The Ball

Lorry almost thought he was hearing things again. In disbelief, he repeated, "Sneak into a duke's study and steal documents?"

Baron Percival nodded slightly. "That's right."

Lorry raised his eyes and studied the baron, hoping to find some hint of a joke on his face. Unfortunately, he was disappointed:

Although Baron Percival wore a faint smile, his eyes were utterly serious.

You're serious? You want me, a Sequence 9, to sneak into a duke's mansion? How is that any different from killing me right now and turning me into a Beyonder characteristic?

I refuse to believe that a baron from a declining family like you could have a Sequence 8 Beyonder bodyguard, while a full-fledged duke wouldn't...

Wait, why does that name sound familiar... Lorry grumbled inwardly, a vague sense of recognition stirring within him.

He racked his memory, trying to find its source.

Suddenly, Lorry recalled a passage from the original novel.

Duke Negan... I remember now. So it's him... The nobleman with the most land outside the Loen Royal Family, the elder brother of the kingdom's prime minister, the real power behind the Conservative Party...

Unfortunately, this major figure in the kingdom ended up being assassinated...

But that did not mean the duke's security was weak.

In fact, quite the opposite was true.

Duke Negan not only had a large contingent of guards and Beyonder bodyguards, but was himself a powerful wielder of Beyonder abilities!

One could easily imagine how heavily guarded his mansion was!

Lorry could only smile bitterly to himself. Does Baron Percival think too highly of me-and of a Marauder?

Seeing Lorry's expression, Baron Percival smiled calmly:

"Don't worry. I won't send you to your death.

"If you fail, unless you're shot dead on the spot, they have more than enough ways to search your memories and ultimately trace this back to me.

"I'm not that stupid."

At this, Lorry's eyes flickered, and he finally felt somewhat reassured.

Baron Percival lowered his voice and continued confidently, "Duke Negan will be holding a ball in a few days. That will be your opportunity."

"Although he is one of the kingdom's foremost nobles and keeps a large number of servants, they clearly won't be enough for an occasion of this scale."

"Heh, he doesn't trust temporary servants. Every time, he chooses to borrow staff from nobles he trusts. I'll find a way to slip you in among them."

"Once the ball begins, everyone's attention will be drawn to the festivities, including the mansion's guards. That's when you'll sneak into the study and take those documents."

"Once the job is done, I'll forgive your earlier transgression, give you the Swindler potion formula as payment, and reward you with a sum in pounds."

He paused briefly, then asked:

"Your name is Lorry, correct? Mr. Marauder, you now understand my plan. Please tell me your choice."

My choice... When have I ever had a choice... The choice to let you turn me into a Beyonder characteristic? Even as Lorry grumbled inwardly, he nodded without hesitation.

"It sounds like the odds of success are quite high. I think I can do it."

Seeing the Hunter Saul standing taut and ready to spring, he suspected that even a slight delay in agreeing might get him killed on the spot.

Baron Percival cheerfully raised his glass of red wine and took a sip:

"Very good."

Lorry looked thoughtful and asked, "But a duke's study must contain a great many documents. Which ones do you want, Baron?"

Baron Percival gave a soft chuckle:

"The three documents I need concern 'Property Restrictions on Parliamentary Elections,' 'Government Personnel Reform,' and 'Increasing Workers’ Wages,' respectively."

"They are all recent proposals. From what I know of the current Duke Negan, they should be on his desk or in a drawer.

"Of course, they could be somewhere else. You'll have to find them yourself."

Lorry nodded solemnly:

"Understood."

Baron Percival continued:

"Don't worry. Since you're willing to accept this task, we are now, as Emperor Roselle put it, in the same boat.

"I'll provide you with some assistance.

"Before the plan begins, Saul will lend you an item with magical abilities—you should know what I mean."

With that, he took an opaque porcelain vial from his pocket and said quietly, "Now it's your turn to demonstrate your goodwill."

Lorry's expression shifted slightly, and he hesitantly picked up the vial.

He pulled out the stopper and saw an emerald-green liquid inside.

Baron Percival explained:

"This is a poison developed by a Biologist.

"Drink it.

"Prove your friendship."

Lorry gritted his teeth slightly, tipped his head back, and drained the vial.

-He had no choice now but to cooperate.

The corners of Baron Percival's mouth lifted, and a brilliant smile spread across his face:

"I really am growing more and more fond of you.

"Rest assured, you won't have to worry about the poison taking effect for seven days. Once the job is done, I'll give you the antidote along with your payment.

"Oh, right. In your Beyonder terminology, Biologist is Sequence 6 of the Earth Pathway. I trust you won't do anything foolish?"

As he spoke, he rose and led Saul toward the door.

"All this food is yours. We won't disturb you any longer.

"After you've eaten, a waiter will take you back to your previous room. I'm afraid you'll have to stay there for the next few days. When the time comes, someone will take you to Duke Negan's mansion.

"Good luck to us."

Their footsteps faded into the distance until they disappeared entirely. Facing a table laden with delicacies from all over the world, Lorry had no appetite whatsoever.

He looked toward the head of the table and saw the book's title—The Earl’s Revenge. Recalling his conversation with Inspector Gana, his gaze turned deep in an instant, and he murmured thoughtfully:

"An earl, revenge... Could Baron Percival be dissatisfied with his family's current circumstances and planning to betray the Conservative Party?! If so, it would all make sense.

"But the question is, what should I do?

"Even if I'm lucky enough to steal those three documents, will he really give me the antidote?"

September 5, Backlund, Empress Borough.

A grand ball was underway inside Duke Negan's mansion.

Line after line-

Footmen in white shirts and bright red waistcoats carried silver trays laden with food, constantly moving between the kitchen and the banquet hall's second floor.

Melodious music drifted from a corner of the first floor.

From time to time, formally dressed gentlemen lightly held the hands of ladies or young women as they descended the winding gallery connecting the first and second floors, then strolled toward the center of the dance floor.

Those damned nobles... Lorry grumbled inwardly as he mingled with the footmen.

He had seen the banquet hall at Baron Percival's manor only a few days earlier and had already found it quite stunning. He had not expected to have his eyes opened yet again today.

In sheer extravagance, Duke Negan's ball outclassed Baron Percival's by far. No wonder both Inspector Gana and the buyer of the Bird's Beak had said that the Percival family had been in decline for a long time.

After setting his two plates of foie gras in red wine in their designated places, Lorry discreetly surveyed his surroundings. Seeing that the head footman was about to look his way, he hurriedly pressed a hand lightly against his stomach and furrowed his brow, showing a hint of pain.

"What's wrong with you?" the head footman asked in a low voice as he approached.

"I might have eaten something bad..." Lorry answered weakly.

The head footman fell silent for a few seconds, then said quietly, "Hold on for another few minutes. Deal with it once you're out of here. Don't disturb our honored guests."