Chapter 83

"As expected," Kalcion just nodded, not surprised. The order of invitations laid out on the desk was exactly like what they expected. "It has become clear that Juna has an informant in the house of Count Hice. She may have a connection to someone above her through the house."

"That's more likely."

In the meantime, Kalcion had also completed an investigation on Count Hice.

House of Count Hice, like Renbird, had unique mines. It was only after the investigation that it was discovered that many of the jewels on the market came from the Hice family. If the jewels produced by Renbird begin to be released on the market, Count Hice will be hit inevitably. Whether it was to look for a new way or stop the production of Renbird, he had no choice but to move.

One more thing to add was that Rosalyn's family was at the forefront of the export trade network. Whether it meant aiming for overseas export or stopping Renbird, it was natural for Lirel to stick with Rosalyn as her family held the distribution network.

"It's probably Rosalyn, right?"

"Possible."

It was clear that Lirel was currently Rosalyn's rattle. Otherwise, there would've been no reason for Lirel to invite Selena, whom she had argued with.

"Then, I'll have to write back to the family that I'll be participating. I'll have to write by myself, right?"

"As it should be. Sit here and write," Kalcion handed over his seat and pen to her. She dipped the pen in ink and went to write a reply.

".....Oh. Do you have a paper I could practice on?"

"Practice?"

"Well, it's my first time writing, so I'm a little nervous."

".....Ah."

There were often times when she read letters, but she didn't have to write them. She never helped with administrative work, nor did she have to deliver a note to Kalcion.

".....It works in writing too, right?"

"If it doesn't work, I'll write a script for you. You don't have to worry, do you?"

"No."

"Just practice on that letter. The paper is going to be discarded anyway."

Grabbing the pen, she stroked the bracelet she always wore. It was like a part of her now. The person who made this was a mage from another world. It really did help her interpret this world's language.

Selena wrote down the words that came to her mind as a test.

'Kalcion.'

Her hand moved smoothly. Unfamiliar letters were written in a handwriting similar to Selena's original handwriting.

"It's working."

After her pen stopped, Kalcion lifted the paper and looked at the writing.

The first trace that Selena made in this world. And it happened to be Kalcion's name.

Was it okay for someone who would return to her original world someday to leave such a deep trace? Her writing seemed to be exceptionally deeply engraved.

"I've checked that it's writing well, so let me write back. Oh, give me that paper. I'm going to wipe the ink residue there."

"Wipe it on some other paper."

"Why? That paper-"

"You dare dispose of my name as garbage?"

"No, what- then, do you want to keep it as an heirloom?"

Without answering Selena's outrageous question, Kalcion moved the paper to his other hand. He didn't seem to have any intention of giving the paper back.

"Okay, okay. Do whatever you want."

It was just a piece of paper with one letter of his name on it. Selena didn't insist on anything that was insignificant. Instead, she fell into agony as she placed a new paper before her.

"Hmm..... What to write? First, thank you for the invitation."

She had difficulty in the first sentence, but the reply was completed in no time as she carried on. Kalcion was also watching to see if she required anything to add.

Admiring the letters, Selena read aloud once she was finished writing.

"The person who made this bracelet is really amazing. It feels like it knows what I want to write."

"It's possible that they were such a genius."

"Does it necessarily translate to this country's language? If it works in a different language system, I want to take it back with me."

"......You're taking it back?"

Kalcion forgot to breathe for a moment.

"No, I'm not saying I will take it. Why are you so stunned? I won't take it! You told me this was a very important treasure. After I go back, someone from another dimension might need it, how can I take this?"

Selena chuckled as she fiddled with her bracelet.

"After going back....."

"That's why I won't take it!"

Selena was only talking about the bracelet. However, Kalcion's mind was spinning on a different topic.

'Selena is going back.......'

He felt suffocated, just like when he thought about her death.

Sending her back to her home was a condition he had guaranteed himself. But he had never taken the time to seriously think about it.

Selena's return to her homeworld—like her death—was a concept without even a distant future, which had a possibility of happening someday.

Blinded by his immediate anger and determination of catching the true culprit made him sign a contract with Selena without giving him much time to think. If Selena found the criminal and their contract ended, she would have to go and look at the mage's research.

Back then, Selena's return simply meant 'end of the operation.' Just how troops return to their respective homes after the battle.

But now, Kalcion felt that her return was a 'parting.'

A dull shock hit his head.

Even with the news of the death of the former Ducal couple, Kalcion's first thought was 'change of location' and 'possibility of rebellion.' Parting was never sad or unfortunate for him.

Then, as he thought of his parting with Selena, he felt a burning sense of impatience. For some reason, Selena's vacancy seemed to be affecting him greatly, and he had a foreboding that this sense of loss would follow him for a long time.

Kalcion himself could not figure out why he felt that way.

"Now that we've caught their tail, won't we be able to find out what's behind if we carry on like this?"

"Right," Kalcion couldn't afford to give a clear answer because of his chaotic mind. He couldn't even tell if it was his head or his chest.

"Why aren't you responding?"

Selena put down the paper and looked at Kalcion.

"First of all, that reaction wasn't like the person who wanted to catch the criminal by grinding his teeth. I thought you'd laugh with a fierce glare in your eyes that you found at least one to kill."

She was right. It was supposed to be like that. When he rescued Selena in the Sigand Mountains, Kalcion was filled with revenge.

The opportunity was approaching for him to slay the one who dared to kill a person inside his mansion and who also despised him. He had to feel the same exhilarating joy as he did while slaying a beast that fled leaving permanent scars on three of his knights.

At some point, however, the joy began to falter.

He was getting closer to the truth of the incident step by step, but he was indifferent. He didn't feel obligated to find out. Rather, his patience was shaken when Selena risked herself for gathering information.

That was unexpected. He still did not know what to name the aberration, but he was certain that it was a dangerous thing that shook his own foundation.

"It can be rather uncomfortable to find out the real reason. Because if you proceed without knowing, you might have to see the filthiest part with your eyes."

Selena smiled bitterly as if she understood, comforting Kalcion.

No. It wasn't like that. She had seen filth. Now she would not be hurt if she saw one or two more.

"Have you thought about what to do after everything is revealed?"

".....No, not yet."

"Oh. Just in case, my role is to reveal it. It's not my job to collect evidence or to gather testimonies, so don't make me do it."

"You don't have to do that."

Selena stood up from the desk and leaned her face close toward him. At that moment, Kalcion, who was staring blankly at the corner of the desk, came to his senses and looked up at her.

"What?"

"You look so dazed. Did you not sleep last night? No, you're not someone who doesn't sleep well. What are you worried about?"

Kalcion, again, was at a loss of words.

Selena's eyes looking at him were exceptionally clear. He lost himself in those black eyes that illuminated everything like it was obsidian.

He hurriedly fixed his expression.

"I was contemplating what I should do with it. What would you do?"

"Well. I don't think I would have even thought of digging into the case from the beginning. Isn't the Duke thinking about how he could kill them?"

"Why do you think I'm going to kill them?"

"Just? The specialty of the Northern Duke?"

Kalcion shook his head.

"I need to revamp the image of the Northern Duke."

"Oh, so you're not going to kill them?"

Of course he would kill them.