Ch.131Chapter 131 – Count Metis

After finishing my business in town, I boarded the carriage to return to Count Metis’s estate.

‘Did something good happen?’

Once again, the coachman who was riding with me seemed to be in a good mood, constantly nodding his head.

I figured there was no need to disturb him if he was happy, so I just looked ahead.

“Did you enjoy your time with Lady Eve?”

Suddenly, the coachman spoke to me with a cheerful expression.

Though his hat was pulled down low and I could only see his mouth, he definitely seemed to be in a good mood.

But I wondered why he specifically asked about Eve.

Noticing my confusion, the coachman waved his hands and explained.

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand. I was talking with a friend outside when I saw you walking around town with Lady Eve.”

“I see.”

It seemed this coachman had witnessed Eve and me together.

So it wasn’t strange that he mentioned Eve’s name.

“I believe you had a good rest together.”

“May I ask what happened? Man to man.”

That sounded somewhat suggestive.

But rather than having any ill intentions, he seemed to be asking out of curiosity.

‘Well, things did happen…’

Should I really talk about it?

There’s such a thing as privacy.

“Nothing special happened.”

“Hahaha, lying isn’t good.”

The coachman said with a laugh.

“The child who used to follow her family around has grown up…”

The coachman seemed pleased and started nodding to himself.

Since I was the one driving the carriage, honestly, it didn’t matter if the coachman was just enjoying himself.

By the way, if he knew Eve from when she was young, he must have served the Count for a very long time.

Maybe I should try to get some information about the Count.

“You’ve served the Count for a long time, haven’t you?”

“That’s right. Is there something you’re curious about?”

“I’m just wondering what kind of person he is.”

At my question, the coachman fell into thought for a moment.

Perhaps he was considering how much he should say.

“By the way, what did Lady Eve say about him?”

“She only said he was a mysterious person.”

At my answer, the coachman fell into thought again.

Soon, he opened his mouth again.

“Well, I suppose the young lady would only remember the Count from before she ran away.”

The coachman leaned back against the seat.

“…He was someone who always seemed to be thinking several moves ahead. He was the kind of person who acted as if he knew things would go his way.”

“Several moves ahead, you say.”

“Yes.”

The coachman continued quietly.

“And… he acted as if something terrible would happen if things didn’t go as he knew they should.”

With a quiet sigh, the coachman continued.

“The description ‘mysterious’ is accurate in a way. Because no one could read what he was thinking when he acted.”

“Then.”

“In fact, that might have been a mask. Perhaps he was too preoccupied with following a predetermined path due to anxiety and a sense of duty that the future shouldn’t be disturbed arbitrarily.”

The coachman continued.

“But he changed too.”

As if recalling the past, the coachman spoke.

“After Lady Eve ran away, he seemed to have gained some kind of realization. And he started trying to get closer to the people around him more than before.”

After saying that, the corners of the coachman’s mouth turned up slightly.

“It’s as if he came to believe that the present moment is more important than what lies ahead.”

“Did he change because of the shock of Eve running away?”

“It must have had some influence, big or small. And I think it was a good change.”

The coachman nodded with satisfaction.

I quietly nodded at his words as well.

“So he won’t have the same atmosphere as before.”

“He might even treat you more warmly.”

I let out a small sigh.

I had been expecting someone difficult to talk to, but it seemed that wouldn’t be the case, which was a relief.

Then the coachman opened his mouth as if he had just remembered something.

“Ah, but he has become a bit more mischievous, so he might play some pranks on you.”

“Oh, please no.”

I immediately let out a groan.

Unexpected trouble is already overflowing with that damned church and the demons.

The coachman laughed loudly at my exasperation.

+

I thanked the coachman who had kindly watched me drive the carriage.

He got up from his seat with a smile.

“Well then, I’ll go ahead to the mansion and deliver the news.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, I would appreciate it if you could park the carriage as it is.”

I nodded in agreement, and the man went inside with a smile.

And as if trading places with the coachman, Beatrice came out from inside.

“I never thought I’d get my hands on this…”

I could see Beatrice heading toward the carriage we had arrived in with a happy face.

She was holding a bag containing the items we had bought at the store earlier.

“Is she that happy about it?”

“I think it’s the first time I’ve seen her this pleased.”

That was what Sera said as she approached me after coming out from inside.

“By the way, are you alright, Guild Master?”

“Honestly, I do think it’s a bit of an unnecessary expense.”

At Christina’s words, Eve made a slightly bitter face.

That was understandable since the item Beatrice had bought wasn’t purchased with her own money but with money borrowed from Eve.

There was no way Beatrice would have much money when she even had a tab at that cheap guild tavern.

In other words, that doll was essentially a gift from Eve to Beatrice.

“She did help us. I’ll get it back slowly, I guess.”

“Help?”

“Yes, help.”

Eve just said that with a smile.

I thought she might be upset about the unnecessary expense, but she didn’t seem particularly bothered.

“But I didn’t expect her to ask for a bear doll.”

“And she was quite serious about it.”

The doll Beatrice bought was apparently imported from Florence or the Kingdom by the shop owner long ago, but it hadn’t sold because it was expensive.

According to Christina, as soon as Beatrice spotted it, she frantically started looking for money.

“Is there a story behind it?”

“She does like animals, so I can understand if she likes bear dolls too…”

As Christina said, Beatrice was often seen cuddling with Moo, stroking his fur or hugging his face.

Given her nickname, it wasn’t strange that she seemed to like animals, so it wouldn’t be odd if she liked bear dolls too.

“Well, she looks happy, so let’s leave her be for now.”

“That seems best.”

Sera, who had approached me, said with a smile.

After all, if she’s happy, that’s all that matters.

As we were having this conversation, Sebastian approached us.

“Now then, let’s go inside.”

“Has the Count arrived?”

“It seems he returned while we were away. He asked me to bring you to him quickly.”

Eve nodded at Sebastian’s words.

“Shall we go?”

And she looked at me as if excited and said.

“Now that we’ve got the clothes fitted, we can change into them…”

“Ah, he asked for you to come right away.”

Sebastian spoke up as soon as he heard Eve’s words.

As he moved, the mansion door opened, and he slipped inside.

“Then, Eve. Have a good conversation.”

“Yes.”

Eve responded to the Countess’s words, who was standing beside us instead of going in first.

+

The Count’s office was quite large, just like Eve’s office had been.

Indeed, all places for receiving guests seemed to be spacious and designed for comfortable seating.

And as if waiting for us, the Count was sitting in front.

For some reason, his chair was turned backward.

“I’ve brought the guests, Count.”

“You may leave, Sebas.”

The Count said without moving, and Sebastian went outside.

Thus, only our party and the Count remained in the room.

“It’s been a long time, Count.”

Eve stepped forward and greeted him respectfully.

“…With what face do you return after running away from home.”

“I have nothing to say about that, even if I had ten mouths.”

The Count didn’t respond to Eve’s words for a moment.

“For what reason have you come?”

“I had something urgent to report and a favor to ask.”

“What do you have to report?”

“I spotted demons in the Count’s territory.”

The Count was silent for a moment.

One would normally be surprised, but he maintained his posture.

“And the favor?”

“I would like to request access to records about certain locations within the Count’s territory.”

The Count was silent once more.

Then his mouth opened again.

“Go back.”

At the Count’s words, Eve’s eyes wavered slightly.

“…I haven’t even started reporting about the demons…”

“That’s enough, go back.”

The Count was cold.

“Although I received you as guests, you ran away from the Metis household and turned your back on my wishes.”

“Count.”

“Even if you are my daughter, you should have some shame.”

The Count’s cold voice continued.

“The reason I agreed to meet you was to make you properly realize that you left the Metis household.”

I saw Eve bow her head slightly.

As I was about to call out to her softly, I noticed her shaking her head slightly.

“…In that case…”

“However, it’s also true that Metis blood flows in your body, so I’ll make you a proposal.”

Is he not even going to listen to what Eve has to say?

I found myself glaring at the Count.

“If you return to the family now and marry into a suitable household, I will grant your request.”

“May I ask what you mean?”

“I’m stating a simple principle.”

The Count paused for a moment before speaking.

“It was Laventia, wasn’t it? If you use that name and live a life unconnected to the family, then you are not a member of the family, so I won’t grant your request. But if you return to the family, then you are a member of the family, so I will grant your request.”

“Count.”

“Make your choice.”

With that, the Count said no more.

Eve was glaring at the Count.

“…You probably don’t know what my request is anyway…”

She seemed to be thinking of refusing.

Just as Eve was about to open her mouth.

“Your request is probably about the location of Saint Evgenia’s sacred ground.”

“How…”

“Did you think our family was just an ordinary noble house?”

The Count muttered quietly that it wasn’t unreasonable.

While Eve’s eyes wavered slightly, the Count continued speaking.

“The Metis family is not just an ordinary noble house. If you trace back our origins, we have connections even to the hero.”

“…Count.”

“The sacred ground you’re looking for is a place whose location is known only to the heads of the Metis family and has been protected by them. I won’t ask how you knew of its existence, as it’s not recorded anywhere.”

The Count’s cold words continued.

Eve’s eyes wavered a bit.

“Let me state this clearly. Without the help of the Metis family, you will not be able to reach the sacred ground.”

Eve bowed her head for a moment.

She had her eyes closed for a while.

Just as she was about to open her mouth.

“Eve.”

“Kei?”

After hesitating for a moment, I asked quietly.

“Which makes you happier?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing complicated. I’m just asking whether Eve Laventia is happier or Eve Metis is happier.”

The Count was in front of us, but fortunately, he didn’t seem angry that I had interrupted the conversation.

Rather, it was Eve who was concerned.

“In Jerenna territory, you said you preferred living as merchant Laventia.”

“I did.”

“Is that true?”

Eve nodded slightly.

“I prefer and am happier as Laventia.”

Eve looked at me with worried eyes.

“But, Kei, you…”

Time is running out.

Yes, I had become someone who didn’t know when he might die.

But I didn’t want her to be forced to make such a choice because of me.

“That’s enough.”

I stopped Eve’s words.

If she was happier as Laventia, that was all that mattered.

As promised in Jerenna territory.

Even though she hadn’t asked for help, I felt I needed to help her anyway.

The Count, who had been quiet, spoke again.

“Why are you interfering in this father-daughter matter?”

“Are you curious?”

I said with a slight smile.

Though he wouldn’t see it because of my helmet.

“What exactly is your relationship with that child?”

“More than friends?”

I answered somewhat jokingly, but I was sincere.

I couldn’t simply call someone who had risked her life to help me just a friend.

“I decline your proposal, Count.”

“Interfering in a father-daughter relationship is…”

“Father-daughter relationship? Miss Eve Laventia is not a member of the Metis family, is she?”

Even if Eve Metis is a member of the Count’s family, Eve Laventia is not.

It’s actually sophistry, but I needed to be brazen about it.

“…Without the help of the Metis family…”

“Just knowing that it exists is enough.”

I answered while looking at the Count.

“If it exists, there’s no reason we can’t find it.”

Unless we were asked to find something that doesn’t exist.

If it exists, there’s always a way to find it.

“From our perspective, there’s no reason for Eve to sacrifice her own life to listen to you.”

The truth was that we were at a disadvantage in negotiations because we didn’t know how much time I had left.

But I forgot about that for this moment.

Returning to the noble family and marrying into a suitable household?

I couldn’t let her hear such a life-altering demand because of my problem.

The Count’s voice echoed softly.

“…But the choice is not yours to make, but Eve’s, that child’s.”

“You’re right.”

Indeed, the choice was Eve’s.

I looked at Eve.

She was looking at me with worried eyes.

“Kei, if we make a mistake…”

“Don’t worry about me.”

Eve seemed to think that I might suffer because of her.

What she needed was reassurance.

“If we struggle, we’ll find a way, so don’t worry about me.”

“Kei.”

“Whatever happens, we should try our best until the end before giving up.”

Come to think of it, this was what Sera had said.

It was what her grandmother had told her.

Sera, who had been quiet, blushed slightly, and I noticed Christina looking at her with a smile, apparently remembering it too.

“We’ve just barely started, so there’s no need to think it’s all over if we don’t accept this.”

Our journey had just begun.

We were far from having struggled to the very end.

“Don’t worry about anything else, just say what would make you happy. I’ll help and support you.”

Eve’s eyes wavered slightly.

As I gazed steadily into her uncertain eyes, after a while, she seemed to have made up her mind as her eyes returned to normal.

“…Sometimes when I look at you, Kei…”

“Sometimes when you look at me?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

She smiled at me slightly, and Eve nodded.

Then she looked straight at the Count.

“I decline your offer, Count.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Eve’s words rang out clearly.

“I am Eve Laventia.”

“……”

“I am merchant Eve Laventia, who wants to sell goods freely, gather gold coins, and live freely with like-minded people.”

Just as she had said in Jerenna territory.

Eve’s words rang out clearly.

“…I see.”

The Count’s words echoed softly.

“I’m sorry.”

“…There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

The Count nodded.

And then.

“Rather, I should be the one apologizing.”

“Count.”

After saying that, the Count began to stand up.

“I just…”

The Count paused for a moment.

We waited to see what he was going to say.

Suddenly, the Count’s body collapsed.

“What?”

“Father?!”

Surprised, everyone rushed behind the chair at once.

Just as Sera was positioning the Count properly and Christina was about to use healing magic.

“…What is this?”

“It’s a puppet.”

What had collapsed was something like a wooden doll.

Beatrice touched the puppet with a bewildered expression.

“…There’s a magical device inside that transmits a person’s voice.”

“Then…”

Did he think we might attack him?

No, that’s not it.

If that were the case, he would have brought guards from the beginning.

Then why use such a puppet…

-Clap clap clap

The sound of applause rang out.

It seemed we hadn’t noticed someone behind the desk because we were too shocked by the Count’s puppet.

As everyone raised their heads, we saw a man leaning against the office door.

“Coachman?”

The identity of the person clapping quietly was the coachman who had gone to town with us.

Why is he there?

The coachman detached himself from the door and began walking toward us.

“I told you earlier. That the Count might play some mischievous pranks.”

“Pranks…”

I definitely heard something like that on the way back…

While we were still dumbfounded, the coachman started laughing.

Although his hat was pulled down low, I could see his mouth.

“Well then, let me introduce myself again.”

The coachman removed his hat with a smile.

A man with the same silver hair as Eve and golden eyes looked at me.

“I am Adam Metis, the current head of the Metis family.”

Count Metis looked at me with the same golden eyes as Eve’s.

“You can comfortably call me Father, Kei.”

It was Count Metis, smiling brightly.