Chapter 675 – Meaning of Words and Preparation for Surveillance

000

In the living room of the mansion where Cleon and his group were staying, laughter was flowing continuously for the first time in a long time.

Well, there is usually only one person who is laughing so hard that his stomach hurts, and the rest are all smiling bitterly or sipping their tea with an expression as if they are tired of that kind of laughter.

＂Aha, ahahaha…! Kuuuuu…! Haha! My stomach, my stomach hurts…!”

＂Then you can stop laughing…! How on earth is he smiling?”

Cleon had already returned to his original appearance and was sitting in front of the desk with his chin resting, but Lila, who had seen him from before, could not stop smiling.

“Wow, that was a big deal, Cleon.”

After Amelia brought warm tea in front of Cleon, she sat down across from him.

“This is my first time seeing Lila smile like this. She missed me too.”

Artis also laughs, but since she hasn’t seen Cleon in person, she shakes her head as if she doesn’t know why Lila is smiling so much.

In both of her hands, she held a magic tool to measure the amount of magic power and a tool to apply magic stimulation to the magic tool and check the reaction, so she worked on the magic tool that Emma brought in front of her.
Was continuing.

Cleon takes a quick look at Artis’ work, then takes a sip of the tea Amelia gave him.

Then, the sweet taste of the candy apple that was left in your mouth because you had to force yourself to eat it earlier is covered by the thick taste of the tea, and a warm feeling fills your body.

＂What…? Does it taste okay?”

Then, Amelia carefully asked Cleon about the condition of the car, and Cleon nodded with a small smile.

“Ah. No problem. It’s a good car that even warms your heart.”

“Well, that’s too much praise… But, thank you.”

Amelia blushed slightly, and as she did so, she turned on her own tea and let out a small sigh as she embraced the warm temperature.

“So, Selena has decided to cooperate with us?”

Lila relayed the story she heard from Cleon through her familiar to Amelia and Artis, so they both knew the general situation.

“Yes, that’s right. There are many things that bother me, but first, I don’t think he’s the type to lie.”

“What. Yes. I guess I should say that he is a guy who doesn’t have that kind of brains.”

When Artis speaks as if he knows her well, Cleon looks at her as if he is surprised.

＂Do you know him?＂

“They won’t remember me, though. I am? Several times, I analyzed artifacts at the request of court wizards. You may have forgotten, but I once worked in the kingdom too?”

She answered Cleon’s question lightly and continued her story without stopping.

“Selena Regent. A court wizard and daughter of the Duke of Regent. She did not go to the academy, but she is a wizard who has both talent and hard work to achieve great heights as a wizard. Of course, it is said that she had family support, but that does not mean that money alone can improve the level of light magic that is difficult to control.”

＂The magic of light…＂

Although she felt that it was a difficult magic to deal with in person, the magic of the light magic class that she could use was a low-level magic that created a simple light source to illuminate a dark place.

I was using it without any conscious awareness, but considering that it became difficult to maintain it during battle, was it a result of reflecting the nature of magical power that it was released when the light lost concentration even a little?

“And it’s noisy. He also has a slightly childish personality. Above all, I don’t know if I’m overconfident or thoughtless. There is no ‘filter’ attached to the head. To put it nicely, honestly. To put it in a bad way, it’s just good to be seen as a person with somewhat disappointing intelligence.”

“Heh, the kingdom’s court wizard can be like that.”

When Lila, who has stopped laughing perhaps because of the story about her wizard, speaks with her chin resting like Cleon’s, Cleon feels the sentiment of ‘Wow, she suddenly calmed down’, but he doesn’t bother to say it to her.

However, Artis responded to Laila’s words by shaking her head.

“Even if you have disappointing intelligence, it doesn’t mean you’re stupid. On the contrary, she is quite brilliant and clever in her field. However… I guess I should say that I lack a bit of thought. Short-circuited and impromptu. And, everything goes quickly. “She’s like the personification of light.”

After hearing Artis’ sentiments, Cleon sympathizes and says, ‘It’s just as she said.’

“When she was still in her kingdom, she helped her with her work. She was a letter that arrived at the royal palace from a small village on the outskirts of the kingdom, and the residents were suffering from high fever due to the curse of the Swamp Witch. According to the witch, there was testimony that it was a punishment for villagers who failed to fulfill an ‘ancient contract’, so we archaeologists tried to find out what that ancient contract was – but the curse disappeared the next day.”

＂Hehe… Then you found out what that ancient contract was and made it fulfill it?’

When Cleon responds like that after hearing Attis’ words, she shakes her head from side to side and laughs as if she is dumbfounded even thinking about it now, and then she answers.

“No. Selena flew there alone without listening to our analysis results and used light magic on the swamp to dry up the water. As a result, the witch came out of hiding, and she literally captured the witch and dragged her to her palace to be interrogated by archaeologists. He said he couldn’t communicate because he was using an ancient language.”

＂…＂

＂What is that ignorant method?＂

Lila responded as if she was dumbfounded, but Artis nodded her head in sympathy.

“Well, I’m glad we brought him back instead of killing him. If the witch had been killed, not only would the curse be lifted, but all the villagers would have been wiped out. We were a little fed up with her risky way of handling things, but in the end, what would have taken us a week to interpret the contract was resolved in one day. It was dangerous in many ways to say ‘the results are good, so there are no problems’.”

“If it were me, I would never entrust work to that guy again…”

“Well, well… First, this is an episode where you can see that he is basically a good person.”

Hearing Lila and Amelia’s answers, Cleon also sighs.

As a characteristic of her magic, she is like light.

Light is definitely an indispensable entity for people, and as Selena said, it is an entity that brightens everyone.

But at the same time, the nature of light is to move quickly – and in a ‘straight line’ unless it hits something.

She is a person who has the steering skills to not deviate from the track while sitting on a runaway locomotive without brakes.

Of course, it would be fortunate if that fluke could always produce the right result.

“We need to see what he talks about when he meets Enlai. I don’t suspect betrayal, but Enlai is a formidable man. You can lure her and make her work go in the direction she wants.”

“I think that’s a yes. Because there is nothing more disgusting in this eastern country than what that raccoon toad-like old man is planning behind the scenes.”

After Attis answered, she said to Cleon, “More than that.”

“Babel. Did you say that? A revolutionary organization in the kingdom.”

“Ah. What Diora said.”

Cleon nods his head to Attis’ question.

“Wait a minute, are you planning on saying that in front of Amelia?”

Lila glared at Artis as if she was being insensitive, but Amelia shook her head and spoke to Lila.

“No. I was worried too. I’ve never heard of the name Babel… If there was such an organization, Aurelia would definitely know about it…”

“Still, if you say you’re aiming to overthrow the throne, you might be hostile to the royal family, right?”

When Lila speaks so worriedly, Artis shrugs her shoulders and answers her.

＂Well… If the current king – Lucius, comes down from the throne, it will be the same as a wall protecting Adam disappearing. First, isn’t it a bit unfair to call him Amelia’s ‘enemy’?”

＂In order to judge such a thing, we would need at least a little more information. Please tell me, Artis.”

Come to think of it – she remembered that a little while ago, when she was trying to ask her something, Laila’s familiar appeared and interrupted her, so she couldn’t ask properly.

Well, she didn’t seem like she would give an answer even if she asked, so the result itself may not have changed.

Artis said, “Hmm,” And he made a short, interested voice and then opened his mouth again.

“Does Cleon know what the word Babel means?”

“No. Does Artis know?”

Probably an ancient language.

Because it was the first time I heard the word, I didn’t know its meaning, but it was also a word that made my heart flutter.

“The word Babel is a word that existed in ancient times, probably from the primordial world. If translated literally, it has a grand meaning, ‘Gate of God’. The meaning it usually uses will be different. In the records, it was used as a word to refer to a specific group.”

＂A specific organization?＂

Artis nods to Laila’s question.

“Okay. It is an organization whose purpose is to erase the Holy Sword and Heroes from the world.”

At her words, the other three people gathered in the living room could not help but widen their eyes in surprise.

The Holy Sword and the Warrior are two of the three elements that make up the Church of the Guardianship of the Saint, the most powerful religion on this continent.

In fact, the reason why the power of the church was able to spread widely across the continent was because the powerful force of the warrior and the holy sword was an element that strengthened human influence in this world.

“If you just listen to the story, it’s like the devil.”

“I guess it’s the Demon Lord…? Of the primordial world.”

Cleon and Amelia express similar sentiments.

Then, Artis also responds to the words of those two people by saying, ‘I wonder what it would be like’, as if his words were slurred.

“It is not clear for what purpose Babel was trying to destroy the ‘Holy Sword’ and ‘Hero’. But… In the original world, those two were weapons of war. Maybe it was an organization that wanted ‘peace’.”

“Those who want peace will not try to exterminate anyone.”

＂That too.＂

Artis nodded his head at Cleon’s point, then put down the tool he was holding and looked back at the others.

“Well, this is still a story from the original world. I don’t know if it’s an organization that inherited the same idea in the world of succession we live in now – or if they just happen to have the same name. However-“

She took out a lollipop she had kept in her pocket, opened the wrapper, and put it in her mouth.

In lieu of a cigarette, she rolled her head as she continued to talk and wondered if she was craving something sweet.

“Right now, the royal capital is using the authority of a warrior. This is especially true because Lucius won the war against the Empire with the help of Hero Resia. Along with the church, the one who is currently protecting the heroes on the continent the most is Lucius Chaldearis. The story of Amelia’s father. “

“Then, does that mean that they may be aiming to overthrow the throne in order to eliminate the Holy Sword and the Hero?”

When Cleon guessed that, Amelia shook her head while squeezing both of her hands.

＂That… Can’t be done. Right now, on this continent, there are definitely a lot of people who need the holy sword and the power of the warriors.”

“What. I agree with that too. No matter how many continents the empire has disappeared from, monsters have not disappeared, and you never know when and where war may break out. Moreover, the reality is that at the back of the world, there is a guy who has come to manipulate this continent as he pleases. Maybe it was the original world that was a tool of war, but there seems to be no reason for both of them to disappear now.”

Artis nodded, affirming Amelia’s words.

＂Quon and Cleon also have holy swords… Aren’t they possibly Babel’s enemies?＂

“Diora is expected to be in a cooperative relationship with Babel, and it seemed like they investigated me in many ways. So, you probably know that I have a holy sword. However, he didn’t show any hostility toward us… So maybe it’s different.”

Diora’s greatest feelings about him were her curiosity, and behind it was a crush on her whose basis was unknown.

I didn’t feel like I was alive – but I would say it was a bit of an eerie feeling that I sometimes felt if I asked the wrong question.

＂Right now, we have too little information. If you want to find out more… Since it is a kingdom organization, it would be okay to get help from an information engineer.”

＂Are you asking Iona…＂

Although she is now retired, she still maintains her acquaintance with intelligence technicians.

Of course, if there is a way to contact you, it is a bit difficult.

“Can’t you just ask Diora directly?”

“No, she didn’t seem to want to talk about him.”

At Cleon’s answer, Artis nodded and looked interested for a moment, then picked up the tool he had left down.

“What. There might be something you don’t want to say. Especially if it’s an organization like that. If it’s not something you need to know right away, you can take your time.”

Cleon and Lila fell silent as they saw Artis humming as he added, ‘The leisure of an adult.’

She certainly had a point, but she couldn’t relate to the last word.

She is not like any other guy, and as far as I can tell, she has the ‘comfort of an adult’.

001

As the sun sets halfway beyond the horizon, the sky begins to blend into orange and navy blue.

Cleon felt a huge magical response that suddenly appeared in front of the mansion and stood up.

＂It has arrived.＂

“That’s right. Then…”

At Cleon’s words, Galatea, who had been enjoying Cleon’s touch with her head lying on his lap, stood up, changed her form into a sword, and flew to Cleon’s waist.

However, its size is about the size of a dagger, which is smaller than usual.

“Are you going to disguise yourself anyway?”

“Well, that’s true, but… I told Caliburn to protect Bourbon with Sasha in place of Amelia, who can’t go outside. Let’s go together today.”

As Cleon said this, he placed his hand on his chest, and the dragon ring on his finger began to glow, and his appearance took on the appearance of a young boy, as if he had been rewound 10 years backwards.

[Oh. Aren’t you going to look like a girl?]

“I don’t do that anymore…”

Cleon shakes his head with a look of disgust, leaves his room, and heads toward the entrance.

And when you open the door – Diora is standing there with a smile on her face, looking down.

“Oh my Cleon. It’s not a girl, but she looks really cute~”

“Be quiet… You…”

As Cleon does so, he unknowingly takes a look at the clothes Diora is wearing.

She wasn’t the girl with the suspicious long coat and sunglasses she wore during the day-

Just like Riomes seen during the day, she was wearing a bright red dress with a proper Oriental style, revealing her voluptuous body that was hidden under her coat.

“It seems like we’re meeting at a high-end restaurant, so I don’t think I’ll be able to go in dressed like that during the day. Does it suit you?”

As I said that and turned around on the spot, Cleon nodded his head obediently.

We actually hung out together.

“Ah. It suits you. It would be much more attractive if it didn’t show that perverted look during the day.’

＂Ahaha☆ Naturally saying harsh words☆＂

I didn’t think it was that bad at all.

Cleon looks at Diora, who doesn’t seem to be reflecting, sighs, and leaves the front door.

When the door closes with a squeak, she shouts energetically, ‘Okay, let’s go!’ And holds out one of her hands to Cleon.

“Now, let me guide you.”

“Is there a need to hold hands?”

＂Is it okay not to fall? And wouldn’t it be safer for me to look as friendly as possible?”

＂…＂

Cleon held her hand as if there was nothing he could do, thinking that if two people with a large age difference in appearance held her hand and moved, this time she might be seen as a shotacon rather than a lolicon.

＂Is this it?＂

＂Great! Oh, that’s right. When you arrive at the store. Let Cleon be my younger brother.”

＂Ugh…!＂

A wave of rejection surging from the body.

Of course, it would be true that that side could go in without being suspected.

However, knowing Diora’s true nature, she had an instinctive feeling of rejection and could not help it.

Still, Cleon suppressed it and answered that he understood by shaking her head vertically.

Diora smiles as she looks at Cleon and raises the arm that is not holding his hand.

＂Alright, let’s go! The place I’m going to is… Jinmidang!”