Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 252

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 252 – One Night Has Dawned

The mansion was unusually noisy the next morning.

People weren’t talking loudly, but there was a lot of coming and going, and the unsettled atmosphere was obvious.

“What should I do?”

As Ain thought about last night, Dill rushed over to him.

Ain was in his room, thinking to himself.

“A-Ain-sama! Are you all right!?”

“I-I’m fine, so please calm down.”

“I’m so sorry! I let the attack happen, and I wasn’t by your side. I don’t know how to apologize.”

It was unusual for him to ignore Ain like that.

As soon as he entered her room, he bowed his head and refused to show his face.

“…I told you, Dill, it wasn’t your fault.”

“No, it was my fault for taking a vacation like I did the other day…”

“Dill. That’s an order. Raise your head.”

Those close to Crown Prince Ain knew the aura he exuded.

It was as if Dill’s entire skin was being pulled upward, leaving him no choice but to look into Ain’s eyes.

“What you’re saying means that you cannot accept my orders.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I ordered you to return to the capital regularly. It was not meant to be a vacation but part of your duties.”

It was merely a convenient excuse.

Dill and Martha understood that well, but…

“But…”

“No buts. This was an order. So it’s not right for you to apologize, Dill. Now then…”

With that, Ain stood up from the sofa.

He faced the window and looked outside the mansion.

“Did my grandfather say anything?”

“…He said he would increase the number of royal knights.”

“I figured. I would have refused if he had told me he was sending Lloyd, though.”

He was there to protect King Sylvird.

First of all, if they were talking about Ain personally, he’s not really in any danger.

He was the Demon King and the World Tree—not just any World Tree.

He had awakened and was known as the World Tree of Gluttony.

Could anyone kill Ain now, even if he were completely off guard?

He considers it, but the answer is no.

“Lili? Are you there?”

“…What? Since when did you know I was here?”

“Since the beginning, you know. You came here with Dill, didn’t you?”

As he said that, Lili came in from outside.

Ain smiled, impressed by Lili’s keen hearing.

“I wonder what Warren’s secret agent is up to.”

“…You know that much? As always, you’re very observant, Ain-sama.”

Lili approached him with a look of regret.

“We began our investigation here in Strohm today. However, the situation is not looking good.”

“Not looking good?”

“Yes… It’s difficult to explain, but we haven’t found any evidence of a hideout or secret meetings.”

Ain looked away from the window and stared at Lili with wide eyes.

He scratched his temple, then rubbed the side of his head with his whole hand.

“I’m sorry. I wish I had heard wrong, but have any of you found any clues?”

“I-It’s only been half a day. We don’t know what will happen from now on…”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m not angry; I just can’t believe it.”

Lili was flustered, and Ain, equally panicked, denied it.

Rather than question her, Ain wanted to reassure her.

“Even you guys couldn’t figure it out in half a day. I’m just surprised by that.”

Maybe I need to change my mindset, Ain thought.

Perhaps he should be more cautious.

(I thought it was just a petty criminal organization.)

This perception was not good enough.

Now that the situation could become more serious, he needed to be more cautious and put more effort into it.

“Did Warren say anything? Did he tell you to come back to the capital or something?”

“No, not really. It was more the opposite.”

“Huh, the opposite?”

Lili answered with a hesitant expression and waved her hand.

“He said to make sure we don’t let your power get out of control.”

“…Does he trust me or not?”

It’s Ain’s power that he trusts.

Maybe it’s Ain’s judgment that was not trusted.

“Wait, but doesn’t that mean I’m allowed to participate in the investigation?”

“U-um, well, this is what His Majesty said…”

When he heard what Lili said next, Ain hung his head in despair.

“He said, ‘If there is anyone who can stop him, then I will stop him myself.'”

“…Am I trusted or not?”

“I’m sure they do. It’s just that the details are a little difficult to answer.”

Hearing Dill’s unsatisfactory response, Ain felt slightly relieved.

Despite the mysterious incident, he felt slightly relieved.

Eventually, Ain picked up the sword he had placed on his desk and took the parchment with the order at the same time.

“Ain-sama, what’s that paper?”

“It’s an order. I was going to ask Marco to do it, but I was worried about something trivial.”

He had made up his mind. The reason was simple.

Ain had become capable of taking action, which had changed his mindset.

If he could issue orders and take action himself, then such trivial concerns were nothing to worry about. He could laugh them off.

◇ ◇ ◇

Lili left the mansion to do her work in town.

Ain and Dill stayed behind. However, Dill accompanied Ain to Marco’s room in the mansion.

“Marco, I need some time.”

“Y-Yes. What is it, Ain-sama?”

After returning to the mansion last night, they had exchanged information.

Ain told Marco how he had been attacked, what he had done, and what had been said.

After that, Marco said,

“…I have something on my mind. I’ll prepare some documents, and I’ll have an answer for you by tomorrow morning.”

He must have some knowledge about the group of men in robes.

Having someone like Marco, who had lived since ancient times, was also helpful when it came to the power of dragons.

The timing was perfect to visit Marco and receive the documents.

Marco seemed a little surprised by Ain’s sudden arrival.

However, he immediately bowed in submission.

“I have come to give you an official order, Marco.”

He took a rolled-up parchment from his robe, unfolded it, and read the contents aloud.

The order was about an investigation into a criminal organization.

After reading it, he announced that the order was given in his own name and handed the parchment to Marco.

“That’s all. Once you confirm it, you will be officially entrusted with this order.”

However, Marco’s expression was strange.

He trembled slightly and stared intently at the order, displaying an expression he had never shown before.

But Ain and Dill sensed it.

Without realizing it, something strange had begun to happen to his entire body.

“This is my personal opinion: Not everyone may agree with this value system.”

“…What’s wrong, Marco?”

“High-quality parchment. Words written in black ink. A seal made of melted gold. A smooth string. All of this is connected to the pride of a knight.”

Ain couldn’t understand what he meant.

The only one who understood was Dill, who was standing next to him.

It was a special order received from an important master.

Over time, it would accumulate to become a treasure, a testament to the knight’s life.

It was proof that his master trusted him, not just words.

Marco had told Krone about this before.

He had already decided who he would serve. However, before he could act on it, his master died.

For someone like him, receiving an order from his master must have been very special.

A moment of evolution was about to arrive, one that would greatly influence his spirit.

He was optimizing his body for the sake of the one he served. Even that was a form of loyalty.

“I humbly accept. I pledge to risk everything I have and live up to your proud expectations.”

The next moment, Marco’s transformation reached its peak.

A bright light shone from him and spread out around him.

What’s happening? The two stop in surprise and look at Marco.

“Marco! What’s wrong with your body…?”

The color and luster of his armor changed, and his body grew stronger and stronger.

It seemed as if his armor had grown slightly larger.

“This may have been a mental problem. I have now regained my former self.”

“…I’m sorry, what do you mean?”

“Fufu… To put it another way…”

Marco said.

In the most confident voice he had ever had, he answered, expressing his true intentions and his resolve to follow Ain completely.

“This is me at my peak, defending the Demon King’s Castle alone hundreds of years ago.”

“What sturdy armor you have, Marco-dono.”

“There’s no need to flatter me, Commander. This is simply a result of my mental weakness. I suppose I should be happy that I’ve finally become a leader and can use my power.”

The aura he gave off was almost the same as when Cain held back.

In other words, he was now overflowing with power.

Ain felt reassured but had one concern at the same time.

(Will I be able to win during training…?)

It was often said that Ain was stronger.

However, that is not the case when it comes to swordsmanship.

He was surprised to learn that Marco wasn’t at his peak. Marco probably didn’t intend to mention it, though.

He saw his inability to show his true strength as a sign of mental weakness and low self-esteem.

While it’s true that Ain’s order was a catalyst, Marco probably didn’t intend to talk about it.

Still, he felt reassured.

Ain nodded deeply, hoping that the incident would end soon.

“Well, then, please share any clues about the men from last night.”

Marco took the documents he had compiled and handed them over.

Shouldn’t this scene be more dramatic?

Ain and Dill, who were watching, smiled wryly.

Marco was loyal to his orders and embodied the qualities of a knight.

Ain took the documents and began to read through them.

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