Ch.7373. Unbroken Shackles (1)

“I apologize for not being able to help you.”

The Archbishop, who holds the highest position except for the temple’s guardian deity, says this while offering a glass of cool water.

“There’s no need for you to apologize, Archbishop.”

“But this is rightfully the temple’s responsibility. The very fact that we’ve caused Countess Beryl such trouble is already cause for apology.”

“I told you it’s fine. The oracle interpreted through sacred power turned out to be this complex magical formula—what could anyone do about that?”

Oracles are traditionally interpreted by the temple’s priests and bishops using sacred power.

However, the problem now was that this simply couldn’t be resolved through sacred power alone.

The content of the oracle they had tried to interpret with sacred power came from such a high being that it was impossible to derive an answer directly. After one attempt, the temple had managed to convert it into a complex magical formula, and that was all they could accomplish.

That’s why Denis had arrived here.

She was the only one who could interpret this impenetrable formula, which even Muniher found impossible to decipher.

“Even Muniher threw up his hands and said there was no answer, so I came. Who else could interpret this if not me?”

“I’m grateful for your words…”

The Archbishop lowered himself respectfully, saying that the temple would help in any way possible and that she should request whatever she needed, then left.

‘He says that, but…’

It was a formidable challenge.

On the surface, it appeared to be just a few clock hands and a clock face for them to rest on, but inside was a hopelessly tangled magical formula.

To make matters worse, it wasn’t just one complex formula, but two formulas overlapping each other.

She needed to focus all her mental energy just to keep the formula from breaking, and only then could she barely read the oracle’s content written on the clock hands. What more needed to be said?

“What on earth is happening in the principality to warrant such an oracle?”

She could only fulfill her duty, assuming it was the will of the two constellations.

***

The annual festival had mostly felt like a banquet in previous years, but this year was different.

Unlike the banquets enjoyed only by nobles, this was a festival that people of all ages and genders could enjoy.

“How is it? Isn’t playing after working up a good sweat more fun?”

“Playing is fun even without sweating!”

As promised, I agreed to accompany Renias to this festival as a reward for her diligent training.

Of course, I was grateful to her for getting angry on my behalf yesterday, so while I said it was a reward, I had planned to visit the night market anyway.

I also wanted to check out the festival atmosphere and examine the inventory status of the magic stones I had been concerned about yesterday.

And my concerns turned out to be justified.

“Hmm… is it just my imagination? These seem to be from the Academy…”

As expected, I’m extremely sensitive to magical energy.

Saying they’re from the Academy is quite significant, but despite the abundance of students here, they don’t detect it well.

Just as people have different magical energies, stones containing magic can’t all be the same.

True to that, these magic stones being used at the festival were originally used at the Academy. That’s probably why they feel of higher quality.

Anyway, I’m starting to worry about how to prepare for this.

Having experienced something similar during the Osoftera defense battle, I actually know what to do. Two methods, in fact.

The problem is that both methods are impossible to implement immediately, and the risks are far too great.

As I was deeply lost in thought, a sound from behind broke my concentration.

“Renias, wait a moment.”

“Huh? Whoa…!”

Instinctively sensing danger from their blatant actions, I pulled Renias toward me and held her.

Somehow, the sound of citizens murmuring behind us and horse hooves striking the ground was getting closer. I wasn’t mistaken after all.

“Make way!”

“Oh my!”

“Elder, are you alright?”

“How could they…”

They continued galloping without slowing down.

Riding horses through streets already crowded with people, and not even slowing down when people were walking right in front of them.

They were cutting through the city center as if they didn’t care if people got hurt.

“What kind of people are they? Are you hurt?”

“N-no! Since you caught me, I’m fine!! S-so you can let go of me now!”

“Hmm? Oh, right.”

“E-excuse me for a moment. I’m suddenly feeling hot?! Ahaha…!”

She suddenly pushed me away with both hands and turned her back to me, shaking her head from side to side.

…I hope she’s really not hurt? Her face seemed a bit flushed when I glimpsed it before she turned away… though that might be unrelated.

Well, she said she wasn’t hurt, so I guess she’s fine. She doesn’t seem injured externally either. That’s good enough.

Renias cleared her throat and returned to normal, then spoke while looking at the people who had just ridden past on horseback.

“That’s strange… judging by that emblem… they shouldn’t be seen around here.”

“Which family are they from?”

“The Kutelli County family, located in eastern Algenib Province. They have no particular reason to come to Levrant.”

“…What?”

As soon as I heard those words, an unsettling feeling washed over me.

The Kutelli County family? Why would a representative family of the noble alliance, hostile to Archduke Ardelion, set foot in this festival’s night market?

And they didn’t send subordinates for reconnaissance, but knights who protect their family.

Even if I tried not to be suspicious, I couldn’t help it.

“Senior? Let’s go together!!”

I’m sorry to Renias, but my body moved before I could think.

The chill running down my spine told me something was definitely happening nearby.

The Kutelli County family.

The presence of their knights could only mean one thing to me… they were targeting Silvia.

I tracked the direction the knights’ horses had gone.

And when I finally confirmed their destination, I understood their objective.

─────!

My suspicions were confirmed.

Peaceful? Smooth? Pleasant?

Such words don’t fit in a place where a festival is being held.

But even in such places, there are always blind spots.

The evening is dark, but the lights of the wide, bright night market don’t dim.

Yet there are places where the light doesn’t reach well.

Even in a night market bustling with festival-goers, dark and empty places exist.

─If you continue like this, we’ll have no choice but to take you by force, miss.

─I don’t need to be there. I must have been expelled!

─I told you. You haven’t been expelled, miss.

─So let’s go now. The head of the family must be waiting.

─Let, let go! Why are you looking for me now?!

My teeth clenched as I heard a familiar voice.

And I clearly heard it.

That name at the end.

─We’re sorry, Miss Silvia.

I don’t know what’s happening, but the fact that I need to save Silvia, who was nearby, remains unchanged.

The unsettling feeling revived memories from before my regression.

The memory that Silvia had quietly disappeared from the Academy once.

***

A long-awaited festival.

Though it’s an annual event, this time the atmosphere was a bit different.

“Mmm~ This is it. This is what a festival should be! Don’t you think so too, Silvia?”

“I wouldn’t know even if you say that.”

“What? Haven’t you been to plenty of banquets and such before?”

“I mainly attended social circles. And during festivals, I just filled seats for family exchanges…”

Besides, this was her first time experiencing such an open festival atmosphere.

In banquet halls stifled by noble etiquette, all she did was exchange formal greetings and then hide in a small lounge to kill time.

Hearing this, Hena gave her a meaningful look, took her hand, and said she understood.

She even hugged her, saying “poor Silvia”… though what exactly she meant was unclear.

“Just trust this big sister and follow me. On days like this, you need to have fun.”

“Is that so…?”

Actually, even with the night market open, she hadn’t thought much about it.

With the new semester starting, textbooks had changed, and some lectures required supplies, so maybe she’d get those in advance?

But Hena found her attitude frustrating and pulled her along by the wrist.

Hena looked like she was on a picnic or outing, just at night instead of during the day.

After heading to the night market, she had experiences she’d never even considered before.

They rummaged through various places, with Hena recommending accessories and picking out inexpensive but quality decorative items.

And then there were snacks and sights to see.

Holding Hena’s hand, her first experience of a night market and festival atmosphere was enjoyable in many ways.

Then they appeared.

“Huh? Who are you?”

“Take care of her.”

“Mmph! Mmmmph!!”

“What are you doing!! Let her go!!”

A man suddenly covered Hena’s mouth and started dragging her away.

Silvia tried to swing a condensed wind weapon at him, but couldn’t interfere.

Hena struggled, then went limp after being struck in the neck, and was carried away like a sack.

“Miss. It’s time for you to return to the mansion.”

The moment she heard those words, her heart sank.

‘No way… it can’t be. It can’t.’

Yet her eyes naturally turned to where the emblem was drawn on the armor.

The emblem on his chest. Silvia found herself staring at the family emblem she never wanted to see again.

“We will escort you to the Kutelli County residence, Miss Silvia.”

The shackles had not yet been broken.

***

Life as a student unrelated to her family versus life as the daughter of the Kutelli County family.

Levrant Academy versus the Kutelli County residence.

A body free from status versus a body bound by the shackles of being a count’s daughter.

That place was a prison without bars, so there was no reason to want to return.

“I must have been expelled, right? There’s no reason for me to go back to the county family.”

“I’m sorry, but Miss Silvia still belongs to the Kutelli County family.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! There’s been no contact since the exams ended!”

She had been so anxious before the end-of-term evaluation precisely because she knew it would be the end.

The count’s intention to cast her out had been clear, so there could be no stronger evidence.

However, the knight of the Kutelli County family maintained his stance.

“If you continue like this, we’ll have no choice but to take you by force, miss.”

“I don’t need to be there. I must have been expelled!”

“I told you. You haven’t been expelled, miss.”

“So let’s go now. The head of the family must be waiting.”

“Let, let go! Why are you looking for me now?!”

Despite Silvia’s determination to escape somehow, it wasn’t going to be easy.

Whether by magic or physical strength, the gap was obvious, and she was outnumbered, so there was simply no way out.

“Someone help me!! They’re trying to take me away by force!!”

Not wanting to return like this, she cried out for help from those around her, but cruelly, her voice was drowned out by the sound of fireworks.

“Sigh… You’re being troublesome until the end.”

“We’re sorry, Miss Silvia.”

As the knight’s hand approached, Silvia’s eyes squeezed shut and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

“Ugh…?!”

“What are you doing?!”

One knight was kicked and sent rolling, releasing his grip on Silvia’s arm.

“Huh…?”

A man standing before her held up his arm as if to prevent anyone from approaching her.

His hair, darker than the night sky, fluttered in the breeze. It seemed as if even the light from the night market couldn’t illuminate his hair.

“Are you alright, Silvia?”

His name was Junon.