Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 626: Wish (12)

"Am I right? I told you it would be fine."

While basking in the joy of victory, I straightened my shoulders, but my grandfather's response was lukewarm.

<...Is this realistically possible?>

"It is possible. It happened in reality."

<No matter how lucky you are, this is...>

What happened just moments ago was a phenomenon that couldn’t be explained by anything other than the words ‘the gods wanted me to win’. From the moment the game started until the end, the best hands kept coming—if anyone had seen it, they would’ve asked if I was trying to get my hand cut off.

In fact, Duke Kurten seemed to think I had cheated, and even now, he was asking what kind of trick I used, saying he would grant any wish if I just told him.

But surprisingly, there was no trick! I don’t know anything about gambling techniques! I don’t even know how to shuffle cards properly—how could I know any gambling tricks?!

"Just pure luck? How could one person’s luck be that good?"

"My employer is speaking the truth."

Despite my explanation, even with Karia’s assertion, the Duke’s gaze remained pitiful. He probably just wanted to know what had pushed him into a corner.

It’s luck! My luck!

And hey! If anyone should be doubted, it should be the dealer! The one giving out cards that all landed on 21—that guy’s the culprit!

"My employer. That guy can’t cheat. He swore on fairness, and if he breaks that, his soul will be taken!"

"So, if anything is possible, it’s only because of Lady Arlen."

"Lord Sugar Duke, you’re probably having trouble seeing, so why do you keep thinking it’s all about what you can see with your eyes? There’s something above that, isn’t there?"

"...Are you talking about the gods?"

Yes! If all of this was innocent, then the only manipulator could be one person—the utterly useless god!

"What should I do? It seems that the useless god couldn’t bear to see me lose to an old man like you."

That bastard is playing favorites however he likes—what am I supposed to do about that?!

If you’re mad, Duke, you should’ve been born a cute mesugaki!

If you were a lolicon mesubaba, the useless god would’ve probably been drooling and talking to you!

That bastard is a pedophile!

"The god," I muttered, and the Duke blinked before letting out a dry laugh, clearly not understanding my thoughts.

"Ha. I see. If that’s what the god wanted, then I have nothing to say."

Huh? You really believe that? I thought you’d keep arguing with me!

Could it be that you, Duke, are also some pervert who can’t handle holy figures like Count Artea?

If that's the case, tell me now! I’ll run away immediately!

"I’ll give you the key to the treasure vault. Take what you wish."

"You seem to be mistaken. I have no interest in your family’s treasure that reeks of sweat. What would I even do with such junk?"

"Don’t worry. This is a reward given separately from our cooperation."

"Did you not hear me? I don’t need that kind of junk!"

I know what’s in Duke Kurten’s treasure vault. I’ve raided it a few times, so how could I not know?

There’s the jewel of life, cursed swords, semi-legendary armor—there are many valuable items in there, but right now, I don’t need any of them.

And it’s the same with my friends’ equipment.

Honestly speaking, whatever I get would just take up space in my inventory. I wouldn’t be happy at all.

"Then."

"Please tell me about the delusional queen. I’ve heard you were quite close to her."

Instead, what I asked the Duke for was information about the 1st Queen.

Based on the context, my knowledge of the 1st Queen is inconsistent with this world.

If I leave this mismatch unchecked, it could create variables when I eventually face her.

I have to take control now. So I can deal with whatever happens.

The Duke, who had been silent with his eyes closed, finally opened them with a sigh.

"It was something promised to His Majesty, but now that His Majesty is gone, I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore."

"Duke! Did you know about this?!"

As Rene, who had been watching our conversation, shouted and rushed in, the Duke slowly nodded.

"Yes. The 1st Queen came and told me directly."

"But you—no! How could you have tolerated His Majesty’s death?!"

"Because it was His Majesty’s wish."

"What?"

"I’ll tell you everything. Just wait a moment. By the time the story is over, you’ll know everything."

"How can I believe you?"

"Of course, you shouldn’t believe me. So, trust Karia’s ability."

At the Duke’s words, Karia interjected.

"I’m sorry, but Duke Kurten. I can only read others' thoughts. If there’s something wrong with the person’s mind, my ability is meaningless."

"It’s fine. His mind is intact. I vouch for it."

Karia’s doubt was answered by the frozen fox, glaring at the Duke from Benedict’s shoulder.

"Can you be sure?"

"I’m called the Mist Fox. Do you think I can’t distinguish the fog in his mind?"

"There’s always a possibility."

"Do you think I’d tolerate someone who could make Lucy hate me? I speak with certainty."

"...That’s true."

Karia, convinced by the lack of refinement in his words, locked eyes with Duke Kurten again.

"Then, will you tell me?"

"I hope you are satisfied."

With a light laugh, the Duke looked around at everyone in the room before carefully speaking.

"It’s quite an old story. We have to go back to before His Majesty became king."

Not long after Duke Kurten obtained his title, the only comfort he had, as he felt the weight of his position, was his childhood friend.

Even the astute prince, who had grumbled about the academy being a microcosm of politics, probably felt the same way after only two months of turning it into his own.

"Seiji. You knew about my magical tools, right?"

"I’m confident I’m better than most experts."

"I found something really interesting in the royal palace’s basement. Would you take a look at it?"

If not for that, he wouldn’t have been showing the Duke the things he found in forbidden places.

Invited by the prince, the Duke saw someone whose limbs had been disassembled.

No, to be precise, it was a doll that was indistinguishable from a human.

"I originally tried to restore it myself, but I couldn’t."

"Each device has precise magic engraved on it."

"From my research, it seems to be from the great mage Erginus."

"Really?"

"Definitely. It matches what I saw in the royal archives."

The Duke, believing the prince’s words, agreed.

"May I take a moment to examine it?"

The magic engraved on the doll was extremely interesting, but it was also familiar.

It was similar to the magic used to create golems in modern magic. Specifically, the magic engraved on the doll was much more refined and detailed.

"Do you see hope?"

"I think it would be easier to bring in Partlan’s kid."

"That... Partlan’s boy is a bit troublesome."

"Looks can be deceiving. He’s a decent kid."

"Do you think it’s still difficult even with your help?"

"Let’s try first."

"Haha! Thank you! You’re the only one I can count on!"

The two of them gathered whenever they had some free time and worked on restoring the doll. The prince, in particular, was very enthusiastic.

Whatever it was he had discovered inside the doll, he threw himself into the restoration, even abandoning his daily life.

Even when the Duke tried to stop him, he couldn’t.

The Duke, certain that he couldn’t stop the prince until the doll was restored, did his best for the prince’s sake.

How much time had passed? When the Duke found a secret place to try another test, the prince was grinning with excitement.

"Seiji! You’ve finally arrived! I thought I’d die waiting for you!"

"What’s going on?"

"Of course! There’s something really good! Come on, hurry inside!"

That day, for the first time, the Duke faced the cold, mechanical eyes of the doll. The emotionless eyes of the machine sent a chill down his spine.

"This is Seiji, who helped me restore this doll!"

"Nice to meet you, Duke Kurten. I am an unknown doll. I sincerely thank you for helping me awaken."

The doll, awakening from a long sleep, introduced itself as a creation of the great mage Erginus.

It said it was a being meant to monitor the contract between Soladin and Erginus, set up when Soladin was first founded.

"Monitor! A monitor!"

Arthur interrupted the story, shouting, and the Duke’s eyes widened.

"How do you know him, Prince?"

"You must know! Erginus became the Dark God!"

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"Indeed. It seems the great mage explained it himself."

Using Erginus as an excuse to dodge the situation, Arthur ignored the biting rebuke in his ear.

"Then you must also know that the 1st Queen was a monitor."

The Duke’s casual words froze the room. Even Lucy Arlen, who had been at ease until now, stiffened.

"Didn’t you know?"

"...Erginus said he couldn’t find any traces of her."

"Ah. Has the miracle bestowed by His Holiness the Pope surpassed even the great mage’s wisdom?"

The mention of the Pope caused another silence in the room.

"As I was about to explain, I’ll say it now. The 1st Queen gained her current vitality because His Holiness the Pope granted her a blessing."