice.

“I thought—I had made the line of succession clear. Rosemary’s position lacked substance, and look how she turned out. And the other one moves carefully to avoid showing themselves. It’s truly lamentable.”

Who would want to see relatives fighting among themselves? This must be quite draining for King Melvin, but with this corroboration, there’s no helping it.

The attempted assassination of Marlene was a scheme to distance her from the line of succession and deal a blow to Rosemary as well. Unless it involved the royal succession, the risk wouldn’t be worth the Return.

Now then, with that in mind… was Rosemary’s downfall and confinement—a gain or a loss for the perpetrator?

Considering only the fact that Rosemary was eliminated from the succession dispute, it should be viewed as a gain for the perpetrator—but what if their plan included framing Rosemary and disposing of her?

In that case, the situation changes. The fact that Rosemary’s misdeeds have now been exposed, her innocence in the assassination attempt clarified, and her freedom restricted by confinement, is hardly something the perpetrator would welcome. It means every role they expected her to play has been nullified.

In that case… there’s a possibility they might take some action soon.

When I shared these thoughts, both of them shook their heads slightly with exasperation.

“The possibility of them taking action… Father. In that case, shouldn’t we increase security for this year’s retreat, or perhaps cancel it?”

“Retreat?”

“There’s an island with a royal villa not far offshore from the port. It has geysers… and it’s a scenic spot where you can enjoy hot springs while overlooking the ocean.”

…Ah. That island. I remember it from BFO too.

Landing isn’t permitted for ordinary people. I thought guards were stationed there for some future event, but… it must be because the royal family uses the island.

“With all the banquets, balls, and soirées, it gets rather exhausting. Originally, the purpose was to take a break during winter to recuperate.”

“So the royal family stays on the island for a few days, but…”

“That certainly seems like… an ideal opportunity to set something in motion.”

“…I think so too. Although it’s well-prepared against Demons since it’s also the island that maintains the Barrier on the port side—”

“But defenses against human assassins would be thinner than in the Royal Castle.”

King Melvin crossed his arms, showing a pensive expression.

“Actually, another issue has come up. Theodore. Are you aware of a group called the Duoveris Cult operating in the southern regions?”

“…A heretical cult that worships Demons.”

The Duoveris Cult. They’re a group that worships Demons who wield superhuman power. They’re characterized by using Sorcery in the form of Tattoos on their bodies to borrow the Demons’ power.

They’re cooperative with Demons and are said to offer sacrifices and such. Naturally, they’re treated as a heretical cult in every country.

But why is Duoveris being mentioned now? Their activities are closely tied to specific regions. They’re said to have emerged when people suffering under a tyrant’s oppression sought salvation from Demons, so they shouldn’t have any connection to the Kingdom of Verdugal. Do they have the resources to extend their reach to distant countries?

“Indeed. You’re quite knowledgeable. We’ve received information that they view the Demon Slayer who defeated Zevion—a notable Demon—as an enemy. We were already planning to strengthen security at the castle gates and in the city.”

I see. The false information about the Demon Slayer also serves as a countermeasure against them.

“Judging by how the information is spreading, we thought the main period to be wary would be from next spring when land routes become passable again. But with various issues arising, I was considering canceling this winter’s retreat as a precaution.”

“In that case—”

Albert probably thought this year’s retreat was as good as canceled, but King Melvin still seemed hesitant.

“…If we change our perspective, it could also be seen as an ideal opportunity to smoke out such individuals.”

“Hmm… Theodore. If you’re willing, what would you think about accompanying us on the retreat?”

Whether it’s the perpetrator operating in the shadows or the cult, the moment they make their move is also the perfect opportunity to Counter them. That seems to be King Melvin’s view.

“There’s a problem. If I accompany you, they’ll be on their guard.”

After all, when we were ambushed in the Labyrinth or when Sheila and the others were tailed, we crushed them thoroughly. We made a show of it deliberately to make them hesitate to make further moves.

“In that regard, we happen to have just the thing.”

“Ah… Could it be, you want me to use that?”

“Indeed.”

…Understanding what the mischievously smiling King Melvin meant, I gave a wry smile.

If I wear that Disguise Ring and accompany them, the enemy will let their guard down. Well, I’ll probably need to wear Gloves and other Equipment too.

Luring the enemy into a situation where they’re comfortable making a move, then crushing them when they do. That kind of strategy is quicker, and it suits my preferences too.

“Then I’ll go on the retreat too. If we use the pretext of me being your servant, I should have plenty of freedom to act.”

“Understood. In that case.”

…Hmm. I should also devise strategies in Termwills to thwart the enemy’s plans simultaneously. If it’s within the anticipated scope, we can prepare countermeasures.