Magic Forbidden Library

Feeling a pleasant pain, Reina and I finished breakfast and came to the office where our father was waiting.

　However, Father glares at the invitation placed on the table, and the room is filled with a suffocating atmosphere.

　As a result of my father's investigation, there was only one nobleman who had not lost his memory.

　His name is Marquis Juke Andraus.

　The Andraus family has been financially supporting the Londism Kingdom since ancient times, but lately there have been a lot of nasty rumors flying around.

　Although he is not a duke, his power is said to be comparable to the four great ducal families, and he is actually the central figure in the kingdom that my father is spying on.

　The difference between the Andraus family and the four great ducal families is the difference in whether or not they were able to leave a mark in the wars of the past, and in terms of their current major financial contributions, they are fully comparable.

　Juke, the current head of the long-established Andraus family, was the only one who retained a firm memory of Fronne.

　Above all, the other side tried to contact me through my father, so this must be true.

"...It's probably a trap. It's waiting with its mouth open for us to stick our necks in."

　Apparently he's hosting a party in a week, and he'd like me to attend.

　First of all, there are rumors that I have zero magical aptitude, so I have never been invited to a party.

　Even though I am the son of a duke, it is thought that trying to win over someone like me, who is said to be a dropout, is pointless.

Many of the nobles know that he is involved in the [Lightning Strike Furone] incident. However, it is difficult to imagine that the reputation that has been accumulated over many years will change so easily.

　Besides, I only partially know that I received a reward from His Majesty the King.

　Despite that, Andraus invited me. Obviously suspicious.

"At this timing...it's possible that they were trying to connect with Ogre in anticipation of his future, but...there's no doubt that this is a case involving Fronne."

"You really shouldn't go. It's too dangerous."

"...I have the same opinion."

　It would be foolish to jump in when you don't know anything about dark attribute magic yet.

　There was no way I would give my life to such an obvious trap.

"And speaking of the Andraus family…"

"That's right. Alice...the nobleman who expelled her from the Holy Knights."

　I remember that Alice's name was listed in the report submitted by Alice as a group of aristocrats who were breaking the law and engaging in human trafficking.

"In that case, there's no way I can go."

　I have to be more careful not to let her hear me...I see. Was that the reason why Alice was left out of this discussion?

"But, is Father okay? Will my refusal affect the internal investigation?"

　I wanted to avoid creating a rift between Juke and my father, who was playing the role of an unscrupulous lord.

　I don't want them to lose the position they have built over the past ten years.

　My father's life's efforts turn into bubbles.

　Above all, the Andraus family's territory was adjacent to the Veret family.

　I don't want the relationship between the two families to become sour.

"You don't have to worry about that. I'll act like we don't get along well with my son, who has recently started to make a name for himself."

　My father joked like that while laughing heartily as usual.

　Of course, there's no way my father, a childish person, would really think that, so I laughed as well.

　My concerns have been resolved, so if that happens, the answer will be ``I won't go.''

"However, to create such an easy-to-understand situation...what on earth is Flone planning...?"

"...That person is an arrogant person, so perhaps he's taking advantage of us unexpectedly."

"I hope so. However, it's not good to be optimistic. Let's focus on monitoring Juke for a while. If you two notice anything, please let us know right away."

""got it""

　This concludes the story about the Andraus family for now.

　Can't wait for the next one. It was a guide to the Magic Forbidden Library.

"Shall we move to the Magic Forbidden Library as promised?"

"Now, let's get ready for the trip."

"Hahaha. There's no need for that, both of you. The Magic Forbidden Library is here."

""...teeth?""

　My and Reina's dull voices overlap.

　Father's mouth turned up with a smile, indicating that the prank was a success.

"The Magic Forbidden Library is in the basement of this mansion."