There Is No Place For Fakes

The next day, in the Emperor’s office.

After dinner yesterday, Count Paul entered the office after completing an investigation into the matter ordered by the Emperor.

“As a result of checking the site, the story that Miss Philomel was detained at the police station was true.”

Crack

The armrest that the Emperor was clutching shattered. Count Pollan continued his report with more tension.

“However, we could not find out the details of what happened at the time. I apologize.”

“Why?”

“It is said that none of those who were at the police station at that time have remained in Angelium to this day. The prisoners who were detained together have all gone missing, and all the police officers are said to have left the city after abruptly resigning.”

“…Avrydon’s kid must have interfered.”

Eustis said in a low voice.

“Come to think of it, I heard that Duke Avrydon had hurriedly returned from Angelium, met Miss Philomel, and left the capital the same day. If he had used his resources, I think that would make sense.”

“That arrogant bastard. How dare he hide things about my daughter from me and have it his own way?”

“Would you like to bring the Duke in and reprimand him?”

Count Pollan asked cautiously.

“…No, for now. He is Philomel’s fiancée.”

After a moment of hesitation, Eustis waved his hand in refusal. Seeing this, Count Pollan let out a sigh of relief. There’d nothing good come out if the Emperor had a conflict with the best public servant in the Empire. 

The Emperor may overlook the young Duke’s actions but not the others involved.

“But one person is enough to show mercy to. Track those who have disappeared. If they are still alive, kill every one of them.”

“I will take your order.”

Count Pollan, taking his order, brought up another story.

“There is one more thing that I and Your Majesty should know about.”

“What?”

“Now Sir Humphrey is waiting here to report directly to His Majesty.”

“Tell him to enter.”

Soon, Humphrey, the highest-ranking court mage, stepped in. He was an outstanding mage who entered the palace just a few years ago, rose through the ranks and even received a title.

After bowing to the Emperor, Humphrey opened his mouth.

“This is a matter concerning the two new court Mages.”

“Is there a problem?”

The Emperor’s eyebrows furrowed when only the new court mages were mentioned.

“It may not be a problem, but it bothers me that they are both children of the Dawn.”

“Children of the Dawn?”

Children of the Dawn. It was a name that referred to an experiment in the past and the children born as a result of it.

Eustis knocked on the desk and reminisced about his past.

“Children of the Dawn… A grandiose name was attached to the madness of a mad Mage.”

It was a secret experiment in its own way at the Mage’s Tower, but the scale was large and there were many people involved, so it couldn’t be completely hidden. Countries, including Belerov, were keenly aware of the results of the experiment. It was a natural procedure, as he did not know that a great power might be born in large quantities. It was an experiment as fascinating as it was dangerous. What if the power that was uncontrollable until now falls into their hands? Each one was swollen with desire and salivated.

Humphrey spoke cautiously.

“Three children were born as a result of the experiment. One is extremely reluctant to show up, so I don’t know, but I know for sure about the other two.”

The expression of Count Pollan, who was listening by his side, suddenly became serious.

“Your Majesty, shall we arrest the recruit right now?”

Eustis stared at Humphrey without answering.

“Did you ask them why they became court mages?”

“I asked, but they only replied that it was for personal reasons.”

“Were the two of them suspicious?”

“No. I kept watching, but there was nothing unusual.”

“Then there’s no reason to arrest them. Just keep them under surveillance.”

“But they might be up to something!”

Count Pollan exclaimed sharply.

“Polan, if you get entangled with the mage Tower and the children of the Dawn, you’ll only get annoyed. Report it then…”

Eustis smiled arrogantly.

“Even if they have other intentions, do you think they are as dangerous to me as their nails?”

“But…”

“If their father came directly, the story might be a little different. But he’s not the kind of person who would do such troublesome tricks. I wonder if he’d come in openly.”

“…All right.”

Eventually, Humphrey returned with only orders to watch over the two brothers.

Count Polan spoke to the Emperor as he went back to carry out the mandate he had been given. For some reason, the Emperor was making a face that was not refreshing.

“Your Majesty, is there anything that worries you?”

“…no. No. It must be my delusion. Go.”

Count Pollan was puzzled and withdrew.

* * *

Lexion arrived at the promised place after the time he specified.

Jeremiah sighed.

“You’re late.”

“Sorry.I was being watched like a hawk.”

“Did they notice?”

“It’s not like I went in under a pseudonym, so there’s nothing I can do about it. Well, even if we had come in disguise anyway, we would have been caught right away. The intelligence power of this country is not to be underestimated.”

Jeremiah sighed.

“Cold down well with Cardin. If you leave him alone, he might be under surveillance for the rest of his life.”

“I’ve been careful. With Le Guin’s help, it’s easy to evade Cardin’s surveillance.”

“Why do I have to go through such hardships…”

Jeremiah clicked his tongue.

“To take Phil. Didn’t you stay because of that?” Lexion continued with a non-trivial tone.

“Her existence has not yet been exposed. Please we need to  convince the child as quickly as possible…”

“…Even if it’s persuasion, how are we supposed to do that?”

“The surest way is to change the mage tower into a place that Phil will be attracted to.”

“How?”

“It’s simple. Just bring Phil’s favorite things to the Mage Tower.”

“What does she like?”

Jeremiah muttered and asked.

“That’s for you and Le Guin to figure out. If you can’t figure that out while sticking by Phil, what are you even doing?”

Lexion narrowed his eyes.

“Think about it. You may have already figured it out.”

“There’s no such thing as that…!”

“I heard that the two of you went to the central square last time too.”

Jeremiah, who was going through his memories, brought it up.

“She likes sweets from a confectionery shop called Cresion.”

“Cresion is a bit difficult. Since it’s a place with such a high reputation, the owner wouldn’t want to come to the Magic Tower. Should I try to blackmail them?”

“…And the apple pie I ate at the crumbling confectionery store was also delicious.”

Jeremiah remembered Philomel’s flushed face, she showed after she ate the apple pie.

“That wouldn’t be difficult. I’ll do the casting.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Wouldn’t it be tempting to move to the Mage Tower if you offer very good conditions?”

Lexion was confident. But the news he brought the next day didn’t.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been there, but the owner’s family has already disappeared.”

Jeremiah narrowed his brows.

“Where?”

“I left in a hurry since I had a limited period of time where I could disappear without no one noticing. The <Rainbow cookie shop> was also closed.”

“It was in vain.”

“I can’t be. But where did they go?”

Their doubts were soon resolved. The correct answer was on the breakfast table Philomel received.

“Jeremiah, look.” This apple pie was made by the owner of the place we ate at.”

“What? Is he here?”

“According to the maid who gave me the news, he was suddenly hired as a special employee by the imperial palace.”

It was not nice to lose a card. The Emperor used his hand first. Philomel was completely unaware of the squabbles going on under the water because of her magnetism.

“Maybe it’s because of me. I once talked about apple pie in front of Ellencia, and she said she wanted to eat it. So I guess His Majesty gave such an order.”

Jeremiah decided not to give the details to her naive little sister. It was to their advantage that Philomel did not know.

“Anyway, it’s nice to have this apple pie here. Now that he’s working in the imperial palace, it’s good for the owner.”

Philomel pushed a spoonful of the pie in her mouth, she made a very happy face as she savored it.