Volume 3 - Chapter 22 – When a mystery is solved (2/2)
「Destroy it? Who?」
「Of course, Valentino.」
Judging from Marcia’s story, if she couldn’t participate in the competition, she would be forced to let go of the Catamaran. When it came to that, Marcia who had little gold would sell it to Valentino, or so Reinhardt deduces.
「I see. I had little money, and there’s the maintenance fees until next year, I would have had to sell it for some money and the other party would’ve likely been connected to Valentino.」
Marcia supported Reinhardt’s reasoning.
And his deductions continued.
「Now that Marcia was qualified to participate in the competition, they couldn’t purchase the ship. So they attempted arson.」
Reinhardt’s explanation showed that the ship would cause them trouble, and not that they wanted the ship. He then took a sip of wine to quench his thirst and continued.
「The arson failed, and Jin made an autonomous golem to pilot the boat. If handled poorly, the criminal could be identified.」
Everyone listened to Reinhardt’s theory without interrupting.
「Therefore, they had to resort to a more desperate plan. They attempted to kidnap or harm Marcia to remove her from the competition, but that also failed.」
As Reinhardt illustrated all of this, he looked like a completely different person.
「The last resort were the golems in the water, but that scheme also came to nothing thanks to Miss Reiko. Other ships were disturbed as well, and and if things went well, they would get the championship.」
Reinhardt takes a breath.
「If I can check the catamaran, I’m certain that I’ll understand something.」
He concluded.
The ships that placed from first to third were under the management of the competition committee at this time. Although it can’t be reached immediately, because of the previous methods employed, they couldn’t rest easy.
Besides, Valentino is a lord’s assistant. But he should be under investigation right now, so now was the prime time for their undercover investigation.
「It should be investigated early if possible.」
As Reinhardt finished, they quickly finished their food and left the restaurant. The outside was already completely dark.
As they walked down the street towards the harbour, with the light of a magic lamp guiding their way. The sea breeze at night was chilly and pleasant on their slightly tipsy faces.
Reinhardt asked Marcia a question while walking.
「When was the catamaran made?」
Marcia thought a little,
「About 2 years ago, I think. Then I readjusted it restlessly. Oh, a large adjustment was made last year.」
「Wasn’t it last year… that Valentino said he wanted Marcia as a concubine?」
「Last year… Yeah!」
As expected, it seemed to have some relevance to the situation at hand.
Before long, the party arrived at the public dock. One guard was standing on duty.
「Thanks for the hard work. I’d like to check on a ship a little, would that be all right?」
He was from the team that came in 2nd, the owner of Blue Marine, Reinhardt, a guest of honour who stated his intention.
After he nodded once, the guard unlocked the docks back entrance.
He expressed his thanks as he entered inside. It was pitch black, but because Jin, Reiko, Reinhardt, and Elsa used magic, it quickly became bright enough.
「Now, Marcia, may I check your ship?」
Marcia began to investigate the construction of the ship right away.
First, the whole hull was inspected. Nothing in particular is found, though, because Jin bleached it with .
Next, the right half of the hull. The inside was hollow except for where there was structural material.
「What? What’s this?」
An unfamiliar parchment was forced into a gap of the structural material of the right hull near the rear corner.
「It’s impossible that I didn’t notice this gap until now, stay here.」
A letter and a picture were written on what Marcia pulled out of the hull. Marcia began to read it out loud.
「Now, let’s see, It appears to be a contract for 4 エルラドライト (Eruradoraito*).」(TL: I have no idea what エルラドライト is supposed to be, and it appears again in this chapter, any suggestions? The closest I can think of is erudite which is a form of ruby, but it doesn’t quite fit.)
When they heard this, Reinhardt and Elsa’s eyes went wide.
「This is…..」
「Eh? Erudoraito*？」
Two people raised their voice in surprise, but Jin,
「What is that?」
It was a jewel that Jin didn’t know about.
「Yeah, that’s….」
Reinhardt began to explain to him. The thing was a very rare jewel that was discovered about 100 years ago.
Because it had a property that amplified the effects of magic, many countries restricted the circulation of it.
It’s also monopolized by the nation of the Elias Kingdom.
It would cost about 10 million Torr for a worthless one, so about 40 million torr for 4, or about 400 million yen.
If an individual was trading such a thing, then they were smuggling.
「EH? I didn’t know that!」
Marcia cried. Since it seemed to have concerned the dealings of such a valuable jewel, it was unbearable.
「I understand, it’s not a jewel that a mere commoner should have in their possession.」
Reinhardt was referring to an under the table contract that people didn’t want others to see.
Then the front door was forced open loudly.
(EN: DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUN)