Hunter and Mad Scientist Chapter 203

"Is this kind of dramatic entrance really necessary? Don't you think it's childish?"

Esperanza, who had pursed her lips in displeasure, pushed back her hood. She definitely hadn't planned to appear this way at first, but where does he get off changing things arbitrarily! However, Cider shrugged his shoulders.

"Childish things are effective. And we'll have to tell even more childish stories from now on. Your Excellency, here's the proof."

Cider, who had received the trophy from Esperanza's hand, irreverently threw it directly to the Pri Minister. The Pri Minister, who had grasped sothing hard and cold that stung his palm, opened his hand.

The Order of Solomon Knight.

'She brought what was kept in the study.'

The Order of Solomon Knight was a symbol of honor bestowed by Osdern's monarch upon royalty, high nobility, and subjects who had rendered distinguished service. All previous Pri Ministers had received this order from the monarch, sooner or later.

The reason Raymond Tempton, whom the Queen feared terribly, had received the order at a young age was because the monarch who decided the award was not Harriet II but the previous king, Gilbert III.

However, Gilbert had died suddenly, and young Harriet had bestowed the Order of Solomon Knight upon her forr lover with her own hands.

'Does this mysterious lady know the aning of this?'

Such a thought briefly crossed his mind. However, rather than reading the implications of why she had brought this particular item among the countless objects in the study, the Pri Minister focused on her ability to penetrate tight security and bring the order without anyone knowing.

"Shall we listen?"

The Pri Minister stood up his large body and blocked Esperanza's path. A long shadow fell. Esperanza looked up at the Pri Minister.

This was the first ti seeing Raymond Tempton of this period up close. His neatly arranged black hair and lips that drew graceful lines, his broad shoulders and straight back exuded confidence. However, it was confidence that didn't displease people. A person anyone would feel favorable toward at first sight.

The Tempton in his 50s with graying hair had been like that, but even now, having just entered his 40s and green as a politician, there was an undeniable presence about him.

However, it was strange for Esperanza to feel favorable toward Raymond Tempton.

'I didn't like the Queen or Galliston from the beginning either.'

If the Queen was a beneficiary standing at the empire's peak, the Pri Minister was soone who had built that empire with his own hands. Tempton had been able to dominate politics at a young age because he had accomplished the annexation of Paolun, which was considered nearly impossible at the ti.

Yet she didn't feel instinctive displeasure. It was strange.

It wasn't simply because he was currently an ally. Should this be called charm? Not the feeling of suddenly falling in love, but more like shifting the zero point of favorability slightly to the right. She had to consciously remind herself of his achievents.

The gesture of bending down to kiss the back of her hand was both refreshing and carried a subtle sense of intimidation. In other words, he resembled Cider Claiborne.

As if reading Esperanza's thoughts, he smiled broadly.

"Your thoughts are correct. We learned from the sa teacher. The late Count Avondale was an exemplary gentleman."

"Please moderate yourself. Esperanza, co this way."

Cider, who had separated the Pri Minister, led Esperanza to sit beside him. The Pri Minister also returned to his seat. Only then did the piercing vigilance disappear. Though there were still signs of people around.

Esperanza lightly tapped the back of Cider's hand.

'There's nothing to worry about.'

'I'm not worrying.'

Nevertheless, Esperanza looked around and spoke audibly.

"It would be good if you dismissed the people. I was going to overlook it if it was just one or two, but there are too many now."

"Is that so?"

Tempton raised his hand. With just that brief instruction, all signs of people disappeared. Esperanza nodded satisfactorily.

"Ten people was too much for a room that isn't even big."

"Impressive, Miss Esperanza. And Avondale...... how childish."

The Pri Minister spoke while still looking down at the hand covering the back of Esperanza's hand. However, instead of removing his hand, Cider smiled broadly.

"It will beco even more childish. Monsters and wizards, ti travel? How does that sound?"

"Wonderful. And also childish."

"Unfortunately, it's reality. We can't return everything to normal, but we can keep it to a controllable degree. Or we might lose control."

He didn't tell everything. It was too long a story for that. But the Pri Minister seed to have read between the lines appropriately.

Eventually, the Pri Minister, who had been looking down at his empty teacup, swallowed hard.

It was a problem with only one choice. Then from now on, the Queen would truly be his political enemy, and he would have to throw himself into a dangerous battlefield. Staking this country.

But before that.

"What if it's the opposite? What if the appearance of monsters is a natural phenonon, and your side is just preventing the ergence of forces that would deal with the monsters? Can you prove that's not the case?"

It was an unexpected question.

From the other party's perspective, they could think that way. If the other party was soone who didn't know Cider Claiborne at all.

Was his mood twisted, or was he just being cautious? The answer would vary depending on the reason.

As the silence lengthened, Esperanza glanced at Cider anxiously. The Pri Minister wasn't Galliston, and it didn't seem like cooperation could be obtained by force.

"How would you prove that?"

Eventually, Esperanza, tired of the silence, asked abruptly. It was a single sentence that neutralized all the battles of wits exchanged in silence.

"It seems like an unprovable problem, so it would be better to make a decision while holding that doubt. Originally, that degree of uncertainty accompanies decisions, doesn't it?"

"If I have displeased you, I apologize. Then Miss Esperanza, let ask sothing else."

"?"

Pri Minister Tempton nodded while smiling until wrinkles ford around his eyes. When she glanced sideways at Cider, he also had an expression of displeasure about sothing. But he didn't stop the Pri Minister's words. There was no choice.

"Speak."

"If I refuse, will you kill ?"

"No."

She hadn't thought of that at all. She hadn't even thought he would refuse. Since Cider said it was possible. Naturally, the possibility of failing to persuade the Pri Minister was excluded.

"Then there's no loss even if I refuse."

Was he really thinking of refusing? Esperanza quickly added.

"I might hit you once......"

"Oh my."

He clicked his tongue audibly and stood up from his seat.

"Since I don't want to be hit, I have no choice but to accept. Avondale, let's discuss the details next ti. You'll attend the extraordinary session, won't you?"

At the sa ti as those words, the grandfather clock announced 4 PM with a heavy bell sound.

The Pri Minister opened the door without regret. The wooden door opened halfway, and a yellow-furred cat approached the Pri Minister's feet.

"Kate. Where did the bell I hung around your neck go?"

The cat just owed complainingly. The Pri Minister lifted the drooping cat in one embrace.

"Let's go, Kate. Miss Esperanza, it was a pleasure eting you. I hope for good results. And Avondale."

He paused briefly and added.

"You can use only once. You understand what I an, don't you?"

"How harsh."

"If you have any questions, send a letter to Miss Runderford at 5 Ashning Street."

The Pri Minister's long shadow strode away. Was it over? It really was over, just like that. So anticlimactically? Esperanza asked belatedly.

"Is it a success?"

"Reasonably successful."

"......Then shall we destroy the machine now?"

March. His machine was in a reasonably complete state except for the central part. He didn't know how complete Sullivan's machine was, but judging by the situation, it didn't seem likely to be faster than his.

"Before that, there's sothing to do."

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The dark room was filled with steam. Dr. Sullivan coughed it out.

'The previous laboratory was better after all.'

The laboratory they had suddenly moved to had a good location and much cleaner facilities, but it was a bit narrow to house the machine that had filled one large warehouse building.

The doctor quickly threw open the window. Steam escaped through the open window, and when breathing room was created, golden outlines were revealed.

chanical devices that filled the walls densely. Since it was restored from damaged parts, the alloy colors were different in places.

"There's no magic power leaking in the middle, is there?"

The woman who had been tapping the pipes asked. Dr. Sullivan gritted his teeth and forced a smile.

"How could that be? I've checked several tis!"

"Right. That's how it should be."

"It seems like it will take a little more ti since I have to restore the machine structure based on speculation alone."

"What do you need? People? Money?"

Ti, he thought. The doctor rubbed his sweat-soaked palms on his trouser legs. If he talked back, she might kill him. He knew he was a replaceable person. Unlike that Count from sowhere.

"Just a little more research personnel......"

"What, I swept half of Finley's research institute and it's still not enough? Are you more incompetent than I thought?"

"I'm restoring a machine I didn't even know existed! Anyone you bring would be similar."

"Lower your voice. Where do you think you are."

When Daria growled once, Dr. Sullivan shrank his neck like a turtle. Daria clicked her tongue and sent Dr. Sullivan away. She was treating him with so consideration, for what it was worth.

Ethics that hit rock bottom, absence of cunning to pocket other things, young age that could be exploited for at least 30 years, and no pride since he ca from the bottom. Magical engineering was an elite discipline. She couldn't find another talent like this. Though Dr. Sullivan wouldn't know.

Daria, who had raised her head again, looked at the machine.

It wasn't beautiful. It showed signs of being forcibly patched together. As if humans had forcibly nded what God had created.

She felt desire. Seeing this imperfect creation, the desire she thought had subsided boiled up. Those hands that had created the real thing at the re age of sixteen, who had guided her to this world.

'Lucky little bitch.'

She would never be able to associate with that type. Humans who grew up loved in affluent families, experiencing only trials they could reasonably endure.

Cider Claiborne was the sa. Even if she dragged him here, she might not be able to endure it at so point and end up killing him.

Even so, there was no reason to keep him alive in soone else's hands. Daria, who had hurried out of the research lab with quick steps, burst open the reception room door.

"Havenly!"

Daria happened to have an opportunity. Daria, who had licked her dry lips, flashed her eyes.

"Where did this bastard go again? I said I was busy. Let's do it all at once, all at once."

"I'm here."

Luke Havenly bowed his waist. An exaggerated court-style bow. Daria frowned.

Daria had never been upper class. She had wanted their wealth, but she hadn't wanted to beco one of them. Such courtesy only displeased Daria.

"Cut it out. Anyway, that story from last ti, tell again."

Though there was no explanation, he understood imdiately what story it was. Luke Havenly answered while running his hand through his black hair.

"Before that, I have sothing to tell you first. The Tempton cabinet is discussing a 'Hunter Registration System.'"

"That fast?"

It was strangely fast. Since it was a rapid change, she had thought there would be resistance. Moreover, this way, it would fall under state jurisdiction before this side could establish the Hunter Association. That would be troubleso.

"Handle the person in charge. Just slow down the discussion. That can be done that way......"

"I will tell you."

Havenly was convenient. She could see why Galliston had kept such a person by his side. Daria leaned back on the luxury sofa placed in Sullivan's research lab reception room. Ah, this expensive comfort.

And Havenly's subsequent story was sothing she had heard once before. But unlike that ti when she had listened carelessly, now she was interested.

She would have to put aside thoughts of returning for a while. Daria threw back her head and burst into laughter.