Everyone but Me Is a Spy - Chapter 45

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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 45
Nina inserted the Marble Stone Key into the next locked door and felt a sudden wrongness that made her flinch.
‘Huh?’
Something felt off, so she tried the key in another door.
‘……My goodness.’
After testing the key in several more doors, she made her way back to the first one she’d opened—the room where the Projector and Film Reels were kept.
Nina hesitated the moment she inserted the key into that particular door.
‘The Marble Stone Key feels incredibly rough and stiff in the other locks. ……But this room—only this one slides in smooth.’
She withdrew the key and inserted it again; sure enough, only the Projector Room yielded that frictionless ease.
As if someone had been opening this door so frequently that the lock had worn smooth.
‘There are things the servants haven’t told me, it seems.’
Nina’s expression grew heavy as she tucked the Marble Stone Key back into her pocket.
She’d thought she’d grown close to the servants by now, but perhaps that was merely wishful thinking.
Maintaining the locked rooms in this Townhouse would certainly be among the servants’ duties.
‘They watched me going back and forth trying to open those rooms, and yet said nothing.’
Nina pouted slightly, pushing out her lower lip, then caught herself and pressed her lips together.
‘It’s harder to be a good employer than I thought. I’m actually feeling hurt that they didn’t volunteer the information. How did The Lady manage to be so graceful?’
A countess who commanded servants and a former servant girl now employing Free Country workers—they really were worlds apart.
Nina exhaled deeply and checked the time before heading downstairs.
She needed to see how the uninvited guests she’d left with the Juggers were faring.
‘It’s impossible to look into everything at once, so I’ll open the other rooms slowly, one by one.’
Just then, a mechanical whirring sound came from around the corner, and an Automaton appeared.
“Oh my. A Jugger. Number 3, isn’t it?”
「Yes, I’m delighted to be recognized.」
Jugger Number 3 expressed its joy by waving a broom aloft.
Nina noticed the Automaton’s maid uniform and broom were spotless, so she asked, “Have many uninvited guests arrived?”
“Have many uninvited guests arrived?”
「Many guests have visited, but they’ve all been dealt with now. It was quite refreshing and pleasant after such a long time. Ah. Yes.」
“You’ve worked hard. Thanks to you, I could tour the Townhouse without worry.”
Nina smiled warmly and patted Jugger Number 3 on the shoulder.
The Automaton let out chirping sounds of laughter before speaking formally.
「I came up to deliver a situation report. I shall return to greet you again tomorrow morning.」
“Hmm? You’re welcome to stay in the Kitchen with Jugger Number 4.”
Jugger Number 3 shook its head firmly at Nina’s words.
「That space is far too… yes… personal for ones like… yes… such as myself. It grows tiring. Then I shall take my leave.」
Click-whirr.
Nina watched the retreating form of Jugger Number 3 for a moment before calling out, “Oh!” and hurrying after it.
“Jugger! Wait a moment.”
「Did you call?」
“That room where the Projector and Film Reels are stored—who maintains it?”
「You mean the room managed by Jugger Number 2?」
She’d only just met Jugger Number 3, and now there was a Number 2.
Nina’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected appearance of another Jugger.
“Number 2? So it wasn’t the other servants who maintain it?”
「That room is accessible only to Jugger Number 2. We Juggers know what lies within, but neither I nor Number 4 may enter.」
“Ah. I see.”
Nina’s expression cleared at once.
The resentment she’d harbored toward the servants melted away like snow.
“Jugger Number 2—where can I find it?”
「You’ve already met it.」
“Me? When?”
Jugger Number 3 let out a chittering laugh at Nina’s confusion and whispered mysteriously.
「Jugger Number 2 and Number 1 are everywhere, so fear not.」
“……?”
Perhaps it was some sort of joke among the Automatons.
Nina cocked her head at the cryptic remark and decided to move on to another question.
“Those Film Reels in that room—would it be alright if I looked at them?”
「Of course. You are the true master of this Townhouse, after all.」
“Ah, but the Projector seems to have broken down.”
As Nina spoke with a troubled frown, Jugger Number 3’s mouth fell open.
“Ah. Well. I see. Currently, there is no one in the Townhouse capable of repairing the Projector.”
“I suppose I’ll have to ask Joel if he can fix it. That should be all right, shouldn’t it?”
“Joel. That name is not in my records.”
Nina laughed warmly at Jugger Number 3’s cautious stance, finding it reassuring.
“He’s the sickly young gentleman living next door. I guess Number 4 didn’t tell you about him beforehand.”
“Ah! You mean Joel Smiler? Of course, that’s perfectly fine. The true master of the Townhouse is at liberty to do as she pleases within these walls, so there’s no need to ask our opinions.”
“Do as I please……?”
The image of that dust-choked room flashed through Nina’s mind.
If she could do as she pleased, did that mean she could burn that room down whenever she wanted?
All this weighty responsibility and worry had fallen to her simply by virtue of being the protagonist.
Nina steeled herself, renewing her resolve.
Jugger Number 3 bowed politely once more.
“Please note that it is impossible to move the Projector outside the room. Well then, I shall take my leave.”
After parting with Jugger Number 3, Nina made her way down to the Lobby, where she heard sounds of commotion.
The moment she arrived, she saw Kathari gripping Exsy by the collar.
“Sister?”
“N-Nina?!”
“You’re going to kill someone.”
Kathari immediately released Exsy’s collar and clung to Nina’s arm.
“Scary people came in droves. If it weren’t for the Juggertains, things would’ve gotten bad.”
“Oh my. Were you frightened? Whatever shall we do.”
Nina wrapped her arms around Kathari’s back and rubbed it gently.
“……!”
Though embarrassed, the comfort and warmth brought her such peace that Kathari quietly surrendered to Nina’s embrace.
While patting Kathari’s back, Nina turned to survey her family with a suspicious expression.
“Why aren’t you all safely in your rooms? Surely you’re not fighting again?”
“A misunderstanding.”
“There’s no way that’s true.”
Exsy and Cheyson answered without hesitation.
Natalisha shot them a disapproving look before nodding in agreement.
“The house was in an uproar with all those guests coming by. That’s why we came out.”
“I see. I’m relieved you’re all safe.”
Nina sighed with relief and peered out beyond the Entrance.
“You’ve come down, I see? Jugger Number 3 went upstairs to pay his respects.”
Beside Jugger Number 4 stood, as ever, an intricate tower constructed entirely of guests.
“Right. I spoke with Jugger Number 3 and we parted ways. Did the Juggertains build that guest tower?”
“It’s a collaborative work with Jugger Number 3. Do you like it?”
“Remarkable skill. We ought to hold an exhibition.”
“You’re too kind. I’m truly grat. eful.”
Jugger Number 4 chirped with glee and refined the guest tower into an even more artistic composition.
Nina gazed in admiration before suddenly realizing how much space it occupied, and turned back to her family.
“Everyone. What should we do about that guest tower?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Cheyson shifted slightly to the side, blocking Nina’s view.
The Agency would handle the intruders and interrogate them. If they didn’t even do that much, he’d be the one to establish the Continental Spy Labor Union.
“But where were you?”
At Kathari’s question, her fake family’s gazes turned toward Nina. It was the question they’d all been curious about.
“I was opening the locked rooms in the Townhouse.”
Nina answered casually, but her words startled her fake family.
Kathari let out a plaintive cry.
“Alone?!”
“Nina. I’m really curious what your aunt kept locked away in those rooms.”
“We’ve never been inside them either, so we’d like to see what’s there. Are the doors really open now?”
“We can go right away. I’m always prepared.”
Startled by her family’s enthusiasm, Nina faltered.
“Um. I’m sorry. I’d like to keep those rooms to myself for now.”
“……!”
Her fake family was taken aback. Nina had always hoped to do everything together with them.
This was the first time she had ever refused to share something with them.

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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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