【”Say, Harold, aren’t they…”】
【”Their traits correspond to the people that you two have been looking for.”】
【”Well, that was easy…”】
【”……”】
【”Ah, elder brother. Great timing, I need your…”】
【”Haroldー!”】
【”Lifa.”】
【”What?”】
【”Don’t tell them anything regarding how much time I have left to live.”】
【”…Okay.”】
【”What the hell are you doing here?”】
【”I was still tracking those guys from last time, but I couldn’t cross over the mountain because it’s a restricted area. So I directly came here to get the permission to go through there…”】
【That doesn’t sound too good. May I listen in as well?”】
【”Hmm, and you are…”】
【”My name is Itsuki. I’m the older brother of Erica over there. Also, just saying, but, I’m the second most important person in this household.”】
【”Then, does that mean you let us go through the mountain?”】
【”Let’s talk first and we’ll decide after. Now then, come with me.”】
【”Well, first of all, let’s start by introducing ourselves. I am Ituski Sumeragi. I am the next head of the Sumeragi household and I’ve been friends with Harold for ten years. “】
【”… I am Erica, Itsuki’s younger sister.”】
【”Also, she’s engaged to Harold.”】
【”I’m Harold Stokes.”】
【”I’m Lifa Goodridge. I came here to accompany Harold.”】
【”Accompany him?”】
【”I don’t really know about the details either. Except for the fact that he made me help to look for you people. “】
【”I am known as Francis J. Arkwright! I am an authentic prince, with the right to succeed to the crown!”】
【”You’re saying “the right to succeed” and all, but aren’t you the 37th in line for that?”】
【”Did you have to say that?!”】
Itsuki mercilessly threw a retort at Francis’ words. Like with Erica before, he did not fail to slip in some words that he did not have to say, and there was no mistaking that this was a premeditated crime. It wasn’t that he couldn’t read the atmosphere; rather, he read the atmosphere and then did this on purpose. That being said, only he knew the aim behind his actions, if there was any.
【”Well, after all, you wouldn’t succeed to the throne unless at least 37 catastrophes were to happen.”】
(That is actually gonna happen if things stay as they are….)
【”Then, you’re next.”】
Itsuki cut off Francis’ objections and turned the room’s attention towards Liner.
【”I am Liner Griffith! I guess I’m Harold’s friend, but he’s also my target, so that’s kind of…”】
【”You’ve picked one hard target to aim for.”】
【”It would probably be impossible for most people to catch up to this guy, no matter how much effort they put in.”】
【”I-I am Colette Ameller. I am Liner’s childhood friend, and, hmm…”】
【”I-I’m also Erica-sama’s friend…”】
(There is no way that’s true… probably… I think…)
【”…Long time no see, Colette-sama.”】
【”Oh, no need to add “sama” to my name! “Colette” alone is just fine!”】
【”How about Colette-san?”】
【”Y-yes! Please use that!”】
【”Guess I’ll go last. I’m Hugo Grafton. I’m an adventurer. As for why I’m with Liner and Colette… Well, things just worked out that way.”】
【”If you’re an adventurer, then you are aware of the dangers you’ll face if you enter a restricted area, correct?”】
【”Of course… But well, actually, I can’t really claim that I am.”】
【”Mhm, I guess you have your reasons. By the way, Harold. “】
【”…What?”】
【”Why were you looking for Liner and the others? It seems like you already know them, do you happen know what their situation actually is, too?”】
Itsuki’s keen insight was surprising in many ways, but in this particular case, most people would likely have figured things out by connecting the dots. The timing of the encounter was too good for it to be an accident, so Itsuki’s thoughts were reasonable.
【”Yeah, I do know.”】
【”And I’ll also show you people the most efficient solution to deal with that later. But say, Itsuki.”】
【”What is it?”】
【”About the miasma outbreak in your territory, what would you do if I tell you there is a way to put an end it for good?】
Anyway, hopefully everyone got their dose of Erica for now, I hope you’ll have a fantastic day, and I’ll see you next week
