Ch.86Chapter 86 – Thy Name is Pathos, Who Knows Not a Woman’s Heart

After returning from the imperial palace, I headed toward the Tower of Documents.

If I weren’t a student at Glesius Academy, I could have departed immediately, but unfortunately, I was still enrolled as an academy student.

Upon arriving at the Tower of Documents, I went up to the top floor to meet the Chancellor.

I informed the Chancellor that Ironbeard, the ruler of the Grendillet Mountains, had invited me.

“Ironbeard? He summoned you?”

“Yes, Chancellor.”

“Really? That’s quite unexpected…”

The Chancellor crossed her legs and stared into space for a moment.

It seemed she had something to contemplate.

“What do you mean by that?”

I requested a more detailed explanation from the Chancellor.

“Ironbeard of the Grendillet Mountains is an extremely proud individual.”

According to the Chancellor, Ironbeard possessed tremendous pride as a craftsman.

He had spent a long time as the ruler of the dwarves, a race of artisans.

After first ascending to the position of ruler, he had spent a full 200 years as the leader of the dwarves.

During that time, countless craftsmen had challenged Ironbeard’s position, but none had ever received his acknowledgment.

That’s why Ironbeard still remains the ruler of all dwarves in the Grendillet Mountains.

“He declared that he would only pass on his position to a dwarf who could create something more magnificent than his masterpiece.”

“What did he create that allows him to maintain his position as ruler even now?”

“He’s the one who created a replica of the Heart of Extreme Flame.”

I couldn’t help but nod at the Chancellor’s words.

The Heart of Extreme Flame.

An ancient legacy that allows the dwarves of the Grendillet Mountains to live underground and focus on their craftsmanship.

While it might not completely match the original, creating a replica of such an artifact demonstrates remarkable skill.

“Do you know about the Heart of Extreme Flame?”

“Of course. The Heart of Extreme Flame was used to create the thick metal pillars inscribed with the academy’s protective magic array.”

After answering my question about the Heart of Extreme Flame, the Chancellor showed a slightly worried expression.

“But I’m a bit concerned.”

“About what?”

“When Ironbeard sends an invitation, it’s usually for one of two reasons. Either he’s requesting a diplomat to strengthen relations at the new year, or…”

The Chancellor paused briefly.

“He’s inviting someone who holds the key to solving a serious problem he cannot resolve himself.”

“Then in this case, it seems he invited me for the latter purpose rather than the former.”

“Yes… With Ironbeard’s abilities, he should have been able to maintain the Heart of Extreme Flame under normal circumstances. I wonder what problem has arisen.”

While expressing concern about Ironbeard and the Heart of Extreme Flame, the Chancellor granted me permission to leave for the Grendillet Mountains.

“Don’t worry about the academy. You don’t need to attend classes anyway, right?”

“That’s true.”

“I’ll authorize your leave with my authority, so don’t worry about the duration and just go.”

The Chancellor handed me a leave permit and patted my shoulder, telling me not to worry.

I bid farewell to the Chancellor and immediately packed my belongings.

“Eterna.”

“Yes, Lord Pathos.”

“It seems we need to travel quite far. Could you accompany me this time as well?”

“Where are we going?”

I told Eterna our destination.

When she heard that our destination was the Grendillet Mountains, far beyond the empire’s borders, Eterna’s face lit up.

“Of course! I’ve always wanted to visit there! When are we departing?”

“His Imperial Majesty has arranged for a carriage.”

“Hmm…”

Eterna seemed slightly disappointed to hear that the Emperor had arranged a carriage.

Perhaps she missed the unlimited galloping we did when rushing to Margrave Beventus’s territory last time.

“Well… alright. I’ll make some preparations then.”

She left saying, “I need to contact the Solar Order since we’re going abroad~”

Her footsteps somehow seemed a bit lighter.

“Woah!”

“Oh my!”

Just then, with a crashing sound, two people I knew well tumbled before me.

“Mina? Elena?”

“Hehe… Hello, Count Severio.”

“Ho, hohoho… It’s a bright noon, Count Severio.”

My first client, Mina, and her friend, Elena.

The two were covered in dust, striking bizarre poses in front of me.

I extended my hand, and they grabbed it to finally stand up from the ground.

“What brings you here?”

I was puzzled by their sudden appearance, as I hadn’t sensed their presence at all.

“W-well, you see…”

“We heard you’re going to the Grendillet Mountains!”

While Elena hesitated, Mina quickly jumped in.

It seemed they had overheard the conversation between Eterna and me.

“Sigh…”

Eavesdropping on our plans to go to the Grendillet Mountains.

“Um, could we… perhaps go with you?”

“The two of you?”

I was taken aback by their request to join us.

After all, I was going to the Grendillet Mountains to repair the Heart of Extreme Flame.

I wondered if it would be appropriate to bring them along.

“Besides, the new semester is about to start. Is it alright for you to follow me?”

“Ah…”

“W-well, that’s true…”

Mina and Elena broke into a cold sweat at my point.

“Sigh. I can graduate without attending classes. But that’s not the case for you two.”

“…”

Mina and Elena couldn’t refute my statement.

But I still don’t understand why they suddenly want to accompany me.

“Oh? Mina? Elena? What brings you two here?”

A familiar voice came from behind them, and there stood Reina.

“It’s been a while, Lady Eldinar.”

Remembering Duke Eldinar’s words, I deliberately adopted a formal attitude toward her.

Reina seemed slightly disappointed by my businesslike demeanor.

“I didn’t come here to see you, Count. I came because I saw Mina and Elena.”

Hmm? What’s this?

This aura I’m sensing from Reina?

“S-so please don’t misunderstand. I’m not interested in you at all, Count.”

Ah. I see.

I get it now.

This is exactly like the tsundere heroines in those light novels I borrowed from a close friend.

There were some tsundere heroines in Erasto Chronicle too…

‘Isn’t this an excessively old-fashioned type of tsundere…?’

I somewhat understand why Reina is acting this way.

When a tsundere says, “I’m not interested in you!” it actually means “I am interested in you.”

Hmm, an old-fashioned tsundere type.

Reina, you’re not that kind of person.

Just go back to being that tomboy who would grab my collar and shake me.

“Reina.”

“W-why are you calling me by my name so casually?”

She became flustered when I called her by name.

I approached her and carefully brought my face close to her ear—

“I don’t know where you saw this, but it really doesn’t suit you, so I’d recommend stopping.”

“Oh.”

I threw a straightforward comment at Reina.

She appeared quite taken aback by my words.

“W-what’s going on? The book said men would like it if I acted this way…”

Sigh. Although Duke Eldinar asked me not to get involved with Reina, I remember how she helped me a lot during my early days at the academy.

I couldn’t help but offer her sincere advice.

“Reina. Don’t deliberately act that way to attract someone’s attention. It’s better to show your true self.”

“Is that so…”

Reina looked dejected at my comment.

“Yes. I prefer your original self.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You’re bold and action-oriented enough to grab my collar and shake me.”

“…”

Reina’s face turned red at my remark.

She must be embarrassed about that incident.

“Reina, you’re more charming when you’re lively, not when you’re acting prim and proper. So please don’t put on an act to attract someone’s attention.”

“…Yes.”

Reina nodded with a flushed face.

That’s right.

I don’t know who will receive her attention, but it’s nice to see her trying so hard.

“Still… it’s good to see you making such an effort. I don’t know who the man you’re interested in is, but I hope things work out between you two.”

With those words, I left the three of them.

‘No way, that person couldn’t be me.’

I returned to my quarters, hoping that I wasn’t the person she was interested in.