Chapter 24: The Untraceable Killer
Subaru and Eileen were walking through a familiar, dim corridor.
"Are you really going to start by investigating your bro— cough, I mean, your brother?"
"I don't want to, but all the secret passageways in the mansion are under his control.
And only with my brother's Yin attribute magic can we conduct our investigation in secret.
Plus, once we begin, there's no way we can keep this from him anyway. And he's someone we can trust."
"True. I can't imagine Mr. Bernie ever betraying Reinhild."
Recalling his teacher from the previous loop—an overly devoted fan—Subaru nodded in agreement.
Just then, a sudden light appeared in front of them.
『Poison Detection』
A white light flashed across the room.
Unexpectedly, the light turned purple the next moment.
Bernie quickly turned around.
"Eileen, what are you doing here? And how could you cast magic in my room?"
It was the first time Subaru had seen Bernie angry, and his instinct was to flee.
"I should be asking you—why are there so many poisonous materials here? Are you conducting experiments? And wait… this painting of Lord Reinhild looks awfully familiar. Isn't it the same composition I used for that sketch I made on our trip north?"
"Exactly. Your doodle completely failed to capture Lord Reinhild's perfection, so I'm repainting it here."
"What?! What was wrong with my drawing?!"
As the siblings began arguing over how best to depict Reinhild's beauty, Subaru's tension eased.
Finally, as the appointed judge, Subaru looked over both paintings—Eileen's photo-realistic depiction and Bernie's anime-style version—and, true to his otaku nature, chose Bernie's without hesitation.
"So, what did you come here for, and why did you use magic?"
Eileen, now composed, quickly explained the situation.
"I see. Well, I have documentation for everything here.
These materials were purchased using mansion funds, and Otto has the records.
If you don't believe me, you can check with him.
Anyway, I'll cover for you so no one else in the mansion learns about your investigation.
Also, when you see Otto, be sure to tell him about the matter with the demonic beast forest."
"Talk about perfect timing."
As Subaru and Eileen left, Otto stepped out from the shadows and spoke.
"Yeah. My sister must've gotten Lady Reinhild's approval before taking action.
The royal selection's about to begin. If we're going to participate, this is a good chance to weed out the parasites."
"I suspect Reinhild only meant for her to place a detection spell outside, nothing more."
"Still, using a little Yin magic to check if anyone's inside is fair game, right? My orders were to ensure they aren't discovered, after all."
"Thanks. I'll start slowly removing them from the inside."
"You're too soft.
But about Subaru—on the night he got injured, Winston and I were standing guard at the door. I don't want to let someone who tricked my sister get away.
And more than that, he knows way too much—even about this room."
"He's Lady Reinhild's benefactor. If Eileen trusts him, then he's not an enemy.
Let's just let him leave quietly. If it really bothers you, give him a warning."
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.
.
"This is the last one."
Unaware he had just narrowly avoided death, Subaru and Eileen continued their investigation as planned.
It was now dinnertime.
Eileen cast her detection spell in the final steward's room.
Subaru silently prayed.
The white light spread and quickly faded. Eileen shook her head at Subaru.
"That's the last one. No poison found."
Subaru was immensely relieved—but then realized this meant none of the 15 mansion managers' rooms had the poison that killed him.
The only place with poisonous experimental materials was Bernie's room.
The kitchen had some toxic ingredients too, used by Head Chef Paul Bocus.
Paul claimed they were for a fugu (pufferfish) dish Reinhild requested. Bernie's experimental materials also seemed to be documented with Otto.
"Let's talk to Lord Otto after dinner. If everything checks out, we'll expand the search."
"Are you okay? You look a bit pale."
Subaru asked with concern.
After assuring him she was fine, they headed to Otto's office after dinner—only to find the mercenary guild leader from that morning already there.
"We'll leave it to you, my lord."
"We'll send people to investigate tomorrow."
After confirming everything, the guild leader tactfully exited, and Otto vouched for the two suspects.
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.
.
"Nothing here either."
Eileen said as she watched the white light fade.
"Let's call it a day."
Subaru looked out the window at the darkening sky.
It was still the evening of the fifth day, and they had begun investigating the wealthier members of the royal guard.
"But this is a good sign too. And now that the demonic beast forest crisis is over, as long as Reinhild isn't lured away, the enemy won't make a move."
Subaru looked toward the center of the courtyard—there lay the corpse of a massive black demonic beast, its lion head, horse- or goat-like body, and serpent tail sprawling across the ground like a vanquished monster truck.
This was a Kiltirau, a boss-level demonic beast that dwells deep within mana-rich forests.
Unlike other beasts, they do not roar needlessly.
Despite their massive bodies, they move with agility and are skilled in ambush and assassination tactics, capable of silent, one-hit kills.
Known as the Shadow Lion and Black King of the Forest, they are apex predators.
This one had been slain by Reinhild.
Last night, the guild leader visited the mansion, and Otto dispatched the royal guards to confirm the situation early this morning.
The expected clash still occurred, but Otto deliberately told Reinhild about the beast forest to separate him from someone else.
And so, the tragic king of the forest—despite being capable of wiping out an entire knight squad in its home terrain—was struck down in an instant by the arriving Reinhild.
The master's promised reinforcements for the beast never arrived.