Chapter 679: The Academy’s Seven Mysteries

“We’re back.”

“Welcome home.”

The servants waiting before the townhouse entrance immediately returned my greeting. Since Brother Cain and the others were not present, it seemed they had yet to return from the academy.

“Could Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka be staying elsewhere tonight?”

“No, I haven’t heard anything of the sort. I believe they’re merely running a little late.”

The townhouse’s head butler said that with a wry smile. Apparently, Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka returned late with some regularity.

What in the world were they doing? Surely the two of them had not gone to some disreputable establishment together?

Harbouring those suspicions, I waited in the living room until they finally returned. The sun was on the verge of setting. Seriously, what had they been doing?

“I’m home.”

“We have returned.”

“Welcome back. What exactly were you doing until this hour?”

“You’re starting to sound like Mother, Julius.”

Brother Cain attempted to brush the matter aside with a dry laugh, but I narrowed my eyes at him.

Under my stare, Brother Cain met Sister-in-law Meeka’s eyes, and they nodded to each other. What? Had something truly happened?

“We’ll tell you over dinner. Look forward to it.”

“Very well.”

That was what I said, but Brother Cain’s smile resembled that of a mischievous little boy.

Was I about to be dragged into something? Sister-in-law Meeka knew about it too, so perhaps it was not dangerous.

Although still uneasy, I decided to hear Lionel’s report before dinner.

Apparently, there had been a particular reason why we had been asked to inspect the holy sword.

“A black monster was sighted?”

“Yes. At present, however, it appears to be nothing more than a rumour…”

“There’s no smoke without fire.”

“Precisely.”

There was almost certainly someone who had seen something. Whether it was the same thing we imagined was another question. It might truly have been one, or it might merely have looked that way.

No, someone might be deliberately spreading such a rumour through the royal capital.

When I mentioned that, Lionel nodded silently.

It would be difficult for Lionel to gather information alone. I would ask the servants to help.

With an uncomfortable feeling still smouldering in my chest, I headed to the dining room. Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka were already there.

“You’re early. I don’t think the food will arrive for a little while yet.”

“So are you, Julius. You’re curious about our story, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes.”

Brother Cain raised one eyebrow and the corner of his mouth. Sister-in-law Meeka also looked rather amused. What were they plotting?

I took my seat and waited for Brother Cain to speak. Nero, Lionel and Mira were all present. Surely they would not discuss an evil scheme in front of everyone.

“We’re currently investigating the academy’s Seven Mysteries.”

“What?”

The unexpected words drew an involuntary sound from me. Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka belonged to the swordsmanship club, if I remembered correctly. Did they really have time for something like this?

My doubt must have shown on my face, because Brother Cain explained.

“The members of the Paranormal Phenomena Club asked us to act as their escorts.”

“Oh dear…”

“What’s with that expression? You’re interested too, aren’t you? I thought you might be, so I borrowed this book.”

Brother Cain smoothly held out a volume. Its title read The Academy’s Seven Mysteries, and an illustration of a triangle with an eye in its centre decorated the cover. It looked more than a little suspicious!

Keeping that rude thought to myself, I examined the book.

I see. It was the academy’s version of the royal castle’s Seven Mysteries. And naturally, it contained far more than seven mysteries. What did ‘Seven Mysteries’ even mean? Urgh.

I skimmed through it and immediately returned the book to Brother Cain.

“What!? You’re not interested?”

“Well, I’ve already investigated the royal castle’s Seven Mysteries once.”

As I said that, I looked at Mira. Under my gaze, Mira tilted their head to one side. That was adorable. Apparently, I was not the only one who thought so, because Sister-in-law Meeka scooped Mira up and rubbed her cheek against them.

How nice… No, that was not the point.

“I don’t think I need to challenge any more Seven Mysteries.”

“Ugh. That sounds strangely persuasive. Even so, hear me out. Apparently, the club president is confident about this particular paranormal phenomenon.”

Wait. Did that not imply he had lacked confidence every other time? Was the Paranormal Phenomena Club all right?

Whether or not he knew what I was thinking, Brother Cain continued.

“Apparently, something appears there.”

“Something appears?”

“Yes. They say zombies appear in the academy’s old underground passage!”

Ah, zombies. Come to think of it, I had fought ghosts and wraiths quite recently. While I contemplated that vaguely, Brother Cain exclaimed, “Your reaction is much weaker than I expected!”

Judging from his response, the academy probably did not conduct combat training against undead monsters.

Was that really sensible? Would they not be in trouble when the need eventually arose?