Chapter 61
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Chapter 61 Curtis Rohan's eyes wavered aimlessly at those words. He quickly unfolded the note. If you truly cherish Vivian, do not allow that child to become entangled with Roper. For her safety, I trust you will keep this secret, Your Excellency. A threat disguised as something else. That was all the note contained.
"Did you apprehend the man who sent this note?"
"We immediately sent people to capture the man who delivered it, but he claimed he was merely passing along a message someone had asked him to deliver."
Curtis Rohan sighed and glared at the note as though it were Dias himself.
"This useless father of mine..."
It seemed the author of this note was determined to trouble his precious daughter even further. * * * I arrived at work ten minutes early today and opened the Study door with enthusiasm. No one had arrived at the Study yet. In the quiet Study, I began moving about busily on my own. 'First, I'll arrange the flowers I brought.' After placing the flowers I'd purchased on the way into a vase, I began tidying the Marquis's desk with practiced efficiency. 'The spectacles cloth goes here. The teacup goes there.' I organized the documents he'd been reviewing yesterday and secured them so they wouldn't scatter in the breeze. Next, I neatly arranged the Advisor's desk as well. Finally, once I drew open the curtains, my preparation work would be complete! Just as I was about to return to my own desk to organize it, I heard a soft tapping sound at the window. 'That sound...!' Beyond the closed window, I saw the Pink Bird tilting its head as it gazed at me. I opened the window to let the bird inside.
"Hello there, good morning."
The bird, which I'd grown familiar with by now, scurried over and lightly pecked at my finger. It was asking for food. I retrieved bird seed from the drawer and scattered it onto a dedicated dish.
"Enjoy your meal."
Just as I was watching the seeds diminish, the Study door opened and the Marquis and Advisor entered.
"Good morning to you both."
"Good morning."
"Oh, you changed the flowers? They smell wonderful."
The Advisor was the first to notice the change and acknowledge it. My shoulders lifted with satisfaction. After the two men surveyed the Study once, they began their work swiftly at the desks I'd organized. Only then did I begin reviewing the documents assigned to me at my own desk. My work was... 'Hmm, there were four robbery incidents yesterday as well.' Most of my work involved sorting through documents that came up from the Capital. Unlike the documents from various territories that often contained important matters from border regions or those near the Demon Realm, the documents from the Capital were of lower priority. Truly urgent matters were reported in person by those who came directly. The Marquis had decided that entrusting such weighty responsibility to me, a temporary Aide, would be burdensome. However, since the Capital's documents couldn't be classified by territorial characteristics, I had to read through each one individually and determine their priority. In that process, my own judgment came into play, which meant responsibility followed. Yet that responsibility, alongside the burden, also gave me a sense of fulfillment—that I was doing something meaningful for this nation. So today as well, I sorted through the documents with that sense of responsibility when one particular document caught my eye. 'What is this...?' 【Request for rapid reinforcement of District 8 Guard】 In truth, reinforcement requests were common, but this document had something peculiar about it. I quickly gathered several related documents and approached the Marquis.
"Your Excellency, I believe this document warrants further review."
"District 8 Guard reinforcement? I was under the impression we were already recruiting additional personnel."
"That's true, but I think we should accelerate the process."
I presented the related documents I'd found before the Marquis.
"Monsters have appeared in District 8 at weekly intervals, and there are reports of damage resulting from these appearances. However..."
"...The intervals are growing shorter."
Initially, they appeared roughly once every few months, which was normal. But about a month ago, they began appearing at weekly intervals.
"Since autumn is when monster activity increases, it could simply be coincidence, but there's a chance it could be a warning sign."
"..."
"We must identify and respond to damage the moment it occurs to prevent greater harm."
"However, the District 8 Guard is already operating at full capacity. With that personnel, they should be able to handle this without difficulty..."
The Marquis fell into thought. It seemed he was considering whether there might be manpower being wasted on the District 8 Guard's side. After a moment of contemplation, the Marquis suddenly posed an unexpected question.
"Then Vivian, would you go and investigate?"
"Yes? Investigate where?"
"The District 8 Guard."
As I blinked in confusion, the Marquis continued.
"An Aide becomes the eyes and ears of their superior as well."
"What do you mean by that...?"
"Go to the Guard in my stead and inspect it. Determine whether they truly lack personnel, or if there are idle hands."
Inspect the Guard?! At this unexpected proposal, my eyes widened in surprise.
"And if personnel truly are insufficient, it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to assist with Guard duties until we find reinforcements."
"Assist with Guard duties?"
"Given the insight and judgment you've shown in sorting through documents, it seems you've grown quite accustomed to your role as Aide."
"I still have so much to learn...."
"You said you wanted to learn various things. I think this is that opportunity. It's a chance for your spirit to demonstrate its power as well."
As I stood there dumbfounded by the sudden proposal. The Advisor suddenly interjected from behind.
"Wait, you're sending this girl to the Guard? Then who's going to prepare my fountain pen? What about my car?"
"Roper. Vivian isn't your maid."
"No, that's not really necessary.... Thanks to this girl filtering through the documents so neatly, my workload has decreased so much―" "Hmm. You were so particular on the surface, yet you've been evaluating Vivian's abilities quite highly?"
At the Marquis's words that struck the heart of the matter, the Advisor seemed flustered and quickly corrected himself, stammering.
"No, well... it's just that it's better than nothing, that sort of thing."
But I had already seen through his true feelings. 'I've known he was a good person since he taught me on the first day, though.' Charmed by his awkward demeanor, I couldn't help but burst into laughter. The Marquis, observing both the flustered Advisor and me with knowing eyes, asked again.
"So, what do you think, Vivian?"
I fell into serious contemplation. The Guard is an institution that handles all incidents and accidents within the Capital. 'If by any chance Father gets caught up in an accident, I'll be able to know first.' Much faster than finding out through the newspaper the next day. Since there's been no news from the Terrak Guild or the Duke yet, the probability of that is slim, and helping the Guard is only temporary after all....
"An advisor should naturally follow orders."
Still, I wanted to hold onto that slim possibility. * * * That afternoon. Before heading to the Guard, I stopped by a nearby bakery and bought a heap of cookies. To give them as encouragement to the Guard working hard for the Empire's security. Naturally, Lahedis accompanied me.
"Anyone seeing us would think we're going on a picnic." ...Finding fault with my plans. But whether Lahedis complained or not, I scoffed.
"It seems you don't understand, but this is all part of social etiquette."
"...Social etiquette?"
"Anything too expensive becomes a bribe, but snacks are more like a light greeting."
"I'm telling you in advance since you seem to have illusions, but that'll all be useless."
"We'll see about that."
There's no one who dislikes food! As always, we bickered as we arrived at the small building with the Empire's flag hanging from it. This was the District 8 Guard.
"Come on, let's go in! Lahedis."
I stepped into the building with an eager heart. But then....
"Straight? This bastard's bluffing again, isn't he? If you've got it, show your hand. Go on, show it."
"Ugh, shut up already. Whoever's losing, hurry up and lose, and go fetch more drinks."
Why was a scene from some social club unfolding before me...?
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