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IBP 61
“I have come because there is something I wish to ask regarding the spirit creature hunters.”
Duke Ardos was somewhat flustered, though he did not let it show openly.
“Is it true that Grand Duke Rivera is pursuing a spirit creature hunter?”
While he had spent time with Coco, things were still awkward with Chloe; to suddenly bring up a matter currently under secret investigation was unexpected.
“I do not know how you found out, but it is true that there have been reports recently regarding the killing of spirit beasts and the theft of supernatural abilities.”
Chloe’s expression darkened further.
If Duke Ardos also knew about it, then it wasn't that the information lacked credibility.
Could it be that Coco had truly been killed?
Chloe struggled to remain calm as she looked at Duke Ardos.
“I also heard that a spirit beast was killed near my annex.”
“......Ah.”
Duke Ardos wore a troubled expression, as if wondering how she knew.
Had Grand Duke Rivera told Duke Ardos as well?
Or perhaps Duke Ardos had verified that part himself.
‘If that’s the case, then truly.......’
Was Grand Duke Rivera’s word correct?
Chloe barely managed to clench her hands, which were trembling more than when she had entered the unknown darkness.
“I do not know if you are aware, but the fact that ability users have recently been desperate for Belief’s buff magic is related to this.”
“.......”
“There is a growing trend of ability users being killed suddenly and quietly, without any apparent cause.”
“Not losing their abilities because they went berserk, but suddenly losing them?”
“Yes. It is clear they were murdered....... But there is absolutely no evidence. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor personally requested that Grand Duke Rivera and I conduct an investigation. Since this is a matter being pursued covertly, keep it to yourself.”
Chloe looked at Duke Ardos and spoke.
“No. I wish to join this investigation.”
“That is impossible.”
Duke Ardos refused flatly.
This was a criminal case being conducted secretly under the Emperor's orders.
Only a tiny number of people whose abilities had been thoroughly verified could participate.
“I cannot let just anyone participate in the case simply because they are a direct blood relative of the family. You may leave.”
“I am well aware. However, my detection ability will surely be of help.”
“Yes, I know your ability is remarkable. Using your darkness would be quite helpful in capturing the spirit creature hunter. But, Chloe.”
“.......”
“You are on the verge of a berserk state. Your freedom of external activity is already restricted; how can I trust you enough to entrust this to you?”
Chloe looked at Duke Ardos with a desperate expression.
“......If my body becomes healthy again, will that be enough?”
* * *
I hummed a tune as I walked toward my sister's seaside mansion.
My plan was to walk over just as I had a few days ago, secretly heal my sister, and then return.
I even tucked wild grass into my hair and wore a dark green dress and shoes that blended in with the bushes!
‘Coco’s bush camouflage: complete!’
Everything was certainly perfect.
However, unlike her usual self, my sister was strangely standing in front of the mansion.
‘Usually, at this time, she sits by the window, drinks tea, and looks at the garden?’
I rolled my eyes around, scanning the surroundings.
“I came out for a walk!”
“......I didn’t even ask, but you’re acting very suspicious. Did you come out for a secret walk wearing those gloomy clothes?”
“Hup!”
“I saw you hiding here yesterday, secretly showering me with light.”
“Hup.”
“Until now, I thought you just had an ordinary affinity for animals, but looking closer, it was healing power.”
“Huuuup!”
As expected, my sister always went straight to the point.
I felt dizzy from the flood of words.
But!
“Thanks to you, regardless of the berserk state or whatever, my body feels completely great right now.”
“Huuuuup! You're the best!”
I beamed with joy at her following words, but my sister spoke with an incredulous expression.
“But why are you healing me in secret? Is it because your ability shouldn't be discovered?”
......That’s right.
But I thought it was okay if my sister found out. Still, how do I tell her to keep it a secret?
“W-well, you see.......”
“I appreciate it. If you healed me even though you have to hide it.”
With a look that suggested she wouldn't pry into my hidden circumstances, she brushed back my hair.
“Come inside for now. I have something to tell you.”
“Yesss.”
I gripped my sister's hand tightly.
As we entered the annex, she asked in a low voice.
“......By the way, you weren't actually planning to attack me, were you?”
“Absolutely not!”
For a moment, I felt so wronged that I bit my lip.
Once we entered the room, she sat me down next to her on the sofa and spoke.
“If your ability really is healing power, and if you can calm my berserk state.”
“Yes!”
“Can you help me? I mean, can you fix my body. So that....... I can use my abilities properly, and be healthy.”
I nodded my head vigorously, as if spinning my ears and tail.
My sister has regained her will to live!
She must want to go around casting dark magic properly now!
Excited, I started shaking my legs as if wagging my tail, then paused.
“Okay! I’ll help you. But I have a request.”
I couldn't miss this opportunity. After all, I'm a scheming puppy!
“......A request?”
“Yes! I have two requests.”
“What are they? Of course I'll grant them.”
“If you attend any social events during the social season, please take me with you!”
My sister had never mentioned moving during the social season.
So, my words might seem out of the blue.
But since I had seen her die in the future, I absolutely had to follow her everywhere.
“Young ladies who have not had their debutante cannot attend social season events.”
“There's the chaperon system! I can just stick close to a lady who has already debuted and go in with her!”
“What the—why are you so smart?”
......That's because I saw it in the future.
I played innocent and pretended to be incredibly intelligent. Then, my sister let out a sigh and said,
“No. Except for that one.”
“......If we don't go together, I won't do it!”
Actually, I would, but still.
‘I absolutely have to protect my sister!’
Baring my tiny teeth, I let out a bark like a wild dog.
“And I'll find another chaperon and follow you secretly.”
At that, my sister let out a deep sigh.
“You little troublemaker.”
The sister who went to the Imperial Palace without my permission and died on her own whim just to save me was the bigger troublemaker.
She pressed her fingers to her brow and whispered softly.
“Then, just this once.”
One day becomes two, and two becomes three!
“......What's the other one?”
“Umm, once your body becomes healthy enough to use mana, please use the heirloom Grand Duke Rivera gave you.”
“Ah.......”
My sister gave a small smirk.
“I guess I will. I'll try using it as soon as I get better.”
“Then, I'll start the healing now.”
I reached out my hand toward her.
“Look at this! This, you just do it like this!”
“Ah.......”
I looked at my sister with sparkling eyes.
The light ability twinkled at the tips of my fingers, embracing her.
“Ah, but wait a moment.”
She grabbed my wrist and whispered lowly.
“Is using that ability okay for your body? It's an ability I've never seen before, so I'm worried.”
“.......”
“I mean, it would be problematic if it absorbs too much mana or something.”
“No, my teacher said that the more I practice my ability, the stronger it gets!”
I was told that my light ability consumes life force, not mana.
Therefore, the more I healed my sister, the more my body would ache and struggle.
‘But there's no need to tell her such bad things.’
I gave a bashful smile and spoke softly to her.
“So, Chloe-nim has to help me too.”
My sister looked down at me silently for a moment, then murmured softly.
“Alright, thank you.”
“You don't have to be thankful! I just... I just want my sister to not go berserk anymore.”
“......Yeah.”
However, I hit a snag here.
‘Every time I manifest my ability, I pant because it's so exhausting.’
I can't let her find out.......
I gripped my sister's hand tightly and sank into deep thought.
“U-um, listen!”
“......What is it?”
“I'm a bit embarrassed to show my ability, so you have to keep your eyes tightly shut.”
“Hmm.......”
“You have to be asleep. That's the only way I can do it well!”
“You have so many conditions. Fine.”
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