38. A Man Must Be Strong to Be Charming

Ever since our group obtained clues about the recent “missing persons” and identified the possible “suspect,” my mind has been in turmoil.

Although I sensed that this was a “transaction” targeting ordinary citizens, much like the so-called “slave trade” in those clichéd scripts, which must have a mastermind behind it, I never expected that the name “Louis the Ninety-Ninth” would pop out of Adéle’s mouth!

This guy, bearing the name “Louis,” even if he’s just a nominal distant relative, still represents the Great Yīng Empire! I won’t forget what Louis the Ninety-Ninth has done before; he is indeed “in this line of work.” While this does explain the recent “missing persons” incidents involving the Austro-Hungarian tribe and the Prussian Kingdom, I still felt a surge of anger as I hurriedly explained to Adéle that “this person has nothing to do with our Great Yīng Empire,” clearing our suspicions before contacting the two big shots of the Great Yīng Empire.

What relieved me was that Louis the Ninety-Ninth’s actions were indeed not under the orders of the Moon Fairy Elisse, although that old hag still maintained her lofty attitude.

“Louis the Ninety-Ninth? O’Keefe, do you think I would waste my time remembering the identity and actions of such a person? However, I can tell you that I have no need for so-called ‘talents’ recently, so that human should just be borrowing an expired ‘banner,’ using it to intimidate others while conducting his own population trade. How you deal with it is up to you…”

The queen immediately squeezed next to the Moon Fairy, flashing me the sweetest smile in the image, while saying the most dangerous words.

“It’s fine even if you kill him directly~ I’ll arrange an accident to ensure your innocence~ Master~”

Your Majesty, could you please refrain from mixing personal motives when making suggestions? The elves behind me, who are creating a communication environment for us, are looking at me in a very strange way!

“In any case, the queen also completely doesn’t remember having instructed anyone to stretch their hands too far~ By the way, Kiefer, you stay a little longer to accompany the queen, Mr. O’Keefe can leave first. Please do not disturb the girls’ gathering~”

After a decisive word, I was just about to leave. After confirming that Louis the Ninety-Ninth’s appearance and actions were not under the queen or the Moon Fairy’s orders, I had some important matters to attend to. Louis the Ninety-Ninth was merely one party in this “transaction.” Since there is a buyer, there must be a seller. If the “seller” on the Austro-Hungarian side is that expelled great wizard, then there must also be a similar “seller” among the elves in the Prussian Kingdom.

Adéle would certainly not engage in such activities within her jurisdiction, so the identity of the other party, along with the troubled expression Adéle had when she learned of the clues, could only point to one possibility!

[Adéle is troubled by the issue of the old noble elves in the Prussian Kingdom selling elven residents.]

As expected, Adéle’s jurisdiction over the Prussian Kingdom is not omnipotent; the most difficult to deal with are those “elders” among the elves, akin to the old nobility. This must be giving Adéle quite a headache.

As this script clearly revealed

“Few spies in secret operations…”

“Exactly, but I wouldn’t recommend you get involved; it’s far more dangerous than going to the Austro-Hungarian tribes…”

Adéve was about to say something, but suddenly stopped mid-sentence, her gaze shifting toward the door in my direction.

[Adéve has spotted Euclid.]

“Mel, you should leave first.”

“Sure~”

The previously oppressive atmosphere in the room suddenly became delicate, especially when Sister Mel, as she walked out the door, patted my shoulder and flashed a meaningful smile that sent a chill down my spine.

“I’m counting on you, Adéve~”

Please don’t use such easily misinterpreted words, Miss Mel!

Though… you’re not entirely wrong; I did indeed want to be “counted on” by Adéve. After all, the reason I came here alone was precisely for this: having clearly identified the ‘culprit’ of this incident, I figured Adéve might be quite troubled, and I planned to proactively help her resolve it.

However, Adéve’s attitude suddenly became a bit strange at that moment. We had been happily investigating clues together, but now… after Adéve grasped more of the situation, she suddenly intended to leave us behind and handle it herself?

“Euclid? Just now, I was just chatting with Mel…”

Upon seeing me, Adéve’s reaction was much like what was scripted: [Adéve wants to conceal something.]

Does she find this matter “ugly”? Or does she not want us humans to get involved in the elves’ affairs, in the “issues” of the Prussian Kingdom? Regardless of what Adéve is thinking today, I must get this seemingly reserved elven girl to be a bit more candid. Thus, I had to adopt a firmer stance; after all, this matter pertains to the “main storyline,” and we don’t want to, nor can we, be absent.

“Is it because the ‘old nobility’ in your country is involved in the trade of elves, and you’re too embarrassed to tell me?”

I directly pierced through Adéve’s concealment; the script was already so clear, and at this point, Adéve couldn’t lie in front of me anymore.

“Ugh! This… this is…”

“Adéve, I can handle this.”

“But this is an internal matter of the Prussian Kingdom…”

“But this is also the result of our investigation from the very beginning. Not to mention, now there’s a person from the Great Yinf Empire involved; I need to deal with this fraud operating under the banner of the Great Yinf Empire.”

Seeing that Adéve seemed to hesitate and stall, I had no choice but to resort to the simplest, most straightforward, and effective method to deal with this elven girl.

I took a step forward, leaned over the table, and grabbed Adéve’s arm just as she was about to get up and flee. I sighed silently in my heart, then adopted an attitude as if I were holding some “private evidence” to threaten Adéve into submission.

“Though I don’t know what you’re hiding from us, planning to handle it yourself, still…”

“Let me take care of this; promise me, and there will definitely be benefits for you~”

After all, this matter is related to catching the attention of the insightful fairy Icarus, and if Adéve wants to secretly conceal the clues, could it be that…

Well, never mind; I can take my time guessing this little elven girl’s thoughts later. First, I need to get her to be a bit more open and accept my help.

What if she refuses? Heh heh…

“I truly want to help you resolve this, so please be obedient. Otherwise, don’t blame me for using other means, Your Highness Adéve~”