The Sword Bears Will (3)

Three days after receiving the letter containing the visitation request from Ser Blacksong.

In the afternoon, the carriage carrying Ethan and me, who had scheduled a visit to the territory guard, was moving at a moderately fast speed toward the Blackwood Mansion’s outer territory guard.

An impromptu outing during work hours, all because of Ethan’s whim.

It was practically my first time stepping outside the mansion since becoming an exclusive maid.

Of course, this rare outing didn’t make me feel particularly excited or refreshed. Instead, a strange unease was slowly creeping up in my chest.

‘I can’t figure out what this brat is scheming.’

Ethan, using the excuse of inspecting the territory as the heir of the Blackwood family, was taking me to the territory guard.

For the young master of a typical noble family, this would be one of the customary activities, so it wouldn’t have seemed strange.

But for this fatso Ethan to go through the trouble of leaving the mansion for such a reason was something I couldn’t comprehend, no matter how much I thought about it.

Especially right after receiving the letter from Ser Blacksong, the security captain of the territory guard.

‘There’s definitely some ulterior motive here.’

Not knowing what that motive was made the unease in my heart hard to shake off.

Could it be that after starting etiquette training, he’s genuinely preparing to take over the Blackwood territory in his own way?

Maybe I’m overreacting and being overly sensitive about Ethan’s actions.

After all, the original story’s “Hyeondan” and the Ethan sitting beside me now are similar yet slightly different people.

Though the fundamental soul embedded in his heart is likely the same for both Ethan and Hyeondan, so it’s too early to let my guard down.

It’s also a bit odd to be surprised by every action that deviates from the original story.

Unable to guess his true intentions, I quietly observed Ethan’s profile, fixing my gaze on him.

Ethan, who had been looking out the carriage window, turned his eyes inward, and our gazes met.

“…….”

“…Maid?”

“Yes.”

“Um… do you have something to say?”

“No, nothing.”

“Oh, okay…”

With an awkward expression, Ethan averted his gaze back to the window.

I didn’t know why, but this reaction made it clear that something was definitely up.

…Could it be related to the visitation request I received from Ser?

As various speculations-whether misunderstandings or truths-swirled chaotically in my head, Ethan suddenly spoke up in a slightly louder voice toward the coachman’s seat.

“Vice Head Butler, how much longer until we arrive?”

“We should arrive in about ten minutes, Young Master Ethan.”

“Good. Once we arrive, Vice Head Butler, just park the carriage and rest for a while. The maid and I will return after taking care of our business.”

“Understood, Young Master.”

Dietmeyer, who had ended up driving the carriage after overhearing our conversation, responded to Ethan’s words.

After hearing the vice head butler’s last words, Ethan turned his gaze back to the window with a thoughtful expression.

By the way, since this was Ethan’s carriage, it was definitely much less bumpy than the freight wagon I hitched a ride on from the coachman last time.

Even in a medieval fantasy setting, money can solve most inconveniences, huh.

‘Come to think of it, it wouldn’t be bad to learn how to drive a carriage if I get the chance.’

If I end up becoming an adventurer in the future, I might live a wandering life rather than settling in one place.

Especially since my status as someone who can use magic could cause a lot of trouble if it’s revealed that I’m a commoner for some reason, so having a means of transportation to escape with my livelihood intact might be essential.

Or, if I’m forced to flee the Blackwood Mansion, I could use it as a means of transportation to evade pursuit.

‘I should ask Dietmeyer to teach me how to drive a carriage when I get the chance.’

I can just say it’s part of the education I need to serve the young master in the future.

If I make the request under Ethan’s name, the vice head butler Dietmeyer wouldn’t dare refuse.

While lost in these thoughts, the carriage carrying the three of us entered the Blackwood territory guard.

Guided by the sentry guarding the entrance, we entered the guard’s premises.

“Greetings, Young Master Ethan Richard Blackwood! Thank you sincerely for gracing this humble place with your presence!”

“Thank you!!!”

The soldiers greeted us with disciplined enthusiasm as we entered the guard’s premises.

Ethan stepped out of the carriage and calmly responded to the soldier at the front who had greeted us.

“Right. Before the inspection, I’d like to speak with Sir Ser first. Can you guide me to him?”

“Yes! Sir Ser has been expecting your visit, so I’ll guide you right away!”

Following the soldier’s lead, we entered the building and made our way to the second-floor corridor of the two-story guard building.

We were then guided to a room labeled “Security Office,” located right next to the stairs leading to the second floor.

“Sir Ser is waiting inside!”

“Good work.”

“It’s an honor!”

…Are all the regular soldiers of the Blackwood territory guard like this?

Thinking that, I slid open the sliding door of the security office.

Immediately, a middle-aged knight with dark brown hair rose from his seat and greeted us warmly upon seeing our arrival.

“I apologize for making you come to such a humble place, Young Master Ethan.”

“No need to apologize. It’s less than an hour’s ride by carriage.”

“It’s been a while, Sir Ser Blacksong.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Miss Lillith.”

Ser Blacksong smiled warmly and guided us further inside.

Behind him, a soldier with short teal hair was eyeing me with a strange expression.

Though the atmosphere felt awkward, I first let Ethan enter the room.

Following him, I closed the door and stepped inside the security office.

“…….”

A brief silence.

Fully aware that it wasn’t my place to speak first, I quietly waited for one of the two men to break the silence.

Before long, Ethan spoke up, addressing the security captain.

“Sir Ser Blacksong, I heard you requested the presence of my exclusive maid. Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“From the letter alone, I couldn’t tell why you summoned her. Was the content something too sensitive to put in writing?”

“Not at all. …However, I was concerned that detailing it might inadvertently tarnish Miss Lillith’s achievements, so I kept it vague. I apologize if that caused you any discomfort, Young Master Ethan.”

“…….”

Ethan fell silent at Ser’s composed reply.

Compared to before, his manners had improved so drastically that it sometimes felt like I was looking at a different person.

…Honestly, I still can’t get used to it.

Well, Ethan is Ethan, and what’s important to me right now is the reason Ser called me here.

Hearing his cryptic remark, I cautiously asked for clarification.

“Sir Ser Blacksong, if it’s not too presumptuous, may I ask you one question?”

“Of course. Go ahead, Miss Lillith Rosewood.”

“What did you mean when you said you couldn’t write the details in the letter because it might tarnish my achievements? Are you referring to last year’s Hookfang incident?”

“I’m glad you’re quick to understand. The reason I dared to invite you here today is precisely related to that.”

“…….”

So that’s what it was.

Well, it would’ve been strange to expect no consequences after yelling insults at the security captain of the territory guard, no matter how distraught I was at the time.

I should’ve sent an apology letter at the very least.

Thinking that an in-person apology would carry more sincerity, I kept putting it off, and now it’s come back to haunt me.

A knight of a family as prominent as the Blackwoods practically held a status close to that of a noble.

What I did that day was no different from a rude commoner picking a fight with a noble.

“I deeply apologize for what happened that day, Sir Ser Blacksong.”

“…What do you mean, Miss Lillith?”

“Even though I was distraught at the time, shouting and cursing at the security captain of the territory guard is absolutely unforgivable. I should’ve apologized sooner, but now you’ve had to reach out first, so I have no excuses…”

“No, no, Miss Lillith. I didn’t call you here to receive an apology. As I mentioned in the letter, I’m grateful to you for what happened that day. I wouldn’t have summoned you for something as trivial as that.”

“…Pardon?”

I desperately bowed my head and offered my apology to avoid earning his resentment, but Ser’s response was completely different.

His following words were enough to make me understand why he had called me here.

“The reason I invited you today is because we need your testimony to document the events of that day.”

“My testimony?”

“Our territory guard compiles records of all incidents from the past year every fifth month. We don’t document minor disputes between residents or slime exterminations, but the Hookfang you defeated is too significant to overlook.”

“…I suppose so.”

“Originally, I planned to record the events based on what I witnessed and the testimonies of your companions, so there would’ve been no need to trouble you to come here… but…”

Trailing off awkwardly, he glanced at the teal-haired soldier standing to his right.

The calm-eyed female soldier immediately locked eyes with me, as if it were her turn to speak.

“I cannot accept this.”

“…Pardon?”

“As an untrained civilian woman, I cannot accept the record stating that you, Miss Lillith, defeated a dangerous monster like the Hookfang.”

“…….”

“Therefore, I request a correction to the record based on testimony. The Hookfang extermination in the commercial district was not your achievement-it was Sir Ser’s.”

…What.

What the hell do you want from me?