"Have you noticed anything suspicious on your end lately?"
The question naturally fell to Sebastian.
He lowered his eyes to the floor for a beat, then gave a slow, measured shake of his head.
"No. Since that incident, we have completely overhauled the manor’s security protocols and replaced several staff members. There have been no notable irregularities. As for the new hires, their backgrounds have been thoroughly vetted."
As he spoke, the butler cast a confirming glance toward the black-haired maid standing behind him.
The maid looked thoughtful for a moment, then spoke up as if a stray memory had just surfaced.
"...There is one matter, though I doubt it is worth much concern."
After that brief preface, she continued.
"Recently, solicitors for what appears to be a 'new religion' have been appearing in the neighborhood. They even came to this manor once. Naturally, we turned them away at the gate, and we haven't heard from them since. I didn't think it necessary to report."
A religion, huh? Smells like a lead.
Sebastian gave a sharp nod of encouragement, and the maid went on.
"Many of the estates in this area have deep ties to this family, so there is a loose communication network among the servants. The topic of these solicitors came up during our exchanges. Everyone claimed to have turned them away. However—"
"However?" I interjected.
"One person was strangely vague about it. As if they were hiding something—no, I didn't pay it much mind at the time, but thinking back on it now, perhaps..."
I asked where the servant’s place of employment was. It was only a few minutes' walk from here. The household was connected to a Rainburg subsidiary, though it was a step removed from the main branch.
It’s worth checking out later. It might link back to Kaya’s situation somehow.
"Anything else?"
"Nothing in particular."
Sebastian’s response to the maid’s account was concise.
I see. At the very least, it seemed they hadn't realized Cecily’s "clones" had been discovered.
Ideally, I would have preferred to discuss this with just the butler, but Lucia was the one representing the family today. With Gordon away, it would be bad form to exclude her.
"That helps. Also—the next part is highly confidential. If possible, I’d like to keep the circle small."
The moment I spoke, Sebastian nodded silently and dismissed the maid with a gentle look.
The maid stepped forward and whispered to Cecily.
"...Milady."
"Hmph. I wanted to hear the rest—but it’s business, I suppose. It can’t be helped."
Cecily rose quietly, pinched her hem, and gave a graceful bow.
"Thank you so much for the other day. Please, you must visit again. Next time, I shall ensure you are properly entertained."
She offered a soft smile and vanished through the door with the maid.
That left four of us: Lucia, Sebastian, Kaya, and myself.
Once I was sure we were alone, I spoke again.
"First, take a look at this."
I pulled my mobile terminal from my inner pocket and set it on the low table.
As their eyes converged on the device, I activated the hologram. A faint light flickered to life, and the silhouettes of them materialized in the air.
Multiple bodies of varying ages floated within preservation pods.
Their skin was unblemished—save for a single, thin line across their foreheads. To anyone of the Rainburg bloodline, that appearance was unmistakably familiar.
"...!"
Lucia’s breath hitched. Her hand fumbled for the handle of her teacup, her fingers gripping it until her knuckles turned white.
"These are the Cecily clones discovered in the Subplate. I’ve recovered every unit I could find. There’s no significant external trauma—however, 'only the brains' have been removed."
I tapped my temple lightly while presenting the cold facts.
Lucia swallowed hard. Sebastian didn't move a muscle, but his pupils narrowed into needle-thin slits.
"The purpose is unknown. You could make a case for medical research or organ harvesting, but there’s little reason to obsess 'only' over Cecily. Even if the goal was a brain transplant, there's no logic in keeping a lineup of empty shells."
"...And you are certain these have been recovered?"
Sebastian’s voice dropped an octave.
"Who was responsible for the recovery?"
The mask of the benevolent old man had slipped entirely.
He radiated a cold, practiced intimidation that could pin a man to his seat with a single look. It was to be expected. If things like this were circulating on the streets, "public image" would be the least of their worries.
"The recovery went through 'Eradicata.' I can't say for sure if we got them all. It’s possible some were overlooked."
Lucia bit her lip. A faint furrow etched itself between Sebastian’s brows.
"...Eradicata, you say?"
The butler’s voice was heavy with suspicion.
"In that case, was your client also from that organization, Master Haijima?"
I took a sip of coffee. Once the bitterness had sharpened my senses, I nodded.
Sebastian was sharp. He’d clearly been looking into me for a while; I had to assume he knew at least a little about my past.
"Perceptive as always. According to them, Eradicata 'wasn't involved.' They claim they found the clones and simply 'secured' them."
I shrugged.
But that young executive who tried to intercept us up here was definitely in bed with the cult. If that’s the case, the 'whole organization is innocent' argument doesn't hold water.
I still couldn't tell what Junkhead had found or what he really wanted from me. But I would move at my own pace.
At the very least, I wasn't going to label all of Eradicata as "guilty" or "innocent" just yet. I needed to keep the variables separate.
Lucia’s gaze wavered between fear and fury.
Despite everything that had already happened, the thought of her sister being dragged into another nightmare clearly stoked a fire in her.
"Just to add to that," Kaya said, setting her glass down on the table after removing the straw. Her voice was the light treble of a youth, but the polished delivery was exactly as I remembered. "Finding specimens this well-preserved in the Subplate is rare. While we can't rule out a thrill-seeker, it's a safe bet there's a specific agenda behind this."
"An agenda..."
Lucia frowned. Sebastian simply nodded, likely already drawing his own conclusions.
He looked toward me, seeking confirmation.
"Have you grasped anything further on your end, Master Haijima?"
"Not yet. I have my suspicions, but no proof."
I shook my head.
Sebastian lowered his eyes, looking slightly disappointed.
"...I see, Master Haijima."
After exchanging a look with Lucia and receiving a firm nod in return, the butler bowed deeply.
"May we offer a formal request? We would like you to identify the origin of Lady Cecily’s clones and, if possible, eliminate the threat they represent."
I figured as much. I knew that was coming.
I’m not exactly a professional troubleshooter, you know.
"...Are you sure you want to do this without the head of the house's permission?"
Lucia nodded, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering resolve.
"As my father’s proxy, I am formally issuing this request on behalf of the Rainburg family. We can discuss the compensation at a later date... Of course, you are free to decide whether to accept once the terms are set."
She finished her piece and looked down slightly.
"...Our house will naturally conduct its own investigation, but the Subplate is difficult for us to reach..."
"I’ll consider it. One more thing: try not to poke around Eradicata too much. It’ll make it harder for me to operate."
I passed along Junkhead’s request.
In truth, it was just a fact—having Upper District elites stirring the pot in territory they didn't understand would be a massive headache.
Lucia nodded, and I let it rest there.
Someone like Sebastian would probably still do his own digging, but Junkhead had likely accounted for that. As long as it didn't blow up into a high-profile investigation, it wouldn't be an issue. That’s just how prestige works.
I swiped away the hologram. The silver figures vanished like mist, leaving only the warm, ambient light of the drawing room.
"If there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to ask. We will provide whatever support we can."
"I haven't said I’m taking the job yet. But I appreciate it."
Sebastian nodded, clearly understanding the unspoken reality of the situation.
I gave a brief word of thanks and leaned back into the chair. The cushion sank under my weight.
Well... in the worst-case scenario, I’ll end up dismantling Eradicata along with the rest, but that’s a bridge for another day.
I had no intention of hesitating, even if it was my old haunt. That said, I still suspected Junkhead was clean.
"Then, we shall share any information with you immediately. We will contact you the moment we learn anything."
"I’m counting on you."
I stood up. It was time to leave.
As I headed for the door, Kaya stood with effortless grace. Her shadow stretched across the floor, cutting through the flickering candlelight.
"Haijima-san."
Lucia’s voice caught me from behind. I looked back to find her staring straight at me.
"...Please. We are in your debt."
"Don't get your hopes up."
I gave a curt reply and shared a brief look with her over my shoulder.
Lucia only smiled in response.
The door closed quietly. It seemed Sebastian would escort us to the entrance; Lucia stayed behind to contact her father.
Stepping out into the polished corridor, I saw the sunlight reflecting white against the glass.
Without my noticing, the rain had finally stopped.
Beside me, Kaya whispered softly.
"It’s a lovely home. I think I understand why you’re so fond of it, Rei."
"I’m not 'fond' of it," I replied, staring straight ahead. Kaya just let out a mischievous snicker.
At that moment, the terminal in my pocket buzzed.
I pulled it out to see a single, short sentence. The sender was the Doctor.
<Target has returned to the nest.>
I grinned.
Well, it looked like our next destination had been decided.