Everyone but Me Is a Spy - Chapter 63

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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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Chapter 63
Joel tended to the projector with unhurried hands, studying Nina’s expression all the while.
She wore a composed mask, but her cheeks had gone paler than usual, and her lips were oddly stiff—something was clearly amiss.
The Fake Family had fallen unusually quiet too; they were all picking up on Nina’s mood.
They exchanged sidelong glances and stole intermittent glimpses of her.
‘Nina’s been all over the place lately. Something’s off about this.’
‘When she first saw the film, she was so anxious she could barely move. Then suddenly she was energized, sneaking back and forth to the neighboring building. And now she’s gone sullen again. What’s going on?’
‘I thought she might open up to me—I’m almost like a sister to her, Riquita’s granddaughter. But she hasn’t given me a hint, so she must be really upset…….’
‘I’ve been waiting so long. Had nothing to do but shake down other spies. Finally I get to report something about Nina!’
Whether Nina noticed that restless attention or not, her gaze remained fixed on Joel’s hands.
‘I wish time would just stop here. Then I wouldn’t have to dread what I’ll see in the next film…….’
So lost in her anxiety, she didn’t even register the awkward silence settling over the room.
All that could be heard was Joel methodically tightening the bolts he’d deliberately left loose on the projector.
“All done. Let’s load the film and see what we have, Nina.”
“Al-already? You must be quite skilled with Magitech Engineering, Joel—your hands are so quick.”
Only Nina in this room thought that. Joel had deliberately spent fifteen minutes tightening a single bolt.
“Here, Nina. The second film is right here.”
Natalisha, who had been waiting for this moment for days with growing impatience, hurried over and produced the next film.
“I’ll load it.”
Excy, equally eager, seized the film from Nina’s hesitant hands and snapped it into the projector.
“Oh……!”
Nina then faltered anxiously and spoke in a rush.
“Joel! Let’s keep Grandmother’s film to family only.”
“……I beg your pardon?”
Joel stilled at the unexpected request.
The other spies would share the film’s contents anyway, but being the only one excluded felt somehow unjust and hurtful.
Nina worried he might feel left out, but she wouldn’t reconsider.
She’d decided on this the moment she spotted him on the neighboring balcony that morning.
“I’m sorry—you came all this way and fixed the projector for us. But there might be private family matters in the film, so…….”
Joel paused briefly, then rose to his feet.
“I understand your concerns. Then perhaps you might offer me some tea instead? I’d like to sit and rest for a moment. We have something to discuss once you’ve finished viewing the film.”
“Something to discuss?”
“About the Test you helped with while I was away.”
“Ah! That’s right. Of course.”
Though they’d run the Test only yesterday, Nina had already forgotten it beneath her worries over the projector and film.
She promptly called for Jugger Number 4 to escort Joel to the Reception Room and instructed him to bring tea.
“I’ll come to the Reception Room as soon as I’ve watched the film. Rest easy.”
“Thank you, Nina.”
Joel bowed politely, then flashed a quick hand signal toward Kathari, who was nearest to him.
‘Share the film’s contents today.’
‘Understood.’
‘What was that final pause signal? A mistake?’
‘I don’t make mistakes.’
At Kathari’s hurrying gesture, Joel left the Projector Room with an uneasy feeling clinging to him.
* * *
So Joel entered the Reception Room alone and sat down.
As he gazed up at the ceiling painting, he found himself turning over his conversation with Ryan in his mind.
<Discontinue the Honey Trap. It’s interfering with understanding Nina’s joy.>
<There you go again with the “interference” talk. Look, don’t worry. I haven’t been lurking near Nina Bonds anymore—not because of your request, but it’s done regardless.>
<You failed? The senior, a Honey Trap specialist?>
<……This kid actually grins. Stop it!>
<That’s convenient. At least there’s no interference now.>
<But what good does it do? You’re letting Nina Bonds’ every expression throw you off balance. You’re becoming your own obstacle.>
‘Your own obstacle…….’
He hadn’t immediately denied Ryan’s words, and he resented his own flinch in response. Yet there was truth in what he’d said.
<If I can only understand the reason for Nina’s sudden change, things will normalize. That’s why I asked for your help, senior.>
<Someone mechanical like you wouldn’t understand, but human hearts are inherently complicated.>
<So you’re just going to gloss over it that way.>
<To think you’re my junior……. What if you tried the Honey Trap yourself?>
<If you’re going to say disgusting things, please leave.>
‘A Honey Trap for Nina? That’s beneath consideration.’
Joel had no desire to learn about Nina through such cowardly methods.
The proper way was to obtain objective and accurate information through straightforward investigation and data—that was the right approach.
Even if someone might call that more repugnant, it couldn’t be helped.
At that moment, the Reception Room door opened smoothly, and Jugger Number 4 appeared, pulling a trolley.
“Thank you for your patience. Please enjoy this fine Holitsisan tea right away!”
Jugger Number 4 arranged the teacups with practiced efficiency.
Those delicate movements captured the attention of Joel, a genius Magitech device developer and enthusiast.
“A clockwork doll.”
“Did you call for me? My name is Jugger Number 4. Please call me Jugger.”
“Jugger Number 4.”
“Yes, sir. As a servant, it is my duty—my sacred duty—to serve the household’s guests well.”
“You’re a Magitech device crafted with remarkable skill. Though you’re old and creak a bit, the way you make yourself heard seems like consideration—so as not to startle your employer.”
“Joel Smiler. You are a wise and good guest indeed, aren’t you? Shall I fetch more cookies for you?”
At Joel’s praise, Jugger Number 4’s voice, which had been polite in a businesslike manner, grew noticeably warmer.
Joel shook his head and continued.
“No. I need something else.”
“Please, tell me!”
Jugger Number 4 let out a squeaky laugh and drew closer to Joel.
He caught a glimpse of the blue circuit faintly visible through the gaps in the clockwork doll’s sleeves.
“I want to know who created you.”
“You’re quite interested in Magitech Engineering? Each Jugger was born from the hands of a different creator, depending on their number. Isn’t that remarkable?”
“……Different creators for each number? That can’t be right.”
Joel recalled Jugger Number 3, who had faced the intruders, and Jugger Number 2, who had fallen from the ceiling of the Projector Room.
They had identical external forms from head to wheel, and the same voice.
Even the design of the maid outfit and internal settings appeared identical.
‘Even with the same blueprints, different creators shouldn’t produce something perfectly identical. Unless they’re not replicas……’
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck through Joel’s mind.
‘Replicas?’
He opened his mouth, thinking quickly yet calmly.
“Jugger Number 4. Who made you?”
“That data is inaccessible.”
“Locked away for situations like this, I see. But I can verify it.”
As Joel pulled a Driver from his coat, Jugger Number 4 instantly put distance between them.
“Warning. Warning. Stop. That data is inaccessible to guests. If you approach, I will have no choice but to deploy defensive measures.”
“I’m not going to approach. There’s no need.”
He shook his head and tore a button from his jacket, flinging it like a dagger.
Screech!
Jugger Number 4’s wheels kicked up smoke as they moved at tremendous speed to evade it.
But Joel’s button hung suspended in the air, emitting a pulse of energy.
Crackle!
The range was wide enough that even the quickly-retreating Jugger Number 4 was caught in the blue wave.
“War…ning. War……ning. War…… ning…”
Jugger Number 4’s mechanical body, which had been creaking, stiffened and came to a halt.
“I’m sorry, but no matter how well a machine is made, it cannot compete with a new model. That is the fate of machines.”
Joel retrieved the Magitech Circuit Disruptor he had created and slipped it into his pocket.
Then he rolled up the sleeves of the maid outfit Jugger Number 4 wore and examined the blue circuit visible on the wrist in detail.
Opening various sections with the Driver and finally discovering the creator’s name, he left a note saying he had urgent business and departed the Reception Room.
‘Perhaps Nina……’
He might finally be able to uncover the truth about Nina’s physical abilities, which had been such a mystery until now.

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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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