The night sky brightened with light rising from the ground. The flames were large enough to be visible from a distance, piercing through the darkness.
“Anyone who can help, come out!”
“Water, we need more water!”
Security officers had rushed to the scene and were directing the firefighting efforts. Startled passersby, people who had run out of buildings, and those forming a line to carry water from the well—the fire scene was chaotic.
“Don’t let the flames reach the main building!”
It was a place with four buildings in a row beyond a low wall that reached about waist-height. The innermost building was completely engulfed in flames, beyond salvaging.
The security force was working to extinguish the fire while spreading sand and soil to prevent it from spreading to surrounding areas.
Ashika pushed through the crowd of onlookers. As she broke through the human barrier to the front, a wave of hot air hit her.
The red flames leaped up toward the sky like a giant monster, cutting through the darkness. The partially visible fire site behind the main building heated her vision just by looking at it.
“Where is this place?”
“It’s the poorhouse, my lady.”
At Jeanne’s answer, Ashika drew in a sharp breath.
‘The poorhouse really caught fire.’
The woman in black clothes knew about it. How was that possible?
‘Did she foresee the future? Or perhaps…’
A similar but different place, a different situation. Could that woman have already experienced this fire?
‘The art shop on Saint Reed Street.’
Would that woman be there if she went? No, she was sure she would be. It was a certainty closer to instinct than reason.
Ashika spoke to the woman standing right next to her.
“Do you know why the fire started here?”
The middle-aged woman who had turned around casually looked Ashika and Jeanne up and down before bluntly answering.
“Well, putting out the fire is urgent right now. There’s talk it might be arson.”
Another person standing nearby chimed in.
“Talk sense. Why would anyone set fire to a place full of critically ill patients?”
“Then why else would it catch fire? It’s not like they’d be lighting fires in this weather. And the kitchen building is on the opposite side.”
“A place where patients gather?”
Another man nearby answered Ashika’s question.
“That’s where the treatment center is. Why would anyone set fire to a place full of people who would die anyway if left alone?”
The poorhouse’s treatment center was mainly visited by people who couldn’t afford to call a doctor. Being supported by the nobility, it was quite large.
Among them, patients with serious illnesses or those near death were separately isolated and housed—and that building was the one completely engulfed in flames.
“They say no one got out before the fire grew?”
“What a terrible end. That’s a shame.”
The back-and-forth exchanges didn’t really register with Ashika. She felt dazed, as if the vision she had seen earlier was still continuing. Leaving behind the people who were stamping their feet in frustration, Ashika turned to leave.
“My Lady, is something bothering you?”
Jeanne followed and spoke to her. Ashika’s face had hardened and looked somewhat tired.
“Send someone to the security force tomorrow to find out what happened.”
“Yes. I’ll give the order as soon as we return to the mansion. But… huh?”
“What is it?”
Seeing Jeanne stop, Ashika also halted. In the direction of Jeanne’s gaze, knights were running alongside security officers.
“Aren’t those Talion’s knights?”
Knights wore different types of formal attire depending on the family they belonged to. That alone was enough to recognize them.
“They seem to be helping the security force.”
“Why would Talion be involved here?”
“Perhaps…”
Ashika tilted her head and then murmured.
“What if…”
Though she thought it was unlikely, the coincidence seemed too perfect to be mere chance.
“If Duke Talion happened to be in the area, he might have provided knights to help the short-handed security force, don’t you think?”
“Would Duke Talion have reason to come to Palmred Street?”
Rantal’s branch office naturally came to Ashika’s mind. Could Drushia really have been there?
“There’s a Rantal branch office nearby, right?”
“Ah. That’s true.”
Jeanne nodded, though looking slightly puzzled.
Ashika had heard that Duke Talion normally paid close attention to the knights’ affairs. Perhaps, like Sir Coltern, he had come in person because of the dispatched forces issue.
“It seems this wasn’t an accident.”
Jeanne nodded at those words. Even though there weren’t enough people to put out the fire, search teams were running in all directions as if looking for someone.
The capital’s largest poorhouse was burning. Those who perished there would be people without connections or backing. Somehow, she had an uneasy premonition.
The two walked quite a distance to return to where the carriage was waiting.
“Padro, what are you doing there?”
“Oh my, you’re back, my lady?”
The coachman quickly got up from his spot upon hearing Jeanne’s voice.
Having been away for so long, the coachman had spread out a mat under a nearby tree to rest. He hurriedly extinguished the pipe he was holding by tapping it on the ground.
“Are we returning to the mansion?”
“Yes.”
Ashika replied absently as she grabbed the carriage door handle.
“My Lady, let me…”
Jeanne reached out her hand in surprise, but Ashika was already opening the carriage door. Ashika turned around at the sound of Jeanne’s voice.
“What is it?”
“I was surprised because you’re doing something you don’t usually do.”
“Ah.”
A lady from a noble family is accustomed to being served. But for some time now, Ashika had been stepping ahead on her own. As if being alone was familiar to her.
“You’re right, I was just lost in thought.”
It was just as Jeanne was reaching her hand toward the half-open door. Something from the dark inside suddenly pulled Ashika in.
“Gasp.”
“My Lady!”
Ashika was pulled inside, almost visibly. It happened so quickly that by the time Jeanne tried to grab her, it was already too late. As Jeanne quickly grasped her sword, a voice flowed from the darkness.
“My sword will move faster than you can draw yours.”
“Hmmph.”
A firm hand covered Ashika’s mouth from behind, and a cool blade approached her face. The man’s face wasn’t visible, but Jeanne’s pale face was clearly seen.
“Don’t make a commotion and get in, Sir Berth.”
When Jeanne showed no intention of moving, the blade moved closer to Ashika’s neck.
“I’m not a bad person, Young Duchess Igraine. I’m just a citizen who needs help.”
The man already knew Ashika and Jeanne’s identities. This meant he had hidden in this carriage intentionally.
The man spoke calmly, but couldn’t hide the trembling in his breath. Suddenly, Ashika noticed the acrid smell and the scent of blood vibrating inside the carriage.
“Sir Berth, are you planning to make this a bigger issue?”
“I won’t move without the Lady’s orders.”
“Ah, I see. Young Duchess, I’ll remove my hand. But please don’t scream—that would be troublesome.”
Ashika nodded weakly. After confirming her response, the hand covering her mouth was withdrawn.
“Ha, what is this…”
“Can we talk after getting the carriage moving first?”
Despite his aggressive actions, the man’s tone remained consistently respectful. Even in the midst of her surprise, Ashika quietly gave instructions.
“Jeanne, do as he says.”
The smell of blood spreading in the carriage was concerning. At this rate, the man might collapse on his own before they even reached the mansion.
“Understood.”
Jeanne answered obediently, perhaps thinking along the same lines.
Jeanne signaled to the coachman who had been stamping his feet anxiously nearby. Seeing him glance around as if seeking help, Jeanne shook her head.
As the carriage began to move, the strength seemed to drain from the man’s body. Even the dagger he had been pointing at Ashika lost its force and kept slipping downward.
Ashika gently pushed the blade away with her fingertips.
“You said you’re not a bad person. Could you put this knife away?”
She doubted he would listen, but surprisingly, the man lowered his dagger at Ashika’s words.
“You’re braver than I expected, Young Duchess.”
Ashika slightly narrowed her brow. Her heart was pounding so loudly her whole body felt like it was vibrating, but the man didn’t seem to notice. It was probably due to his injuries.
As soon as the man released Ashika, Jeanne pulled her away and sat her on the opposite seat. Now Jeanne stood between Ashika and the man.
“You know who the Lady is, yet you dare to point a blade at her?”
“I was desperate. Otherwise, you would have handed me over to the security force immediately.”
“There’s nothing stopping us from doing that now.”
Jeanne spat out the words, barely containing her anger. A moment’s carelessness had nearly caused a serious incident. It was terrible to think what might have happened if the man had malicious intentions.
“I told you I need help.”
“Why should the Lady help you? Someone who pulls a knife without warning?”
“Sir Berth, please be quiet. I want to have a conversation with the Young Duchess.”
“You’re dripping blood and still want to argue stubbornly?”
“Exactly. Shouldn’t I at least have a proper conversation before I pass out?”
“Hmph.”
The man knew he wouldn’t last long. Yet he had the audacity to jump into a ducal family’s carriage. As her shock subsided, Ashika’s face was filled with questions.
“I apologize for startling you, Young Duchess. But please listen to my… ugh.”
As the carriage jolted, the man leaned his face against the wall and curled up.
The man’s injury appeared deep. Blood flowed from a long cut across his shoulder, soaking the carriage floor, and parts of his elbow and side were singed, with clothes stuck to them from burns.
The exposed red flesh looked painful just to look at. Far from being threatening, he looked like he might die if left alone.
“It seems they’re looking for an arsonist at the fire scene.”
Ashika spoke to the man while examining his wounds with her eyes.
“Ha, an arsonist? You don’t think it’s me, do you?”
“With your appearance, it’s not very convincing to claim otherwise, is it?”
“It wasn’t me. Don’t blame an innocent person.”
“Then why are you hiding here in this condition?”
“That’s…”
The man hesitated, breathing heavily. His eyes were flickering as if he might lose consciousness at any moment.
“If you don’t answer properly, this carriage will head straight to the security force.”
“Ah, Young Duchess.”
Despite Ashika’s urging, the man couldn’t readily open his mouth. He seemed anxious and also appeared to be checking her reaction. As Jeanne impatiently started to rise, the man finally blurted out something he thought the other party absolutely couldn’t ignore.
“I… I’m from the Grand Duchy.”
A moment of silence fell inside the carriage. Both Ashika and Jeanne needed time to understand those words.
“…You’re from the Grand Duchy?”
Ashika’s voice had lowered significantly. The man swallowed dryly and continued.
“No. Not the Grand Duchy but… the Grand Duke’s Castle.”
“You bastard, who do you think you’re trying to con!”
Jeanne shouted angrily as she rose from her seat.
“A con? Ha…”
“How long has it been since that place was sealed off? Are you confessing to violating an imperial order right now?”
She looked ready to lunge at him if Ashika hadn’t held her back. But the man, in his faltering voice, managed to say what he needed to until the end.
“That’s why… you must… hide me…”
The man’s upper body slowly collapsed, sliding against the wall, until he finally toppled over. Jeanne quickly grabbed his shoulder to lift him up, but he had already lost consciousness.
“What is wrong with this bastard? Spouting nonsense and then just passing out!”
Ashika fell into quiet thought. Only Igraine and Talion knew the meaning of the words the man had uttered. If he had said them knowingly, it was not a matter to be taken lightly.
‘Aside from helping him, I can’t just let him go like this.’
Having made that decision, Ashika opened the window facing the coachman’s seat.
“Padro, don’t go to the mansion. Take us to the nearby villa, no, the villa in Amanoia.”
“What? My Lady, that place…”
“I know. But let’s go there for now.”
The villa on Amanoia Street had been closed for some time and had no staff. Even the coachman, who had worked for the ducal family for many years, hadn’t been there once in the past few years.
“Yes, my lady.”
“And Jeanne.”
Jeanne turned to look at Ashika with a somewhat anxious expression.
“I’ll let you get off here. Find a doctor immediately and bring them to the villa.”
“You want me to leave you alone with that man?”
“Does Jeanne think that person can get up and do anything in his state?”
“Even so, I cannot leave you alone, my lady.”
“Alright then. Jeanne, you drive the carriage and tell Padro to call a doctor. That should be fine, right?”
Faced with Ashika’s quick change in tactics, Jeanne was at a loss for words. Although Jeanne never compromised on safety, she had no choice when faced with such determination.
Shortly after, the coachman got off and Jeanne sat in the driver’s seat. Keeping the window to the driver’s seat open, Jeanne frequently checked inside the carriage.
The man was still unconscious, and Ashika quietly maintained her position. Even in the darkness, his pale face was clearly visible, but Ashika remained consistently upright.
‘The Lady seems like a completely different person.’
Jeanne had an ominous feeling that Ashika’s reckless behavior wouldn’t end here.
