#33 – Smell
The prime minister’s mansion was located in a luxurious residential district called Amajina.
As would be expected for such a place, there were hardly any people walking outside.
As we went through the high gate, I turned my eyes to the house from inside of the car.
It was about half the size of the Count’s house.
However, it was no less extravagant. It was the kind of house that would have been considered a cultural treasure in my own world. Grand and beautiful.
“We have been waiting for you.”
A butler bowed at the door.
As for me, I was wearing a formal suit, which Ms. Iria had prepared for me. I had wanted to bring Kuro, but was not allowed.
Obviously, my weapons were also left at the hotel.
I followed the butler into the house, and was greeted by several maids.
He really was a noble.
However, what was a little surprising was how noisy the place seemed to be.
I could hear the sounds of people running in the back, and the maids here looked a little flustered and confused.
“There will be some time before dinner, so perhaps you would like to wait in your room.”
Apparently, that is where I would meet the old man.
Two maids stepped forward at the butler’s suggestion.
“This way, please.”
“Ah, thank you.”
As we walked down the hallway, we passed other servants who were walking quickly.
I could not tell by their expressions, but it did seem like they were in a rush.
“…I am sorry for the state of things. We were only just informed about the banquet tonight…”
“Don’t say that in front of the guest.”
The other maid rebuked the young maid who had explained.
“We are very sorry, Mr. Yukito.”
“No, it’s nothing at all.”
Well, it was good to know the reason.
And since I was not a noble, I really had no opinion on manners or the like.
“Please make yourself comfortable here. We will call you as soon as dinner is ready.”
I was taken to a very fancy room.
There was a table with some tea, as well as fruits.
“Please excuse us. If you need anything, you can ring that bell over there.”
The two maids exited the room, and I sat down in the chair.
I picked up the cup of tea and brought it to my lips—and then paused.
(…What?)
A chill ran down my spine.
I peered into the cup. It must be…very expensive compared to normal tea. But it was tea.
However…
My senses were tingling.
Something was wrong.
(…Outside of the room?)
I slowly walked to the door and opened it.
But there was nothing there.
Still, the feeling remained.
I looked down the hallway—and my eyes stopped at the room at the corner.
There. My instincts said.
Why was the hallway so quiet now? I didn’t see a single person.
As if being drawn to it, I approached, step by step. And my hand went to the doorknob.
—Why had I not brought my weapon?
The question rose up within me, but my reasoning side said I was being foolish.
No one would bring their weapon when being invited to a noble’s mansion.
But in that moment.
I finally understood what was strange.
—The smell.
The door opened easily, without making a sound.
The first thing that came into view was the opened window and swaying curtains.
There was no light from the moon, and only the light from the hallway dimly illuminated the room.
Up ahead, lay a man.
Sinking in a sea of red. Blood.
(The Black Prime Minister… Melzes Rovel…)
He was faced down, so I could not see. But he was clearly dead.
There was a large slash on his back, and the skin that could be seen had turned blue.
I took a step into the room… And then noticed that there was something on the desk.
No, not a thing.
It was letters written in blood.
But it was too dark to read. Just as I was about to move closer…
“Ahhh!!”
I heard someone scream in the hallway.
That was when I realized how shaken I had been.
So much that I didn’t realize there was someone there.
It was the maid. The younger one.
With a look of horror, she looked at the body…and then at me.
“Wait…I…”
I was about to explain.
But then the ear-splitting sound of a siren rang.
(Ah, of course.)
It made sense.
That’s why it was all so strange.
—I have been framed.