Adopt 187

Episode 187

Giuseppe wants to wipe out the dark mage organization.

On the other hand, what Cheshire is after is the Red Tower Master—a wanted criminal from the Magocracy and a member of that same dark mage organization.

At first glance, it might seem as if they’re chasing the same enemy.

“The Red Tower Master absolutely must fall into the hands of the Tower. That old man knows too much—if he ends up in the Temple’s custody, we’ll all have headaches.”

The two were not cooperating, but competing.

If only they could join forces, pool their information, and work together, things would move ahead much more efficiently—yet both Giuseppe and Cheshire acted as if they didn’t even know the meaning of the word ‘collaboration.’

It only goes to show how deep and stubborn the animosity between their two nations runs, like weeds grown thick and tangled roots.

‘Politics—that’s always the problem.’

Because of some damn pride, they refuse to take even the shortest path to their goal.

I’d gotten sick of it in the noble assembly too.

At least, I knew how to solve this problem a bit more efficiently.

After all, both factions had a stepping stone—me.

Leisurely sipping my tea, I asked,

“He wants immortality?”

“Yeah, that crazy old man became a dark mage for that very reason. I always thought it impossible, even with dark magic—but it’s not so far-fetched after all. That old man—he’s rejuvenated.”

I hammered the information Cheshire brought me firmly into my mind.

[Red Tower Master: Became a dark mage in his quest for immortality.

Currently, through time-reversal dark magic, has the appearance of an eight-year-old child.]

How long had I been talking with Cheshire?

I glimpsed Ophelia passing by beyond the balcony railing.

Having attended both Leo’s and my birthday parties each year, Ophelia and Cheshire knew each other by sight, but, given their respective affiliations, had never exchanged more than a brief greeting.

But now, with the priests glaring daggers at Cheshire, I didn’t want to risk making a scene.

Sensing I was about to leave and tidy up, Cheshire seized my arm and asked urgently,

“Master, are you going to stay with the Temple long?”

I nodded without much thought. Immediately, Cheshire’s impatience melted away, replaced by a sly, suggestive tone.

“I’m staying in the suite of a five-star hotel right now, you know.”

“So?”

I tilted my head, unsure of his meaning. Then, just as in our first meeting, Cheshire rested his chin atop both hands and whispered with a vibrant smile,

“Lots of rooms, big bed, and it’s just me—alone.”

All at once, the once-busy balcony fell into silence.

Groups who’d been conversing, especially the younger women, now flushed bright red, glancing back and forth between Cheshire and me.

A five-star hotel suite.

Admittedly, it must be far more comfortable than the Temple accommodations. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t the least bit tempted, but…

“I’m here as an invited guest, so that won’t do. Next time, Cheshire.”

Why, of all times, did Sir Cherry’s sullen face—making grand promises to stay out of trouble—pop into my mind? Even I couldn’t say.

---

After parting ways, using one of Cheshire’s messenger beasts to stay in touch.

Upon returning to the Temple, I had a chance to hear Giuseppe’s plans going forward.

“The people you’ll be keeping an eye on aren’t those of the harbor city, Marquis.”

“Then who?”

“Were any of the priests assigned as your escorts today suspicious in any way?”

Among the priests?

I ran through their faces in my mind, then, as a realization struck me, burst out,

“Wait—are you saying… there’s a dark mage within the Temple?”

“Yes. There is a defector inside the Temple.”

Giuseppe’s voice was so calm I thought I’d imagined it.

He then explained in the same even tone when he first began to suspect the presence of a defector, and why he believed that defector to be a priest currently serving at the harbor city’s temple.

Sipping my tea to moisten my dry throat as I listened, I stared down at my empty cup before nodding.

“That makes sense. Now I see why you need my help.”

He’d discovered that there was a defector in the harbor city Temple—but the issue was how to find the culprit among so many priests.

It wasn’t as though you could summon each one and use the Power of Truth on them.

And despite the relatively low number of high-ranking priests, the harbor city’s Temple actually had more priests than the main temple in the capital.

That’s why Giuseppe had asked for my help—to resolve things quietly.

I mentally updated my information on the Veilbreakers.

[There are a total of six members.

One is the Red Tower Master, and another is a priest belonging to the harbor city’s Temple…]

As I organized my thoughts and reached for the teapot to pour another cup, I realized Giuseppe was doing the same, and our hands nearly brushed.

I startled and jerked my hand back.

I knew our hands hadn’t actually touched, but doubt crept in anyway.

Frowning fiercely, I demanded in a threatening tone,

“Were you just now using your power to read my past?”

Hand still on the teapot, Giuseppe’s expression stiffened, then he let out a faint, dry laugh.

“I don’t use the Gift of Insight so recklessly.”

“How odd. I was under the impression that the High Priest used his powers to read my past without permission from our very first meeting.”

“That was…”

Perhaps he felt guilty, for Giuseppe fell silent for a moment.

Then, pouring tea into my cup, he admitted plainly to his wrongdoing.

“My sacred relic had just been stolen—so I used the Gift of Insight on anyone who seemed suspicious. I apologize for my rudeness.”

For someone so stubborn when it came to his beliefs, he was surprisingly quick to apologize.

‘Same as that time in the Siren Dungeon.’

But regardless of his apology, I definitely held a grudge against Giuseppe.

“Fine. I can understand it was a special situation. Separate from your apology, though—I won’t drink this tea anymore.”

I shoved my cup away and declared petulantly,

“It’s dirty now.”

“……”

He must have remembered our first encounter, when he’d blessed me and then declared something filthy was clinging to me, for he said nothing.

But, perhaps out of annoyance, his brow furrowed deeply for the first time.

It left me feeling deeply refreshed.

---

On the fourth day since arriving in the harbor city.

Now that I knew there was a dark mage among the priests, I’d thought I’d find the culprit quickly—but, contrary to expectation, day after fruitless day passed.

To make matters worse, late summer brought frequent typhoons and so many days when ships couldn’t sail.

At such times, the crowds of travelers stranded in the harbor would swell, and population density soared until the whole city was packed so deep you could barely breathe.

‘It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.’

Overwhelmed by the endless throng of people visiting the temple to pray for a typhoon’s end, I shook my head in dismay.

The city center, no doubt, was even worse.

Unwilling to face the chaos, I hovered around the temple entrance, too drained to venture out.

And just then.

Sugar, whose red-rimmed eyes had been scanning the crowds like a hawk, finally found her prey.

I schooled my features and calmed my nerves.

Unlike Sugar, who could freely flutter over the people’s heads, my vision was blocked from every direction.

“What does this person look like?” I asked, impatient.

With excitement, Sugar replied,

“Details—give me more details!”

But as a fairy, Sugar wasn’t very good at distinguishing subtle differences in people’s appearances.

The most she could tell me was that it was a woman. That was enough. Pushing my way through the crowd, I hurried in the direction Sugar indicated.

And at last—

Sugar circled boisterously above a woman’s head, declaring victory.

It wasn’t who I’d expected, but I carefully memorized the features of her face, then quietly turned away.

“Well done, Sugar.”

Ignoring Sugar’s insistent demands for her gold reward, I hurried off at once to find Giuseppe.