The assassin butler said nothing for a moment. His eyes, which at first were full of suspicion, gradually became more and more bewildered.
—I need an explanation. What kind of process is needed to achieve such a result?
After a brief description of the duel, the assassin butler uttered words of rare admiration.
—Incredible, you defeated Jean Berkley Gratten? I wonder if you used a legitimate method to win.
—What other method would there be?
—I was trying to congratulate you on your good work.
—I'm afraid I can't say the same.
—To accept her defeat and such a high price… She is still young, but she is quite mature. Fine, just help me have a one-on-one meeting with her and I'll take care of the rest.
—Don't kill her. You are a butler now.
—Of course, I have my ethical principles as a butler. I also don't want to cause trouble for people of my same profession.
I liked that the assassin butler was human after all. Smiling satisfied, I lowered my upper body slightly and whispered to him.
—Now I must receive what I am supposed to receive. That's what this association was created for, isn't it?
Information on Rue and Dian Cecht. The information was supposed to be exchanged for the deprivation of Jean's right to succeed the Berkley Grattens. The assassin butler nodded and pulled out a small notebook.
—The information on Dian Cecht is compiled in this notebook.
Compile it all? It must have been quite a lot. For the moment, I flipped through the notebook with joy. It was nice to be in society. The assassin butler, who was looking at my smiling face, opened his lips calmly to speak again.
—Ten days ago, a strange visitor arrived at the mansion. He was the first outsider to visit the mansion after the master became its owner.
Was he giving information about Rue now? I became alert.
—The visitor's imperial language was a bit confusing. When I paid attention, I could detect an accent from the north of the continent in his way of speaking. His stay in the mansion lasted barely ten minutes, half of which he dedicated to piously greeting the master. He knelt and bowed several times while chanting praises and hymns. He probably assumed I wouldn't recognize it, but the greetings were familiar to me. That kind of greeting is reserved for the respected leaders of Rogue, an organization affiliated with the Northern Continental States. This information has substantial value.
That was for sure.
—I know that.
—What?
—I know. That Rue is a member of Rogue.
Are you trying to sell me information I already knew after having gone through all that trouble in the noble council? When I threw a cold look at the assassin butler, he pursed his lips.
Ha.
—Since we're at it, answer this: Do you know what a Calepa is?
—The Calepa of Rogue?
—Yes, that.
The assassin butler replied, his eyes revealing that the information was not very secret.
—Calepa usually has two meanings. First, the religious leader of Rogue. Just as the Holy Church has the Pope, Rogue has its Calepa. However, as Rogue is divided into three powers, there are always three Calepas.
—Three? Mmm. Is it like a general manager, a behavior manager, and a salesperson, respectively?
The assassin butler ignored my words.
—The center of the sanctuary where Rogue's headquarters is located is also called Calepa. Originally, Rogue's leaders were called Calepa because it meant "people who can enter Calepa, the land of God."
Calepa, the religious leader of Rogue, just like the Pope of the holy church.
Rue... is he that Calepa?
Was Rue one of the most devout believers of the Northern Continents? Rue, who seemed to breathe with arrogance? Rue, who feared nothing and was shamelessly and brazenly bold?
—It doesn't suit him at all. Shouldn't they take people's appearance into account?
Even I, whose information on the culture of the Northern Continent was fragmented and limited, knew that Rogue was a religion that dominated the region. When I recognized it, everything about Rue seemed to fit like a puzzle.
The overflowing amount of money. It seemed he was used to being served. He said he wasn't an aristocrat. It was because he was the Calepa of Rogue.
Then which of the Calepas was Rue? Secretary, commander, leader... Hm. The action-oriented type? However, he wasn't the type to voluntarily accept tedious tasks. So, maybe a sales representative? He had good speaking skills, but... Above all.
Why does a person like Calepa work as a chef?
I thought my questions would be answered if I knew Rue's identity, but the reality was the opposite. Rather, my questions only increased.
—Who are the dangerous people looking for Dian Cecht's relics?
—From the Northern Continental Union… Rogue.
According to Yeager's testimony, Rogue was searching for Dian Cecht's relics, just like me. At least, it seemed they would be delighted to have them.
—But is the Calepa himself the one moving?
Wasn't this something even the Pope of the Holy Church didn't do? I was sure that Rue had a purpose beyond Dian Cecht's relics. It was a plausible hypothesis when I remembered how his reaction to Dian Cecht's gaze was strangely bland.
—It seems you know a lot about Rogue.
—…The assassins who survived the magic war are generally familiar with Rogue.
—Why do the surviving assassins know them?
The assassin butler looked at me with a darker expression.
—The reason…
—What?
—I'll reveal it in 60 seconds.
What…? Still, I counted to 60 seconds. However, even after 70 seconds, the assassin butler didn't open his mouth.
—You said you'd reveal it in 60 seconds.
He replied with a strange look of irritation.
—You really can't read the mood. What I mean is that I didn't want to talk about it.
What is that supposed to mean? Was it the way assassins talked to other assassins? Maybe I'll use it sometime. I rose slowly from my seat.
—It's a pity, but some of the information you shared about Rue is invalid. This transaction doesn't pay me for my work. I need additional information.
—It's a perfectly understandable objection. I accept it. I also have something to say.
—Go ahead.
—Berithlet will soon realize the state of this branch. So far I've controlled this pub without problems, but if Berithlet moves, it could cause a big problem. Have you dealt with them?
No.
—I haven't.
—Ah…
I too let out a sigh. The only thing waiting for me here after returning from the exhausting noble council meeting was more work. The life of a maid was very hard.
—I'll think about it. In any case, this place is like a battle base for us.
The moment I turned to leave the warehouse, the assassin butler jumped from his seat and grabbed me by the ankle.
—Wait. I have one last thing to ask you.
I looked at him nervously.
—What is it? If you have something to say, say it all at once. Don't leave short intervals.
The assassin butler's gaze fixed on me this time had an unusual intensity. I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. I could feel that the matter to be discussed was of great importance, something the assassin butler had meditated on and contemplated for a long time. He asked me in a low voice.
—How do I take care of the bathroom when it's wet? No matter how many times I clean it, water stains always remain on the walls and floors. Do you have any advice, maid?
Water stains, I see. I was fighting a very tough opponent.
—No tips.
—Are you sure?
—Water stains in the bathroom… the only solution for them is sincerity in one's work.
The assassin butler's cold eyes shone.
—Diligence. I will remember that.
The five relics of Dian Cecht. The artifacts generally referred to the following items: The Eyes of Dian Cecht, the journal of Dian Cecht, the hand mirror of Dian Cecht, the seal of Dian Cecht, and the open cage of Dian Cecht. This complex and diverse composition of objects, which seemed unclear and random, were literally the objects Dian Cecht left behind. In the case of the journal, it was said that Dian Cecht's own handwriting was recorded and that traces of its use remained on the hand mirror and the seal. In other words, they were both magical tools and household items.
According to the notebook the assassin butler gave me, up to three of them have been made public. The most famous relic among them was the "Journal of Dian Cecht."
It is currently on display at the Jansen exhibition hall in Westwinterre...
The Jansen Exhibition Hall was founded by the famous treasure collector Polo Jansen and, in short, was created for the purpose of showing his treasure. The highlight of this place, the heart and most profound exhibit, "The Journal of Dian Cecht," was my second objective.
—But why doesn't the sword master touch this relic?
One of the relics was on display. It was much easier to steal because it was open to the public. Why? I decided to put this question aside for a while until I reached Westwinterre. Because something more urgent arrived sooner than expected.