I Only Talked About the Quest Content

2 – Episode 1. How a Fool Regains Trust (2)

“A serial murder case…”

This was not mentioned in the original novel. That also makes sense since Abel wasn’t the main character, but one of the typical third-rate villains in the novel.

It would be nonsensical to deeply describe Abel’s narrative, a third-rate villain, in a novel that naturally focuses on the protagonist.

“But the problem is not knowing how to solve the quest… but whether I can solve it…”

I tried calling for the status window as I looked at the quest window, but there was no response. As expected, I didn’t become strong, neither could I use magic.

Without any special abilities, I inevitably needed help from others to complete the quest.

However, there was no way that Hueston, the Duke, would believe every word I say.

Expecting him to trust the words of Abel the Fool?

Even I wouldn’t believe it. Just mentioning Abel’s foolish actions from the novel was enough to make my eyes twitch, let alone to his family who experienced it firsthand.

“But to complete this quest, I will have to convince Huston… But because I am Abel, he won’t even be interested in what I have to say.”

I had no choice but to hold my head in frustration.

Within the book, Abel’s relationship with his family was at its worst, described as shattered trust.

Therefore, as Abel, anything I said was highly likely to be disregarded as nonsense.

“Just give up with a resigned heart? Not sure if I will really die or not?”

That was the moment I mumbled to myself.

The quest window in front of my eyes began to flicker and new information started to appear.

[Chain Murder Case in Frank City #1]

[+Additional Information+]

“Death is a certainty. You are destined to die inevitably. In order to survive in this world, you must overcome obstacles with the ‘knowledge’ you possess.”

A fate that is destined to die…

That’s because I am the villain.

It was a fate I could accept but did not want to.

Why didn’t I possess someone other than Abel? This was absolutely horrible.

“What should I do…?”

Ignoring the quest like this and contemplating whether to die or not would be a foolish action. I was aware of that.

If there was a god who could send me to a different world, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to give me a quest like this.

In the end, I had to accept everything as reality and act accordingly.

Looking at the way my thoughts were being read and interpreted, it seemed like the god of this world was a pretty gloomy fellow.

With my thoughts organized, I immediately swung open the door and went out.

In the hallway, Dana, who had come to wake me up a while ago, was leaning against the wall.

“Ah, Lord Abel?”

As soon as she saw me, she quickly straightened herself up from the wall.

“Dana. Where is Duke Huston Sirius… or rather, my father?”

“Eh…That is… At this time, he would be having breakfast.”

“Can you guide me to the dining room?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Thank you.”

Fortunately, Dana seemed to follow my words well. I sighed in relief and gave her a smile.

“Dana…?”

Dana was looking at me absent-mindedly. When I tilted my head, she moved her body a moment later and repeatedly bowed her waist.

“Ah, oh…! I’m sorry. How dare I stare at Mr. Abel’s face. A sin worthy of death—”

“It’s okay.”

“Yes. Whatever you ask me to do— Huh? It’s okay…?”

Dana raises her head and lets out a relieved sound.

While such awkward characters are popular in novels, seeing them in real life can be a bit frustrating.

“I’d rather we hurry. The mealtime might end while we’re here.”

“Oh, yes! Then this way…!”

Dana pulls herself together and leads the way. I let out a small sigh and followed her.

* * *

The first-floor dining room we arrived at following Dana.

There, a middle-aged man and woman, and a young man and woman with the same black hair and red eyes as me, were sitting in front of a long dining table eating.

The middle-aged man sitting at the head of the table seemed to be Houston Sirius, whom I had been looking for.

On one wall, the chef, butler, and maids were standing by. It seemed they would move immediately if there was anything uncomfortable with the meal.

Everyone’s eyes were drawn to my sudden intrusion.

It feels a little dizzying when many people focus their attention.

I took a deep breath again and entered.

“About the serial murders—”

“Abel…?”

The first to call my name was the middle-aged woman. The two men who had been in conversation with her closed their mouths.

Abel’s mother, Carrie Sirius. She was the only character who believed that Abel would change until the very end.

“Excuse me, may I join the meal as well?”

“Of course. Chef, will you bring the food, please?”

“Ah, yes.”

As the chef tried to move at Carrie’s words, a young man raised his hand to stop him.

“Just a moment, mother.”

“Geonil?”

“What are you doing showing up all of a sudden, Abel?”

Geonil Sirius.

The eldest son of the Sirius family and the official heir to the dukedom.

He, unlike Cary, regarded Abel as a thorn in his side more than anyone else.

In fact, there’s a description that he despaired Abel for disgracing the family’s status and prepared to kick him out from the ducal house whenever he got a chance.

Perhaps he thought Abel’s foolish actions would smear his face, who would become the head of the Sirius family in the future.

It was certainly worth considering him a thorn in the side.

“Surely I told you to stay still during the break?”

“Can’t I even have a meal with the family?”

“Huh. After entering the academy, you’re the one who refused to dine with us complaining it was uncomfortable. Why the sudden change of heart?”

I couldn’t say it was because of the quest and couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse, so I just blurted out anything.

“I’m just bored eating alone in my room.”

“Bored….?”

“Don’t worry, brother. I’m just here to have a meal and then I’ll leave.”

It was just when I was about to sit down, a seat away from Gionil.

Clang!

With the sound of the cutlery being put down from across the table, a short-haired woman stood up from her seat and glared at me with blatant hostility.

She was Lati Sirius, Abel’s sister.

“…Ha, it’s ruining the taste of the food.”

It feels strange and creepy looking into the same red eyes as mine.

“Sorry, Father. I don’t want to share the table with that garbage.”

“Lati! What kind of talk is that to your younger brother!”

“Mother knows too. All the mess that bastard made. Don’t you know our relation with the Spon family is getting bad because of him?”

There were two ducal families in the Ferator Empire, one was the Sirius family where Abel was born and the other was the Spon family where Abel’s fiancée was.

If I think about it, they had a divorce in the end in the novel. That moron, Abel.

“This trash will forget all the things he did to Rina and not feel any guilt at all!”

It was infuriating to hear the blame for what Abel did wrong to his fiancée, but as Abel, I had no choice but to listen quietly.

“What? Why? What will you do if you stare at me? Want to make an excuse?”

“Lati, in a place where others are watching, acting without manners, what the—”

“……I’m sorry.”

“…What?”

At the moment Cary tried to interfere, my apology sprung out first and I could feel that the atmosphere of the dining hall had slightly changed.

There was no other way. In order to make a connection with Houston, I first had to show that I had changed.

“Ha! What? Have you eaten something strange this morning? Did you just apologize?”

Even if he apologizes, it’s all crap.

I don’t know why I have to go through troubles because of this jerk, Abel.

“I should apologize to Lina, not you, you fool.”

“Ha… Rati. Stop talking nonsense. I told the bastard all I could. Since he said he has no regrets, he needs to take responsibility for his words.”

Next, Geonil puts down the utensils and stands up from his seat.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“…Trash bastard.”

As he exits the restaurant first, Rati follows. His fleeting gaze seems rather sharp.

The restaurant door closes and silence returns.

Despite the fuss, Houston Sirius is quietly having his meal.

Carrie tries to cheer me up with a forced smile, but I am not bothered.

If I were the real Abel, I might have been hurt, but I’m not Abel.

Clang.

Chefs placed hot dishes in front of me.

Worried about being considered unhealthy in medieval Europe, they served meat and soup for breakfast. Bread was there too.

Unable to withstand hunger, I instantly started stuffing food into my mouth. As I was focusing on the meal, Houston started to speak.

“So… what happened?”

He seemed to have finished eating, as he put down his utensils and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

While I was chewing, I looked at him. Houston’s gaze was pointing at me: sharp. It seemed as if he was asking why I suddenly joined him for a meal.

“…I just felt a sense of disillusionment. About everything I’ve been doing so far.”

I swallowed the food and responded.

I mustn’t abruptly bring up the quest.

He has no trust in me, so he won’t listen, no matter what I say. Showing some remorse, to a certain extent, seemed to be the right thing to do now.

“Stop talking nonsense like a snake and speak what you want.”

“Excuse me…?”

“Why are you suddenly talking nonsense? So far, you said you want more pocket money when you need it, and when someone displeases you, you suggested seeking revenge by writing articles.”

To put it bluntly…

I would say Abel was so immature.

I always thought he would be pampered after appearing as a third-rate villain in a novel, but he was too much.

“I see.”

If he preferred direct speech, there was no reason for me to beat around the bush.

“I’ve heard about the recent series of murders in the city. So that’s why—”

“No need.”

Huston abruptly cut me off. His sudden shift from a relaxed demeanor left me flustered.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m not interested in anything you have to say. This isn’t a matter to joke about.”

Not a matter for jokes. Lives were at stake here as well.

“Just listen to me, then.”

“Do you think your words worth robbing me of my time?”

“They are.”

I stated firmly, without breaking eye contact with Huston. A subtle game of nerves played out between us, and Carrie signaled.

“……Honey. Abel wouldn’t be so adamant if it wasn’t important. At least hear him out.”

“Carrie. You’re too lenient with Abel. Despite being the youngest……”

“He wouldn’t speak out without serious thought. Trust your son just this once.”

“……”

Adamant Huston sighed and crossed his arms. Despite his tough appearance, he was weak-minded, especially around his wife.

“Fine. Talk about those serial murders, then.”

With Huston’s reluctant permission, I cleared my throat and began recounting the quest content.