Chapter 167: I was hoping to ask for directions

“Wow…”

The kingdom of art, Märchen.

True to its name, this place was filled with an exotic atmosphere.

Children were running around the streets, and minstrels were singing joyful songs.

The sound of instruments and clear voices blended together, joyously enveloping the city.

The buildings everywhere were adorned with harmonious paintings.

Unique signboards with designs I had never seen before caught my eye here and there.

“Really… it’s completely different.”

From the moment I stepped into the Märchen kingdom, I wandered around, entranced, for quite some time.

The air felt so free and lively, unlike the empire. It seemed to wrap around my whole body.

I began to think that living in a place like this wouldn’t be so bad.

“No, wait, I’m not here for sightseeing.”

I lightly pinched my own cheek to clear my cloudy thoughts.

I had heard from Viviana that Mardian was staying here.

She, who had taken the blame for the poisoning of the Saint, even preparing to face execution for me.

But I, instead of feeling gratitude, had ridiculed her and cast her out of the empire.

Every time I recalled Mardian’s gaze on that day, my heart grew heavy.

“I’m trying.”

I know I can’t be forgiven.

No matter how much I apologize and acknowledge my wrongs, Mardian will surely resent me.

It’s only natural. It’s the consequence of my actions.

Perhaps, even going to find her like this might be my selfishness.

But still, I have to go.

To try and mend the broken bond between us, shattered by my sins, even just a little.

“Forgiveness, I’ll ask for it.”

With a determined shout, I firmly adjusted my straw hat.

At that moment, I was wearing a flowy white dress with a blue ribbon and a straw hat decorated with it.

All I had in my hands was a travel backpack.

I wasn’t dressed like a noble, but it seemed to suit Märchen’s atmosphere better.

Looking around, people seemed to prefer casual, comfortable clothes over luxurious outfits.

“At least, it seems like the security is good.”

I was a bit worried being alone. However, seeing the guards patrolling the area, I felt there was no need to worry too much.

Lillian and Viviana insisted on accompanying me, but I stubbornly refused.

If I accepted their help, things would definitely be easier.

But when it came to Mardian, I only wanted to seek her forgiveness by myself.

No, I had to do it that way.

“…Please wish me luck, Goddess.”

I whispered as I gently caressed the necklace given to me by the Goddess.

The warm light radiating from the necklace seemed to cheer me on.

I shook off my thoughts and began to move deeper into the kingdom of art.

Märchen was by no means a small country.

It was hard to even predict how long it would take to find one person, so I had to keep moving diligently.

“First, let’s find a place to stay.”

I would have to stay here for at least a month.

Fortunately, I could count on Miranda, my grandmother, for help.

Having lived as a mercenary for a long time, she had many connections with the people of Märchen.

Thanks to that, I was able to rent a room in an inn without much trouble.

The problem was, I didn’t know where the inn was.

I looked around, searching for someone to ask for directions.

I cautiously approached a woman who was admiring a painting on the wall of a building.

“Ah, hello.”

The woman looked at me. She scanned me up and down once before turning her attention back to the painting.

“It seems like you’re a traveler.”

“Yes, I was hoping to ask for directions…”

“Are you from the Empire?”

At the unexpected question, I widened my eyes in surprise and smiled.

“Yes, that’s right. How did you know?”

“You’ve never been touched by a ray of sunlight, and you’ve never even held a pen in your hand—it’s so obvious. Most nobles from the Empire are like that.”

The woman smirked and pointed to the painting in front of her with her finger.

“Could you give me your opinion on that painting?”

“Huh?”

“It means exactly what it shows.”

I followed the tip of her finger with my eyes and looked at the painting.

On the wall of the building, flowers in vibrant colors were intricately painted.

It was certainly a beautiful and detailed painting, but for someone with little knowledge of art like me, it was just a pleasant picture.

“Umm… it’s a well-painted picture.”

“…Anyway.”

The woman gave a sarcastic smile and shrugged her shoulders.

‘The rumors were true.’

I had heard that people from Märchen weren’t very fond of Empire citizens.

At first, they were friendly, but there had been many conflicts involving Empire travelers and art.

For Empire citizens, art was just a decorative piece to be admired, not something to be deeply respected for its meaning.

The people of Märchen despised this attitude, and it’s said that the conflict has continued ever since.

“Ask someone else for directions. I’m not from around here.”

It was a clear lie.

Perhaps this woman didn’t want to talk to someone like me who had no opinion on art anymore.

“Ah… Okay, I guess I have no choice.”

I responded with a slightly wistful voice and gently fiddled with my fingers.

I turned my gaze back to the painting.

I studied the flowers with bright colors, carefully observing the beautiful blossoms.

It was still just a pretty picture to me.

But surely, the people of Märchen would feel something and get inspiration from this painting.

…Well, that’s none of my business.

“I don’t really know much about paintings. I’ve never had much of a connection with them.”

I confessed calmly, and the woman smiled softly and nodded.

“Yes, I know.”

“Still, I have an eye for beauty.”

I looked at her with sparkling eyes.

Startled by the unexpected gaze, the woman seemed a bit flustered and couldn’t speak for a moment.

“Could it be that I don’t know how to appreciate art? Because to me, the person in front of me right now looks far more beautiful than the painting.”

“W-what did you say?”

Embarrassed, the woman covered her mouth with her hand and took a step back.

I cautiously grabbed the collar of her coat and whispered in a low voice.

“Your eyes, your beautiful lips, and your clear skin are far more dazzling than those flowers.”

“W-what…?”

“I’m sure you’ll receive far more love than that painting. You’re that beautiful. I’ll support you.”

The woman’s face slowly turned red. I could feel her hand tremble slightly in mine.

Suddenly, I withdrew my arm from her and took a step back.

“Ah, I’m sorry… I was rude from the start.”

“…No, there’s no need to apologize.”

Before I could even hear her words, I hurriedly bowed my head and apologized. But soon after, I lowered my gaze and couldn’t hide the sadness in my expression as I turned away.

“Thank you for being kind. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Just as I was about to take my leave, I heard her call out.

“Wait, just a moment.”

The woman’s hand grabbed me.

I cautiously turned my head, and when I looked at her again, her gaze had softened.

“You said you were asking for directions, right?”

I smiled softly and nodded my head.

“Yes, may I ask you for a favor?”

The woman, still with a red face, kindly guided me with great care, even drawing a map for me.

***

“You’re… that person, aren’t you?”

The innkeeper was an elderly woman who seemed to be of a similar age to Grandma Miranda.

However, unlike Grandma Miranda, who was tough and muscular, the woman before me had a relatively ordinary build.

“I’ve heard a lot about Grandma Miranda. I look forward to working with you, Serilda-nim.”

I bowed my head respectfully in greeting.

“There’s no need to be so formal. After all, you’re just a guest,” she replied.

“Hehe, but you’re a friend of Grandma Miranda. I want to be polite,” I said.

“Hmph.”

Although the woman’s body was small, her sharp eyes were very much like Grandma Miranda’s.

“By the way, you managed to find the way here pretty well. The people around here aren’t exactly known for being that kind,” she remarked.

“No, they were kind. When I asked, they even carefully drew a map for me,” I said, showing her the map I had in hand.

Serilda’s face showed a slight surprise as she looked at it.

“That’s rare. It seems you were lucky to meet a kind person,” she said.

“I guess so. Thanks to that, I was able to get here without much trouble,” I smiled brightly and replied.

Serilda scratched her graying head a few times before silently handing me a bundle of keys.

“Third floor, the room at the far right end. You said you’d be staying for a month, right?”

“Yes. If any payment is required, I can pay right away,” I said.

“It’s fine. I owe Miranda a debt,” she replied.

Unlike the woman I met earlier, Serilda seemed to be relatively friendly toward me.

As a business owner, offering free accommodation for a month was undoubtedly a huge loss, but she didn’t seem to mind at all.

“If you have any questions about this place, feel free to ask. The culture is quite different from the Empire, so I’ll help you adjust as much as I can.”

“Hmm… Then, what should I do if I want to find someone?” I asked.

“Someone?” Serilda squinted her eyes in confusion.

“Yes, someone I must meet… I only know they’re here, but I don’t know exactly where they are.”

“Name and appearance, tell me. I’ve been doing business here for a long time, so I might know them.”

I explained in detail about Mardian’s name and information.

Mardian had a rather unique appearance, so I was hoping she might stand out here too.

“Hmm…”

Serilda rubbed her chin as if thinking deeply, and slightly furrowed her brows.

“You probably won’t know her.”

“No, it’s not that I don’t know her,” Serilda said unexpectedly.

I was momentarily speechless by her response.

“Platinum blonde hair, ruby-like red eyes, a sharp impression… and obviously a beautiful woman. Am I right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I don’t know if that person’s name is Mardian, but if you mention those characteristics, the people here will all think of the same person.”

I tilted my head and asked again.

“Who is that person?”

Grandmother Cerylda muttered in a low voice with a meaningful expression.

“You… are you possibly talking about the ‘Black Rose’?”

The Black Rose?

It was more of an alias than a name, a combination of words that felt ominous.

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“If the person you’re looking for is really the Black Rose, you’d better give up.”

“Why? Why is that?”

Grandmother Cerylda silently looked me up and down for a moment.

“Someone as gentle and kind as you would be devoured by her in an instant.”

I pointed to myself with a confused look on my face.

“Me?”

“According to rumors, that woman has a hobby of taking out her sadistic desires on other women.”

“Ugh, hmm…”

It seemed like it really was Mardian.

I didn’t expect to find her so easily.