Oh, what is this? Why does it feel off?
“Did I dial incorrectly?”
I decided to try dialing again.
Just watch. I will definitely call Kieran.
I dialed vigorously, and dialed again.
However…
“Why isn’t it working?”
I tried calling Linstead’s mansion several times, but the answer was always the same.
[Dash] The number you are trying to reach is not available; please try again later…Beep, beep, beep…
Only the lifeless voice of the recorded automated message reverberated in my ears. A hollow laugh escaped me.
“…Where did this person go?”
「Why is that? Did something go wrong?」
“Why do you look so troubled, Duke?”
My butler, Patrick, noticed my twisted expression and was concerned. Zero was also curious, so I immediately updated them.
“The thing is, I can’t get through to Linstead’s mansion.”
“Really?”
「…Did they just hang up? Are they ignoring all forms of contact?」
I frankly told Zero and the butler what happened.
“No, I don’t even hear a dial tone. Only a recorded message that it’s a nonexistent number.”
「What?」
“That’s not possible. Communication magic tools are managed by the royal family. It’s impossible to disconnect a line without permission.”
At Butler Patrick’s words, my eyes widened. So did Zero’s.
“…Is that true, Butler?”
“Yes. Especially considering that the Count of Worei, who failed to assassinate the Crown Prince, it would be even more strictly managed. All calls are recorded and absolutely cannot be disconnected without the royal family’s approval.”
“Is it possible that the Worei Count, upon realizing the situation with the zombies in the capital, acted unilaterally?”
Both the imperial city and the capital Agata were devastated.
‘If so, then the Worei family would have fulfilled Kieran’s long-held desire.’
If they heard this news, they might sense their liberation from the curse and flee, erasing all traces so they wouldn’t be pursued by any remaining royal family members.
My conjecture was incorrect.
The butler shook his head dismally.
“Your Grace, to disconnect a currently connected line, you must go to the communications center in the imperial city.”
“That means…”
“Yes, even if the situation has turned favorable for the Worei family, there’s no way they’d risk their lives to enter the zombie-infested imperial city.”
The butler was correct.
Even if the Worei family were free from their centuries-old contract with the royal family, no sane person would enter the imperial city, now a den of attacking zombies.
‘There’s no reason to disconnect the lines.’
Lost abilities? The foundation of the underworld that had been built up over a long time?
All of these held lesser value in the face of freedom.
‘I would flee under the cover of darkness.’
With their excellent physical abilities and intelligence, the Worei family wouldn’t starve to death anywhere.
Exiting quickly from the now-inaccessible Linstead would be a better choice for the members of the Worei family.
They wouldn’t risk their lives just to disconnect a now-meaningless communications network.
However, if this assumption is true, then there’s a discrepancy that doesn’t add up.
‘…How could they know about the zombie situation that even the tower of Rus didn’t know?’
Because all the people who could have conveyed news from the capital to other regions had become zombies, the provinces initially knew nothing and were at peace.
But when I first contacted Rus, I asked for the support of the tower to connect to all the territories in the empire and requested that no one come to the capital as it was dangerous.
To prevent anyone from coming to the capital and causing the securely closed gates of the capital Agata to be opened by accident.
Thanks to Luce’s arrival, news spread throughout the empire, except for one place. Worei was under royal control and I didn’t have the contact information, so I couldn’t notify them.
So Baron Worei was unaware of the situation.
“……Something’s strange.”
Linestead was further away from the capital Agata than Chatteris, where the Tower of Magic was located.
It was closer to the neighboring country Quina than to Linestead.
Moreover, there was a considerable distance between the southwest Chatteris and the northwest Linestead.
Even if rumors spread quickly, it would take several more days to reach Linestead.
Considering these points, Kieran Worei, who should have been stranded in Linestead, should not have moved, should not have shown any activity, and should have answered my call……
‘The reality is that it says the number doesn’t exist.’
As if it never existed in the first place.
‘……Never existed?’
The hidden party member Ashton Clitter. Kieran Worei, whom I couldn’t contact.
‘The second possibility, no way!’
I abruptly stood up and ran to Luce, who was drinking tea.
“Your Grace? What’s the matter?”
“What have you figured out?”
Jeeves and Zero followed me, looking puzzled.
“Luce!”
“Yes, y-yes?”
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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