episode_0015

Second floor of the mansion – central hallway.

The second floor, unlike the first floor, had a uniform landscape.

If the first floor boasted colorful art pieces, the second floor was rather bleak. The hallway was lined with picture frames hanging on the walls, not to mention any sculptures.

Asher, who prided himself on his artistic knowledge, was simply amazed.

This is because each and every painting in the frame is signed by the artist whose work is recorded in history books, but not a single one of the works has actually been passed down.

“Oh my god… If the butler had lied and said this was an art gallery and not a mansion, I would have been fooled.”

“I was wondering this last time, but does Asher like art?”

“Of course. Art is something that only a few people can do… but actually, sometimes I envied those people.”

The ruling class is a class that enjoys art, not a class that practices art. Therefore, Ashe, a member of the royal family, only arrogantly and haughtily evaluates the art of his subordinates.

But Asher thought differently.

I wanted to embrace art as a real profession, not a hobby. I wanted to do more than just paint still lifes for fun.

“Haha… This is ridiculous. Who would dare to objectively evaluate the art of the royal family? If I put a single dot on the canvas, all sorts of meanings would be given to it…”

“Oh…”

The butler unconsciously let out a sigh of admiration. This was because, unexpectedly, Asher had a keen insight into the essence of modern art.

“Butler, what about you?”

“Huh?”

“Do you have any hobbies you want to try? It’s probably impossible in this damn mansion… but if you can get out, that is.”

“I…”

I was speechless.

Because the flame in my heart that burned with passion as firewood had long since been extinguished.

With a mind this twisted, the only thing left is the desire for death.

But… looking back on the past.

In the world before I was invited to this mansion…

“… The food might have been good.”

“It’s cooking… It’s ambiguous, like it goes together but doesn’t.”

“When I cook alone, I don’t have to fight with others and I feel at ease.”

Whenever the person who was treated to a bonus dish praised it with a joyful voice, the corners of my mouth seemed to twitch.

Since this memory is as vague as fog, even this may be an embellished memory.

It may be just an answer that is squeezed out like a dry rag.

It was when I had shaken off the dull conversation from my mind that Ashe stopped in front of a painting depicting a temple.

“… Oh, this is something I know.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Huh.”

At the bottom of the painting, painted in pure white and platinum, was written a short phrase.

[The abandoned witch will drop all seventy-two shining stars from the side of the wicked ruler, so be prepared and accept the price of your arrogance.]

It was truly a mad phrase.

However, it was difficult to interpret the meaning. So he asked Asher.

“You said you knew the picture. Can you tell me what the text means?”

“Yeah, that doesn’t matter… but it’s subtly different.”

“Different?”

“That’s right. It’s definitely different. In the passages I know, there were no negative expressions like ‘wrong’ or ‘price of arrogance’… ”

Asher found this strange for a moment, but she quickly figured out the answer.

“Well, that can’t be helped. There’s no way they would pass down a text insulting the royal family as raw material without editing…”

“Do you think the word ‘wrong ruler’ refers to the royal family?”

“Yes. This is a prophecy given to the royal family from a temple long ago.”

The butler was naturally convinced.

If Ashe becomes the emperor, he would be a corrupt ruler and an arrogant person. His older brother who goes one step further would not be much different.

“Why are you looking so rude, Butler? ”

“No, that’s not true.”

“Tsk.”

Asher’s senses are secretly sharp. In particular, his ability to detect insults to himself has reached the level of mind reading.

As the butler stubbornly denied the charges, Asher began a history lecture with a pouty mouth.

“The prophecy must have come down about 500 years ago. At that time, our Epelante Empire was a formidable empire. It was so powerful that even if all the nations of the continent united, it would be a laughing stock.”

“Epelante Empire…”

It was a name that seemed somehow familiar. Without even having time to explore the root of that sense of unease, Asher’s story continued.

“The emperor who achieved the heyday of the empire commanded seventy-two knights, all of whom were superhumans who had surpassed human limitations. And these knights were classified as a different rank from the existing five ranks. People called them the Star Ranks.”

It is called Seongjak because it is a star that illuminates the future of the empire.

It is said that knights who received the title of Holy Knight were of the same status as counts.

There were 72 such people, but the empire at that time was more peaceful than ever.

“But then one day, a witch appeared. The empire was turned upside down.”

“Are witches and wizards different concepts?”

“Wizards process the magic energy in their bodies or in the air, and cast magic according to calculated formulas. But witches are different. They use their own unique powers that don’t require calculations or magic energy… It was written in the book.”

“I’ve never seen Ashedo in person.”

“Of course. If another witch had appeared, the empire would have already disappeared?”

“… Is that it?”

“It’s an ancient record, but it says that a country that was hated by a witch perished in less than three days. Even if it’s an exaggeration, isn’t it incredible?”

According to Asher’s description, the witch’s presence was a natural disaster in itself.

At this point, the outcome of the incident from 500 years ago seemed vaguely visible.

“All the knights who received the Holy Knight Award must have been in league with the witch.”

“That’s correct. The conclusion is that the empire was able to survive thanks to their noble sacrifice. Of course, the national power was rapidly weakened and a lot of territory was lost…”

Although they say it was a betrayal, it was a country ruled by Ashe’s bloodline. Perhaps that’s why Ashe’s voice was filled with bitterness as she ended her story.

“Surely that’s the history I learned… Doesn’t it stink?”

“Assuming that this mansion claims to be true, it is difficult to rule out the possibility that the history of the empire has been embellished.”

Abandoned witch. Wicked ruler. And the price of arrogance.

The darkness that creeps out from the distant past. This too may be the secret of the mansion that Asher must uncover.

I have a feeling that there is a connection between the erased records of Arkaden and the distorted prophecies of the past that have been passed down.

“… Sometimes I wonder.”

Asher opened his mouth.

“The empire 500 years ago was truly great. In addition to the seventy-two holy knights, even the warriors protected the empire.”

“A warrior… you say?”

I asked back at the unfamiliar word, but looking back, I think it was Asher who said something like that.

[Ah, what can I do? Why should I expect anything from you? Just leave it to me, the top swordsman in the class. I’ll sweep them all away like the hero who appeared a long time ago.]

I always thought I was empathizing with a character from a fairy tale…

In fact, it was shocking that such an unfamiliar name was recorded in history.

“How much strength must have been in the shoulders of the emperors of that time? They could control them with just a wave of the hand.”

She was self-deprecating.

“Well… I’m just saying.”

◇

The second floor, as a place where paintings are the main theme, had some unique features that caught my eye.

The hallway they were currently examining was called the ‘Hall of the Household’, and it was a place where all the servants of the mansion were depicted in portraits.

“Let’s find Maid B. This time, I have to see Maid B’s face to feel better.”

“You are so confident.”

“That’s easy, right? Just find the prettiest servant with light brown hair.”

“… Sounds plausible.”

“If the butler keeps chasing after maid B like a stalker while making a fuss, I won’t feel wronged… If I’m prettier, then you’re a loser.”

Asher glared and threatened, but to the butler, it only seemed like a chick squeaking in anger.

“Is it established that I’m chasing her?”

“Huh, then would maid B have been chasing you around? A blunt and insensitive man like you is not popular. ”

The bath attendant must have listened carefully.

It would probably be beneficial to take Asher’s gossip with a grain of salt.

“Bright wheat-colored hair… ummm, ummm…”

Asher was exploring at a fast pace.

At the end of the gallery, she turned around with her eyes wide open.

“… There isn’t any?”

“Congratulations.”

“This… Seeing…!”

The horns grew hard.

What was so frustrating? The idea that the lifespan of confidence had been extended was really shameful.

If I just blankly stare at it, I feel like I’m going to burst out laughing.

When I was barely able to control my lips and vocal cords, I was suddenly overcome by a sense of discomfort.

‘… Was this picture originally in a pose of extending a hand?’

It was a portrait of a maid.

It might be a groundless suspicion. Most of the time, he was sitting quietly with his hands on his knees, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to be mistaken.

“Oh right, butler. This time, there is no room assigned to me?”

“First of all, the order from the mansion has not been given.”

“Hmm, I see. If something bad happens, should I go down to the first floor and hide?”

“It would be better not to act rashly until you find out the conditions for opening the 3rd floor.”

We are prepared for surprise attacks.

Whenever he opens the door, he will put up the so-called butler shield and open it, and he will never let his guard down.

… But the mansion, as if it would not tolerate its guest’s arrogance, took her away in an unimaginable way.

“Butler.”

Just then, Asher took a step towards him.

Turup!

A human arm extended from the plane of the canvas and grabbed Ashe’s forearm, instantly drawing her into the painting.