<Episode 89>
“The priest’s name is Malcolm. Have you ever heard the name, Count Serenier?”
“Perhaps.”
The Astrosa King, dismissing his evasive answer, shook the paper in front of me.
“Surprising, truly astonishing. Look here, Miss Daisy. Do you know what this recommendation means?”
“A recommendation is just a recommendation, what else could it mean?”
“I see. You’re as cold as ice, young lady. That’s not what I’m asking. Have you truly crossed the second barrier?”
Ah, so that’s what he’s asking.
“Yes.”
“You crossed it?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. How old are you this year?”
I lied naturally.
“Around twenty to thirty.”
“What?! How can a young lady who’s barely thirty at most…?”
Before the king could let out his fifth exclamation and take a step closer to me, a still shadow blocked the space between the King of Astrosa and me.
A fleeting moment of tension passed.
My senses, on high alert, sent a rush of blood through my body.
Instinctively, my legs, which were about to retreat, regained composure at the sound of a voice that reached me immediately.
“Lower your guard, I am not an enemy. That aside, it seems it was true.”
I looked up at the man who approached without any indication, frowning.
‘Isn’t this…’
It’s the Calepa. The king’s swordsmanship instructor.
“You really are a woman.”
What?
“How is your body?”
Me?
“…Just fine.”
“That’s peculiar. Considering your soul, you can’t be just fine. Are there any lingering issues? How much longer do you have to live?”
This conversation was uncomfortable.
I had never provided any information to this Calepa about anything, yet he casually threw heavy questions as if he could see through my soul.
“Ah, I apologize. It’s not appropriate to discuss such matters in this setting. Regardless, crossing the second barrier with such a soul is an achievement in my eyes as well. Congratulations, Miss Daisy Fager.”
Surprisingly, he reached out his hand and shook mine.
‘What’s with this person?’
If it wasn’t a delusion, this white-haired Kalepha was strangely friendly towards me.
According to my experience in the Allied Forces for ten years, there was no doubt about it.
‘Does he consider me a friend of Rue’s?’
Well, they say the friend of a friend is your friend too.
“How long are you going to hold onto her hand?”
The Calepa let go of my hand immediately after a low-voice was heard.
He glanced somewhat awkwardly at Count Serenier and then turned his gaze back to me.
“I am Skuld, Miss Daisy. It’s quite reassuring to see you healthy.”
Look at this.
He was acting like he knew me.
“When did you see me?”
“Since you’ve brought the letter of recommendation from Yette, and I personally confirmed your abilities with my own eyes, so you are more than qualified to take the Yette examination. It’s fortunate that the entrance examination will be held tomorrow morning.”
This man, just like Rue, had his own way of doing things.
He ignores everything I say and only speaks his mind.
Were all Calepas like this?
Or did my question hit a point somewhere?
“Your Majesty, it doesn’t seem right to just send away this talented young lady.”
When the white-haired Kalepha subtly pressured him, King Astrosa burst into a seemingly absurd laughter.
“I’ve never seen master praise someone so highly. Well, I’m curious about Miss Daisy’s abilities as well, so there’s no reason not to allow it. Miss Daisy? Spend the day at the Royal Palace with your companions.”
Those words reminded me of Jean and Andert.
‘I guess having an entrance examination means they want to verify our skills. Will I get to compete with a skilled swordsman from Rogue?’
Hmm.
‘I’ve heard that in the Northern Continental Union, they have swordsmen who use a completely different style of swordsmanship than the Empire. I want to follow in the footsteps of my senior and broaden my horizons.’
Hmm.
“…There are other friends I’ve left at Serenier Castle. Can I bring them along?”
The king readily agreed.
“It’s not difficult. There are plenty of empty bedrooms in this castle. If you pass the examination tomorrow, I’ll send you straight to Rogue. It should only take a day to get there, so prepare thoroughly and come back.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Sleeping in a foreign royal castle. wow.
‘It feels like I’m having more unique experiences than when I lived as Andert Fager.’
We received the king’s permission and withdrew from the courtyard.
And then, the Count of Serenier patted my shoulder and spoke with a sentimental voice.
“It’s a shame. I have to send Miss Daisy away tomorrow. Good relationships really don’t last long.”
What was this shameless jerk doing?
Teasing me even after he’s come back to Rogue!
I didn’t miss the opportunity to question Count Serenier while Desherro was busy bombarding Mont with questions.
“What about the marriage? You even staked the king’s name. Don’t tell me that we actually have to get married?”
The Count of Serenier slowly buttoned up his loose shirt and replied.
“Oh my, that was obviously just a temporary measure. How could I make the mistake of marrying Miss Daisy to a married man with a child?”
That was a good thing to hear.
“I plan to leave Astrosa soon. I’ll peacefully wander around the world until the old Marquis dies. If the person involved is nowhere to be seen, how can anyone find out?”
Even though I was relieved that the unexpected marriage fell through, I felt a little upset. And this conflicting emotion was unsettling, even to myself.
Why was I like this… for a cheat marriage?
“Why? Are you disappointed?”
I was startled, thinking that the question had come from my own mind.
Fortunately, the owner of the question was Count Serenier, not me. Or was it fortunate? Why should it be fortunate?
Looking down at my confused eyes, he suddenly asked,
“Then will you just marry me?”
Taken aback by the absurdity of his words, I screamed,
“Are you insane?”
A faint smile seemed to appear on Count Serenier’s lips.
“Yeah, even if Miss Daisy thinks about it, a man burdened with a child won’t be suitable for you. Be careful. Don’t be swayed by this face. Men who look attractive are all foxes.”
“I’ve never known a man as foxy as you.”
Count Serenier chuckled and mischievously whispered,
“Well, that’s a relief in its own way.”
I didn’t reply
Using the golden key that only the hound of the Calepa could have, we returned to Serenier Castle. Mont went ahead to the estate, to carry out my belongings and to bring Jean and Andert.
Desherro, who naturally followed behind Mont, slowly came to a halt.
He pointed towards a reddish-brown dome-shaped roof beyond the bushes to the east of the stables and asked Count Serenier.
“What is that building?”
The Count, seemingly understanding what he was pointing at, kept his gaze fixed on Desherro’s face and asked in return.
“Curious? It’s a gallery where I display my cherished treasures.”
“The shape of the bell hanging under the roof seems familiar.”
I turned to look at the roof again upon his words.
Desherro was right.
There was a large black bell hanging directly below the dome.
“Familiar? Ah, now that you mention it, Mr. Desherro, were you part of the Allied Forces four years ago? Even considering that, you sure have an exceptional eye for detail.”
“Are you saying… that bell is indeed from Mephisto’s Temples?”
Mephisto’s Temples.
We commonly referred to the temples erected by Mephisto’s army as such.
“You hung the bell from that temple there?”
Were the thought processes of the Calepas unique? To hang what was practically a symbol of treason in one’s own house.
“It is one of my collections. Do you find it repulsive?”
Desherro responded with sincere eyes.
“To be honest, yes.”
“Hmm, I understand. But it wasn’t meant as a commemoration. …Alright, since the heroes of that era have graced us with their presence, I should treat them accordingly. Come and see my precious treasures. They are rare items that you won’t easily find anywhere else.”
Count Serenier’s footsteps turned towards the annex.
Desherro observed his back for a moment and followed slowly.
The annex was quiet.
If it was a place to store treasures, there would usually be guards or caretakers, but I didn’t sense any presence other than ours.
‘What could Count Serenier’s treasures be?’
Gemstones? Or magical artifacts?
Or perhaps, since it was referred to as a gallery, it could be closer to works of art like paintings or sculptures.
One person played both the Calepa and Count Serenier, so it wasn’t easy to figure out.
However, Rue seemed quite immersed in the role he’d taken on, so it was better to view the treasures here as Count Serenier’s treasures, not the Calepa’s.
We passed through heavy doors three times and arrived at a vast exhibition hall.
The ceiling of the exhibition hall was very high.
The interior of the exhibition hall that was revealed next was very simple.
Frames.
Frames.
Frames.
The only noticeable items were frames.
‘Rue must like paintings.’
It was somehow fitting.
I approached the closest painting. But when I faced it, I found it wasn’t a painting but a photograph.
‘…It’s not just this frame.’
Every frame displayed in the exhibition hall contained photographs.
And captured in the middle of those photos was a person.
“…..”
It was me.
In the days of Andert Fager, me.
grab your tissues
Thank you for the chapter!
Rue was or maybe still is a stalker… I take my words back. Rue is not a Joker without Batman but Harley Quinn on steroids. And Daisy is Joker with limited lifespan.
Alsbxkhzkak Its so funny
Poor daisy is truly stuck with a lunatic HAHAHHA
Goodness, how can this be so beautiful..
She attracted a possessive (obsessive?) man
So he kept his eyes on her and cared about her from a far? Maybe even kept loving or admiring her? That seems sweet. But why would he show these to Daisy? Does he intend to get her heart and show her his sincerity?
Oh my.