Ch.161Chapter 161. Wandering Evil (4)

Irene Juliette, as always, was still the brilliantly shining lady knight I remembered from our previous meetings.

Should I say it was nice that she seemed slightly damp with sweat, likely from being in the middle of training?

Seeing how I couldn’t help but smile at the joy of seeing her, I realized just how attached I was to her.

Of course, if someone asked whether I disliked that attachment, the answer would be no.

“Lady Irene. I’m sorry for visiting so suddenly without notice.”

“Uh….”

“Today I have a favor to ask you… Lady Irene?”

No matter how many times I called her name, she seemed lost in thought for some reason.

For some reason, her expression didn’t look very good either.

Had something happened?

I examined her face as I asked.

“Lady Irene.”

“Huh?! Ah, ah… um, S-Swen. Y-you… came. Ahem.”

“Is something wrong? You don’t look well…”

“No, no! Nothing happened. It’s just… um, well, Swen. Other than being startled by your sudden visit… yes, I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

“But…”

Irene came closer to me and whispered.

“Who is… that person?”

Irene silently looked at Ms. Ioline standing behind me.

“Ah, well.”

And just as I hesitated for a moment, wondering where to begin explaining about her—

“Swen, what is your relationship with her… Perhaps, are you introducing her to me? Like… Lady Reika… another woman discussing marriage with you…?”

“What? No, that’s not it.”

I waved my hands in denial, startled by the unexpected words—

But somehow, as if in a state of panic, she continued muttering in disbelief.

“I was really surprised when I heard from Lady Reika… but could it be…!”

“Lady Irene, please calm down.”

I placed my hand on her shoulder.

Only then did her trembling subside.

“It’s a bit complicated to explain… but it’s definitely not about marriage.”

“Really…? Truly?”

“Of course.”

“…I see.”

…?

Today, it was strangely difficult to read Irene’s behavior.

She was usually the type of person whose thoughts were quite easy to read… but somehow, she felt unfamiliar to me.

Anyway—

I spent a short while explaining who Ioline was and what had happened between us.

“So… she appears to be the younger sister of your missing roommate?”

“That’s right.”

“Ah, hello…! I’m Ioline Al Caski.”

Irene responded with an incredibly gentle smile to Ioline, who had been watching nervously before finally greeting her.

“Pardon the late introduction. I am Irene Juliette. Al Caski… you must be of General Irian’s bloodline?”

“Yes. He’s our family head and my eldest brother.”

After those brief introductions.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“Since we know she’s somewhere in the territory, I want to continue searching… but I think we’ll need your help, Lady Irene. And for matters like this, we need authority…”

“It would be difficult for you alone. I see, and you’d prefer this not to reach my lord’s ears, correct?”

“Yes.”

Having explained the entire situation, she seemed to understand my story without much difficulty.

“Then I’ll help you as soon as my duties are finished today. Will that work?”

“That would be best, right?”

I looked toward Ioline as I spoke.

Ioline, knowing she had no other options, nodded.

“Please wait a little, Ioline. I’ll be back shortly after finishing up.”

“Not at all…! I’m grateful just for your help.”

Ioline bowed her head several times to express her gratitude.

“Ah, right. Lady Irene. When will your training end today?”

“Hmm? I think it will be over in about two hours…”

“That’s not too long. I’ll just wait here then. Is that okay?”

This was the reception room of the barracks.

It seemed better to stay here than wander around outside.

I was part of Serpina’s unit anyway, and they would understand having one civilian here if I mentioned she was of Irian’s bloodline.

“Yes, that’s fine. Then, I’ll be back soon after I finish.”

“Take care.”

After sending Irene off, Ioline quietly asked me a question as I sat lost in thought.

“Is that Lady Irene?”

“Yes.”

“At first I thought she might be a scary person because she seemed to be wary of me, but she’s actually very kind…”

She was wary?

‘Was she?’

I didn’t particularly get that impression, but I was about to let it go since everyone perceives things differently, when—

“Um… are you perhaps in a romantic relationship with Lady Irene?”

“What? Why so suddenly?”

Following Irene, now Ioline was bringing up words I never expected to hear.

“It’s just… the way you two look at each other is so… how should I put it, incredible…!”

With sparkling eyes and hands on her cheeks, she looked quite girlish—

I shook my head slightly and said:

“I wouldn’t mind such a relationship, but I’m not sure how Lady Irene feels.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. She’s the type of person who doesn’t think much beyond combat.”

They say the way to avoid disappointment is not to expect too much.

Rather than rushing into a proposal based on some misplaced hope and ruining our relationship, I wanted to approach her in a clear and safe situation.

But… was my expression in front of her so obvious that even a third party like Ioline could notice?

‘I need to exercise some restraint.’

I’ve heard that men who are too flighty aren’t very popular.

With such idle thoughts, I passed the time until she finished her training.

* * *

At the same time.

“…”

Thump, thump.

Irene stopped walking on her way back to the training grounds and leaned slightly against the corridor wall.

Her face felt hot. Because of the emotions she had just felt… it was as if a whirlwind was raging inside her heart.

After learning that Reika had discussed marriage with Swen.

For some reason, whenever she saw a woman he brought along, she was enveloped by feelings she had never experienced before in her life.

Just moments ago, if Swen hadn’t calmed her down, she might have lost her composure completely.

‘Why am I acting like this…?’

This isn’t like me.

It’s not befitting of a knight’s demeanor either.

Even if Swen brought any woman, and even if their relationship was romantic in nature, she should be the sword and shield that supports and protects him.

It wasn’t right for her to be so conflicted by such personal feelings.

But.

Why… couldn’t she maintain that righteous heart and support him properly, instead of being dominated by these unworthy emotions?

‘I should just think about what Father taught me.’

To act for the sake of the one you wish to protect, no matter what happens.

That was what she had learned from her father, Kafka.

Of course, the “one to protect” that her father had envisioned was the children of the Brans family—but for Irene now, that person was Swen.

Even if Swen never developed a deep relationship with her, even if he married other women, living for his sake would be the most certain compass in her life.

Even after settling her heart like that…

Why wouldn’t her heartbeat calm down?

‘Swen…’

Do I want to be his knight?

Or… do I want to be his woman?

‘…!’

Slap!

Irene struck both her cheeks hard with her hands.

Good. Now she felt a bit more clear-headed.

‘Let’s handle what Swen asked for first.’

Irene hid the ripples in her heart deep inside and resumed walking to continue her training.

She, who had grown up learning only to protect others, a mere shield of sorts…

After meeting Swen, was slowly but surely becoming a woman in her own right.

* * *

“Are you still living in the barracks?”

“Yes. I think I’ll be moving into the residence granted by my lord around next week.”

“I see. I’ll join you once everything is sorted out.”

“Mm-hmm.”

After she finished her duties, we headed to the barracks so she could prepare for our investigation, and another familiar face greeted us.

“Ah, Lady Irene…! Oh… Sir Swen is here too?”

“Hello.”

This must be the first time seeing Reika since Valentine’s Day.

She no longer trembled as much in front of us, and now she was speaking quite normally.

“Lady Reika? Did you come to meet me?”

“Yes. I had something I wanted to show you… but…”

“?”

Reika’s gaze fell on Ioline, who was standing there with a blank expression.

“…?”

“Um…?”

“What’s wrong, Lady Reika?”

“No, it’s just… that person…?”

“Ah, this is Ioline Al Caski.”

What’s this?

Irene also froze momentarily when she saw Ioline, but she didn’t seem to be surprised in quite the same way.

“Um… so she is a woman…?”

“…!”

And then.

Only after hearing Reika’s words did I instinctively realize.

“Lady Reika!”

“Eek…!!”

I grabbed both of Reika’s hands and asked.

“Have you perhaps seen Ms. Ioline somewhere before?!”

“S-S… Sir Swen…???”

“Calm down, Swen!”

Thanks to Irene stopping me, I realized I was being a bit too aggressive.

“No, I… I’m sorry. Anyway, when you say ‘she is a woman,’ that implies… you thought she was a man, which means this isn’t your first time seeing her, right?”

“No, that, um… I, I…”

Oh no.

Just when I thought she had improved… she reverted back to her “shrinking violet mode.”

I gently stroked her hands that I was holding and said:

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pressure you… please just tell me honestly. You might be incredibly helpful in our current situation.”

“Helpful…?”

“Yes! Helpful!”

After hearing my words, her trembling pink eyes gradually calmed down—

Then she nodded and replied with an enthusiastic voice.

“If I can be of help… anything…!”

Good.

Let’s hear what Lady Reika has to say.

* * *

“You’ve seen him?!”

Ioline asked Reika excitedly, unable to contain herself.

“Y-yes…! In the market alley… I saw someone who looked exactly the same a few days ago, and…”

The date she mentioned was during the time I was sharing a room with Ioline.

In other words, it overlapped with the period when Jenis was absent.

“It must be my brother!”

“Ms. Ioline, please calm down.”

Even as I tried to calm her, my face grew hot remembering how I had just acted the same way toward Reika.

I had no intention of distressing the timid Reika…

“Ah… I’m sorry. So, when exactly did you see my brother?”

“Well, that… a few days ago, in an alley…”

“Do you remember where?”

Reika nodded at my question and said:

“Yes…! I think I can find it if we go there directly.”

“Do you also remember the appearance of the people who were with him?”

She nodded confidently at Irene’s question as well.

“Yes. They had very distinctive features… I’m sure I’d recognize them if I saw them.”

‘This might be easier than I thought.’

I had been planning to search all the civilian houses in the territory with Irene under the pretext of patrol, but if Reika could point out the location, we could find him much faster.

Plus, if we could identify the people he was with, the game was practically over!

I took Reika’s hands again and said:

“Lady Reika, thank you. You’ve been an enormous help!”

“What? Oh… not at all. Hehehe… somehow, hearing that I was helpful makes me… h-happy…”

Reika said this while lowering her head with a smile.

Looking at her like this, she really was a cute woman.

Even without being a mage, she was sufficiently lovable as a woman in her own right.

“Then let’s depart immediately. Ioline, you may return first if you wish.”

“No…! I should come along—”

“No.”

I explained the situation to Ioline.

“If someone were to spot a person who looks exactly like Senior Jenis wandering around when we’ve narrowed down the search area, it could cause problems. I think it would be better for you to return to the mansion. I promise to bring you good news.”

“Ah…”

Realizing that her presence might be a hindrance, Ioline quickly understood.

“I understand. Then, Sir Swen… and everyone else, please take care of my brother.”

After sending Ioline away.

Once Irene finished preparing for the investigation, we followed behind Reika.

Since that day when I was part of the Aeshus unit and we made a hole in the wall—

It was the beginning of another joint operation, the three of us together again after a long time.

*

We followed her through the market alleys inside Einhart Castle.

As expected of a capital city, there was quite a crowd, and many street vendors selling fascinating and unfamiliar items caught my eye.

“This way!”

The place Reika pointed to was a gloomy area where sunlight barely reached.

Strangely, even the footsteps seemed to stop there, creating an eerie atmosphere, but Irene boldly took the lead.

I whispered to Reika:

“Lady Reika. You remember what I told you, right?”

“Yes…!”

Nod, nod.

I had instructed her on two things.

First, if she saw a familiar face—that is, the men who were with Jenis—she should pinch my forearm.

And second—

Knock, knock, knock.

“Is anyone home?”

As Irene knocked on the door of the first house, Reika and I stood on either side, staying alert and watching straight ahead.

After a few minutes.

“Who is it?”

A voice came from inside. A man’s voice.

“Patrol unit. We have some questions about an incident that occurred in this area, so we would appreciate it if you could come out and talk with us for a moment.”

Irene lied as I had instructed her, her expression unchanging.

Her voice was so solemn that even I would have been fooled if I were that man.

Soon after, the door opened with a clunk.

A rather large man appeared.

“What is it?”

As we looked at the well-built man—

“…!”

Lady Reika… pinched my forearm.

‘Already??’

Without needing to search any further, we hit the jackpot at the very first house.