Chapter 55

With Justus acting as a mediator, the group was ushered into the reception room without further incident. The space they entered was far removed from the sterile image of a research institute; it was a tranquil room where the floor, walls, and even the ceiling panels were unified in a warm, wooden aesthetic.

The room was meticulously organized and clean. To the south, a matching wooden sunroom had been installed, housing a small but vibrant collection of well-tended flowers.

Somehow, the atmosphere didn't fit the impression one got from Justus’s outward appearance. That was El’s frank assessment, and judging by the surprised look on Lifa’s face beside him, she shared the sentiment.

Then again, Justus was merely the head of the institute. It was unlikely he had personally handled the architectural design or interior decor, and even less likely that he spent his time managing a reception room that had nothing to do with his research. This room was probably the result of the original design concept combined with the personal tastes of whichever staff member actually maintained it.

"Now then, where did I put the teacups...?"

"Sit down and stay quiet. I wouldn't touch a drop of tea brewed by your hands—it’d be far too revolting to stomach."

Even toward his direct employer—a man to whom he should have been indebted—Harold didn't hesitate to lash out with his typical vitriol.

Yet, even as he spoke, Harold’s hands were moving with practiced efficiency. Before anyone realized it, he had already prepared a teapot and enough cups for everyone. This, too, was an unexpected sight for El and Lifa.

"And who said I was brewing it for you? I merely intended to play host to these young ladies."

"Hmph. As eccentric as ever, exposing your own stinginess to guests."

"Speaking of which, you’re quite the profligate yourself, picking up girls in the middle of a mission. Do you intend to keep them as local wives?"

"As if I would ever choose to marry such a meager woman."

"In other words, you would consider it if they had more voluptuous figures. I should like to place a bet on whether your fiancée would permit you a concubine."

"For a scientist, you certainly enjoy making wild leaps in logic. If that’s how you judge the world, then your prized research on the astral body must be a joke as well."

"I wonder who it is that benefits most from that research? Watch your tongue, Rudeness."

"You should worry more about your own encroaching senility. How many times do I have to tell you that I've broken off the engagement with that woman before it sticks in your memory?"

A verbal sparring match unfolded without the two men even locking eyes. El and Lifa could only watch blankly as the exchange—which bordered on verbal assault—continued. The fluid, unceasing flow of insults almost made it seem as if the two were perfectly in sync.

Despite the harsh words, however, there was no murderous intent hanging between Harold and Justus. There wasn't a hint of friendliness either, but despite the hostility, the exchange felt strangely transactional, as if they were simply checking off boxes in a routine conversation.

It was a truly bizarre sense of distance.

In the midst of this, the tea Harold had brewed was served.

El and Lifa sat on a two-person sofa with Justus positioned opposite them. Harold, meanwhile, withdrew to a seat by the window, keeping his distance.

"Well, no matter. Leaving that cantankerous man aside... I don't believe I've heard your names yet."

"Ah, I'm Lifa Goodridge."

"I am El. It is a distinct honor to meet the world-renowned Dr. Freund."

"I am Justus Freund. There is no need for such formality."

When a man with a completely expressionless face told you not to be formal, it wasn't exactly easy to just relax. El was well aware that he wasn't exactly a "normal" person himself, but even he felt the pressure.

"Thank you for your kindness."

"So, what brings you here? Surely you haven't been struck by a cataclysmic disaster like being invited here by Harold."

"Oh, that was because Lifa..."

El nudged Lifa’s arm with his elbow. Taking the cue, she began her explanation.

"I've always been interested in magic power research and I’ve been studying it on my own. I really wanted a chance to speak with you, Doctor, so I asked Harold when we met in Astis..."

"His name is fairly well-known, after all," El added. "Including exactly whose protection he enjoys."

"I see. It is rare for him to agree to such a request."

"Regarding that, it seems he took an interest in Lifa’s research—well, calling it 'research' might be a bit much yet, but her ideas regarding the application of astral."

"Ho..."

As El took over the explanation, his gaze drifted toward Harold. The boy was currently sipping his tea with a sour expression, looking for all the world as if he found the beverage loathsome.

The cover story they had prepared was simple: El and Lifa were friends who had crossed paths with Harold in Astis. Knowing his deep connections with Justus, they had pressured him into bringing them along.

For El, this was his first assignment to prove his worth to Harold. For Lifa, it was her way of fulfilling the "repay me later" condition Harold had set when she begged to join him on Mount Giran. Harold likely hadn't planned this far ahead back then, but seeing as he had brought it up now, this meeting clearly held significant value for him.

El’s instructions were to provide cover so Lifa wouldn't slip up, all while mining as much information as possible from Justus’s behavior. However, simply watching everything wouldn't be enough.

He had been told to focus on Justus’s research into magic power—specifically the substance known as the astral body. Even with a clear target, it was a grueling task for El to handle alone.

Perhaps sensing this, Harold had given him a warning beforehand: "I don't have high expectations. Consider any results a bonus. Your primary focus is ensuring he never realizes your true relationship with me or that you are a Giffelt."

If even Harold was that wary, then Justus Freund was a dangerous man indeed.

El thought back to the incident five years ago that had centered around Harold. He was convinced there was an absolute mastermind lurking in the shadows, someone capable of manipulating even the Deliberation Chamber.

Perhaps Justus was that mastermind, or at least someone very close to the center of the web.

If he was going to be pitted against such a figure, El honestly wished Harold had shared everything he knew about the man beforehand. But Harold’s refusal—or perhaps his inability—to do so suggested that Harold himself was burdened by some massive secret.

It was blindingly obvious that Harold Stokes was no ordinary teenager.

(Well, for now, I should focus on the task at hand. He’s clearly not an opponent I can afford to be careless around.)

El corrected his drifting thoughts and put on a natural, iron-clad smile. He steeled himself to begin the battle of wits, ensuring his true intentions remained hidden.

---

"Still, I am surprised you knew so much about Harold."

"I imagine some spiteful person has been busy slandering me behind my back," Harold interjected.

"I wouldn't know of such a person. They would be the polar opposite of me, as I speak nothing but the truth regarding you."

"Yeah, and thanks to that, I’m subjected to annoying glares wherever I go. It’s a real pain."

"I'm shocked you possess such delicate sensibilities. That might be a discovery worthy of the history books."

The man certainly has a silver tongue—one made of acid, Harold thought bitterly. He couldn't quite hide his annoyance, and it seeped into his expression and the tone of his voice.

Needless to say, the person spreading the rumors and ruining Harold's reputation was Justus himself. His goal was to isolate Harold, ensuring he had no allies and remained bound to the institute. No one in their right mind would try to help a person they only heard terrible things about. So far, Justus’s plan had been a resounding success.

It was the reason Harold had been saddled with the ominous title of "Knight Killer."

Furthermore, his reputation among the institute staff was abysmal. To them, he was a cold-blooded murderer living right next door, and Harold was partially to blame for that perception.

To put it simply, he had been intimidated by their blatant malice. To cope, he had started keeping his "switch" active at all times whenever he was outside his private room. If he didn't maintain that persona, he found it difficult to keep his composure. It was a pathetic excuse, but the focused hostility of humans felt far more terrifying than facing any high-level monster.

As a result, Harold’s tongue had become even sharper, which in turn fueled the staff’s resentment—a vicious cycle that had led to his current isolation. It was only natural, really.

"But I must say, the astral application Harold mentioned is intriguing. Would you mind elaborating?"

"Yes! I've been researching whether we can use scientific tools to supplement the use of magic, which usually depends on individual talent, to make it more versatile—"

Lifa began explaining her hybrid theory of science and magic. Crucially, Harold had instructed her to present it as a mere concept, hiding the fact that she was already moving toward practical application.

There were several reasons for this, but the primary goal was to bait Justus into offering technical advice or ideas that would strengthen Lifa. After seeing the lack of punch in her attacks against the Hydra, Harold had decided she needed an upgrade.

He had originally planned to meddle with Rainer’s group from the shadows later, but this was more efficient. Better to leave science to a scientist.

Since Lifa would eventually join the protagonist's party, she would inevitably have to fight Justus. It would be a disadvantage if her primary means of attack were already known, even if it were only a theoretical version.

However, it was unlikely Justus was even considering the possibility of combat at this stage. And even if he eventually realized Lifa was an enemy, he would be too busy dealing with the fallout of Rainer’s group disrupting his plans to devise immediate countermeasures. Harold intended to be behind the scenes, ensuring the events of the original story were cleared efficiently. Justus wouldn't have the luxury of time.

That was why he had taken the risk of bringing Lifa here. It was an unexpected turn of events, but a golden opportunity nonetheless.

"...I see. I can understand why Harold was interested."

As the technical discussion reached a lull, Justus offered his appraisal. Harold had been listening, but the conversation was so dense with jargon that he’d tuned out halfway through.

Lifa might look like a child, but her intellect was genuine—she was the genius who had developed resistance medicine and eventually stopped Justus’s plans in the original game. There was no way a mediocre man like Harold could keep up with a conversation between two geniuses of that caliber.

"So, um... what do you think? Is there anything that could be improved...?"

"I can't say for certain without seeing it in practice, but several points caught my attention. I wouldn't mind sharing my thoughts, but I am quite a busy man."

Justus glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was up.

Lifa’s shoulders slumped. "I-I see... You're right."

However, Justus’s next words were unexpected.

"That said, your perspective and ideas are truly remarkable. If your schedule allows, you should stay here for a while. We can discuss these matters properly when I can carve out some time."

"Wait, really!?"

This is bad, Harold thought before Lifa could even bite. He hadn't expected Justus to go so far as to sacrifice his own time for someone else. This was the man who usually had zero interest in other people.

Lifa’s theory must have truly piqued his curiosity.

But a long-term stay was a massive risk. If they slipped up even once, the web of secrets Harold and the others were hiding would be unraveled.

"Hold on, Lifa. If we do that, we’ll be late getting back to the village, and they’ll find out we lied about how far we were traveling. You know it won't just be a lecture from Uncle this time, right?"

El was the one who stepped into the breach. Whether he’d thought of it on the spot or prepared it in advance, he delivered a perfectly natural excuse for why they couldn't stay.

Lifa looked confused at first, but she quickly grasped the situation and turned slightly pale. To an observer, it looked exactly like a girl trembling at the thought of a scolding from a stern relative.

"What do you mean?" Justus asked.

"We were born in a small village where most people make a living through farming and livestock. In a place like that, someone like Lifa, who's obsessed with science, stands out. Her family has been very strict about her stopping this 'researcher' hobby."

The background El was spinning was actually Lifa’s real backstory from the original game. It wasn't a lie.

Harold wondered how El knew that, but Lifa simply looked down awkwardly rather than with surprise. They must have bonded quite a bit over the last few days if she had shared those details with him.

"We traveled to Astis this time, but we told the family we were just going to the Royal Capital for sightseeing. That’s why we can't manage a long stay."

"I see. Then, how much time do you have left?"

If it had been Harold, he would have likely snapped "none" without thinking.

But El didn't do that. After a few seconds of silence, he replied with a grave expression.

"Two weeks is the limit."

"I see. About what I expected. You are quite clever—if you had immediately claimed you had no time at all, I would have been suspicious."

Harold understood what Justus meant a moment later, and a cold sweat broke out across his body.

Given their cover story, El and the others should have calculated the travel time between their village, Astis, and the Royal Capital. The fact that they met Harold in Astis and came here meant they had used an airship. Considering how long Harold’s mission took and the time needed to return, the timeline was clear.

Normally, two girls from a small village wouldn't be expected to use an expensive airship. They would use a shared carriage or walk. Compared to an airship, those methods were incredibly slow.

Because they were in the Royal Capital right now—whether it was a detour or on the way—there should have been a massive surplus of time compared to their original walking or carriage schedule.

If they were truly in a rush, they wouldn't have begged to meet Justus in the first place. No matter what excuse they used, the mere fact that they were standing here meant it was impossible for them to have zero time to spare.

He had thought El’s lie was perfect and unfalsifiable.

But for Justus, it hadn't been a rejection. It had merely been the final piece of information he needed to solidify their stay.

Furthermore, that last comment... it was a clear sign that Justus was already suspicious of them. They wouldn't be able to move carelessly now.

"I will arrange for an airship that stops at the town nearest your village for your return trip. That should allow you to extend your stay even further."

To Harold, Justus’s helpful proposal sounded exactly like a death sentence.