episode_0269

After dinner, it naturally became my responsibility to do all the dishes. In fact, it had been that way since yesterday’s lunch.

It wasn’t that everyone gathered to assign me the task just because I had some experience as a maid, but simply because I was the only mage who could use Clean Magic.

Edan mostly used magic for physical enhancement, and Agnes was too busy learning combat magic to bother with support magic. By the standards of nobility, being able to handle Clean Magic was almost embarrassing.

And Colt, being of commoner descent, couldn’t use magic at all. He mentioned receiving higher treatment than personal servants due to his position as a palace knight, but that didn’t mean he inherited the blood of noble mages.

So, with my large mana pool allowing me to use Clean Magic for dishwashing without running out of mana, I took on the task, once again.

Setting up two tents divided by gender and lighting a campfire before we went to sleep, the last thing we had to do before falling asleep was to determine the order of the night watch that would last from tonight until tomorrow morning.

“Excluding the Crown Prince, if the four of you take turns, switching every two hours should work. I’m personally considering taking the second shift.”

“No, it is also my duty to protect the guests’ safety at the campsite, so you all can rest until tomorrow morning.”

“What? But Colt has to drive the carriage tomorrow, right? Won’t he be too tired if he does the night watch as well?”

“A palace knight can function without sleep for about three days without any physical issues.”

“…I’m worried, so I don’t like it. I feel like I might fall off a cliff with the carriage if I doze off while driving.”

“…”

“I’m not as extreme as Blaze, but personally, I think giving the carriage driver enough rest would put my mind at ease.”

“…Understood. In that case, since Lady Rosewood offered to take the second shift, I will take the third…”

“I think it would be best for Colt to take the first shift. Whether it’s the first or last, he should have the longest time to rest. As a carriage driver, he deserves that consideration.”

“I agree with Lily’s opinion. Having driven alone for two days already, he should rest as much as possible. Whether he takes the first or last shift of the night watch.”

“…I will take the first shift.”

“Hmm, by the way, I wonder why it’s been decided that I won’t naturally take a turn for the night watch. How about I include my own hour and a half in the rotation, starting from tonight?”

“Are you sure about that? Do you know the Night Watch protocol?”

“Not sleeping, staying alert, and waking you all up if any suspicious individuals or monsters approach. I may lack in martial arts compared to you all, but I can manage that much.”

“Got it. Then it would be best for the Crown Prince to take the last shift. Monsters may still attack in the morning, but at least there won’t be any bandits attacking at dawn.”

“Hmm, let’s go with that. However, Agnes, could you kindly inform us which shift you will be taking for reference purposes only?”

“I think Blaze should take the fourth shift. Since everyone might be wary of being in the middle, I’ll take the third shift. Anyone have any objections?”

With that statement, Edan looked around at the group, and a red-haired mage quietly raised his hand, clearly showing his displeasure with the current order.

“I’ll take the third shift.”

“Then I’ll take the fourth shift to relieve Agnes. Can Master Edan handle the final night watch?”

“Understood. So Blaze will take the third…”

“…Fine. If you’re going to change it like that, let’s just stick to the original plan.”

“Alright, then I’ll switch with Lily in the third round…”

With the conversation between Agnes, who was trying to avoid switching with Antonio, and the prince who stuck to her without realizing it, the order of the night watch was finally decided.

As various conversations gathered and the atmosphere became lively, it felt like a decent journey was underway.

***

Everyone, except Colt, had entered the tent and fallen asleep about an hour ago.

Unable to fall asleep, I tossed and turned in my sleeping bag, eventually getting up with 30 minutes left until the shift change.

“I can’t sleep….”

Having taken naps during the day due to having nothing to do in the carriage, it was difficult to go back to sleep now. After living as a maid for a long time, only getting the minimum amount of sleep had become a habit. Trying to force myself to sleep more than the daily quota now was proving to be quite difficult.

Anyway, the suspension of the royal carriage was so comfortable. It didn’t shake at all even after riding for a long time, making it natural for my eyes to close.

Beside me, Ethan would say that I could lean on his shoulder anytime if I seemed a bit sleepy, and if I did, he would forcefully put my head on his shoulder.

Since I was already awake, I decided to tidy up early and stepped outside the tent. If I switched early, it wouldn’t be so bad for Colt either.

-Swish.

“Rosewood, are you going out for some fresh air?”

It was a way of saying, “Do you need to go to the bathroom?” so I nodded in response.

“It’s not that, I couldn’t sleep so I wanted to switch early.”

“You don’t need to worry about that, Rosewood. I’m used to night shifts from my time as a knight.”

“It’s not about consideration, I really couldn’t sleep. After living as a full-time maid for so long, waking up earlier than the master and sleeping late is the norm, so my sleep time has been reduced.”

“…I see.”

“Colt can go in first and sleep. I’ll stand for about two hours and then switch with Ethan.”

“Thank you for your offer, but I will fulfill my duty.”

“…Alright then.”

I didn’t insist twice. There were various types of people in the world, some of whom would get prickly if they didn’t stick to their principles.

If there was a night watch like this, I would probably just sit there absentmindedly, open Lily’s information window, and take a quick look. It was better to have someone to talk to, even if it was just one person.

“How long have you been working as a knight in the palace?”

“Oh, feel free to speak comfortably when it’s just the two of us, Rosewood.”

“I’m more comfortable with honorifics, so this is easier for me.”

“…I see. This is my third year working as a knight in the palace. I graduated from the academy and immediately joined the palace knight order.”

“So, three years ago, you were in your fourth year at the academy… so you’re about a year senior to me?”

“In terms of education, that may be the case, but you don’t have to worry about the seniority aspect.”

“I’m not really worried. I just felt a bit concerned because you seemed similar in age and personality to a friend’s older sister that I know.”

“…”

Colt’s attention slightly shifted at the vague hint that came out of my mouth.

In fact, I had a feeling from the first time I saw him, but it seemed that my guess about him being related to Natalie was correct.

“Colt, you’re Natalie’s older sister, right?”

“…Rosewood, were you a friend of that child?”

“Not quite friends… just acquaintances who know each other from a distance. We’ve met a few times at gatherings, but we’ve never had a one-on-one conversation.”

“I see.”

“Agnes or Ethan probably have more interaction with me… Well, Agnes probably has more contact than me. Since both of them are in the same hero’s party at the academy.”

Of course, having more contact doesn’t necessarily mean being close, so Agnes and I are probably at a similar level.

Colt’s slightly awkward demeanor when I casually brought up Natalie’s story made him seem oddly cute.

“I don’t know all the details, but would you like me to tell you a bit about how Natalie lives at the academy?”

“Yes. Please, Rosewood Yeongae.”

“I only saw her mostly during the joint swordsmanship classes. Last semester, Natalie had a sword duel with Ethan…”

We talked about Natalie for about 30 minutes, sharing stories and emotions about my younger sister’s academy life. Colt’s changing expressions were quite entertaining.

When I mentioned how Natalie had won a match against a hero during class, Colt looked proud. When I told him that Natalie’s group had won the last hunting festival, he nodded in satisfaction. And when I mentioned how Natalie had embarrassed herself with just one cocktail at a gathering, he looked despairing.

“Ah… she embarrassed herself outside as well… I had warned her not to drink outside…”

Natalie and Colt were quite similar in how their emotions subtly showed on their faces. If I had to describe it, Natalie was like a taller, slightly tougher version of Colt.

My impression of Colt so far was that he was a restrained person, with a personality that was a mix of confidence and stubbornness.

“Well, it all turned out well in the end. Thanks to the magic recording devices, she’s now so averse to alcohol that she’s scared of it.”

“…That’s a relief. She didn’t even mention her mistake from drinking when I saw her last time, sigh.”

“She probably didn’t want to spread the embarrassing story around. Oh, and please keep what I said a secret.”

Even though he seemed disinterested now, he didn’t want to be on bad terms with a character he once adored.

With a troubled expression, Colt slowly got up from the fire after about 30 minutes had passed since I arrived.

“I should go now. Thank you for talking about my sister in various ways, Rosewood Yeongae.”

“Yes, Colt. Rest well.”

“If any strange signs appear during the night, please wake me up. As a knight of the royal palace, I am always ready to wield my sword…”

-Clang.

“….”

“….”

-Clang clang clang. Clang.

The loud sound of the alarm bell ringing in the middle of the night.

Seeing that there was no need to hide my presence, it was probably more likely to be a monster than a thief.

“That sword you mentioned earlier, you might need to use it right now, don’t you think?”

“…Yes, I think so too.”

As Colt stopped his steps towards the tent and drew his sword from his waist, I quietly got up from the fire and retrieved the dagger I had placed by my thigh, strapping it on.

If this unexpected experience in the middle of the night was an unexpected XP event, it was more of a welcome surprise.