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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Finding the Skeleton
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Seated at his desk, Randel was reading through the letters delivered to him, one by one.
"What in the world are you plotting?"
Randel tossed the letter onto his desk, sighing deeply and closing his eyes.
And for good reason. The contents of the letter Randel had just read indicated that Alfons, the leader of the 'Wings of Freedom,' was in constant contact with the Chaos Cult.
"What a headache…"
Randel clutched his throbbing head, lost in thought.
Betrayal from someone he trusted was already giving him a headache.
Suddenly, he was also burdened with the uncertain future of those who had trusted that very person.
"I need to handle this quickly…"
That fellow was still the de facto leader of the 'Wings of Freedom.'
Furthermore, the number of members aware of his betrayal could be counted on one hand within the organization.
Thus, Randel was in a situation where he couldn't act rashly until the perfect opportunity arose.
Alfons seemed to be plotting something amidst this situation, and his whereabouts had remained completely shrouded in mystery until now.
"Was I getting impatient…?"
Randel sighed deeply once more and picked up another letter.
Impatience wouldn't help, so he decided to wait calmly and slowly observe for an opportunity. That's what he thought.
He had certainly thought that.
"What in the world is this…?"
While reading another letter, Randel discovered an incomprehensible piece of information and had to clutch his throbbing head.
And for good reason. The content was none other than the news that one of the 'Wings of Freedom's' secret hideouts had been occupied.
And that wasn't all. The identity of the one who occupied the secret hideout also muddled Randel's thoughts. It was utterly baffling.
A skeleton that not only moves but also speaks.
****
After deciding to seek help from my acquaintances.
I met various people and heard various stories.
First, there was Daisy. Though there was a minor incident with her, lost as she was in her delusions.
Having finally tracked her down again, she promised to compile and bring me the rumors circulating within the Academy.
Professor Dian informed me of facts I hadn't known and agreed to relay any information coming into the Academy to me.
Next were Sage and Twitt.
Sage said she would look for data on the skeleton, and Twitt, completely taken in, agreed to search various parts of Adenia under the pretense of playing a game.
'I've already told Rose, so next up…'
It was Randel, the teaching assistant for the Combat Faculty and the top student of the third year. The reason I sought him out was to borrow the intelligence network of the 'Wings of Freedom.'
Randel frowned at my question and replied.
"A talking skeleton… I was already having a headache because of that skeleton."
Perhaps it was because he was indeed a rebel adept at gathering intelligence.
Randel knew information about the skeleton, and I inwardly rejoiced.
"But why are you looking for this skeleton, junior? No, let me ask first. What in the world *is* that skeleton?"
"He's a thief. I need to retrieve something precious he stole from me."
"He stole something?"
"Yes, it's something more precious than my own life."
"What a scoundrel…"
"Exactly. Senior Randel, do you happen to know where he is?"
"I do know, but…"
When I asked, Randel trailed off, showing hesitation.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because it's one of our secret hideouts."
Randel replied with a rather serious expression. I was about to protest, but…
As if sensing my intent, Randel offered a faint smile and continued.
"However, I'll make you one promise."
"What is it?"
"I'll get back that item you claim was stolen, no matter what it takes."
Randel placed a hand on my shoulder and wore a significant expression.
"I was planning to go deal with it myself anyway."
After hearing Randel's promise, I had to pause and think.
'Will it be alright?'
The skeleton that had existed for a long time.
Randel, the top student of the Combat Faculty's third year, and the master of memories.
A conclusion was quickly reached, and I was able to respond to Randel with a smile.
"I'm really counting on you."
I understood Randel's situation, as he would be a great help to me in the future, and I didn't want to cause any petty conflicts.
More importantly, no matter how I thought about it, it seemed unlikely that Randel would be defeated by that skeleton.
Even if Randel *were* to be defeated, I had a backup plan.
'Because I know where the secret hideouts are.'
Since I'd already figured out where the skeleton was likely staying anyway.
If I didn't hear from Randel, I could just go there myself.
****
Beneath a chandelier lavishly adorned with expensive luxuries and jewels.
An old man with a face full of liver spots and another with short, pure white hair were clinking wine glasses.
"Oh dear, for a trusted dog to try and bite its master… You must have quite the headache. Do you perhaps have a plan?"
Mandala, the Archbishop of the Chaos Cult, asked with a regretful expression.
"Hahaha. What can I do? Since it's a puppy I personally trained, I have no choice but to take responsibility and discipline it."
Alfons, the leader of the 'Wings of Freedom,' waved his hand dismissively and replied.
Then Mandala took a black gem from his robes and handed it to Alfons.
"So this is the item you requested. I hope it proves useful this time, just like before."
"How could it not be useful? It's an item that turns a perfectly sane person into a puppet."
"By the way, are you still having fun? And how is that person doing?"
"Of course. Thanks to it, that person is waiting for this humble commoner even today, legs spread."
"If His Majesty the Emperor, who has been searching for that person for 12 years, were to hear this, he would be absolutely delighted. Ha, hahaha!"
What could be so amusing?
Mandala and Alfons clinked their glasses and laughed for a long time.
How long did they laugh?
Mandala, seemingly intoxicated, bowed his head to a red-faced Alfons.
"I beg of you."
"Hahaha, understood. I'll personally take responsibility for bringing that boy, Camel or whatever his name is, so don't worry."
"Haha, I'm counting on you, Lord Alfons. Shall we make a toast then? To the right of equality for the common people!"
"To freedom of religion for the common people!"
Shouting thus, the two repulsive old men clinked their glasses and smiled brightly.
Without ever revealing their true thoughts to each other.
****
"Chirp! Chirp!"
-Thump-thump.
Malik, the skeleton, was lost in thought, tearing up cheese jerky for the blue bird that was vigorously spinning its hamster wheel.
'This… no matter how I think about it, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage.'
Malik had lured this blue bird because he wanted to see Camel, that kid, in distress.
An appearance eerily similar to that damned leader who had been bossing him around for 1,000 years.
Receiving the same favor from his first love as that damned leader.
And on top of that, the kid was receiving the supreme attention of many beautiful women.
Something he had never once received in 1,000 years.
Malik disliked these aspects of his impudent junior and wanted to play a trick before they even formally met.
So he kidnapped this blue bird, which seemed to be Camel's familiar.
With the intention of leisurely waiting until an angry Camel came looking for him.
Even though he was in the form of a skeleton.
As an ancient senior in life, Malik wanted to give a bit of a lesson to the junior who probably thought he was the best in the world.
And at the same time, he also intended to gauge Camel's skill level.
No matter how he thought about it, it was an incredibly satisfying and utterly perfect plan.
Or so he thought.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
-Thump-thump.
The blue bird, which had been chewing jerky and spinning its hamster wheel non-stop for a whopping 9 hours, was more than enough to change Malik's mind.
"Uh… Twiss."
"Chirp!"
"Ah, my bad. Twitt, Twitt. I'll remember it. But Twitt, aren't you getting sleepy yet?"
"Chirp chirp!"
"Skull-face, shut up and just tear the jerky? Ah, alright…"
Scratching his skull, not the back of his head, Malik quietly resumed tearing the jerky.
'Are these damned blue birds genetically predisposed to being such pains in the ass?'
And then he recalled old memories.
The familiar that the leader used to take around.
A blue bird he often looked after, though he wasn't its master.
A blue bird that looked down on him.
'Pebbut. I never thought I'd miss you.'
In Malik's opinion, Twitt was an even more insufferable blue bird than Pebbut.
"Chirp! Chirp?"
"But why are you being so nice?"
Then Twitt's indifferent chirping reached Malik's ears.
Malik replied with a rather wistful voice.
"Because when I see you, I'm reminded of an old friend who died so tragically."
Otherwise, I'd have roasted you whole by now, wouldn't I?
Those unspoken words almost slipped out, but Malik, having barely managed to hold them back, continued tearing the jerky in silence.
'Junior, could you hurry up and get here?'
Perhaps it was from tearing so much jerky. Malik felt as if his finger bones were dislocated as he wished.
That Camel kid would come soon for that damned blue bird… no, for *him*.
Had his wish reached the heavens?
-Click.
The sound of the locked door opening reached his ears, and Malik swiftly turned his head.
"Huh?"
"So it's you."
However, the child who opened the door and entered, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, was not Camel, but someone he had never seen before.
'What should I do?'
Malik, who hadn't expected anyone other than Camel to come here, was considerably flustered, and Randel quietly murmured to such a Malik.
"Camel's… the thief who stole my junior's precious item."
"Ah, you know Camel?"
"It really talks, huh?"
"Could you answer me?"
"He's my junior, so of course I know him."
Randel replied thus, drawing his sword from its sheath.
"Heh, heheh!"
The skeleton laughed wickedly and drew two daggers from its waist.
Malik found it hard to suppress his laughter.
Because the kid standing before him was not only going to tear jerky for Twitt in his stead but was also going to be helpful in teasing Camel, that kid.
****
After class, I, sitting in the lecture hall, whispered softly to Rose.
"Rose, let's take a break today."
"Again today? Oh, whyyyy!"
Rose puffed out her cheeks and whined.
I understood. I'd promised to review swordsmanship and magic with Rose again, but the days I'd actually properly helped her could be counted on one hand.
"Sorry. I really have something urgent to do."
"Okay…"
Was she upset about that?
A crestfallen Rose bowed her head deeply and complied with my words.
Seeing her pitiful expression, I felt an urge to head straight to the training grounds with her, but I couldn't.
Because I had heard that Randel was absent from the Academy without leave today.
'Surely he didn't harm him, did he?'
Considering the skeleton's actions last time, it didn't seem like a complete enemy, nor did it seem like it would harm anyone.
But once Randel's communications ceased, I started to worry.
'I should go quickly.'
As I resolved this and was about to get up, a lovely voice reached my ears.
"Camel."
I looked up to see Sage, her lips trembling slightly with an anxious expression.
"Our baby is gone."
"What?"
I was about to reply, but…
I couldn't bring myself to open my mouth at the chilling voice from beside me.
"What is this crazy bitch saying?"
I turned my head to see Rose, her face contorted like a demon.