Misha Kalstein is a traitor.

Since that information first came out of Butterfly’s mouth, Fox tried to dig deeper into it.

Probably the same even if it hadn’t been at my request.

Whether he liked it or not, Fox had to act together with Misha going forward. He wouldn’t want to stay in a disturbing state knowing there was a traitor among his comrades.

However, it was a risky question.

“This is the second time you’ve spoken about Misha Kalstein, isn’t it?”

Butterfly repeated the question in a strange tone while staring at Fox.

As if piercing through his true intentions.

“Quite interested, aren’t you? In that beast-woman.”

“…So what?”

“Heh… just saying.”

Maybe, by the time this roundtable ends, most members here will have the suspicion ‘Fox = Bjorn Yandel’s comrade’ firmly planted in their minds.

After all, a lot of information about the basement first floor has already been leaked.

In reality, it’s almost certain now that this guy is inside the labyrinth…

“The Armin expedition team and the Hext clan have yet another reason to return alive as many as possible.”

There’s a saying to hide the tree among trees and hide people among people. The more survivors there are, the less likely Versil’s identity will be exposed.

But that’s a story for later.

“Can I ask now?”

Not only Fox, but other members continued asking questions.

“Who gave you the code to enter the roundtable?”

The Queen was curious about how Butterfly had gained access here.

Also, Black Mask surprisingly joined the questioning for the first time.

It was surprising he spoke at all, but more surprising was the content.

“Do you think Misha Kalstein is a threat to Bjorn Yandel’s life?”

What the hell is that about?

It’s hard to understand why such a question was asked, but the situation wasn’t bad.

“Hmm… Everyone seems quite interested in Misha Kalstein.”

Thanks to Black Mask stepping in, suspicion aimed at Versil lessened a bit. Or rather, the attention was spread out.

“Well, I think that’s the last of the questions…”

When the question time ended, Butterfly gave a playful laugh and took a moment to ponder.

“Hmm, what should I do…”

Now it was Butterfly’s choice.

If she answered Black Mask’s or Fox’s question, I could confirm the parts I was curious about.

If the Queen’s question was chosen, we’d have to wait for the next round.

If there was no third round, there was a chance we’d never hear the answer.

Therefore…

“Since two of you asked, I suppose it’s only right to answer.”

At the moment Butterfly said that, a slight relief rose in me.

Of course, it didn’t last long.

Sometimes such contradictions exist in this world. Things you want to know, but don’t want to know.

“Well then, whose question should I answer first…”

Butterfly trailed off for a moment, then smiled and continued.

“Ah, it’s up to my mood. Since both questions are pretty similar, I’ll just answer both.”

At first glance, it sounds like a kindness.

But the more so, the more suspicious I felt.

Because, who ever loses in a 1+1 event?

Every action has a reason, and that reason is usually related to one’s own benefit.

‘…If that’s my first thought, maybe I’m too broken already?’

I didn’t know, but I opened my ears and focused on the conversation.

Butterfly, dragging the moment out as if enjoying the attention, slowly began to speak.

“Misha Kalstein returned to Bjorn Yandel’s side under someone’s orders. But that order isn’t related to Bjorn Yandel’s death.”

She seemed to be talking about Ibaekho and the Resurrection Stone.

I wondered if she was called a traitor for some other reason.

‘But how does she even know about that?’

Could Butterfly be one of Ibaekho’s people?

After all, Ibaekho was the one who gave me the invitation code, so it wouldn’t be impossible…

“Could you tell us exactly what kind of orders those were?”

“Oh, that? As far as I know, it wasn’t much. Just to observe nearby and relay information.”

“And the compensation?”

“Well, only that woman would know… Ah, but I shouldn’t lie. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

My guess is that the compensation was probably the Resurrection Stone itself.

Ibaekho is a sly enough guy.

He probably scared me with talk about my fate to die, then gave me the Resurrection Stone asking me to be a spy.

In fact, the real purpose was to hand over the Resurrection Stone.

Anyway, thanks to this conversation, I learned one thing.

“Was there any other order besides that?”

“No. None that I know of.”

Ibaekho’s scheme ended with the Resurrection Stone.

Of course, he’s probably scheming something behind the scenes, but the chances that Misha was involved in that scheme are low.

However, the problem is…

‘Why is Butterfly answering so kindly?’

If Butterfly Mask and Ibaekho were on the same team, it made a plausible hypothesis.

Ibaekho knows I’m the Investigator.

‘He’s naturally trying to give me information.’

His wish was always the same.

He wanted me to sever my attachment to this world.

So he deliberately leaked information about Misha being a traitor or something like that. Perhaps just that alone would break my trust and make me suspicious of those around me.

It’s a no-lose attempt from his perspective.

“Can we move on to the next turn now? I think I’ve answered enough.”

With that, Butterfly’s turn ended, and Black Mask’s turn came next.

“What should I ask…? I don’t really know much, so I don’t have much to ask.”

His tone sounded somewhat sly, but everyone agreed with Butterfly’s words.

Perhaps because he spoke so little, he seemed even more secretive.

Still, he did have questions.

“I’ll go with this one. Why did you ask earlier if Misha is a threat to Bjorn Yandel’s life?”

Butterfly seemed curious about Black Mask’s identity, and Fox was similar.

“Are you currently inside the basement first floor?”

It seemed he suspected that this guy might be one of those around us…

Only the Queen asked questions unrelated to identity.

“You said before that Auril Gavis could cross to Earth thanks to dimensional magic. Where did you get that information?”

Surprisingly, all three questions were quite interesting.

Of course, by importance, the Queen’s question was the best.

But the answers were up to the others to choose.

After a short pause, Black Mask briefly opened his mouth to answer.

“I have never been to the basement first floor.”

It was an answer to Fox’s question.

Well, if he really wasn’t mixed among us, that was probably the safest answer.

“Is that an answer?”

“Yes……”

After Black Mask’s turn ended, the Jester opened his mouth as if he’d been waiting.

“Phit, finally it’s me!”

Does he really like being the center of attention that much?

“Well then, ask quickly! Everyone must have a bunch of questions!”

Listening to his self-satisfied voice made me want to leave him with no questions at all just to shame him…

“How sad. I myself have questions I want to ask him.”

“Phit! To say you’re sad is truly delightful!”

Regardless of the Jester’s annoying attitude, the turn quickly passed with a barrage of questions.

Fox, Wolf, Goblin, Queen, Black Mask…

All members except me and Butterfly asked one question each, and the Jester seemed very pleased by that.

“Five questions… This might be the record so far? Phit.”

“Enough, just pick what to answer.”

“But… there’s still one who hasn’t passed yet.”

Ignoring the Queen’s urging, the Jester glanced at me. He seemed to expect me to ask something.

Like I was some elementary school kid.

“Well, I don’t have anything I’m curious about.”

“Hmm… Is that so…”

“Anything’s fine. If it’s an interesting story.”

I added that because he looked a little too disappointed.

It was unconscious, but I thought it might be a mistake.

Given his personality, such stories might actually produce more useful information.

And that’s how things went.

“Interesting stories… well, that’s not bad either. Then I’ll tell you a fun story for a moment.”

“Ha… just ask or answer already.”

The Queen sighed looking at the Jester who was drawing aggro on me.

But still, her eyes focused on the Jester.

After all, I was curious about what the Jester’s “fun story” was…

“Year 154 of Gaebyeok, August 2nd. The Noark faction, living underground in the sewers where no light had ever shone for a long time, came out into the world beyond the walls.”

Thus began the Jester’s “fun story.”

“The world outside the walls was completely different from what we’d heard. There was no witch’s curse, and beyond the horizon lay vast green forests and fields.”

“So?”

“The Noark people explored the vast, uncharted lands like pioneers, and soon settled down in a suitable place.”

“…Enough with that strange concept, just get to the point–”

“Phit, don’t be like that. Listen carefully now. This is important.”

“Fine, go ahead.”

“The Noark people wondered why the royal family locked people inside the walls. Why they stopped people from going outside into the perfectly fine world.”

“…”

“They pondered for a long time, and luckily found the answer. And only recently made a grave decision.”

Thump thump.

The Jester tapped the table to raise attention.

And finally revealed the core of the story.

I’m not quite convinced how the story up to here leads to this result, but…

“They decided to invade Lapdonia.”

A great war was foretold.

Noark and the royal family.

Their conflict, after Noark came outside the walls, took place only inside the labyrinth. Noark occupied the 7th floor and fought the royal army, slowly growing stronger.

And now that phase is moving into reality…

“An invasion… is that certain?”

“Phit… do you think I’d lie?”

“When then? When is it happening?”

The impact of the Jester’s information was tremendous. All members stirred, eager to hear more details from him.

But…

“If you’re curious, find out yourself! That’s the end of my turn. Well, if I tell something fun before this meeting ends, maybe. Phit.”

The Jester drew the line at a suitable point and stopped talking.

A bit disappointing. I thought he might take advantage of the mood and say more–

“Um…”

While quietly sitting and gathering my thoughts, the Jester looked at me and carefully spoke.

“How was it this time? Did you find it even a little fun?”

Honestly, I didn’t quite understand the reaction.

‘Looks like he spilled the invasion plan purely because of me…’

Why does he want so badly to get my attention and approval?

Anyway, I answered.

“Is that your question now?”

Now it was my turn to receive their questions and give answers.