Chapter 310: Mansion Chatter

———Useph———

<6: 03 pm>

“Well, I guess at least you’re fine?” I said, unsure of what else I could really say in this situation. “I mean, that’s the case, right? You seem a bit limp but you’re alive?”

“That is clear to see, despite how brutal she might’ve been, she clearly had no intent on killing us in the first place.” Orrel calmly said before taking a sip of the hot chocolate. It sounds like a description for Rico, honestly.

“There are no internal injuries to speak of, so the Young Master has no need to worry. Nothing but the usual strain from pushing the body quite far.” Sully said. That frilly uniform of hers is distracting. What is Mom even thinking today? She’s not even here right now.

Also, when did we even have the medical supplies to check all this stuff? I feel like my parents have been lying to me for the past eighteen years. Why do we just have everything ready for any magical mishaps?

“She’s right. You should stop worrying at this point.” Orrel said, moving his body a bit just to prove his point. “I think the fact that I managed to walk back here without any assistance is good enough.”

“Still, why did she leave you in such a bad state in the first place? It didn’t happen last time.” I said while scratching my head.

“Probably due to Emmie’s interruption. Regardless of her actual strength, there is probably a reason she only chooses to come out of hiding when it’s two people instead of three.” Orrel gave us his conjecture. “It seems like she was always planning on draining our mana and stamina dry, making sure we truly felt defeat.”

“Is Gregori gonna be fine?” I asked, since I didn’t see him saying anything in the group chat.

“He’s fine. It’s not as if I need any treatment myself. The check-up was simply a precaution.” Orrel calmly explained. I guess that’s true? And I guess the school campus is not lacking in any healing tech either. His behavior when he came shambling back here doesn’t give me that much confidence. Maybe I got a bit too worked up because of that.

“…Sully, do you know anything about this? About this woman who has many faces.” I asked her since Mom and Dad don't seem to be around. They have a lot of authority and clearly skeletons in their closet, they should know something.

“Mistress has her guesses, but she forbade me from saying any more.” She answered. That is… honestly more than I thought she was willing to tell. There is one thing odd about stuff she has been saying for the past few months though…

“Why is it always about Mom? Does Dad not know about all the supernatural stuff?” I can’t help but ask. I know Mom has always been seen as the breadwinner in the household, but surely Dad is roped into some of her shenanigans, whatever they are.

“…He does, but he does not interfere with Mistress' plans. He simply did as he was told.” Sully said, having a conflicted expression for some reason. Does she know more than she lets on? I guess that’s not impossible. She is the head maid for a reason, no doubt having to micromanage a lot of stuff in the household and being kept in the loop on sensitive information. With how secretive Mom turns out to be, there is no way only my parents wouldn’t suspect anything. I just scoffed at all of it at first, since I didn’t even think those advanced technologies and magic could exist. It made me look way dumber than the rest of my classmates since I could be said to be closest to figuring out the truth with the proximity to the supernatural. I do look way dumber because of that hindsight, but it’s not as if others would’ve figured it out like I am, right? I don’t think that’s an inaccurate thing to say.

“...You know, I’m surprised you’re not questioning your in-laws a bit more.” I said to Orrel.

“It’ll be revealed sooner or later, rushing it would simply strain the harmony.” Orrel replied. I guess slow and steady has been doing well for us so far. Not like anyone really rushed to train when magic suddenly became a thing either. The most we did was go do a couple of floors and research some more in EX-VR. Surprisingly efficient despite not using much effort or time.

“By the way, Sully. How strong are you?” I asked since Orrel is pretty adamant on not being the one asking the questions. I’m sure he’s pretty curious regardless of his stance.

“Me? I simply am Mistress’ humble maid, such a thing is of no concern Young Master.” She said, her tone as humble as always. It always felt like I don’t know much about her, but I guess that also extends to my own parents, which stings a lot more.

“That still doesn’t answer the question, though. Also, does my dad never cross your mind?” That’s one weird thing that I never thought about before. She doesn’t seem to acknowledge my father.

“That… is not something you need to worry about, Young Master.” She said, sounding even more awkward. Is there some sort of household drama I’m not aware of? How much am I being left out of? “As for the initial question, it is presumptuous for me to say, but I have trained in the mystic arts for years at this point, I can confidently say that I am much stronger than you at the moment.”

…Kinda stings to hear, but that makes sense. She probably has a lot of time to train compared to our less than a year’s worth of training if we don’t take playing EX-VR into account, and even then I don’t think most of us even played it that often.

“Is there like… a training room in the mansion that I don’t know about?” I know I have never looked through the entire estate, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they got more stuff hiding somewhere. This is a massive place that is closer to a labyrinth than a mansion… In many ways, it is kinda like that campus.

“That is not something I can disclose.” She answered decisively. One of these days I’m actually going to know what the hell is happening behind the scene.

“Really gatekeeping all the fun stuff.” I can’t help but complain. I bet if I have access to that I could at least rival Jennla. There’s still a sizable gap between her and the rest of us. “...Any inside scoop on the larger world state?”

“Mistress probably knows something, but I don’t.” She resolutely said. Certainly won’t budge an inch from my line of questionings.

“Something that probably would’ve interested us would've leaked quickly anyway.” Orrel chimed in as he put down the empty cup. “Can I get another refill?."

Sully then beckoned the maid nearby to come and take the cup away.

“Back on the topic of that fake Jennla… What do you think of her strength?” I asked Orrel as the previous topic became hard to follow. It really doesn’t look like I could inquire about anything without Mom here.

“Very much indescribable. I can’t actually gauge it at all due to the vast difference in strength. It’s like with Rico, Wana, and Wiina. It doesn’t matter how much power they actually show off, we can’t comprehend it regardless.” He answered. That is… I don’t know what to say about that. Sounds pretty darn scary.

“...You’d think we’d carry around a power reader or something by now.” I can’t help but to say that. Descriptions have been way too vague, nothing but ‘too strong’ and ‘too weak’ as of late. I get why, but it’s feeling like we’re losing track of our progress with all these uncertain terms.

“It’s not that helpful. Without any device we can already tell if we’re going to be stomped into the ground or not.” Orrel said, dismissive of my complaint.

“...Whatever man. You got any more clues on the faker?” Who knows who else she can turn into at this point.

“Nothing that the previous duo hasn’t already said. I can’t come up with any new clues to her actual identity. If anything, all the clues came before the battle started.” He explained.

“Really? Like the moment she entered?” I’m not really sure what he could’ve figured out then.

“It’s the most suspicious part of the whole ordeal. Tell me, do you think the odds of two people going into a location barely anyone visiting at the same time is high?” Orrel asked.

“Obviously not…” I mindlessly answered. “Didn’t you and Gregori go there to prove a point?”

“No. Neither of us have said anything to each other about such a possibility. If anything, I thought you or Jeff would’ve been there.” He replied. “In other words…”

“Someone manipulated the two of you to enter, and also made sure no one else did…” Is that even possible? Even if it is, does she really dare to do that? The timeframe is so short that it shouldn’t be impossible for us to look back on today’s event to figure out who was nudging us along.

“Don’t bother thinking. I have already checked, and according to the chatlog and my own recollection, there isn’t anyone that seems out of place.” He said before I could go into thinking mode. “More likely, this is either some sort of special ability, or they are using multiple proxies to obfuscate who is truly responsible.”

“It’s pretty darn terrifying either way.” Both possibilities show great might and versatility, or the level of connection so absurd it looks like one of those outlandish conspiracies.

“That does mean she must be someone on a much grander scope than we expect. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was clearly not aiming to kill, we would’ve been on high alert.” Orrel remarked. Even with the current situation it’s already pretty darn terrifying.

“Sully, do you think Mom could check on anything amiss?” I turned around to ask our reliable head maid.

“I could relay that suggestion, but her wordings yesterday imply that she has more important things to look through.” Sully suddenly said something that felt like suddenly being doused by cold water. Are you kidding me? Can’t my own connections also do something? “Since it doesn’t pose any clear danger to anyone, she opts to not look into it and focus on other matters.”

“Damn…” It seems like I’m out of luck on this front.

“Unfortunately, aside from our curiosity, it truly doesn’t pose any threat. It’s like an extra P.E. class more than anything.” Orrel gave me his opinion. “I can’t blame her for turning a blind eye. Isn’t your mom already quite a workaholic?”

“...I guess that’s true.” At this point I really can’t ask for more.

“We have a lot we can talk about anyway. Like tomorrow’s school trip, or the state of the… States.” Orrel awkwardly said the latter part.

“Too bad Mom isn’t around right now, bet she actually knows a whole lot.” I snarkily said.

“And that is something you can deal with later.” Orrel said as the maid from earlier returned with another cup.

“Oh, right, get me a cup of lemonade.” I said to the maid and she quickly nodded before walking away. “...You think Kenni can come back here again after that incident?”

“Probably? It’s not as if she actually managed to uncover anything last time, not that that stopped her from being beaten to a pulp.” Orrel answered. “...By the way, I’m staying here tonight. Ask one of your servant to go get my stuff.”

“Yeah sure, you heard that, Sully?” I said while turning around to look at her. She had been awkwardly standing there for a while, watching our conversation. “...So what are we talking about next?”