Noel was lying on the sofa resting when the sound of knocking came from outside. Wendy immediately went to open the door as soon as she heard it.
"Sorry to disturb your rest," Sebastian said as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"It's fine. We're still on a mission, so if there's anything you need, just let me know," Noel replied naturally.
"In that case, it will be easier. My lord invites you for a private discussion in his study."
Sebastian leaned close to Noel's ear as he spoke.
Noel was genuinely surprised. The Duke Aurelius was inviting him into his study—this was the Duke's private study, and only the most esteemed guests were ever invited there.
Did the Duke have something important to discuss with him?
"I've conveyed the message, so now, Sir Noel, please proceed to the study for the discussion." After delivering the message, Sebastian turned to leave, as he still had preparations for that evening's banquet to attend to.
The study was located in the southeastern part of the estate. It would be more accurate to call it a small library rather than a study, and it was quite grand.
Noel himself was quite interested in the collection there. As an alchemist, his resistance to the lure of knowledge was nearly zero.
Seeing such a grand library, Noel's mood was easy to imagine—he was quite delighted.
He pushed open the door to find the shelves filled with books. Although it was much smaller than the library in Hargeon, for a private library, it was already quite large.
Noel walked for quite a while before noticing a sign that read "Reception Room." It seemed this was the place.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in," came the Duke's voice. He was flipping through some documents, jotting down notes with a quill pen.
"Sir Noel, welcome to my study. Please, don't be formal—treat this as your own home," the Duke greeted warmly.
Noel felt it was uncomfortable to stand while the other was seated, so he found a chair and sat down.
He felt that they were equals in this conversation, and it would be strange for one to stand while the other sat.
"Duke, what is it you wanted to discuss with me in your study?" Noel asked directly.
"I wanted to thank you for what you've done for my wife's illness. But, Sir Noel, how did you come to know of that particular formula?"
"Would it be possible for you to share that with me? Of course, I won't let you go unrewarded. I will compensate you properly."
The Duke had moved the conversation immediately to business. Noel could sense that even if the Duke had not been raised among the nobility, he would have made an excellent businessman.
"That is related to my master, as you know," Noel replied vaguely, not wanting to reveal too much about the formula.
"Then I was presumptuous." The Duke apologized.
"But Duke, I doubt you called me here just to discuss the formula, correct? If I'm not mistaken, there must be something else you wish to discuss."
Noel knew well that wealthy nobles never sought help from others unless there was something significant involved.
They had wealth, power, and armies—enough to handle any trivial matters themselves.
"You're right. There is indeed something else I wish to discuss."
The Duke hesitated.
"Let me guess," Noel paused, "you wish to discuss the matter of the curse?"
"Speaking with intelligent people is truly efficient. I hadn't even said it, and you've already guessed."
The Duke was growing increasingly fond of this young man before him, who, despite his youth, was clearly very perceptive.
"It's an honor to receive your praise, Duke." Noel replied courteously.
"But since you've called me here, it surely won't be a simple matter."
Noel felt a sense of fatigue. This was undoubtedly going to be a troublesome matter, but building a good relationship with this rising noble could be helpful for him in the future.
"To tell you the truth, I have offended a curse user."
A curse user was a shadowy profession, and precisely because they worked in the dark, they were particularly terrifying—often able to kill without leaving a trace.
"So, do you have any information on him?" Noel asked instinctively.
"I know his name," the Duke said calmly.
"His name is Husky."
Noel sucked in a sharp breath. The curse user was Husky. Husky was a notorious curse user whose legends were still spoken of.
It was said that Husky had destroyed an entire city and was still at large.
Once he targeted someone, no one had ever survived longer than a year.
The methods of a curse user were endlessly varied, and even S-Class mages could fall victim to them.
"What is it you want me to do?" Noel asked, not wanting to face Husky.
He needed to clarify the Duke's intentions. Frankly, Noel had no desire to deal with a curse user.
"You misunderstand. You know there's a banquet tonight, correct? I fear that Husky may try to sneak in among the guests," the Duke explained his concern.
"So you want me to act as your guard, but I have no intention of doing that." Noel declined tactfully.
"It's not that I want you to be my guard; I have Sebastian for that. I merely want you to keep an eye out during the banquet—as a sort of informal protector," the Duke quickly explained.
"I see. I accept this task." Noel agreed.
He had always suspected that Sebastian was no ordinary servant. Now it seemed Sebastian was indeed highly skilled, or else the Duke would not be so confident.
"I'm curious, though. How was your wife cursed in the first place? After all, curses require a medium to be enacted."
The Duke clearly did not wish to answer, but since Noel had asked, he felt he could not refuse.
"It started during a noblewomen's tea party. My wife was perfectly fine while she was there, but after returning home, her mental state began to deteriorate," the Duke recalled.
"That's quite a broad timeframe, but it may have been done by someone who was familiar with your wife's habits," Noel speculated.
"That may be so, but my wife's attendance at these tea gatherings is routine. Anyone could find out with a little inquiry," the Duke quickly pointed out.
That poured cold water on Noel's deduction. It meant that virtually anyone could have done it.
"So the curse was placed during that time, but do you recall anything else?"
"Oh, right, someone did report to me that my wife appeared to have been scratched by something like a hidden weapon," the Duke suddenly remembered.
"That explains it then. The curse must have been attached to the weapon," Noel speculated. That was the only logical explanation.
"What a vile and twisted person," Noel muttered.
"Please, Sir Noel, I ask for your help. Of course, I will pay you for your assistance." The Duke pleaded.
"I accept this mission."
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