The spaceti machine, which had been skeletal, gradually took on proper form. Green buds sprouted on the skeletal tree. Though winter winds still blew through Nine Holder in early March, ti could not be deceived.
Cyrus brought news that the information broker in the small city seed to have moved locations. It ant information was cut off.
When they stopped conquering the beginner dungeons that reappeared even after being eliminated, the distribution of monster byproducts gained montum. Advertisents began appearing in major daily newspapers, and famous social figures appeared carrying custom-made magic tools.
There was so moral criticism. However, enthusiasm for new things was greater. Several requests ca to Cider Claiborne asking him to create magic tools using monster byproducts, and he rejected them all.
March, when new winds blew.
A black steam carriage crossed Upper Lane. It wasn't the Avondale Count family's carriage. However, golden hair briefly swept past from inside the curtains.
The carriage circled around the comrcial district as if shaking off possible pursuit before heading to the Pri Minister's residence.
Just before arriving at the residence, Esperanza slightly opened the window.
"How is it?"
The garden where fresh green leaves were beginning to sprout and the mansion built at its end. Though elegant, it was modest for the residence of the Pri Minister who governed this vast Osdern Empire.
In the garden that stretched wide open from the main gate to the mansion entrance, only a couple of secretaries taking walks could be seen. It was a scene that contrasted with the bustle of steam carriages lined up outside the main gate to pass security.
"Heavily guarded. There wouldn't be a gap for water to leak through."
Though not visible to the eye, it was tight security with no blind spots. Esperanza inwardly admired it.
"But was the Pri Minister's residence originally this heavily guarded? I knew him as soone who didn't particularly like such things."
"That's right. But His Excellency's position isn't very good right now either."
Ah. There was the pirate incident.
The series of events from the pirates to the Sterling Harbor incident was never favorable to the Tempton cabinet. There had been several unsavory attempts taking advantage of this. Naturally, security had to beco tight.
It wasn't very good news for Esperanza, who had to infiltrate the mansion from now on.
"Will I be able to go straight to the study......"
"Can't you do it?"
"I didn't say I couldn't."
It might just be a bit delayed. Esperanza pursed her lips into a circle and pouted.
"There's no need to rush. I can manage to buy ti."
"Don't buy ti, just handle the negotiation yourself."
"I can't say I'll do sothing beyond my capabilities."
Being able to look arrogant while saying such things was truly a skill. Esperanza clicked her tongue conspicuously.
The car at the front of the line passed through security. As Esperanza slowly prepared to get out, she suddenly asked.
"But why didn't you think of coming to the Pri Minister from the beginning?"
"It's not a thod that can be used anyti. Though the timing is good now."
Due to the Sterling incident and the supply of monster byproducts, the political current had also entered a new phase. If there was an appropriate ti to draw cooperation from the Pri Minister, it would be now.
"Hmm."
Esperanza narrowed her eyes. Then the possibility of successful negotiation was quite high either way, wasn't it? There was no need to find weaknesses from the beginning, was there? Esperanza glanced at Cider, who was waving his hand as if he knew nothing. However, she didn't add more words.
Taking advantage of the commotion outside, she slipped out of the carriage and instantly infiltrated the mansion. Hiding her body in the shadows of garden trees, Esperanza inwardly clicked her tongue.
'Is it spite, or what?'
Cider Claiborne's psychology was hard to guess. Whether it was good intentions or bad intentions. If it had been a while ago, she would have thought there must be aning to it all and moved on, but.... lately he occasionally didn't hide his sharp moods. The possibility of simple spite couldn't be ruled out either.
But either way, it was certain that Cider wouldn't endanger Esperanza.
Even if it was spite, it wouldn't hurt to indulge him a little. Esperanza passed by a small fountain and slipped her body through a small open window.
At the sa ti, Count Avondale's carriage also passed through the main gate.
"Lord Avondale, if you wait here, His Excellency will co down."
A form of address that made clear he was invited as a civilian rather than as a mber of the House of Lords. Cider smiled without concern.
The tea at the Pri Minister's residence was so-so. Befitting a Pri Minister who had no interest in aristocratic hobbies, just enough not to be criticized.
The fact that he was the second son of a marquis wasn't well known. Even though he didn't hide it himself.
Cider had mories of eting the Pri Minister when he was very young. Really very young, closer to 0 than 10 years old.
Raymond Tempton, who was then his father's school junior and a newcor to politics, had co carrying an armful of boring gifts for young Cider, tried his best to sohow attract the child's interest, then left.
Those gifts were probably still gathering dust in a corner of the warehouse. Though there was said to be a deeper connection with his father, that was all there was between him and Cider.
Nevertheless, after inheriting the title and House of Lords position following his father's death, Cider had acted as Raymond Tempton's rubber stamp without much hesitation.
He wasn't interested in politics anyway. Raymond Tempton at least didn't say stupid things. Following Tempton would at least prevent his vote from rotting away in the wrong places.
But that was simultaneously an act of steadily accumulating debt to those in power. Tempton had beco Pri Minister and remained this country's highest authority even now when his position was shaken.
He put down his teacup. Cider frowned at the sound of the saucer wobbling.
"Sorry about that, I have no taste in teacups."
"It's fine."
A tall man holding the door handle looked down at the teacup from afar and clicked his tongue.
"Even if it's not a good teacup, it's not right to serve such things to guests."
Yet he didn't give orders to replace it.
He walked over with large strides and sat down. Then he placed his cup on what would probably be an equally unbalanced saucer and poured tea.
Looking at the clear aqua color, Cider pondered whether there was any aning of reproach mixed in the actions just now. It didn't seem so. But it wasn't completely welcoming either. He understood Tempton's dissatisfaction.
"Avondale. I thought you'd stopped being my rubber stamp."
This was the issue. Going to Dunbarton over the magic stone mine matter had gone against the Pri Minister's mood. He would have suffered considerable hardship from that. Cider smiled leisurely.
"I can continue to serve you. But that last matter was you attacking , Your Excellency. Not
attacking you."
The Pri Minister's face darkened slightly. After all, privately he was the son of an acquaintance, soone he'd known since childhood. Publicly, he was a rare House of Lords vote that could be obtained without negotiation. The Pri Minister knew he was in debt.
"It was sothing I couldn't compromise on."
A low voice answered. Cider spoke while lightly tapping the wobbling saucer with his fingertip. Clatter. An irritating sound was made.
"Sa for . Sothing I couldn't compromise on."
"I didn't know you had such things. The late Count would be pleased."
When his father was ntioned, Cider smiled bitterly. Though he tried to forget, it had been only a few months since learning the secret surrounding his father's death. It was a na he couldn't hear comfortably.
However, there was no ti to indulge in sentint now. His smile deepened a bit more.
"I'll understand. Once, at least. There was no damage anyway."
The Pri Minister's lips hardened as he recalled the painful failure. However, he soon skillfully concealed his expression.
He was soone who had overco countless crises to occupy his current position. He knew better than anyone that fretting over things that had to happen was aningless. In that ti, he should prepare for what's next.
"So, what's today's business?"
It would be no small matter. He might have co to harvest from a field where seeds had been sown for years.
"I'd like to both help ensure you don't fail twice, and collect the debt from all this ti."
"My second failure. Of course, I have no intention of failing twice. Avondale, you seem to know sothing?"
Though he was smiling, there was pressure that seed to weigh down on his shoulders. Though Cider Claiborne hadn't lost his composure even in front of Galliston, the mont he engaged in a battle of wits with Pri Minister Tempton, his palms felt hot.
He gauged Esperanza's position with the communicator in his ear. She didn't seem to have arrived yet. He lightly tapped the communicator twice with his fingertip. As if understanding the signal, a grumbling sound ca. His tension eased a little.
Pri Minister Tempton leisurely emptied his teacup. His gaze remained fixed on Cider. He looked like he wouldn't be surprised no matter what was said.
"What if what happened at Sterling Harbor beca everyday life?"
As expected, he didn't waver. Just how long had he known? Daria couldn't have approached Tempton.
"Such things could happen."
"What if it was daily, as many as dozens of cases? What would happen to this country?"
The Pri Minister, frowning until wrinkles ford around his eyes, t Cider's gaze. As if reading his mind. Then he smiled faintly.
"His Majesty is involved in this matter."
"Didn't you know?"
"I suspected."
But hearing confirmation was a different feeling. The Pri Minister swallowed hard. Pitifully, Harriet. You're heading down a thorny path. He wasn't pleased.
"It sounds like a ridiculous story, but seeing what happened at Sterling Harbor, it might not be so far-fetched. But Avondale, if you want to say you can solve that, you'll have to prove it."
Cider lightly bit his dry lips. He heard the sound of soone tapping the device at his ear. He stood up from his seat.
For a mont, he felt the flow of air reverse. It might be because his senses had beco sharp from living with Esperanza. They had experienced all sorts of dangerous situations.
"Your Excellency, you have many bodyguards."
The Pri Minister answered while leaning completely back against his chair.
"I'm soone many people target. You understand."
"I understand. But you won't need them."
At the sa ti as those words, fierce winter wind entered from outside the window. The thick winter curtains swelled.
'The windows were definitely locked.'
He could feel with his skin that all vigilance was focused there.
Eventually, a woman in a black hood appeared, pushing aside the curtains that had swelled roundly to both sides.
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