Arrangements

  I asked Eric,

  “Are there any nobles who you suspect?”


  “There are some who seem very likely to be committing crimes. But I don’t know that they would be so horrible as to be involved in forbidden ham.”


  “Of course.”


  The summoning of devils and the breaking of divine barriers was a threat to all mankind.

  The power struggle between nobles would have no meaning without human society.

  What worth would kingship have in a world that was ruled by the dark ones?

  “There is a possibility that they could be threatened or controlled by someone else.”


  “Hmm. That would be most troublesome.”


  “If that was the case, then we cannot be suspicious based off a person’s character alone.”


  “Indeed. We must investigate without any bias.”


  “I leave it to you.”


  And then Eric said as if suddenly remembering,

  “If you want the help of the intelligence organization, do it through Goran.”


  “And not directly?”


  “I think it would be better if the enemy did not know who was investigating.”


  “I understand.”


  “And Locke. Even if you don’t have anything to report, please visit every day.”


  “Ah, yes. Alright.”


  I could see how passionate Eric was.

  This matter was very serious to him.

  “Eric, I will do everything that I am able. But the district manager who is interrogating Kabino right now seemed like a very good man to me.”


  “I see. That is good to hear.”


  “But someone might try to interfere again. Could you not protect him in some way?”


  “Very well. I will do something about it.”


  “And they may try to keep Kabino quiet. Perhaps they will attack the district manager.”


  “That would be terrible. It would delay the investigation greatly. I will make arrangements at once.”


  “Thank you.”


  After that, I asked him how I was to use the necklace.

  The necklace was used when delivering the king’s orders orally.

  As normally, such things were written on paper.

  But there were times when it is an emergency and the necklace must be used instead.

  It was usually expected to be used in the event of a possible coup, and the king had to escape from the palace.

  And so all of the nobles and officials knew what it was.

  “A coup…… In that case, it would be very bad for this to fall into the hands of those who want to start a coup, wouldn’t it?”


  “That is why it is not just any tool, but a magic tool. It is made so that it will change color with the king’s direct approval.”


  “I see. But what if the king was captured and forced to give his approval?”


  “If that happened, it would hardly matter if the necklace was used or not. They could just as easily force the king to write a letter.”


  “I suppose that’s true.”


  It was strictly for such an event where the king was not captured but did not have enough time to send a letter.

  After that, we left the palace.

  In the palace, Eric said that he would cover the door with a large painting.

  It was a very cliche method, but better than nothing.

  I created a magic circuit through the tunnel as we moved.

  This was to connect the magic lock in the palace to the door in the mansion.

  That way, Eric would be able to open the mansion door as well.

  As we walked back home, Luchila said,

  “Mister Locke. Shouldn’t you also hide the mansion’s door with magic?”


  “Yes. I will have to think of something.”


  The entrance to the secret passage in the mansion was like this:

  You went through a hidden door in the library to find a secret room.

  And from the secret room, you could reach the secret passage.

  That was two doors.

  “The first thing to do would be to cast a spell on the hidden door in the library.”


  “That’s the most important one.”


  “And I should probably put a hidden door in the passage where it connects to the room.”


  “Yes.”


  “I would actually prefer to make it so that Luchila and Shia could use it.”


  “It is a top secret, so that might not be a good idea.”


  “I think Eric would allow it if I asked him.”


  If it became necessary, I would make it so that Luchila and Shia could open it too.

  “I think it would be better to allow Lord Morton and Serulis to open it.” Said Shia.

  “Ah, that’s true. Goran should be able to go through. I will talk to Eric about it later.”


  Even though we were walking slowly, we arrived in the secret room in no time. It was very close.

  “I guess I’ll make a door with the materials for now.”


  And so I installed a door that connected the secret room and passage.

  The door was made of a material that looked just like the walls.

  I cast a spell on it and connected the magic circuits.

  And then I cast a spell of concealment.

  Now, only the most advanced of Sorcerers would be able to tell that there was a door here.

  “That’s it then.”


  “Mister Locke. Next is the door in the library!”


  Luchila seemed to be enjoying this. There was something exciting about hidden doors.

  And so I cast a spell on the hidden door in the library as well.

  Concealment magic and strengthening magic as well.

  “I would like to lock it with magic as well. It would be fine to come out from the secret room and into the library without anything, but the reverse would not be good.”


  “That’s true.”


  “And I would want Shia, Luchila, Serulis, and Milka to be able to get inside as well.”


  It would be a good place to hide if the mansion was under attack.

  “And Grulf and Gerberga should be able to enter as well.”


  “Grrr.”


  “Cluck.”


  Shia ran forward.

  “I will go and call Miss Serulis and Milka.”


  “Thank you.”


  While we were waiting, I had the door authenticate Luchila, Gerberga, and Grulf.

  “Luchila, use your palm. Gerberga can use his foot.”


  “Okay!”


  “Cluck!”


  Gerberga put his foot on the bottom of the door.

  “Grulf……can use his nose.”


  “Groof-groof!”


  “You would rather use your front paw?”


  “Groof!”


  I thought that his nose would be easier, but he apparently preferred to use his paw.

  Grulf put his paw on the door and it was recorded.

  “I made it so that it will also open with your nose, just in case.”


  “Groof!”


  After we were done, Shia returned.

  “I have brought Miss Serulis and Milka with me!”


  “Ah, thank you……?”


  There was a pretty girl behind Shia who we had never seen before.