Chapter 79


    Three days into the trip to the Royal Capital, and while being escorted by the Western Barga Knights Order, wed stayed at the rest spot east of Barga. However, nothing urred such as a bandit attack like during Marida Companys escort. And the city gates came into view as we went.


    Duke and Duchess Barga passed through the carriage, followed by Lapitiricia-sama. Even more carriages came in behind. Surrounding them were knights and other lords as their guards.I entered the royal pce an hour before sunset. The streets were filled with people returning home from work.


    The Dukes coat of arms was disyed on the carriage as it moved slowly through the streets. I could hear the people who saw it, its Duke Barga.. Could it be the ck Mask?. The ck One, The ck one returned.


    I Sat on the outer seat of Lapitiricia-samas carriage. Ashley was inside, and the coach was a private driver. As such, I stayed on the alert and checked the surroundings. It might be because of that, my eyes met with many of themoners around us. The carriage was at the forefront. Although there were foot soldiers clearing a path for the carriage, as one sitting on the coachs seat, I stood out. This setup had been decided on by Duke Barga. But the reason mightve been to let the people know I was serving Duke Barga.


    During the parade in Barga, there wasnt anyone who called me by ck Mask. At the very least, my earpads hadnt picked it up. However, the people of the capital hadnt yet forgotten the ruckus Id caused at the end ofst year. Rather, enough time hadnt passed for that to happen.


    Yagorche Company colluded with the bandit ground thatd been ravaging the south, Demon Lotus, to attack the main convoy of the Marida Company and abduct officials. Then, Yagorches confession and the discovery of the ck ounts in the copsed mansion had revealed their smuggling. After that, the tale of whatd happened had circted within the capital.


    The reason for it was that


    Hey, what Is That?


    A signboard came into view. Without thinking, I pointed it out to the driver and asked.


    Huh? Does Mr. Shaft not know? The ck nobleman who arrived in the Royal Capital, ck Mask Shaft! Saving the girls taken away by evilpanies, defeating bandit groups all by himself, uprooting the evil within the capital; its a very popr show within the Royal Capital.


    Wha-what?


    My eyes were stuck on the signboard, ced on top of the passing theatre. While I felt a sense of indescribable copse, the row of wagons reached Duke Bargas mansion. The mansion itself was located in the first-ss district  the nobles district  and it was a great mansion. One of a few worthy to be called a Dukes mansion.


    The building was a three-level symmetrical stone-brick structure. With brownish-red bricks andrge windows, it was impressive. Maids lined up in front of the arched gateway in front of the mansions center. In the middle was, maybe, a butler? With long silver hair, a man stood dressed in a butlers ck attire. He was not themon race  his face was too pretty. Maybe an elf?


    I got off the carriage as it stopped before the gate, and opened the carriage door for the others. The first off was the secretary anddy-in-waiting, Ashley. Taking her hand, I helped her down. The next was Lapitiricia-sama. As with Ashley, I helped her by the hand down off the carriage.


    In the carriage behind us, Duke Bargas guards were working on the door.


    Wee home, Master, Mistress, Young Lady.


    Ahh, Volker. Nothing has changed, right?


    Yes, Master.


    This eld, Mr. Volker, was apparently the steward who took care of everything in the capital for Duke Barga. Ashley and I were also greeted by Mr. Volker and were shown to Lapitiricia-samas private room, and our own rooms. The rooms were connected to the private room, so we could always be on standby.


    Can I walk freely in the mansion?


    Ye-yes! As long as you dont go into the Master or Mistresss private rooms, guards cane and go as they please.


    When I asked to confirm as I listened to the mansions exnation by the maid who led me. The still young maid looked straight at my ck mask and answered with a flushed face.


    Why am I being stared at?


    No, wait When I was a budding member of the FPS Pro team POwDer, I got such gazes too. Thoe were gazes of fans, regardless of their gender.


    ck Nobleman


    I could hear the mutterings of the Maids small child.


    Weird. In order to avoid bringing attention to Schwartz,bat acts and disy of prowess were supposed to be done in my second identity  Shaft. Somehow, the name Shaft had be incredibly famous. How did this happen? Thinking about this, I mapped the Dukes residence. After I had mapped the inide, I went outside and did the same as well.


    The thing I pulled out from therge ck supply box, was a small white cylinder.


    It was a tactical unattended ground senor called AN/GR-9 (v) 1 (T-UGS). After opening the three bottom legs, you ce it on the ground. This T-UGS would sense vibrations and sounds within a 25-meter radius around it, and disy it on my minimap.


    Going to the other side of the mansion, I set up another T-UGS. I could put up two of these T-UGSs at a time, and two smaller minimaps would disy alongside myrger one. These maps, even if over 150 meters away from me, would only show the 25-meter radius around the T-UGS.


    There was a reason to why I was doing all this work. If you adjust the size of the map topletely monitor the movements of people within the mansion, you cannot monitor movement outside. No matter what, intruders cant just suddenly appear within the mansion. They have toe from outside.


    After returning to the mansion after finishing up outside, I was told that the Duke was calling for me. Guided by the maid, I headed to the Dukes office.


    Pardon my intrusion. Its Shaft.


    Ive been waiting, Shaft.


    I seem to have kept you waiting.


    No, I dont mind. You were patrolling the premises as a guard right? Was there anything to be concerned about?


    In the officer, Duke Franklin Barga, and his steward Volker, was waiting.


    No, I only went out because I wanted to check out the property. So, what is the matter?


    About that, lets start with me.


    Apparently, Mr. Volker, the steward, had been serving the Barga family close to 200 years. Elves longevity was surprising, but their loyalty was even more so. From Volkers exnations, ns of arrivals and departures form tomorrow onwards; the mid-day and evening party schedule and more


    Oh, is it that theatre?


    Thats right. I want to watch the recently popr show. If the schedule permitted, I wanted to go watch it.


    That is


    Of course, its The ck Mask.


    As expected, its that