Everyone but Me Is a Spy - Chapter 30

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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 30
A Honey Trap specialist spy for the Soltem Intelligence Agency and Joel’s senior.
Ryan entered Joel’s Townhouse with a darkened expression.
He’d thought himself accustomed to Joel’s impulsive behavior by now, but he was wrong.
To think Joel had let the Target stay at the Townhouse on a whim and even blocked the road to Illite.
‘Is he planning to attempt a Honey Trap? Or could it be he’s actually trying to—’
Either way, it was a headache-inducing suspicion.
“Joel!”
Ryan kicked the Research Laboratory door open with a bang, then stopped short at the sight of two pairs of eyes turning toward him.
It was Joel, holding a Chart and endlessly recording something even now, and Nina, covered in ECG Patches, engaged in a spot-the-difference puzzle.
……
Looking at Nina, who appeared every bit the research subject and test specimen, Ryan’s expression shifted at once.
“You shouldn’t be moving around yet, sir. I’m certain I mentioned that.”
……
“Oh my. And who might this be……?”
As Nina looked up at Joel’s expressionless face, Ryan continued.
“My name is Ryan. I’m one of the doctors who looks after the young master’s delicate health.”
He was still wearing a chef’s uniform, having rushed over in the midst of running a Honey Trap.
“My, how do you do. I’m Nina Bones. Though it seems there are several doctors—just how poor is Joel’s health……?”
Nina, unbothered by Ryan’s attire, gazed at Joel with sympathy.
“Don’t you think the research and analysis should be focused on Joel rather than on me?”
“The young master is always one of our research subjects, yes.”
……
Though Ryan answered in earnest, Joel simply regarded him in silence.
……
“I’ll have the necessary medicines left in the Kitchen. That will be all.”
Annoyed yet relieved by the same response he got whenever his Magical Tool Research was interrupted, Ryan departed hastily without even acknowledging Nina’s farewell.
“Did my presence prevent you from discussing something important?”
When Nina asked with concern, Joel answered firmly.
“There’s nothing worth discussing with that man. Let’s return our focus here.”
“All right.”
Nina turned her eyes back to the image and moved her fingers rapidly as Joel directed.
It was entertaining enough that she found herself mimicking the motions even as she lay in bed later.
‘So this is what research is—it’s fun.’
Nina smiled softly as she swept the blanket with her hand.
Even within the warm, cozy blanket, something still felt foreign.
Joel had been very kind, and participating in the research was enjoyable, yet it seemed this Townhouse still wasn’t a place meant for her.
‘When I lay in the Maid’s Quarters, I felt so much more at ease……’
Her hand, which had been drawing the blanket, slowed to a stop.
Troubled, Nina pulled herself out from under the blanket and leaned her head toward the window.
She could see the Townhouse where her family lived not far away—it was in a position she could see even better from the hallway window.
‘I wonder how my family is doing.’
Though they hadn’t been together long, her family had become so precious to her.
They’d made a promise to go out together, and she regretted deeply that she couldn’t keep it.
‘Uncle, Aunt, Sister, Brother. I miss you all so much.’
She longed for them so much she wanted to run home that very moment, but she had to hold back.
Feeling her eyes grow moist, Nina closed the window and buried herself beneath the blanket.
Moonlight streamed softly over the trembling blanket as she wept.
* * *
At the same time, the four fake family members, who had finally learned of Nina’s whereabouts, arrived at Joel’s Townhouse.
They gathered in the Basement, concealed from Nina, glaring at Joel with indignant huffs.
“This matter cannot be overlooked. This isn’t just disrespect toward us—it’s disrespect toward all four nations: Illite, Holich, Rujein, and Kibon,” Natalisha declared.
Chason raised his voice in agreement with her words.
“Nina Bones is not just Soltem’s Target. She’s our Target too! If you knew her whereabouts, you should have shared that information at once!”
Each of them had been thoroughly scolded by their respective Masters and spent days searching all of Soltem before hearing the news belatedly.
The Soltem Master had only now informed the Masters of the other nations of Nina’s whereabouts.
Joel looked back at them with an air of amusement, not even bothering to scoff.
“Share? I doubt someone without research value has any right to make such demands.”
They certainly did have the right. This was a Contract agreed upon by five nations.
“Do you not understand why Nina wishes to leave Soltem? Who do you think is responsible for all of this?”
“…….”
The false family had nothing to say. They too knew they were the architects of Nina’s departure.
Joel crossed his legs at an angle and continued coolly.
“If they knew she was here, they’d run much farther away. If that happened, they wouldn’t survive in Soltem.”
It was not the official position of Soltem.
Watching the false family members stare silently, he couldn’t fathom why Nina missed them so deeply.
“Even after leaving that house, Nina watched it every day from the window.”
“How touching.”
Excy clutched his chest and muttered under his breath. Chason had a similar reaction.
The claim that if their presence here was discovered or they tried to force Nina to return she would disappear even further was irrefutable.
Natalisha, lost in thought, lowered her hand from her forehead and opened her mouth.
“We have no choice but to make Nina come back of her own accord.”
“Is there a good way to do that?”
Chason lifted his head sharply and listened intently to Natalisha’s words.
“Nina left because she wanted us to be healthy and happy. And you said she still watches that house through the window.”
Kathari nodded quietly in agreement.
“So if we become an unhealthy, unhappy family after she left, that will draw her back.”
“……That’s genius!”
Excy broke into applause at the shocking idea.
Joel, as if disgusted by the sight, quietly left the basement.
‘Not worth a damn for research, as expected.’
* * *
Morning arrived with a hazy, pallid sun.
The Townhouse, now empty of everyone but the false family, was wrapped in a peculiar atmosphere.
“Cough, cough.”
“Ah, my head…….”
The false family members slumped down one by one near the window.
“Is this convincing enough?”
“Is it? At this rate, you can’t even tell if they’re tired or sick.”
They debated how to appear urgent enough for Nina to come back.
Just then, the Residential Clockwork Doll Juger Number 4 came rolling in with mechanical whirring.
「Abnormal Status Detection. Abnormal Status Detection.」
“W-what?”
Kathari had a bad premonition and began shuffling backward while still seated, but Juger drew closer and examined each person carefully.
「Multiple members show abnormal physical activity, I see? But do not worry. Your caring. guardian. Juger will look after you.」
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
Excy reacted fastest and leaped up, but it was already too late.
「Initiating Nursing Care Protocol!」
Juger Number 4 moved like lightning between the spies and began tending to them.
「I will take your temperature.」
The clockwork doll’s mechanical hand pressed against their foreheads in rapid succession—pat, pat, pat, pat.
“Ugh, it’s freezing!”
「I have detected abnormal bodily response. It seems you require warmth?」
A thick blanket came out of nowhere and dropped over their faces with a thud.
“This metal monster is killing us! I can’t breathe!”
As Natalisha went pale and threw off the blanket, Juger Number 4 produced something new.
「Hydration is required, I believe? Here is a Nutritional Supplement Drink.」
Excy’s face drained of color as well.
“It’s fluorescent.”
「It is packed with vitamins. Your complexion will become radiant. in. no. time.」
“I refuse to drink it.”
「You show signs of resistance? Commencing forced administration.」
The mysterious liquid was poured down the throats of four people held fast.
“This is murder by poison.”
As Excy lost consciousness and collapsed, Kathari kicked him aside and chose to flee instead.
“Run!”
But the opponent was Juger.
「It appears you require rest? I will restrict your movement.」
Kathari was seized in an instant and bound to the bed, screaming.
“This is confinement!”
“It’s a protective measure for the patient.”
“No, I’m not a patient!”
Juger pursued them with the same relentless persistence as the Intelligence Agency’s tracking team.
Chason and Natalisha, still uncaptured, scrambled desperately along the walls and hung from the ceiling.
Then, with a sharp click, Juger Number 4 came to a halt and spoke with grave seriousness.
“If I determine that I cannot manage alone, I shall have no choice but to request assistance from Juger Number 3.”
Chason gasped in alarm and threw himself down beside Excy.
“Get down now! I won’t have two insane tin cans prowling this house!”
……
Natalisha, her face drained of color, finally squeezed her eyes shut and collapsed beside Excy as well.
Though they’d only meant to feign illness, the false family found themselves genuinely afflicted, groaning miserably in their beds.

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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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