After seeing what Wills had shown him, a pensive Lord El-Melloi II followed him back to the hall, where he found an unfamiliar gentleman conversing with his adopted sister and his students.
"Who is he?"
"That's Kairi Sisigou, a necromancer and a mercenary. He was a friend of my father's," Wills explained from beside him.
"We discovered a passage leading to the catacombs, and this gentleman emerged from it," Gray hurriedly added, noticing Lord El-Melloi II's arrival.
"He's quite a famous figure in our Choreography Room, you know," Hishiri Adashino, who had appeared on the staircase at some point, addressed Kairi Sisigou. "Mr. Sisigou, what were you doing in the catacombs?"
"I was paying my respects," Kairi Sisigou replied, looking up at her.
"But you showed up in the catacombs first?"
"That passage leads directly to the foot of the mountain. With this storm raging, taking the catacombs was the safer route to the manor. Though I must say, the lightning this time is unusually violent for some reason."
Kairi Sisigou glanced towards the window at the howling wind and lashing rain. "It's even stirred up the restless dead in the catacombs below."
With that, he turned his attention back to Wills.
"Young Master Wills, is my usual room still available?"
"Of course, let me show you the way," Wills said, leading Kairi Sisigou towards his room.
"Well then, I'll be heading back to my room too, Brother," Reines announced. With a casual wave, she left Lord El-Melloi II standing there deep in thought and headed off.
Gray, who also intended to return to her room, took a few steps before noticing her roommate hadn't moved.
"You go on ahead, Gray," Aesc said, her gaze fixed on the window. "There's something I need to do."
"Huh? Alright," Gray replied, a little surprised, but she nodded obediently and continued towards their room.
After a brief glance at the pondering Lord El-Melloi II, Aesc summoned her staff and walked out of the manor.
'Next, I'll go check that 'gate' location. Something feels a bit off about it.'
'Might as well adjust the manor's bounded field while I'm at it. I'd prefer a restful night.'
After a while, a distracted Lord El-Melloi II also began heading towards his room, his mind occupied by the fairy he had just seen.
Following Wills alone, Lord El-Melloi II entered a study. Bookshelves lined the walls neatly, though for some reason, one shelf was missing a single volume.
"So, what was it you wanted to discuss privately?"
"Well, since the timing is right..." Wills opened a small bottle of powder and scattered it in front of Lord El-Melloi II.
"This is..." As the dust settled, the figure of a fairy in a long gown materialized before Lord El-Melloi II's eyes. "A fairy?"
"Indeed. She seems to be a fairy native to this land," Wills explained.
"Are those… Fairy Eyes?" Lord El-Melloi II asked, noting the faint purple glow in Wills's pupils.
"Yes. I was born with it. It's not particularly remarkable as Mystic Eyes go."
"Greetings, child of man," the fairy suddenly addressed Lord El-Melloi II.
"Wha?!" Lord El-Melloi II was startled, but Wills, who should have been more familiar with the situation, exclaimed in surprise first. "You can speak?"
"Yes. Normally, I would not choose to communicate with you all. However, I sense the presence of another fairy... no, something purer, something of a higher order."
The fairy placed a hand over her chest, looking at Wills with concern. "Her arrival has deepened the connection between the [realm of fairies] and this place. You must be careful."
"You..." Wills stared at the fairy, who was worrying over him, momentarily at a loss for words.
"I see," Lord El-Melloi II deduced, observing their interaction. "It's because of her that you were unwilling to hand over this workshop to anyone else. A man who can see fairies, captivated by them."
"Haha, you saw right through me," Wills admitted, scratching his head sheepishly.
Wills turned back, about to say something more to the fairy.
But at that moment, the fairy's figure flickered and vanished.
"Ah, she's gone..."
With the fairy's disappearance, tranquility returned to the study. And on the bookshelf that had been missing a volume, the absent book had been returned, though no one noticed when.
The Inner Sea of the Planet. The general feeling of the King of Knights. Fairies.
The identity of that lady [Aesc] was practically confirmed. Frankly, with the clues pointing this strongly, it would be strange not to have figured it out.
Having stayed in the hall to think, Lord El-Melloi II was late returning to his room. He stood before his door, still lost in thought.
"Brother, aren't you coming in~?" For some reason, Reines's voice came from inside his room.
"Why...?" Double-checking he hadn't mistaken the door, Lord El-Melloi II pushed it open. "Why are we sharing a room?!"
"I think now's a perfect time for some 'human crafting'. How about making a child with me?"
Watching Lord El-Melloi II fluster, Reines, who was peacefully nestled in the bed, flashed a mischievous, impish smile. "Or would you prefer Trimmau?"
Lord El-Melloi II nearly choked on air.
'Mm, a splendid reaction.'
"Coming?" Reines lifted a corner of the blanket in invitation.
"What are you planning, trying to mix my Magic Circuits into the bloodline?" Lord El-Melloi II glared at her. "I don't see any particular value in my Circuits."
"True enough," Reines agreed, closing her eyes and savoring the comfort of the bed. "Brother's Magic Circuits are trash. But I think your reputation could be put to good use."
"Don't be absurd," he retorted, snatching up a pillow and throwing it at her. "Go to sleep. Properly."
"Really, you have no sense of humor."
"Shut up!"
'This girl is truly wicked.'
'It's a good thing I don't usually live with her at the El-Melloi manor, or my stomach would never hold up.'
Lord El-Melloi II shot a glance at the now-quieted Reines.
"By the way, if you need help, you could always ask our Miss Ghost Liner for assistance."
"No need. I can handle this matter myself... Hm? You're already on such familiar terms?"
"Well~" Reines pulled the covers up higher, recalling how the Volumen Hydrargyrum had been thoroughly handled that night. "Though it did come at a bit of a cost."
"Since you're aware, be careful."
Having issued his warning, Lord El-Melloi II began reviewing the existing clues.
The thunder, the Mystic Eye, the catacombs, the fairy, Avalon...
Ah, I see. The secret of this workshop... I understand it completely now.
Aesc's arrival will likely accelerate the workshop's rampage.
Hmm...
"It seems we won't have time to rest after all. Get up."
"Eh?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.