Chapter 87

A tumultuous half-month was drawing to a close.

The calendar had turned, and it was now the Month of the Windy Moon (March).

During that time, I had returned to Japan twice, and both Yoshioka and I had successfully resigned from our jobs.

My skills had also increased by two.

Not only can I swim freely underwater, but I can also dive to a depth of about 100 meters.

I can swim for about 10 minutes without needing to come up for air.

It’s an incredible skill, though I can’t test it out right now.

Spring is only a name; the wind is still cold.

There is also a lot of snow still on the ground.

The other new skill was also a dream-like technique.

It’s beginner level, so I can only take one or two steps.

This is incredibly fun.

Being able to jump and then leap yet another step further feels just like a fighting game.

Right now, I can only take one step upward, but I want to practice a lot and be able to take two steps as soon as possible.

However, the trouble is that I can’t find a place to practice.

Dresden is a city, so there are few places without people.

I don’t want people to see me practicing because I don’t want the details of my skills to be known.

But I can’t do it indoors, either.

I’d probably hit my head on the ceiling, and if I did it in the apartment, I’m sure the downstairs neighbors would file a complaint.

Today, too, I was staring at a map, looking for a new practice spot.

“Sir Kota, do you have a moment?”

I was in the reference room, looking at a map to find a suitable vacant lot, when Emma called out to me.

“What is it?”

“Actually, my parents are pressing me again to find out if I know where Sir Shonai is…”

Emma had an awkward look on her face.

Apparently, this time, the Chancellor himself is looking for me.

Moreover, they aren’t searching for me for watches or tableware, but as the person who possesses the God’s Fingers.

I had sworn Baron Petersen and the others to secrecy because I didn’t want a commotion, but it seems they gave in to the Chancellor’s pressure.

I think that’s unavoidable.

I was a company employee until very recently, so I can understand how they feel.

If asked by a superior, they probably can’t keep their mouths shut.

I don’t intend to blame them, but at the same time, I’m not nice enough to come forward.

“Emma, I’m sorry, but I have a lot of things I need to take care of, too. There are things I’ve been ordered to do by Lord Seraphim…”

The publication of the Nordism scriptures that Lord Seraphim asked for hasn’t progressed at all.

But if I say this, Emma will give up easily.

“I-I see. Then it cannot be helped. The will of the God of Space-Time is not something that can be compared to the wishes of the Chancellor.”

Yes, yes, as long as you understand.

I saw her off, feeling a slight sense of guilt as she slunk away.

―――――

Somewhere in Saxens.

A single candle was lit in the center of a dark room.

There were over ten people in the cramped room, but it was so dim that it was impossible to tell the exact number.

This was a secret meeting place where members of the Shadow Knights, the intelligence agency that the Kingdom of Saxens boasts, gathered.

The three teams gathered tonight had received a certain directive.

“It seems everyone is here. I entrusted you all with the search for this mysterious individual known as Shonai. Let’s hear your respective reports.”

The coordinator urged them on, and the briefing for this joint mission began.

“There is a high probability that the man called Shonai is the same person as the merchant frequenting the houses of Marquis Berlion and Count Bremen. When we compiled the eyewitness accounts, we found that his appearance matches in many respects.”

The next person followed up.

“The merchant Shonai has a companion named Kawagoe. We haven’t been able to pin down Shonai’s location, but we have confirmed that Kawagoe is staying at the Hotel Berilin in Dresden.”

The coordinator nodded.

“If we keep a watch on Kawagoe, he will eventually make contact with Shonai. But where are those two from?”

Another member answered.

“That hasn’t been determined yet. What we do know is that both of them speak very fluent Saxens. We have information that they were saved by Knight Bachelor Clara Ansbach when they were attacked by bandits in the north. It was also Knight Ansbach who introduced the two to Count Bremen. Based on this, we believe they entered our country via the north.”

Correct information and false information were becoming intertwined.

“Should we abduct Kawagoe and make him spit out Shonai’s location?”

To this question, the coordinator shook their head quietly.

“We must gain the cooperation of this person known as Shonai. Refrain from any rough tactics, absolutely. Rather, we should go with a standard approach.”

“A standard approach?”

“Yes. We will dispatch an appropriate messenger to this man called Kawagoe and request an introduction to Shonai. If we do that, it will increase the likelihood that Kawagoe will attempt to contact Shonai, whether he intends to accept or refuse.”

“Understood. We will continue our surveillance so as not to lose sight of them.”

“Good, that is all. Any questions?”

The meeting place was wrapped in silence.

In the evening, I asked Fiene to take over serving dinner for Lady Clara and left the barracks.

Today, I was scheduled to hear the progress of the shop opening plan from Yoshioka while we ate dinner. My mood was light, knowing I would be free from bean soup.

I stopped by the apartment first to disguise myself as Shonai. I had planned to go pay my respects to Marquis Berlion’s mansion before dinner.

I stepped off the carriage and exchanged words with the doorman, whom I’d come to know.

“Hello. Is Kawagoe in his room?”

“Welcome, Sir Shonai. Master Kawagoe is currently in the lounge with a guest.”

A real estate agent, perhaps? If it was a private guest, it would be rude to interrupt.

“What kind of person was it?”

“Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be a knight in the service of a grand house.”

If he’s a male knight, I don’t think it has anything to do with romance. Since it might be work-related, I couldn’t ignore it, so I headed to the lounge to offer my greetings.

“Excuse me. Kawagoe, do you have a guest?”

The knight who looked up at me was a serious-looking man in his 50s. He had thick eyebrows and intense eyes.

“Could you perhaps be Sir Shonai? This saves me some trouble; I’m grateful.”

The knight stood up smoothly and took my hand. He was quite a large man. His toned body signaled his skill in martial arts. However, he didn’t seem unfriendly. He shook my calloused hand vigorously, showing a rugged smile.

“I am Egon Henken. Mmm, you’ve been training too, Sir Shonai! This is a hand that has worked hard.”

The old guy started talking happily while still shaking my hand. I wanted him to let go, but I was swept up in Egon’s pace and couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“As a hobby of a knight, I use all kinds of weapons as well. Hahaha! What is your preferred weapon, Sir Shonai?”

“I, uh, I practice a little bit of staff fighting…”

Caught off guard, I forgot to pull my hand away and spoke honestly.

“Oh! Staff fighting, is it? Good for thrusting, good for cutting, good for parrying—it’s a weapon with no openings! Plus, it even includes grappling and kicking techniques, so you can’t let your guard down. It’s a technique that a clumsy man like me could never master.”

Yeah, I’m happy for the praise, but I really want him to let go of my hand already.

“Um!”

“Hm? My preferred weapon? I am exclusively a halberd man!”

He wasn’t listening.

“No. That’s not it—what business do you have with us, Sir Henken?”

“Hm? Business? Oh! That’s right.”

As if he had finally remembered his duty, Henken straightened his posture.

“Sir Shonai, I have come today with a desperate request. Please. I want you to meet my master with me.”

Henken’s master, huh.

“And who might that be?”

Henken, who hadn’t cared at all about the people around him with his loud voice, lowered his voice significantly.

“Her Highness Anneliese, the Second Princess of the Kingdom of Saxens.”

Finally, royalty has arrived.