Collector’s Cage - Chapter 10 - II.

II.

“Without a prior appointment, you cannot meet His Lordship the Marquis.”

They were turned away at the door the moment they arrived.

Of course, meeting Marquis Froy at such a late hour was unlikely. He wasn’t someone you could meet just because you wanted to, at any time.

Hermie, hiding in the handkerchief, snorted as if she had expected this. But Dormi did not back down.

“I have an arrangement with His Lordship! He told me I could come find him anytime.”
“…You have an arrangement?”
“Yes! Please tell him I’ve found a fairy.”
“A fairy…?”
“Yes.”

The butler’s face contorted as if he had heard something insane. Undeterred, Dormi’s eyes shone with conviction. The mage, already looking shabby, only appeared more like a madman with that gleam in his eyes.

Should I really bring this lunatic to my master? The butler hesitated for a moment, then held up both palms as if to say ‘calm down.’

“…I will relay the message. If he refuses, you will leave quietly, is that understood?”
“He’ll definitely agree to see me right away!”
“…Ah, yes.”

The butler shook his head and left. It was clear he didn’t believe Dormi. Sensing the quiet of the reception room, Hermie peeked out.

“Why are you being so stubborn? Let’s go back today and just come again tomorrow.”
“Research is something you have to finish in one go when the feeling strikes. If you dawdle, the inspiration vanishes. You wouldn’t know. Tsk.”
“What inspiration? You’re not an artist…”
“And I need to get the money quickly so I can focus on my research with peace of mind.”
“So, you just want to grab the money and run, right?”

How dare this bastard talk about inspiration?

“Do I, Dormi, look like someone who would fuss over mere money?”

Says the impoverished mage who can’t even do research because he has no money. Hermie wrinkled her nose.

“It’s because I need money to conduct the research, to make the antidote! I don’t want to resort to this either! It’s dangerous for me too if we get caught!”

And a guy with that much common sense hides in the Mage Tower without paying his debts?

“You can succeed in the research, right?! What if you fail?! What happens to me then?!”
“I told you I will succeed! I did it once, you think I can’t do it twice?!”
“You’d better succeed! Because of you, I’m being sold to some crazy collector!”
“W-well, that’s why you shouldn’t have touched other people’s things recklessly!”
“Since when was it your thing? You didn’t even pay for it, why is it yours?! You crazy bastard!!! Damn it!!!”
“D-don’t curse… What kind of fairy curses?! If we get caught, we both die, so we have to be careful. Please, watch your mouth!”

While Hermie and Dormi were busy bickering, the door suddenly swung open with a bang.
Startled, Hermie quickly ducked back under the handkerchief.

“M-My Lord.”

He didn’t hear us arguing, did he? Dormi bowed his head to the Marquis, his face pale.

“You’ve come at a late hour. I hope it is for something worthy of troubling me.”

A cold, low bass voice resonated through the room. Even just his voice carried an air of arrogance and authority. Thankfully, it seemed he hadn’t heard their argument.

“Of course! You will be satisfied when you see it.”
“A fairy, you say?”
“Yes!”

Inside the handkerchief, Hermie clutched her pounding heart. Even at this moment, regret and worry swirled endlessly, making her head spin.

“Where is it?”
“R-right here.”

The cage was handed to the Marquis. Froy peered inside the unremarkable cage. Something was squirming within the handkerchief.

“A fairy…”

For someone who had agreed to meet Dormi at this late hour, his face showed little excitement. As Froy reached for the lock to open the cage door, Dormi panicked and tried to stop him.

“W-wait! You mustn’t open the cage door.”
“Why not?”
“W-well, I’ve placed a spell on it so the fairy can’t escape.”

He lied to prevent Marquis Froy from taking Hermie out and handling her freely. Dormi at least had that much of a conscience.

“Then how am I to confirm there is indeed a fairy?”
“J-just a moment. If I tap it like this…! C-come on out, sweetie. There, there, it’s okay!”

Dormi tapped the cage. Was it her cue to go out?

‘No! I’m scared and embarrassed!’