PS2: Click here to start reading Oran Knight 101 and Merchant Noble 116.

PS3: Sorry for late posting. I was distracted with work.

 

 

Last of Seven Mysteries (3): The True Seventh

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“The last of the Seven Mysteries, I think, is here, at the western-style mansion.” (Lux)

When I said that to Linkert-san, she narrowed her eyes slightly for a moment.

“Anyway, let’s hear what you have to say.” (Linkert)

I first explained that we had solved all the Seven Mysteries. Then, I told her that she herself had denied the Mystery of the mansion and that there was still one more Mystery left.

“Indeed, I did say that… Yes, I believe there is still one left.” (Linkert)

It seemed there was no major issue with what had been said up to this point, and she encouraged me to continue.

Now, here comes the main part.

I took a deep breath before continuing.

“I think the last of the Seven Mysteries is the underground passage.” (Lux)

Since last night, after recalling Linkert-san’s words, I had been thinking and remembered another point. Hidden room was not necessarily above ground. In fact, now, the possibility of it being underground had become much higher. This was something Heinz had mentioned when we were looking at the Seven Mysteries of the city walls. That was why we desperately looked at the ground back then.

From there, I remembered something. Among the three files Heinz had brought back earlier, there was a ghost story, and in that story, there was something about “the underground city legend of the academy”. We had gathered so much information from the moving paintings and the surveys for the academy newspaper that I had completely forgotten about it.

Let’s assume for the moment that the school’s underground urban legend is the real Seven Wonders.

It wouldn’t be the “academy basement”. It would be the “underground city”. What does that mean? If we think of something larger than a room, something that sleeps underground, what could it be? Could it be something necessary from the time the mansion belonged to the Duke Lengrad? In other words… Could it be an “escape route” for when the mansion was attacked?

The mansion might have had an escape route leading underground to the outskirts… Given the scale of this mansion, it wouldn’t be an impossible scenario.

Then, could it be that the entrance was buried when the Duke’s mansion was demolished? Yeah. Probably so. We searched every door of the old school building. If there were such a passage, we should have noticed it. Of course, it’s not zero that it could have been hidden by something big like a shelf, but at least I can say we couldn’t find it within the range we checked.

If it were an escape route, there must be some kind of exit. So, could we gather old documents and find the exit?

Then, I suddenly realized.

The entrance doesn’t have to be just one, does it? Duke Lengrad had his beloved daughter, Leia, living in a separate mansion for her medical treatment. Of course, there must have been many people taking care of her. But it’s highly likely that the Duke had prepared an evacuation route just for her in case something happened…

The only thing that remains from Duke Lengrad’s time is this western-style mansion.

“Thinking about it that way, it made sense about what happened on the morning of the academy festival.” (Lux)

“The morning of the academy festival?” (Linkert)

Linkert-san, who had been quietly listening, tilted her head.

“The Duke’s younger brother, Follet-san, said he stayed here. Even if it was by Follet-san’s request, the security was too thin. Of course, there must have been a few guards waiting, but normally, I think there would be a gatekeeper at the entrance, something more secure. In fact, during the opening address of the academy festival, it felt rather imposing. One of the reasons Follet-san could stay here with the minimum number of people is that this place could have been an escape route… am I overthinking it?” (Lux)

With this, I had finished telling my theory.

Now it was up to Linkert-san. If she said, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” then that would be the end of the conversation. We had no right to search the mansion ourselves. I waited for Linkert-san’s response. But she closed her eyes and remained silent.

A long silence.

Just as I was about to speak, Linkert-san opened her mouth and looked at me directly.

“May I ask you one thing?” (Linkert)

“Yes.” (Lux)

“Why are you so obsessed with the Seven Mysteries?” (Linkert)

“… I can’t tell you right now.” (Lux)

“Right now?” (Linkert)

“Yes. The reason we started searching for the Seven Mysteries is because of Heinz’s ‘thing.’ I can’t talk about it without Heinz’s permission.” (Lux)

“… I see. Understood. Then, let’s do this.” (Linkert)

At that, Linkert-san’s expression softened slightly.

“Come back with Heinz, no, everyone, for lunch. Whether Heinz will talk or not, I’ll ask him myself then. Oh, and I’ll have lunch ready, so make sure you’re hungry.” (Linkert)

In her usual tone, Linkert-san made that suggestion.

 

—

 

After that, Sonia and I hurried to gather everyone.

First, we went to the dormitory and found Heinz, Ratt-kun, and Frank, who were still sluggish. I told them, “I’ll explain the details later! Please help gather everyone! Oh, and Linkert-san will have lunch ready for us!” to which the three of them, wide-eyed from my urgency, agreed to help without asking any questions.

I was grateful.

Then, after a while, we managed to gather in the clubroom just a bit before lunchtime.

“Hey, hey, what’s going on all of a sudden? Didn’t we have free time today?” (Lite)

Lite, who had just been sleeping, yawned loudly with bedhead.

“Yeah. Actually…” (Lux)

I repeated to everyone what I had just told Linkert-san. I could feel the atmosphere in the clubroom change from relaxed to serious.

“Anyway, Heinz. Whether or not you tell Linkert-san our purpose, I’ll leave that to you. This is something you started.” (Lux)

Heinz, who had been listening carefully, closed his eyes like Linkart-san and was silent for a while.

“If Lux’s guess is correct… No, judging by Linkert-san’s reaction, the underground passage probably ‘exists’. Then, it’s highly likely there’s a hidden room as well. In fact, if it’s not here…” (Heinz)

Heinz hesitated for a moment, then said clearly.

“I got it. I’ll tell her.” (Heinz)

“Thank you, Heinz.” (Lux)

“It’s me who should thank you. But I’m impressed you noticed. I had completely forgotten about Linkert-san’s words.” (Heinz)

“Right! I was surprised when I heard it earlier. Normally, you wouldn’t remember that!” (Sonia)

Sonia agreed vigorously with Heinz.

“Really, Lux is…” (Heinz)

“Usually so laid-back…” (Lite)

“But sometimes sharp.” (Lev)

Heinz, Lite, and Lev took turns repeating what Heinz had said in the past before laughing, and I could only give a wry smile.

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Please consider supporting Bayabusco Translation @

Previous Chapter | Table of Content | Next Chapter