If You Wish For Something Useless - Chapter 33 – A Way To Get Close To (4)

Chapter 33 – A Way To Get Close To (4)

“My wallet is thick thanks to the Lord, so I don’t mind telling you something in particular.”

Giggles~ the added laughter sounded bright.

“Do you know a city called Reeman?”

“…Are you talking about Reeman in the East?”

“Yes. About four years ago… The bodies of young children were found there.”

“…”

“I didn’t pay much attention at the time, but…”

This was an event that caused considerable upheaval in Heroes. Although the culprit was not found, the corpses of over 100 young children were enough to shake the people.

Liam gave no reply while listening to Evelyn’s story. But he seemed to understand vaguely what she was trying to say.

“Although he had a small frame, he was bigger than you. Green eyes. Here… there was a dented scar on the left forearm… it looked like a burn from being caught in an explosion.”

Liam’s eyes lit up. He seemed to think of someone after hearing the description.

“The man used to bury the bodies of children. On days it rained, on days it snowed, and on another day the starry night sky was clear. Up until four years ago, he showed up before you could even forget him, but since then, I haven’t seen him at all. I saw the second daughter of your family and the man together, so I thought it might be related…”

“…Is that it?”

“There is no rush. Didn’t I say I would tell you?”

“…”

“Did you know that Marquis Sakrata’s son likes hunting? Did you know every time he went hunting the prey turning their back and running away were children, not animals?”

It was just there. Evelyn remained silent at the end of her long speech. Having provided an overflowing amount of information, it was up to Liam.

“…Thank. you.”

Evelyn giggled at the stiff voice.

“Well, it’s nothing much. Oh right, please get me a ticket this time. There’s a play called “Raveliana’s Dream,” since one can rarely see it I was quite anxious. Imagine my dismay when I found out everything was already sold out until next month’s performance.”

“…Can I personally take you sometime soon?”

“You? Well… There’s nothing wrong with that. My carriage isn’t so comfortable to ride. Though I’ve made some money, so I’ll have to buy a new one.”

“Yes, I will come to pick you up. Would you like to see the carriage that day?”

“Okay, I can buy the things I need while I’m out.”

“I’ll ask you to prepare in advance.”

“There is no need to refuse, is there? So, is the business over now?”

“…Yes.”

“I won’t see you off.”

‘Did you have anything else to say?’ Liam’s lips twitched. But after a while, the words that came out of his mouth were merely farewell.

“Thank you again. We will see you again soon.”

“Yeah.”

Liam stood and bowed politely. On the other hand, Evelyn, still in her seat, gently waved her hand.

A few days later, the four-year-old incidents of the corpses came to light and the name of Marquis Sakrata was mentioned. The next day, Cesar’s knights arrested Marquis Agramento’s second daughter.

Liam made good use of the information he had received from Evelyn.

* * * 

“Is there anything else you need?”

“I wish I had something to drink. Something refreshing.”

“All right.”

Liam guided Evelyn to the box seat and pulled the rope to call an attendant. Meanwhile, Evelyn took a seat on the sofa located inside. By the time Liam approached her side, she had already pulled out her telescope and scanned the inside of the theater.

“Aha.”

A meaningless sound escaped her lips. If she had to give it a meaning, it would be only to complicate Liam’s thoughts.

“…What are you looking at?”

“This and that, things I was curious about.”

In the several conversations between Evelyn and Liam, only rarely did she give him a direct answer to his questions. Today must be an exception. Evelyn seemed to be in a very good mood. For that reason, she kept her smiling face throughout as she visited the theater holding Liam’s hand. He might not have been able to see her expression because of the veil covering her face, but he was careful not to cut off as she hummed to herself.

‘I mean, she looks like a girl excited by her first outing.’

Liam sat down next to Evelyn, and the two-seater sofa tilted slightly. She turned her gaze away from her telescope and looked to her side. Beyond the veil that was so thick that the outline of her face was barely visible, both their eyes met for a moment.

“I am glad that you seem to have fun.”

“I’m not having fun.”

Actually, she didn’t enjoy watching a play. When she was in Fedora, plays were just part of a social event for her. Without any sense of accomplishment or outcome, plays never gave Evelyn great pleasure. However, despite her false appearance, it was time for her to slowly wander around Vetern. In the eyes of people, a mysterious woman wandered around with Agramento’s child. Now was the right time. Liam had started observing her closely and began to buy information from her. He wouldn’t stand still and let her go out by herself. If Evelyn could really see into the future, he wouldn’t miss it.

As expected, Liam followed today’s schedule. The fact that he asked to accompany her first meant that he volunteered for her supervision and protection. In the next couple of days, she will repeat the same outing as today, after handing Liam some useful information.

Evelyn looked into Liam’s eyes, which were obscured by her veil, and smiled.

“I guess you’ll have fun too?”

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Liam smiled brightly as if he was imitating her and replied. Evelyn looked at his smile and let out the same sound as before.

“Ha… You can’t get rid of that habit.”

“…As you said, it has become a habit.”

Evelyn waved her hand as if she didn’t care about his circumstances or excuses, then looked through the telescope into the auditorium on the first floor. She wasn’t looking for someone, she was just trying to think while avoiding Liam’s gaze.

Liam had left Evelyn’s mansion about ten days prior and must have investigated the whereabouts of the Marquis’ second daughter. It was time to have accumulated more than enough evidence that she provided prey for the Marquis’ son. Agramento’s second daughter learned about Marquis Sakrata’s son, who took interest in hunting humans while disposing of children who could not withstand training to become assassins. Of course, it was better to get a cheap price for a throwaway than to just throw it away. Agramento’s second daughter sold children, and Sakrata’s son continued hunting humans with the children he bought. Liam found a record of human trafficking, informed Etrada, and Cesar willingly took the bait. From then on, Cesar will spread the ugliness of those who supported the previous Emperor, and he will be the one to punish them. He intended to instill the perception that he was more righteous than the Emperor.

Things went as Evelyn expected. Cesar began to establish his position, and Liam moved one step closer to the Marquis’ title, beating out his rivals.

‘Etrada also serves as a support for him until he takes over Agramento later. Trust must have been established by now.’

This was possible because the current Etrada was deceived by Liam’s play. Presumably, Liam must have pleaded that his father’s ugly sins cannot be forgiven, and he must have vowed to take control of the family and correct all atrocities committed by his blood relatives. For Etrada, that had lived a life of sacrifice by others at the bottom, such an act worked very well.

The sympathy of those who have lived the lives of the underprivileged is easier to tamper with than the sympathy of those who hadn’t. Since Liam was well aware of it, he took advantage of it.

Evelyn lowered the telescope, assessing the original, which was constantly moving in places she could not see.

The curtain was going up.

It was the beginning of a new episode of the original plot.