I've Inherited the Summoning Skill, So I'm Going to Try to Master It! - Episode 125: In Other Words, It's a Firm No

Episode 125: In Other Words, It’s a Firm No 

“Tetsujin, I have a favor to ask.” 

“Ma?” 

“I want you to check this socket and unlock the door.” 

“Ma.” 

*Click.* In just a few seconds after Tetsujin inserted its finger into the socket, the door lock seemed to be released. Amazing, Tetsujin! 

“What was that sound?” 

“Brother Gilliam, it seems the door unlocked.” 

As I said that and slid the door, it opened easily. The smoothness of its movement made it hard to believe it had been abandoned for so long. I could once again feel firsthand the incredible technology of ancient civilizations. 

“Rufus…” 

Ah, this is bad. Maybe I overdid it this time. Brother Gilliam’s lips were twitching slightly. 

Moreover, the members of the investigation team were looking at me with eyes as if they were gazing at a god. Some were even clasping their hands together. Stop it! 

“B-Brother Gilliam?” 

Brother Gilliam grabbed my shoulders firmly. His eyes were shining like shiitake mushrooms with decorative cross-cuts. 

“Rufus, you’re joining us. Right now!” 

“Uh, well, I have my duties as the Guild Master of the Summoning Guild…” 

“That’s no problem. We’ll figure something out. You’re a man, aren’t you, Rufus?” 

“Well, yes, but…” 

This is bad. I can’t refuse. When I get back to the castle, I’ll ask Mother to pretend this conversation never happened. But for now, it seems better to play along obediently. 

“If His Highness the Third Prince would assist in our research, how encouraging that would be!” 

“Your Highness the Third Prince, please, grant us your mercy!” 

Don’t worship me! It’s making it even harder to refuse. Look, even Flare-chan is giving me a pleading look out of sympathy. 

“Uh, I’ll think about it. I have my own circumstances, so I can’t give an answer right away.” 

“You’ve learned how to handle things, Rufus. But I believe you’ll give us a good answer.” 

Brother Gilliam smiled brightly. Seeing that, I desperately racked my brain for ways to decline. I’ll have to rely on Mother after all. 

I get the feeling His Majesty the King would take Brother Gilliam’s side. His Majesty is also interested in ancient civilizations, or rather, in magical tools. 

After resuming the ruins investigation, we carefully proceeded beyond the door. Before long, we encountered another door. This one looked easier to open than the last. 

“Another door. It looks like this leads to some kind of room.” 

“Indeed, it does feel that way. Somehow, it feels dangerous.” 

“You’re overly cautious, Rufus. There’s no noise or anything. It’s fine.” 

The investigation team began examining it. This door didn’t seem to be locked and opened easily. It appeared to be just a simple partition. 

Feeling a bit anxious, I entered the room. 

It seemed to be a conference room. It had a large table in the center and shelves lining the walls. The table was made of some kind of metal. It still retained its original form. Impressive. 

“This is amazing. Just this table alone must be worth a fortune.” 

Brother Gilliam sighed in admiration. Meanwhile, the investigation team was examining the shelves on the walls. These, too, were not locked. 

It looked like they found some papers inside. But they were badly deteriorated and would take time to examine in detail. 

“Just investigating the items in this room could take years. Let’s leave this room for now and check another area.” 

“Good idea. Let’s move on.” 

With an excited expression, Brother Leonard responded to Brother Gilliam. His face practically said, “I want to fight a guardian.” Is he going to be okay? He’s not drunk on his Sword Saint Skill, right? 

Oh, but the Sword Saint Skill includes the ability to sense danger. Since it hasn’t activated, it should be safe. 

“Gilliam-sama, look at this!” 

One of the investigation team members brought over a square metal plate. It looked familiar. And it wasn’t just me who remembered it—Brother Gilliam did too. 

I pretended not to see anything with all my might and acted like I was examining the table with Flare-chan. 

“Rufus, this looks a lot like the one you showed me yesterday, doesn’t it? Do you know how to use it?” 

Brother Gilliam approached me silently. It was as if to say, “You’re not getting away.” Brother Leonard was staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed in shock at Brother Gilliam’s stealthiness. Honestly, I wanted to make the same face as Brother Leonard. But right now, forcing a strained smile took priority. 

“Well… I wonder about that…” 

“Hmm~.” 

Brother Gilliam pressed the tablet on me like a stubborn child who wouldn’t take no for an answer. His actions were so childish that I couldn’t ignore him. It was partly to protect his dignity as an adult man. 

I took the tablet and pressed what seemed to be the power button. But there was no response. It looked clean and didn’t seem broken. In that case… 

“Hmm, it seems the power source is depleted.” 

“Power source… Do you mean a magic crystal?” 

“You know about that!? Ah.” 

I hurriedly covered my mouth, but it was too late. Brother Gilliam smiled brightly and cornered me against the wall. He placed his hand on it in a *kabedon*. 

Wow, I didn’t know Brother Gilliam could do that. If he did this to a girl his age, she’d probably fall for him instantly.