Everyone but Me Is a Spy - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 11
Crash!
The Magical Rope attached to the harpoon connected the two balconies.
With the Harpoon Gun secured firmly to the railing, Nina dashed across the rope and checked on GuGu.
“GuGu! Are you all right?”
GuGu, cradled in Nina’s arms, went completely limp with exhaustion.
“Oh no! What do I do! Joel! Joel!”
As Nina called out desperately toward the balcony doors, footsteps approached rapidly.
“What on earth—. GuGu?”
The figure that emerged from the half-open door was Joel, his lower half wrapped in nothing but a white towel.
He had rushed from the shower—steam rose from his bare, muscular chest, and water dripped steadily from his wet hair.
Catching sight of Nina, he started in surprise, crossing his arms to cover his upper body.
“What—!”
“Oh my!”
Nina froze in shock, her face flushing crimson as she covered her eyes with both hands.
In that instant, GuGu tumbled away and rolled straight to Joel’s feet.
Rumble-rumble-rumble.
……
Even in his flustered state, Joel quickly threw on a robe and scanned the surroundings.
GuGu kept his eyes squeezed shut, breaking into a cold sweat, desperately avoiding Joel’s gaze.
A machete hung in the shrubbery below the balcony, and small stones scattered across the balcony floor.
Otherwise, there were no signs of intruders or danger.
Except for the harpoon lodged in the balcony wall.
‘A harpoon? Why is a harpoon embedded here?’
Joel traced the Magical Rope connected to the harpoon back to the opposite balcony.
‘A Harpoon Gun?’
His eyes narrowed as he studied the weapon’s design.
A model he’d never seen on the market. It appeared to have magical crystals embedded in it—custom-made, perhaps.
No, it looked like a standard model that had been retrofitted into a Magical Device.
Joel withdrew his gaze from the Harpoon Gun and extended a hand to Nina.
“Nina. I’m not sure what this is about, but it’s quite an unexpected visit.”
Nina cautiously parted her fingers to check Joel’s condition first.
Fortunately, he was no longer wearing just a towel.
Uncertain what else to do, Nina took his large hand and got to her feet.
“I’m—I’m sorry! That wasn’t intentional—!”
“It’s all right. Would you mind explaining what happened?”
“I was trying to call you from the balcony, but GuGu suddenly collapsed, and—oh, GuGu!”
Nina released Joel’s hand and knelt to examine GuGu sprawled on the floor.
“Guu… rumble…”
GuGu cracked an eye open, locked gazes with Joel, stuck out his tongue, and went completely limp.
“GuGu seems to be in a lot of pain. Should I call a doctor? They could examine GuGu too.”
As Nina turned back with watering eyes, Joel realized something far more troubling than the Harpoon Gun itself.
The Intruder Alarm System hadn’t activated.
‘It can’t be broken. Is this coincidence?’
Checking all the alarm systems in this Townhouse was the first task of Joel’s day. He maintained them with such rigor that the current situation struck him as deeply strange.
“…GuGu appears to have suffered a brief dizzy spell from the harsh sunlight. There’s no need for concern.”
He picked GuGu up and set him gently just inside the balcony doors.
Nina pressed a hand to her chest and exhaled in relief.
“Thank goodness. I’m sorry about the damage to the balcony. Send me the repair bill, or I can call someone right now if you’d like.”
“No, I’d prefer to leave it as is.”
Nina’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer.
“Really? The Harpoon Gun and rope?”
“Yes. It’s interior decoration that stimulates my aesthetic sensibilities. I find it quite pleasing. And that rope is no ordinary one, either.”
“My, you certainly have a sharp eye for these things. Your taste is remarkable.”
Joel was right—the rope attached to the harpoon was no ordinary material.
It had been crafted using Magical Engineering to resist burning.
Joel touched the rope with his fingertips and grew even more puzzled.
Soaked in a special solution, it would weigh several times more than normal, and the Harpoon Gun itself had been reinforced. The position of the embedded harpoon suggested it wouldn’t shift at all from the recoil or weight.
The Harpoon Gun itself appeared equally formidable from the way it was anchored.
‘Come to think of it, the Magical Gun Nina gave me felt equally weightless in her hands.’
He stole a glance at Nina’s shoulders and arms.
Even concealed by her clothes, it was easy to see her frame lacked the bulky musculature of a laborer.
Though his gaze was cautious, she caught it—Nina turned her head sharply to regard him.
‘More perceptive than I estimated. I’ll need to adjust the parameters in my research notes.’
Before suspicion could take hold, he continued smoothly.
“You called for me, I believe.”
At that, Nina clapped her hands together as if recalling something forgotten.
“Oh goodness! Where is my head? Just wait a moment.”
She then nimbly crossed the Balcony railing, casually weaving through the Laser Beams arranged as a security measure, and returned.
Watching her fluid, graceful movements—movements that made the Intruder Alarm System incapable of triggering—Joel’s eyes gleamed with sudden clarity.
“Nina. Why did you move like that just now?”
“Hmm? Well, I arranged them into such a pretty pattern—I’d hate to ruin it.”
Nina gazed at the Laser Beams, glistening faintly in the sunlight.
“They look like snowflakes. Really beautiful.”
The Laser Beams Joel had arranged resembled nothing so much as lace woven from spider silk.
Even upon careful inspection, a moment’s carelessness could cause one to miss the security net entirely.
To perceive it with the naked eye alone—remarkable.
“Indeed. You exceed my expectations.”
Who could craft a Magical Device of such perfection?
Nina, who had been regarding the security apparatus as casually as one might admire window dressing, broke into a bright smile and extended a Pouch toward him.
It was a fist-sized Pouch made of fine fabric, embroidered with a spider in silk thread.
“The Magical Gun you gave me is so lovely, and I like it so much—I really wanted to repay your kindness.”
“Repay me?”
“Yes. Will you accept it?”
As she offered the Pouch with sparkling, eager eyes, Joel found himself taking it before he could think—then froze.
‘A careless mistake. I accepted it without inspecting the contents.’
The thought that a Magical Device could cloud one’s judgment sent an odd chill through him.
Inside the Pouch lay a Cube surrounded by circuitry of pale blue.
“A Magical Engineering toy, then.”
“Actually, it belonged to my grandmother. I’ve spent so much time as a servant that I’ve never really owned anything grand.”
“That hardly seems true.”
Joel murmured, glancing toward the imposing Harpoon Gun fixed on the opposite railing.
The moment he drew the Cube from the Pouch and closed his hand around it—
A sharp crack.
Lightning burst from the Cube, wreathed in azure light.
Joel executed a nimble somersault through the air, kicked off the wall, and landed in a handstand on the floor—all while gripping his gown to prevent it from falling away.
A pebble that had been rolling across the Balcony floor crumbled to ash and scattered away.
“GuGu! GuGu?!”
A cry of alarm echoed from within the Balcony doors.
Joel watched until the Cube fell dormant, then slowly stood.
For the first time in years, he had stared into the face of death—his spine tingled with its proximity.
“This is an object only the bloodline of its master can safely wield.”
“Oh my! I—I can’t believe this. I keep making mistakes with you. I’m so sorry—what can I do?”
Nina hurriedly thrust the Cube back into the Pouch, her expression crumpling.
She had wanted only to repay his kindness, yet all she managed was to cause him trouble. The frustration weighed on her heart.
And he was already frail, likely lacking courage—how startled he must have been to leap like that. How could she have been so thoughtless?
“I’m truly sorry. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
As Nina sighed sadly and spoke, Joel quickly gestured toward the opposite Balcony.
“I would like to examine that Harpoon Gun at close range.”
“Really? That would make things right?”
At her uncertain response, he moved swiftly to secure even a promise of return.
“Yes. If you permit it, I shall visit your home tomorrow.”
“What? No, no—you mustn’t leave the house so recklessly! You’re frail, my lord!”
“It’s only the adjacent house, and quite near—”
“I’ll show you right now.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Nina lowered her stance, positioned her hands behind his knees, and in a single swift motion, scooped him cleanly into her arms.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait. Nina.”
As Joel hung suspended in the air, his expression one of disbelief, he tried to stop her—but she was already bounding across the Magical Rope with a rapid, rhythmic gait.
The two of them crossed the Balcony in a heartbeat and reached the Harpoon Gun.
Nina carefully lowered Joel onto her Balcony and broke into a proud smile.
“Go ahead. Look all you want.”
…….
Joel found himself in unfamiliar territory, and a flush of embarrassment and shame rushed over him, leaving his mind reeling.
“Joel? Should I fetch you a magnifying glass?”
Nina tilted her head in confusion as she watched him stand frozen in place.
“Nina! What in the world is going on here?”
“Is everything alright? What’s happening!”
The family burst through the door as if they’d heard GuGu’s crackling roar.
Reflexively turning to face them, Joel’s towel slipped down from beneath his robe.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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