“Huh…? I feel like my head is floating… It feels good…”
The servant, intoxicated by the drug, slumped down, her consciousness fading away.
At this point, I should feel pity… but that’s nonsense. If I had drunk it, I would have been in the same state.
“…Take her out.”
Faigle gestured, and the other servants dragged her out of the room.
Normally, if one of their own servants was in such a state, they would probably have something to say to me, but instead, he relaxed his face and burst into laughter.
“Hahaha. As expected of a magician of the realm. You easily noticed such a prank.”
A prank?
I frowned at his shamelessness, casually brushing off something he had intended to do.
“That’s too malicious for a prank. What would you have done if I had drunk it without knowing?”
“Don’t dwell on something that hasn’t happened. I knew the count would notice, after all.”
No, that’s not it.
He’s the kind of person with such thick skin, so this could be an act too.
I was a bit curious, but that didn’t mean I trusted him.
After all, if he’s offering 10% of the profits, he wouldn’t be dragging me into a business that doesn’t even make that much profit.
Still, I decided to play along a little.
“That sounds tempting. I’m curious what kind of product it is that would make you so confident.Could I see it?”
“Haha. For the count, who’s known for knowing everything, to say something like that, it’s a bit surprising.”
“I’m not someone who knows everything. I just happen to know a lot of things and can learn more.”
“Is that so? But I’m afraid I can’t show it to you.
I can’t reveal it to someone whose decision to join or not hasn’t been made yet.”
As he stroked his goatee while making excuses, it seemed like it wasn’t something legal.
A nobleman, a duke no less, trying to fatten his pockets by engaging in criminal activity?
At this point, it wasn’t just dislike—it was disgust. I wanted to stand up and leave right away.
But something didn’t add up.
He tried to drug someone who was supposed to be his business partner.
Starting off by completely ruining the other person’s trust wouldn’t make sense.
One of the most important things in business is mutual trust, and this man couldn’t possibly not know that.
So, there’s only one thing I can think of.
Maybe he’s after something else entirely.
It would be nice if my skills could read people’s minds.
It’s never been more regrettable that I don’t have that function.
“Well, have you decided what you’re going to do?”
While I was lost in thought, Faigle clapped his hands and interrupted the flow.
“You won’t regret it. You won’t get a chance like this again.”
He’s rushing to get an answer right away.
The gaze that stared at me so intently was almost overwhelming.
Unlike his words, the twisted expression on his face showed that only someone with hidden intentions in their heart could have such a look.
Well, if he wants an answer, I suppose I could give him one.
“I’ll have to decline. It seems a bit too much for me.”
“…Decline? This?”
He must not have expected his proposal to be rejected, as he leaned forward but then fell back, resting his back on the sofa.
He’s quite the actor.
Having spent years in politics, he certainly knows how to wear a mask. I wouldn’t want to be like him, though.
“Can you tell me the reason? This is a matter of my pride, so I expect a suitable explanation.”
His face contorted as if he had just recovered from shock, and his voice lowered.
This is his domain.
I know well that speaking carelessly could lead to consequences I don’t want to imagine.
But if I’m confident I can win no matter what he does, there’s nothing to fear.
“If you want to know my reasons, I’ll give you three main ones.” I stretched out my index finger and continued speaking.
“First, because of the prank you played, I can no longer trust you.
Maybe I would have considered it if you had apologized, but after seeing you laugh it off after doing something ridiculous, I can’t trust you.”
“Second, getting involved in something I don’t even know about could lead to a big problem. You’re trying to lure me in with an unbelievable proposal…”
“I feel suspicious about this…”
“…As I thought, you’re just blabbering without knowing your place. A rude girl.”
While he was speaking, Faigle’s face turned red, and he clenched his teeth tightly.
He had managed to hide his true face all this time, but now he was finally showing it, and it wasn’t a pleasant sight.
His fists were trembling, and veins were popping out from his temples.
He looked ready to slam the table in front of him or throw a punch at me.
“Hey! Get in here, now!”
At his shout, the door slammed open, and a number of people rushed in.
Soldiers armed with armor and swords.
And among them, one magician.
It was as if they had expected this from me.
The soldiers surrounded me, drawing their swords in unison.
Was this his plan?
Nobles are usually extremely proud, and they can’t stand any disrespect toward them.
I’ve seen them draw their swords and fight for their pride, so I understand this well.
Disrespect is so important that it can become a reason to act.
Maybe Faigle had provoked me on purpose to get me to react this way.
But, if we’re going by the order of things, shouldn’t I be the one getting angry?
I really don’t know.
“How about it? Do you understand now what you did wrong? Insolent woman.”
Thinking he was in a superior position, Faigle bared his teeth and smiled a vile grin.
Well, in this situation, I guess that makes sense.
“I’ve never liked you from the start. You young brat, being called a genius everywhere you go and walking around like you own the place.”
“…So, is this why you’re doing this?”
I wondered what kind of great reason he had, but I never expected it to be just plain jealousy he had been hiding.
I definitely don’t want anything from a person like you.
“You’re still calm, huh. I heard you were smart, but it seems like you’re too dumb to even read the situation?”
“I understand perfectly well.”
The sharp blades directed at me.
With just a gesture from Faigle, they would swing toward my neck immediately.
And the magician standing over there, they’re definitely not ordinary.
“Are you worried about this guy? It makes sense. He’s just like you—a great magician.
You might think you can handle the soldiers, but you won’t be able to take on a magician of his caliber.”
No wonder the atmosphere felt off.
Now that I got a better look, he was quite a well-known figure.
With that kind of skill, it’s a shame he’s clinging to a man like this.
“Still, I’m a merciful person. If you strip down and beg for forgiveness on the table, I might let you live. How about it?”
When someone just stays quiet, they can’t help but say anything.
“…Do you know the last reason why I won’t work with you?
It’s because you’re such an ugly human being, someone I don’t even want to associate with.”
“What, what did you say?!”
“Do you think I can’t take on everyone here? If I wanted to, I could kill them all right now. I’m holding back because I don’t want to see blood.”
Even if dozens of blades are aimed at me, one high-level spell would be enough to destroy them all.
And the magician that this man is relying on doesn’t pose any threat to me either.
“Do you think the magician here can handle me? Let me just tell you something you might not know—there are levels even among great magicians.”
“Haha! You’re insane. Stop with the empty threats!”
“Why don’t you just have them fight me right now? Though I’m sure you won’t do that.”
The hand holding the staff is trembling, but it seems he doesn’t notice.
However, his opponent probably has already sensed it—what I said isn’t empty bravado.
“Or would you prefer a promise? – From now on, anyone who moves recklessly will be killed immediately.”
The soldiers, uneasy.
They may not know the level of my magic, but the weight in my voice, full of sincerity, drained their fighting spirit.
Even when Faigle shouted at them, no one moved to draw their swords.
“You useless fools!”
“…It seems like you’ve used up all your cards, so I’ll be leaving now. Let’s just pretend this never happened, and keep it buried in our hearts.”