The Man Who Remained — His Second Life Began with a Humble Bow of Apology. - Chapter 115: The Inescapable Scheme Of Someone’s Design.

The Inescapable Scheme Of Someone’s Design.

After finishing his conversation with Aura, Cross asked a maid where Ellie had gone, then headed to that room, knocked, and opened the door.

“Sorry to keep you wai—”

He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Ellie inside, holding a finger to her lips in a quieting gesture. His gaze followed hers to the back of the room.

There, Pulsphica lay alone in bed, sleeping peacefully with a blissful expression.

“It seems she got nervous and wore herself out. Let’s talk in the next room,” Ellie whispered.

Cross gave a silent nod and quietly withdrew.

“So then, Cross—” Ellie began once they were in the neighboring room. “I have a general idea, but what exactly did you discuss?”

“Huh? You already know?”

“Yes. I had a bit of time to speak with Pul-chan, so I heard some of it. That said, I don’t know the details, and Pul-chan’s knowledge is limited. I’d like to hear what you and Aura-sama actually talked about.”

“Alright. That said… honestly, I’m not sure my explanation will make much sense…”

“It’s fine.”

“Alright. So—the issue concerns the punishment of a single beastwoman. The entire matter’s been left to my discretion. Why? Because I’m a ‘Sage,’ and they think that means I’ll hand out a ‘just’ sentence—a really stupid reason if you ask me. The reason for punishment is betrayal by the monster race as a whole—apparently, she sided with humanity. She’s been on the run for years, but they’ve finally caught her. You following so far?”

“Yes. That matches what Pul-chan told me. Please continue.”

“Right. The official reason I’m handling it is that I’m both a former human and a Sage. But Aura suspects the real motive is to create a rift between her and me—setting the stage for political isolation. You get it?”

“Yes… I think so. From my perspective, it looks like the Elder Council is trying to win you over.”

“Really?”

“Yes. They’ve been flattering you excessively. By giving you free rein and praising you to the skies, they can raise your standing while lowering Aura-sama’s. That’s likely their goal.”

“And what happens if they succeed?”

“You’re technically part of the Demon Lord’s faction, right?”

“I’d say I’m firmly in Aura’s faction.”

“But if your evaluation surpasses hers, it’ll cause her trouble.”

“…Yeah, it would.”

“Exactly.”

“…What a pain. So what do we do about it?”

“There’s nothing we can do. If you deliberately lower your own standing, that’ll also hurt Aura-sama.”

“Damn it… I hate politics…”

“And unfortunately, that’s not all.”

“…There’s more?”

“Yes. The Elder Council doesn’t play such mild games. They read two or three moves ahead and act so that no matter what we do, they benefit. Even Aura doesn’t know all their hidden agendas.”

Cross grimaced in silence.

“There’s one more thing,” Ellie added.

“Oh, come on…”

“Think about it: Aura-sama—the ultimate political weapon—openly says she doesn’t want to deal with them in her own field of expertise. Of course there’s more.”

“I’m never becoming Demon Lord. Too much hassle—I’d die of it.”

“That’s a shame. If you became Demon Lord, I could return to being the Demon Lord’s knight.”

“Yeah, yeah. So what else is there?”

“The Elder Council is anything but united. In fact, you could say it’s like a pit of venomous insects—each member sees the others as enemies and acts only for personal gain. They trip each other up, sabotage Aura, and claw for advantage. That’s why it’s called the vilest den of demons imaginable.”

“In other words?”

“I suspect that Moses-sama—whom we just met—has his own designs in play.”

“Yeah… the fact that a beastman like him showed up in a case about punishing a beastwoman… smells fishy, you know?”

“Do you recall how Moses-sama described himself as being in the lowest seat?”

“Yeah, said he was like some low-ranking councilman.”

“The Council has no single chairperson. Instead, ten councilors share the highest authority equally, with no ranks among them. No one outside those ten can even call themselves a councilor.”

“…So despite how he put it, he’s actually one of the highest authorities?”

“Exactly. Or rather, he’s the sort of person who talks like that despite being at the very top.”

“…I don’t trust him. Not one bit.”

Ellie neither agreed nor disagreed, silently arranging the facts in her mind and considering the path that would burden Cross the least while yielding the most benefit.

“Ellie—what was the info you got from Pulsphica?”

Ellie thought for a moment before summarizing.

“Pul-chan lives in a region where many beastfolk of mostly humanoid form dwell.”

“Because it’s easier to live among their own kind?”

“Yes. They dislike becoming too civilized, but they also haven’t abandoned reason or modesty to live entirely like animals. They prefer a sort of nomadic life, and those who share that lifestyle gather there.”

“Got it. So Pulsphica lives there too?”

“Yes. And in that area, there was a wanted woman. Pul-chan was chosen to guide the way to her.”

“…That makes sense… I guess?”

Cross folded his arms, uneasy.

“On the surface, yes. But if that’s the case, there’s no real reason it had to be Pul-chan. Using a child as a guide… there’s only one thing I can think of.”

“And that is?”

“Seduction. Moses-sama told you to take Pul-chan along however you wished, so…”

“No way.”

“I know. Even you wouldn’t—well, couldn’t—do that to such a young child…”

“No, that’s not what I mean. Ellie, aren’t you misunderstanding something?”

“Huh? What?”

“You’ve been calling him Pul-chan… but Pulsphica’s a boy.”

“…Eh? …You’re kidding!?”

Ellie’s outburst was inevitable—Pulsphica looked like the perfect example of a beautiful, adorable girl.

“Don’t you usually tell gender by magic or something?”

“Of course, but I don’t check every time. There’s privacy to consider, you know? …Wait—no, Cross, you must be mistaken. Pul-chan is definitely a girl!”

“Don’t tell him. He might be sensitive about it.”

“…Ugh… really? But he’s so cute… Wait—how did you even figure it out?”

“Huh? Honestly… I’m not sure.”

The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Even though Pulsphica looked like a girl to anyone, Cross had instantly known he was male.

After considering it a moment, Cross came to one conclusion.

“Guess I just knew because he’s not a girl. I’d never mistake a man for a woman—otherwise, how could I flirt properly?”

Cross chuckled, and Ellie gave him a frosty stare.

It wasn’t quite early morning when Cross sat down for a rare meal alone with Aura. They heard hurried footsteps racing about. Cross smiled faintly.

“I thought with the animal ears and tail, they’d be early risers. Guess not.”

Aura sipped her coffee with a smile.

“Most foxes are nocturnal. Not that we know for sure if that child is a fox beastman. Besides, beastfolk and beasts are entirely different species—it’s not a good comparison.”

“Oh… so treating beastfolk like animals is pretty rude?”

“It depends on the time, place, and person. Some dislike being called beasts, others embrace it. Conversely, some get angry just at the term ‘beastman’ because it contains the character for ‘human.’”

“So what should I call them instead?”

“If they dislike ‘human,’ call them beast monsters. But some dislike that too… Best to build rapport and learn their preference.”

“Man… making friends across species is a chore.”

“Yes. In that regard, I sometimes envy the single-species nature of humans.”

A small knock sounded.

“Excuse me. Sir Cross, you have a visitor…” the maid said awkwardly.

Cross and Aura exchanged knowing smiles.

“Send them in. Aura—sorry, but…”

“It’s fine. You know what to do,” Aura said to the maid, who nodded and left.

As expected, Pulsphica burst in moments later, flustered.

“S-sorry! I overslept!”

Breathless, hair a complete mess—it was obvious to anyone. Aura gave a wry smile.

“That’s fine. But you should mind your appearance.”

“O-oh, right… Running through such a grand castle like this…”

“Not that. Your hair. No need to rush—at least fix your appearance.”

“It’s fine, isn’t it? Just run your fingers through it. Aura doesn’t mind.”

“Even if I don’t, Pulsphica should care—especially since you’re a girl.”

Pulsphica froze, slack-jawed. Cross sighed.

“Aura, too? Look closely—he’s a boy.”

Aura, ever composed, dropped her spoon to the floor. That alone was remarkable enough to be memorable for years.

While Aura sat stunned, Cross tousled Pulsphica’s hair into order.

“Thank you, Cross-sama.”

“Drop the ‘-sama.’ Just use ‘-san.’”

“Yes—thank you, Cross-san.”

“Good. Now sit and eat with us.”

“I-I couldn’t possibly dine with the Demon Lord…”

His stomach growled, ruining the protest.

“Being hungry means you’re healthy. Besides, your plate’s coming. If you don’t eat, it’ll just go to waste.”

“…Well… in that case, I’ll join you.”

“Good. Don’t worry about manners—at least when you’re with me.”

Cross laughed, seating Pulsphica beside him.

“So… munch munch… Pulsphica’s our guide, right?”

“Yes. munch munch Ah, this is delicious but a bit spicy… Water, please… I’ll guide you, but I can’t fight.”

“That’s fine. Ellie and I can handle that. …Man, these potatoes are good.”

“Yes. Even cold, they’re fluffy—perfect for someone like me who dislikes piping-hot food.”

“You can just talk normally, you know—it’s obvious already.”

“Hehe… Sorry. Oh, this sauce is sweet and tasty!”

“Really? Lemme try.”

“Here you go, Cross-san.”

Cross poured some over his food and took a bite—

“…pff… kuh… haha…” Aura stifled a laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s just… you two eat exactly the same… even down to where the crumbs stick…”

Murmuring those words, Aura trembled again.

Cross and Pulsphica exchanged glances, then each touched their own cheek with a finger.

Sure enough, there was a speck of food stuck in exactly the same spot on both of their faces.

Cross chuckled lightly at the sight, wiped away his own mess with his sleeve, and resumed eating.

Watching this, Aura could no longer hold back—she burst into laughter.

After all, when you witness two people moving in perfect sync—picking up the same utensil, stabbing the same dish, and putting the same bite into their mouths—there’s simply no way to keep a straight face.