Chapter 55 (1/2)

Chapter 55

(Elu’s Pov)

After Justus’ intervention, Elu and the others were invited to his reception room. It was a calm room made entirely of wood, from the floor to the ceiling, including the walls. It didn’t quite fit the image of a research center.

The room was also perfectly clean and tidy, and on the south side, there was a wooden sunroom where a few colorful flowers were growing.

How should I say this, that doesn’t match the impression I got from Justus’ appearance at all. Those were Elu’s frank thoughts. Next to him, Lifa looked similarly surprised.

However, when Elu thought about it, Justus was only the research center’s chief executive. It was unlikely that he would be involved with the interior design of the building, or that he would personally manage a reception room that had no direct relation to his research.

So the room was probably made based on the preferences and the original concept of the one in charge of the room. However, when Elu thought about it, Justus was the research center’s Chief Executive. It was unlikely he would be involved with the interior design of the building, or that he would personally plan a reception room unrelated to his research.

So the room was probably based on the preferences and concept of the original designer.

【”So, where’d you leave the tea cups?”]

【”Just sit the hell down. Who’d want to drink that disgusting tea you make?”]

Even towards the man who, according to Elu’s information, was supposed to be Harold’s direct superior, he had no mercy.

However, while his mouth said those words, his hands were skillfully preparing a teapot and as many cups as there were people. It was a surprising spectacle for Elu and Lifa.

【”Who said anything about you drinking it? I was just trying to entertain these ladies”]

(TLN: People tend to assume Elu is a woman, but we still don’t know about that, he probably keeps it ambiguous on purpose)

【”Oh, so you want your guests to see your stinginess in all its glory, you’re as vicious as ever.”]

【”Says the one who ensnared a girl while on duty. You want to get yourself a side wife?”]

【”Like hell I’d willingly marry such a thin girl.”]

【”So you’d consider it if it was a voluptuous woman. Good luck getting your fiancée to approve of a mistress.”]

【”How ridiculous for a scientist to jump to conclusions so easily. If you judge everything with such extreme logic, then that astral body research you take so much pride on isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”]

【”And who’s the one who benefited from that research? Careful what you say, you’re being rude.”]

【”You better worry about yourself, bastard, your dementia is getting worse. Did you forget how many times I broke my engagement with that girl?”]

Their verbal war kept going without eye contact. The other two spectated the savage exchange in mute amazement. While they argued without interrupting each other, they inversely seemed to be in perfect harmony.

But even though the content of their talk was completely hostile, the atmosphere between Harold and Justus was surprisingly calm. Of course, there wasn’t even a ghost of a friendly atmosphere between them, but despite the enmity they threw at each other, their exchange seemed more like a business conversation.

There was a very mysterious sense of distance to it.

Meanwhile, Harold had served them tea.

Elu and Lifa were on a two-seater Sofa, and Justus was sitting face to face with them, as for Harold, he alone sat down by a window at a distance.

【”Oh well. Please pay no heed to that eccentric man, you two― which reminds me, I haven’t heard your names yet, have I?”]

【”I- I am Lifa Goodridge.”]

【”My name is Elu. It’s quite an honor to meet the famous Dr. Freund.”]

【”I’m Justus Freund. Please don’t stand on ceremony.”]

It was quite abnormal for something like that to be said without a smile or any expression at all. Well, Elu thought, I don’t quite fit in the normal category either.

【”Thank you for your concern.”]

【”So, why are you two here? I don’t suppose you were invited by Harold, that would mean you’ve been through a cataclysm.”]

【”Well, actually Lifa is the one who…”]

Elu poked Lifa’s arm with his elbow. After that signal, Lifa started to speak.

【”I’m interested in magical research and I’m actually studying it myself. So I asked Harold to let me meet and speak to an expert of the field and…”]

【”With his reputation being what it is, we thought the one he worked for might fit the criteria.”]

【”I see, it’s quite unusual for that guy to accept a request like that.”]

【”Well, it seems he was interested in an idea of hers that could involve the use of astral powers, though it’s not really part of her research.”]

【”Oho….”]

Explained Elu, taking over Lifa’s conversation. Justus took a sip of his drink while looking at Harold with a stern face, as if he was telling him he had been too careless.

The setting they had agreed upon was that the two friends, Lifa and Elu, had been staying together in the town of Attis where they happened to meet with Harold, and since they were aware of his connection to Doctor Justus, the two kept pestering him to bring them along with him.

Elu’s first task had been to make an impression on Harold. When Lifa asked Harold to accompany her on her trip to mount Giran, she made a deal with him, a sort of trade-off stating【”If you lend me your strength, I’ll accept your terms”]. Though she hadn’t expected the outcome of her words at the time, Elu believed that if he brought up that deal in this situation, it would be beneficial for Harold.

So, while having instructed Lifa to back up his words so that he wouldn’t be exposed, Elu tried to read any information he could make out of Justus’ words and conduct. However, even though he had been careful about more or less everything, he made no progress.

Therefore, he focused on Justus’ research on magic― or rather, on what he called “astral bodies.” But still, it was quite difficult for Elu to do much more alone.

Perhaps having anticipated that, Harold spoke to Elu beforehand Perhaps having anticipated that, Harold had spoken to Elu beforehand, saying,【”I’m not expecting much. I’ll consider any knowledge you achieve as a gain. Other than that, focus your whole attention on making sure that he doesn’t notice any relation I might have with the Giffelts.”]

Even Harold himself was that vigilant. In other words, the man called Justus was extremely troublesome.

Elu thought back on the chain of events which surrounded Harold five years prior. He considered the all-powerful puppet master who was even able to manipulate the Tribunal, still hiding his identity.

Maybe that puppet master was Justus, or someone close to him.

Elu’s honest thoughts were that if Harold was going to make him confront someone like that, he should have told Elu everything he knew. But Harold refused to do it, or perhaps he couldn’t, which led Elu to believe Harold still had some big secrets.

Well, he’s obviously no ordinary man after all.

(For now, I’ll concentrate on the problem before my eyes. I can’t lose my focus when facing this one.)

Elu reined his thoughts in and put impregnable defenses on his mind, ready to resist any scrutiny, while he smiled naturally, challenging Justus so the two would sound each other out.

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(Harold’s pov)