100. joint investigation (4)

About 20 minutes had passed since Maxim started working with Adeline alone. It was Adeline who couldn’t see, but when she was just walking down the street, she seemed fine. Like a person who can see, Adeline shyly avoids those who get close to her, making Maxim’s eyes that occasionally look back at her embarrassing.

“Is there anything you would like to eat?”

What Maxim knew about Adeline in that short time was that, outside of work, she rarely pushed her case. No, rather than saying ‘very little’, there was nothing to express her opinion. For example, when asked what he wanted to eat for lunch, he answered like this.

“I will follow as you wish.”

It wasn’t an answer that he didn’t want to eat anything, nor that he couldn’t think of anything, but that he would follow Maxim wherever he wanted to go. It was an answer that might sound ordinary to some, but at least Maxim was very uncomfortable with Adeline giving such an answer.

‘Have I become too sensitive?’

Perhaps because it was a conversation with a potential enemy, every word they exchanged pierced Maxim’s throat and ears like a razor blade. Still, it was necessary to focus on this operation. In order to do that, it would be necessary to get close to a knight named Adeline.

A level of vigilance to the point where he could take his head without hesitation if given an order. Maxim set that boundary as a line in his heart. Until we reached that line, it didn’t matter if we were close enough to have a normal conversation.

“I will go to the place I usually go.”

“Yeah.

Of course, Maxim’s plan to close some distance from her in the form of consideration caused a big setback to the knight’s attitude, which seemed insensitive and self-conscious. Maxim looked at Adeline with eyes that were half troubled and half annoyed, but there was no way Adeline, who was blind, could notice Maxim’s gaze.

“ha… .”

Of course, instead of the blind eyes, the extremely sensitive hearing catches that sigh right away,

“Why is that?”

“… it’s nothing. anything.”

He even caught the sound of such a subtle sigh and asked the reason. Maxim decided to put up with this uncomfortable feeling for now.

“Do you have any favorite food?”

“Were we close enough to ask such questions?”

Oh, I was wrong for asking.

Maxim tried to let out another sigh from his mouth, but managed to stop it from biting his teeth. I don’t know if I can properly talk about the operation because of this. Maxim decided to keep his mouth shut until he reached the restaurant.

“… This way.”

At the intersection where the roadside divides into several alleys, the restaurant Maxim chose appears after turning into one alley. It was a place I used often when I was the vice-captain of the Jackdaw Knights. Still holding up a worn-out signboard, several men sat silently emptying their dishes behind the dusty windows.

“Are you not coming in?”

As Maxim suddenly stopped and stared blankly at the signboard, Adeline, who had been waiting for him, asked. Maxim was thinking of the person he used to come to this restaurant with. Adeline, who somehow noticed that she was lost in thought, did not call Maxim more and waited quietly.

I thought of her complaining about the creaking I heard every time I opened an old door. Even so, I remember the face that always had a smile on my lips. Maxim opened the door of the store, forcing his furrowed brow to open.

“Let’s go in.”

Maxim said so quietly. Did you choose this restaurant for nothing? Even this creaking sound only reminded Maxim of the pain of memories.

When the owner of the restaurant opened the door and saw Maxim and Adeline entering, he simply raised his head and lowered his head, but did not greet them. If Maxim’s appearance hadn’t changed, he would have said, “Why did you come to visit me after such a long time?”

“Please place your order there.”

A gruff and grumpy voice was heard. Maxim taught Adeline how to cook at the restaurant and asked which one she would like to make. Of course, the answer that came back was the same.

“Do as you please.”

A voice that doesn’t even show emotion. It wasn’t a sarcastic tone, but again the answer offended Maxim. Maxim did not express his dissatisfaction and ordered the same food he ate. Even when Maxim ordered, the host simply replied that he would understand.

“… Well, about the investigation.”

It was a waste to feel awkward. Maxim immediately brought up the topic. Adeline nodded, as if trying to listen to Maxim. At least, the only consolation was that this insensitive knight maintained the same attitude even now.

“Is it possible to go undercover?”

At Maxim’s answer, Adeline tilted her head as if asking why she was asking that. The sight of his dark blue hair flowing down his head looked quite nice, but Maxim didn’t seem to pay much attention to it.

“There’s nothing you can’t do if you do.”

“like. So, this time period. Do you think it would be possible to sneak into the Mage Tower unnoticed during the most crowded time?”

Adeline changed her attitude, this time turning her head straight.

“You really want to go into hiding.”

“As I said, if the seniors start the investigation first, it will be difficult to properly investigate their research achievements when we step out as a public investigative team. That’s why, before the wizards blind us, we’d better move first.”

“… Then, as a member of the investigation team, are you saying you have no intention of conducting an official investigation?”

Adeline asked if that would be difficult, and Maxim shook his head.

“It will be all right after the situation is over. That way the investigation will be over much quicker.”

At Maxim’s explanation, Adeline nodded.

“The word has a point. but.”

Adeline is the first to object. Maxim took the posture of listening to the story.

“That increases the risk of getting caught. In any case, this would be an unofficial intrusion rather than an official investigation. Is it worth taking that risk?”

Adeline’s words were not aimed at the royal family, but at Maxim. The benefits that could be obtained from the information obtained by digging into the Mage Tower would certainly be enormous, but the risk of being caught was too great. If the kingdom even cuts off its tail, Maxim will take full responsibility for the investigation.

“If you do not agree, it is okay to conduct the investigation yourself.”

Maxim’s answer to him was not to convince or understand Adeline. Adeline responded to Maxim’s monogamous words with a flat voice.

“It’s arbitrary.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter to you or the Count whether I die as a skewer, burn, or as an experiment material after being caught while wandering around the Mage Tower by myself, isn’t it? On the contrary, they would be asking for it.”

“And… You seem impatient somewhere.”

Maxim was silent as if stabbed to the point by Adeline’s words. impatient. It was true that Maxim was acting impatiently. Because there was a reason to act more earnestly than ever. Even though Maxim knew that his silence was to affirm Adeline’s words, he gave reasons as if to make excuses.

“It is really urgent. Seniors would want to start an investigation in a hurry, but we don’t have much time to match.”

Adeline hardened her lips. Maxim thought that the eyes under the cloth must have been frowning.

“… It’s not that there isn’t enough time left. Even if you are not in such a hurry. Or, is there some other reason?”

“I am only following orders. I don’t mind wandering around alone in a situation where I haven’t even heard an answer from you. So, are you going to accompany me or not?”

Maxim deliberately changed his voice to a cold answer.

Adeline didn’t answer right away. As if thinking about it, his mouth lightly bit his lower lip several times. Maxim looked at Adeline like that. Adeline was about to open her mouth, wondering what answer she was going to give.

“The dish is served.”

Just in time, the host arrived at the table where they were sitting with the dishes on the tray. Adeline and Maxim were silent before anyone could say anything. On top of the plate was a dish that couldn’t be called special, with steamed potatoes topped with large slices of meat.

“Be careful, the potatoes are very hot.”

The host placed the plates in front of Adeline and Maxim. While doing so, she glanced at Adeline, who was covering her eyes, as if she were curious, and then turned her head to Maxim. A rare feeling of curiosity emerged over that blunt face.

“A lover?”

The question was directed to Maxim. The owner was looking at Adeline with a sidelong glance. For some reason, Maxim looked at the host with an expression as if he had been hit hard in the head.

“Yes?”

“That girl and that one.”

Who would have asked if he didn’t know that? Why do people ask this just because they see a man and a woman sitting together? Maxim rubbed his head as if he was in trouble and gave the answer.

“It’s a work colleague.”

The owner narrowed his eyes and glared at Maxim. The owner, who was turning over the bookshelves of memories, stammered as if he had found an appropriate memory, and told the story.

“… About a few years ago, when I asked this question, there was a customer who gave me exactly the same answer as you. He was a tall man who was lucky enough to bring along a very pretty blonde girl, and I don’t know where he is or what he is doing now.”

The owner said and shrugged. Yes, there was definitely a time like that. She nodded and smiled mischievously, saying that the hostess was right, and shook her head embarrassedly.

‘Yes. My boyfriend is so blunt, isn’t he?’

‘I see. Hey, you should feel blessed to have a girlfriend like this.’

‘Aren’t you even listening to what I’m saying?’

Again, Maxim pushed back the memories that popped into his throbbing head, this time with a different pain. Not yet. It wasn’t when I was soaked in memories, nor when memories made me suffer.

“Well, he must be doing well too. Same with the lady.”

The hostess grumbled and moved away from the table. Maxim looked blankly at the back of the host, who was moving away, then turned his head back to his plate. I was facing the same dish as back then. Maxim pricked the steaming potatoes with a fork for no reason.

The smell of cooking was rising. Maxim raised his head to the other side where the sound of dishes could not be heard. Sure enough, his companion was just sitting there with the food in front of him. Maxim pretended to be fine and asked Adeline.

“Aren’t you eating?”

“… Because you didn’t eat it first.”

Maxim frowned uncomfortably at Adeline’s attitude as if she were her master.

“Stop that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Saying that you’ll follow what I do, or saying you won’t eat before I eat. Don’t you think I could be your boss?”

At Maxim’s answer, Adeline’s head tilted again. It was as if he had a habit of replacing expressions that his eyes could not reveal with a tilt of his head.

“… That, I hadn’t thought of. inadvertently.”

I wanted to ask what kind of life he was living in the count’s family, but somehow the count seemed to act as an obstacle to that knight. Maxim let out a short sigh.

“Try it. Because this is a decent restaurant.”

Adeline picked up the fork and knife with hesitant gestures and ran them around on the plate. When the tip of the fork touched the thick slice of meat, Adeline carefully took the knife, picked it up, and brought it to her mouth. Like a person eating meat for the first time, Adeline’s mouth opened passively as she bit into the meat. He chewed the meat very slowly, shaking his head in amazement at the taste.

“A story I was talking about a while ago.”

Maxim started talking while cutting the meat together. Adeline’s reaction was quite amusing, but Maxim stopped watching and focused on his food.

“story…”

Adeline was delayed as she hurriedly chewed and swallowed the meat. Maxim motioned for him to eat slowly, and continued talking.

“As I said, even if I have to go alone, I will have to find out the results of my research. What would you like?”

Adeline paused her hand as she cut the meat again.

The Count gave himself an order. Adeline quietly recalled the memory. Asrai, only that inorganic voice lingered in Adeline’s ears.

‘Find out what the magic tower is up to. Even if it is forced to find out.’

‘Sit next to that Arsene Berne, so that he can monitor and report his actions. It’s even better if I can find out what the king is planning.’

The Count’s words were her only principle of action, her motive. Adeline answered Maxim’s question.

“I will accompany you.”

In response to Adeline’s answer, Maxim indifferently grabbed the fork again. The reason for the accompany was not asked.

“… By the way, have you thought of any plans for that infiltration?”

“If the two of us go in, the method will be a little different.”

Maxim crossed his arms and nodded.

“The first and second floors of the Magic Tower are open to the general public. It simply means that it won’t be that difficult to enter the Magic Tower.”

“… I didn’t mean to sneak into the secret space of the Mage Tower unarmed.”

Adeline answered in a trembling voice.

“I won’t try to find out everything the Mage Tower is hiding today. The important thing is to look at the dynamics of the mages. If you have a keen sense, you can quickly figure out how they move.”

At Maxim’s words, Adeline sighed and nodded.

“You mean you’re going to use me as a detector.”

“In fact, the Count didn’t say that either. They say their ability to detect magic is much better than most people.”

The corner of Adeline’s mouth stiffened for a moment, then released. For a while, only the rattling of dishes took the place of conversation.

“Then, how do you plan to act after entering the Mage Tower?”

Adeline was the first to break the silence. Maxim wiped his lips and answered Adeline’s question.

“We will focus on the first floor. It’s a secret rumor that the Mage Tower has an underground, so I’ve heard that too. If something happens, there will be a commotion on the first floor.”

“Will the wizards let us wander around the first floor like that?”

In response to Adeline’s question, Maxim brought up a story in a disapproving voice.

“So, let’s just do one play.”

For the third time today, Adeline’s head tilted.

“A play?”

“Poor Blind Sister Play.”

At Maxim’s words, Adeline’s mouth hardened again.